The Sun. — London, England, 1844-01-01 00:00:00

Trbirti Mbition 'FIE FUNDS-(C ,OSING PRICES.) BRITIS] B dak Stock lB5 3 par Cent. Red. 3 ,er Cent. Cons. 3i p.n . Cent. Red... 1021 ew 3} per Cent.... 'New 5 per Cent Long Annuities to expire Jan. 1860 ...... Oct. 1859 Jan. 1860 FOREIG FUNDS. India Stock pm Ditto Bonds ,Ditto Old Annuities ... {Ditto New Annuities... Ex. Bills, 1,000/. lid. 66 pm Ditto 500/...... 66 pm Ditto Small ...... 64 pa Bank Stock for Acct. 18.41 India Stock for .... Consols for Opg. i FUNDS. • Anstrtan, 5 per cent Portuguese, 5 per cent. Belgian, b per cent 'Ditto New Ditt0 ......... Brazilian 80nd5.... Prussian, b per cent.... - Blenos Ayres 6 per cent. Russian, 5 per cent...... °Whin, 6 per cent — DiAto,Bietaffic ....• Colombian, 6 per cent... Spanish, 5 per cent 224 Ditto, 1824 — IDitte, 3 per cent.... 3l Cuba Bonds, 6 per cent ll* Ditto, Deferred.... .. Danish, 3 per sent Greek, 1825, 5 per cent — Exchange .... —f —c. Mexican, 5 per cent. ... IFrench, 3 per eent. —f —c. Ditto, 6 per cent. 1837 IDutch, 2% per cent. 54% Peruvian, 1825,6 per ct. 23 : SHARES. Ditto, b per cent.... 100 Birmingham and Derby (100 paid) ........• 57 Ditto New Thirds (25 paid) ..... ..... ... 184 Birmingham and Gloucester Railway (100 pd) 64% Bristol and Exeter (70 paid) .. ...... . Great North of England Railway (100 pd) 85 Great Western (65 paid) Ditto Half Shares (50 paid) Ditto Fifths (12 paid) ... 19% Hull and Selby (50 paid) London and Brighton (50 pa d) Ditto Loan Notes (10 paid) ... .. ...... London and Blackwall (16/ 13s 4d paid) London and Birmingham (100 paid) 237 London and Greenwich Railway (12115 s 4dpd) 54 London and Croydon Railway (Trunk) ... 14% Manchester and Leeds (70 paid) ...... ...- lOl Ditto New Shares (30 paid) Ditto Quarter Sharon ( 2 paid) 7l Midland Counties Railway (100 paid) Ditto Quarter Scares (15 paid) 2l* Newcastle and Darlington Junction(ls paid' 295 North Midland (100 paid) Ditto Thirds (211. 13s. 4d. paid) ... 29% Paris and Orleans (20 paid) .. ... 34 Paris and Rouen (20 paid) ... . ... ............ 33* SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF THIS DAY. GLOBE.—The organs of the ultra section of the Tories begins the year with a manifesto against Sir Robert Peel, and the Ministry of which he is the chief. Retrospection supplies matter for reproach — " the future' is invested with gloom, across which frightful forms are seen to flit, inspiring apprehension of coming calamities. " Twelve months," says the Post, " have now rolled by since, at the close of 1842, we gave sorrow ing and reluctant testimony on the nature and conse quences of the political course which, denounced on the hustings by Conservative candidates, had been supported in Parliament by Conservative legislators." . . Allowed ourselves to hope better things for the future." But " the future"—to which the excited fears of the Post looked forward with alternate anxiety and hope— brought no diminution, much less a removal, of the causes which inspired disappointment and " sorrow" in the organ of the deceived and betrayed Tories. " When the last session of Parliament had reached its ignomi nious close," the Post " took occasion to represent how the patient expecting friends of the Government—tire patient and suffering people who elected it"—had been duped and injured by " the Ministry which they had placed in office." The Pose therefore—in the name of the nu merous and influential section of the Tory party—proceeds to justify the dissatisfaetiori with which that party con templates the policy of the Government. The ineotn petency of Sir Robert Peel for the post he fills is set forth in a variety of particulars, extending to every part of the policy of his Adn.iniseation. As a financier, his estimates are shown to have, been erroneous. The 46 grand scheme of finance," by which the Minister boNly undertook to restore the exhausted exchequer, and on which he consented to rest his claims to public confidence, has proved a failure —a source of disappointment to the country, and a proverb of reproach to the charlatan who, with the confidence of a quack, propounded it as a remedy for the national maladies. erhe " Arms Bill"—which the Ministers pressed through feeliament with a pertinacity that indicated the irn portence they attached to its provisions in dealing with the popular excitement in Ireland—that chef dneurre of the Cabinet, is branded by the Conservative Post as a " contemptible" measure ! The Premier's Church-extension scheme is designated " an ingeniously contrived illustration of the mountain-in-labour fable ;" while " great and important measures, as the Factory still and the Poorlaw—measures grounded on the actual pressing necessities of the poor —were muti lated, withdrawn, postponed, ' got rid of' in any way -that temporary expe dienc y mi g ht suggest." To the in difference evinced by the Government to the outbreaks in Wales, and the consequent inefficient means em ployed to suppress the disturbances, and then to remove -the dissatisfaction which had produced them—to this -want of perception and promptitude is ascribed the in surrection which ensued :—" The Welsh Rebeccaite -tumults, ostensibly originating in local grievances of a subordinate character, were [thus] eusily inflamed to the aspect of a semi-political rebellion." The course pursued by the Government in dealing with discontents and corn emetions in Ireland, meets with the same unqualified con eer,,,7ation. With reference to our Indian empire, the Post The conquest of Sinde, and the revolution and m ma ssacre by which the Sikh territory has been adr plunged el into blood and anarchy , will not fail t o reumre produce chang .es in the face of our empire in the East." "It is undecided whether the Punjaub shall continue an independent ally, or be incorporated with our enormous r t , liatie dominions." These changes, and the uncertainty' . in which they invest the future with respect to India, are regarded with ap prehension, if not le th positive alarm. The in le and Spain is then alluded ternal condition of Frans to in terms anything but calculated to inspire re spect for the foreign policy of the British. Government. Had Lord Palmerston directed that department, the agents of France would have been detected, and their machinations would have been defeated. No such scenes—at once humiliating and disgraceful, would have :been transacted. To the solemn imbecilities of Lord Aberdeen—no match for Louis Phillippe and his Mi misters in statemanship—the fearful condition of Spain is to be attributed. The Post pants for the return of Ab seils-dimes:a cure for the anarchy which now prevails. We desiee the restoration of Constitutional Government, which was overthrown with Espartero, and the consequent re moval ,of the foul traitors who, having acquired power by treachery and perjury, use the child they have placed on the throne as alternately a puppet and a tool ; and thus insult, degrade, and endanger the monarchy they hypocritically affected to reverence and professed a desire -eo uphold. Louis Philippe, the ally of England, with whom el l e Government is not merely on terms of amity, but to whom the Sovereign of this country has recently paid a visit of friendship and interchanged cordial tokens of roygl regard—this Prince is selected as the subject of the c'est's vituperation ; his person insulted—his right to the throne he fills impugned—and the speedy down fal of hill dynasty predicted. And all this by a Con servative journal ! But the fortunes of foreign nations must not ,ilvert our attention from troubles and ca lamities that elict our own. Such is the exordium with which the Post ie'etroduces a description of the condition of the national interes:s at home, " now we are in the third year of the officio./ and parliamentary supremacy of ' the most able body of stettesenen whom the present generation has seen embodied in one Cabinet." What are our gains by their wisdom and ability ? " The English producer" is " going headlong to beggary ;" while the condition of the manufacturin g population is not permanently im proved. We might continue the topics of retrospective ,condenination—of present ci%;,ssatisfaction—and of antici pated ruin to each of the great national interests that were to revive and flourish under the protection and guidance of the heaven-born Minister. To his abandon ment of the policy which he gave his supporters reason to econclude would be the system of his government, is meferred all the past, present, and predicted mischiefs seehich have, dv, p will afflict the community. 45through the space of four columns of mourning, hernentation and woe, the Post describes and deplores the fail leve of the Peel Administration. The topics thus dwelt u et fay a Tory organ, we have , on man y occasions, full y disco'' If we have not started from the same points, we t in e oncearrived at the same conclusions as our Con have CmPprary. A growing dissatisfaction—the 'disappointment in some,and of a confirmed con product of ters, that a change of administration, as the viction in ot of a change of policy, is essential to the only assuraac, an , 4 prosperity of the empire—pervades all tranquillity classes. Events ,are co-operating, with the growing dis satisfaction ; ana',lnclicate, most clearly, that the disrup tion of a Cabinet eieieounced by most and confided in by none, is not distant. 'e a-re able to contradict, in the STANDARD.—Vit naost distinct and positive terms the statement put for ward by the Globe and Morning Chronicle, that the Cabi net has resolved upon the recal of Earl de Grey word from of the Viceroyalty of Ireland, There is not one truth in the story, or even a shadow of foundation for it. The cee4leaemes in office of the N f oble for, Earl have eve Lieu ry reason to .be satisfied with , nay grateful the Lord tenant of 1. "elands conduct in his arduous office, and he is not the man to abandon his post in circumstances like these in whit. h Ireland is now placed. The fable which we contradict is merely one of the natural productions of the season. The least observant reader of newspapers knows that such .f a brications come as regularly at this time of year as the . short days — we w ere g oin g to sa y the snow, but that has .n ' ot this year kept time as regularly as the political fob. nlists. We repeat it, there is n o more truth in the stesyy than in the projected repeal .of the corn-laws, -which We? had to contradict not many days since. Earl De Grey Lord Lieutenant of Ire land, and will re e osin Lord aeutenant of Ireland as l ong as it shall plessse him ; and we trust it will please him to remain to 'the enjoyment of that pacific triumpi', in laying the foul% dation of which ;le has bad so large a share. —..... -------_ Till!: CORN LAWS. Vbe turn of the ye ar, like the turn of the road, always seems to •000 r a new prop, ct, and men begin to think of the meeting of PitOiament, now : no longer at a distance of months, but LA Wlsekolmll only by d.a r , as the chief object of interest and Asp.. ...,-14taotio.n.:;-- What IN ill be the leading feature in the new see ,t ,1,151.-Pu'iL.,l"---,, skin?''. 'How will' I Ministers meet Parliament ; with firmness "11-."._asked,'"ln• l ut, 4,tation•,?" tare the questions which now begin to be Z:i-,.- , . T -Tr-all. socie- ties: -%* ' l * 4 ' ll -.0 1 r , .<-.....,, aiiii. in lie : na 1, .partly, no doubt, with a view to create ( \'" d % . •••- - for• a ihtitit # 4 . " ;. v " 4 s .ve ranks, and partly in order to prepare been hn , v t „,,, , 1." I n disappointment and indignation — ha ve see sloe of , F t a i,Tl ni ~11,1111 past in, assuring ns, that the next see- Mho tikesKSV the c m eet either complete, or at least commence, ei z i repeal i , in all probability, p posed by - Sir Rob out, maelf "No an" said the T z ~ Pat c ' TILE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY E V ENING, JANUARY 1, 1844. Chronicle of December 2, "can expect the present corn-law, or anything like it, to last two years. Perhaps the outlines of its successor are already_on paper and are of such a charact er as to account for Sir Edward paper, absence from the councils of the Cabinet." Such proglosties as these have been constantly made use of in the Whig journals during the last three months; and they answer, as we have already said, the double purpose of alas:ming a few timid Conservatives ; and of forming an apparent ground fur vast indignation—when it shall wear, at last, that the Ministry has not the slightest in tention of the kind ; and when thus it will be said, " the uni versal ex pectation" shall have been" lamentably disappointed." The plain fact, however, is, that but for these politic prog nostics of the Whig newspapers, and the clamours of the League, not a single creature in her Majesty's dominions would dream of such a thing as a further tampering with the corn-laws. Why should they ? Sir Robert Peel is known to be a cautious statesman: this measure, one of the chief acts of the present Administration, was carefully considered, and passed with great deliberation ; and it has entirely answered all the purpose of its framers. On what rational ground, then, should any one expect its sudden and causeless repeal, after an existence of less than two years? We say that the measure has entirety succeeded. Indeed, we may challenge any politician to adduce a case, in modern times at least, in which the objects professed by the proposers of a measure have been so fully realised by the event. The Reform Bill, we all know, disappointed all parties ; so did the Municipal Corporations Bill • so did the New Poor-law; so did the Penny Postage, which was to have augmented the Pest-office revenue in theory, but which has nearly annihi lated it in fact. Nearly every nostrum of the Whig Adminis tration turned out altogether another thing from what its pro pounders intended. But the corn-law of 1842, we broadly , and unhesitatingly assert, has in no respect fallen short of its proposer's views and intentions. It has done all that it was intended to do-; and the enmity shown towards it by the Whigs and the League arises merely from its not doing what no one ever supposed that it would do. No one ever supposed, for instance, that it would atop the clamours of the Leaguers. Those honourable and very worthy persons, like their great master and exemplar in Ireland, thrive by agitation, and have not the least wish or intention Ito give it up, so long as a grievance can be imagined or invented. It is the corn-law agitation that makes Mr. Cobden Member for Stockport, and Mr. Bright Member for Durham ; and both these respectable gentlemen have told us, that they will never cease their agitation so long as there is an iota of duty on corn ; in other words, that they will retain their present " proud position" as long as they can find adherents to follow them. All this Sir Robert Peel knew long enough ago ; and his Corn Bill was not intended to attempt what he knew to be impossible ; i.e., to persiade a vain and conceited demagogue to retire into obscurity, so long as he had the means of keeping himself at the head of a popular agitation. Nor; in the next place, was the Corn Bill of 1842 designed to satisfy the clients of the Times—by establishing an exten sive and a steady continental trade in corn. That large and regular imports of corn are needed, is disproved by the expe rience of the last ten years. That to import corn largely when it is not needed, must be injurious to the main branch of our national industry, is self-evident. Hence the law of 1842 did not propose to encourage a large and steady import ; and it has not encouraged it. What, then, was the object of the change effected in 1842? It was, to correct the previously-existing system, by apply ing the results of the experience of a dozen years. It was, by a more carefully graduated scale, to obtain greater steadiness of price ; and also a rather lower price in times of scarcity. Precisely what Sir Robert Peel described as his object, in his speech introducing the measure, has been attained, and at• tamed in the simplest and easiest manner, and at no cost of principle, or even of pecuniary advantage. We will quote a single passage from Sir Robert Peel's speech of Feb. 9,1842, and then compare it with the event : —" It is utterly beyond your power, and a mere delusion to say that by any duty, fixed or otherwise, you can guarantee a certain price to the producer. It is beyond the reach of the Legislature." . • . . " But I should say, that for the protection of the agricultural interest, if the price of wheat In this country, allowing for its natural oscillations, could be limited to some such amount as between 545. and 585., Ido not believe it is for the interest of the agriculturist that it should be higher." Such was the Premier's explicit declaration of his object. Now what has been the result? Here are the averages of the year 1843 : s. d. January 28 ... 49 3 February 25 March 25 April 29 May 27 June 24 July 22 August 26 56 8 September '23 October 23 November 25 .. De; ember 23 These prices have followed two favourable harvests. They therefore naturally fall rather below the figures stated by the Premier as his maximum, A deficient harvest or two would probably raise prices fully up to that mark. But two circum stances here call for observatinn—lst, The great steadiness of price which has followed the adoption of the new system— and 2d, That the price suggested by Sir Robert Peel has not, in these favourable seasons, been fully realised; though pro bably the average of three years will prove the accuracy of his calculations. And this makes the idea of further change still more prepos terous. The clamourous party is that which demands low prices . well, it turns out that Sir Robert Peel's measure gives them, after all, at least up to this time, rather lower prices than he himself intended. He has already been better than his word ; and if any rectification can be needed, it must rather be in behalf of the other party. There is, then, not the shadow of a hope, on any reasonable grounds, that the Government, after cautiously and delibe rately adjusting this great question in 1842, will re-open it in 1844. In fact, the mere desire or disposition to do so, on their part, would necessarily so shake public confidence, that the very Consols themselves would waver and oscillate at the prospect. There is no such inroad upon the public credit, however, in prospect for the chroniclers of 1844. , This single question disposed of, what have the malcontents to look forward to ? In what part of the kingdom, in what quarter of the globe, can a grievance be raked up? Truly, for Whig expectants, the prospect is lamentable. The League is I indeed their " forlorn hope." Peace in all parts of the earth— , a restoration of our finances—a still advancing revival of trade and manufactures, would seem to promise a session of more than ordinary quietness. But these are stirring times. Much, ' we are aware, will be demanded of the Government, and we believe and expect that much will be endeavoured by them. Party strife may sometimes defeat their best purposes, as in the case of the Factory Education Bill of last yea r ; but they must labour on in spite of disappointments; and we anticipate that the coming session will not be a barren one, of carefully.prepared and well-digested measures of Conservative reform.—Herald. STATE of the REPRESENTATION. (From the " Complete Suffrage Almanack," 1844.) It appears that there were upwards of one million electors on the register in the year 1840. It must, however, be recollected that a large proportion of the electoral constituencies, about one quarter, never exercise the franchise, so that the real effective electors of the United Kingdom could not then be estimated at more than 800,000. There is much doubt whether the number of electors has been much increased since that period, when we take into consi deration the severe distress that has, for the last few years, visited all classes, except the higher, and the wholesale disfranchisement that has been going on in l i Ireland. If, therefore, we take the total number of electors on the register in 1840, as representing the whole of the electors who would now exercise the franchise, it will, probably, be rather over than under the mark. It will hence appear that one person out of about every seven male adults is represented in the House of Commons—that is to say, that out of the 6,736,697 male adult population of this country, 5,724,411 are taxed by the State without having a voice in the making of its laws ! By analysing the list of constituencies, we arrive at still more startling results. Thus, in England. Wales, and Scotland, which return 592 members, sixty-seven of the constituencies number less than 500 persons ; 145 less than 1,000 ; and 209 less than 2,000. Accordingly, nearly one .half the representatives of cities and boroughs of England, Wales, and Scotland are returned by about 100,000 constituents. Nor is this all. We find that, in the United Kingdom, 232 Members represent about 220,000 ; and thus it may fairly be calculated that, out of the 658 Members of the House of Commons, 330 of them—or a clear majority—are returned by less than 300,000 persons. The destinies of this country, therefore, are actually confided to the hands of about•one-third of the elec- tonal body. In other words, one twenty-third part of the male adult population of this kingdom elect an absolute majority of that House, which not only ex ercises an omnipotent control over the liberties and Propertruc , av,--- 1 .a. 0, --AALkixis._according to the Con- stitution of these realms, especial House." Much is said of our nicely balanced Constitution. Let us examine it. The Crown is a mere puppet in the hands of the aristocracy, and virtually, if not nominally, possesses no political power. The House of Lords, which, except in case of voting the supplies, possesses a power commensurate with the House of Commons, is, of course, the ready instrument of oli garchical rule. We now come to the third branch of that Legislature, in which, according to theory, op posing interests are so impartially represented that they form a counterpoise the one to the other. The Commons' House of Parliament, designed to repre sent the people as distinguished from the nobility of this country, who possess a House of their own, is chosen by the votes of one-seventh part, and a majo rity of its Members by one twenty-third part, of the male adult population. This is the House of Com mons, which, according to the theory of the Consti tution, represents the sentiments of the whole people of Great Britain ! the 'People's BEDE LIGHT AT THE BROOMIELAW.—According to the resolution of th© river trustees, the steam-boat wharf at the Glasgow-bridge, which certainly stood very much in need of such an improvement, was last night lighted up, for the first time, with the Rude light. The light, which is calculated as equal to upwards of forty ordinary burners, stands upon a pillar abuut twenty five feet in height, and sheds a brilliant illumination upon surrounding objects. It has all the appearance of a lighthouse towering above the bridge, sheds, and other elevations near it, and will be seen at a great distance. Indeed, with such a blaze, accidents to vessels arriving or departing at a late hour from that part of the harbour. even on the darkest nights, must be exceedingly rare. The site is well chosen, and the light will, doubtless, prove an immense advantage to the bustling portion of the harbour where it is situate. Notwithstanding this most us;!ful addition to the steam-boat wharf, there is still another to be made (the want of which is much com plained of by the public), and which could be supplied at a very small expense to the trustees; we allude to the erection of a small clock in front of one of the sheds at the lower end of the quay, whereby persons waiting for steamers or hurrying to them, can gain at once informa tion concerning a matter sometimes difficult enough to be ascertained, viz., the exact hour of sailing, &c. The advantages to be derived by this addition are so apparent that we, do not need to enlarge upon them. We hope the hint will meet with due attention in the proper quarter.—Glasgow Chronicle. THE THREE HUNDREDTH ANNI VERSARY OF THE PUBLICATION OF • ------ THE COPERNICAN SYSTEM. On Saturday, the 30th December, a meeting was held at the Chambers of the Literary Association of the Friends of Poland, to commemorate the above event. A great many Poles, as well as distinguished friends of Poland, were present. Among the latter we noticed Lord Dudley Stuart, the Hon. Colonel Leicester Stan hope, Colonel Watson, the Rev. Dr. Worthington, John Wood Esq., Chairman of the Excise ; Professor Ber nays, of King's College ; W. D. Saull, Esq., member of the Astronomical Society ; Dr. Gardner, Thomson Hankey, Esq., &c. &c. Lord D. STUART, having taken the chair in virtue of his office of Vice-President (the President being absent), shortly explained that the objects of the Association were of a literary, political, and charitable nature, and,. although circumstances had for some time compelled it to devote nearly the whole of its attention to the latter objects, still that it was not unmindful of the former, and when any opportunity arose of attending to the first, it gladly embraced it. Many of the Poles having ex pressed a desire that the present year, the three hun dredth since the work of Copernicus on the solar system was first printed, should not be suffered to elapse without some public notice of that event, the present meeting of the Association had been called. It would give an opportunity for refuting the absurd attempt which had been made of late years to deprive Poland of the honour of counting Copernicus among her sons. It was no wonder the Poles should be anxious to repel such an in justice. Spoliated and oppressed, they had nothing left them but the proud recollections of former glory. These—and one thing more, hope—alone remained to them. May that hope, said his Lordship, be one day fulfilled to the utmost of their wishes. Colonel SZYRMO then read a paper which he had pre pared for the occasion. He gave an online of the state astronomy was in at the age of Copernicus. Entering upon the Copernican system, he extolled its superior merits in application to geography, navigation, and espe cially in its legitimate province, astronomy, where it has paved the way to the vast discoveries in the succeeding three centuries. He dwelt upon the sensation the great work of Copernicus produced in Europe after it appeared in print, and mentioned the singular fact that the first copy of it the astronomer received when on his death bed, and died on the same day. He had bestowed on it thirty-six years, and published it only at the solicitations of his friends. The lecturer refuted the notion of Coper nicus being a German as absurd, it being of recent date, and unsupported by any historical document. Not one word is said by his biographers, ancient and modern, in confirmation of it. Copernicus was born in 1473, at Thorn, which was a town of Regal i. e. Polish Russia. That province formed at his age an integral part of Poland, and continued for 300 years after him to belong to that kingdom, until the first partition of it in 1772. Besides, the father of Copernicus was not a native of Thorn, but settled there as a citizen of Cracow (Civis Cracoviensis). Copernicus acquired the rudiments of Greek and Latin in his native town, and completed his studies at the University of Cracow, at that time celebrated for mathematics. The most eminent of the professors there was Albert Brudzewski ; the astrono mer was his pupil. His life was considered by the lec turer under manifold aspects. He described him as a student at Padua, where Copernicus was graduated doctor of philosophy and medicine, and in his character as professor of mathematics at Rome ; as, a recluse, after his return to Cracow, when maturing his great astronomical system, and, subsequently, in the character of a priest and a canon of Warmia ; as the ad ministrator of the demesnes of the Bishopric, and as an opponent to the Teutonic Order in Prussia, whom he considered as foes to Poland and aliens to the Prussian people ; as a nuncio to the Polish Diet at Grandentz, and calculating like Newton, debated money currency, and proposing a plan to the States for reducing it to an uniform standard in the whole kingdom; as a physician administering medicaments to the peasantry, by sshom, on that account, he was worshipped like a deity (ut rumen quochlum) ; as a civil engineer who constructed hydraulic machines for supplying the town with water, and so forth. The sketch he gave of the astronomer's posthumous fame was not less interesting, and having, in a tour through Prussia, himself visited all the places where Copernicus resided, he minutely described the house, and the interior of it, where the philosopher was born, and the observatory, where he made his observations. In the portraits he had seen of him he discovered a strong resemblance to Roger Bacon ; and mentioning the representation of Copernicus on the ceiling of the Picture Gallery at Greenwich, with the firmament over his head, and his solar system in his hand, he said—" Nowhere could a fitter association of Copernicus be made than in that place of England's naval glory, and in the very asylum of the seafaring men who, on their voyages to distant regions, might be said to hang on the abyss and to tread on the stars." Colonel Szyrmo added a description of the inauguration of the bronze statue of Copernicus (by Thorwaldsen), which took place at Warsaw, in 1830, and at which he was present. Several excellent and interesting speeches were then delivered by Colonel Watson, the Rev. Dr. 'Worthington, Mr. Wood, and others, who expressed their admiration of the discourse which had been delivered by Colonel Szyrmo, and their full concurrence in his views ; and thanks having been voted to that gentleman, and to Lord Dudley Stuart, for his conduct in the chair, the meeting separated. SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY, On Saturday, a special general meeting of the Pro prietors in this Company was held at the Nine Elms station, Vauxhall, Mr. William Chapman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, presiding, to take into considera tion the propriety of extending the line to Salisbury, Newbury, and Epsom. There was a numerous attend ance of Proprietors, amongst whom were Mr. Chute, NI.P., Mr. Trewart, M.P., and several gentlemen attend ing as a deputation from Salisbury. Mr. MortGAN, the Secretary, read the Directors' Re port, from which it appeared that Mr. Locke, the en gineer, had completed the survey of the proposed line to Epsom, and which, by the construction from the parent line of five miles of railway, touching at Ewell, would bring Epsom within fourteen miles of Vauxhall, the cost of the line being estimated at 51,0001. and the traffic at 5,4121. per annum, of which a large amount would be derived from carrying visitors to the races. The proposed Salisbury Railway, from the Bishopstoke station, by Romsey, somewhat under 22 miles, might be completed for 2301., having the advan tage of forming a good communication between the ports of Portsmouth and Southampton. The total estimated revenue to bo derived from traffic would be 25,0001, of which 14,000/. would accrue from passengers, so that, allowing 40 per cent. for the working expenses, there would be 7 per cent. profit on the investment. The Directors did not propose the construction by themselves of the proposed railway to Newbury, but proposed to accept a lease of it in perpetuity, at a rental of 3i per cent. The length of the branch would be about 16 miles, and could be constructed for 200,0001., the traffic being sufficient, and more so, than to replace at least 7,0001. a-year. The Directors further proposed, on account of the accession of traffic, to increase the public accommodation at the Nine Elms station, either by removing the booking-offices, &c., to a new site next the Wandsworth-road, or by transferring thither a por tion of the goods trade. The Directors proposed that the requisite capital for these branch lines, the New bury excepted, should be raised amongst the Proprietors, and concluded their .Report by suggesting that they be empowered by the Proprietors in the next session to apply for an Act of Parliament, authorising the con version of the share capital of the Company into str The CHAIRMAN addressed the meeting at consi,lt rable length on the topics contained in the Report, represent ing the great advantages that would accrue to the parent line by the construction of these tributary rail ways, in addition to the traffic which it at present de rived from its being one of the great arteries of commu nication by means of Portsmouth and Southampton, with India and China, from its connexion with the shipping at Portsmouth and the military station at Gosport, and the general traffic of the south-western parts of England. The New bury branch had the support of Lord Carnarvon, Lord Craven, and Lord Bolton, and the support of his Grace the Duke of Wellington. A branch to Guildford was also under consideration. A long and animated discussion followed, in which Mr. Chute, Mr. Trewart, Mr. Tite, Mr. Gilbert, and others took part. Ultimately resole' is embodying the propositions contained in the Directors' report were passed unanimously, and the meeting separated. TnE NELSON MONUMENT.—For some days work men have been employed on a new se,nlding around the statue, the architect having found, as every passer-by had found long since, that from some defect, either in the Position or structure of the statue, it had a most awkward appearance. The deformity, it is said, is caused by that part of the base representing a cable, which completely hides the legs, and orders have been given to diminish its proportion. We are not inclined to find fault with Mr. Railton, who has erected a very beautiful pillar, the only Corinthian pillar of such a height in the world ; but we have often wished, en viewing the statue from Whitehall, that it might be speedily dashed to the ground by a hurricane. It is a disgrace to the arts in the present day, and, we fear, cannot be mended. DRURY-LANE THEATRE.--The unprecedented at traction of the Bohemian Girl, and the new Pantomime, has filled the theatre nightly ; and, amongst others, we have noticed :—His Royal Highness the Duke of Cam bridge, Duke of Devonshire, Earl of Chesterfield, Earl of Cardigan, Earl of Wilton, Baron and Baroness Brun now, Earl and Countess of Harrington, Marchioness of Conynghtun, Countess of Westmoreland, Count Nessel rode ; Ladies Fitzroy Somerset. Strathaven, Jersey, Dungannon, Graham, Strafford, Mary Berkeley, Towns end, Villiers, Seymour, Mary Ross, Sheffield ; Lords Castlereagh, Dover, Ossulston, NV. Beresford, Clifton, H. Russell, Seymour, De Manley ; Baron Knesebeck ; General Sir Do Lacy Evans, Sir Frederick Trench, Bart. ; Sir Henry Hunloke, Bart.; Sir Henry Webbe, Bart.; Hon. Cecil Forester ; llon. Mr. Greville ; Hon. Mr. Anson, Hon. Miss Tollemache. METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.— On Friday, in consequence of orders from the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, the occupiers of the .everal houses facing Great St. Andrew's-street, Seven-din'.:;, removed their goods and furniture, preparatory to their being taken don n for the improvements in that neighbourhood, for which purpose they will be sold in a few days. When removed, there will be a direct floe from Upper St. Martin's-lane, into Broad-street, St. Giles's, which will make a very spacious street. The houses which formed Middle-row, Ilolborn, have been demolished for the same object. Several houses in Plumptre-street, nearly ' opposite to Great St. Andrew's-street, have been pur ' chased by the Commissioners, end will be pulled down as soon as possible, in order to form the line from Ox ' ford-street to Holborn. Many Louses in this line, dur ing the last few weeks, have been cleared away. WINTER ASSIZES. NORTHERN CIRCUIT, Liverpool, Dec. 29. Nicholas Clark, late of Manchester, labourer, was ar raigned upon an indictment charging him with the wilful murder of Catherine Rippingham, otherwise Ca therine Clark, by striking and beating her with his hands, and kicking her with his feet. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. Joseph Pollock conducted the prosecution. In answer to a question from his Lordship, the prisoner said he was a poor man, and could not afford to employ counsel, whereupon his Lordship said that Mr. James had kindly offered to undertake his defence. Mr. PoLLocK, in stating the case, said the -principal question for the jury would be, whether there was such reasonable and immediate provocation as would reduce the amount of the offence. After stating the circum stances of the case, and mentioning the fact, that for three years the deceased had lived with the prisoner, and was by some supposed to be his wife, the Learned Counsel called witnesses. The particulars of this case have been so recently given in our columns, i n reference to the coroner's inquest, that it may suffice now to state that on the 12th ult. the prisoner and the de ceased being in the house of a Mrs. Colvin, he called her out, and immediately afterwards she ran back into the house followed by the prisoner, who struck,her on the head with his hand, and kicked her on the neck and breast and left side. On receiving the kicks on her side, the deceased exclaimed she was killed. She was put to bed up stairs, and died that day week. The surgeon who was called in three days after the injury had been inflicted, was deceived by being told that the deceased had a cold, and was only informed that she had been hurt the night before she died. On the pest mortem examination, the surgeon found injuries to the spleen and liver ; either of which would cause death, and must have been produced by a violent blow, or kick, or external pressure. Mr. JAMES, fer the prisoner, contended there was no evidence of malice, to constitute the offence murder. His Lordship recapitulated the evidence, and the jury, after retiring for ten minutes, found the prisoner guilty of manslaughter. The prisoner was then sentenced to be transported for lire. The following priaoners were called up to receive their sentences :—Roger Horrocks, James Howarth, and Mary Ann Hulse, convicted of blurglary, were severally sen tenced to be transported for ten years. Charles Booth, Charles Jones, Thomas Hale, James Bailey, mid Henry Mann, who had all pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary, were sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, and bard labour. John Walker, convicted for highway robbery, to be imprisoned for twelve months to hard labour. William Slack, convicted of burglary, to be imprisoned for twelve months to hard labour. James Francis Bentley and George Allinson, who had both pleaded guilty to forgery, were sentenced to be transported for ten years. James Moss Smith, who had pleaded guilty to two in dictments, one charging him with embezzlement, and the other with obtaining money by false pretences, was sentenced, for the first offence, to be imprisoned for ten calendar months, and kept to hard labour ; and for the false pretence, to be imprisoned for three months. James Newbold, convicted upon his own confession, of stealing in a dwelling-house, was sentenced to be im prisoned for eight calendar months, and kept to hard labour. Owen Rooney, convicted of feloniously stabbing George Seymout, with intent to do him some grievous bodily harm, was sentenced to be transported for fifteen years. John Sullivan, who had pleaded guilty to having fraudulently incited and procured another person to be guilty of the crime of forgery, was sentenced to be im• prisoued for two sears, and kept to hard labour. (Before Mr. Justice WIGIITMAN.) John Cabrew, a sea-captain, was indicted under the Merchant Seaman's Act, for unlawfully forcing and leaving on shore in parts beyond the seas one John Hill, one of his crew, before the completion of the voyage fur which he was engaged. Mr. Brandt and Mr. Whigham conducted the case fir the prosecution; the prisoner was defended by Mr. James and Mr. Drinkwater. The defendant was Captain of the Mediterranean, a vessel belonging to Mr. T. Tobin, which sailed on an African voyage in March, 1842, and returned in No vember, 1843., henry Leatherbat4ow stated that he was chief mate of the Mediterranean. At Ambreeze, on the coast of Africa, theshipped a new hand named John Hill, from the frigate Madagascar. Believed it was in July, 1842. About three days before the 6th of December, Hill was put in irons, and kept in irons until that day, when he was seized up the main rigging and flogged, and imme diately afterwards was ordered to get his traps ready to go ashore. This was by the captain, who ordered the Kroo-boys to get the canoe ready, and the captain or dered him to get into the canoe. The canoe returned with Hill in about an hour and a half, saying the beach was so bad they could not land him, the surf ran too high. One of the Kroo-men came on board, and went down into the cabin with the captain. His name was " Bottle of Beer." The. Kroo-men got into the canoe again, and they shoved off, the captain telling them to land him, and the canoe returned the following morning without Hill. The vessel was then off Chillongo. Should say hill went ashore against his will. Cross-examined.---The defendant had a factory there, and at several places beside. They were stations where he kept his goods, and a person to take care of them. Hill was a very disorderly sailor. The reason of his being put in irons was in consequence of his attempting to take away a canoe, and to run away from the ship. That was on the 2d of December, in the night. lie was put in irons the following morning. Did not hear him say he would not do any work. He was put into irons about eight o'clock in the morning ; but it is stated to be at eight o'clock in the evening in the log. That and many other entries made by witness, were not true. Witness swears he' did not hear any one ask him to return to work, and he would be taken out of irons. Under the circumstances, did not think it his duty to ask hi.n to return to work. Hill refused to work in Sep t whilst witness and the captain were at dinner. le used very abusive language, and said he would not do any more work on board the vessel. On his return home witness was discharged by the captain, as he said, for misconduct. Boden and Russell are not here as wit nesses. They were never punished during the voyage. All the rest of the witnesses in attendance, except Brown, were punished. Hill was flogged with a birch or heather rod. He had sixty strokes, and was asked about every dozen strokes whether he would return to work. He said, it was no use going to work for he should get no. wages. We cruised about the coast fur twelve months, and were frequently at Loango and Chillongo. There were six men from our ship taken on board a man-of-war, and we received four from that vessel, only one of whom was fit for the helm. Believed there was a town about three miles from where Hill was put on shore. Told the captain there would be a day of reckoning. Other witnesses gave a similar account of the manner in which Hill was put on shore. Henry Hutchins, a black man, the steward of the vessel, deposed to Hill coming to the factory at Loango, of which the witness was in charge, two days after he ,m a a s n c -of -war ar ofl R . a b p y id. an When Ame American was put on shore in a s t ate of exhaustion ; he remain ed two or three days, and w s on board her Maje st y Mediteranean came to Loango the captain came on shore and asked after Hill, and was told that he had gone on board the Rapid. Loango is about thirty miles from Chillongo. Mr. James then proceeded to address the jury for the defence. It was clear the captain .had a mutinous and worthless crew to deal with, and therefore it became his duty to the owner of the ship to resort to flogging, which he was perfectly justified in doing, but it did not appear that there was any cruelty in the flogging; as it was merely , with a birch rod. He remarked upon the coa tradictions in the evidence, which he eontended left the case in such doubt as the jury could not safely convict. A number of witnesses were called to the defendant's character. His LORDSHIP then summed up the case. After stating the nature of the indictment, he said there were two questions for the consideration of the jury —first, whether the defendant did force and leave behind one of his crew ? and next, whether he did so before the completion of the voyage for which he was engaged? The jury retired, and, after being . in consultation about ten minutes, pronounced the prisoner Guilty. His LORDSHIP sentenced the prisoner to be impri soned six calendar months. A few more cases, of no public interest, were disposed of, and closed the business of the assizes. WESTERN CIRCUIT, Winchester, Dec. 30. Wm. Blake and Daniel Bacon were indicted for as saulting and robbing Benjamin Twitchin on the high way, on the 17th of July last. Mr. St. John conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Saunders and M r. R awl i nson defended the prisoners. Without any evidence being called for the defence the jury acquitted th e pr i soners . John Phillpott was i n di cte d for cutting and wounding Richard llayne s , a policeman, at Gosport, with intent to murder him. Mr. Poulden conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Missing appeared for the prisoner, who was found guilty of the assault, with intent to do some grievous bodily harm, and transported for 15 years. The business of the assizes concluded on Saturday morning. OXFORD ClRCUlT.—Stalford, Dec. 29. (Before Mr. Baron ROLFE.) THE APEDALE MURDER.—On his Lordship resuming his seat in the Crown Court this morning, James Oates and Benjamin Spilsbury, the latter a most ferocious looking ruffian, were placed at the bar, charged with the wilful murder of James Beech, on the 4th of August last, at the parish of Audley, in this county. Mr. Corbett and Mr. Kinnersley conducted the pro secution ; Mr. Yardley and Mr. iluddlestone appeared for the defence. The murder which formed the subject of the present investigation was committed on the morning of the 4th at Apedale-hall, near N ewcas tl e , un d er t h e f o ll ow i ng of last August, upon the lan d o f M r . R. E. Heathcote, circumstances : The neighbourhood of Mr. Ileathcote's estate was, as it seems, unfortunately much infested with poachers, whose continual nightly depredations have latterly been carried on to a cons id era bl e ex tent. In a n ti c ip at i on o f a visit from som e c h aracters of this description. Mr. Ifeathcote's head keeper, James Vaughan, accompanied by James Beech, a constable, stationed themselves in a coppice about 250 yards from the hall, from which spot they could command a view of a " run " in an opposite hedge, through which hares were in the habit of conti nually passing. The plantation where the keepers had taken their stand consisted of young oaks, fir trees, and beeches, of about four years' growth, averaging from six to nine or ten feet in height, and was skirted on the side nearest to which the keepers stood by the road leading from Alsager's bank to Sladdenhill, which alone separated them from the hedge in which was the rail-place adverted to. About two o'clock in the morn ing of the 4th of August Vaughan observed two men coming up the road from the direction of Alsager's bank, who deliberately proceeded to fix a purse-net across the gap. No sooner had they done so than Vaughan and Beech issued from their place of concealment, and,ad vancal towards the poachers, who were sworn to by Vaughan as being the two prisoners at the bar. At this moment Beech bad round him a leathern belt, from which hung a cutlass, and Vaughan was only armed with a life preserver, fastened to his right wrist by a thong, he having left his double-barreled gun, which was loaded, leaning against a tree in the coppice. The moment the keepers were seen by the prisoners, a rush was made at them by the latter, and Oakes, according to Vaughan's testimony, clubbing a gun he had in his hand raised it, and felled both him and Beech to the ground with the butt. A struggle ensued between the four, as soon as the two keepers rose, the one indicated as Spils bury and Vaughan fighting together, while Beech and the other, during the contest, got into the field on the opposite side of the road to the plantation, and out of Vaughan's sight. What occurred between them, there fore, could not precisely be ascertained. Vaughan was found lying insensible on the ground by a man named Pen lington. In order to connect the prisoners more closely with the horrible transaction, a number of witnesses were called, the aggregate of whose testimony raised an amount of evidence against them which seemed almost insurmountable. It was distinctly shown that Oakes was in company with two other men on the previous evening, and was going in the direction of Mr. Heath cote's land. Several other persons saw both him and Spilsbury, about two hours after the murder, coming from the spot where it had been committed, and laden with hares. Their conduct also on many occasions after they were in custody tended to lead to the inference of their guilt. They were both notorious poachers ; Oakes had been taken up by Bosch for poaching in February last, and had repeatedly uttered threats of vengeance against the deceased ; and some observations which they made while attending the inquest were proved as mili tating strongly against the supposition of their innocence. Mr. YARDLEY, in an able and powerful address, con tended on the part of the prisoners, that Vaughan must have been unintentionally mistaken about Oakes • that, knowing him from previous facts to be a notoriously bad character, and an habitual poacher, he too hastily con cluded that he was his assailant in this instance. The Learned Counsel further suggested, that all the other circumstances, as interpreted by the prosecution, were perfectly reconcilable with the hypothesis submitted by the prisoners on their own behalf. It was true that they were out poaching on the fatal night, and he would not deny that they had even been on Mr. Heathcote's land ; but that supposition was compatible with their inno cence, as were all the minor occurrences that had been detailed, which might have taken place, but which lite rally amounted to nothing if Vaughan were mistaken in his evidence. The jury would, moreover, bear in mind that the conduct of the two men was hardly reconcilable with that of men guilty of murder ; for it could scarcely be conceived that hoinan beings, however depraved, could be so utterly lost to mill sense of decency, and every re gard for their own security, as to ' cs.o on poaching for some hours after the perpetration of a barbarous murder. The Learned Couns-I then proceeded to analyse the whole of the evidence adduced on behalf of the Crown, and to show that there was a sufficient amount of doubt raised by some points which appeared upon the investi gation of the case (and which it is unnecessary here to enumerate) in favour of the men at the bar to justify the jury in returning a verdict of acquittal. Mr. Baron ROLFE, upon the close of this address, summed up in a most lucid and perspicuous manner, and the jury, after consulting about a quarter of an hour, found a verdict of Not Guilty as to both prisoners. The trial lasted upwards of ten hours, and the details were listened to with the most patient attention by a densely-crowded Court. The prisoners lent also been arraigned on another in dictment, in which Spilsbury was charged with stabbing and wounding Vaughan, pith intent to kill and murder him, and Oakes was charged with aiding and assisting him. ..... In reply to questions from his Lordship, Mr. CORBETT said that as the eviience to support that indictment would be the same as in the last case, and as he con cluded that the jury were of opinion that Vaughan had been mistaken, he should nut proceed with that indict- meat. His lonnsuir concurred with Mr. Corbett ; and, n( eVi<len_•e being offered en this indictment, a verdict o: Not Guilty was recor(lo,l. SOU T H IVALF, S.— Carmarthen, Dec. 30. REITECCArrEs.—John Jones, alias Shoni-scybor fawr' David Davies, alias Dui y Cantwr, Wm. Walters, and Thomas Morris, charged with a riot at Spudder's Bridge, on the Bth of September last, were placed at the bar to take their trial for the misdemeanor. They were also charg,d with feloniously demolishing a toll-house. The ATTORNEY - GENERAL rose, and stated that for the misdetwanor he should enter a nolle prosequi as to John Jones, David Davies, and William Walters. Thomas Morris, the other prisoner, was then charged with the misdemeanor-, and he pleaded guilty. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said, that from what he had heard the prison,r was in part compelled to join in the riot ; az:d he should be satisfied if he were to enter into own recognisances to appear and receive the judgme:it of the Court, ticnever called upon, and be of good behaviour in the in,antime. He was bound over in the sum of 501. to appear, and was then discharged. The ease of John Jones, David Davies, William Webers, and Thomas Morris, for feloniously demolish ing the Spudders' Bridge Gate, came on next. The ATTORNEY- GENERAL said he should enter a nolle prosequi as against the two last•named prisoners. The other two were then arraigned, and pleaded Guilty. Mr. LLOYD HALL, wiaO appeared for the prisoner Jones, said that the prisoner was anxious to express his contrition for the offence. Of course he could not ex pect mercy, but if the tear of mercy would blot out a few years of the punishmvut allotted to him, he was confident, from what he knew of the head and heart of her Majesty's Attorney-General, that his eye would - shed that tear. Sentence on the prisoners was deferred. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. (SATURDAY.) CI7 Y POLICE COMMITTEE. Mr. 13 usb? idge, the landlord of the Robin Hood public house, in Robin Hoed court, Shoe-lane, Fleet-street, appeared, in company with Mr. Duncombe, the solicitor, before Mr. Alderman Challis and Sir James Duke, to answer a charge laid by the police for unlawfully and knowingly permitting persons of notorious bad character —to wit, thieves, &s.—to assemble and meet togther in his house on the night of the 14th inst., contrary to the tenour of his license, and against the Statute. He pleaded not guilty. - The constable who laid the infoimation, George Ham, No. 265, stated that on the day mentioned in the sum mons, at about midnight, he went into the Robin Hood, and in the tap-room found nearly twenty persons assem bled. Amongst them he recognised eight notorious thieves, namely, six men and two females. Five of them he knew had been convicted. He saw the defendant at the bar, and told him he should summons him for having improper pers'ins in his house. The defendant knew what he (witness) meant, he having laid an information against him for a similar offence some months since. Sir JAMES DUKE (to the officer)—You have stated that you knew them to be notorious thieves. Do you know their names? Witness—Yes, Sir, I do. Sir jA3IES DUKE—T(I(g' name them. Witness—They are called the " Piggott's Gang." Sir JAMES DUKE—That's not an answer to my ques tion. IVitness—Their names I know to be William Piggott, Hugh Christ, John Luton, Little Old Man, and Cavener. Sir JAMES PUKE—What were they convicted for ? Witness—Some were convicted at the Old Bailey. Sir JAMES DUKE —Were you in the Court at the time ? Witness—l was not. Sir JAMES DUKE —How long ago is it since the con viction took place? Witness—l cannot tell. Sir JAMES DUKE—Have you made any inquiries of the proper authorities, or obtaine.d.a copy of any official document to prove to the Magistrates that these persons are convicted thieves? Witness.-4I have not, Sir. Sir JAMES Duxr..—Have yon any witnesses to call to prove that they are convicted thieves ? Witness— No, I have not. Mr. DUNcoMBE (the defendant's solicitor)—Then where did you obtain your information from ? Witness —A brother constable told me. Mr. DUNCOMBE—I thought so ; and is he here ? Witness—No, lie is not.—(A laugh). Sir JAMES DUKE (with much surprise)—Then how do you expect we can go into the case, upon the wholesale manner in which you have brought it into Court ? For my part, I wfll never decide upon such evidence. Mr. Alderman CHALLIS—Nor will I. You ought to have brought proof before us that these parties were characters who had been tried and convicted. Your statement amounts only to hearsay. The defendant said he used every precaution in his ymwer to prevent bad characters entering his house ; respecting the man Piggott, whom the officer had spoken of as being a thief, he could positively state, that if he had been convicted,- it had not been during the last ten years. Sir JAMES DUKE and Mr. Alderman CHALLIS dis missed the summons ; but cautioned the defendant to be careful I'or the future, otherwise the license of his house would he endangered. CLERKENWELL. John Gilson, a decently-attired young man, was charged by Charles Gibson, his brother, residing in Francis place, Holloway, with having . assaulted and wounded Lim under the following circumstances : Before the prosecutor was sworn, the mother of the prosecutor and defendant, a respectable looking elderly woman, who was exceedingly affected, addressing the Magis rate said, that the quarrel between the parties was of a very trifling nature, and they felt desirous of arranging the matter amicably, without entering into the exposure attendant on a prosecution. Mr. GREENWOOD thought, as they were brothers, that would be the wisest course to adopt in the case. Prosecutor—But he has stabbed me, and inflicted wounds. I am willing to forego a prosecuti on , b u t I shall require him to put i n heavy bail to keep the peace towards me. I do not wish him to be punished if he does so. Mr. GREENWOOD—If you require him to find bail, I am bound to bear the evidence against him, to see e. Nether I shall be justified in ordering him to find sureties. The mother was much affected, and taken into a sepa rate apartment. The prosecutor deposed that on Thursday last the de fendant came to his mother's house ; and where he (witness) resided with her, and asked for a loan of two sovereigns. Witness refused to let him hare thorn, on which he took up a poker and assaulted witness. He took the weapon from him after a btruggle, when the defendant took up a fork which lay on the table, and made a stab at witness, which wounded him on the face; and he would have done him other serious injury had not he (witness) rushed out of the house to seek the aid and protection of the police. Mr. GREENWOOD inquired whether there were any witnesses ? He was informed that the mother was the only person present at the time. They, however, dispensed with her testimony. Mr. GREENWOOD asked defendant what he had to say to the charge ?—The defendant said he was out of employ as a shoemaker. His mother was a woman of independent property, and lived with his brother. He (defendant) had been in difficulties, and he sent to ask his mother for 2L, when his brother interfered to prevent her lending him the money, and threatened him with a poker. He took it from him, and they struggled to gether, when he (the brother) hit him on the cheek, and beat him. Mr. GREENWOOD—Has he got any marks of violence? —Cole, 200 N, said he had a severe bite on the cheek, and other marks. Mr. GREENWOOD said the assault was proved against him, and, under all the circumstances, he would order him to find responsible bail. WANDSWORTH. George Nicholas' Gifford, whose father, up to the time of his death, held a situation in the House of Commons, was brought before Mr. Clive, for re-examination upon a charge of burglariously breaking into the dwelling house of his brother-in-law, Mr. William Cook, a brewer, at Wimbledon, who also holds a situation in the House of Lords. It appeared, from the evidence given on the first ex amination, last Thursday, that on the night of the Sth, or early on the morning of the 9th inst., a forcible entry was made into the kitchen of Mr. Cook's house, and pro perty, consisting of four brass candlesticks, six glass cloths, some knifes and forks, a shirt, and other articles, stolen therefrom. Information was given to the police, and suspicion fell upon the prisoner, who had been seen hover ing about the premises on the night of the robbery. A sharp look out was kept for him and he was apprehended on Wednesday last, on Wimbledon-common ; he was wearing the stolen shirt, and upon searching him a du plicate relating to the stolen candlesticks was found. Mr. Cook was afterwards informed that the prisoner was in custody, but he refused to attend, and the pawnbroker, who produced the candlesticks, could not identify the pri soner as the party pledging. Mr. Clive, the sitting Magistrate on that occasion, ordered summonses to be served upon Mr. Cook and his servants. Charlotte Sutton, the housemaid, was with much diffi culty made to prove the fact of the house having been broken open and the property stolen. John Davis, the nephew of Mr. Cook, was called to identify the shirt which had been found upon the pri soner, and which bore his initials. He was under exami nation nearly an hour, and said that he did not know when the robbery was committed, and that he could not tell, after examining the shirt taken from the prisoner, whether it was like one of his or not, although it was marked with the same initials and in the same manner and place. At last, when the Magistrate declared that he would commit the witness to prison if he did not cease prevaricating, the witness said it was very likely the shirt might be his—it was like his in all respects, but yet he would not swear to it. Some further evidence was given, connecting the pri soner with the robbery, and he was again remanded. Mr. CLIVE said it was evident to him that interested parties were endeavouring to stifle the inquiry, but he was determined it should proceed, and if the police wanted summonses to compel the attendance of witnesses they should have them. The prisoner was then remanded until Tuesday next. MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS The following are the results of " A Table of Mortality in the Metropolis, showing the Number of Deaths from all Causes Registered in the week ending Dec. 23, 1843." The Table is issued from the Office of the Registrar-General:— Weekly Average 1838-9-40-1-2 CAUSES OF DEATH. Total. Five Five Autumns. l Yeari Epidemic, Endemic, & Contagious Diseases 192 183 182 Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses 140 140 148 Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of Respiration Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. 6 5 5 Childbed, Diseases of the Uterus, &c l5 10 9 Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Museles 4 6 6 Diseases of the Skin, &c 1 1 1 Diseases of Uncertain Seat Old Age, or Natural Decay 55 69 68 Deaths by Violence, Privation, or Intem perance Causes not specified Deaths from all causes . 968 Average Weekly Deaths 9OB 903 ' Population Average Death cnu- Weekly in DISTRICTS. merated Deaths the Is 4/. 183 S-9-40-1.2. Week, \Vest—Kensington, St. George ( Hanover-square), Westmin- Five Five ster, St. Martin in the Fields, Ye.,rs.fAutumns. St. James 300,705 135 130 126 North—St. Mary-le-bone, St Pancras, Islington, Hackney 365,660 162 162 185 Central—Saint Giles and Saint George, Strand, Clerkenwell, Holborn, St. Luke, East Lon don, West London, City of London.. 373,806 184 183 194 East—Shoreditch,Whitechape , Bethnal Green, St. George in the East, Stepney, Poplar 392,49 203 206 224 South—St, Saviour, St. Olave, St. George( Southwark ),Ber mondsey, Newington, Lam beth, Camberwell, Rother hithe , Greenwich 435,060 219 227 239 Total 1,870,727 903 It is stated that under the term Metropolis are comprised the 32 districts herein mentioned, which include the City of Lon don with and without the walls, the City and Liberties of Westminster, the out-parishes within the Bills of Mortality— and the parishes of St. Marylebone, St. Pancras, Kensington, Fulham, Hammersmith(Claapelry), St. Luke (Chelsea), Pad dington, St. Mary (Stoke Newington), St. Leonard ( Brom ley), St. Mary-le-bow, Camberwell, Greenwich, St. Nicholas and St. Paul (Deptford), and Woolwich. The population, as enumerated in 1831, was 1,594,890; and in June 1841, was 1,870,727. The weekly average for 1838, 1839, 1840, and 1841, was obtained by dividing the deaths in the four years by 208, and the deaths in the four winters by 52. General Register Office, Dec. 28, 1843. PASSENGER DUTIES ON RAILWATS.—From a re turn made to the House of Commons in the course of last session it appears that the railroads in England and Wales, 56 in number, have paid in the year ending Ja nuary, 5, 1843, no less than 152,6631. 13s. Oid., as pas senger duty. The amazing increase of railway traffic within the last ten years may be gathered from the fact, that in the year ending January, 1833, the whole sum paid to Government as passenger duty was 6391. 16s. 10d. The amount paid in the year ending January, 1842, was 148,204/. 13s. 10Id, In Scotland, in the year ending January last, 20 railroads paid 15,1251. ls. 6fd., being an increase of 3,4681. Os. lid. over the preceding year. The gross amount paid by all the railroads in the kingdom during the last year was 167,7881. 14s. 7kd. The amount paid in the previous year was 159,861/. 14s. 6d., showing an increase in 1843 of 7,9271. Os. lid. The ten railroads having termini in London paid 82,4471. 4s. ed.: the three largest amounts being paid by the Lon don and Birmingham, the Great Western, and the South Western, which paid respectively 25,940/., 14s. Id., 25,8041. ss. 2d., and 12,0481 19s. 7d., or more than two fifths of the whole amount. THE LOGIC OF A SMUGGLER.—Wherefore is a poor widow woman like myself to abide by the juggling of princes and their ministers,—who deal with nations and languages as with flocks and herds; creating as it were a line in the air, which they advance or retrograde at will, and which is to make me French or Fleming, according to their whims and fancies ? My old grand father used to boast of having spoken with those who remembered the time when Flanders extended half way into the France of to-day,—the time when Marlbrook came soldiering here, and for all the great victories we hear so much of, left the Grand Monarque in posses sion of our fwaest provinces I Even Lottje Van Kerckx, who am speaking to you,—recollect the period when the French eagle was the imperial standard for our stamps ; when Brussels, which now calls itself a capital, was but a country town like the rest of us ; and all was France, France, France, from Rouen to Hamburgh ; paying toll and tax to the same Parisian seat of Govern ment And why, pray—because it pleased the crowned heads of Europe to knock themselves together at Aix la-Chapelle, and decide that this patch of ground should be called Prussia, and t'other patch of ground be called France—is a poor widow woman to pay mulct and fine to this new King of ours, for liberty to drink and retail the French liquors, which in my youth I bought and sold at prime cost ? I had no hand in their rubbishing Congress I My opihion wasn't asked ? And so, without further ceremony—feeling myself guiltless in the sight of Almighty God for violating a law which is none of his making--I make bold to catch the gendarmes of the frontier napping, whenever they are fools enough to let me 1-7 cat's Magazine. ASTONISHING INSTINCT OF A CAT.—A family in Swansea, having a favourite cat, but in consequence of its thieving propensities, they were determined to part with. Poor Tom was given to the care of a captain of a vessel who was about to sail for Cuba. After a voyage of four or five months, the vessel returned to this port, about a month since. In a few days after the arrival of the ship, Tom decamped, and the vessel was about to go to sea without him. About three weeks since a cat was heard by the members of the above family about their premises, mewing most pitifully, and could not be kept away, despite the threatenings of the servants ; when, 10, to the astonishment of its old mistress, her old friend came up to her, rubbing against her with all the affection imaginable. What is most extraordinary, the cat had to cross the river and pass through the most dense part of the town to find its old habitation, after a voyage to Cuba, and an absence of five or six months. — Cumbrian. RECAL OF LORD DE GREY.--Thy recal of Lord De Grey from the Lord Lieutenantcy of Ireland is re ported to have been decided on by the Cabinet. The necessity of a more cordial union, a more perfect agreement in opinion, and consequent de cision of purpose and act than have characterised the present executive of Ireland, in order to creat ing and maintaining confidence in the govern ment, has been long seen and felt. The return of Lord De Grey may not take place till early in the ensuing spring ; but that his Lordship's recal has been determined on, is—we are assured from a quarter on which we place full reliance—now settled. The Duke of Richmond is mentioned as the now Viceroy.—AVii7ls Parr GREECE ATHENS, DEC. 9.—The great and all-absorbing subject of discussion and anxiety for the_last few days has been the election of the Committee for drawing up the Constitution, in concert with the King. This did not terminate until past ten o'clock last night—a very late hour for the National Assembly at Athens, though at St. Stephen's the business of the night would only then be commencing. The moderate party, who are attached to English principles of go vernment, have obtained a most triumphant majority. Upon this occasion, as well as upon the election of Vice-Presidents, Mavrocordato and Colletti agreed to support each other ; but on both occasiows it turned out that, although the Mavrocordatists, in compliance with the earnest wishes of their chief, voted against their own inclinations to a man, for Colletti, the adhe rents of the latter, about forty in number, broke the agreement, and did not vote for Mavrocordato. - Upon the first occasion, Mavrocordato was disposed ‘: to think there might have been a mistake ; but, when . , the same conduct was repeated, it then became evident that it was the bad faith of the Muscomangites, as the / party of Colletti is designated, which had placed him next to Mavrocordato in the list of Vice-Presidents, and above him in the Committee for the Address. This circumstance has excited a strong feeling of in dignation against the treachery of these persons, and a sense of the impropriety of allowing Greece and Europe to be deceived as to the real state of parties in this country, induced the adherents of Mavrocordato and Metaxa to withdraw their votes from Colletti upon this last great occasion, when those were to be , chosen by whom the fabric of the Constitution is to be constructed, and thereby to demonstrate that lie cannot reckon upon the support of more than forty three certain, and about twenty doubtful votes in the Assembly. Mavrocordato and Metaxa, however, in the spirit of peace and union, did all in their power to dissuade their friends from withholding their votes, declaring that they would prefer seeing him again in a fictitious majority, rather than risk the disadvan tages of disunion. Many would not act upon this ; suggestion, and the consequence is that Colletti stands • low in the list; and, if more than forty of the friends of Mavrocordato and Metaxa had not, at their earnest solicitation, voted for him, he would have been ex clouded altogether. In the Committee for the Address the French party, as it is called, is represented by Colletti alone, or with the equivocal support of Anastasio Loudos. The proportion is two to five. In the more important Committee on the Constitution the disproportion is , 1 still more marked, being only four to seventeen, so that the French party, about which so much has been written and said for the last three years, has dwindled f to a miserable minority; and well it may be so, when no better man could be found to supplant Mavrocor dato, in 1841, by means of a million of francs, than f Christides, and when he, " the despised of all men," 10 , finds a fit successor in Riga Palamides as champion of the party. Neither this personage nor Conduri ottis, the President of the Council of State, are in either Committee, though they made every effort to ft be elected. Tricoupi, the late Minister in England, owes his election to an accident. General Church might have been placed at the head of the Commission for the !; Constitution, but, having heard that his name was on !I the list, he did not rest till he got it withdrawn, ge• neroosly thinking that none but Greeks should take part in the solemn office of constructing the Consti tutional edifice. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. COURSING. ALTCAR COURSING MEETING, DEC. 28 AND 29.—The Sefton Club (16 dogs) was won by Mr. A. Graham's Sir Edward ; Mr. Jefferson's Lowther ran up. The Molyneux Plate (16 dogs) was divided by Mr. Aderus'9 Matchless and Mr. Slater's Scrutiny. The Croxteth Purse (12 dogs) was won by Mr. Temple's Titania (late Woskie) ; Mr. Standish's Stranger ran up. The Altcar Stakes (12 dogs) were won by Mr. Hunt's Trapball; Mr. Richmond's Rockett ran up. THE LATE ASHBURTON INIVRDER.-011 MondaY last, Edward Webb, better known as " Deaf Ned," and Charlotte Williams, a woman who accompanies him in his peregrinations, were fully committed to the count) , goal for trial at the next assizes, charged with being par; ties concerned in the foul and horrid murder committed last summer, near the town of Ashburton.—Somerset Gazette. CORONER'S INQUEST.—An inquest was held on Fri clay afternoon by Mr. Higgs, Deputy Coroner for West' minster, at the 'George, Gilbert's-passage, Clare-market , on the body of Joseph Corbyn Abbott, aged 69. Frog the evidence it appeared that the deceased left his home , No. 1, Selwood-place, New-road, and proceeded to the Strand. Whilst proceeding up Drury-lane, on kis way home, he was attacked with apoplexy, and fell to the ground. A police-constable coming up, he was conveyed on a stretcher to King's College Hospital, where he was attended to by Mr. Brown, the acting physician, but died the same evening. The deceased's son said h° had to complain of what he considered great neglect On the part of the police. his father not returning at the usual hour, and supposing that something might have befallen him, he went to the Bow-street stir tion-house and made inquiries concerning him. The, inspector who was on duty an swere d hi m s h arp l y , and said he knew nothing about him, although it was from that place the stretcher was brought on which h e was conveyed to the hospital. That was between twelve an d one in the day after his father was taken ill, an d it Ws'_, not until two o'clock on the following morning that he knew where ho was. Police-constable F 56, the rev.° who brought the stretcher, said, that he gave in his re' port of the occurrence to Sergeant Weston, and b e could only account for the son not receiving informatio n by the pressure of business, The son said, that O 1 going to the George-street station-house, the inspecto r there gave him every assistance. The Coroner and jai ; were of opinion that there was great neglect on the par of the police, but they could not go into it as i t did 1 1 0 t ~ concern the deceased's death. A verdict of " Di e d fres' an attack of apoplexy" was then returned, the Coronert advising the relatives to write to the Commissioners Police on the subject. A CANDID ADMISSION.—We are able to state , on the best authority, that Mr. Bulwer, before his de' parture for Madrid, received from the French Govern ment the most satisfactory assurances as to the policy to be adopted towards Spain, and th a t one i m ports point, on which he felt it necessar y t o spea k ra ther strongly, was settled entirely to his wish. It was fulls understood before he left Paris, that Count Bresse, would cordially support him in the views entertained b/ the British Goverment for the se ttl ement of affa i r s S that country. DIRECTIONS TO POLICEMEN.—The Learned Judg e ' Mr. Baron Rolfe, i n one o f t h e cases l ate l y tr i ed befo''' him at Worcester, said, with regard to policemen puttl questions to person s accuse d, th a t h e was sorry the bl had got into such a tend e r state on thi s p o i n t. I t was gal e, , rally laid down that policeman were e xcee di ng ly var.' : in putting any questions to persons in their custoop now he thought it was often well for them to do so, , 1 ; 1 he had seen cases in which such questions were °o . / . essential to the establishment of a person' s innocent s however, as he did not like to differ from his b r ethrr,. he always told policemen not to say anythin g t o prisOne v ; CULTIVATION OF FLAX .-- An infl uen ti a l mestil l Y t i was held at Norwich, on Wednesday l as t, th e M a yo the chair, at which the following resol u ti on was a do P it That this meeting being of opinion th a t muc h ben t , may arise from the cultivation and manufacture of 1 7,. in this city and its vicinity, with a v i ew to t h e reit e nerative employment of the poo r , an d t h e pro fi table J r 'il vestment of capital, strongly recommend that a gen t meeting should be convened o f a ll persons who she, willing to contribute to the promotion of this very sirable object." _.4 TEAS AT (11 9. EAS AT `WHOLESALE PRI— o d Good Common Black 3s. Od. Fine Pekoe Souchoug... o ja. Strong Cor,gou ... ..... ...3s. 4d. Supe r i or ditt o ..4g. J. Fine ditto, Pekoe Bavour..3s. Bd. Finest ditto imported...s l COFFEE. .os. 9d. I Fir O. OA mast Java ...... ..•- sit Ceylon, sound andsweet...ls. Od. Ditto Cuba ..... .• • Fine do., recommended ...Is. 2d. Finest Mocha .5%.* Finest Ceylon, rich and mellow Goods delivered in all Country orders amounting to 51. Good Common MANSELL and CO., ii parts of Town daily. oo' ~ sent free to all parts of tain. Bucklersbury, Cheapsicle. IVA iornted profess) Person subserii suburb. Lotion s catio n i LOV. 110 tled it" Prolon g u Ge,o Palpitatioi debility t o no purl and a frie them of complete) "If thi Use of it. " GE; Nwlthes to P ILLS, a life, we in thiB ne DEA! afflicted v eat the I Chest, an, 10 he doi roedical fri end to medicines b egan to t ' l "tti a vi, fr° 'n Your go strong! 14 . 4 tak er and arn sh all alwa Witt "Mr, Years, a n , i 'enefit. b are qui te " Mrs. In aUY yeal Lecetes iving of Knot, s UNPIy by " The o , rely upon tivi ng Knutsti Prom " ORNI hill lib el ., publicatia " To PARR zil and a wij IQ°4l al to . ,s w ° Years xilrhea "xd an ji ;Whaling fiat into 1 . 4 advic r °, 4 an ' a d dii fact al fortune k _ .144 ef*ct 'Ware / exl r —mrtiei f or the bi 1,4 4 gr a i, " Arid, "T, " GE* tf PAR] there bell l am hap re quire a Worded 1 ach e. crag Bond to I venally 00 %tie the t° t4 a 4 Y Ott /44 bei %j et , h, Dills iu thr ee bo Ih at nov : I° 'ning _ but lireathe 44IpE F tieeverl " TO BIRTHS. s ot' On the 25th ult., at Spike Island, the wife of Lieute° Colonel Burton, Royal Marines, of a daughter. o 0 On the 27th ult., at Moergate-street, the lady of Smith, Esq., surgeon, of a daughter. ' On the 28th u lt., a t U pper Cl apton, the lady of 14 , Nichol], E sq ., D. C.L., o f a son, w h o d i e d the same day. „4 the On the 29th u l t ., at W eston - sup er-Mitre, the lady ' , Rev. J. Ha m ilt on F orsyt h, o f a son. f tt(°"'On the 29th u lt., M rs . Willi am N ewman, of S f --1 House, Stratford-grove, Essex, of a son. A le On the 2Hth u l t ., a t E mp i ng h am Vi carage, R ut l a nw Levick Cooper, of a son. ri ., V On the 29 t h u lt., i n H ar l ey - street, t h e l a d y o f Si r De-1s f Merchant, Bart., of a son. ife ° On the 29th ult„ in Ulster-place, Regent's-park, the y i John Gardiner, Esq., of a daughter. oessl e' On the 29th u lt., th e l a d y o f J. W . P ease, E sq ., 7, ........../` woad, Yorkshire, of a son and heir. _..,r MARRIED. 10 On the 27th nit., at St. Philip's Church, Liverpoals. l ";ll° l. Melhuish, Esq., t o Emily Marth a , second daug h ter of Ow t., Edward Hull, M.A. 13' 4 ' c of On the 28th ult. lit Axminster, the Rev. William ut et Rector of St. Nicholas, to Mary Elizabeth, only dau b the Rev. W. D. Conybeare, Vicar of Axminster. tel l DIED. l e d a io On the 30th ult., at Lindfield, Sussex, after a 1i...,. De eV 9, to the best interests of mankind, William Allen, r•'" 00 his 74th year. / On the 29th ult., at Hastings, the Right Hon. Ladi sington. 4. On the 3d of July, in India, James Lopez Leary. . _...,, On the 28th ult., at Brixto n - r i se , Surrey, R. Willow, 0 On the 29th ult., at Annett's-crescent, Islittgt° l24 Charlotte Turp i n , age d 42. Al On the 27th ult., a t B arnes - terrace, Surrey, J an e , al. O' of Edward William Cooke. se% e' On the 27th ult., a t S e lli nge, Kent, Willis %.hill fourth son of th e l ate A rthur Clark, Ls+ " ,of ' °-pWt It' churchyard, L on d on. Sa ° On the 29th ult., in Charlotte-street, Fitzroy-squar e, i widow of the late W. 4ttraley, Esq., of Siimouth-p/ac e ' , .//f „„,....,7 9 London : P r i n t e d and Published by 11111RD°' - y0- A ilt No. 112, Strand, at The Sus 01111 , .. - 2 Stv" the Count/ 0 Micldlenl s 14 ^ - . „ No. 11 . 1. 44. Count/ —stay, January 1, Liri q 4 8to u c Gi: ''''' 15, l' 4 2etry . P' won ' t 410