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

tbaracter. He had, however, an oppe - tu! ity in his Place in the Soave of confrontieg hts hely den yng the truth ~ harg a ..,; , 11n,t hint—of Challenging them to prove th- M —but they clunk away, abashed and ail. need, Atter this C ,- ,11 , 1 . :C1nv, proof of the tiler groundlessness of the charg , a preterred against him Count de Thorear might well heve expected that he would he permitted to carry '.ll the Governor 'et witnout being exposed to the repetition of simdar attacks. But in the mouth of October ls•t 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 countries of the freedom and impartiality of the English press gave an extraordinary weight and force to every thing that appeared in the colu'ens of an English Journal. It is not supposed that it could be pos•iele that private malice could tied vent through these channels, P and certainly what they contain was supposed to be the impartial and disinterested expression of enligntened Public opinion. It was quire imp ssible, therefore, for the Count de Thomar to all et to despise or disregard attacks from such a quarter and to hope to be able to c arry on the Governmeet a , lventageously to the country and with the support of public 'pinion. 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 per.ectly satisfied that if' his cause be just, he may tearlessly confide it to the tree, upright, and impartial ariministration of British justice. lhe articl e i n qu , stion professed to be a letter fr om the correspondents of the newspaper at Lisbon, and was published under the signature of "Fabricius." It as , utn.d to give an acc.nuit of the circumstances under which the Count was elevated to power, and the manner 4. in which he had amassed his large fortune. The letter , W as prefa ce d by t h e remar k th a t th e su bj o i ne d l etter h a d been recei ve d th roug h a we ll-k nown c h anne l, a ddi ng t h a t theh Paper could not vouch for the accuracy of the state ments put forth except so far as the fact that It Member of the Cabral family had been again appointed 'Minister. The letter which was next introduced, after stl lling the circumstances which had led to a change of Ministers in Portugal, proceeded to state—"l wish to tontribute as much as lies in my power that you may be e nabled to persist in stigmatizing the immorality of such Choice, springing, as it does, from an abject Court in trigue, ' by sending you curious information I possess r especti ng that notorious statesman C ount d e T homar, i, t4 ally astonishes me how so impolitic a choice could : 411.0 been made ; the choice of such a discreditable man t o form a Ministry, unless credence be given to the g e neral rum ours , w hi c h p ossess some a pp earance o f t t ,_ re th. about the l a t e c on du c t of a hi g h . p e r sonage '4wards this low patriot." Now this was an abomi nable and shameful imputation; but it went on—" a cir- M stance by which he well knew how to profit, and by wh ich he has attained influence and power." The b Co unt was, of c ourse , ver y unwilling to introduce h er e ji - sty's na me i n t o th ese p rocee dings, but he f e lt it t o his duty to state that there was not the slightest , n u ndation fo r th e scan dalous imputation conve y e d ehi. this letter. He solemnly denied that his being P;ZerlietyMinister was procured or influenced by im of any kind whatever, either on the t r t of her Majesty, nor did it arise out of any intrigue ittsveen herself an d the Q uee n of Portugal. H e , i n ?11, solem n ly d en i e d th at h e was ever gu ilty o f any i tit or immoral conduct towards her Majesty, or of T he conduct unbecoming that of a faithful, loving subject. letter then went on to charge the Count, in the r iVet disti nct aa d unequ i voca l terms, w i t h h av i ng oh -4114,1;ed the l arge sum o f 158 , 0001. b y t h e most corrupt di: l ,, immoral p rac ti ces . Thi s was mos t so l emn ly an d th : t inctly d enied on the part of the C ount. He stated it Was wilfully and entirely false. The letter then w ent k. on to ch arge th e C oun t an d hi s b ro th er w i t h wh i n!? received a sum of money from a gas company, ord had p a id a large sum for t h e patents, h onours, f. a e er er and titl es w hi c h h e b a d conferred upon it, and ofoounted for his possessing 30,0001. in the Bank to „ la glalld, and 8,000/, in the Bank of Portugal, eei s we Pursuit of broadly practices since da -1802. d . the distinctly ke .. A. sum of money was received by the Govern -14 for the privileges conferred on the company, a pr p o ec tioo which was in strict conformity with the laws of delrfugal, but that the whole of the money so paid was ot accounted for by the Government. The Count obt r e st lY declared no part of his fortune or estates was ii_tkined by fraudulent or improper means, but by t u : n ast and honourable industry. Under these circum et th e " it was inepo'ssible to doubt the serious character Th e e i mputations contained in the libel he had read. ei l „„ e" Moat unequivocal denial was given to all the .... th 4 r. Justice P ATTESO N inq u ired if it appe a r e d w h en es P ub lication first attracted the notice of the Count? THESIGER replied in October. The paper in , It ion was publi s h e d i n S e pt em b er , b u t ow i ng t o th e Lure of the communications between this country and tk e rtligal, delay had necessarily taken place. In fact or affidavits w ere not o b ta i ned until the very last d ay the last term, and he had come to the court at the grhest day that presented itself. M. Justice PATTF.SoN--Take a rule. Application granted accordingly. This DAY.) xhis being the first day of Hilary Term, the Court t ; 4t shortly before eleven o'clock, and heard several mo o ,Ptis for new trials, but they did not possess any f ea t ure sseneral interest. 4 , 11 e Judges were the Lord Chief Bar, Mr. Baron a tg) Mr. Baron Alderson, and Mr. Baron on Platt. 'AIL COURT.—(THIS DAY.) (Br fore Mr. Justice ERLE.) PRATT v. TREADWELL. kr m kr..4 Itl.i.oa was instructed to move, on behalf of thi s ' c e l la, for a rule to show cause why the award i n aside, on the ground of ir retitwas.e should not be set e4 e : t r i f o f ri Y- of Mr. Treadwel l was the contractor for the cod ti , . a certain portion of the Oxford, Wor cester, . as it hu.,,t oiverhampton Railway ; and, Mr. Pratt,_who w T r , oder, residing at Birmingham, made a tender to Mr. 144.4-ell for the execution of the part of the works of ! pea within the pariiih of Stoke Prior, In the count y Nil:Wee:l4z which was accepted by Mr. fra: l ', l ginal design for the execution of these wOr h k e s e w x a e s . otitZ € Q, upon the supposition that they were to was 4ot ' 11:1 brick, but, for some reason or other, w hic h etit,fliselosed, the works were, in fact . ,. exe_n thi-"„.;a stone. Now, by a rule of practice thei ori:;„ — ',Lway, and on all other railways, when!vebrriek kia7,,, 111 Plan contained a . design to be executed in the elle was substituted, it becamenecessary to increase bid Ituelasions of the work by one-eight h, an d a dispute t hat ! ti sea between Mr. Pratt and Mr. Tea dwell as to kai increase in these' articular works. Mr. Teadwell ot:tlined that he ought not to pay for the in c re ased thelißbal, but according to the original dimensio ns ofof 17 51 1t s; and while Mr. Pratt claimed a balance o iiilvu'l,,,c.ar. Treadwell contended that the balance did not Oilr tl i — ` to more than 31. In this state of thinst o h n e the t- ,, e ! agreed to refer the dispute to arbitration, a n d . _ kh th of 1 O ctober t he ar bitrators , Messrs. Smith -.al ) i e l ast , li t tb: r , w dog, with Mr. Boddington for their umpire, met he ' 4 44: '/ourge Hotel in Droitwich, and went into t et t ,,,:" 1 % The arbitration sat till five o'clockin te tth ilt `bg. mud ultimately it closed with the un d ers t a nd in g due to r t t tlf ere was a balance of 31 . and upward s o Mr . 4. Ciri t- ' w ho then returned to his home in Birmingham. . I%4ll:lately for him, however, his solicitor a de d ter o m n in e e n d . teri: ton:mining in Droitwich for the night, n be was ilir n g the George Hotel about eight o'cl ock li. tjte l sed at observing Mr. Pumfrey, Treadwe ll's . s h o ad trev . . s t e fte out of the room where the arbitration ! ears 1111 Y been held. About ten o'clock, so metw o osie l Iffterwards, he determined upon enter ing . the ti le I,' 411 d oft going in he found the two arbitrators and %.titifllie seated round a table, and a Mr. I attison tot ,p , the menacing clerk of Treadwell, engaged in the kee,,ii; reeking out the accounts between the . panics. e ,llit,tig.ouniewhat interested in what was going on, h e '4 04 n fu the room for a short while, and at length Pa N u N•urtiti jumped up, and, slapping the table with CNp i ,„ .. ,foree', exclaimed, " The award is ours, Pratt is d t ti4; l4 40 Mr. Pratt's solicitor a- lemoly pr otested °lite!' tail strange mode of proceeding, when . be t w hat till,);.A.,,,,yibt:tl:ierbybeMr. Dowling, one of the arbitrators. 1 quiet, for it he did not, be (Mr. Dow • ttlemltti a uthority in he room, and he would exercise bt.4 eerdering the ; waiters to turn him out it he did net 4 ..art. s m i thelf; then, turning to the other arbitrator, said i ,„, do net recognioe that aceount?' , teat tlut erigrom nervous sickness, and incom lithj,et with decision , said he did; when Mr. Dow lin g . , tf3r, t r n lt ' t '' ive lY directed Mr. Pumfrey, Treadwell's solicit- Z"tild; Make" out the award at once. This, however, l ey - : t be done in a moment, and therefore Mr. Purn hi4a (I t o ' : ;op a memorandum stating that Pratt was 1 04 1, b li t — 'to Treadwell ' in the sum of 41., which Mr. tke,„,i"g B igned, and then directed Mr. Smith to do l•Nir e ,,,l: whieh he did. Subsequently, on the 13th of e st tu b er. the arbitrators published their award, di klgether tract to pay the sum of 41. 13s. 6d. to Treadwell, snze v •-- wtta the costs and charges of the reference. 1, 11 it w u quite l that this siw,,rd had been irregu t ti e Itifined d ; t inasmuch as at the outset of the dispute Pe arl' lB 4,l 4 l , l4 fod by Treadwell that he vas indebted to 11 t o - h" fi util of 3/., while the arbitration was sup (74ned,-,ilt,_ closed at five o'clock on the day already ; o t ti k te r t; ti - ra lf the result that that amount was really due, a would not have returned home; and it was to he se cie t",: s 4 ; ,herefOre, on his behalf that the award ought tilted . "''"e, and the matter in dispute further inves ilk j hal o Z i k e ERLE grante d a ru l e to show cause. accordingly thekr r r IN RE DACITT. e.th,'IDRL,./. applied to the Court for leave to change It IPPlie;;;" °L an attorney of the court in th , roll. The 04 Lla it e ittl cation, h e s aid, ' had - been made to Mr. Justice Wil ti uta ambers, who had referred the point to the 4 :4 couiwbut the Masters were of opinion that the altera b ow . no .t De made without the gentleman for whom 2 rovolPhed obtained permission to change his name - Tel e ii -- letters patent. He moved upon an affidavit kitttdilteted that Mr. William Dagitt Ingledew was ad -1%4 Ills attorney ' of this court on the 6th of July , „ 11 att a r father, Mr. Henry Ingledew, who was a lso ; l ibel tleY, married the heir-at-law of a gentleman r ~..',lgitt- This lady died in December last, and lito olie -Ttil a .. by directed that her eldest son, the present ly r hith44ht; sad adopt her ancestral name of Dagitt, ro yal 1 . "td done without going to the expense o f co patent or an Act of Parliament. It was esstm. 'd bY him and his advisers that none we're ne thet It Y , since it had been laid down by Lord Tenderton % ti l l th outl a e r t t t s blight adopt whatever surname he chose td, t h letter patent or an Act of Parliament, adding Il bo e:r4 instruments were only obtained by persons world, change of name more it tl k t et r!j il i s it t a i n ti c o x e w i n u tOth niake Entas weasw;wrar:e that the Courts bad . laid_ 'slidAl tis°oll;7le laismaitarutiloen.but he thought it was accompanied Nil Üb tLL bal d the only limitation was that a party lii des t" V t e al _ft r.'llia. name for fraudulent purposes. Bee " I ffaCtrity he had mentioned, it had been THE SUN, LONDON, held, in a criminal prosecution, that a party, no matter wh Aber lid were defendant or prosecutor, must be de se, ibed Ey the 119.113, he vnerally adopted as his own. Mr. Justice ERLE granted a rule to show cause. - Rule nisi accordingly. b•~en in gambling-houses in London since 1845. I have played at haz it'd. I did not play high. (The trial was proceding when our report left, with the probability of its, continuing till a late hour.) TITHE COMMUTATION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—As your agricultural as well as clerical readers may feel anxious to know the result of the corn averages for the seven years to Christmas lost, published in the London Gazette of this evening, viz.:— Wheat ... 6s. 711. per Imperial bushel Barley ... 4 14 ditto Oats... ... 2 8i ditto, I beg to state for their information, that each 1001. of rent charge will, for the year 1850, amount to 981. 16s. 10d., or about one and one-third per cent. lower than last year. The following statement from my Annual Tithe Commutation Tables will show the worth of 100/. of rent chic ge fur each year since the pasting of the Tithe Commutation Act, viz : For the year 1837 .., ~ 1838 ... PI 1839 .., 1840 II • I ~ 1841 . , „ 1842 ... „ 1843 ... ~ 1844 .. ~ 1845 ... ~ 1846 ... If 1847 ... II 1848 ... IP 1849 ... PI 1850 ... .£9B 13 94 ... 97 7 11 .. 95 7 9 ... 98 15 9i -• 102 12 5k ... 105 8 2 1 ... 105 12 2- ... 104 3 5 - 103 17 11 1 ... 102 17 81 ... 99 18 10 4 ... 102 1 0 ... 100 3 71- ... 98 16 10 14) 1,415 17 64 General average for 14 years £lOl 2 8 I am, Sir, your most obtdient servant CHARLES M. WILLICH, 25, Suffolk-street, Pall-mall, Jan. 8, 1850. ARCHES' COURT.-(THIS DAY.) John Dodson sat for Sir H. Jenner Fust, the L"arurd Ju being confined to his bed with the gout. The usual forms which take place on the first day of term were gone through, after which the Court opened, hut there was not one case of public interest in conse quence of the absence of the Leaned Judge. SECONDARIES'.—(THIS DAY.) (B4ore MY. Secondary rorrEu ) TUE QUEEN V. LAURANCE. WRIT OF ELEGIT.—This was a writ of elegit sued out 1)0 behalf of a Mr. Thomas Abdey, to ascertain what lau.ds and her 'itaments Hannah Laurence possessed within the Bailiwick of the City. The Learned SECONDARY explained that the object of this proceeding was to take the rents of any property belonging to defendant in satisfaction of the debt claimed. Evidence was then adduced to show that defendant was ihdebted in the sum of 260/. on the mortgage of cer t4in freehold premises,;being Nos.6and 8 Snow •hill, and 47, Skinnier-btreet, Snow-hill, let at a rental of 2501. per annum, of which defendant is entitled under the will of her father to one-eighth share. Th 4 jury returned a verdi.•t to that effect. LIABILITY TO SERVE ON JURlES.—Several gentle. men appeared to claim exemption from serving on tte jury. . _ The first application was made on behalf of a gentle man named Willett, 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 ot tained profit or carried on any trade or business within the City was liable to serve, and it was peculiar to the City that the occupation of one room was sufficient, and even the receipt of letters there ; and it had been 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 o❑ the ground that he was a magistrate. The SECONDARY said that was no excust in this court, and he must put Mr. Willett's name down for another Jury, and cause him to be served with the summons at Norwich. CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) OLD COURT. (Before Mr. Justice TALrouaD.) Lewis Joel, a respectably-dressed young man, aged 25, described as a jeweller, was this morning placed at the bar upon an indictment charging him with feloniously uttering, by false pretences, a forged bill of exchange for 1,000/., with intent to defraud John Marcus Clements. Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Bodkin conducted the prosecu tion, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. Montague Chambers and Mr. Ballantine. John Marcus Clements, the prosecutor, was called as witness. He said—l am 23 years of age. I arrived at the age of 21 on the 27th of July, 1347. At that time I was a lieutenant in the 13th Light Dragoons. I was en titled to landed property in Ireland on attaining my ma jority. During my minority I had several monetary transactions with the prisoner, who had a place of busi ness in Dublin. I think my transactions began with him in January, 1847. He used to come to my rooms in barracks in Dublin, bringing pictures, musical instru ments, and jewellery, and he also lent money. When I was near my majority I made a communication with a Mr. Palman as to my affairs in April, 1847, and also to Mr. Murdoch, one of my guardians. The latter is a partner in the banking-house of Bouverie and Co. in London. I placed my affairs and my debts in the hands of Mr. Palman and my guardians. I gave Mr. Palman authority verbally to arrange my affairs with the prisoner. When I first consuted Mr. Palman was in the latter end of 1847. In consequence of some in formation I received, I went on the 21st of December to Messrs. Davis and Campbell's, the solicitors' office, in Warwick -street, where I saw a bill of exchange, pur porting to be accepted by me, for 1,0004, dated sth August, 1847, and payable at two months after date. That acceptance is not in my handwriting, nor was it given by my authority. I never accepted a bi4l for 1,0001. in my life. I ❑ever in my life accepted a bill in blank. In the month of July, 1847, I never made an arrangement with the prisoner that if he would not take legal proceedings against me in Dublin, I would give my acceptance in blank for 1,0001., upon a suitable stamp, which he might fill up when I came of age in the month of August. No such arrangement was ever the subject of conversa tion between him and me. My affairs at that time were in fact in the hands of Mr. Palman. In last December a demand was first made upon me for this bill of 1,000!. I first learnt from Mr. Palman that such a bill was in existence, and I authorised him to take such proceedings as he might deem necessary with respect to it. I never tried to evade any process against me for the recovery of the amount of this bill. I never heard of such pro cess being issued by Mr. Dike, of the Temple. Cross examined by Mr. Cifearuees—l entered the army at 17, when I was allowed 3001. a year, which was increased to 4001. a year before I came of age. I can not tell exactly how long it was before I was 21 that I was allowed 4001. a year. My impression is that it was two years before. It was paid from the Court of Chan cery through Messrs. Bouverie and Co. I drew on Messrs. Bouverie and Co. for the amount. I was first of all a cornet for three years, during which I had upwards of 1004 a year pay. Messrs. Cox and Co. were the army agents in England for the regiment. Armett and Borough, of Dublin, were the Irish agents, and I drew my pay through them. I was afterwards a lieutenant, when my pay was increased. a shilling a day. During the last of the four years I was in the army, my income was a littl more than 5001 a year. I purchased both my cornetcy and my lieute nancy, the former of which cost 8401., and the latter 1,200/., but the money did not pass through my hands; it passed through the hands of my friends. In the latter end of April, 1847, I communicated with Mr. Palman, who is a barrister, and who was then in Dublin. He was there as the friend of a Mr. Donny, a brother officer, by whom he was introduced to me. My impression is that I was then in debt about 5,0001.-6,0001. lam certain would have covered my debts. I had not borrowed much money between the age of 17 and 21. I should doubt it I borrowed 1,0004 in cash out of the 6,0001. constituting my debts. My belief is I did not borrow more. ttly debts consisted of about 3,0001. for goods supplied to me, for which I had given bills. I had four bill creditors when I came of age, the prisoner being one of them. The other three were Mr. Harris, a jeweller and money lender in Dublin; Mr. Rubenstine and Mr. Marcus. Mr. Waterhouse was also a creditor, who had supplied me with jewellery. I never remember giving Waterhouse a bill. I once gave him a cheque, which I paid. I l believe I never accepted a bill to Mr. Waterhouse. I owed him as much as 125/. I will not swear, at this distance of time, that I did not give him a bill of exchange or pro. rnissory note for that debt. My firm impression is I did not. I don't think I ever gave him a promissory note for 113/, 108. It is barely possible , I could have for gotten such a thing. I believe I did not give him such a bill on the 26th May, 1647, but I will-not swear it. Mr. llarris had bills of mine, and he got a verdict against me in a court of justice in Ireland for 3004 odd, which has been paid since I came of age. On kearing he had brought a❑ action agaiust me I did nothing; the matter was in the hands of my friends. I never went to look at the bills for which Mr. Harris sued me. I did say three of those bills were forgeries, and I say . so now. I have nF ver seen those three bills. I have not got those bills. Mr. Franks, in Dublin, was the attorney for my guar. deans in that action. I cannot recollect the amounts of the bills I allege to be forgeries, but I think the total amount was 8401. for which he brought the action. Ido not recollect upon how many bills that action was brought; my impression is about five. Two of them were dated after I came of age. I knew I was not liable for the bills accepted during my minority. I know that was the defence made for me with respect to some of those bills, and the others were charged to be forgeries. I have never had an opportu nity of seeing those bills which were alleged to be for geries. My friends tried to get them impounded.' By my friends I refer to Mr. Palman, Mr. Mevido, and Mr. Markham. (Here a bill was handed to him.) I now believe, on looking at this paper, that on the 28th May, 1847, I gave Mr. Waterhouse a promissory note for 113/. 10s. I suppose I owed him that sum at that time. I believe a cheque which I gave Mr. Waterhouse in the spring of 1847 for 100/. and odd, which I owed him at that time, was paid. It may have been this bill, and not a cheque, which I gave him. I sold -my commission in August, I think. I left Dublin in the summer of 1847, and came to London. I then went to Windsor. where I stayed with Mr. Markham, my guardian, for *about five weeks ; I afterwards visited my uncle in Yorkshire for about six weeks. I then went to see a gentleman living at Hankley, near Colchester; and I was between London and that place until December, 1847. I then went abroad to Spain, and returned to London in August, 1848, and, stayed till September. I then went to Ireland, where I stayed about eight days, and in the winter of 1848 I went backward and forward between Mr. Palman'a and Great Hankley, where one of my guardians lived. In May, 1849, I came to Lon dun, where I lived in lodgings at 17, Pall-mall, and I live there now. My affairs have remained unsettled till now, because from the prisoner and other persons are never could get proper accounts. Some of the jewellery I bought I swapped away again to one of the parties I bought it of, some of it I kept. I have changed 'some of it away for other articles of jewellery. I never sold any of it. I gave away a chain to a man, which the prisoner had supplied me with. I sold come jewellery to Waterhouse, consisting of diamonds and rubies, which I had from various people. I sold some diamonds to Waterhouse, which I had from Harris, and probably some I had from the prisoner. I sold him also some rubies, which I had from Captain Holden. The rubies and diamonds were talc , n as part of a consideration due on some bills given when I was a minor. I took some of the diamonds out of the setting for mere amusement. I don't know what became of the set tings, I rather think they went to be melted to Captain Holdm, who had a marble cruicible. I did not give any of the jewellery to a female which I had from the prisoner ; 1 gave about 20/. worth to a lady, whom I constantly visited when I was in barracks at Dublin. I gave her small sums of money from time to time, pro bably about 21. a week. I once played in Dublin. I came to Dublin in the autumn of 1846 The house I played et, on the occasion I refer to, was the Bruns wick Hotel, I think, in Dublin. I played at hazard, and I neither lost nor won on the occasion on which I was there. I have not played at a gambling-house in London for a long time. The latest time 1 played in a gambling house was in the spring of 1847, in Dublin. I have not DARING ROBBER? OF UPWARDS OF 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, carcase-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 half-past seven o'clock last e vening he went to his sale-shop, a few doors away, and returned in about half an hour, when, to his great astonishment, he found that the lock of the door had been picked, and the iron safe, weighing 1 cwt., had been carried away —a sack and a small piece of candle being left in its stead. In the safe was deposited 631. in silver, which ne had just before placed there, besides gold, notes, and bills of exchange, to the amount of between 2,0001. and 3,0001. Information was at once forwarded to Scotland • yard, and the police were prompt in making inquiries, but the only clue was that two men with a truck were seen near the spot about the time. DARING BURGLARY NEAR HOYLAKE, CHESHIRE. —CHESTER, THURSDAY.—About half-past eight o'clock last night a most daring burglary was committed by three ruffians, disguised with black masks, at the house of Mr. Hall, a respectable miller, living at a lonely, se• questered spot on the road leading from Moreton to Hoylake. The ruffians inflicted several gashes on Mr. Hall's head in a scuffle, acid discharged a pistol at him, though happily the aim did not take effect. After ran sacking the house they made their escape with a small sum of money, which was all that they could find, and two guns, one double- barrelled and worth 20L The robbers belong to a gang that has lately infested the neighbourhood, but hopes are entertained that they will speedily be arrested. Among the portions of the American President's Message which have excited interest in the City are the paragraphs relating to the various routes to the Pacific, their effect being such as to confirm the impression that before the lapse of any lengthened period the traffic be• tween the two oceans, both by land and water, will be successfully established. The ship canal is alluded to as a work already undertaken by an American company under a specific charter from the state of Nicaragua, who feel sufficient confidence in their prospects to desire no assistance from their own Government beyond its guarantee of the neutrality of the line. The route through the southern part of Mexico to the Gulf of Tehuantepec is also mentioned as one for which a large sum was formerly offered by the American Government, but which it is now considered would be of sufficient benefit to Mexico to induce her gladly to grant a gra tuitous concession to any parties who would enter upon the task. The completion of the railroad across the Isthmus of Panama under the protection of the treaty ratified with New Granada, in June, 1848, is recommended to be encouraged and facilitated, and finally the opening of a communication with the Pacific entirely through the United States territory, either by means of a railway, or other road, is submitted for the consideration of Congress for a decision as to whether it should be undertaken as a national improve • went, or be left to individual enterprise, a careful recoot• naisance by a scientific corps, and a report as to the practicability and probable cost of the plan being re quired as preliminary measures. It is seen that each of these lines may be constructed independently, and not only without injury to each other, but, perhaps, with mutual benefit. The Panama and Nicaragua routes are, however, those which will monopolize attention for some years, and the latter it may be confidently believed from its singular advantages will constitute the only line of water communication that will ever be constructed. The arrangements for its commencement, according to the representations made to General Taylor, are now delayed only by the necessity of waiting for the adjustment of the political questions connected with the territory through which it will pass, and looking at the work as one surpassing all others in its probable effects on the commercial progress end welfare of England, and of the world, the prolongation of this impediment, should it be permitted, will become a severe reproach.—Times' City Article. NEWSVENDERS' BENEVOLENT AND PROVIDENT IN. STITIITION.—Last evening a quarterly meeting of the committee of the above institution, founded in 1839, for the purpose of granting temporary relief and permanent assistance by way of pensions to masters and servants engaged as venders of newspapers, who from age, infir mity, or distress, may require the aid of the benevolent, was held at the Newsvendera' Hall, Black Horse-court, Fleet-street, for the transaction of ordinary business; Mr. L. Wild, in the chair. The report congratulated the members on the steady progress the society was waking, although at the same time the committee urge the necessity of an increased support to meet the grow ing claims of the infirm and needy. The invested capital is at present 1,0001. THE HECATE AT NEW YORK. -- The British steamer Hecate, now lying off our navy yard, is about 700 or 800 tons, and carries four 84-pounders. When she fired her salute it was remarked by our officers that they bad never heard' quicker firing. The salute was returned from the Navy yard, and the captain and offi cers of the Hecate were received at the residence of Commodore Bullard. A salute of six guns was tired from the yard upon the landing of the Minister. The Hecate came up the Potomac without the least impedi ment, and anchored off the arsenal before any notice of her approach had been given, and the surprise was com plete. Our war vessels often make great blunders, run on shoals, are detained for days, and in one case lost one officer and boats's crew, before they can get up. The Hecate was boarded by a pilot 40 miles out at sea, —New York Journal of Commerce. HEALTH OP SIR HARRY have plea sure in being able to contradict the report which has been in circulation for some days past respecting the serious and dangerous illness of Sir Harry Smith. No such intelligence has been received either at the Horse Guaids or at the Colonial-office; whilst private letters of the date of the 3d of Novembr convey the gratify ing assurance that the health of the gallant veteran was not only daily improving, but that he was again able to take his accustomed long rides on horseback without appa rent fatigue or inconvenience. THE SAILORS' FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.—Yester day, at two o'clock in the afternoon, the annual meeting of the Sailors' Female Orphan Society was held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, to receive the report. Sir James Duke, Bart., M.P., presided. The report stated that the society was no longer in debt, and that there was now only required the assistance of the bene volent to extend the benefits of the charity. Various resolutions were agreed to in support of the object. The meeting was addressed by the Rev. T. Gibson, G. Alston, &c. Thanks were voted to the chairman, who, in reply, observed that there were but ten inmates in the asylum, when, he bad no doubt, that there were above a thousand who could claim its benefits. Three children were then elected for admission into the asylum. LINENDRAPERS', SILK MERCERS', &C., INSTITH. now.—The ball usually held at this season in aid of the fluids of this meritorious institution took place at Wil lis's-rooms, St. James's, last night, and it was matter of congratulation that the spirit which led, nearly 20 years ago, to the formation of one of the earliest of the trade societies of the metropolis for the support of unfortunate members had in no degree diminished. The lists of stewards bore ample testimony to the leading betties of business taking au active part in effecting a cordial meet ing, and the efforts of Messrs. Willis as caterers, and of Mr. Adams and his band as musicians, afforded perfect satisfaction to nearly 500 persons. The funds already invested exceed 32,0001. LAMBETH._The parishioners of this extensive parish have entered into a subscription for presenting one of their churchwardens, Mr. Robert Taylor, with a testimonial, in acknowledgment of the services rendered by him in connexion with the duties of his effice. The tt a br e ee t s i s v c eha cholera xeorenargt will o t ih n l el s po c of a o u t rh s cause sn h hg i aes b n ni t ta l a e mu m et a s n t 00 f i n t bh a ee p l h e a v er i i a ds t h i i n nc g a u thes grateful d d by the s y - remembrance. APPROPRIATE TI The steam-ship Wilberforce, which has just arrived from Helvoetsluys, has brought a package, containing a silver ink-stand and four watches, one of gold and three of silver, which have been sent over b . y the authoriti es i n H olland as presents to Captain Moir and the crew of the vessel Minerva, for a testimonial of their gallant bravery in saving the lives of the crew of the Netherlands ship Gratitude, in the month of August last, off the Cape of Good Hope. BILLIARDS.—We understand the champion match of billiards, now for some time pending, and which has caused extraordihary interest in Manchester of late, is, under the sanction of the directors, to be decided in the lecture-room of the Manchester Athenaeum, on Friday evening next ; the match commencing at five o'clock. The competitors are the celebrated players, Mr. John Roberts, of Manchester, and Mr. Starks, an American; the match being to play the four-ball game ; 1,000 up ; Roberts giving his opponent 100. From the excitement already caused, a large number of persons are expected to witness the match—Manchester Quarthaa FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 11, 1860 LIEUT. GALE'S PLAN FOR THE DHCOVERY OF THE MISSING EXPEDI-. 'PION OF SILL JOHN FRANKLIN. Lieutenant Gale, R.N., the celebrated aeronaut, delivered, yesterday evening, the last of two very ex cellent and interesting lectures on the art and science of terostation, 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 scienceF, 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 serial navigation, and of hesitating to advance what does not seem to him capable of accomplishment. He says that nearly all the serious or fatal accidents in ballooning have hapFened with inexperienced and incompetent aeronauts, 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 along 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 car. 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 mronautics. It bad always struck him that balloon ascents for the purpose of reconnoitring would be of incalculable service in exploring ex peditions, bat it was not until the public mind was excited to the highest pitch as to the fate of Franklin and his men, that he developed his plans for the dis covery of their whereabouts in the Artie 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 of the bal loon, and as he would be able to signalize both by fog and smoke signals, and see by means of telescopes for 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 former case, being obtained by one thousand fathoms of line or rope. He also proposed to have supplementary paper balloons of small size, which be would commit to the elements at intervals of an hour, and to each Of which he would attach 100 letters, imp erv i ous t o mo i s ture, addres se d t o t h ose whom he was i n searc h a By the aid of mat c h es , t o be lighted at the ascent, the letters would be spon taneously detached in 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 bad been as far north as Amethyst, North Cape, that was 72 degrees north latitude, and he therefore knew what difficulties he had to contend against. Being actuated by no sordid motives, and having no desire to force himself into undue notoriety, he would rest content with the confident assu rance t h a t 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 p r i es t w h o told us this ' Served mankind in the holiest way • For it lit up th e ear th w ith the star of bliss That beacons the soul with cheerful ray. Too often we wander despairing and blind, Breathing our useless murmurs aloud ; But 'Lis kinder to bid us seek and find "A silver lining to every eloud." 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 chains 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 an d bli g h t i ng an d ch ill , Shutting the light from our heart and our home, Marring our hopes and defying our will; But let us not sink beneath the woe, 'Tis well perchance we are tried 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? Oh! the hope of the unknown Future springs, In its purest strength o' er t h e co ff i n and shroud, The shadow is dense, but F a i th ' s spirit-voice sings " There's a silver lining to every cloud." ELIZA COOL. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, THURSDAY. 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. Tne Rev. James Cartmell (Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University), left the Castle to-day. Her Majesty and his R oya l Highness Prince Alb ert dined with her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent at F the Marchi more House. The royal suite consisted of oness of Douro Hon, C a roline Cavendish, Hon. Lucy Kerr, the Earl of Li s t o wel, General rog Bowles, Colonel Hon. R. B oyle, Lord Char l es Fitz roy, and Colonel F. H. Seymour. The Marquis of Breadalbane and the Earl of Liverpool had the honour of receiving invitations, and also dined with the Royal Duchess to-day. The Duchess of Kent had afterwards an evening party, receiving a select circle, including the Dowager Lady Lyttleton. The Ron. Miss Cavendish and the Hon. Miss Kerr have relieved the Hon. - Miss Murray and the „Hon. Miss Lennox in their duties as Maids of Houourin Waiting to the Queen. Er. Maurice Cross (Dublin), Secretary to the Commissioners cf 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 Co mm i ss i oners f or i nqu i r i ng into Smithfield market and th e mar k e t s i n the. city of Lond on f o r the sale o f meat, had a meeting on Wednesday. Mr. Geor ge C ornewa ll L ew i s , Sir Harry V erney , and. Mr. John Wood, were present. CO WES, ISLE OF WIGHT. (FROM OUR OWN CO RRESPONDENT.) COMAS, JAN. 10. WANTON DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AT NORTH.. WOOD Hous.a.—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 vases 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,ar. as the damage was done about three, ear., still there was not evidence enough against them to comm it 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, P.M., 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 tinguish the same, but to no purpose; the vessel was scuttled, and at two, p.m., 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. SurralssioN or BROTHELS.—We understand that a Bill fur the more effectual suppression of brothels has been prepared, under the direction of the Committee of the Associate Institution, and that arrangements aro in progress for its being submitted to Parliament early in the approaching session. INLAND BILLS OF EXCIIAN GE. Inland bills of exchange are the chie f springer laid by the low usurers and money-brokers cf the metro polis to catch the unwary. From the moment a man has " put his hand"—as the phrase runs—to one of these stamped slips of paper, he may, in ninety-nine cases 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 necessities must make his election between renewal on usurious terms or a suit with the certainty of failure, and of 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 fir costs, renewals cf the old acceptances, warrants of 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 expect 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 hprts. 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 boxy fide holder, and 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. The perjured 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 before the Court." Let a witness but remain firm to that asser tion, and he is silk. 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 good 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 correspondenteare ac commodating enough about terms. All that is re quired is that he shall sign and return two bills of 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 after 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 prese e n x te p d lai f n o e r d r a y n m d en m t, us u t po h n e t d h u e ly sys h t e e n m en w r e ed ha h v y e ry bad cases athlreeadde Twn y lu e d e e s d an esn d f s t w hi i s nd k l i e n d ac d_a ce n p d to v r e . 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 be received one of the letters we have de scribed, offering to accommodate him with the loan of 1,0001. on his acceptance for six months, with an understaneing that it should be renewed at the xpiration k of that time on payment of interest. The correspondence was conducted by a person signing himself Mo reton. A short time ;Ler wards another of the gang wrote to Lieutenant Scott, informing him that he had been the victim of a swindle, but that he 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 a fresh bill of exchange for 3261., and a warrant of attorney for a similar sum ; in return for which, and 100/., 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 liabilities, but was made to suffer severely in costs. The second ease is like the first; it is that of the Hon. 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 fide holder, who had advanced 2501. upon Mr. Curzon's acceptance for 500/. ; and then we extract from our report : " Mr. Curzon, who was staying at the United Univer sity Club, wrote to Ferris, stating that he had received no consideration for the bill. Mr. Curzon then went to Welbeck•street, but Prescott was not to be found. He then called upon the bankrupt, who expressed great in dignation at the conduct of Prescott. He 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 2501. Ferris added that he had never aeon Prescott before ; that he was ignorant of his character and pursuits ; and that he was never before engaged in such a transaction. Such are the averments in Mr. Curzon's affidavit. Ferris told 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 lien unable to find out Prescott. Mr. Curzon returned to the country, but had not been there many days before he 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 had innocently ad vanced the money to Prescott, gave Ferris an acceptance for 3001. at six weeks' date, promising at the expiration of that time to er.eoute a warrant of attorney, payable, with interest, at twelve months' further date; Ferris, on his part, undertakimg to cancel the 500/. bill. Ferris again went to Derby, taking with him a warrant of at torney, prepared by Mr. Jones, the solicitor, who pre paurteLa executed." simil ar inst rument in Mr. Scott's case, which Mr. C 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 eases, which should be sufficient to put the public upon their guard. Let no one in want of I,oool.—end a good many nt Bills of exchange are very fair instruments in commerce and p ey eo re p n le sn in ng E n n f gl a a a n a d n a n r n e ynn in e t u h s a e t n p r o r s e r s tr o n a — de lis . ten to the in the hands of men who know what they are about and the parties with whom they are dealing, but let ell others beware how they affix their names to slips of stamped paper, binding them to a payment of m oney at the expiration of three months—even if there should be an understanding for renewal at the end of'•that time.—Times. Moat SAVINGS-BANKS DEFALCATIONS.—SCAII- BoxouGH e--On Saturday last, Air. Thomas Smur waite, wine and spirit merchant, who has for veveral years acteer,as clerk to the savings' bank, was charged before Mr.. liobert Tindall (the mayor), and other bo rough mtigis,trates, with having embezzled money be longing to thel depositors, between the years 1838 and li3o, to the amount of 1,0001. Mr. Smurvvaite was re manded in custody until Monday last, when he was again brought up, and further remanded until Saturday next, to allow of ass investigation being made into the affairs of the bank. Public notice has been given to the depositors to take in their books today and to-morrow, until whit:: 4. time it is impossible to state the amount of the prisom r's defalcations. The event has caused much sensation in the neighbourhood, the more so from the prisoner having up to the present time borne an irre proachabto character. It is hoped, and indeed expected, that the deficiencies will not much exceed the above sum. The business of the bank is ordered by the direc tors to he suspended until the 22d inst.—Eastern Coun ties Herald, dam 10. LuscLEY.—The paragraph inserted in our Tuesdt .y's impression, stating that Mr. Lumley had bi:oken his arm, has caused much anxiety among his (Tiendu , and many urgent inquiries have been made. We are by ppy to add Mr. Lumley has only slightly injured his left' wrist, and is now almost well. INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. On Tuesday, January 8 (Williami Cubitt, Esq., President, in the chair), the proceedings of the evening were commenced by an address from the President, on taking the chair for the first time after his election. After thanking the members for the honour con ferred on him, and modestly attributing bis election to the fortuitous circumstance of his being " the se nior Vice-President in duration of office," rather than to any peculiar fitness on bis 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 those 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 Reniiie, and Mr. Field, the past pre.idents, 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 live, that the past presidents might long be 'spared, to continue that assistance from which the institution bad 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 for the Promotion of the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, under the auspiees 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 engineering works which had been terminated, or had made great progress, during the past year ; commencin g w ith 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 con struction and building up these gigantic masses of material ; the means of floating them to their situa tions, and of raising them t 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. 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 Mr. Rendel, the docks at Leith and Grimsby, also by the latter gentleman ; the lighthouses at the Bishop' s Rock, by Mr. 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 vessel s 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 ( , f 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 five 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 of 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 great 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 were 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 felt 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 Isthn2us of Panama, was renewed and carried on with much spirit. The Papers to be read at the meeting of January 15th were announced to be "A Description of the Blackfriars Landing Pier," by F. Lawrence, and " Description of a Timber Bridge on the Line of the Lynn and Ely Railway," by J. S. Valentine, N. Inst C. E. SAIRATR OBSERVANCE AND THE POST..OI.7ICE. The following notice has been issued:—'' On and after Sunday, the 13th instant, all post-offices in England and Wales will be closed to the public on Sunday, from 10 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 commences latter than 10 a i nt c: must when the office, having be e n c l os ed at 10 A.m., re opened for one hour after the dispatch of th e l etter g carriers. On and after the same date no inlandl e tters will be received on the Sunday, excep t such as are pre paidletter-box will be open as usual t hroughouto M., the . by stamps or unpaid, for the deposit of of which th e d t a l; . e . Until the closing ofth subsequent hour a fter t e he offi di c s e pa a t t eh l of te : obtained. and letters wa y be registered on pay ment of foreign letters may be p re p aid, postage stamps stamps may be the usual re gistration fee; strangers, renters of private boxes, and those who reside beyond the limits of the letter-carriers' deliveries, may also, while the office is open, obtain their letters at the office window. Except at the times above mentioned, no letters or newspapers can be delivered from the office on the Sunday," RAILWAY CATTLE MARKETS.--It is proposed, should an Order in Council be passed for the abolition of Smithfield, to establish railway markets and abattoirs at or near the termini of the London and North-Western, Great Western, Eastern Counties, and South-Eastern Railways, each market to be connected with the other and the centre of the metropolis by electric telegraph (as in the Octroi system of Patiis), to communicate the price of meat aed qualities of stock every hour, or as occasion may require. on _ _ --- v*--...111—: : :w LIQUID MAN „".&%--,_ __ TO THE EDITOR OF 7' K ,K - " ---,--- _ ..,,. SIR,---1 trust you will pardon me fo y r ti elfeiku3K9r w-:, ... ~..- . . =: ea. the following observations, a libert i. Ifernilre - 40. 7 1 . -.. •• •...--..- ,c, i from a conviction that every new disCevery in a 5....4 -; cultural pursuits will tend to advance the beneWto _,... i f :Ii be derived from a free trade in corn, a_nieatikre-7 ' . 't• . so long a n d a bl y a d vocate d . Having' hPpin, illitzle to institut e some exper i ments i n farming conOerti ; *. conjunction with a professional person of great intel- • ligence and practical information, the issue may not ' be unworthy of notice. The 6rat was the substi tution of pointed lightning conductors for training vines, instead of the ordinary mode, by which instru mentality the electric fluid is drawn down from all transient thunder clouds, that known and powerful agent in promoting vegetation. This plan was tried with perfect success, and the result exceeded - the ' most sanguine anticipations, the vine encircling a conductor, far surpassing in luxuriance of growth any of its adjacent neighbours, bearing a profusion superior r both in qu a li ty and flavour. of grapes 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 with regard to 1 stable or con-house liquid manure, which is equally efficacious. An inference may fairly be deduced that the pointed and tiny blades of corn, as well probably as all plants, serve like small conductors to establish the equilibrium between positive and negati ve electricity, stimulating capillary attraction, and aiding theprogresslof germi nation 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 search 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 individuals 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 WITII A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. have read with considerable pleasure the remarks which have lately appeared in your increas ing and influential journal 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 parsons 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• cern ed. 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 he. 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 AI-.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 have been a ♦ery happy marriage, but a fresh beauty having appeared at Ccurt 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 desertediby him— she indignantly repelled the King's advances, saying that, " though she would be happy to be his wife, she would never condescend to be 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 Henry applied to Pope Clement for a divorce. The Pope, who up to that period was the universal head of the Church, refused it ; and, therefore, the pious King Henry, by the aid of his courtiers and evil council lors, determined to set himself up as Head of the Church" and " Defender of the Faith," and that has since been the title of successive monarchs of lingland, 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 t..), " 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 beeped disgrace on Cardin*l a that ndev England entuall hasbrou ghty ever had au one ofth c e seto brightest be ornaments W °l s6Y 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 11111M0• 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 :—" 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 t he sist er of his deceased the eceaseldaw of God wife; and that not, it at tad all e b, re e n n t., be d t e te c r id i e f c i andbe been n e t the introduced.', ,laan g p , o d r uam h g i ue b s i to t i f o et n of human law ryuentit, u,aolflysobperrnev ea b si le a never : d a nNld,hoyf i c t oina i 'mh s fioosrniassemtnhsoeement delayed is a puzzl e t o every b ody. I a re, Sir, your obedient servant, ALFRED. R Jan. 10, 1850. w e L g i e : t's gaid lar" g" k ;listory of England," vol. vi., p. 3. ACCIDENT ON THE BANKS Or THE THAMES —OU Tuesday, the ith inst., a young gentleman was walking by the side of the Th ames , near Chelsea 'Waterworks, when his hat was blown off, in attemptin g to recover which he stepped on the mud, it b,ing 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 be speedily sank. A brave fellow, a workman, of the name of Rogers, living at 28, St. George's-row, seeing the accident, jumped from the high wall of the waterworks, and struggled through the mud unt il he arrived at the Thames, when, already nearly exhausted, and at the peril of his life, he plunged into the water, and succeeded 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 attendance, and, after about three hours' exertion, aided by the workmen, smcceeded in restoring the boy to life and speech; but be could recollect nothing of the acci dent, except that he had been seeking his hat. Mr. P. Wodehouse had an interview with Earl GM yesterday at the Colonial-office.