The Sun. — London, England, 1851-02-28 00:00:00

..-----'''''-....° s ines dour te-da • Lists , cotre° ife f r Is Gir o m 0-11 i° to, l op 'Web ho t forg e t 113 ..; 1 0. lat 0 "" a gbou 1 . 13 coir tho Coug °l4 ii cl e ‘ r r gicell l it.] i t that D lr. Our ad ocio, Bit ban d° re o di, • , ePto u o f ilitie ° tb P l6lll fot #OO, Ab ler' 01. orti tio or [ uire d , A o f gOl. OO into • as P 3: is 3 7 3 . : 7 ' 0, t at p i t Cell° loY l o l ' 10, ma i ° 9 ,530 /4 4 2 61 11 6 P A Y ' ) 14 1 ' 6 1.• ajo a _ 110 iff jog oPre' .....-.--'-'.. SPORTING NOTES. No. XIV. A RETROSPECTIVE GL NCE AT THE LIVER- POOL SPRING MEETING. " Now, if you look but closely, you will find I have the the seeds of judgment in my mind : The running gives at least a glimmering light; The lines, though traced but roughly, are drawn right." POPE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. B rat—Although Lincoln commenced the compound !Ilixtare of the legiti ma t e an d leatler flipping as early as the 6th of the present month, yet it was but a prelimi nary flourish to the great ingo of Liverpool, which within the last eight and forty hours has become a matter of history. The Liverpool Spring Meeting of 1851, though not able to show such large fields as in some of those Years now sunk on the shores of time, yet could boast of Ile attendance, I think I may affirm, bey all s Pree . e deot, most exciting coo tests, and some little 1) i Med sp ecu l a ti on . Th e Sp r i ng Cup attracted eleven fathe post, one more than I Expected, and llrnislied a good race to the distance, with h pity, Doubt, Baroness, Panope, and Caurire; here, .., / ever, matters changed; the three last were disgusted with the pace, and accordingly cut it; Unity and Doubt :eat on in company to half-way up the distance, when • was evident to all, that the three-year-old Unity, the :tighter of Anti-Repealer and Tabitha Bramble, was a., 11173 ing easily, which she did by two length; thus vela ',f4og the remark I made in the note No. 11, that though ic - Peubf seems to be the crack, I very much DOUBT " ' ti ler he can give Unity nearly 3st. notwithstanding the earl -Y • d ' 04 Perm of the season, and the length of the course t il.. 7ll iles)." This observation WAS founded, to some :assent, on the forward state of the youngsters this year, a t tr ibutabie to the hitherto remarkable open state of weather, the resort to " the straw " this winter hay been m ore the exception tsan the rule. In last ~,I , l d ftra note I planed " Caurire first, Unity second, if' Doubt third ; " this was not very far out, but in n e c)nc laras I took Unity as the absolute win , , Placing Caurire (fourth), and Baroness Ir a) next best in my estimation. I ex , tateta that there would be a larger field I tte Grand National Steeplechase than mustered at ' starting-p os t, b u t as twenty-one came to the scratch, 40 one can complain on that score. For this important a re o I selected Farnham and Fugitive, on the strength w , • their public performances, and the latter for A wat she had done in private likewise, e dreaming 4 t What I heard in the City concerning little the first-named • mit! correct, and that he was amiss. I placed unlimited r a donee in the pair, expecting one or other, bar acci h:utss to pull me through for a certainty. How I la- Wi i i ,ted under such a delusion with respect to Farnham I 1 up I explain in a few words i—my Irish correspondent in 4-41c;ted me that Farnham and Sir John were the best 1 14 - 1 11 quarter, the former certain to beat the latter; b e 41 3' regular correspondent (who, it may be remem %reds led mo astray on the Lincoln races by stating /, 1 1 some mystery hung over Nancy, and that k i d uld better pass her chance over without coll ar:440o) on Thursday week certified (after a were) to me that both Farnham and Fugitive wi doing good work. That he was correct ut respect to Fugitive I am well aware, but as to Itl rl thara, that was all humbug, as I know too well now e t : too late; however, I'll take care this game don't tt r ag I for will at once do with them and one or •*, heed of my rregular correspondents what has lately . 11 ;e 4 don e w i t h t h e Mi n i sters o f th ese rea l ms — ma k e era resign their posts; and I have but little doubt that r a : li e f .. who trust to my pilotage will benefit soon and h7rially by this change in the sporting Ministry of t h San. The public must have observed, how, within ittat three or four we, ks, I have in a way unusual to - , -. 4 1 0 O rdinary tactics, tacked about several times in a es manner. This has been caused by the 0470 skies of the gentry mentioned above; it will not NT 4 again ; it will prevent me from laying 0 4 2 You to-day my analysis of the Chester ,anwhich shall be elaborately (as its importance de- T o 7 ) examined in the course of the ensuing we. k. Veeur te, the subject which I had almost lost sight of, opt Liverpool Steeplechase was well contested by six fl,_ of the seven animals I selected to form the first • trt at th e fi n i s h (F arn h am bei ng th e seven th), fi ve o f k d lll e,o ,zA.bd-el-Kader, Maria Day, Sir John, Rat-trap, s oz eiPPerary Boy—passing the judges' chair first, .se , ! third, fourth, and sev,ntb. Fugitive, when going looking like a winner, came down a burster, tshtPping Bradley, and, from the stiffness . of the pace, ,2!ig her hors-de-combat at once; Maria Day's post tie"to the final struggle, convinces me that had Fogi 10::'ePt on her pins she must have been the winner or ir°l a neck or half-length, nothing else. It was a 2 1 Nlid finish between Abel-el-Fader and Maria Day, former only just nicking it by a long head. I naY as well remark, betore concluding this speech u l t r4 the throne—i.e., my desk—that the new order of ga upon a much more extended scale, as announced 14 4 V first n o te this year, will come into operarion lip itnroe 'lately, and that all rumours or reports good quarters will be inserted in the notes, as well ' . salt "obser va ti ons o f myself and correspondents, with w or a i nd every other intormation useful to the sporting ltp o that is at my command, as announced in the 4" 11 ' note buforvm,ntioned, No. I. bexl—Peter Simple (if meant), at 10st. 111 b., must ' kNthlta good thing for the Doncaster S eeplechase, not pis' ding that Abd el-Kad&r, British Yeoman, and ititi,` Day figure in the same race. He ran very well llst. 71b. up at Liverpool ; if he misses the mark, " or the other three will hit it. I am, Sir, yours, &c., F eb HE SPIRIT OF THE TURF. e, 28, 1851. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S—YEsrEnDAy. D "3' few members were in attendance, and business • - tery flat, admitting of only a short quotation. CHESTER CUP. IS to 1 agst Mr. Teeen's Bee sus, 5 yrs, 7st—taken and afterwards offered 2 3 to 1 agst Lord Chfden's Wallfl ,wer, 5 yrs, fist—t t t) , to 1 agst Mr. Nichol's Woolwich, 5 yrs, Bst—t • "" 1 0 1 agst Lord Enfield's Bee-huntrr,4 yrs, 7st 12Ib So —taken • , 0 1 apt Mr. Lister's Nancy, 3 yrs, 4st 121 b—t "illS was backed early in the afternoon at 13 to 1. TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STARES. 1 4)0 to 90 l a id egst G r ecian-5 to 1 agst The Moun -13 Q 31ph colt—and 10 to 1 agst Storm. DERBY. 6 to 1 offered on the field 20 to 1 agst Mr. Osbaldeston's Mountain Sylph colt to 1 agst M r . M e ikl a m's Constellation—taken and afterwards offered luo2o2Sfin,, to l o 1 agst Mr. J Clark's Marlborough Buck—taken 90 agst Lord Eglinton's Bonnie Dundee — taken vV4- 1 , - , 14, 150 agst Mr. Greville's Ariosto—taken '''attLlDO COURSING MEE riNG.—FIRST DAY. IA ft The Waterloo Cup. Mr A e thics's Forlorn Hope bt Mr. G. Gregson's Dalton. . `-" • Graham's Resign .tion bt Mr. Carr's Capacity. Ves' on's Wee-wee bt Mr. Webb's War Eagle. 11 ;/. 10 1 ; z S ig h . arp e ' s Hughie Graham bt Sir St. G. Gore's e n t tht , 's Columbus bt Mr. W. G. Barron's Finisher. er• klohn e s' s M o cki n g Bird bt Mr. J. Wilson's The fi IPP r. r otherton's Mot bt Mr. Marshall's Grecian. kr. 7 , 46 ,,,Rway's Symbol bt Mr. J. Brown's Break of Day. ackworth's Wat bt Mr. J. Robinson' , ,V n ''Peord, • . B lake nd bt Mr. Deakin's Danceaway. s'e.foti's Staymaker bt Mr. Ellis's Bonnet Blue. Japhet bt Mr. Barnet's Betrue. Mr. w • i 5 Puzzle'm bt Mr. N. Slater's Saxon. • Wilson's Jamie Forest bt Mr. J. Cooke's Cerito . Jebb's Voltig-ur bt Mr. Simson's Cairncorse. Uncertainty bt Mr. E. i'ay lor's Lucy Neele. k*r it Gb Ties —Forlorn Hope bt Resignation, Hughic at 1 44 : 11 , 1 bt Wee-wee, Nist bt Uncertainty, Stay make bt Voltigeur bt Jamie Forest, Mocking Bird , u tabus Wat Tinlin bt Symbol, Japhetbt Puzzl'em. Waterloo Purse. 4- "u'a Wicked-eye bt Mr. W. G. Barron's Blazilla. '• N li • t ztrshall' s Gl ena l von b t Mr. Jebb's Clint. r , e Graham' s W r it o f Error bt Mr. Deakin's k r. to r .. 114rneted Backward bt Mr. W. Wilson's Willie th r re'st. kr. 41 P r . Gore' s T r i s t e bt Mr. Cooke's Chorus. tr btk " s l e waY's Clydesdale bt Mr. G. Holmes's Money e. Et oswell's The Nailer bt Mr J. Robinson's kr. -r q-leg s . ti a Gregson's Neville bt Mr. N. Slater nd Considera w goner are enabled to state, in the most positive that the reason why Mr. Gladstone refused n to c j o o n in . sectuVitemplated Cabinet of Lord Stanley, was not i t hit la -t • le e of any disagreement between the Noble Lord and 84 1 ,7 Ight Hon. Gentleman on the subject of free trade. Lord Thci„,l as quite willing to put that question in abeyance. bitliT is ' e reason why Mr. Gladstone declined to enter office tlit tr ,"le 'Noble Lord, was a difference of opinion between felt O i l the subject of the Papal aggression. Lord Stanley and i l l rl 'aelf bound, alike from his principles as a Protestant, aidm— i s duty as a , Minister, to his Sovereign, to take de- P 0 7,1 action in reference to the recent assumptions of the stet:, kr. Gladstone, on the other hand, would hear of no • ,Oflt'oueing taken at all to check the aggressions of the Church Nbl. ra r _ e ' We believe we are correct in stating that the tei qu i lord and the Right Hon. Gentleman were not two together, before they severally saw the utter impro b " 3. of their coming to an understanding. - Advertiser. ktilt'uNlNG AT SODBURY.—The adjourned inquest ei ll ted av b °dY of Mrs. Jane Hathway was resumed on Wed- Kle.l h and again caused intense interest. The prisoners, • 4 itsio ua rld of deceased and the girl Caroline Carey, were kelleepresent in custody, but shortly after the business . Fop the f d t ile coroner said he did not feel warranted in detaining ttenterllale 'prisoner further, as there was nothing in the evi . tf) ftx guilt upon her. She was then discharged. 0,413:r evnitnce having been given, the jury, after a short deliberation returned a verdict—" Deceased came by her N u . through poison 01 administered to her by her husband, for tl,fl,(3bbs Hathwa " The husband was then committed • i„,114 under the coroner's warrant, for wilful murder. An c on _ il ARWICK, AND IVORCE.TEIt RAILWAY..— ristifienuence of the official manager, Mr. Wryghte, .having to rt akat ta he intended on Wednesday to ask MasterillichFds 1 58.,a call upon all those contributories who had received suare, there was a most numerous attendance of par • 01,4:rested. After a long hearing, the Master observed aui ri at had passed confirmed him in his intention of re athe ~i3g s ome verified report as the basis of his proceedings. .‘"atter was ele ven . • eventually adjourned to Friday, March 21, l u t tid g o o lni r li d er : eg r t i t tno h g : t evidence might be brought forward . Lo tns.--.")fficial manager in respect to various subjects dis hes addressed a letter to the • flah, r . " of Pontefract and the adjacent district, in which he it4;iriss both surprise and regret that he should have been itit'7,l,l_erainetion against his friend Mr. Lewis)+, and at the wmt be made tin subject of 4 mortifying defeat. THE SUN, supporters. This and all the other embarrasstnents which have ensued from the extension of the Ministerial measure to Ireland we clearly predicted, and over and over again urged the Ministry to abandon so suicidal a course. Unhappily, our warnings were not attended to; end no*, because the evil which we predicted has come to pass, we are geld that we aro inconsistent for simply chronicling the result. The truth is that we were neither speaking in praise or blame of the Durham letter or the conduct of the Ministry. We were merely pointing out why Lord John Russell, who more than any one was responsible for that letter, was an unfit nego tiator with Sir James Graham, who was known to object to any measure restraining Papal aggression. It may very well be that the letter of Lord John Russell, written as it is seine have been, without consulting his colleagues, and without the intention, as it appears, of following it up by an efficient measure, was a political error, and tended to the dissolution of the Whig Go vernment. We praised that letter, not as a clever party move, but as a manly and vigorous expression of opinion worthy of the First Minister of a nation which had not lost, amid the cant of toleration or the supineness of freedom, a just susceptibility to its honour. It is not our fault if the Ministerial measure, the errors of which we have frequently . pointed out, has provoked enemies while it has failed to conciliate friends; nor if Lord John Russell, in despite of our warnings of last year, has chosen to ship wreck his Government by resisting Parliamentary Re form; nor if Sir Charles Wood has chosen to fling away his financial reputation by a support of the most iniquitous provisions of the income-tax. We certainly had no wish for the fall of the Whig Ministry, because we saw that upon that fall would ensue a crisis of no or dinary difficulty and danger, which might, if Lord Stanley had been strong enough to carry out his Pro tectionist policy, have produced the most serious results. Even while the negotiation between Lord John Russell and Sir James Graham was proceeding we abstained from saying anything which might throw difficulties in the way of a coalition, but after that conference was at an end it became our duty to show the hopelessness of such a negotiation in order that no more valuable time might be wasted, even at the risk of pointing out that the Prime Minister was, above all his colleagues, committed to the admitted blunders and failures of his Cabinet, and was, therefore, of all men, the least able to consent to a new line of policy. CHRONICLE.—Lord Stanley has a second time abandoned the task which Lord John Russell's weakness twice committed to him. Lord Stanley had no further reason for delay, after the failure of his late negotia tions for an alliance with Mr. Gladstone and Lord Can ning. His resources, such as they were, lay visibly be fore him, and he could judge at once of the probability ef success as fully as if he had employed a month in consideration. It is a severe criticism on the composi tion of the still-born Ministry that no one at any time seriously believed in the possibility of its existence. The late Government fell almost without a blow; but the attempted Administration has dispersed into air be fore it was possible to attack it. The consummation proves that the Protectionist phantom, after condensing itself into all the solidity which it is capable ot assuming, is still impalpable and imaginary. Lord John Russell found a difficulty on Mon day in indicating the supposed external causes of his defeat. Lord Stanley, with a united party ready for office, and with full discretion as to his political course, may be excused from the task of elucidating his failure. It is said that he has never been sanguine of success, nor has the deportment either of friends or op ponents, during the crisis, had aria tendency to re-assure him. It is a remarkable circumstance that, in addition to the inherent difficulty of forming a Protectionist Ca binet, Lord Stanley early discovered the impediment which his encouragement of the late " No-Popery" cry had placed in the way of his success. It cannot be for gotten that in the debate on the Address Lord Stanley denounced as insufficient the frivolous precautions by which Lord John Russell attempted to evade the per formance of the threats contained in his Durham Letter. If Lord Ashley and Mr. Plumptre were to give Lord Stanley their support, it was incumbent upon him at least not to fell short of the demonstration which ruined his undecided and yet intemperate predecessor. The forces of free-trade could be counted and faced, however.desperate the attempt might prove; but the ashes of the extinct anti- Papal agitation are yet too hot to walk over with security. While the question of a Protectionist Ministry was still open, we were unwilling to encourage an alarm in which we did not share; but it is necessary to remind all those who have been opposed to Lord Stanley's policy, that the ill consequences of his possible success in forming an Administration could only have been averted by its failure or its early overthrow. The determination of the House of Commons to maintain a liberal policy could alone have anticipated an agitation which would otherwise have gone further than the occasion which called fur it. With Protectionists in office, it would have been no time to wait for their aggression on the principles of commercial freedom. If such a contingency recurs, the more timid and cautious of the Liberal sec tion of the House must be active if they would defend thewselve3, not only against the reaction in front, but against the formidable movement in the rear. The practical sense of the country is tolerant of many anomalies in customs and constitutional forms ; but one condition is necessary for its endurance — that the will of the intelligent majority shall, on the whole, by some contrivance or machinery, be the rule of the Government. Six months of a Government con ducted on the strength of mere county votes would go far to convince the more active classes of the community that the balance of the Constitution required redressing. The future effect on the Protectionist party of Lord Stanley's refusal to form a Government may hereafter form a not uninteresting nor unimportant subject of speculation. At present the conclusion of the Minis terial crisis requires more immediate attention. Lord John Russell has tried in vain to rally the party which he had ruined; sad Lord Stanley, after putting forth hip utmost strength, has been compelled to confess its insuf ficiency. Two courses, at least, still remain—there-con struction of the late Administration, under an abler, and still more unscrupulous leader, or the union of all the li beral statesmen in the House, without the encumbrance of those pledges and prejudices which attach only to a portion of the late Administration. The only politician whose ability and daring might seem capable of restoring to supremacy the old exclusive alliance would, we believe, find insuperable difficulties in a task which we have no reason to suppose he is inclined to undertake. Some ot the more advanced Liberals have, it is understood, been captivated by his display of activity, while they found hopes for the success of their own projects on his well known political pliability. But his supposed colleagues are by no means equally unanimous in their willingueo to submit to the guidance of their able and dangerous associate. It must be remembered, moreover, that the most serious and influential section of the advanced Liberals has never given its confidence to the versatile and plausible statesman who has contrived to secure the confi dente of less cautious politicians. The Manchester party is well aware that the supposed leader of the suppose° Ministry has often endangered the peace ot the country, while he has never given pledges to the cause of free trade on which eutlicieut reliance can be placed. Oee other combination remains; and it is that which all impartial observers indicated from the first as the only sate termination of the crisis. The country must be sate fled by this time that the statesmeu to whose pa triotism appeals may probably be made are unduly eager for effice. It remains for all who may be invitee to unite for the public good, to show by their conduct that party considerations and personal feelings weigh less in their estimation than the opportunity and the duty of performing au important service to the country. It is not our province to suggest the claims of indivi duals. There is ample room for selection among candi dates qualified for every department of administration. It is to be hoped that no unavoidable delay will be in curred in satisfying the public anxiety. HERALD.—The Times having distinguished itself on Wednesday by venting, in its leading article of than. morning, its bitterest invective upon the outgoing Minis ter, whose career, whether statesmanlike and wise or the contrary, it had previously encouraged, and for a long period studiously promoted, has in its pages of yesterday fallen foul of the incoming Minister by as un lair an attack and in as deliberate a manner. This journal distinctly asserts, not as a matter of gossip, not even under the suspicious title of " Ministerial Crisis," or even of the scarcely more correct authority of the Court Circular—but on deliberation, and with all the forethought of a premeditated composition, that the first person who was applied to by Lord Stanley to assist in the formation of a Cabinet was Viscount Canning. It then proceeds to insinuate that his Lordship, in the promotion of that object, before he consulted with any of his own " obscure followers," virtually threw over the cause of Protection, and sought a mon cil xp itsetinenwse of hisithtw own oo n f Sir R. Peel's lieutenants at the principles and of his own par ty. We do not expect political consistency at the hands of the Times, but we cannot conceal our astonish ment that an organ with all the pretension which it as sumes to direct the course of public opinion—a journal which arrogates a correct knowledge of facts beyond its contemporaries—and prides itself' upon the authenticity of its intelligence, should not at least endeavour to pre serve even the mere semblance of truth. If it does not avoid from principle and conviction the error of giving publicity to what it knows to be unfounded, it does sur prise us that it should so utterly have disregarded the old adage—that a good memory is a necessary qualifica tion on such occasions and in such emergencies, which has been especially recommended as a useful safeguard to those who propagate statements opposed to facts. In the chronological account which the Times itself has furnished of the movements of the most eminent actors in the pre sent Ministerial crisis, we find that on Tuesday morning Lord Stanley had an audience of her Majesty at 11 o'clock, and that after the audience his Lordship proceeded te the residence of Mr. Disraeli, where he remained with that Honourable Gentleman an hour; after which he returned home—and that late in the etternoon he called upon Lord Canning. Can the Times reconcile this. their own account, with the statement of yesterday, to which ee now direct the attention of our readers? In the second place, the Times informs the public that Mr. Gladstore arrived in town on Wednesday morning at pact eleven o'clock, and that soon afterwards the Right. Hon. Gentleman waited upon Lord Stanley at St. James's-square. Now, if Viscount Canning was the first personage whose assistance was invoked in the for mation of an administration, and Mr. Gladstone the second, does the Times deliberately mean to affirm that Lord Stanley, having received his Sovereign's gracious commands to construct a Cabinet for the purpose of carrying on the Government of this great empire, in a time ot unexampled difficulty, end at a crisis of no common danger, remained perfectly inactive from eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning until past twelve. On eVedneeday, with the sole exception of calling on Viscount Canning ? The known activity end business. like habits of Lord Stanley at once give the contradic tion to such an assumption. Slothful neglect of any duty has never till this moment been laid to his charge. We ottunot eay that we have been favoured with a pe- MINISTERIAL CRISIS. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. TIMES.—We are disposed to leave to other pens the more appropriate task of celebrating the daring enter prise and unrewarded toil which made 3 esterday event ful in the Protectionist annals, and threatened at one moment to make it still more eventful in the annals of the country. For we do not aspire to record the pro ceedings of the conclave in St. James's square, and we are satisfied without nearer evidence that Lord Stanley did for his party all that could be effected by the spirit and vigour of a leader unsupported by a single man of triad political character or recognized political ability. From an early hour till sundown the struggle lasted —not indeed with any visible adversaries, but with the more incurable obstacles of a vacant and dis satisfied party, reduced to forsake its own principle of action at the very moment it affected to assume the direction of the State. At the Carlton the vain efforts of a deluded enthusiasm were unsupported by the evidence of a single positive accession to the projectel Administration. On the contrary, all that could be learned in the outer world of the prospects of the new Government were the names of the eminent persons who had refused to join it; and the boldest flights of conjecture never reached beyond Mr. 'Terries. Mr. Disraeli, and Mr. Henley, as the chief organs of the Administration in the House of Commons. Towards evening, however, it was thought that enough had been done to retreat with honour, and the intelligence circu lated that Lord Stanley had once more resolved to re sign his commission for the formation of a Government into the hands of her Majesty. A Noble Earl, well known in fashionable life, made the announcement at White's, and Lord Stanley himself proceeded to the Palace to report the termination of his efforts. Our anticipations of yesterday aro thus verified, and with the results we had already ascribed to this transaction. The Protectionists, separated from almost all that is posy erful or trustworthy in the Conservative party, have been for forty-eight hours masters of the Government of Britain. The failure of their opponents and the voluntary abnegation of their rivals left them a wide field for the display of all their policy and all their resources. The urgent want of an Administration to conduct the business of the country was never more strongly felt. All the powers which the Constitution places in the hands of a Minister on his accession to office were in their possession. Even their own followers had begun liberally to discard the encum brances of their creed. All was in vain. The bigotted adherents of the Protectionists to a lost cause has reduced them to the fraction of a party, and Lord Stanley arrived by the exhaustion process at the demonstration that no Tory Government can now be formed out of the mate rials he possesses, or upon the principle of commercial pro tection. It now, therefore, becomes imperatively neces sary to terminate the present crisis by a return to the most practicable of the combinations already attempted, and to make whatever sacrifices or concessions are re quired to give the utmost possible strength and effect to that combination. This is not a moment at which any sort of personal recrimination would be in place. The embarrassments of the past week have been too great, the stoppage of the whole business of Parliament at the outset of the session is too deplorable, the duties of the immediate future, especially in the present year, are too pressing, for us to stoop for a moment to the grati fication of any personal predilections. The only ques tion worth asking, since we have now completed the round of all the known combinations of party is, " How is the Queen's Government to be most efficiently carried on?" This is not a time at which any accession of strength can with impunity be thrown away. It is understood that the members of the Whig Administra tion will meet this morning in their private capacity at Lansdowne-house, to consider the course that it be comes them to pursue, since they are thus thrown back to office by the failure of all competitors. But we trust that it will be admitted by those who are most anxious to promote the stability of the Government, that a mere repetition of the performances which ter minated last week will be hailed with no satisfaction by the country. It will leave the abrupt resignation of the Prime Minister wholly unaccounted fur, it, within eight days, he is to resume his place in the House of Com mons, as if his Government bad suffered no defeat, or had become insensible to what it suffered. Too much sensitiveness then would only be followed by too much indifference now; and the transaction would pass with the world for littler more than a piece of legerdemain. To remove these impres sions another vigorous effort should be made to obtain for the Administration that increase of strength which it requires. In political life nothing is so hopeless as to attempt a return to the past. That ever-shitting sphere effaces in a few hours the traces of what has ceased to be, and the seat which is once left vacant has already crumbled away. Not an address, not a meeting, scarcely a journal, has signified the faintest desire to revive the identical Administration which expired last week; and if this crisis has destroyed the last illusions of the Pro tectionists, it has more clearly demonstrated the neces sity of uniting the great divisions of their successful op ponents. During the interregnum which must intervene between the dissolution of one Government and the con struction of another, while both Houses of Parliament are buried in compulsory silence and the constitutional functions of the Executive Government are in abeyance, a duty devolves on the Press per haps the most important which it can be called upon to fulfil. It is only through the columns of the newspapers that opinions as to the qualifications of public men, the combinations of parties, arid the probable good or ill success which awaits them, can meet the ey es of the immediate advisers of that august personage weo presides over the exciting struggle for place and power. Then, if ever, is the time for the press to deal candidly and straightforwardly with the characters and conduct of public men, and to discharge without fear or favour the trust which has devolved upon it of representing the public. Ti,e duty we have endea voured, to the utmost of our ability, to perform during the present crisis, and in the course of it we have been obliged to point out the obvious difficulty which was thrown in the way of a successful coalition by placing the power of negotiating it in the hands of Lord John Russell, who is most undoubtedly more nearly connected with and more responsible for the recent abandonment of the Ministry by the ma jority of the House of Commons than any other mem ber of the Cabinet. It has been our misfortune, by making these observations, to incur the censure —and that expressed in no mitigated terms—of a por tion of the press, which appears disposed to fill up the present blank in political affairs by fixing upon us a per sonal and degrading quarrel. We are told that Lord John Russell was our patron; that we followed his for tune steadily when prosperous; and we are now charged with turning upon him when in adversity. It is really time for those who aspire to direct and enlighten public opinion to lay aside a slang so childish and so meaning less. We, of course, can only answer for ourselves. Whether our indignant cotemporaries may have chosen for themselves some patron whose steps they steadily follow and whose principles they eternally repeat, we do not presume to coujt cture; but, for ourselves, we can say with the most perfect confidence, that the only patron whom we acknowledge is the great and liberal British people, and the only steps w hi c h we stea dil y f o ll ow are thoseof enlightened and progressive opinion. The paltry motives which may occasion the rise and fall of rival factions, the adherence to men in office, or the abandon ment ef them when out, the breaking up of a family clique or the fall of a Minister—all these are matters of perfect indifference to us, except so far as they re late to that which is the one arid sole object of our political labours—the advancing the progress and de • fending, while we seek to ameli orate , t h e i nstitut i ons o f the nation. Responsibility is not limited to Ministers or to Cabinet.. .We also have our respons ibili ty, the weight of which is in exact prop or ti on to t h e f avour with which the public have been pleased to honour us. It is indeed a mean and inadequate notion of the mis sion which we are endeavouring !o fulfil to suppose ad herence to Oe fortunes of a Ministerial patron, through good and report, through suce!ss and failere, to be its appropriate object. What are Ministers and Cabinets to us? A few months, or at most a few years, and they pass away, to be remembered or forgotten with the Mi -1 ni , ters anti Cabinets that have gone before them. This journal has survived innumerable political men and po liteut reputations, and we see no reason to suppose that it is approaching the end of its career. We gave oursupe port to th e Whig Government because we believed its existence to be conducive to the welfare of the coun try, ana we are ready to support any Government of which we may entertain a similar epinion. To have been invest e d w i t h t h e t i t l es of " the Ministerial sour• nal," or " the organ of Government," is a misfortune for which we are indebted to those who are unable to view the press in any other light than as the organ of parties or Cabinets; nor do we care to vindicate our selves from a charge of inconsistency which rests upon no better foundation than that chimerical position which has been so gratuitously assigned to us. As for the charge of having done injustice to Lord John Russell in our recent remarks, we may di sm i ss i t ver y summa rily, since our censors themselves seem to have arrived at a conclusion not very widely differing from our own, except in greater circuity and indirectness of expression; nor shall we be very . careful to guar d ourse l ves ag ainst the accusation of entering into a political intrigue to " galvanise" Sir Charles W oo d, or to hand over the Go vernment of the country to a clique of Greys, Russells, and Elliots. The charge of having condescended to make these columns the medi um o f personal i nvect i ve against a fallen Minister we must refer to the memory of our readers, not doubting but they w ill d o us that indignant contempor ar i es are o f course We are also ac cuse d o f i ncons i stency j b u o s u t n i cde tow hi deny h o u u r s in stating that Lord John Russell's letter to th e Bi s h o p intensityadnd political import a n c e to bred di ssens i on b etween o the ll anti-Papal "gave agitation an , the Ministry and its Roman Catholic supporters. Be fore we answer the charge of inconsistency, let us ask if this statement is not literally and exactly true, and whether, in the opinion of the stern moralists who cen sure us, it was our duty to put forward a falsehood or to suppress the truth, in order to conceal a pa s t error i n judgment, if any such had been committed ? But where is the inconsistency? Did we ever say that the l et t er o f Lord John Ru ss ell would not give intensity and political importance to the anti-Papal agitation, or that it would not breed dissension between the Ministry and their Roman Catholic supporters ? We com mended the letter of Lord John Russell then as we commend it now, for containing a piedge on behalf of her Majesty's Government that the gross insult offered to this nation by the Pope should not go enredressed; and we awarded this praise under the conviction, which we shared in common with every reasonable person in this country, that it would " add intensity " to the anti- Papal agitation. Th ere i s , t h en , no i nc o n sistency in as serting that which we had all along foreseen, and never in any way denied or deprecated. Still less have we fallen into any inconsistency in asserting that the letteer had alienated from the Government its Roman Catholic LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, culler or privileged knowledge of the circumstances at tendant upon the efforts which that able, chivalrous statesman has made to obey the commands of her Ma ' jests, when the secret has been so completely kept from all. But this we know, and this we fearlessly proclaim, that Lord Stanley has not been remiss in his exertions; and that, if he does form a Government, as we trust he will this day, it will be one based upon the principles which he has ever maintained—a Government which will act up to them. If he should fail iv constructing a Cabinet, which we should regard as a - national cala mity in the present crisis, we have not the slightest doubt that the caussa which may have contributed to so unfortunate a result will be attributable to his fixed and unalterable adherence to a constitutional policy, to his unflinching determination to uphold the prerogatives of the Monarchy. and the Protestant and Reformed cha racter of our Establistsed Church. DAILY NEWS.—It is to-day our duty to announce the melancholy fact that Protection is no more! Al though it was generally understood to have been for some time in a very pie carious state, the fatal event can hardly be said to have been expected to occur so soon. To those indeed who had opportunities of observing closely the symptoms of its moribund condition, the danger of excitement or exertion such as it has lately undergone seemed to be imminent and obvious. But by the unfeeling crowd who suddenly beheld it try to take up its bed and walk, the fevered frenzy that lent mo mentary strength to the effort was unheeded, as the rapidity of the inevitable collapse was unforeseen. None but those who for the last three days and nights have sat by the bed of death can appreciate the sufferings or pour tray the grief amid which an old and respectable party expires. We forbear to dwell upon the chronic nature of the disease against which a natui ally strong constitution has for years bravely contended. Such a diagnosis be longs rather to history than the fugitive columns of obi tuary. But whether congenital or acquired, all conside rate persons felt that nothing could be more perilous than exposure; and that the utmost care ought to have been taken to preserve a uniform state of trauquillity, and total abstinence from thoughts connected with busi ness or action. Advice to this effect was indeed often and earnestly tendered; but strange tosay, the unhappy ' invalid was always eager to embark in arduous specula tions, and anxious to undertake duties and responsibili ties that would task the ability of the strongest. For a length of time these fascinating pursuits were relin quished, save only in dreams and in discourse; and so long the body seemed rather to increase in size than otherwise; and though not of the healthiest sort per haps, it was at least cteculated to dispel anticipations of proximate decay. But all the while a mournful suspi cion haunted the minds of many that there was a lurk ing tendency developing itself of the most dangerous kind. We allude to the affection popularly termed " a softening of the brain." Be this, however, as it may, it is now no longer doubtful that, from the ill-fated mo ment when Protection began to move actively and bustle about, the change became fearfully perceptible. Over its wine or at White's, or even in a sham battle in Par liament, nothing could be more brilliant or amusing. If not always conclusive, its talk was at least conse cutive; if not persuasive, it was frequently pleasant; and though sometimes a little impertinent, it was never incoherent or imbecile. From the luckless hour that it essayed to play a real part, and meddle with tough work, its untrained faculties palpably gave way. On Saturday last it mistook the condescension of the Queen for confi dence in its wisdom, and forthwith assumed the air and attitude of power. Recalled to sanity by a gentle inti mation that all this was very foolish, it was a little later kindled into such a paroxysm of anger as utterly to forget itself, its place, and all that it should have remem bered. On Monday night it was very low, and seemed to suffer more than it chose to utter. Nevertheless it is possible that, had no further incident occurred soon after, the shock its nerves had certainly sustained might have been got over, and Protection, in its former in active and motionless state, might St still be 'mongst the things that are." But the fetes had otherwise ordained. Early on Tuesday morning her Majesty, who was of course wholly unaware of its true weak ness and unfitness for the discharge of any public duty, and wishing probably to show how far above all personal partialities royalty in a constitutional govern ment ought to prove itself to be—her Majesty was graciously pleased to say that if Protection thought it could do anything useful to the State, full permission was given it to try. With delicate consideration the Queen is said to have added, that as perhaps no serious thoughts of the matter had ever entered Protection's bead before, three days would be allowed for due deli beration on the subject. Unfortueate Protection 1 Its foolish vanity was inflamed by the distinction thus fatally conferred upon it. Forgetting its helplessness and weakness, its utter want of practice and training, and, above all, the resistance of three formidable rivals, whose open hostility it must from the outset prepare to and jesting, and c g rack Minister it encounter e —o would make. A few hours sufficed , o cast deep gloom a t n o d C s o e u e r w t c h s e p t e i an over the scene of precipitate exultation. A sharp and work ff world wen loo t trying struggle to keep its wits together--first in reality, sod then in appearance—was foll Owed by spasmodic symptoms of the most painful description. Mortifi cation supervened. Then reason became obscured. With a certain instinct of courage a wonderful effort was made "to keep up," as it is called, to the last. But during the greater part of yesterday it was manifest to all who bad means of observation, that the end was nigh at hand. Whatever skill could do to save, or art to mitigate, was done. Protection had the best advice, ible, prompt, and skilful men. The refLction cannot heal the grief of a numerous circle of friends deeply in terested in the deceased, but it may serve to satisfy all men that the event came in the natural way. We believe we may add that in the emanimoue opinion of the gifted and distinguished persons to whom ee allude, it was clear a more protracted existence would have only been a - prolongation of misery; and that, under the, circumstances, it is rather a ielief that the objet of their care and solici ode has been removed. Of the afflicting incidents con nected with such catastrophes, not the least pitiful are those illustrative of the loyal love and faith that obsti nately refuses to admit the possibility of the fact to which it cannot be reconciled. NV° doubt not that many an honest and devoted friend of Protecion will, for a time, not only seem to be incredulous, but will actually be so as to the truth we have been compelled to chronicle this day. Fond illusion! It may be ituffered to fade away imperceptibly; it were mere unfeeling rudeness to speak upon the matter any further. Peace to its ashes. Mr. Disraeli will, no doubt speak its funeral oration, and 'he Court newsman will, of course, duly announce that by the recent and somewhat unexpected death of Pro tection, many of the first families of the kingdom have rieen plunged into the deepest affliction. POST.—The Ministerial crisis seems at last to ap- Preach its termination. Lord Stanley has abandoned els second attempt to constructs Cabinet; and, although speculation is es busy and as wild as ever, there seems out one possible conclusion to the unexpected and per olexing state of affairs. The negotiations of the last few days have clearly demoestrated to the country that neither a coalition between Lord J. Russell and one -ection of the Peelites on one hand, not between Lord Stanley and another division of the same party on the other, can produce a working. Administration. But if the Peelites could not, either in - Conjunction with Lord John Russell or with Lord Stanley, aid efficiently in forming a Cabinet, it is manifest that by thorn .elves they could not but be still less successful. Some of our contemporaries.' indeed, have hinted at an Administration of which Lord Clarendon should -stand at the head; but, besides that such a Ministry , oust, in consistency, fail to Meet the wishes of the country on the subject of the .Papal aggression, the Noble Earl whom we have just named, notwithstanding Nis high talents, and no less high personal character, is altogether deficient in that ParAiamentary and popular support, without which no sane roan would ever attempt the formation of a Cabinet. The'saine remarks would apply with equal force to Sir Jatnes Graham; and, be yond these two statesmen, no one has been named as likely to be entrusted with the 'task of forming a new Administration. The meeting of Parliament, this evening, may probably throw some light upon this important sub ject, and we are unwilling, for the few hours that shall pre cede it, to hazard conjectures which the future may de feat. What seems, however, to be the natural, the just, and the most desirable result is, that to Lord John Rus sell should be recommitted the trust of providing from his own Parliamentary resources the means of carrying on the Queen's Government. Every loyal subject will readily lend his aid to relieve the Crown from embar rassment and the country from suspense. And, under all the ciicumstances, should Lord John Russell address himself, by her Majesty's command, to this arduous un dertaking, we cannot doubt that the great party, whose leader has himself just failed in forming a Government, will lend the Noble Lord every support which consists with the maintenance of its public principles. THE MiNISTEIACCRISIS. e r f t ye the ed ed charge t o B u ckin g ham u e intruste d k D h aln Another day of intense excitemenoit f ha or s m c i l f o ig se a d c w a it b h in tb et e . neMie2jf proceeded oc resignstion by Lord Stanley os Herbert,mor morning, at a a Carlton-gardens. e Queen expressed his i Pt n o a a Ati b ah t i fivee i N y I a bod t ce t al h otL e c aok p nr r idd e ao s bur e )d n d' i t Se he r nac moment to furor au Administra tion. A meeting of the lead in g members of the " Peel" party the residence of on-gardens. Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Goulburn , and Mr. Cardwell were among theßight tk Hon.pla e y esterday Sidney those present. Sir James Graham called upon Mr. Gladstone pester day, and bad an interview with the Right Hon. Gentle man. After Lord Stanley had placed his resigntion in the hands of the Queen, a dispatch, verilen by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, was forwarded to Lord John Russf.ll, at the Noble Lord's private residence, in Ches ham-place. At eight o'clock last night a communication from Sir James Graham, addressed to her Majesty, was received at Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty immediately replied to the Right Hon. Baronet. The Earl of Aberdeen, Sir James Graham, and Mr. Cardwell have been in constant communication dur it g the day. COURT CIRCULAR. Lord Stanley bad an audience of the Queen yesterday afternoon, at Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert walked yesterday in the garden of Buckingham Palace. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by his Equerry in Waiting, rode out on horseback yesterday morning. In the afternoon his Rnyal Highness, nttenthd by Lieut.• Colonel Hon. Alexander Gordon, visited the building in Hyde park for the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Prince Altred, attended by Mr. Birch, took a carriage drive yesterday. Iler soya gighnese the Princess jtoysi,_•ed the younger members of the Royal Family took their ac customed pony and walking exercise yesterday. At her Majesty's levee on Wednesday, Mehemet Bey, captain of a frigate, was presented to the Queen and Prince Albert by Cabouly Effendi, Chart:6 d'Affaires of the Ottoman Embassy. M. de Sauk was presented by M. de Marescalchi, as Second Secretary of the French Embassy. Sir Godfrey Webster, Bart., Commander R.N., was presented to her Majesty, on his return from foreign service and promotion, by Sir Francis Baring, Bart. Her Majesty's private band was in attendance in Buckingham Palaco cn Wednesday evening, and played the font:ming pieces.— Overture, " Oberon," Weber Entre Acte, Cfceur et St a- ie, " Le Pro ete" Terzctto, " Vampyr" The Oxford University Commission met on Tuesday. Present, the Bishop of Norwich, the Dean of Carlisle, the Master of Pembroke, the Rev. H. G. Liddell, the Rev. G. H. S. Johnson, and the Rev. A. P. Stanley (Secretary). The Duchess Dowager of Cleveland had a dinner party on Wednesday, at her residence in Seymour-place. The company included the Duchess of Inverness, the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby, Lord and Lady Ponsonby, Lady Elizabeth and Miss Bulteel, Colonel and Mrs. Phipps, Colonel and Mrs. Grey, Lord Harry Vane, Lord Mulgrave, Mr. Ellice, and Mr. Henry Milbank. The Earl and Countess of Lichfield arrived at their residence in Great Stanhope-street, 3 esrc-rday. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PLYWUTH, THURSDAY.—The Apollo troop-ship, Commander James Rawstorne, sailed yesterday for Queenstown. The Avon steam-vessel sailed on Tuesday for Ports mouth, with supernumeraries for the Cumberland, 70, Captain George F. Seymour. Her Majesty's brig Kingfisher, 12, Commander Henry Harvey, came in last evening with her foremast head badly sprung between the true pendant and the neck lice, which was discovered on the 13th of February, in lat. 31 33 north, 27 30 west. The Kingfisher left Ascension on the 15th of January, arrived at Sierra Leone on the 24th, and left on the 26th. At Ascension the store-ship Tortoise. The island healthy. At Sierra Leone the Centaur steam-frigate, 6, Com modore A. Fanshawe; Cygnet, 8, Commander Richard D. White; and the Harlequin, 12, Commander Arthur P. E, Wilmot. The last two sailed on the evening of the 24th—the Harlequin for the Bights of Benin; Cygnet to the north coast. Captain Patten, of the Hound, is promoted to the Centaur, as flsg captain, vice Captain Buckle, invalided; and Lieutenant Hall, first of the Cen taur, to the Hound, vice Patten. The coast is ♦, ry healthy. Not much slaving for the last tour or five months, bur the bar racoons on shore are said to be full, The Kingfisher was commissioned on the 12th of October, 1848, and left Plymouth on the 3d of Novem ber, with the mails, and has brought home all her officers, excepting Mr. Symons, assistant-surgeon, who tied; and a lieutenant, who exchanged. She has taken three prizes, and was present at the capture of a fourth. One of her prizes, the Tam O'Shanter, an American schooner, was full, having 319 slaves on board. She bad been only twenty-four hours in the possession of her then owners, showed no colours, and called herself the California, but was well known to be the Tam O'Shan ter, having been previously cruising on the coast for several weeks; and fourteen days prior to her capture she had acquainted the Kingfisher that the brig's pin nace had taken the Varetta slave schooner. The Kingfisher has brought from different ships on the coast eight invalided seamen and marines, and twelve seamen whose term of service had expired, and has the chief engineer of the Wasp steamer, and her cylinder, which was injured by the breaking of the piston rod. After losing the trade winds, the Kingfisher has ex perienced nothing but severe gales from the N.N.W. round to N.E., and from that to S. The Kingfisher was bound to Portsmouth, but put in here in consequence of her disabled stato and the strong wind blowing down channel. PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAY.—Prince Regent, 90, will be paid off to-morrow. Avon steam-vessel,Second-Master Commander Veitch, came into harbour from Devonport, with supernumeraries for the Cumberland, 70, flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Sir G. Seymour yesterday. The Cumberland is hourly ex• pected to receive her advance. The American line of picket ship Prince Albert, Cap tain Meyer, arrived to-day from London, and sailed for New York. Shear% ater steam surveying -vessel, Lieutenant Tur nour commanding, passed through Spithead to-day from the westward, on her way to Woolwich, to be paid off. FEBRUARY 23, 1851. ♦PPOINTMENT. WooLwicn, FEB. 27.—Captain Alexander Murray (1849), to study steam at the factory at Woolwich Dockyard. The gallant officer joined to-day. The Governalli Sardinian steam-frigate, Commander Persiani, commenced unloading the packages she has on board for the Exhibition into barges for conveyance up the river to a convenient place fur landing them at Chelsea. Mr. Macdonald, master-attendant, went on board EC mai of the store hulks and receiving ships in the har bour to-day to inform those in charge of them that they were to have hawsers in readiness when vessels came alongside, as several other vt 3 , Als from foreign Govern ments were expected at Woolwich with packages for the Exhibition. THE LORD RECTORSHIP OF GLASGOW UNIVER SITY.- G L ASGOW, EDN ESD AY A ITERNOON.- The mem bers of the University met to-day in the Common-hall, when Professor Ramsay read the result of the recent, rec torial election, showing that two " nations " had voted for Lord Palmerston, and two for Sheriff Allicon, the his torian. The Principal then explained that by the consti tution of the University the casting vote in case of equality fell to be exercised by the retiring Lord Rector, or failing him, by the immediately preceding Lord Rector. A letter was read from Mr. Macaulay, dated the 19th of Novem ber last, stating that it would be out t. f his power to ap pear personally, and he must, therefore, suffer the casting vote to lapse into the hands of his predecessor. It was matter of satistaction, bola ever, that from two such distin guished candidates, he could not choose amiss. The Prin cipal then stated that the exercise of the privilege of giving the 'casting vote now lay with Mr. More, of Caldwell, M.P., Mr Macaulay's immediate predecessor. Mr. More, who has up till this time been detained in Italy, then rose, and after a graceful allusion to the merits of the two candi dates, gave his casting vote in favour of Mr. Sheriff Ali son, on the ground that he had the greatest number of in dividual votes, although the " nations " had been equal. The election was declared accordingly amid much applause. The public inauguration of the new Lord Rector takes place to-morrow in the College, when he will deliver his installa tion speech. _ _ _ SUNDERLAND DOCK COMPANY.—The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Wednesday, at the Royal Exchange-buildings, Sunderland; Mr. G. Hudson, M.P., presided. The report stated that the trade and revenue of the dock had been found, during the few months it had been opened, in every respect most satisfactory. Although the dock was opened on the 10th June last, yet, in conse quence of the unavoidable arrangements arising from the change of shipment of coals from the river to the decks, no coals could be shipped in the docks till September, and then only half the quantity was brought down the Durham and Sunderland branch railway, and it was not until the month of December that the whole of the drops in the river could be taken. The dock having been, during the greater portion of the past half-year, only in partial ope ration, the directors bad not deemed it necessary to sub mit any detailed statement of the revenue, but the following were the monthly receipts :—July, 1850, 19/. 16s. 10d. • August, 136/. 3s. Id. ; September, 432/. Is. 7d. ; October, 583/. 103. I Id. ; November, 669/. Is. led.; December, 837/. 14s. Gd . The directors of the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Company, who possessed so large an interest in the company, were proceeding actively in making the Penshar branch line with the Sunderland Docks, on the completion of which a large increase of trade and revenue would be obtained. All the calls and interest had been paid on the 3,000 shares standing in the name of the railway company, and the chairman had undertaken to take up the whole of the 2,325 shares respecting which the misunderstanding had occurred between hint and the railway company, and had ar ranged the calls thereon, and interest, in the most satisfactory and honourable manner. The report, as well as that of the engineer, was adoped. BIRKENHEAD DOCK COMPANY.—Yesterday the half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders in this com pany took place at the London Tavern, 'for the purpose of receiving the general and financial reports, the election of directors, &c. Sir I. L. Goldsmitt, Bart., presided. The report, as read by the secretary, showed, that the works being still incomplete, water access could not yet be gained to the company's wharfs and premises, but it was expected that the lower part of the float would be open in April next. To secure an early completion of the entire works, a Bill had been introduced into Parliament, which had been read a second time. The directors had taken up the new lease of the company's property from the corporation of Liverpool. The gross receipts of the year had been 950,6951. 17s. 3d., the expenditure 943,162/. ss. 3d., leaving a balance of 7,533/. 12s. Joseph Bailey, Esq., M.P., recommended unity with the dock trustees, who, he understood, were opposed to the present Bill in Parliament. He thought during the next two years that the docks would produce about 25,000/. to this company, and about the same suns to the dock trustees. Atter some explanation from the chairman, and some re marks from Mr. T. Poynder ; urging the propriety of har mony and unanimity, the report was adopted. The meet ing, after some discussion, was adjourned to the Bth of May next. ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF MR BOOTH, RAILWAY CONTRACTOR.—Wednesday, Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an in quest at the Morton Arms, Hawley-road, Kentish-town, on the late Mr. John Booth, sub-contractor on the Birming ham Junction of the East and West India Dock Railway, aged 49. The body presented an appalling spectacle, the skull having been literally driven in. James Stutter said that he was working the crane at the viaduct by which they were hoisting stone of 5 cwt., when, in consequence of the chain being foul, the stone came in contact with the side of the viaduct, and its progress was stopped. Deceased, who was standing on the parapet, leaned all his weight against the chain to drive it from the wall, when the chain swerved, and deceased, losing his balance, tell amidst bricks and rubbish to the road below. In his fall he called out, "Hold off, hold on," and tried to grasp the scaffolding as he fell. Richard Whittaker, the foreman carpenter, substantiated the above evidence. Several other witnesses were examined, and the Coroner summed up, commenting upon the frightful nature of the fatal occurrence. The jury, after a brief deliberation, returned a verdict of "Accidental death." Deceased, who was beloved by the workmen, has left a widow and child to deplore his untimely end. We regret to state that Mr. Henry Edwards, of the Weymouth Arms, who fcr many mouths past has been in a bad state of health, yesterday evening terminated his existence by hanging himself. Mr. Edwards has long been highly respected for his unbending and inflexible integrity, and few men have lived better in the estimation of his fellow-citizens; but recently it has been apparent to those who knew him that his miLd h,d undergone a great change, and that the greatest care was necessary for his protection His health had apparently much improved durit.g the last wo months, but, yesterday evening, .atter„ leaving his usual ritu tine of business for only a few minutes, he was 'discovered A corpse,—,bath and chettenhotri Gantt. pf Wedwiday. GREAT FIRE NEAR ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL. Last evening, at a few minutes past five o'clock, a fire of a very extensive character broke out in the premises belonging to Messrs. Treacher and Cuthbert, wholesale tallow-melters and candb--manufacturers, earrOrg on business at No. 43, Paternoster-row. The property in question has long been the dread of the inhabitants residing near St. Paul'. The premises, which have a considerable frontage in the " Row," extended in depth some 60 or 70 feet. where an exceedingly narrow space separated them from a range of lofty workshops and warehouses, which had a frontage in London-house-yard. It was in the last named buildings that the conflagration commenced, and which, for the space of en hour, continued to rage with the greatest impetuosity. The structure was five floors high, including the basement, and was adjoined on one side by the Gccsse and Gridiron Tavern, the property of Mr. W. Making; whilst Hewitt's coffee and chop-house flanked the other side. The Bose and Crown Tavern, belonging to Mr. W. Davies, stood immediately opposite the burning premises; the only separation between the two was a sort of cart-way, probably 8 or 9 feet wide. The refreshment-rooms of Mr. Inglis, the pastrycook, of St. Paul's Churchyard, also extended to within a few feet of the flames. A copper of fat, from some cause not clearly ascer tained, but which is belie-ved to be a fracture in the metal, took fire. All hands were immediately summoned to the spot, and every endeavour made to smother the flumes, but without success; they spiecaly rose terrifi cally, igniting the flouiring over the copper, and then rushing in one immense sheet through the warehouses till they reached the roof. The various engines of the London brigade, parish, and West of England Company were on the spot in the course of a few minutes after the outbreak, and a most copious supply of water was furnished by the New River tiremains in the district. The fire, however, notwith standing be short time that had elapsed, assumed such a threatening aspect that every building near seemed doomed to destruction. Out of every window in the spacious premises the flames were rolling, and reached within a root of Mr. Inglis's refreshment-rooms, and the Rose and Crown Tavern. The engines, under the direction of Mr. Braidwood, Mr. Colf, and Mr. Connorton, were placed in the most commanding positions, some in Paternoster-row, and others i❑ the Churchyard, whilst a number were set to work from Ave Ji aria-lane. The first thing sought to be accomplished was to throw up a stream of water between the building on fire and those immediately op posite, which were smeking and cracking with the in tense heat. The firemen, in so doing, ran great risks, but, fortunately, the expedient proved successful, and the latter premises were saved from destruction entirely through the exertions of the brigade. It was part seven o'clock before it could be said that the mastery over this fearful conflagration was obtained, and not until the entire range of premises belonging to the firm, in London-house-yard, were burnt completely through, the front building severely damaged by re moval and break4ge, and several others in immediate proximity, materially injured by fire, water, &c. The crowd, at one period, numbered same thousands, and it required the services of a strong body of police to keep the spectators out of danger. ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. HALF-PAST 10 P.M.—Several engines are still obliged to be kept in constant operation. Owing to the various floors being saturated with tallow the fire continues to burs under the timbers left standing, and it is question able whether the firemen will be enabled to get it en tirely extinguished during the night. All danger of any fresh outbreak, however, is at an end, Mr. Cuthbert informed at) reporter that the disaster originated in the following manner:—A copper charged with tallow in the basement was so constructed that the steam arising during the process of melting, could pass through an aperture at the buck part of the brickwork, and be car ried away through the flue. By some means a portion of the fat got upon some cinders, the moment the fire touched them they blazed up, and the heat caused the gas from the fat to generate very rabidly, so that a fierce body of flame kept shooting forth. Mr. Cuthbert had no doubt that he, with the assistance of his men, would have been able to extinguish the flames, had it not been for the effluvium emitted from the burning tallow. As it was, they kept to their work, until most of them got scalded or burnt about the hands, but the moment Mr. Cuthbert saw the woodwork near the copper take fire he desired his men to escape immediately. This they did, and it was fortunate, for, had they remained two minutes longer, they must have all lost their lives, the greater part of the melting-house in that brief period being covered with blazing fat. The firm do not believe their loss to be so extensive as may generally be sup posed; they are of opinion that many casks of fat and boxes of candle will be recovered from the several floors only triflingly injured. Mr. Colf, the foreman of the B district of Vie London brigade, is of quite a different opi nion; that officer informed the reporter that many of the casks alluded to, as well as the floorings, had fallen into the ground story; if so, very little property can be ex pected to be saved. Fortunately, Messrs. Cuthbert were insured in the Imperial, Hand-in-Hand, Unioe, and se veral other Ere-offices. LATEST PAR TICULARS.—(THIS DAY.) The following is the official rf port of damage, &c.:— PATERNOSTER-ROW. Nos. 42, 43—Messrs. Cuthbert, tallow-melter, pry petty consutneti; insured in the Hand-in-Hand, Imperial, and Union Fire-offt3es. No. 46—Phelps and Sons, stw.ioners, furniture and stock damaged by water and removal; insured in the Sun office. First-floor front room, occupied by Mr. Joy, bookseller, some damage to property; insurance unknown. First-floor back room, belonging to Mr. \Voollins, a bookseller, the same extent of damage; but insured in the Sun Fire-office. Second fluor, March and Co, pocket-book-makers, the same cimege; insurance unknown. Third-fluor, occupied by Timbury and Sons, engravers, same amount of damage; insureu in the Sun office. No. 46—Hitchcock and Rogers, linendrapers, serious damage to s tock by hasty removal; insurance unknown. No. 4 Longman and Co., booksellers, contents damaged by removal; insured in the Church of England and other offices. COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. Yest•:rday a Court was held for the dispatch of husines3. The REMEMBRA.NCEU having announced that amongst the Bills just brought into Parliament was a Bill for the removal of Smithfield-market, it was agreed that the said Bill should be reterred to the Marketa' Improvement Committee, and Mr. H. L. Taylor, the chairman of that committee, promised that the best attention should be paid to the project. Mr. Pam-reps, the chairman of the Navigation and Port of London Committee, brought up a report on the reference respecting steam-boat landings at the Surrey end of London-bridge. The report, which relate s t o a great public conveni ence, stated that it was ref erre d to the co . romittee to in quire and report whether it would be for the public con venience to afford accommodation for the embarking and disembarking of passengers by steam-boats and other vessels and boats at the east and west a i des of the Surrey end of London-bridge, and if the committee were of opinion that such would be the case, that they pro cure and lay before the Court a plan or model, show. ing how the same could be provided. Th e re port then proceeds—ln order to ascerta i n how far public accom m od a tion might be affected b y t h e question under consideration, we received the evidence e,f several gentlemen who were in the habit of using the railways the termini of which are at London-bridge, and the steam-boats which call at the stairs at the Surrey end of the bridge. We also had evidence before us by other gentlemen and tradesmen of the neighbourhood,who were constant witnesses of the difficulty and danger of crossing the carriage way at the Surrey end of the bridge from the particularly crowded state of that busy thoroughfare. The directors and managers of the steam boats afforded us further information in respect of the numbers who avail themselves of the line of communica tion to which our inquiries were directed. The concur rent testimony of all the parties who appeared before us has satisfied your committee that it would be very highly conducive to the public convenience if the accommoda tion adverted to by the reference were afforded. Your committee then proceeded to consider the other points embraced in the reference, which directed us to obtain a plan for effecting the objects contemplated. We there fore instructed Mr. S. W. Leach, the engineer, to prepare a plan which might be suited for the purpose, and inter fere as little with the navigation of the river as circum stances and due security would permit; and two plans were accordingly submitted by that officer. A plan was also submitted by Mr. Dawson, a member of your Hon. Court. proposing an arched thoroughfare through the abutment of the bridge, and under the road way from the upper landing, on the west stairs, to the corresponding landing on the east stairs. Previously, however, to agreeing upon the recommendation of any plan your committee invited the attendance of Messrs. Fenning, the occupiers of the wharf next below the bridge to the east, who had communicated their anxiety to be heard on the subject. These gentlemen attended with their solicitor and inspected the various plans, and the obj, ctions urged by them were duly entertained. Your committee having carefully deliberated upon the advantages and disadvantages of the respective plans, have agreed to recommend as most suitable the one hereunto annexed, the estimate of the cost of executing which is 1,2201. At the same time your committee beg to lay before the Court the suggested plan of Mr. Daw son, and to state their opinion that the same would be a great public acconamodation; and if such a communica tion were made the platform and brow on the east stairs would be rendered unnecessary. Mr. PHILLIPS having moved that the report be agreed to, - Mr. H. L. TAYLOR said the accommodation might, for what he knew, be a great public convenience, but he disapproved the sudden expenditure of 1,2001. upon an improvement which was as yet unintelligible, at the same tune that the Court did not know how far it might interfere with the interests of the tenants of the corpora tion in the I,cality.—(Hear, hear.) He moved as an amendment, that the report be printed and circulated amongst the members. Mr. Deputy STACEY referred to the plan suggested by Mr. Dawson, as likely, it carried into effect, to give im mense accommodation to the public independently of the convenience afforded to the steamer passengers, at the same time that it would present the advantage of security to life and limb, which were constantly endan gered in the existing state of the traffic in the neigh bourhood of the bridge.—(Hear, hear.) He wished to learn whether the plan proposed by Mr. Dawson was practicable. Mr. Dewson said the opening at the abutment sug gested to the Court would prove an accommodation of the greatest importance, for the attempt to cross from one side of tba street at the bottom of the bridge was dangerous in the extreme, and he had known ladies to be detained several minutes by the fear of being over whelmed by the ponderous and the rapid vehiclea which never cease to pass in the busy hours of the day.—(Hear, hear.) A professional friend of his estimated the ex pense at 800/, and no doubt the cost would ba a mere trifle in comparison with the accommodation, which would, in fact, obviate the necessity of putting the city to the expense of a pier. Mr. ANDERTON doubted that the person who esti• mated the exi.ense at 8001., would uudertake to make it for 1.000/. Mr. Deputy HoLT placed implicit reliance upon the judgement of the Navigation Committee, and agreed with the report. Mr. Deputy ()mum) did not approve of tlr. Dawson's plan, and said that the danger incurred by ladies at present in crossing the street was not likely to be so great as the danger they would incur in making their way through a dark and crowded passage, in which in sults might be very easily perpetrated.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. BOWER saw no more difficulty in crossing Lon don-bridge than there was in crossing Cheapside and other populuus neighbourhoods, and thought the Court ought to take care how they incurred a large expense merely for the benefit of steam companies. Mr. BEXNUCH was afraid the project would increase the number of nuisances in the vicinity of the bridge. The report wac then, in accordance with Mr. H. L. Taylor's amendment, ordered to be printed. LONDON-11011SE-YARD. Mr. Making, the Goose and Gridiron Tavern; pre mises damaged by fire, and contents by removal; in sured in the Monarch Fire•ofhce. - Mr. Davis, the Rose and Crown Tavern, serious damaged by fire and removal; insured in the Sun Fire office. Mr. Hewlett, coffee-shopkeeper, like damage; insured in the PLo3uix ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD. Mr. Inglis, baker, back-front and roof damaged by fire and contents by removal; insured in the Monarch Fire-cffico. _ _ _ - . Nos. 77, 78—Bailey, linen-drapers, alight damage to stock by removal; the insurance unknown. DRURY-LANE THEATRE. Dernarn's amus . ng and bustling eomedietta, The Lady and the Devil, was revived at this theatre last evening. The characters of Zephyrina. Wildlove, and Jeremy (originally sustained by Miss Kelly, Elliston, and Har ley), being on this occasion represented by Mrs. Nesbitt. Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Walter Lacy. The co medy went dashingly off, and was followed by the magnificent spectacle of Azad, the representation of which excited greater enthusiasm than ever. The house was crowded to excess in every part. STATE OF TRADE.—MANCEESTER, THURSDAY, FEB. 7.—The advance in yarns and cloths obtained on Tuesday was firmly maintained this morning, and there was a disposition on the part of both spinners and manufacturers to demand still higher rates. Purchasers, however, did not appear in such force, and there was a heavy market. The business effected was generally at Tuesday's rates. The tele graphic announcements from the morning papers of the diffi culties encountered in all the combinations of parties yet at tempted in the formation of a Government exercised a dis turbing influence, and was apparently one cause of checking operations, The export trade has been of a rather more general character, including some purchases on account of Italy and Germany, as well as for the East. The print trade continues dull, though there is a good variety of new styles, and prices have been rather favourable. If you want enemies, excel others; if you want friends, let others excel you.—Eliza Cbok's Journal. Mjor Samuel Wensley B!ackall, M.P. for Long ford, has been appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the island of Dominica. Marrying a woman for her beauty is like eating a bird for its singing.— Eliza Cook's Journal. AGRICULTURAL PROGRRBS.—The Wotton estate, of about 7,600 acres, in Bucks, till recently the property of the Duke of Buckingham, is forthwith to be drained and im proved. The tiles for the drainage are to be manufactured on the estate, and a number of workmen are engaged in fur therance of the object. Lord Truro, the Lord Chancellor, and the Marquis of Salisbury. the Lord Lieutenant, have appointed Dr. Bateman,lher Majesty's assistant solicitor of Excise, to be a magistrate for the county of Middlesex and liberty of Westminster. FOREIGNERS IN LONDON.—Communications have been addressed by direction of the Royal Commissioners from the Palace at Westminster to the several Government establishments, respecting the admission of foreigners to those places, without the payment of any fee, on producing a card from the Consul-General or other public functionary in London belonging to the several Continental a nd other Courts. t' n of of CommonsWe urid understand t F a ri n d d ay th m at n or c i nb t d h e e n will meeting giv. o n f oti t c h l e t H ha o t u h s: will submit a resolution expressive of t d he i d n e is t the House to refuse its support to any not prepared faithfully to adhere motion will have the adopted in the year 1846. Such f fn L rm or a d d. S — ta T n i l m ey es 's . O A t h free-trade terar tti po h° a l t i policy Government, should such a Gov effect of discoverun the intended ernra TED MURDER AT WINDSOR. BURGLARY AND ATTEAIF eti policyt b d the of 20/ which .—WINDBO3, THURSDA.7.The Dean and Canons of Windsor G ov eronsen. 13V her IN . ; ajesty s have very handsomely conttriibutee added d su s m ot , as a . r , e t w o ardfim. accomplice of Ash (now in custody) such information as will lead to the apprehension and con viction of the snip cted in the re cen t burglary and murderous attempt on the lives ot Mr. Tucker and Mrs. Whittaker, of Clarence-road, Windsor, and the most active steps are bemg taken by the authorities of the b orou gh to secure his apprehension. This man, for whom a warrant has been issued, is known by the name of .s Bill," and absconded from his lodgings immediately after the burglary was committed. He follows the trade of a black , mith ; and no doubt, when the following description of his person is given by the London press, he will soon be apprehended :—He is a dirty-looking person, about five feet five inches high, from twenty-six to thirty years of age, sal low complexion, dark Lair, full eyes and face, has a burnt mark en the fleshy part of the left hand, and a scar on the right hand near the knuckles, through which a ramrod was shot; was dressed in a dark corduroy round jacket and trou sers, and clerk cap. Notwithstanding the severity of the wounds sustained by Mr. Tucker anti Mrs. Whittaker, the report of Mr. Brown, her Maj, aty's household apothecarYi who now attencla them, iA Womble to Oak ultioioto BLACSFRIARS -BRIDGE. Upon the motion of Mr. H. L. TAYLOR, a report re commending the payment of expenses incurred in works • at Blacktriars-bridge, amounting to 1,7001., and the ex ecution of other works, was agreed to, and referred back to be carried into effect. A report was agreed to recommending the payment of the sum of 700/. for the repair of the Navigation barge. . A voluminous report on the reference on the petition of D. T. Alston, respecting the holdemen to the deputy oyster meters, was ordered to be printed. Mr. Deputy BEDFORD presented a petition from the vestrymen of the parish of St. Sepulchere, " to secure the rates of the parish, which may be effected by the improvement of Smithfield-market, especially during the progress of the works." Referred to the Markets' Improvement Committee. Upon the motion of Mr. BENN , JCII, a sum of 521. 10s. was voted in aid of the S widows and 36 orphans of the Worthing fishermen who lost their lives oa the 25th of November, while gallantly attempting to render as sistance to the Lalia Rookh, a ship in distress. FREE ADMISSION INTO ST. PAUL'S. Mr. CLARKE moved mat it be referred to a committee to confer with the pr. per authorities upon the desire ablene3s of opening St. Paul's Cathedral for the free ad mission of strangers visiting the metropolis during the Grand Exhibition this year, He considered it, he said, disgraceful to the country that so magnificent a national eiitice should be shut, as it had always been, from public inspection except upon certain condition•. Some discussion took place, and Mr. H. L. Taylor's opihion that the matter ought to be ltft to the "Exhibi tion Committee" seemed to prevail in the court, for the previous question was carried. The Court then adjourned. RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.— ( Miles in work, 236.) -Return of Traffic for the Week ending Feb. 16, 1851 : Passengere, parcels, carriages, horses, dogs, and mails ... £4,304 18 0 Merchandise and minerals Cattle ... ..„ ... 3,565 18 ... 255 8 Total £8,126 4 Corresponding week, Feb. 17, 1850 (143 miles) :- - Passengers, parcels, &c. ... £1,153 7 Cattle ... ". ... 1,487 11 Total ... ... ... 2,640 18 4 EASTESX COUNTIES AND NORFOLK RAlLwAr.—Traffic return for the week ending Feb. 23 : Panengers, parcels, &c. ...£5,775 10 7 Merchandise, cattle, and cartage 6,5 05 9 7 Total ... ... £12,281 0 2 Corresponding week of 1850 ... 13,844 17 1 CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY..-4TAIEC for the week ending Feb. 23 : MAIN LINZ. Passengers ... ••• Parcels, S. C. and D. Goods, cattle, tec. Mails ... Total ... £833 0 7 ••• 72 11 8 ••• 887 9 0 ••• 575 0 0 ••• MOLD. Passengers ... ... Parcels, H. C. and D. ••• Goods, cattle, &c. .., ... £1,868 1 3 Total ••• £29 2 7 ••• 2 6 4 ••• 79 14 7 - ... ... Xll.l 3 6 STEAM -BOATS. Passengers ... ... £ 99 210 Parcels, H. C. an d D. .•• ••• 12 8 4 Total £lll 11 2 THE RIOT AT YARMOUTH.—Un Monday the per sons (17 in number) who had been captured during the late riot were brought up f or exam i na ti on b e f ore a full bench of magistrates. The seamen's committee engaged bin Caries Cooper, barrister, of Norwich, to defend those of the prisoners who were seamen. Twelve of the men were charged with the minor o ff ence of obstructing, assaulting, and resisting the Five of the ring- - r t t iw t o e ot ' d f or trial at theofnexatrqeusaolrtue_r d p i t h ee ar i g n ed tl:e an ex d e t c h u e tio r n em o a f il tp ct e e i r r wdeuretyineodf inthevs_aeritohusree,Nsulrse, from lOs. to U., including all costs: :and,ha.fst..erinadieentagutlitleoncedpa.y. merit, they were sentenced w terms o f . imprisonment the U h o eMf . collections,—t means h the has been laid be mandn in vestigation, • leadersa es r t y i l g n a g t i wereio. r n o , t 1 l w eonere fully chargedlllo n month committed withtwo 1 copy Y Museum, in sessions. Hunterianf enlarging the space moves that the Marquis of be fore ooi February, e T n rte l i p he a ee E s i s i i ll e i n d o lUguBssba4;6::: relative it T t e x h l h e A eh s t ir r be u l N i E s t olitt exhibiting le s , E i to n Northampton and the Bishop of London be requested tcieoh mit to the First Lord of the Treasury the claims of the Hunterien Museum to some provision whereby i t a aight o btain an .-nlarged area f . o,r as i t l e co r n e te at nt ll s, atiov en ui d b4 p etta t.tur bled ha tle sin b t r e iw in c i h ts m elf o w t worthily which it tun weit wait PrOMOte.". fa t ; 10° . ' vto IN • Od e° ,l v 0 e• P ° 3 r t o ielf %e V AO ' tit W I • , i" ftelo ast DP an g 1 ° A oro u s 11;4