The Sun. — London, England, 1845-07-30 00:00:00

~~~~^ _ A 11w(raOy~ 0 ~/~+l ~ all 4 1 '1: e ning , $ 2 e it tarn , ' $, cr i c k L° give a le , co and , no• uctor) 4, r th °t ;ir , rber t, cel ointn e ' 3ults 111 t o g ite for I, Sst 1. . ( s s ti ...... t Vi sc oi , s burfie tune' 'O l takiloo t er vi M e i gut ••• eve rr c , s.l, 11 , 1 'Ot) 1 ('..,„ 3 I'll ° 0 , c loc„ Ig ; t 1 6 01. ? 5 e „ 1 1 4 5 dr 3 ' 5 dr 5 6 d r ) lb to 1 60t Latham 20 to 1 asst Laird o' Cockpen 20 to 1 agst Europa 20 to 1 agst line Apple 25 to 1 agst Roderick 30 to 1 agst Aristides 35 to 1 agst Ajax. THE CUT. The Cure is declared not to start. ST. LEGER. 5 to 1 agst Weatherbit 11 to 1 agst Annandale 12 to 1 agst Old England 12 to 1 agst Merry Monarch 16 to 1 agst Pantasa. EIMATA..—In order to render our correspondent " Tele - graph's " remarks upon the Goodwood Cup race intelligibi read that Nat will ride Gamecock, that Winesour wi 11 speedily feel the effect of his race at Newton, and that tb e Weight the Laird and Miss Elis will have to carry; will pr( vent the Cup gracing the sideboards of either of Wei r owners. CHANCERY.-(THIS DAY.) (Before the LORD CHANCELLOR and the MASTER OF THE ROLLS.) IN THE MATTER OF THE SUITORS, This case came on again today pursuant to appointment, upon the petition sf thirty.two solicitors of the Court, complaining of the course pursued in the office of Master Lynch by his chief clerk, and praying . that the Court would direct inquiry into the subject, and if it should think necessary, that it would remove the chief clerk from his office. The petition, which we have already given at length, among other things stated : " That in the month of December, 1843, Andrew Henry Lynch, Esq., cne of the said Masters in Ordinary, appointed Thomas Whiting, who had then been copying or junior clerk in the office "another of the said Masters for more than ten years, to be chief clerk of him the said Master Lynch, and in the month of June, 1 844, the Lord Chancellor was pleased to order that the salary of One thousand pounds, provided for persons filling the said office of chief clerk, should be paid to the said Thomas Whiting, since Whic h time the said Thomas Whiting has annually received such salary. " That notwithstanding such appointment of the said Thomas Whitieg, and such receipt by him tf the said salary, he has never Performed, or in any manner attempted to perform, and does not now perform, the important duties belonging to the said office of chief clerk to the said Master Lynch, but that such duties have been ever since his said appointment performed by, and the same are now continuing to be performed by, Edward Wright, the junior or copying clerk in the said office of the said Master Lynch, who is not himself qualified, according to law, for the office of such chief clerk, and by such means the duties of chief clerk to the said Master Lynch are, in fact, performed by a deputy and an un qualified person. And the said Thomas Whiting has ever since Lis said appointment performed the duties of copying er junior clerk, and no other duties, in the said office of the said Master Lynch, and the petitioners believe that the said Thomas Whiting is, in fact, incompetent to discharge the duties of chief clerk to the Raid Master. " That the petitioners are advised, and humbly submit to the Lord Chancellor that an office of so much trust and importance as t hat of chief clerk to one of the said Masters ought not to be would by deputy, and that to permit the same to be so executed w.uld be establishing a principle injurious to the interests of the suitors of this Court, and contrary to the true intent and meaning of the said Act of Parliament, and would have the effect of de. r i ving the said su it ors o f the security intended to be given to them the s a id Act for the performance of the d ut i es o f t h e said office bY persons possessing the experience and legal attainment indispen_ 'able fur the efficient discharge thereof; and the petitioners, in their character of solicitors of this Honourable Court, and also as representing the interests of the suitors of this Honourable Court confided to their care, feel aggrieved by the premises." Mr. ROMILLT, with whom was Mr. It. PALWER, appeared on behalf of the petitioners, and contended at considerable length that from the time of Richard 11. to the present, the clerks of the Masters, and the Masters themselves, were under the control and Jurisdiction of the Lord Chancellor, and that the Act of William IV. did not remove that jurisdiction. By that Act it was, among other things, enacted that no person should be appointed to be chief clerk of any Master in Ordinary of this Honourable Court unless be should have been admitted on the roll of solicitors or attorneys in one of the Courts of Westminster Hall, for not less than five lean, or should have been a junior clerk in the office of one of the said Masters for a term of ten years. Now, it was clear by that Clause that the Master was forbidden to appoint any person to the office unless he should have been a solicitor for five years, or a junior clerk in the office of one of the Masters for ten years ; and by the '.2lst section it was clear that the duties of chief clerk could not be performed by deputy. That was also clearly proved by a 'treat number of authorities. The Loin CHANCELLOR observed that he did not understand it was contended on the other side that the duties could be Performed by deputy, but what was said was, that the Master had a right to allot the duties as he thought proper among his different Clerks, Mr. Roartum admitted that, but denied that the office of t hief clerk could be performed by the junior clerk. It perhaps 'bight be convenient that he should now state what sort of order v he, proposed to ask. It was intended to ask the Court to direct a reCerence to the three senior Masters of the Court of Chancery, to Inquire into the practice of the chief clerk's office in the particular cir cumstances of the present case. They proposed he should make an order that the three senior Masters should report what were t he duties performed by the chief clerk, and what duties were per. formed by Mr. Wright, and also to inquire under what circum stances the office of chief and junior clerk were held in the office • 1 ' Master Lynch, and to state special circumstances. The MASTER of the ROLLS—What ultimate order do you ask? Mr. Itomtstv—That no person should be permitted to perform the duties but the chief clerk, and that if it was shown that he was h ot competent, then that the office should be declared vacant. He did not propose that the Court should do anything in the first I nstanc e , The LORD CHANCELLOR inquired by what tenure the chief clerk h eld his office ? fir.n °MILLI' ob s erved that that was not stated. T here could m e nu booubt that in the present instance there was some arrange. but tht' Who W righ e tween the senior and j clerk. It was that Mr. performed the duties of chief clerk, wasclear not qualified, at he would be in two years and a half. The Loki, CHANCELLOR. asked if it was suggested that Mr. wr Or was to have the office at the termination of the two years and a half ? Mr. Rossitty—Nothing of the sort; it was clear, however, that some arrangement existed, and the Master himself also appeared to take part in it. The Loan CHANCELLOR—I suppose the Master takes that species of interest which will show to the Court that be is correct. Mr. ItouiLLy said that was a matter that it behoved the Court to inquire into. The Loco CHANCELLOR was in hopes that it was unnecessary to go further into that part or the case, as he felt convinced that, upon any intimation from the Court of its opinion, Master Lynch would act upon it. Mr. STUART observed that nothing could be said against the course pursued by Master Lynch, and lie was sure that any sug gestion of the Court would be instantly adopted by him. Mr. ROMILLY would not press this part of the case further. The Learned Counsel then contended he was entitled to the order he asked. The petitioners, he could assure the Court, had most un willingly brought this matter forward, horsing that some legislative enactment would have taken place upon the subject. His instruc tions were to avoid as much as possible anything like personal ob servations upon any one. As to Master Lynch, he was sure all he had done was bona fide and with the best intentions. The LORD CHANCELLOR said that no person had ever performed the duties of :taster more effictively than Master Lynch. Mr. R. Palmer followed on the same side as Mr. Romilly. Mr. STUART appeared for Master Lynch, who had been served with a copy of the petition, and said the charges contained in it were grave ones, if they were proved to be well founded. He had been charged with appointing a person to the office of chief clerk in his office who was incompetent to perform the office, and that he had allowed another individual to perform the duty who Was legally disqualified. Those were grave charges. He denied the whole of that charge in the petition on the behalf of Master Lynch, and asserted that nothing was more falculated to lower the character of the profession of the tow, and the officers by whom it was administered, than present petitions containing allegations that had no fou ndation in f ac t . O n th e p ar t of Master Lynch, he contended, "'at he had full power to discharge all the clerks in his office when ever he pleased ; and that there was no foundation whatever for the statement th a t h a d b e en made on the other side, th at the M aster cou ld no t di sc h arge his chief clerk. The Mast er held his o ffi ce by the appointment of the Mi u• ster of the day, and the Master ' s c hi e f c l er k h e ld his b y the appointment of the Master. No authority had been brought before the Court in support of that proposition, that tended • eX alt the offi c e o f chief clerk of the eMaster into a judicial °le • The Learned Counsel then proceeded, at con- Stderable length, to contend that the allegations in the Petiti on that Mr. Whiting was incompetent to perform the duties were wholly unfounded, and that the Master h._, the right to apportion the duties of the clerks in his office as he t hought right, and he had an absolute discretion on the subject. The LORD CHANCELLOR said it was most important that the Court should know what were the duties performed by Mr. Whiti ng. b r • STUART s a id th a t he perf o rmed the duties allotted to him n t he Maste r , He had a second affidavit, filed by Mr. Whiting, which he state d the d ut i es t h at h e per f orme d. 4 r. ROMILLY observed that that affidavit had but just been filed, arid understood it had been made in consequence of something that fell from the Court in the course of the morning. , T he LORD C HANCELLOR w i s h e d to know whether Mr. Romilly oetired to answer the affidavit? Itosttuor observed that some of the duties stated in the ,T• avit to be perf o rmed by Mr. Whiting were the duties of chief ; he would prefer therefore that the matter should go on. "Ir• STUART then proceeded. It was admitted that the duties but excellently well performed, but it was said that one ef the ies that ought to be performed by Mr. Whiting was performed lc ! Mr. Wri g h t. N ow was th a t, h e w ould a sk, any ground for alle g at ions the present petition, containing the absurd and improper it did, and bringing forward Master Lynch before the Cou rt as a criminal, bound to answer these allegations ? As to ‘, in quiry it was proposed to make before the three senior 7asters of the Court, he contended that no ground had been "own for that inquiry. (The case had not concluded when our report left.) S ECONDARIES. -(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Secondary Jamas.) ;,110VGH V. DENGATE. 14 V g, LAW, AND PGYSIC.—The plaintiffs in this case are 'c'Eree.b ..uuse keepers, in the Waterloo-road, and the defendant a ch emist and druggist in the same place. 11r. r , toucir appeared for the plaintiffs. He said that they were ,nitle women, an d k e pt a coffee-shop called the Phrenological ‘-offee. house, which was frequented by the defendant, and in the trolirse two years ran up a score of Si. There was also a charge the Phr enological bust, the defendant, no doubt, wishing to study site . s cience, and discover where the " bump" of " confidence" was ,l u ; a te, and wh ether it was develope d to any grea t ex t en t i n the 1 - „ a f lt irrs• The def en d ant h a d ma d e a se t - off against the rump steaks ;17 M utton chops, of me di c i nes .' The bill appeared to him t 3 be oneof pre most impudent which could have been concocted, and consisted t.,42niost every article whieh a chemist and druggist's shop could con. a and it really appeared as though he had copied the catalogue r "ghout. Th e following were a fcw of the i tems :— S a l ts, - ro e e n _ herbs, c as t or o i l, p i lls, lozenges, honey, b orax, li p-sa l ve , li na . n 's• lotio ns, plasters, gargles, jalap, sulphur, and pills in a great v C iet Y• There were " night" pills and "steel" pills at four shit. b°X. He supposed they were required to line the patients drenn?r they could not by any possibility have survived such a ra L • '" l ng and bolusing The bill had, by these charges, been sed to 111. 4 • The w it nesses 5. 5d for the plaintifik proved that the dinners, &c., 'were h a ,, PP led, and as t o t h e p h ys i c, they pos i t i ve l y d en i e d h av i ng n _`, ,t—theY would have been afraid to take any pills from him, and considered him such a simple man that he could not make up any thing. of P mr the defendant it was shown that he had advanced a large sum pi ai rn " , Y to plaintiff's mother and brother, and that the elder •had signed an " I 0 U" as security and that a :set. at 7t was come to that the whole amount , should be paid ' 6 s• per m onth, but at that time no notice was taken of the the present demand as a claim, but that it was mentioned as a proof of Zintimacy and used as an argument to show that the defendant n asund er obligation s, and ought not to be so urgent for the settle t T he delivery o f some medicine was proved. ..r • Caoumi, in reply, contended that there had been a little love . bet ween the pa r ti es, b ut that defendant was a mere cupboard io Jr. He also u rge d that the bill for medicine could not be taineci, for ph ys i c was not taken in partnership.—(Laughter.) verdict for the plaintiffs for the full amount. %Lord Stanley left town yesterday for Goodwood. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THIS itiki Y.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SrEAKER took the chair at twelve o'clock. THE SEVERNE'S ESTATE BILL. On the motion of Mr. SPOONER, the Severne's Estate Bill was read a second time. BIRMINGHAM AND GLOUCESTER RAILWAY. On the motion of the same 110 N. MEMBER, the Lord-' amendments to the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway (Gloucester Extension, Stoke Branch, and Midland Railways Junction) Bill were agreed to. EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY. The Eastern Counties Railway ( Hertford and Biggleswade Bill was read a third time and passed. SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY. The Lords' Amendments to the South-Eastern Railway Bill were received an agreed to. LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY. On the motion of Viscount COUKTENAY, the report on the London and York Railway Bill was ordered to be received on niday next. SINDE. Mr. HUME wished to know whether any Order of Council had been sent out re,pecting the plunder taken at Sinde, and whether such document would be placed on the table? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the subject was at present under consideration, but he thought the order referred to by the Hon. ➢Member would soon he laid before the House. • NATIONAL TRADES DELEGATES CC . )N.FEistEI' , .:CE.—(TIIIS DAY.) The Delegates assembled for the third time this morning, at the usual hour, ten o'clock, and re r ained in conference on private business until near twelve, duriog which time the reporters were not admitted. When the doors were thrown open the Delegates proceeded with the discussion of the remaining paragraph of the Committee's plan for a more efficient organisation of the trades. The first clause discussed was that under the head of " General Secretary," which proposed that that officer " shall be elected by the Central Committee, and shall hold his office so long as he per forms his duties satifactorily." A DELEGATE suggested that the appointment should rest with the General Conference. Mr. FLEMING contended that the Committee were the only per sor,s with whom that appointment should rest, because, if the offi. cers were elected by the Conference, they might elect, without in tending it, an inefficient person. He (Mr. F.) was also of opinion that the secretary should be a permanent officer instead of being elected annually. The DELEGATE from the London Book-binders differed from the last speaker ; he was of opinion that an annual election of the offi. cer would bust ensure an efficient one. It was finally agreed upon that the appointment of the secretary should rest with the general Conference. It was next contended whether the office should be a permancit office for twelve months, or be removable at pleasure, in the event of his inefficiency, or from some other fault. The CHAIRMAN was of opinion that all bodies, like all individuals, ou4lit to have a control over their servants, The Conference agreed that the Secretary should hold office until next Conference, and the Committee to have the power, in the event of the eflice becoming vacant, to elect another Secretary, who is to remain in office until next Conference. Toe above was agreed to after a great deal of time had been lost in triflmgdiscussion, and calling upon the Chairman to read the re solution over and over again. The next discussion arose upon the appointment of a Treasurer, who, it was agreed upon, should hold office upon the same terms as the general Secretary. " That the officers give security" was the next clause, which was agreed to without discussion. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE. Under this head there were a number of provisions, one of which, declaring that the Committee should promote " political" objects, was objected to. The CHAIRMAN then read the clause, sentence by sentence, and, after a short discussion, it was agreed to, with some trifling verbal amendments. The delegates adjourned at one o'clock for an hour. 1 4 111! UN, LONDON, WEDNESD./41..._.ENTrNING, juLy_ B6, bus. _- 4 t2414,0,1CAN ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. The British and North Am:-.rican Royal mail steam-ship Acadia, Captain Harrison, arrived at Li► - erpool yesterday, bringing the Hon. L. M'Lane, United States Minister to St. James's, several members of his family, and a large number of passengers. The annexation of Texas to the United states, it wiil be seen, has been agreed to by the Texan Congress. The ques tion asjto the course Mexico will adopt is yet problematical. (From the Git/restoiLl-eris.) We are indebted to Mr. Briggs for the following interesting do cuments, which we hasten to give our readers. Verbally we hear from Mr. B. that the propositions for our independence have been submitted to the Senate. They are not yet made public, but it is understood that they are highly objectionable, and will ha promptly rej ect ed. Executive Department, Washington, June le, 1845. Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives, I am happy to greet you on this interesting occasion, as the representatives of the people, again assembled i.s the discharge of your high and important duties. The call of an extraordinary session of Congress at this early day, by the Executive, was not made without the most mature deliberation, and a due reference to the great crisis which has arisen since your late aojournment, in the affairs of Texas, as well as the almost unanimous expression of public will, which took place throughout the country in regard to the same. The Executive has now the pleasure to transmit to the Honour able Congress, for such action as they may deem suitable, the pro positions which have been made on the part of the United States to this Government, for the annexation of Texas ai.d its incorporation as a state into that great and kindred confederacy; together with the correspondence between the two Governments, which has arisen out of the same. This correspondence, entering as it does very fully into the views and sentiments of the Govcrments in question, resisters it unnecessary for the Executive to add (for the information or consideration of Congress) but little thereto in reference to the proposed measure. The Executive has much satisfaction in observing, what no doubt will forcibly arrest the attention of the Congress, that al though the terms embraced in the resolutions of the United States Congress may at first have appeared less favourable than was de sirable for Texas, that the very liberal and magnanimous views entertained by the President of the United States towards Texas, and the promises made through the representative of that country in regard to the future advantages to be extended to her if the consented to the proposed union, render those terms much more ac ceptable than they would otherwise have been. The state of public opinion, and the great anxiety of the people to act definitely upon the subject of annexation by a Convention of Deputies, as prescribed in the resolutions of the United States Congress, induced the Executive to issue his proclamatio❑ on the sth of May, ult., recommending an election for sixty-one De puties, to be held in the several counties throughout the Republic, on the:4th of the present month, and to assemble in Convention at the city of Austin, on the 4th of July next. This recommenda tion has met the sanction of the citizens generally and the de puties in the several counties, so far as heard from having been elected upon the basis proposed, it is confidently expected the Convention will assemble at the time and place fixed upon. To this Convention the question of annexation and the adoption of a State Constitution will probably belong; and they will determine the great question of the na tionality of Texas, as to them shall seem most conducive to the interest, happiness, and prosperity of the people whom they will represent. It is important that the " consent of the existing Government" should be given to their exercising the powers which have been delegated to them, in order to comply with a requirement to that effect in the resolutions on the subject of an nexation, passed by the American Congress. For this purpose, the present extraordinary session of the Congress of the Republic of Texas has been convoked, and to its wisdom as a co-ordinate department, the Executive now submits the determination of the matter. The services to be performed by the Convention will be arduous, and will probably engage it for a considerable period of time, and the Executive would respectfully recommend to Congress the pro priety of making a suitable appropriation for the payment of its Members, as well as the officers it may find occasion to employ. The Executive has the pleasure, in addition to presenting Con gress the propositions concerning Annexation, to inform them, that certain conditions preliminary to a treaty of peace upon the basis of a recognition of the independence of Texas by Mexico, were signed on the part of the latter, of the city of Mexico, on the 19th of May last, and were transmitted to this Government on the 2d inst. by the Baron Alley de Cyprey, Minister Plenipotentiary of his Majesty the King of the French, at that court, by the hands of Capt. Elliott, H. B. M. Charge d'Affaires near this Government. In consequence of the signing of these preliminaries, the Executive believed it to be his duty to the Congress to make the fact known to the people of Texas, and to declare and proclaim a cessation of hostilities between Texas and Mexico, until the same could be communicated to, and acted upon by, Congress and the Convention about to assemble. A proclamation for this purpose was conse quently issued on the 4th inst., a copy of which is herewith trans mitted. The preliminaries being in the nature of a treaty, will, with all the correspondence in relation thereto, be forthwith cam. municated to the Honourable Senate for its constitutional advice, and such action as in its wisdom the same shall seem to require, The alternative of annexation or independence will thus be placed before the people of Texas, and their free, sovereign, and un biassed voice, will determine the all-important issue; and so far as it shall depend upon the Executive to act, he will give im mediate and full effect to the expression of their will. His situation in regard to the important subjects now communi. cated to Congress, has, since their late adjournment, been one of great delicacy and embarrassment. Questions of much difficulty have been presented for his determination, upon which the fate and welfare of the country depended, and without precedent or constitutional guide for his governance, he has been obliged to assume, in consequence, great and severe responsibilities. He trusts, however, that Congress will approve the course he has adopted, and, by their enlightened counsels, relieve and direct him in the course hereafter to be pursued in relation to those questions. The Executive is happy to announce to Congress that Texas is at peace with the world; that with all foreign Powers with whom we have had intercourse, friendly relations are maintained. The dif ferent tribes of Indians on our borders, with whom treaties exist, have continued to observe the same with good faith; and within the last few days information has been received that the only band of Comanches within our limits, who had maintained until then a hostile attitude towards Texas, have sued for peace, expressed a wish to be permitted to come to Bexar to celebrate a treaty of friendship, which, on the part of this Government, bas been com. plied with. The arrangements made at your regular session, for additional companies of rangers to be mustered into service, has been carried into effect, and have afforded adequate and efficient protection to our frontiers. The receipts into the Treasury have been sufficient to meet the various expenditures of the Government. A specie cur rency has been maintained without difficulty, and all the Exchequer bills which were in circulation at the period of your late ad. journment, have been redeemed and withdrawn from circulation, and the Executive i s h appy to congratulate the Congreis and the country upon a state o f peace, happiness, and prosperity never be. fore experienced by T exas, a nation. and rarely if ever equalled by so young ► There has been a moderate huAtiess in the cotton market since the departure of the Caledonia, and prices had rather an upward tendency. Exchange on London stood at 110, Paris, 5 2;1 to 5 30. Freights rather dull. To Liverpool, Cotton hd. to 3-16 d.; Beefand Pork in barrels,2s. 9d. to 3s. ; heavy goods 20s. to 225. 6d. To London, Tobacco 30s. ; Naval Stores 2s. 6d. to 35. ; Oil 275. 6d. To Havre, Cotton Ito per cent. Ashes 8 dols. to 10 dole.; measurement goods 10 dole. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES, MONDAY, JULY 14 —United States Loan, Six per Cents., 1862, 114 offered, 115 asked ; Ditto, Five per Cent., 1853, 1031 offered, 105 asked. GREAT FIRE AT lit AT ANZ AS.—LOSS ESTIMATED AT EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. (From the Kew York Express.) • We have a Havannah paper of the 2Sth ult., which gives us the details of a great fi re i n M atanzas that happened Mon the 26th. The following we tran s l ate f rom La Aurora, a atanzas paper of the 27th : It appears that a severe calamity has befallen the rich city of Mstanzis. At ha!f_past eight o'clock, a.m., the bells of the parish church announced that the richest part of the city was seized by the flames. In fact, the fire had burst out, as we are in. formed, in a carpenter's shop, in the Marina, where a large col lection of timber supplied abundar.ce of fuel to the flames. Ihe fire immediately extended to the adjacent buildings, which were all of wood, and of such age as to be highly combustible, so that the conflagration extended rapidly toward the Royal Cus • tom-house, on the oppo,ite coiner, and to the house of Don Bartolome de la Mater, which was soon seized by the devouring element, threatening to consulted the whole town. It is three o'clock in the afternoon, and we have just left the scene of the catastrophe; and while the ruins of the edifices of the whole Marina are consuming, the principal block, and another adjoining it, have disappeared. A great part of the contiguous blocks in the west have been destroyed in part. We may truly say that what has been the general depot of the great part of the commercial wealth of their city, has now been made a prey to the flames. The losses have been incalculable, and consternation so great that the streets were blocked tip with men, women, and children, flying for their lives from the flames. The splendid house of Don Vicente de Junco has been destroyed. The fire had hardly commenced when we had the satisfaction of seeing all the authorities of the town upon the spot, to whose exer. tions it is owing that the losses have not been more extensive. STEAM-BOAT EXPLOSION. (From the Neu, Orleans Picayune, July 2.) TRRRIBLE DISASTER.—DREADFUL EXPLOSION. —GREAT Loss OF L IFE. — DESTRUCTION OF TOE MARQUETTE.—Yesterday afternoon, about four o'clock, a most calamitous disaster occurred at the steam-boat landing, near the foot of Poydras-street. At the time mentioned the steam-boat Marquette, Captain E. A. Turpin, while backing out from the wharf, burst her hollers with a most terrific explosion, scattering instantaneous death and destruction around. The report of the explosion was tremendous, shaking the very foundations of the buildings on New Levee for several squares. The Marquette, as we are informed, had not made more than one or two revolutions when she blew up. Pieces of the wreck were thrown, with human bodies, into the air, and at immense distances. The boat was literally blown to atoms. How many lives have been lost by this terrible accident is not known—indeed, it can never be accurately ascertained, as several who were going as passengers had not registered their names, and it is feared that many of the deck passengers are lost. The ladies and children in the cabin were all saved, and escaped injury, ex cept a small girl, who, we learn, was scalded, but not mortally. One dead body was taken from the wreck; it was that of a man, unknown, who bad his legs literally blown away, and was other wise mangled. Three other persons died on their way to the hos pital. Last night there were eighteen persons in the Charity Hos pital, and one in Dr. Stone's, taken from the boat. These are all more or less injured--many of them, it is feared, mortally. The Marquette was just over from Mobile, and was leaving for Cincinnati for repairs. We have heard half-a-dozen causes as signed for the accident, nearly all attributing it to gross carelessness or negligence. CANADA. ANOTHER AWFUL FIRE IN QUEBEC. (From the Quebec Mercury of Monday, June 28.) Despondingly we take up our pen to record a second disastrous fire which has nearly blotted Quebec from the list of cities. Our task In this matter is not only painful but difficult of execution. To convey an adequate idea of the extent of misery caused by these two fires is impossible; to conceive the ultimate results is hardly to be compassed by the human mind. On Saturday evening last, about eleven o'clock, the flames were discovered issuing from the hangard of M. Tessier, Esq., N.Y., in d' A iguillon.street, just without St. John's gate. The alarm of fire by the tocsin was tardily given, but at the earliest moment possible a number of persons were on the spot, who lent every assistance towards arresting the progress of the fire (which, it is said, arose from the emptying of a can of hot ashes on a dunghill). By degrees it crept from street to street, and the final result was that " the entire suburb of St. John," including that denominated St. Lewis Suburbs, is, with the exception of a few paltry streets, in which but few houses had been built, entirely devastated. The fire spread from causes which favoured it on the fatal night of the 28th May—namely, the shingled roofs, the high wind, and the previous dry weather. At first there was a miserable supply of water, and but few persons, beyond the military, were on the spot. Immediate preparations were made by the military autho. rities, under the immediate sanction of the mayor, for arresting the fire by blowing up houses or entire blocks, commencing at the English burial.ground. Powder was sent for, but so rapid was the advance of the fire, that before it arrived the blocks intended to be destroyed were in flames. Artillerymen, with ammunition, were, however, shortly at the disposal of the authorities, and six houses were blown up at different periods. Two were rased in Chevroti&e-street, and so violent was the concussion from the ex plosion], that a house on the opposite side of the road was completely rent in twain, and fell. Tbis destruction of property was not effected without loss of life. One man was killed by the falling materials, and several others received severe injuries; some serious fractures, of which one, ➢'Kenna, has since died. At eight o'clock on Sunday morning the fire may be said to have been stayed. Upwards of 3,000 houses have been burnt, and at this moment 20,000 persons are houseless What is now to become of us ? Our workmen, of all descrip tions, are ruined and houseless ; many who had commenced their re-establishment after the last fire are again burned out; their former savings and the assistance afforded by the charitable, and from private sources, alike sacrificed, It only remains for the Executive to express an assured confi dence in )our individual wish to sustain the best interests of Texas, and the fervent hope that He who holds the destinies of his richest blessings. men and nations in hi s hand, may crown your deliberations with A large number of families have fled from the city, and it is very much to be feared that their secession will be permanent. They may form new ties and fresh engagements which will event. ually alienate them from Quebec. ANSON JONES, JOINT RESOLUTION. GIVING THE CONSENT OF THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT TO THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS TO THE UNITED STATES. Whereas, the Government of the United States bath proposed the following terms, guarantees, and conditions, on which the peo ple and territory of the Republic of Texas may be erected into a new State, to be called the State of Texas, and admitted as one of the States of the American Union, to wit : (Here follows the resolutions of the United States Congress.) And whereas, by said terms, the consent of the existing Go vernment of Texas is required—therefore, Sec. Ist. Be it resolved, by the Senate and House of Represen. tatives of the Republi c of Texas in Congress assembled, that the Government of Tex as Both consent that the people and territory of the Republic of T exas may be erected into a new State, to be called the St a t e of Texas, with a Republican form of Government to be ad opted by the people of said Republ i c, by de. putics in Convention assembled, in order that the same may be ad mitted as one of the States of the American Union, and said con. sent is given on the terms, guarantees, and conditions set forth in the preamble to the joint resolution. Sec. 2d. Be it furthor resolved, that the proclamation of the President of the Republic of Texas, bearing date Mas sth, 1845, and the election of deputies to set in Convention at Austin, on the fourth day of July next, for the adoption of a constitution for the State of Texas, had in accordance therewith hereby receive the consent of the existing Government o f T exas . Sec. 3d. Be it further resolved, that the President of Texas is hereby requested immediately to furnish the Government of the United States, through their accredited Minister near this Govern. ment, with a copy of this joint resolution; also to furnish the Convention to assemble at Austin on the 4th of July next with a copy of the same, and the same shall take effect from mad after its passage. The parishes at Pointe Levi are filled with refugees, as also Champlain Ward, as far as Sillery Cove ; we have, moreover, just heard that Beauport, Lorette, and the several villages adjacent to the city are crowded. Within the walls, but few houses, even of the highest respectability, are not crowded ; one gentleman has 28 persons in his house, another 55, and a third 40. The above is a copy of the resolutions as they passed the two Houses, and which will, we suppose, receive the sanction of the President. They passed unanimously. TOD ROBINSON. On the 18th inst., in the Senate, Mr. Greer introduced a joint resolution offering " A nation's gratitude to Major-General An drew Jackson," which resolution was unanimously adopted. On the same day Major Kaufman introduced a Bill setting apart a portion of the public land, lying between the Arkansas and Red Rivers, for the payment of the national debt—read first and second time, and referred to Committee on State of the Republic. A resolution was offered by Mr. Greer for altering the time of th e annual Session of Congress read first time. On Sunday Mr. Kaufman, as Chairman of the Committee on Fo:eign relations, reported the " Joint Resolution giving the con sent of the existing Government to the annexation of Texas to the United States," w hich joint resolution was ' , used through its third reading on the next day (19th)—(The rule lacing suspended on motion of Colonel 11. L. Kinney) —by a unanimous vote of the Senate. The latest advices from Montreal are to the 12th inst. inclusive. Therpappears to be no particular news of consequence. CORRESPONDENCE OF TILE " NEW YORE HER•LD."—MON TEEM., C E., Jour 12, 1845.--The utmost alarm and excitement prevail here, in consequence of the recent attempts at incendiarism, no less than seven having been made within the last fews days. For. tunately the fires have, in almost every instance, been extinguished by timely vigilance. The fire companies are constantly on the alert, and several of the engines stand ready horsed all night. In several parts of the city the inhabitants have formed themselves into patrols for the protection of each other's property. Five indi. viduals are in custody charged with incendiarism. A considerable portion of last year's stock of flour is still on hand, and although a good deal is held on English account, the holders of the residue are anxiously expecting the next mail, and there is much speculation as to the probability of a late harvest in England. Sales are now made very irregularly, but the quotations may fairly stand at 245. to 245. 2d., and a firmer feeling gene rally prevails in the market. On the 19th, in the Senate, Mr. Greer introduced a joint reso lution relative to the introduction of United States troops into Texas—read first time. In ashes, contracts were made during the declension of pots at 22-7 i to 22-9, but they are now up again, and large sales are effected at 23. Pearls are steady at 24. Freights are unsteady, and ranging from 3-6 to 3.9 for Liver. pool and the Clyde--4-6 is asked for London and refused. There have arrived at Quebec 309 more vessels than up to the corresponding date last year. The Governor-General has been seriously 'lndisposed, but he is now sufficiently recovered to attend to his official duties. THE AFFAIRS OF AIEXICO. MEXICO, JUNE 7.—An abortive attempt at revolution, which at one moment created great alarm, occurred here today. It came en the people, and I believe on the Government, by surprise, and, so far as I could judge, not the slightest preparation was made by the latter in anticipation of such an event. At about three o'clock in the afternoon some shots were heard in the direction of the Palace, which forms one side of the great square of Mexico, and in a few minutes after troops were seen lining the roof of the Palace, and mounting the different turrets of the cathedral, which forms another side of the plaza, and commands that square and sense of the principal streets. We were then told that General Herrera, the President, and M. Rosa, the Minister of Finance, were made prisoners, and that a pronunciamiento was declared, but whether in favour of Santa Anna or Federalism, no one could say. At this moment matters were in a critical posi tion ; but the Government was saved by the decision and spirit of the colonel commanding the 4th Regiment of the line which was in barracks immediately adjoining the Palace. That officer, who it appears is much attached to the present order of things, instantly sent off a detachment to warn the Minister of War, and put the commandant of the citadel on his guard. He then attacked the movements of the troops in the Palace, broke, open the gates, dashed in amongst them bayonet in hand, and after killing a dozen compelled the others to surrender. He next dis lodged the soldiers from the roof of the Palace and Cathedral, and in about half an hour put down the attempt at revolution. The officer commanding the revolted regiment was shot in the melee, but Brigadier Rangel, who was the chief conspirator and leader, escaped. It is said that a large proportion of the regiments of the garrison hed been gained over by Rangel ; and that if the 250 men who pronounced in the Palace could have held their ground for an hour, the movement would have become general. But as affairs passed, the thing was a total failure ; and even the leperos or lazaroni of Mexico did not think it worth while to assist it. Mr. Kaufman's " setting apart l an d for the payment of the public debt," &c., was taken up and read second and third times, and passed. Mr. Lawrence introduced a resolution for the relief of Post-Cap tain E. W. Moore.—Read a first time. We are happy to state that Commodore Moore has already been restored to his command. We are further informed that Con gress will probably adjourn on next Wednesday, We are informed that the propositions from Mexico have been rejected, and that the resolution inviting the United States troops has been adol ted. _ Foreign diplomacy is much pleased at the result of this ex plosion, as, If the Government knows how to take advantage of it, it will add immensely to their moral force. 'Choy have a strong case against Rangel and the other officers engaged in the revolt, as it was only a fortnight since that they were all included in the general amnesty granted to those who fought with Santa Anna. Rangel has shown extreme ingratitude, for though he was one of Santa Anna's most active partisans, no acts of ♦engeance were directed against him. Bold measures on the part of the present Conservative Government may give a vital blow to the Federalist party, which is both powerful and numerous; but I have heard much apprehension expressed, from the known timidity of Ministers, that the golden opportunity will be lost. .. . The city is perfectly quiet, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that not one of the people took part in the pro• nunciamiento. The affair with the French Minister still wears an ugly aspect, as the Government, up to :the present hour, has declined giving the required satisfaction, saying, that as the matter is before the tribunals, it should await their decision. To-morrow is the last day allowed by the Baron de Ciprey, and if reparation be not made, he will positively demand his passports. We all hope, however, that the matter will be amicably settled. Since the sailing of the last steamer business generally had been very dull in New York and the business cities. The extreme warmth of the season has made the trading community more quiet than usual. Nothing can as yet be known of the state or prospects of the next cotton crop. The accounts, how ever, are rather more favourable than otherwise. Money was abundant, the rate of interest between 5 and 6 per cent. Pennsylvania Stock had risen, on a general idea that the August interest would be paid, and 734 was asked for Five per Cents. on the 15th on the New York Exchange. The New York Courier and Enquirer of the 15th says— " With regard to Oregon, we have confidence that with moderate counsels on both sides and discreet conduct, all wili be harmoniously arranged; and in these particulars, if there were to be a change, we think the selection of Mr. M'Lane as the new Minister to England a fortunate one. Ile is well and favourably known there, and is of an age and has a posi tion at home that may be taken as a guarantee that he has not undertaken this mission without a reasonable and well founded hope of aiding in bringing all di sputed points to an amicable adjustment. " Exchange on England has been sold as high as 10 prem. On France, a large amount was drawn on Saturday for ac count of the underwriters against the cargo of the Ville de Lyons which was wrecked, at 5•314. The rate to-day may be quoted at E .27i to 30. "There was but little done in stocks to-day, and no ma terial alteration in prices." ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE PRINCE ALBERT'S GAMEREETER.—.Considerable sensation has been caused within the last few days in the neighbourhood of Bagshot Park, in consequence of an attempt being made to take away the life of Mr. Turner, son of Mr. James Turner, head gamekeeper of his Royal Highness Prince Albert. It appears from information received by the police that Mr. Turner, who has charge of the young pheasants in Repley Farm, was fired at about two on the morning of Tuesday, the 22d instant, from behind a watch-box, adjoining to which a vast quan tity of birds are kept, with a gun containing three bullets, one of which struck him:on the third finger of the left hand and shattered it to pieces. No person was seen about the premises during the night ; and the only reason that can be assigned for the outrage is, that Mr. Turner on a late occasion took active measure in prose. cuting persons for selling pheasants' eggs which had been stolen from his Royal Highness's preserves; and the attempt to take away his life must have been made by a person well acquainted with the place. The police are in possessions of such facts as may shortly lead to the apprehension of the offender. BURNING GLASSES EXTRAORDINARY.—On Sunday week Mr. Morgan, draper, of Abergavenny, on going to his counting.house, was surprised at smoke issuing from a bale of shawls, of first.rate quality, which had just arrived. The skylight of the room is composed of panes of glass, the centre of some of which present that protuberanCe technically denominated " bull's eyes ;" thee forming a locus, concentrated the rays of the sun, and the consequence was that a large and unseemly ho!e was burned through the pile of shawls, whereby considerable damage was sustained. The goods were insured.—lfonniouth Merkh CO VIVI' ALDE,I6II - .-Z' t,FIAT CIRCULAR; The Queen and Primo Albert, Lady Portman, Mr. G. E. Anson, Colonel Buckley, and Colonel Bouverie left Osborne House, Isle of Wight, in three phaetons, at half-last eleven o'clock on Monday morning, and went through Newport and Gadshill, and part of Lord Yar borough's grounds, to Ventnor. The royal party drove to the Ventnor Hotel and partook of luncheon. After luncheon, her Majesty and Lady Portman left the Hotel in a phaeton for Steephili Castle, Prince Albert and the Gentlemen walking. Captain Pelham had the honour of conducting the illustrious party to the Castle, and afterwards to his own residence. The whole party returnsd to the Hotel after walking through the grounds of each place. Her Msjesty and Prince Albert and the royal suite took their departure at fear o'clock, returning by a different route through Botahurch and Shanklin, and arriving at Osborne House, at twenty minutes past six o'clock. Colonel Bowles took his departure from Osborne House on Monday, for town. The Juvenile Royal Family were tsken airings nn Mot day aft‘ moon. Yesterday mernine. the Prinee of Wa'es, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, left Osl.orne House for a drive in an open cartiaec. There was no addition to the Royal uinner party on Monday evening. Yesterday, her Majesty and Prince Albert walked in the pleasure grounds of Osborne House. His Majesty the King of the Netherlands held a Di plomatic Levee, at one o'clock, yesterday afternoon, at Mivart's Hotel, Lower Brook -street. The Levee was attend d by Count Dietrichstein, the Austrian Ambas sador, and a Secretary of the Embassy ; Baron de Cetto, the Bavarian Minister ; Baron de Moncorvo. Portu guese Minister ; M. Fertique, Venezuelan Minister ; Baron de Brunow, Russian Minister, and M. de Berg and M. de Koudriatisky, Secretaries of Lega tion ; General Castelcicala, Sicilian Minister ; Count Kielinansegge, Hanoverian Minister ; (;hevalier Bunsen, Prussian Minister, Baron de Thile, Secretary, and Baron de Langan, Attache to the Leation ; Baron de Hugel, Wu r t em b urg Minister ; Lem Commandeer Marquis Lisboa, Brazilian Minister ; Mr. Everett, United States Minister ; Count de Reyentlow, Danish Minister, and M. de Bielka, Secretary of Legation ; Mr. Murphy, Mexican Minister ; the Duke de Sotomayor, Spanish Minister, and the Chevalier Pedrorana, Second Secretary of Legation Mr. Colquhoun, Diploniaec Agent for the Ilanse Towns ; Count de Jarnac, French Charge d'Affaires, and a Secretary of the Einhas,y ; Baron de Rahausen, Swedish Charge d'Affaires, and Mr. Charles Drouat, Belgian Charge d'Affaires. Their Excellencies having assembled, were presented to the King by Baron Dedel, his Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary at the British Court. The King was attended at the reception by his Excellency M. Bond, Minister of the Colonies, Colonel Baroe Coehooru, Aide-de-camp; Count Bylandt, Ambessador; Viscount Hawarden, Lord in Waiting; and the Hon. Captain Hood, Groom in Waiting. Mr. Stratenus, First Secre tary of the Legation, and Mr. May, Consul-General of the Netherlands, were also in attendance at the Levee. Several of the Ambassadors and Ministers were pre vented from attending his Majesty's Levee by being eut of town and absent on leave. The Baron de Lebzeltern, Austrian Minister at the Court of Naples, had au audience of the King of the Netherlands yesterday morning. After the Diplomatic Levee, the King of the Nether lands received a deputation of the Consistory of the Dutch Church, who waited upon his Majesty to present an Address of congratulation. The Deputation was headed by the Rev. Dr. Gehle, and consisted of Mr. Smith, Mr. Sack, Mr. Van der Ende, Mr. Schroder, and Mr. Vink. The Deputation was conducted to the presence of the King by his Excellency Baron Dedel, when the Rev. Dr. Gehle read the address, which was most graciously re ceived, and the Deputation retired. His Majesty went, at three o'clock, attended by M. Boud, Colonel Baron Coehoorn, Count Bylandt, Vis count Hawarden, and the Hon. Captain Hood, in two of the royal carriages, to inspect Buckingham Palace. The Lord Chamberlain, the Vice-Chamberlain, and the Master of the Household received the King, on alighting from his carriage, and conducted his Majesty through the Picture gallery and the suite of State Sa loons. The royal party then entered the royal gardens, walked to the new summer temple; and inspected the paintings. Afterwards the rot al party paid a visit to the stables, where Mr. Lewis. Clerk of the Stables, was in attendance, and conducted them du; in s their inspec tion of the stud and equipages. his Majesty and suite remained until past five o'clock, and then took their departure. The King of the Netherlands dined in the evening with her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, at Gloucester House. His Majesty was attended by his Excellency M. Boud, Colonel Baron Coehoorne Count Bylandt, Viscount Hawarden, and the Hon. Captain Hood. The company to meet his Majesty consisted of his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, his Excellency Baron Dedel, the Duchess of Grafton the Countess of Jersey, L a d y Cl ementine Villiers, the Earl and Countess Brownlow, Lord and Lady Willoughby d'Eresby, Lord and Lady Fitzroy Somerset, Hon. Mrs. Darner, Mrs. Culling Smith, Mr. Vincent, Lady Georgiana Bathurst, and the lion. Captain Liddell. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge honoured the Italian Opera with their pre sence yesterday evening. Mr. Dixon, chairman of the Wine and Spirit Associa tion, Liverpool, and Mr. Moore, of Bristol, had an inter view yesterday with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chairman of the Board of Customs. The depu tation was accompanied by Viscount Sandon, M.P., Sir Howard Douglas, Bart., M.P., anti the Hon. IL F. Bet. keley. The Commission for promoting and encouraging the Fine Arts in the rebuilding the Palace of Westminster held a meeting at half-past two o'clock yesterday after noon at Gwyd) r House, Whitehall. The Commissioners present were the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Lincoln, Lord Colborne, the Right Hon. the Speaker, Mr. Benjamin Hawes, M.P., and Mr. T. Wyse, M.P. The meeting broke up at half-past four o'clock. A Deputation from the New Zealand Company con sisting of Lord Ingestre, Mr. Charles Buller, M.P., Sir L. Goldsrnid and Mr. Young, transacted business yester day at the Colonial-office. Yesterday a Court was held for the dispatch of public business. THE CROWDING AND RAPID SPEED OF STEAM-VESSELS. A member of the Court having requested to be in formed whether the resolutions passed by the Court for the regulation of steam-vessels had as yet obtained the sanction of the judges, The LORD MAYOR stated that the important resolu tions alluded to lie,rl been some time since referred to the judges, whose e , cquiescence was necessary before they could be brought into operation, and his Lordship de sired the Town-clerk to let the Court know what pro gress had been made. The Town-CLERK said that the resolutions had ben given to the Chief Baron, who handed then over for perusal to Mr. Baron Platt, and that Mr. Baron Platt being under the necessity of going upon circuit, placed them in the hands of Mr. Justice Wightrnan, who had not (as we understood the Town-Clerk) had time to examine them, but that it was expected by Saturday next that some information on the subject would be in all pro bability received. The LORD Maron—lt is proper to state also that in the case of the late loss of life, occasioned by the rapid transit of a steam-vessel in the Thames within the juris diction of the Court, orders had been issued to the City Solicitor to prosecute upon the part of the city of London.—(Hear, hear.) The Court was occupied a considerable time in in quiring into the conduct of one of the sworn-brokers, ho was petitioned against by a tallow-chandler for having refused to exhibit his books and explain the nature and circumstances of certain purchases made by him for the petitioner. The books of the broker were produced, from which it appeared that there had been very great irregularities in his mode of doing business. The broker himself admitted that he had not exercised the necessary vigilance and caution in his accounts, but solemnly denied that he had betrayed the interests of his principal in the transactions referred to. Alderman COPELAND strongly urged the necessity of making the most strict inquiries into the conduct of indi viduals who, from the character of their business, had a very extraordin a ry p ower o f d o i ng m i sch i ef. In his views the great majority of the Court concurred, and the broker was told that he must produce his principal in the sale of the tallow, and show that the transaction was a bona fide one, at the next sitting of the Court. A report was brought up, recommending that a gratuity of fifty guineas should be given to each of the inspectors of weights and measures. It particularly re commended the zeal, activity, and integrity of the two excellent officers, Mr. Knott and Mr. Harvard, appointed by the Court to watch over the interests of the poorer classes of the City of London. Alderman COPELAND said it was discreditable in the City of London to pay officers whose utility was so great, at such a rate that it was necessary to vote them gratuities. He concluded by moving that the salary of each should be raised 50/. a year at once. Sir PETER LAURIE acknowledged that duties could not be more satisfactorily performed than were the duties of the two City Inspectors, but the very vigilance and activity which they were in the habit of using, would very soon diminish their labours. Besides, they had both expressed their perfect satisfaction at the report which had just been presented. Alderman COPELAND said there was not the least prospect of the diminution of the labours of the in spectors. Even the apprehension of the disgrace of ex posure, as well as of the penalties visited upon the vio lation of the law, was not sufficient to deter many trades people from reaping an advantage from the exercise of an idle and dishonest avarice. —(Hear, hear.) The report of the Committee was finally agreed to. After the transaction of some business of no public importance, the Court adjourned. The Postmaster-General and Mr. Hart Davis, Deputy Chairman of the Excise, had interviews with the Chan cellor of the Exchequer yesterday. METROPOLITAN IMPROVE MENTS. There has been a vast deal of fuss and stir made of late about parks for the people ; but when the grounds are laid out, and the outskirts of our metropolis are studded with public parterres, we scarcely know where people will be found for the parks. The great delight of a genuine Londoner is to perambulate the streets and admire the taste and magnificence displayed in the em bellishments of the shops. Napoleon sneered at us us a nation of shopkeepers ; but when we can boast of such shopkeepers as Messrs. llodge and Lowinan.we have every reason to be flattered by the ribaldry of the imperial scoffer. The vast range of premises, extending from Nos. 256 to 20, in Regent street, form one of the chief ornaments of that gay and glittering thorsughfare. For extent of front age, magnificent in tilt the appointments and decorations, the fastidious taste and elegance which predominate through the whole building, and the gorgeous splendour of its ensemble, we know of no establishment that could compete with it in either Paris or Vienna. Its twelve stately windows (a " shining row," like Cowper's needles), each of a single sheet of glass that would serve as a mirror for an elephant, excite the astonishment and admiration of theflasents, and the low prices which are asked for the beautiful articles exposed for sale, coupled with the excellence of the material in ail the giiods manu factured for this establishment, obtain for it all the cele brity with none of the unenviable notoriety or odium with which a " cheap shop" is generally stigmatized. And whilst we are on this subject of splendid shops, it would be impossible to pass by without noticing the bright array of costly superfluities at Barry's, at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly. The melancholy Jacques said long, long ago, that the " world is still deceived with orna ment," but as London is not the forest of Arden, the "world" will still be well content with what is to be found at Barry's, and like Tasso's sick child, "dalsue inganno vita riceve ;" the supeijlu which Voltaire empha tically declared to be chose si necessaire, is here to be Met with in ;profusion. How exquisite is the fabric of the Bohemian glass candelabra with ormolu branches, which he has recently imported ; and nothing can surpass the elegance of his pendant crystal flower vases, sus pended in the window recesses, like miniature chandeliers, containing bouquets in lieu of bougies. And what a vast deal of time and trouble is saved by his method of mark ing linen with stamps ; in truth, Barry must be a man of great ingenuity as well as taste to originate so many excellent devices. If we cross Piccadilly, we fall in with the renowed Arcadian, Doudney, who from his citadel in the Burlington-arcade hurls defiance at all his corn peers, and outdoes every schneider in the land by the fecundity of his inventive powers. In the Cows Circular the other day we read that her Majesty had inspected and approved of a cloak of an entirely new construction which has lately issued from his workshop. The novelty of this garment consists in its having a pair of loose sleeves formed out of the cloak itself, and can be worn by either a lady or gentleman, whether on foot or on horse back. Doudney has done psrfectly right in registering the pattern of this piece of apparel, which seems to pos sess so many advantages as to have well merited the royal approbation. From the number of shooting jackets, gaiters, and other sporting attire which are piled about his show-rooms, it is evident that great preparations are making for the 12th of August. How ever, whilst we are here roaming about this world, we should take some note of time, and the clocks made by Messrs. Capt, of the Rue d'Alger, 13, in Paris, enable us to mark the flight of the edax venues with a precision which is truly astonishing. Messrs. Capt possess a large manufactory for time-pieces at Geneva ; and every watch undergoes a careful and elaborate revision on its arrival in the French capital, until the accuracy of a chronometer is obtained without the immense cost. " Sam Slick, the Closkmuker," must hide his diminished head before M. Capt, who warrants the durability and correctness of every watch that leaves his establishment —l'os t. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. TUESDAY, JULY 29. The Lords' amendments to the following Bills were agreed to : Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole Railway. Londonderry and Coleraine Railway. NOTICE GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL OFFICE. London and Norwich Direct huilway,-I:eport, Thursday, July 31. London and York Railway Bill reported; report to lie on the table, and to be printed. The Leeds and Bradford Railway (Shipley to Colne) Mistake Rectifying Bill was read a first thaw. ~'' i SUPPLY-EDUCATION IN MALTA. On the order of the day for the House going into Committee of Supply being read, Mr. C. BULLER wished to know what steps had been taken by Government to carry out the recommendation in the report of the Commissioners on the subject of education in Malta ? Mr. G. W. HOPE said that the Government had had great local prejudices to contend with, but they had already estab lished fourteen primary schopls, and they hoped soon to be able to introduce an extended system of useful instruction. PROPERTY-TAX. Mr. J. FIELDEN wished to call the attention of the House to the treatment, which he and others had received under the Property-tax Act. The firm to which he belonged had been assessed at too great an amount. They had made application to the Commissioners, and, after a great deal of trouble, they at last agreed to revise the assessment, and it was reduced from 24,000/. to 12,0001. This, however, was not a just assess ment, for it was notorious that the trade had not been in a flourishing condition ; and he was willing to produce the books of the firm, and to certify to their correctness on oath, to show that the profits of the business were not sufficient to warrant the assessment he had allured to. He had tried almost every practicable means to get redress without success—as a last resource he brought the matter before the House. It ap peared to him that the Commissioners acted in direct opposition to the common law maxim, that every wrong had its remedy. The Board could assess at whatever amount they pleased, arid this amount must be paid without the possibility of an appeal, except to the Board itself. He had sworn that the amount at which he had been assessed was unjust, and, in consequence, he was now threatened with a process to be levied on his goods. The Hon. Member then moved for the returns of the Property tax Act, together with all correspondence on the subject. Mr. WILLIAMS complained that the assessment was unduly and unfairly levied, and he was glad that his Hon. Friend (Mr. Fielden) had brought forward the motion, and that he was in a position, without any discredit to himself or the powerful firm to which he belonged, to do that which hun dreds and thousands of others dare not attempt, lest their most material interests should suffer by exposing . an injustice which, nevertheless, deeply affected them. One motion being put by the SPEAKER, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he wished to make a few observations, and, in the first place, to state that, from his experience, he was satisfied that there was none of that indisposition to complain which the Hon. Gentleman had stated, nor did he believe that there was that degree of injustice which was alleged against it. The mode of operation of the income-tax was this :—The Commissioners levied what, from the return made to them by the individuals in question, appeared to them to be just. Should the individuals feel oppressed by the amount charged upon them, they might appeal either to the General Commissioners or to the Special Commissioners appointed for the purpose, and with whom every secresy respecting the private transactions of individuals was safe. Now, the Hon. Gentleman complained that under the final court of appeal his goods had been levied upon. Such, doublers, had been the case, but it should be remembered that it was the absolute and defined duty of the Court of Exchequer to act upon the results which had been placed before them. In their public capacity they had no alternative, and were bound to follow out the rules laid down for their conduct. He was aware that it was a very delicate matter to inquire into the profits resulting from trade. It shou!d be remembered that the very fact of trade being carried on was a prima facie evidence that profits were obtained. He was the last man in the world to throw anything like discredit on the representa tions or veracity of the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Fielden); but he could not help thinking that this unpleasantry had arisen in consequence of the refusal of the firm to give such explanations as the court of appeal had required. The main cause, no doubt, was the different way in which the stock had been valued. This resulted, so far as he could understand from extensive inquiries, from a large stock of cotton which had been pur chased some years before being valued at a loss. Had that cot • ton been valued at the end of 1841, instead of 1642, a very different figure would have been put upon it. If, there fore, gentlemen appointed to make this investigation saw before them the fact.that the stock, which bore a large intrinsic value, had been put at a very low rate, he did not see how they could do otherwise than decide against the party making the appeal, and he really thought that if the Hon. Gentleman had shown a little less of that British feeling which resists with more than usual pertinacity the inquiry into his private affairs, none of this would have occurred. Mr. J. FIELDEN said, that so far from having refused to give explanation, he had given every explanation, and had even offered his books for investigation. But, on the imposition of the tax the second year, he had applied to the Government Com missioner, and then it was that, for the first time, he learned that he had been returned into the Exchequer, and that the sheriff would levy on his goods. The other five local Commis sioners were all in the same business as himself, and all of whom well knew what the circumstancess of that business were, had been parties to this levy, and he had obtained no relief. Mr. HAWES said that be thought this a fair case for in quiry. He had always opposed this tax ; and here was an in stance of the flagrant unfairness of the Act under which this levy was made. The Hon. Gentleman had gone before the Commissioners and made his appeal, and what was the result? Why, without any reason whatever, without any further information, although the Hon. Gentleman had offered his books for investigation, they had voluntarily, without any reason, reduced the assessment from 24,000/. to 12,000/. If the former sum was right, why did net the Commissioners adhere to it? Why did they not examine his books? It might not be of any consequence to the Hon. Gentleman, who was reported to be a man of property, in this instance, for every body knew his wealth, but it might be of very serious importance to an individual of less standing to state for two or three years together the losses which he had sustained. It was a monstrous thing that neighbours should be sitting in secret conclave on their neighbour's affairs, and he thought, therefore, that another tribunal ought to be instituted to which all might appeal. The House clearly could not investigate the circum stances of every case, and he therefore felt assured that this was a fair case for inquiry. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had no more power to compel the production of the papers than the Hon. Gentleman himself (Mr. Hawes). He would be told that he was a very impertinent fellow if he attempted to do so. Mr. BERNAL said if the Government wished to alleviate the odium consequent on this tax, they should take such steps as suggested themselves to well-regu lated minds as best adapted for that purpose.—( Hear.) He hoped they would take this unpopular tax, as well as the mode in which it was collected, into their consideration during the recess, and if they did he was quite sure they would be able to find out other sources of taxation to meet the exigencies of the country, and other modes of collection, by which such com plaints as that brought forward by the Hon. Member for Old ham would be entirely removed. Mr. HUME said that the Land-tax Commissioners were all appointed by that House, and were therefore merely political nominees, who were totally irresponsible to the Government.. They were merely political agents selected by party spirit. He objected to their having anything to do with the income-tax at the time the Bill was before the House. And the Government might recollect the paltry excuse which they offered, that the Bill was only for a short time, and that the power would cease after a very limited period. Could anything be more disgraceful thaw the conduct adopted in the Tower Hamlets ? The Chancellor of the Ex chequer said he had no power in the matter, and it appeared to be without remedy. He attributed the treat ment of the Hon. Member for Oldham to a political grudge. (LEFT SPEAKING. ) RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP X. SHEFFIELD AND LINCOLNSHIRE LINE. Viscount Courtenay, Mr. Wall, Mr. Scrope, and Mr. Darby, the Members composing this Committee, commenced business to day by the resumption of evidence on behalf of the above scheme. Mr. HICKSON having handed In a table of the coaches and carriers' carts passing on the route of the proposed Lincoln line, Mr. Watkins. a maltster, of Worksop, under examination by Mr. HOPE, deposed to the considerable advantages which the railway could confer on the town generally, and his trade in par ticular. He made about 2,000 quartets of malt annually, the majority of which was sent to Sheffield, and a small proportion to Manchester. If the projected Lincoln line was constructed he would probably erect other kilns, by which 700 or 800 quarters of malt would be additionally made. Mr. Garside, a timber merchant, of the same town, corroborated the evidence of the last witness. Mr. white, the market.clerk of the Duke of Norfolk, at Sheffield, proved the inconvenience arising to the district in winter from the closing of the water navigation, and the great importance of a line such as that under consideration. Mr. Durham, a miller of Worksop, gave similar evidence. Mr. Jonathan Marshall, a farmer and corn merchant resident at W.:les, a small town near Worksop, spoke to the fact of a consi derable quantity of grain being sent from Lincolnshire to Man. chester and the West. Mr. Peter Hartley, a cornfactor of Manchester, attested the accuracy of the preceeding witness, and mentioned his receiving sixty-eight tons of grain weekly from the Lincolnshire markets. (LEFT SITTINI11.) DREADFUL HOMICIDE. — On Saturday last an in quest was held in the Kildare Infirmary, on view of the body of a young man named Glennon, who came by his death under the fol lowing circumstances :—Four or five nights previous to his death, as he and two more young men, named Lalor and Carswell, were conversing with a woman of easy virtue in Monastereven, Joseph Macklin, clerk to the Canal Company, took the young woman from them, and proceeded with her to his yard, which was adjoining. The three young men fastened the gate outside, and then com menced knocking at it and shouting to Macklin (who was a mar ried man), that his wife was at the door and wanted him out. Macklin endeavoured to get out at the gate, but it was fastened, and he then contrived to get in by one of his own back windows, and so enraged was he, that he called to his wife for his gun. The woman called out to his wife not to give it to him, upon which he seized the deadly weapon, and discharged it at Glennon and Care well, who were crossing over the drawbridge at the time, wounding the latter slightly, and the former mortally. Glennon, being re moved to the Kildare Infirmary, died on Friday night. The jury found a verdict, " That deceased died of a gunshot wound inflicted by Joseph Macklin." Macklin is in Athy gaol.— LeinsterEzpress. FREE TRADERS' CLAIMS.—The free trade com mittee of this town have been enabled to send in about 200 new claims for county votes, in South Lancashire, North Cheshire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire. Of this number, 100 are for South Lancashire, and the remainder for the other places, iin Manchester the new claims for South Lancashire, sent in through the free trade committee, amount to more than one thottaand:— Bolton Free Pros. c CRICKET. THE MARYLEBONE CLUB AND GROUND V. TIM COUNTY OF NORFOLIC—This match was brought to a conclusion yes terday by the Alarylebone Cricket Club carrying off the victory in their hands by 75 runs. The score was as follows : N 0 R FO L K T. C. Campbell, Esq., b. llillyer ..... 4 c.F.Grimston 13 E. M. Dewing, Esq., b. Lillywhite T. 1311.1wer, Esq., b. Lillywhite 1 b.l:oyston... 2 F. Pilch, c. Dorrinton 0 b. ... 22 _ _ T. A. Anson, Esq., c. Lillywhite F. Fredericks, Esq., b. Lillywhite Daplyn, not out C. Wright, Esq., b. Lillywhite C. Mouse, Esq., b. Lilly:white ... ...... H. B. Caldwell, Esq., c. Hillver T. B. Buckworth, Esq., b.Lillywhite Bye 1 Byes 4 , 54 MARYLEBONE. Dean, b. Frederick J. G. Sheppard, Esq., b. Wright A. llaggarth, Esq., c. Campbell, b Wright 17 I)orrinton, c. Wright, b. Daplyn lion. Capt. Liddell, c. Anson, b. Wright Royston, b. Wright 7 lion. F. Grimston, c. Anson, b. Daplyn Lillywhite, c. Daplyn, b. Fredericks 23 lion. R. Grimston, run out E. Hartopp, Esq., b. Wright 1 Hillyer, not out 0 Byes 8, wide 20 ETON AND WESTMINSTER BOAT-RACE. This event came Off as is usual ;itl; races amongst members of the Universities or public schools, created the most lively interest, and was looked forward to with anxiety, not only by the parties intimately concerned and their friends, but by all classes of rowing men. The last race between Eton and Westminster was in 1843, when the former was victorious. An endeavour was made to get up a contest last season, but, after some correspond ence between the parties, the public suffered a disappoint ment. The gauntlet having been thrown down by the Etonians about six weeks ago, the challenge was readily ac cepted by the Westminster party, who immediately set about getting themselves in the finest possible condition to retrieve their lost laurels. We have been given to understand that the Etonian, had not the benefit of any aid of this sort, and it is perhaps but justice to them to state that many changes were made in their boat before the crew of yesterday were determined on, whilst, on the other hand, there was but little shifting in the Westminster party, who were soon selected, and had thus the opportunity of great practice with each other. The distance selected was from Barker's-rails, Mortlake, down to Putney (a distance of four miles and a half), with tide, and at a few minutes after two they appeared at their stations. WESTMINSTER, 1. I JiToN, 2. st. lbs. J. Preston 8 11 11. V. Williams 9 3 st. lbs. E. Ethelstone 9 5,1 A. Tremayne G. F. Luttrell F. T. Talfourd lO 5 11. A. F. Luttrell H. S. Adlington H. W. P. Richards G. R. Winter (stroke) 10 2i A. S. Stewart (cox swain) ........ 9 2 J. R. Bedford 9 4 F. L. West A. Goodenough ... 10 0 A. Milman v 9 3 E. T. Shefiner ..... 8 12 W. G. Rich (stroke). 8 5 • R. Burton (co s xswaii)) 6 0 The Westminster party were in a new out-rigger, very much resembling the Claspers' boat, built expressly for them by Noulton and Wylde •' and the Etonians in a very hand some cutter, constructed by Goodman. The colours for West minster were pink ; those of the Etonians light blue. On the signal being given for the start, the Etonians went away at once, but the Westminster party, probably from ex treme anxiety to be off at the instant, slipped one or two of their oars out of the rowlocks, and before they righted their exceedingly light boat and got properly to work, their op tionents had got a length in advance of them. The West minster party, however, no sooner found themselves steady than they pushed their boat up, and within about three hun dred yards of the starting place were alongside their rivals. A few sharp strokes were taken by each party, and before a third of a mile, or rather less, had been rowed, the West minster scholars gradually rowed by their opponents. The Etonians laboured hard to regain their proud position, but their opponents gradually increased their lead the whole way down, and won by a minute. The style of the winners was the theme of general admiration, whilst that of their oppo • nents was generally remarked to be inferior, although the speed with which both boats went was very great. A steamer (the Echo), which had been taken upon speculation by Noulton and Lloyd, conveyed a large party of the West minster scholars and their friends, with a few of the past and present Etonians, and eight-oared cutters, with gentlemen of the Oxford Rooms, Cambridge Rooms, with the Leander and other great clubs, accompanied the race, which was certainly not so close as had been anticipated. HORSELYDOWN REGATTA. A good race with six free watermen, two from Horsely down Old stairs, two from St. George's Stairs, and two from Horselydown New Stairs, was rowed yesterday in the pre sence of a great number of spectators, for a new skiff and other prizes, given by the residents of the neighbourhood. First Heat—James Morris (red), 1 ; Thomas Baker (blue), 2 ; Thomas Bradley (pink), 3. The men started trom Horselydown Old Stairs, round East-lane-pier, round a boat off Still-stairs-house, and back to Horselydown Old Stairs. Baker took the lead, but after half a mile was passed by Morris, who won by four lengths. Second Heat—Daniel Nokes (stripes), 1 ; John Morgan (yellow), 2; J. Gengill (green), 3. Morgan took the lead, but was soon waited upon by the winner. Third Heat—Baker, 1 ; Bradley, 2. A smart race, won by two or three lengths. Fourth heat—Baker, 1 ; Morris, 2 ; Bradley, 3 ; Nokes, 4. It was a very close race throughout, the men being on one another's quarters for some distance, and a very hard race for second place. Grand Heat—Morris, 1; Baker, 2. Well rowed and won by two lengths. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, TUESDAY.—The Cambrian, 36, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore H. D. Chads, arrived this morn ing from the East India and China station. She appeared off St. Helen's between nine and ten o'clock, but owing to per verse winds and contrary tide, did not make the anchorage until two o'clock. She saluted when off the Nab Light, which was returned on her arrival at Spithead by the flag-ship Victory. The - Commodore came to the dockyard with his dispatches for the Commander-in-Chief this afternoon, at three o'clock, in his gig with his broad pendant flying in the bow. The Cambrian has been three years and eleven months in commission, arid will now be paid off. She brings 63 invalids (officers and men) from the station. She left Singapore on the 3d of April, touched at Madras and the Cape, which latter place she left on the 4th of June, and called at Ascension. She had not seen anything of the experimental squadron. When she left Singapore, the Agincourt, 72, Captain Ers kine, flag of Rear-Admiral Sir T. Cochrane, Commander-in. Chief; the Wolverine, 16, Commander Clifford, and the Driver steam-sloop, Commander Hayes, were in the Straits of Malacca, all well. The Alligator, 26, troop-ship, Master. Commander Ki ng , was gone to Chusan. The Castor, 36, Captain Graham, was gone to Hong-Kong. The Fox, 42, Commodore Blackwood, has superseded Com modore Chads in the partial command, and was at Trincomalee. Captain Sir Edward Belcher, in the Samarang, 26, had gone to survey an island considerably to the eastward of Borneo, and to endeavour to arrange a treaty of commerce. The Spitfire steam-sloop, Commander Maitland, was at Madras. The Wolf, 18, Commander Gordon, was at Amoy. The Vixen steam-sloop, Commander Giffard, was cruising in the China seas, looking alter pirates. The Young Bebe cutter, Lieutenant Commander Bate ; and the Plover, Captain Collinson, were surveying in the Vicinity of Bombay. At the Cape the Cambrian left the Winchester, 50, Captain Eden, flag of Rear-Admiral the Hon. J. Percy, waiting to be relieved ; and the Cleopatra, 26, Captain Wyvill, the only man-of-war there. At Ascension, the Tortoise guard and store ship was the only man-of-war. The Cambrian spoke the Daedalus, 20, Captain Al‘Quhae, in the Straits of Banda ; all well on board. The Espeigle, 12, Commander Thompson, and Osprey, 12, Commander Patten, had not arrived upon the station. The Cambrian has brought home the officers and crew of the Royalist, 10, which has been sold out of the service on the station. The Hecate, steam slocp, Commander J. West, arrived at Madeira from this port on the 29th ult., and left on the follow ing day for the coast of Africa, her station. The Fairy (steam-tender to the royal yacht), Master- Commander Thain, came from Cowes this afternoon, re ported with dispatches. Or, approaching the harbour she was, very injudiciously, navigated across the flats off the west buoy of the channel, at the entrance to the harbour, and opposite the Platform-battery, where, it is almost needless to add, she grounded, notwithstanding her very light draught of water. She remained stranded about ten minutes, the tide a strong ebb at the time ; but, after the time stated, and after theoffieer in charge had left her, in a boat for the Dockyard, to report the misfortune, she , corked herself off the :howl and was moored off the Victoria-pier to await Lord Adolphus Fitzelarence, and a distingui,hed party, who ac companied the Noble Captain to Goodwood Races. Tile Fairy will be examined, to see if she has sustained any damage by grounding. .~ :~. . LITERATURE. THE NARROW AND WIDE GAUGES CON. SIDERED; also, Effects of Competition and Go. vei nment Supervision. Among the primary conditions of effective railway economy, the width of the gauge—the distance from one another at which the rails themselves are, on a given line, put down—occupies a primary place. It is almost the very first object to which the engineer must now direct his attention, because, since the in troduction of the broad gauge, he must consider what are all the probabilities, remote or contingent, of his new line being intersected by, or communicating through branches with others, the gauge of which is different from that he proposes to adopt. The diffi culties are found to be so serious, occasioned by a change from the wide to the narrow gauge, or rice versa, in the continuation of a line—that there can be no doubt they would never have been permitted to arise, had the whole scheme of railway projections been originally under the supervision of Government. The uniformity of the gauge, and the consequent saving in the expense of alterations—whether con tractions or expansions —in cuttings, embankments, &c., and in the construction of new carriages to meet the exigencies of such changes in the gauge, would have been, in that case, obviated. It seems, from this little tract, that— " The 4-8 k gauge, or 5 feet from centre to centre, was originally fixed upon as assimilating with that of car riages on the common road. It existed in the mineral districts previous to the introduction of passenger rail ways. In the earlier passenger railway Acts, the 4-8 i gauge was rendered imperative ; why the clause was afterwards discontinued does not appear. No incon venience has ever been experienced from, nor has any ac cident ever been attributed to the use of that gauge. Mr. Brunel, in forming the Great Western Railway, made a deviation from the 4-8 i gauge to one of 7 feet. But for this deviation, the probability is, that no question would ever have arisen whether the .1-81 (or narrow gauge, as it is called), or what other gauge, is the best for locomotive purposes. Of the two gauges de se, the general opinion among engineers seems to be that the one is about equally good with the other ' • not one among them, not even t h e or i g i nator himself, presumes to say that a gauge of 7 feet is preferable to all others.' It may amuse the reader to consider some of the " Reasons assigned for the use of the Wide Gauge :" " The chief reasons assigned by Mr. Brunel for a de parture from the common width of gauge, were-1. At tainment of higher rate of speed. 2. Increased lateral steadiness to the carriages and engines ; and 3. Greater space afforded for the works of the engine. I. The Great Western Company have, at present, by f ar th e most powerful engines for speed on any railway (unless, perhaps, we except the Northern and Eastern), the atten tion of their engineer having been particularly turned thereto. In a little time there will be equally powerful ei.q,Tines on the narro,v gauge lines. There are, at the present time, more powerful goods' engines on the narrow gauge railways than on the Great Western, or wide gauge." Perhaps our author manifests a little too much of the partisan. There seems to us to be too decided a tendency to disparage the merits of Mr. Brunel ; and too palpable a purpose to lower the claims of the " Great Western" Railway in the public favour, in order to exalt that of the " London and Birmingham." We have no doubt that these two magnificent works will continue to recommend themselves, by the main tenance of the same spirited and generous emulation to merit the public favour, of which they receive every week such substantial proofs, in return for their unwearied efforts to deserve it. This little paper is a valuable memoir, in the shape of a critical review of the most recent improvements in railway construction and management. The following statistics, too, are important, and may be novel to some of our readers : " The traffic receipts for the six months ended 31st December last, as shown by the Companies' published accounts, were as follows: On the London and Birmingham Line, £450,478 16 5 Great Western Cost of locomotive power for the same period, to earn the above amount 36,145 16 9 Great Western "By the accounts of the Companies above referred to, for the same period, it appears that the carrying stock, that is, the locomotives engines and carriages of the two Companies, has cost as follows : Great Western £534,088 11 4 Interest for half-year at 5 per cent 13,352 0 0 London and Birmingham Interest for half-year, at 5 pr. ct. pr. an 6,461 0 0" The writer has a decided partiality for the " narrow gauge," and makes out a good case for them. lie shows, in a curious table, that of railways, in progress, for which Acts have been obtained, or which are before Parliament this session, there are (including 894 complete miles) 5,597 miles narrow gauge ; of wide gauge (including 261 miles completed) 881 miles only. Excluding London, the population pro posed to be supplied by each is thus estimated : narrow gauge, 12,000,000 ; wide ditto, 3,000,000. " Taking the lines completed at 35,0001. per mile, — those in progress, or for which an Act has been obtained, at 20,000/. per mile, there will be Completed— Narrow gauge, 31 millions—wide gauge, 9 millions. In progress, ditto, 33i do. ditto 11 do. 64i 10}" The remarks on " Competition" and " Government Supervision" display much sound sense, and may be consulted with advantage. INTRODUCTORY LECTURE delivered to the Mechanics' Institution, Ashford. By John Dalton M.A., 6-c. A little tract, honourable to the benevolent zeal of its reverend author, to give a practically be ne fi c i a l character to the operations of the Institut e it was addressed to, and the studies ofits members. ME. BURKE'S PEERAGE AND BARONETAGE FOR 1845.—we are requested to state that Mr. Colburn, of Great M a rlborough-street, has this day published Mr. Burke's " PEERAGE AND BARONETAGE FOR 1845," AN E N TIRELY NEW roirioN , materially improved throughout, from the per sonal communications of the Nobility, &c., and containing ALL Tna NEW CREATIONS, in 1 vol. Bvo. (comprising as much matter as twenty ordinary volumes), price 38s. bound, which can now be had of all Booksellers throughout the kingdom. Mr. Colburn has also just published the FIRST THREE PARTS, price 10s. 6d. each, of Mr. Burke's " HISTORY OF THE. LANDED GENTRY," a Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the who'e of the Untitled Aristocracy of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and the Foul an and Concluding Part is now in the Press. *~ r :---