The Sun. — London, England, 1850-01-11 00:00:00

( haracter. He had, however, an oppertueity ia Place in thnSe let e of confronting his acens,:rs—of pub.- Ifely denyinv to truth tifo eharg..s u.. , Ainst, him—of challenging Clem '0 prove them—hut they a.a.ehed and silk-nced. Atter ti - ds e!o.; pz , .;of nf_th, utter groutwilessrcs;.• s prefurreti agi,alst "bins Count de Thottfar might well:have expected that ho Would be permitted to carry on the Government without being exposed to the repetition of similar attacks. But in the month of October last his attention was called :to the article in question, in which all the slanders against him were revived and renewed in a much more formid able shape. The opinion which was entertained in foreign cluntries of the freedom and impartiality of the English press gave en extreoldiaary weight and force to every thing that appcired in tee columns of an English Journal. It is not supposed that it could be pos 'Nei that private malice could tied vent threugh these channels, and certainly what they contain was supposed to be the impartial and disinterested expression of enlightened Public opinion. It wee quite impossible, tlwrefore, for the Count de Tnomar to affect to despise or disregard attacks from such a flouter and to hole to be able to eerry on the Government advantageously to the country and with the support of public opiuion. He had, there fore, felt it to be his duty to his Sovereign, to his coun try, and to himself, to appeal for protection to the Bri tish laws. And he was perfectly satisfied that if his "use be just, ho may fearlessly confide it to the free, Uprigh t , and impartial aoreinistration of British justice. Thu article in questitm professed to be a letter from the correspondents of the newspaper at Lisbon, anti was published under the signature of "Fabricius." It assumed to give en account of the circumstances under which the Count was elevated to power, and the manner iu which he had amassed his large fortune. The letter was. prefaced by the remark that the subjoined letter had been received through a well.known channel, adding that the paper could not vouch fur the accuracy of the state ments put forth except so far as the fact that at member of the Cabral family had been again appointed a Minister. The letter which was next introduced, after Ministers the circumstances which had led to a change of mitiist ers in Portugal, proceeded to state—`• I wish to contribute as mach as lies in my power that you may be enabled to persist in stigmatizing the immorality of such a choice, springing, as it does, from an abject Court in trigue, by sending you curious information I possess respecting that notorious statesman Count de_Thomar. It really astonishes me how so impolitic a choice could have been made ; the choice of such a discreditable men to form a Ministry, unless credence be given to the general rumours, which possess some appearance of truth, about the late conduct of a high ,personage towards this low patriot." Now this was an aborni nable and shameful imputation; but it went on —" a cir cumstance by which he well knew how to profit, and by Which h e has attained influence and power. The Couut teas, of course, very unwilling to introduce her thissty's name into these proceedings, but he felt it to e his duty to s tate that there was not the slightest t le undation for the scandalous imputation conveyed 41 this letter. lie solemnly denied - that his being ch wen Minister was procured or influenced by im propriety of any kind whatever, either on the paeteof her Majesty, nor dill it arise out of any intrigue between herselt and the Queen of Portugal. He, in liho as solemnly denied that he was ever guilty of any ! s lit or immoral conduct towards her Majesty, or of a ny n conduct unbecoming that of a faithful,loving subject. 4 a o tater then went on to charge the Count, in the Most distinct and unequivocal terms, with having oh tel s ore the large sum of leB.ooo/. by the most corrupt 411 d itarnorel practices. This was most solemnly and disti nct l y , - denied on the psrt of the Count. lie stated thatw it was wilfully and entirely false. The letter then O n: on to charge the Count and his brother with "ing received a sum of money from a gas company, nwhochrs, hs and d patitles id a !which he arge sum had for con the fe red upon it, ents, honours,and a ccounted for his possessing 30,0001. in the Bank 0,, England, and 8.000/, in the Bank of Portugal, t 4. T h . the pursuit of such practices since 1802. l e the Count broadly and distinctly de ilied•A • sum of more y was received by the Ce`bvern m eat for the privileges conferred on the company, a raetice which was in strict conformity with the laws of ° Piga], but that the whole of the money so paid was 4 1 accounted for by the Government. The Count t t :Pressly declared no part of his fortune or estates was Mined by fraudul e nt or improper means, but by honest and honourable industry. Under these circum stances it was impossible to doubt the serious character T clf t he imputations contained in the libel he bad read. h e Most unequivocal denial was given to all the charges. th e Justice PATTESON inquired if it appeared when publication first attracted the notice of the Count? Sir F. TnEspaEa replied in October. The paper in question was published in September, but owing to the na ture of the communications between this country and delay had necessarily taken place. In fact th e affiaavits sere not obtained until the very last day of the last term, and he had come to the court at the earliest day that presented itself. Mr. Justice PATTESON—Take a rule. Application granted accordingly. Itu!k awAy, held, in P..cri 4in..l pros ; cation, test a pary, no in , ..t.ttr wh Aber how r, defendant or ps ;sLeu: . ;ALIA h 2 `IC sc!ibed by the n...ano h& ;fr!herally adoplcd his owl , . Mr. Jcstice ERLE d a rule to show cause. Rule nisi accordingly. ARCHES' COURT.-(TIIIS DAY.) Sir John Dodson t;tt for Sir H. Jenner Fust, Learned Judge being cenfined to his b_•d with the g )trt. The usual forms which take place on the first day of term were gone through, after which the Court opened, but there +•as not one case of public interest in conse quence of the absence of the Leaned Judge. SECONDARIES'.—(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. ;.iecordary POTTER) TILE QUEEN S. LAURANCE. WRIT OF ELECIT.—This was a writ of elegit sued out on behalf of a Mr. Th , nas Abdey, to ascertain what lands and herfelitements Hannah Laurence possessed within the Bailiwick of the City. The Learned SECONDARY expliiined that the object of this proceeding was; to take the rents of any property belonging to defendant in Satisfaction of thu debt claimed. Evidence was then adduced to show that defendant was indebted in the sum of 260/. on the mnetgaga of (ler tdn freehold premites„bcing Nos. 6 and 8 Snow-hill, and 47, Skinner-street, Snow-hill, let at a rental of 2501. per annum, of which defendant is entitled under the will of her father to one-eighkh share. The jury returned a ve rtiict to that effe.et. LIABILITY TO SERVE oN JUBlES.—Several gentle. men appeared to claim exemption from waving on tle • jury. The first application was made on behalf of a gentle man namedWillett, who was stated to be a manufacturer at Norwich, and a magistrate of that city, and never came to London, but sent up goods to his agent. Mr. Willett paid the rent, and the agent was not rated. The Learned SECONDARY said that any one who oli tained profit or carried on any trade or business within the City was liable to serve, and itt7a9 peculir to the City that the occupation of one room was sufficient, and even the receipt of letters there ; and it had b4eu held that the secretary of a public company was also liable.. The applicant submitted that Mr. Willett had been excused in the superior courts in the City on the ground that he was a magistrate. The SECONDARY said that oral no excuse in this elm t, and he must put Mr. Willett7s name down for another jury, and cause him to be served with the summons at Norwich. ben in gambling-houses in London sinco 1845. I havo played at 11.z:.rd.. I did rot play high. fb (The trial wn3 proceefling . Avhen our report loft, with th probability of itf. continuing- till a late hour.) TITHE COMMUTATION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUV. SIR,—As your agricultUral at wail 23 clerical readers may feel anxious to know the result of the corn averages for the seven years to Christmas last, published in the London Gazette of th4evening, viz.:— Wheat ... 6s. 7id. per Imperial bushel Barley ... 4 11 ditto Oats... ... 2 81. ditto, I beg to state fur their information, that each 1001. of rent charge will, for the year 1850, amount to 981. 16s. 10d,, or about ono and out-third per cent. lower than last year. The following statement from my Annual Tithe Commutation Tables will show the worth of 1001. of rent charge for each year since the passing of the Tithe Commutation Act, viz : . For the year 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 - 1842 1843 /, 1844 55 1845 1846 1847 1848 184 Q 1850 £9B 13 q 97 7 11 95 7 9 98 15 9i 102 12 5-1 1(5 8 21 ▪ . 105 12 24 ... 104 3 51 ▪ 103 17 11 f ... 102 17 81- . 99 18 10f ... 102 1 0 ... 100 3 7 1 1 ... 98 16 10 14) 1,415 17 6i General average for 14 years £lOl 2 8 I am, Sir, your most obedient servant CHARLES M. WILLICH. 25, Suffolk-street, Pall-mall, Jan. 8, 1850. DARING ROBBERY OP UPWARDS or 2,0001. — Information has been received by the police of an exten sive robbery of cash and notes, at the house of Mr. John Webb, c_rease-butcher, 7, Market, Newport-market. It appears that Mr. Webb, who is a single man, lets the whole of the house out to lodgers, except a'bed-room on the first floor, in which is an iron safe in which he is generally in the habit of keeping a large amount of cash. About halt'-past seven o'clock last e vening he went to his sale-shop, a few doors away, and returned in CRIMINAL COURT.—(THIS DAY.) shout half an Lour, when, to his great astonishment, he OLD COURT. found that the lock of the door had been picked, and (Before Mr. Justice TALYOURD ) the iron safe weighing 1i cwt., had been carried away Lewis Joel, a respectably-dressed young man, aged 25, —a sack and a smell piece of candle being left io its described as a jeweller, was this morning placed at the stead. In the safe was deposited 63/. in silver, which bar upon an indictment charging him with feloniously ee had just before placed there, besides gold, notes, and uttering, by false pretences, a forged bill of exchange bills of exchange, to the amount of between 2,0001. and for sel,OOOL, with intent to defraud John Marcus 3,000/. Information was at once forwarded to Scotland • Clements. yard, and the police were prompt in making inquiries, Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Bodkin conducted the prosecu but the only clue was that two men with a truck were tion, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. Montague seen near the spot about the time. Chambers and Mr. Ballantine. DARING BURGLARY NEAR HOYLAKE, CHESHIRE. John Marcus Clements, the prosecutor, was called as —Cnisgent, THCIRSDAY.—About half-past eight o'clock witness. He said—l am 23 years of age. I arrived at last night a most daring burglary was committed by the age of 21 on the 27th of July, 1847. At that time I three ruffians, disguised with black masks, at the house was a lieutenant in the 13th Light Dragoons. I was en- of Mr. Hall, e respectable miller, living at a lonely, re titled to landed property in Ireland on attaining my ma- questered spot on the road leading from Moreton to jority. During my minority I had several monetary eloylaite. The ruffians inflicted several gashes on Mr. transactions with the prisoner, who had a place of busi Hall's head in a scuffle, and discharged a pistol at him, ness in Dublin. I think my transactions began with him though happily the aim did not take t ffect. After ran in January, 1847. He used to come to my rooms in tacking the house they made their escape with a small barracks in Dublin, bringing pictures, musical insttu- turn o f money, which was all that they could find, end means, and jewellery, and he also lent memos. When I two guns, one double• barrelled and worth 201. The was near my majority I made a communication robbers belong to a gang that has lately infested the with a Mr. Palman as to my affairs in April, 1847, and neighbourhood, but hopes are entertained that they will also to Mr. Murdoch, oee of my guardians. The latter speedily be arrested. is a partner in the bankieg-house ot Butiverie and Co. Among the portions of the American President's in London. I placed my atidirs and my debts in the Message which have excited interest in the City are the, hands of Mr. Palman and my guardians. I gave Mr. paragraphs relating to the various routes to the Pacific, Palman authority verbally to arrange my affairs with their effect being such as to confirm the impression that the prisoner. When I first•consuLed Mr. P u tman was before the lapse of any lengthdned period the traffic be • in the latter end ( f 1847. In consequence of some iu tween the two oceans, both by land and water, will be formations I received, I went on the 21st of December to successfully established. The ship canal is alluded to as Mt sirs. Davis and Campbell's, the solicitors' office, in a work already undertaken by an American company Warwick-street, where I saw a bill of exchange, par- under a specific charter from the state of Nicaragua, porting to be accepted by -me, for 1,000/, dated sth vho feel sufficient confidence in their prospects to desire August, 71847, and payable at two months after date. no assistance from their own; Government beyond its That acceptance is not in my h a ndwriting, nor was it guarantee of the neutrality of the line. The route given by my authority. I never accepted a bill for through the southern part of Mexico to the Gulf of 1,000/. in my life. I never in my life accepted a bill in Tehuantepec is also mentioned as one for which a large blank. In the month of July, 1847, I never made an suns was formerly offered by the American Government, arrangement with the prisoner that it he would not take but which it is now considered would be of sufficient legal proceedings against me in Dublin, I benefit to Mexico to induce her gladly to grant a gre would give my acceptance in blank for 1,0001., tuitons concession to any parties who would enter upon upon a suitable stamp, which he might fill the task. The completion of the railroad across the up when I came of age in the month of August. Isthmus of Panama- under the protection of the No such arrangement was ever the subject of convene- treaty ratified with New Granada, in June, 1848, is tion between him and me. My affairs at that time were recommended to be encouraged and facilitated, and in fact in the hands of Mr. Palman. In last December a finally the opening of a communication with the demand was first made upon me for this bill of 1,0001. Pacific entirely through the United States territory, I first learnt from Mr. Palman th a t suc h a bill was in either by means of a railway, or other road, is submitted existence, and I authorised him to take such proceedings for the consideration of Congress for a decision as to as he might deem necessary with respect to it. I never whether it should be undertaken as a national improve• tried to evade any process against me for the recovery ment, or be left to individual enterprise, a careful recoa of the amount of this bill. I never heard of such pro- naisance by a scientific corps, and a report as to the cess being issued by Mr. Dike, of the Temple. practicability and probable cost of the plan being re- Cross examined by Mr. CHAMBERS—I entered the paired as preliminary measures. It is seen that each of army at 17, when I wa s a ll ow ed 300 e a y ea r, which was these lines may be constructed independently, and not increased to 4001. a year before I came of age. I can- only without injury to each other, but, perhaps, with not tell exactly how long it was before I was 21 that I mutual benefit. The Panama and Nicaragua routes are, was allowed 400/. a year. My impression is that it was however, those which will monopolize attention for some two years before. It was paid from the Court of Chan - years, and the latter it may be confidently believed from BAIL COURT.—Cr HIS DAY.) cery through Messrs. Bouverio and Co. I drew on its singular advantages will constitute the only line of (Before Mr. Justice ERLE.) Messrs. Bouverie and Co. for the amount. I was first of water communication that will ever be constructed. The PRATT I.Y. TREADWELL. all a cornet for three years, during which I had upwards arrangements for its commencement, according to the t er. M ELLOR was i nstructe d to move, on behalf of of 1001. a year pay. Messrs. Cox and Co. were the representations made to General Taylo r, are now dela y ed t ente Pratt , for a r u l e to show cause why the award in army agents in England for the regiment Arwett and o n ly by the necessity of waiting for the adjustment of ,u_ at case s h ou ld not h e set as id e , - on the ground of ir. Borough, of Dublin, were the Irish agents , and I the political questions connected with the territor y re gularity. Mr. Treadwell was the contractor for the drew my pay through them. I was afterwards through which it will pass, and looking at the work as execution of a certain portion of the Oxford, Worcester , a lieut enant, when m y . p a y was increased. one surpassing all others in its probable effects on the an d -..''' Wolverh am pt on R a ilway ; and, Mr. Pratt, who was a shilling a day. During the last of the four years 1 commercial progress end welfare of England, and of the a I,_bu ilder, residing at Birmingham, made a tender to Mr. was in the arm y , m y income was a little more than 5001. world, the prolongation of this impediment, should it be Tr eadwell f or th e execu tion of the part of the works a year. I purchased both my oorneter and my lientet permitted, will become a severe reproach.—Times' City situated • Worcester, within the pariah of Stoke Prior, in the county na nc y , the former of which cost 8401., and the latter Article.Article. o, n which was accepted by Mr. Treadwell. 1,2001., but the money did not pass through my hands; NEWSVENDERS' BENEVOLENT AND PROVIDENT IN. de latter STITUTION.—Last evening a quarterly meeting of the iae original design for the execution of these works was it passed through the hands of . my friends. In V - ra m A . te upon the supposition that they were to be axe - end of April, 1847, I communicated with M . r. Palman , committee of the above institution, founded in 1839, for n o ted t , lll , brick, but, for some reason or other, which was who is a barrister, and who was then in Dublin. He was the purpose of granting temporary relief and permanent disclosed the w or ks w ere in fact, axe- there as the friend of a Mr. Denny, a brother officer, N ee . , W , by assistance by way of pensions to masters and servants th- ' In stone. Now, by a rule of practice in whom he was introduced to me. My impression is that engaged as venders of newspapers , . who from age, infir sets railway and on all other railways , whenever the I was then in debt about 5,000/-6,0001. lam certain miry , or distress, may require the aid of the benevolent, ° lt t g l a g i nal plan' contained a design to be esvented in ' brick would have covered my debts. I had not borrowed much as held at the Newsvenders' Hall, Black Horse-court, the s tone-was substituted, it became necessary to increase money between the age of 17 and 21. I should doubt it Fleet - street , for the transaction of ordinary business; h e dimensions of the work by olio-eighth, and a dispute I borrowed 1,000/ in cash out of the 6,0001. constituting Mr. L. Wild, in the chair. The report congratulated that arisen between Mr. Pratt and Mr. Teadwell as to my debts. My belief is I did not borrow more. MY the members on the steady progress the society was est increase in those particular works. Mr. Teed well debts consisted of about 3,0001 .. for goods supplied to me, ;nuking, although at the same time the committee urge Zittienteined that he ought not to pay for the increased for which I had given bills. I had four bill creditors tCeighth, but according to the original dimensions of when I came of age, the prisoner being one of them. the necessity of an increased support to meet . the gro . w i ins claims of the infirm and needy. The invested capital works and while Mr. Pratt claimed a balance of The other three were Mr. Harris, a jeweller and money tette ' lir- Treadwell contended that the balance did not lender in Dublin; Mr. Rubenstine and Mr. Marcus. Mr. is at H p E rese i n i t uc L A o T o E ol. u s!'" to more than 3/. In this state of things the Waterhouse was also a creditor, who had supplied me AT NEW YORK.— The British. steamer Hecate, now lying off our navy yard, is about the t!k'a agreed to refer the dispute to arbitration, and on w ith jewellery. 'never remember giving Waterhouse a 700 or 800 tons, and carries four 84-pounders. When no ',gPe of last October the arbitrators, Messrs. Smith bill. I price gave him a cheque, which I paid. ',believe I she fired her salute it war remarked by our officers that it ` 4 2-/ 'ling, with Mr. Boddington for their umpire, met never accepted a bill to Mr. Waterhouse. I owed hint they had never heard quicker firing. The salute was tnl tue Georg e Ilo•el in Drcitwich, and went into the as much as 125/. I will not swear, at this distance of returned from the Navy yard, • and the captain and Offi -4,1,:t°, r• The arbitration sat till five o'clock in the time, that I did not give him a bill of exchange or pro oers of the Hecate were received at the residence of tn 4 llin gt , and ultimately it closed with the understanding asissory note fur that debt. My firm impression is I did Commodore Bullard. A salute of six guns was fired t there was a balance or a and upwards due to Mr. not. I don's think I ever gave him a promissory note 'from the yard upon the landing of the Minister. The Pr att, who then returned to his home in Birmingham. for 1131, 10s. It is barely possible, I could have for Hecate came up the Potomac without the least impedi utertunately for him, however, his solicitor determined gotten such a thing. I believe I did not give him such wont, and anchored off the arsenal before any notice of ton remaining in Droitwich for the night, and ou en- a bill on the 26th May, 1847, but I will not swear it. her approach had been given, and the surprise was com ei, l eg the George Hotel about eight o'clock ho was Mr. Harris had bills of mine, and he got a plete. Our war vessels often make great blunders, run rised at observing Mr. Pumfrey, Treatiwell's soli- verdict against me in a court of justice on shoals, are detained for days, and in one case lost alter,,,,, come out of the room where the arbitration had in Ireland for 3601 odd, . which has been one officer and boats's crew, before they can get up. L'etiously been held. About ten o'clock, some two paid since I came of age. On hettring he had brought The Hecate was boarded by a pilot 40 miles out at sea, g ° tlre afterwards, he determined upon entering the an action against me I did nothing; the matter was in oon alo es, and on going in he found the two arbitrators and. the hands ot my friends. I never went to look at the —Kew York Journal of Commerce. HEALTH OF SIR HARRY SMITII.---We have plea eu umpire seated round a table, and a Mr. Pattison bills fur which Mr. Harris sued me. I did say three of sure in being able to contradict the report which has set of the managing clerk of Treadwell, engaged in the those hills were forgeries, and I say so now. I hav e been in circulation for some days past respecting the g, e... 3 ,f making out the accounts between the parties. never seen those three bills. I have not got those bills. serious and dangerous illness of Sir Harry Smith. No eta ,deg somewhat interested in what was going on, he Mr. Franks, in Dublin, was the attorney for my guar such intelligence has been received either at the Horse % t a t t ed in the room for a short while, and at length Pat- duns in that action. I cannot recollect the amounts of (Maids or at the Colonial-office; whilst private letters , t _ e un Curtin jumped up, and, slapping the table with the bills I allege to be forgeries, but I think the total of the date of the 3d of Novembr convey the gratify tr„.c.at force, exclaimed, n Th e awar d i s ours, P ra tt i s a mount was 8401. for which he brought the action. Idu . ge _ r Paid 41." Mr. Pratt's solicitor solemnly protested not recollect upon how many bills that action was ' not only daily improving, but that he was again able to ins assurance that'the health of the gallant veteran was Iteliinst this strange mode of proceeding, when be was brought; my impression is about five. Two of take his accustomed long rides on horseback without Apra ha telY told by Mr. Dowling, one of the arbitrators, that them were dated after I CactlO of age. I knew rent fatigue or inconvenience. ti, had better be quiet, for it he did not, he (Mr. Dowl- I was not liable for the bills accepted during my i t .) had authority in the room, and he would exercise minority. I know that was the defence made for me b' t ,n,Y 4 ordering the waiters to turn him out it he did not with respect to some of those bills, and the others were day, at t S w a o i L o o ,c u lo s e ' kFiE:ittren afternoon O e t iti 1A n , A th s e ee a u n et nu .— id of the Sailors' Female Orphan Society was held at the e,`,,n t ve himself; then, turning to the other arbitrator, said charged to be forgeries. I have never had an opportu-Ymeeesttienrg- London Tavern, Bishopsgate•street, to receive the report. none Was Smith, do you recognize that account?" Mr. Smith, nity of seeing those bills which were alleged to be for Sir James Dake, Bart., M.P., presided. The report taut °v as suffsring from nervous sickness, and incompe- genies. My friends tried to get them impounded. By stated that the society was no longer in debt, and that u „, to act with decision, said he did; when Mr. Dowling my friends I rater to Mr. Palman, Mr. Dlevido, and Mr. there was now only required the assistance of the bene tonr,noratively directed Mr. PecafreY, Treadwell's solici- Markham. (Here a bill was handed to him.) I now volent to extend the benefits of the charity. Various e to make out the award at once. This, however, believe, a gav e lking at this paper, that on the 28th May, resolutions were agreed to in support of the object. The f t °lll ' l not be done in a moment, and therefore Mr. Porn- 1847, I Mr. Waterhouse a promissory note for eY drew +N ab , ~- up a memorandum, stating that Pratt was 1131. 109. I supp . use I owed him that sum at that meeting was addressed by the Rev. T. Gibson, G. Alston, tee. Thanks were voted to the chairman, who, in reply, b„,,"'l to Treadwell in the sum of 41., which Mr. time. I believe a cheque which I gave Mr. Waterhouse observed . that there were but ten inmates in the asylum, lit te ,nfe Signed, and then directed Mr. Smith to do in the spring of 1847 for 1001. and odd, which I owed him wh he had no doubt, that there were above a thousand le g h"e, winch he did. Subsequently, on the 13th of at that time, was paid. It may have been this bill, and gave him. I sold my commission wh en, old claim its benefits. Three children were then r eCt t aber, the arbitrators published their award, di- not a cheque, which I elected for admission into the asylum. t egf t l g Pratt to pay the sum of 4L 13a. Od. to Treadwell, in August, I think. I left Dublin_ in the summer of LINENDRAPERS% SILL MERCERS% ScO., INSTITU. Ne, it with the costs and charges of the reference. 1847, and ca d me . h to _L r. o_n_d a o rk c ham l then m went to Windsor. forahout TlM—The ball usually held at this season in aid of the Wil it ~,`"s quite clear that this award had been irregte where I staye . t INI M funds of this meritorious institution took place at Wil it t gr, is untained, inasmuch as at the outset of the dispute five weeks ; I afterwards visited my uncle in Yorkshire lis's-rooms St. James's, last night, and it was matter of l'ratt fn by Treadwell that he vas indebted to for a bout six weeks. I then went to see a gentleman Pos ed "' the sum of 31., while the arbitration was sup. living at Hankley, near Colchester; and I was between con a on e g to the formation of one of the earliest of the trade in egee to have closed at five o'clock on the day already London and that place until . December, d 1847. I then an returned to ratultdion that the spirit which led, nearly 20 years or ti r with the result that that amount was really due, went abroad to Spam, eta members I el ' degree diminished. The lists of societies of the metropolis for the support of unfortunate ia in no c.)nt en , ratt would not have returned home; and it was L on don in August, 1848, and stayed till September. to h e t `td, therefore, on his behalf that the award ought I then went to Ireland, where I stayed about eight days, stewards bore am le.testimony to the leading houses of tig 3 et aside, and the matter iu dispute further inves- and in the wiettr of 1848 I went backward and forward ited. is and the forts of Messrs. Willis as caterers, and of Ininess taking an active part in effecting a cordial meet. between Mr. Palrnau's and Great Hankley, where one ing, eta 1 1111 • Justice ERLE granted a rule to show cause. of my guardians lived. In May, 1849, I came to Lon e 141 31 accordingly don, where I lived in lodgings at 17, Pall-mall, and I ti r ti nto nearl 500 persons. The funds already Mr. Adams and his band as musicians, afforded perfect sa s.ac o y . invested exceed 32,0001. 1L.., IN RE DAGITT. live there now. My affairs have remained unsettled till . her persons we LAst th e weene applied to the Court for leave to change now, because from the prisoner end ot a subscription for presenting BETH.—IIe parishioners of this extensive 'Sp 1 . na me el an at t or ney o f the court in the roll. The never could get proper accounts. Some of thejewellery parish have . entered into P teati h em on, he said, had been made to Mr. Justice Wil- I bought I swapped away again to one of the pant .. . 'es I one of their churchwardens, Mr. Robert Taylor, with a ehambere, who had referred the point to the b oug ht it of, some of it I k e pt, I have changed some of testimonial , in acknowledgment of . the services rendered neon Masters , but the Masters were of opinion th a t the intern it a way for oth e r a r ti c l e s o f eveeltery. I never sold ey ,him in connexion with the duties of his . epee. The eotild not be made without the gentleman for whom any of it. I gave away a chain to a man, which the active exertions of this gentleman in alleviating the dis . b now applied obtained permission to change his name prisoner had supplied me with. I sold some jewellery trees among the poor inhabitants of the parish caused by tini e T ti letters patent. lie moved upon an af fi davit to W a t er h ou s e , consisting o f di amon ds a nd rubies, which the cholera will cause his name to be held in grateful et , stated that Mr. William Dagitt Ingledew was ad- I' lied from varioua people. I sold some diamonds remembrance. -.tu t( ' a 1838 His n attorney of this court on the 6th of duly, to Waterhouse, which I had from Harris, and probably ___A . YPR . CPRIATE TFSTIMONIAL. -- The steam-ship ttri ' father, Mr. Henry Ingledew, who was alt o some I h a d f rom th e p r i sone r. I so ld hi m also some Wllherterae. which has just -arrived from Helvoetsluys, 4tttnattorney, , married the heir-at of a gentleman ru eies,_which I h a d f rom Cept a i n H o liky. The rubies has brought a package, containing a silver ink-stand and iu IV I) Y, Tisis lady died in December last, and and diamonds were taken as part of a contideradon four watches, one of gold and three of silver, which have . aptly'. will directed that her eldest son, the present d ue on some bill s g i ven w h en e was a m i no r. I took been sent over by the authotities in Holland as presents stlin i t e ," t i Should adopt her ancestral name of Da i+• goine o f the di amon d s eu t o f t e e sett i og f or m ere to Captain Moir and the crew of the vessel Minerva, rd, he had done without going to the expense of amusement. I don't know What became of the set. for a lesurnorial of their gallant bravery in saving the tt,, m ended by tea t lette rs patent or an Act of Parliament. It was tinge, I ra th er think t h ey went to b e me l te d t o Captain lives of the crew of the Netherlands ship Gratitude, in him and his a d v i sers t h at none were no - Bolden, who had a mat ble cruicible. I did not give the month of August last, off the Cape of Good Hope. viii, . oauparty th s t ' t T Y, since it had been laid down by Lord Tenderton any of the jewellery to a female which I had from the how for some time pending, and which has BILLIARDS.—We understand the champion match , ti t t letters might adopt Whatever surname he chose prisoner ; I gave aho u t qt./. worth to a lady, whom I of billiards, patent or en A ct o f Parliament, adding constantly visited when I was in barracks at Dublin. I caused extraordinary interest in Manchester of late, is, N , h these instruments were only obtained by persons gave her small awns of money from time to time, pro- under the sanction of the directors, to he decided 'in the o were an- . gener-i, anxious to make their change o f n ame more bably about 21. a week, I once pl a y e d i n D u bli n , I lecture-room of the Manchester Athenaeum, on Friday came to Dublin in the autumn of 1846 • ecr anY known to the world. ste • Justice BULB The house I evening next ; the match commencing at five o'clock. that , was aware that uo vva as a the Courts bad laid played at, on the ecension I refer t o , was t h e B lum - The competitors are the celebrated players, Mr. John rule, but lie thought it was accompanied wick H. and acute 1 . uel, I think, in Dublin. I played at hazard, and I Roberts, of Manchester, Mr. Starks, an American; - the four-ball - neitirea lostrior ti - 01l rin the r , cession on which 1 was thcr;'. i the match being to pleygame ; 1,000 up ; • entiee • e Lila Could not i ' a - °4 1.7 iimitatien was that - party i have not played at a gambling-house in London for a ! Roberts giving liN opponeet 100. From the excitement sid.. . atr r hi s name for fraudulent purposes - . Be- I i. , ng time. The latest time 1 playo i n a gam bling. already caused, a large number of persons are expected ‘." the authority he had mentioned, it had beau house was in the spring of 1847, in Dublin. I have not to witneka the Match—Manchester Guardian XCREQUER.-(THIS DAY.) This being the first day of Hilary Term, the Court Bat shortly before eleven o'clock, and heard several mo Lions for new trials, but they did not possess any feature of general interest. The Judges were the Lord Chief Baron, Mr. B aron Park, Mr. Baron Alderson, and Mr. Baron Platt. LIEUT. GALE'S PLAN FOR. THE DISCOVERY OF THE MISSING EXPEDI- TION OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. Lieutenant Gale, R.N., the celebrated mronaut, delivered, yesterday evening, the last of two very ex• cellent and interesting lectures oil the art and science 'of mrostatioze at the Literary Institution, Leicester square. To hear an elaborate description, and a cor rect and able account of the _history and progress of this, the most interesting of all sciences, from a prac tical man like Mr. Gale, was a treat of no ordinary character; for though he deals somewhat in theory, and speculates much on the probabilities of the art, he must have the credit of having con siderable experience in aerial navigation, and of hesitating to advance what does not seem to him capable of accomplishment. He rays that nearly all the serious or fatal accidents in ballooning have happened with inexperienced and incompetent mrodauts, who were unacquainted with the principles and details of the science, and makes the rather bold assertion that there is as much safety in the car of a well-managed balloon as in a railway carriage, the cabin of a steamer, or the inside of a stage-coach. As to the practicability of aerial locomotion, he seems to have no doubt, for he expresses his confident belief that a motive power, sufficient to propel a machine Jong. the air at the rate of thirty miles an hour, might be. discovered, if the ingenuity and knowledge of scientific men were directed to the subject. To show that his ideas were not altogether visionary , a small model balloon was floated in the air, and pro pelled backwards and forwards across the room by means of revolving sails, bearing some resemblance to the Archimedean screw, and worked by clockwork placed in the cer. On the subject of the missing ex pedition of Sir John Franklin, he complained severely of the Admiralty having taken advantage of his sug gestions for its discovery without making any acknowledgment. Experiments had been made at Woolwich to try the efficacy of his plan, but they had been carried out, he said, very clumsily, owing to the parties being almost altogether ignorant of the principles of aeronautics. It had always struck him that balloon ascents for the purpose of reconnoitring would be of incalculable service in exploring ex peditions, but it was not until the public mind was excited to the highest pitch as to the fate of Franklin and his men, that he develop e d hi s pl an s f o r the dis cevery of their whereabouts in the Artic regions. If he got there in the summer season, he would be favoured with continuous daylight, the peculiarity of the sun's rays would affect the buoyancy c f the bal loon, and as he would be able to signalize both by fog and smoke signals, and see by means of telescopes fur an immense distance, he was confident that his exertions would be attended with speedy and benefi cial results. He would make partial as well as independent ascents; the control of the balloon, in the farmer case, being obtained by one thousand fathoms of line or rope. He also proposed to have supplementary paper balloons of small size, which he would commit to the elements at intervals of an hour, and to each of which he would attach 100 letters, impervious to moisture, addressed to those whom he was in search of. By the aid of matches, to be lighted at the ascent, the letters would be spon taneously detached iu instalments, and be distributed in all directions as they landed on terra firma. After allusion to the abuse, ridicule, and calumny, with which his propositions had been received, he said he did not make them without an acquaintance with the region intended to be explored, for he had been as far north as Amethyst, North Cape, that was 72 degrees north latitude, and he therefore knew what difficulties actuated by no s h o e rd h id ad m t o o tiv c es o , nt a e n n d d into undue notoriety, h a a g v a in in g st no ( B le e s i i n re g to f zee himself be would rest content with the confident assurance that the feasibility of the plan would be ultimately recognized, though others might reap the credit which he hoped to win. THERE'S A SILVER LINING TO EVERY CLOUD." (From Eliza Cook's Journal ) The poet or priest who told us this Served mankind in the holiest way • For it lit up the earth with the star of ? bliss That beacons the soul with cheerful ray. Too often we wander despairing and bli n d , Breathing our useless murmurs aloud ; But 'tie kinder to bid us seek and find "A silver lining to every cloud." May we not walk in the dingle ground When nothing but Autumn's dead leaves are seen; But search beneath them, and peeping around Are the young spring tufts of blue and green. 'Tis a beautiful eye that ever perceives The presence of God in Mortality's crowd, 'Tis a saving creed that thinks and believes " There's a silver lining to every cloud." Let us look closely before we condemn Bushes that bear nor bloom nor fruit, There may not be beauty in leaves or stem, But virtue may dwell far down at the root; And let us beware how we utterly spurn Brothers that seem all cold and proud, If their bosoms were opened, perchance we might learn "There's a silver lining to every cloud." Let us not cast out Mercy and Truth, When Guilt is before us in shaius and shame, When Passion and Vice have cankered youth, And Ago lives on with a branded name. Something of good may still be there, Though its voice may never be heard aloud, For, while black with the vapours of pestilent air, "There's a silver lining to every cloud." Sad are the sorrows that oftentimes come, Heavy and dull and blighting and chill , Shutting the light from our heart and our home, Marring our hopes and defying our will; But let us not sink beneath the woe, 'Tit; well perchance we are teed and bowed, For be sure, though we may not oft see it below, " There's a silver lining to every cloud." And when stern Death, with skeleton hand, Has snatched the flower that grew in our breast, Do we not think of a fairer land, Where the lost are found, and the weary at rest? Ohl the-hope of the unknown Future springs, In its purest strength o'er the coffin and shroud, The shadow is dense, but Faith's spirit-voice sings " There's a silver lining to every cloud." Euz A. COOK. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, TUURSDAY. Her Majesty walked this morning in the Slopes and Windsor Park. The Royal'Family took their usual airings in the grounds adjacent to the Castle. His Royal Highness Prince Albert went out shooting this morning, attended by the Marquis of Breadalbane, Colonel Hon. C. Grey, and Colonel Seymour. Tile Rev. James Cartmell (Vice -Chancellor of Cambridge University), I( f 6 the Castle to-day. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert dined with her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent at Frogmore Tne royal suite consisted of the Marchioness of Douro, Hon. Caroline Cavendish, Hon. Lucy Kerr, the Earl of Listowel, General Bowie!, Colonel Hon. R. Boyle, Lord Charles Fitz roy, and Colonel F. H. Seymour. The Marquis of Breadalbane and the Earl of Liverpool had the honour of receiving invitation!, and also dined with the Royal Duchess to-day. The Duchess cf Kent had afterwards an evening party, receiving a select circle, including the Dowager Lady Lyttleton. The Hon. Miss Cavendish and the Hon. Miss Kerr have relieved the Hon. Miss Murray and the Hon. Miss Lennox in their duties as Maids cf Honour in Waiting to the Queen. Mr. Maurice C ross (D u bli n ), Secretary to the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland, had an interview with Sir George Grey on Tuesday at the Home-office. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a general meeting yesterday. The Commissioners for inquiring into Smithfield market and the markets in the city of Loudon for the sale of meat, bad a meeting on Wednesday. Mr. Geor ge C o rnewall Lewis, Sir Harry Verney, and Mr. John `'Food, were present. CO WE --- S, ISLE OF WIGHT. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) COWUS, Jett. 10. WANTON DESTRUCTION OF PROFEWIT AT NORTH WOOD HOUSE.—On Saturday morning last a number of rare and valuable shrubs in the front of Northwood House, West Cowes, were wantonly destroyed, •and also some beautiful rases and ornamental figures. The miscreants did a deal of other damage. A num ber of workmen have been discharged since the present Mr. Ward came to the estate, and it was feared that this damage must be done by some of them, as the most valuable articles were selected. On Tuesday, three lads, strangers to the premises, were taken before Captain Ffarington, R.N., one of the county magistrates, but though they were sworn to have been seen on the premises at about two, A.M. as. the damage was done about three, A.m., still there was not evidence enough against them to commit them, and the further hearing was adjourned till Sa turday next. The billy-boy, Francis of Hartlepool, Swan, master, from Alderney, with returned cement and empty casks, to discharge, arrived at this port on Friday last. About ten, r.rr , on Tuesday, the boy and mate on board, she took fire in the forecastle, and on discovery every means at hand were used to ex tinguiih the same, but to no purpose: the vessel was scuttled, ard at two, r N., the fire became extin guished, having burnt the whole of the spare sails and rigging and the under part of the decks, which will have to be shifted. SUPPRESSION OF BROTHELS.—We understand that a Bill for the more effectual suppression of brothels has been prepared, trod r the dim etion of the Committee of the Associate Institution, and that arrangements are in progress for its being submitted to Parliament early in the approaching seamen. INLAND BILLS OF EXCIIANGE. Inland bills of exchange are the chitf springes lui by the low usurers and non -brokers of the metro• polls to catch the unwary.. From the moment a mar . . has " put his hand"—aa the phrase runs—to one of these stamped slips of paper, he may, in minety-nine esaes out of a hundred, bid farewell for ever to all peace and independence of mind. The three ap pointed months run out as rapidly as the three last days of a criminal left for execution. The morning dawns at length when the victim of his follies or his I necessities must make his election between renewal on usurious terms or a suit with the certainty of failure, and cf all the costs which can be heaped up by the practised ingenuity of some low attorney, the refuse and scorn of his profession. Fresh bills for costs, renewals cif the old acceptances, warrants cf attorney, succeed each other with dizzy ra pidity, until the wretched dupe, who has suffered himself to be involved in the meshes of the money lender begins to perceive that the exertions of his future life are hypothecated to his tormentors. He cannot hope to procure for himself ultimate peace of mind—that is out of the question. All that he can t'xpect to accomplish is to be enabled to throw sops from time to time in sufficient abundance to quiet the rapacity and silence the demands of those who are ever threatening him with publicity and ruin, but who understand their evil trade too well to drive their victim too 'quickly to absolute despair. We fear there may be too many persons .who, on reading these few lines, will recognise in them the story of their own broken fortunes and broken hearts. But there is a still further and more immediate danger in meddling with inland bills of exchange when the acceptor is ignorant of the character of the parties with whom he is engaged. Net only does he subject himself to the natural consequences of his act, which are such as we have faintly indicated, but in all probability he will never see a sixpence of the sum in consideration of which he has signed away honour, character, and the hopes of his future life. Such is the state of the law—possibly the inevitable state—in reference to this subject, that where a bill of exchange has been fraudulently obtained, and is once thrown into circulation, the acceptor is without remedy. Nothing, naturally, is easier than to place two or three endorsements on the acceptance, which is ultimately presented for payment by a person, who, to all appearance, is a bond fide holder, r.nd has given valuable consideration for the bill. Of course it may well be, and generally is, the case that such an one is but a member of the gang of swindlers combined for a common dishonest pur purpose. But this will not help the unfortunate acceptor. If the holder of the bill be ready to per jure himself upon a single definite point—namely, that he has given good consideration—all the inge nuity of counsel the most practised in the cross examination of rogues will be of little avail. Toe peljured witness cannot be involved in a maze of contradictions. "On such a day, to such a man, I gave such a sufficient sum for the bill 13( fore the Court." Let a witness but remain firm to that asses- tion, and he is safe. Upon this basis it is that a nest of vagabonds who infest the metropolis habitually raise a superstructure of fraud, and almost with un failing success. The practice is to write, in the first instance, a letter to some person of good connexions, whose difficulties may have got wind, -offering to ac commodate him with a loan of money. If the per son who receives such a communication has not the goo&sense to throw the letter in the fire, his troubles commence. Let us suppose him to bite at the bait, and to return an answer to the application. He soon receives a reply ; his correspondents are ac commodating enough about terms. All that is re quired is that he shall sign and return two bill s o f exchange, enclosed for his Acceptance, and on a day named the money shall be paid in to his credit at a particular bank. The bills are signed and returned ; day alter day elapses beyond the time when the money was to be forthcoming, and at length a letter is received to the effect that the writer " regrets he could not keep his word, but unavoidable circum stances over which he had no control," &c. In a word, the money is not paid up, nor the bills re turned. It is needless to add that when the bills thus fraudulently obtained arrive at maturity they are presented for payment, upon the system we have .Aready explained, and must be duly honoured by the deluded and swindled acceptor. Twp cases of this kind—and very bad cases too— came to light the other day through proceedings taken at the Bankruptcy Court, when the affairs of one William Thomas Ferris were under course of in vestigation before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn. Of Ferris himself, professedly a builder and carpenter, we will say nothing. His certificate was most pro perly refused by the Commissioner, and he himself driven from the court, with perpetual infamy affixed to his name. It was the bill transactions which gave interest to the case, and this more especially as the dupe in one of them was the grandson of a man, whose name can never be mentioned without re spect and veneration by Englishmen—the late Sir Walter Scott. Lieutenant Scott was quartered with his regiment at Norwich, when in the early part of 1848 he received one of the letters we have de scribed, offering to accommodate him with the loan of 1,000/. on his acceptance for six months, with an understanding that it should be renewed at the expiration of that time on payment of interest. The correspondence was conducted by a person signing himself Moreton. A short time afterwards another of the gang wrote to Lieutenant Scott, informing him that he had been the victim of a swindle, but that ha would endeavour to procure back the bills for him. The subsequent facts of the case, as they ap peared in our impression of Tuesday, occupy a column and a half of close print, and might well be taken as a ground-work for a few chapters by any novelist who is meditating another " Pelham." Lieutenant Scott came to town, when he found Ferris, the bankrupt, representing himself as the bona fide holder of the bills, and he was finally induced to sign afresh bill of exchange for 325/., and a warrant of attorney for a similar sum ; in return for which, and 1001., he recovered his two original bills. Finally, we believe, in consequence of the verdict of a jury at Bristol, Lieutenant Scott escaped from a portion of these but was made to suffer severely in costs. The second case is like the first Lit is that of the lion. and Rev. William Curzon. In this instance a person signing himself Prescott first appeared when the curtain was drawn up. When the bills had been obtained, as in the case of Lieutenant Scott, Ferris, the bankrupt, again came forward as the bona file holder, who had advanced 250/. upon Mr. Curzon's acceptance fur 5001.; and then wa extract from our report : " Mr. Curzon, who was staying at the United Univer sity Club; wibte to Ferris, stating that he had received no consideration for the bill. Mr. Curzon then went to Welbeck-strect, but Prescott was not to be found. He then called upon the bankrupt, who expressed great in dignation at the conduct of Prescott. Re said he had agreed to discount Mr. Curzon's bill at 20 or 25 per cent., and had, in fulfilment of such agreement, actually advanced to Prescott 250/. Ferris added that he had never seen Prescott before ; that he was ignorant of his character and pursuits ; and that ho was never before engaged in such a transaction. Such are the averments in Mr. Curzon's affidavit. Ferris tpld Mr. Curzon that he knew Inspector Shackell, and would set him to find out Prescott ; and the next day Shackell and Ferris waited upon him and told him they had been unable to find out Prescott. Mr. Curzon returned to the country, but had not been there many days before ho received letters pressing for an arrange ment, and threatening to put the bill into circulation. Finally, Ferris went to Derby, and had an interview with Mr. Curzon, who,_ believing he bad innocently ad ' vanced the money to Prescott, gave Ferris an acceptance for 3004 at six weeks' date, promising at the expiration of that time to execute a warrant of attorney, payable, with interest, at twelve months' further date; Ferns, on his part, undertaking to cancel the 5001. bill. Ferris again went to Derby, taking with him a warrant of at torney, prepared by Mr. Jones, the solicitor, who pre pared a similar instrument in Mr. Scott's case, which Mr. Curzon executed." Mr. Curzon ultimately succeeded in resisting Ferris's demand, and finally compelled him to give up the warrant of attorney. Such are the brief outlines of two cases, which should be sufficient to put the public upon their guard. Let No one in want of I,oool.—and a good many people in England are in that position—listen to the syren song of an anonymous correspondent. Bills of exchange are very fair instruments in commerce and in the hands of men who know what they are about and the parties with whom they are dealing, but let all others beware how they affix their names to slips of stamped paper, binding them to a payment of money at the expiration of three months—even if there should be an understanding for renewal at the end of that time.—Times. MOUE SAVINGS-BANKS DEFALCATIONS.—SCIU BOROUGU.—On Saturday last, Mr. Thomas Smur waite, wine and spirit merchant, who has for several years acted as clerk to the savings' bank, was charged before Mr. Robert Tindall (the mayor), and other bo rough magistrates, with having embezzled money be longing to the depositors, between the years 1838 and 1850, to the amount of 1,000/. Mr. Smurwaite was re manded in custody until Monday lost, when he wrs again brought vp, and further remanded until Saturday next, to allow of an investigation being made into the affairs of the bank. Public notice has been given to the depositors to take in their books to-day and to-morrow, until which time it is impossible to state the amount of the prisoner's defalcations. The event has caused much sensation in the neighbouthood, the more so from the prisoner haying up to the present tint° borne an irre proachable character. It is hoped, nod indeed expected, that the deficiencies will net much exceed the the shove sum. The business of the bank i 3 ordere d by direc tors to be suspended until the 22d inst.—Eastern Coun ties Herald, Jan. 10, MR. LUMLEY.—The paragraph inserted in our Tmsday's impression, stating that Mr. Lumley brad broken his arm, has caused much anxiety aosoug his friends, and many urgent iuquiriee have been mitde. We are happy to add Mr. Lum le y has only slightly injured his left wrist, and is now almost well. INSTITUTION • OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. On Tuesday, January 8 .(Williim! Cubitt, R;q., President, in the enaic), the proceedings of the evening were commenced by an address from the Ptesidetit, on taking the chair for the first time after his election. After thanking the members for the honour con ferred en him, and modestly attributing his election to the fortuitous circumstance of his being "the se nior Vice-President in duration of oftee," rather than to any peculiar fitness on his part, he proceeded to direct attention to some matters relating to the in ternal policy of the institution, and proposed that the evening meetings should terminate at half-past nine o'clock, in order to afford an opportunity for the members and visitors to assemble in the library, and to obtain these personal introductions to each other, which constitute one of the great advantages of all societies. He then announced that the Council had, with great pleasure, acceded to the recommendation of the last annual general meeting, and had invited Mr. Walker, Sir John Rennie, and Mr. Field, the past presidents, to take their seats'at the council-table, in the council-room, and in the theatre, as "Honorary COuncillors," and that, in future, all those mem bers who should fill the posts of vice-president and president consecutively, holding the latter position for two years, should be considered "Honorary Council lors ;" expressing a hope, that the past presidents might long be spared, to continue that assistance from which the institution had already reaped so much advantage. He then announced that, as the representative of the Institution, he had been nominated a member of the Royal Commission fur the Promotion of the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, under the auspices of his Royal Highness the Prince Albert, and requested the aid and cordial concurrence of all the members in that "real Peace Congress." He then noticed some of the principal enerineering works which had been terminated, or had made great progress, during the past year ; commencing with the tubular bridges across the River Conway and the Menai Straits, which he designated as " pre-eminent for the boldness of the conception, the scientific sim plicity of the design, and the difficulty of the execution." He then proceeded thus :—" In tracing the original idea of the most advantageous disposition of a certain amount of material, in a tubular form ; the more definite conception of a hollow beam, to permit the passage and support the weight of an engine and train ; the experiments for determining the proper distribution of the material, •to prevent compres sion or disruption ; the arrangements for the cor - struction and building up these gigantic manses of material ; the means of floating them to their situa tions, and of raising them o their ultimate destina tion, at an elevation of one hundred and two feet above the sea (at high water of spring tides) ; we must feel justly proud of possessing among us the man whose comprehensive mind could originate this magnificent design, and so successfully perform a portion of the work, as to leave no doubt of its ultimate accomplishment. The world already duly appreciates this great undertaking, and we should not be behind hand in testifying our estimate of the bold conception of Mr. R. Stephenson in the original idea, his professional skill in the design and execution, his care and caution in availing himself of the talents and experience of Mr. W. Fairbairn and Mr. Eaton Hodgkinson, whose scientific investiga tions respecting the strength of cast-iron are so well known to the world and so highly appreciated by our profession, and his entrusting the general construc tion and elevation to Mr. Frank Forster and Mr. I Edwin Clarke. Upon the merits of all these gentle men we may look with pardonable pride and par tiality—their labours speak fOr themselves." The advantages which must result from the more general use of wrought-iron were then alluded to, and it was announced that the Commission appointed in 1847, for the purposes of examining into the forms and strengths of iron beams in railway structures, had enunciated the opinion " that any legislative enactments, with respect to the forms and proportions of the iron structures employed therein, would be highly inexpedient." The harbours of refuge now constructing at Dover, and in the Channel Islands, by Mr. Walker, at Port land and Holyhead, by Air. Ronde!, the docks at Leith and Grimsby, also by the latter gentleman ; the lighthouses at the Bishop's Rock, by 11.1 r. Walker, and at the Skerryvore, by Mr. Alan Stevenson, were noticed with great commendation, as most important works, admirably designed and executed. Details were then given of the steam-vessels con structed for the Holyhead, the Folkstone, and several other stations, in which the engines of Messrs Mends lay and Field , Miller, Penn, Seaward,' Rennie, For rester, and others, had been well allied to the vessels built by Messrs. Scott, Russell, Miller, Mare, Wigram, Laird, Vernon, Thompson, &c., and had enabled a speed of from sixteen to eighteen miles per hour to be attained, and, in conjunction with the railways, the journey between London and Dublin to be performed in eleven hours—and that between London and Paris to be accomplished in eight hours and a half, giving a death-blow to the onerous system of passport'. The large iron pontoon built by Messrs. E. B. Wilson and Co. (of Leeds), with a deck-area of twenty thousand square feet, to serve as a floating landing-stage at New Holland, rendering the trains of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Rail way independent of the tides and of the muddy shores of the Humber, was described, and the floating landing-stage previously constructed at Liverpool by the President, with a deck area of upwards of forty thousand square feet, was cursorily noticed, and an account of it was promised to the institution. The railway system of the country was next com mented on ; and it was stated, that there were now nearly five thousand fire hundred miles of railway completed in Great Britain, at a cost of two hundred and twenty millions sterling, derived from private sources, and expended within the realm, encouraging in a remarkable degree productive industry of all kinds, and inducing a revolution in all mercantile transactions and social relations. The example of England was noticed, in boldly abandoning the finest roads, and adopting throughout the length and breadth of the land a network of iron ways, over which, by the aid of steam, passengers and merchandise could be conveyed with a velocity which, at its original proposition, was deemed worse than visionary; which, first filling the Continent with amazement, eventually compelled imitation, and thus would ultimately introduce wants, and consequently civilization, to the most remote corners of the world. "If (continued the President) this be true, we are naturally led to inquire who were the authors of this great revolution ? what minds conceived, and what energies executed these vast projects? The reply, gentlemen, must spring spontaneously from you all —the Civil and Mechanical Engineers have been the great actors in this most interesting chapter of the social history of our country." The junior members ( f the profession were then addressed as to the opening now offered for the ex hibition. of their talents in the various subjects con nected with the sanitary question ; and apropos of the establishment of abattoirs, it was suggested, that the railways afforded greet facilities for bringing up large quantities of animal food ready for sale, instead of transporting living animals to be killed in a crowded city, and introducing noxious and unhealthy trades. If this system wire adopted, the general prices would be equalised, and all parties must be great gainers by the plan. The address then concluded, by directing the at tention of railway companies to the necessity of securing the highest engineering talent for the im provement of the mechanical and commercial working of the lines, and the necessity of setting at rest the question of " depreciation"—a desideratum which was telt to be of almost vital importance to railways, as an investment. The address was received with great applause, and was unanimously ordered to be printed and circulated. The discussion on Colonel Loyd's Paper, on the proposed Ship Canal across the Isthmus of Panama, was renewed and carried on with much spirit. The Papers to be read at the meeting of January 16th were announced to be "A Description of the Blackfriars Landing Pier," by P. Lawrence, and "Description of a Timber Bridge on the Line of the Lynn and Ely Railway," by J. S. Valentine, M. hat C. E. SABBATH OBSERVANCE AND THE POST-OITICE.-- The following notice has been issued:—" On and after Sunday, the 13th instant, all post-offices in England and \Vales will be closed to the public on Sunday, from 10 A.M., for the remainder of the day; except in those cases where the - delivery commences between 9 and 10 A.M., when the office must continue open for one hour after the letter-carriers are dispatched ; and except also in those cases where the delivery commenc e s latter than 10 A.M., when the office, having been closed at 10 A.m., must be re opened for one hour after the dispatch of the le tter ; carriers. On and after the same date no inland le tt ers will be received on the Sunday, except such as ar • paid by stamps or unpaid, for thedeposit the day. letter-box will be open as usual throughout A3tor during the Until the closing of the o ffi ce at rh lo of the . letter-carriers, of whic e h P the subsequent hour after the disp atch fort ign letters may at p o stego stamps may be obtained, and letters may pbaniiiregistered on payment of the usual registration fee; . " pre s - trangers, renters of private .I.isowhile ac limits o f offine th e i letter-carriers' , • ••• es, o n b i t l a d in ti: who resnl - 1 beyond the tine tatters nt :he office window. Except at s the times above mentioned, no letters or new.Ttipera can be delivered from the office on the Sunday." RA ILW AT CATTLE MARKETS. —It is proposed, should an Order in Council he passed for the abolition of Smithfield, to establish railway markets and abattoirs at or near the termilli of the Loudon and North-Western, Greet 'Western, Eastern Counties, and South Eastern Railways, each In%irkut to be connected with the other and the centre of the metropolis by el,etric t e legraph ( 8s in the Octroi system of to communicate the price of meat aed qualities of stuck every hour, or as cccasion may require. LIQUID MANURE. TO THE _EDITOR OF THE SUM SIR,-1 trust you will pardon me for addressing toyou the following observations, a liberty I venture to take from a conviction that every new discovery in agri cultural pursuits will tend to advance the benefits to be derived from a free trade in corn, a measure you so long and ably advocated. Having been induced to institute some experiments in farming concerns, in conjunction with a professional person of great Intel ' ligence and practical information, the issue may not be unworthy of notice. The first wets the substi tution of pointed lightning conductors for training vines, instead of the ordinary mode, by which instru mentality the e l ec t r i c fluid is drawn' down from all transient thunder clouds, that known and powerful agent in promoting vegetation. This plan was tried n w i d o t s h t i) sanguine e antic r fec success pa i a t n io d ns t , he result exceeded the the vine encircling a conductor, in luxuri a nce o f g r ow th al o a'sh'g neighbours, bearing a profusion iiit s adj acent fa r lof grapes superior both in quality and flavour. Hence I was led to examine the qualities of the different descriptions of manure, and found that the animal kind, when completely decomposed, is totally devoid of electricity, and is best adapted for agricul tural purposes. The case is similar w w h i ic tl h r r i e ,, g , a g r l d lan t y o s e b e a l e c i o o r u c s o . w - A h n o u i s n e fer liquid ence m m s a y n ure fairly, be deduced that the pointed and tiny blades of corn, es well probably as all plants, serve like small conductors to establish the equilibrium between positive and negative electricity, stimulating capillary attraction, and aiding theprogressiofgermination until they arrive at maturity. ' Should this conjecture prove correct, some important changes in husbandry may be introduced, by which much of an invaluable article might be saved that is now improvidently wasted or lost, and cultivation extended at a diminished expense. The preservation of liquid manure is an object that deserves the utmost attention and care. The re quisite drains and tanks, or cesspools, can be cheaply constructed in convenient spots, according to ap proved designs, either on a moderate or a large scale. At the same time, nothing -contributes more to the cleanliness of the cattle, or the improvement of their condition. It will be no longer necessary to dispatch ships to remote parts of the globe in seareh of guano, when a preferable substance lies abundantly within reach, and is easily procured. There is, then, little. reason to fear foreign competition, or to dread the depreciation of the landed interests. By the proper use of such means, and by active industry, no limit can be assigned to the produc tion of green fodder, to stall-feeding, and, conse quently, to the raising of rotation crops. A new era will dawn upon our country, unexampled in the history of nations, by the general diffusion of wealth, prosperity, and comfort. To begin with a single instance. All seed, before sowing, should be steeped, until saturated, in liquid manure, of sufficient consistency to form an adequate coating that will adhere to each grain, too much being over-exciting , to the delicate sprouts, and no more applied than is actually required, in proportion to the particular species. The process is peculiarly beneficial with respect to spring wheat, peas, beans, carrots, beet, and early potatoes. In garden business it is strongly recommended to dip previously in the same material the roots of all vegetables that need transplanting. By operations of this nature, and with prudent management, double advantages will be gained in economy of outlay in manure and in the cost of labour. These brief suggestions are submitted for conside ration with an anxious hope that they may engage the attention of individueN occupied in such affairs, feeling persuaded from the test of experience that their adoption will not fail to realise the expectations entertained, by insuring increased returns and yield ing ample fruits at the period of harvest. I am, Sir, &c., M. T. K. ON THE LAW OF MARRIAGE Wlrll A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER. 2'O THE EDITOR OF THE SlT,—fhave read with considerable pleasure the remarks which have lately appeared in your increas ing and influential jourivil on the above important subject; and seeing that the " Report of the Com missioners has entirely cleared away the moral rub bish of the question, why should not Parliament at once legislate and follow up the labours of their own Commissioners, by the immediate repeal of Lord Lyndhurst's Act ? Is it because the country is not fairly aroused on the question ? Or is it because the Puseyite persons prove harder to deal with than the Roman Catholic priesthood ? At any rate, Str, the sufferers naturally call in the aid of the press, and let me hope that you will assist with your own pen, and help us at the destruction of this last refuge of cant and hypocrisy, so far as the law of marriage is con cerned. The real origin of all this turmoil is easily traced back to the reign of King Henry VIII., of pious and blessed memory, as all kings are, or at least are said to be. Now this man, or rather this monster; who is said " never to have spared woman in his lust, or man in his rage, " had fallen in love with the widow of his elder brother Arthur, to whom he was married in the year 1509, the year that he ascended the throne. But I cannot do better than quote from an admirable little book by Mr. Campbell Foster on this subject. It therein appears that " some objections were urged against this marriage on the ground of the Princess Catharine being Henry's deceased brother's widow. After the question, however, had been fully discussed with the unanimous consent of the Council, Henry was publicly married to the Princess by the Archbishop of Canterbury, amidst great rejoicings." This seemed for the long period of seventeen years to bare been a very happy marriage, but a fresh beauty having appeared at Court as Maid of Honour to the Queen, in the person of Anne Boleyn—and she having been taught wisdom from experience, by the knowledge of the fate of her sister Mary, who had been seduced by the King, _and after being his mis tress for a short period, was des.ertediby him— she indignantly repelled the King's advances, saying that, " though she would be happy to be his wife, she would never condescend to he his mistress." Now a repulse like this naturally increased 'Henry's passion, and though seventeen-years had passed without a suspicion of the lawfulness of his marriage, yet, in the company of his confidants, he affected to fear that he was living in a state of incest with the relict of his brother. Now then came " the tug of war," and applied to Pope Clement for a divorce. The Pope, who up to that pericd was the universal head of the Church, refused it ; and, therefore, the pious King llenr3 , by the aid of his courtiers and evil council lore, determined to set himself up as " Thad of the Church" and " Defender of the Faith," and that has since been the title of successive monarchs of England, and remains so up to this day. At this period the law of 28th Henry VIII. and the other Acts of the reign of King Henry on the subject of marriage were passed ; and it is well expressed in the " little book" before alluded 0, " that to this vile and vicious source do we trace the first appearance of the prohibition of marriage be tween persons related by affinity in our statutes, opposition to which heaped disgrace on Cardinal Wolsey, and eventually brought one of the brightest ornamenta that England has ever had cause to be proud of—the great and the good Sir Thomas More —to the block." It appears that the great and influential body of the Dissenters are beginning to move on this question, and there has been a meeting at Southampton to peti tion on the subject. The leaders of the Dissenters are almost all of them in favour of the repeal of Lord Lyndhurst's Act, as being pregnant with immo rality and crime. Among the Baptists the evidence of the Reverend Mr. Binney is very important, and the most numerous body of Dissenters in the kingdom, the Wesleyan Methodists, will be glad to peruse an extract from a letter to the Commissioners from the Rev. Jabez Bunting :—" I have a strong opinion, as far as my present acquaint ance with the argument on both sides authorises me to express an opinion, that the law of God, as exhi bited in the Holy Scriptures, does not clearly prohibit the marriage of a bereaved husband with the sister of his deceased wife ; and that it had been better if, where the law of God is not, at all events, decided and explicit, the prohibition of human law had never been introduced. This is the language o f truth, of soberness, and of common sense, and must eventually prevail. Why 't is for a moment delayed is a puzzle to everybody. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, ALEBED. R e gent's Park, Jan. 10, 1850. * Lingard's " History of England," vol. vi., p. 3. ACCIDENT ON THE BANKS OF THE THAMES.-011 Tuesday, the Bth inst., a young gentleman was walking by the side of the Tham es , near Ch elsea Waterworks, when his hat was blown off, in attempting to recover which he stepped on th e mu d, i t b e i ng low tide. He sank in, and his face being covered with the mud, and unable to see, he made for the Thames instead of the bank. A steam-boat had just passed, and one of the back waves carried the lad into the water, and he speedily sank. A brave fellow, a wor k man, of t h e name of Rogers, living at 28, St. George' s - row , see i ng the accident, jumped from the high wall of the waterworks, and struggled through the mud until ho arrived at tho Tofhhaims life, Thames, when, already nearly exhausted, and at the peril he plunged into the watts, and sueeeed , ed in finding the boy, whom he conveyed into the works in an inanimate state, where they stripped him, wrapped him up in the workmen's coats, and placed him upon the top of the boiler. Dr. W. Pettigrew was speedily in a ttendance, and, after about threo hours' exerti, r,, aided by the workmen, smccectled in restoring tho boy to life and speech; but he could recolket nr.,thing of the acci dent, except that he had been seeping his hat. Mr. Y. WodehGuse had an interview with Earl Grey ,yesterday at the Colonial-office. " s ,