The Sun. — London, England, 1850-03-25 00:00:00

I Pemberton's retirement. A vary considerable, caving will accrue to thy public by this arrangement. Mr. Pemberton filled the very arduous post of S,7creta-y to the Chancellor of tbExchcyu r during tie 1.1,-.lministra ton of Sir Robert PPeL, THE GORHAM CASH. —T hc,. Gloucester Church Unpin have adopted the following addres to the 13bhop of Exeter on the late judgment TO THE RIGHT REV. FATHER IN GOD, HENRY, LORD BISLI )P OF EXETER. " Right, v. Father the undersigned clergy and lay members of the Church of Eegfand, de sire humbly to offer to your Lordship the expression f our most grateful sympathy, iu relerence to the position in which your Lordship would appear to be placed by the recent judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. " We shrink, indeed, from the use of language which shall savour of passing an opinion upon the 'harmer in which a bishop has exercised his apostolical authority. But we de, under the unusual circumstances of the case, crave permission to express to your Lordship our thauk fuluess that Almighty God has enabled you thus to vin dicate the doctrine of the Church cencerning the holy sacrament of baptism, and to do what in you lay to pre serve the poor and unlearned of Chrisi's flock from false teaching on a point concerning their everlasting sal vation. " We pray your Lordship to permit us also humbly to express our deep and grateful sense of the firm and con mistent manner in which your Lordship has acted throughout these most painful and trying proceedings. We feel that your Lordship has laid the members of the Church of England under a debt of obligation which it will not be in their power ever adequately to repay; and we arnestly pray that the Great Head of the Church may abundantly acknowledge this your witness for his truth, and that He may graciously fulfil, in your Lord ship's person, Ills pr miss to give unto His apostle's a mouth and wisdom which all' their • adversaries shell not be able to gainsay or resist.' " ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. - The following gentlemen having undergone the necessary examine tions for the diploma were admitted members of the College, at the meeting of the Court of Examiners, on the 22e1 insists% r-Messre. John F. Brice, Pontefract, Yorkshire; William Michell Clark, Bodmin, Cornwall; John Thomas Grantham, Craytord, Kent; Thomas Mudge, Bodmin, C rnwall; Robert Rayner, Bir.tel, near Leeds. Yorkshire; Charles Robbins Maxwell, Brompton, Middlesex; Henry Wilson Sharpie, Bed ford; William Vauehan Junta, Romney-terrace, West minster; William Tindal Robertson, Grantham, Lin colnshire; Alfred Collins, Hon. East India Company's Service, Bengal; and Adam Rogers, Bentink-street, Manchester-square. EASTERN UNION R, XILvvAY.-On Friday the ad journed half-yearly meeting f the proprietors of this company was held at Radley's Hotel, Bridge-street, Blackfriars; Mr. J. Chevallier Cobbold, M.P., chairman cf the beard of dire ct aer in the chair. The chairman proposed the adoption of the report. Mr. Lechmere moved as an amendment the adjournment of the con sideratien of the report until the Government auditor had made his report to the Board of Railways, and that the directors be instructed to make an application for such auditor. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Watson. The report was ultimately adopted, only three hands being held up for the proposed amendment. The remuneration of the auditors was, after some discussion, fixed at 50 guineas each, instead of 201., as heretofore. The meeting was then made spacial, and it was resolved that 125,0001., the residue of the 250,0001. authorised by the Eastern Union Railway Amendment Act, 1849, should be raised in 25,000 shares of 51. each. This re solution, and a series of others as to the mode in which these shares were to be applied, were at last adopted, and the meeting adjourned, having lasted nearly four hours and been eery numerously attended. ARRIVAL or SPECIE-The Maria has arrived at Liverpool from Huanchaco (west coact of South Ame rica) with silver and other rich metals, valued at 92,000 dollars. SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY.-On Saturday the Cowisnittee on this company's Bill for the ere ation of additional capital and regularity of priority of dividends, re-assembled at twelve o'clock, when the Chairman (Lord Harry Vane), addressing the parties, said, " I have to inform you that the Committee have come to tte unanimous opinion that the preamble of the Bill is not proved " RAILWAY COMPANIES CLEARING ASSOCIATION.- The Standing Orders Coo mittee have decided that the promoters may be permitted to deposit a petition for a Bill, and that the usual order may be dispensed with. CADVERTIsEMENT.j-CONTENTS OF THE Observer of March 24.-Two folio columns of the Banquet at the Mansion-house-two columns of Marylebone and Pan cras Vestries, and other matters connected therewith nearly two columns of the Funds and City Article-one column of extracts from the Report on the British Mu. seum-three folio columns of the Banquet at the London Tavern, given by the East India Company to honour General Lord Gough-about two columns of the So ciety of British Artists in Suffolk street-one column of the Society of Arts-nearly two columns of the Life of his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, by the Rev. Erskine Neale, and Lady E. Ponsonby's Discipline of Life-one column of births, marriages, and deaths-six columns of useful advertisements -and thirteen columns of domestic and foreign news-in all forty folio columns for 6d. The Observer is regularly published at four o'clock on Sunday mornings, in time for all the early Sunday morning railways; Monday's edition, for the country and abroad, at four o'clock on Monday sif terniems. Time is a file that wears, and makes no noise.- Eliza Cook's Journal. SPECIAL PLEADING.-It is stated to be the inten tion of the Government to put an end to " special plead ing" in the Superior Courts at Westminster, by bringing forward a measure in the House of Commons to abolish the form of pleading to actions, and thereby to diminish the present great expenses in law proceedings. THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVE IN ABERDEEN. - On Saturday evening last, at seven o'clock, a locomotive engine crossed the Dee from the South, and entered Aberdeenshire amid the plaudits of an immense con course of spectators. The intentions of the directors to bring in a locomotive on Saturday were not generally known ; but some few being aware of them, the news that the engine was coming soon spread, and long before the hour at which it was expect-el, thousands were hurrying to Ferryhill. The directors pissed over, with an engine, the last six miles of tee line, which now completes a railway, without break, from Aberdeen to London. The Government inspector is to be on the line on the 25th or 26th current, and it is intended that the regular traffic to the Ferryhill Station shall commence on the Ist proximo.-.North of Scotland Gazette. MANCHESTER TRADE REPORT. - SATURDAY, MARCII 23.-The market for goods continues pretty stationary and there is little visible change to note since Thursday last, although the tendency is obviously to a still further decline in prices. Hence buyers are cautious, trusting that the producers may shortly meet their views, and notwithstanding there has been to-day a con siderable amount of inquiry for various descriptions of goods, the business transacted has been very limited. Grey shirtings of superior quality still maintain their late prices. The inferior qualities aro not so much in demand. The transactions in yarns are still in favour of the buyer. The declining prices have prevented many extensive orders for the eastern market from being put into the hands of the spinners; but it is hoped, should a further recession not take place, that sufficient orders will be given •out to keep the mills in a pretty active state for some time; and the recent accounts from India favour this supposition. MURDER IN NEWCASTLE.-A. shocking murder was committed in the town of Newcastle on Saturday morning, the victim being a woman named Elizabeth Forbes, and the supposed murderer her husband, Patrick Forbes, an Irish labourer. The latter is stated to have been a violent drunken character, and to have been in the habit of maltreating his wife. The police wore at tracted to the spot-a top room ire Cloggers-entry, near St. Nicholas's Churchyard-by cries of " Murder," and on entering found the floor cevered with blood, nod the woman dead in bed,' and shockingly wounded in the lower part of the abdomen as well as on the face. The husband was at the time sitting on a chair by the fire side. He professed total ignorance of the manner in which his wife had come to her end, and offered no re sistance when taken into custody. Spots of blood were found on his shirt, trousers, and hands, and he bad two knives in his possession. THE CONVICT UNDER SENTENCE, ANNE MERRITT. The Sheriffs have received a communication from Sir G. Grey, informing them that the execution of Anne Merritt is to be respi'ed during her Majesty's pleasure. We understand that a further investigation of this case has been considered necessary by the Home Secretary, after communication with the Lord Chief Baron, owing to doubts which have been expressed by physicians and surgeons of great eminence of the correctness of a very important part of the evidence, depending entirely upon the accuracy of a medical opinion.-Sunday Paper. FOREIGN VESSELS IN BRITISH PORTS.-A return has just been published of the sums paid in the year 1849 to corporations, companies, &c., for the difference of rates due upon foreign vessels now admitted into our ports at the same rates of charge as British vessels. The whole amount so paid was 39,295/. 17e. 4d. The ports which figure the most largely in the account are Liver pool, Newcastle, and Hull. In Liverpool, 5,355/. 7s. 6d. was paid to the pilots, and 151. 17.. 6d. to the corpora tion. In Newcastle, 1931. 15e. lid. for lights, and 2,403/. 53. 9d. for pilotage was paid to the Trinity-house; 3,1201. 2s. for town dues, 1031. ss. for anchorage was paid to the corporation, and 291. ss. for local duos to the company of Free Hotsmen. In Hull the claims of the Trinity-house for harbour dues and pilotage amounted respectively to 14076/. ss. Bd., and 981. Is. 3d.; those of the corporation for harbour dues and dues on mer chandise to 6,1431. 16s. 10d. and 48/. 13s. 8d ; and the sum compounded for by the Dock Company in lieu of dues was 4,7501. Bs. The total amount raid under the reciprocity treaties up to the end of 1849 has been 741.5891 6s. sd. The Marquis of Clanricarde, the Postmaster- General, left London on Friday morning for Paris. We understand that the object of the visit of his Lordship to the French capital is, to negOtiate a modification of the rates of postage upon letters passing between Great Britain and France, with a view to the diminution of the present charges on the correspondence passing between the two countries. A rate of 10d. for a letter under a quarter of an ounce is certainly too high, when a letter may be sent from Calais to Paris for 2d., and from Dover to the north of Scotland for one panny.-Sunday Paper. Commentators are folks that too often write on books as men with diamonds write on glass, obscuring light with scratches.-Eliza Cook's .lournal. METROPOLITAN TYPOGRAPHICAL WIDOW AND ORPHAN FUND.--A cheque fur 51., in aid of the funds of this switty, has been forwarded by Mr. V. G. Dowling. LII ERA T URE. lIARRISON AL). SWOR TIP S WORKS. Vol. V. Cheap Edition. Another volume of ti,is beautiful edition of Mr. .Ainsworth's ron3ances gives the subscribers the first portion cf his very popular work called " The Tosser of London." Having on several previous occasions comtne•nted upon the singular excellence and remark able cheapness of this publication, we find only addi tional reason to reiterate our commendations with the appearance of each successive portion. Nor can we refrain from applauding an improvement recently perceptible in the undertaking, timely, an extension of some of the longer stories into two volumes, instead of compressing the letter-press into a smaller compass by means of smaller type. The advantage of such an alteration as this must be perceptible to every one, seeing that the diamond type required in miniature editions is rather estimable ie books of reference, such as in Maunder's invaluable " Treasuries of Knowledge," than in productions designed merely for amusement. The eyesight of the reader becomes less wearied in the former than in the latter instance, from the circumstance of the gaze not being so con tinuously applied to the perusal. Another improve ment also worthy of notice is that if binding the volumes of this cheap edition in cloth at what Men tague Tigg would call the ridiculously small amount of sixpence. By this arrangement the series is ren dered much more capable of preservation, besides being benefited in regard to compactness of size and beauty of appearance. Within a day or two, we be lieve, the second volume of the " Tower of London" will appear, when the number of the readers of that clever historical fiction will doubtless be materially increased. Those who, like ourselves, have watched with interest the rise of Harrison Ains worth's reputation, need not this opportu nity to become familiar with the renowned personages introduced in its pages, those beings whose life-like aspect in the narrative displays very con spicuously the novelist's power to create life anew under the ribs of history. Besides these, it will be remembered that there are a crowd of other characters more purely imaginary, such as the subtle and diabo lical Simon Renard, Maugre the Headsman, a sort of elder " Dennis," lit the dwarf, and the three portly giants bight Og, Gog, and Magog. We observe, with pleasure, from the announcement made by way of advertisement, that the next volumes ap• pearing, in the course of April, will comprise the whole of " Saint James's" and " Auriol." When are we to see the new edition of "Jack Sheppard ?" We look eagerly for is appearance, if only by way of spite to the mawkish sentimentalism upon which we have already animadverted. THE BYE LANES AND DOWNS OF ENGLAND. By Sylvanus, c. To the sporting world in general, but more parti cularly to those who in any degree admire and culti vate the turf, this book recommends itself from many causes, and we feel disposed to add our testimony to its cwn internal evidence, that while treating of and descanting upon subjects which may be deemed ob. jectionable by many, its aim is clearly to work good, prospectively at least, out of existing evil, and to effect, through the means of a thorough reform, a radical cure in a noble pastime and national branch of industry too deeply rooted in the hearts of all, to be given up on account of even the many and sad abuses it has given a scope fur. But for this truly philoso phical view taken of the subject by the author, we might have been less inclined to dwell, as we now do, upon a work which treats wholly, or at least chiefly, upon the turf. We are aware that this a topic liable to be very differently viewed and commented upon, and we must admit that we do not wonder at i's being the theme of much controversy, considering the harm which has accrued to many from over-in dulgence in its allurements and fascinations ; but of this the author of the "Bye-Lanes and Dawns of England" is so well aware, that he never loses the opportunity of applying the lash of his indignant censure to those excesses which disgrace the turf, nor palliates the error committed by its votaries, nor fails to speak in high and honourable terms of those of its patrons who, actuated by the purest motives, look upon the turf as a great means to a great end, and act in accordance, discarding all base motives, and endeavouring only to do good. Were it on no other ground than that of moral courage, we would praise the author for having made known many of the malpractices which snake the turf dangerous to the unwary, and for having conveyed to the minds of all, in forcible and elegant language, the lesson which the turf as at present con stituted can and does offer. But we must not forget that we have to deal with him its a literary point of view, and it gratifies us much to say that the " Bye- Lanes and Downs of England" is not only a good book, but also an interesting book ; and whether we consider its gallery of portraits, all evidently taken from the life, or its style, uninterruptedly pleasing and humorous, when not strictly moralising, its quaint anecdotes and stirring insight into the man ners of a class of men, most of whom, from their station in society, education, connexion with the soil, &c., claim our best sympathies (of course we speak only of the true lovers and patrons of the turf, and leave to the vituperation of the author and execration of the world those who, like the harpies of old, only defile what they touch), its occasional bursts of feeling as regards the beauties of nature, evinced in the title, and never lost sight of throughout the book, and the many proofs of sincere patriotism, occasionally even carried to the verge of prejudice, he gives us throughout the work. We are glad to see talent enlisted in the ad vocacy of what we deem a good cause, for, after all, we must return to the assumption, that inasmuch as, of the many enjoyments or pursuits called sports, the turf has now become so identified with the habits of the inhabitants of this country, that to entertain the question of its utility or expediency were the work of supererogation, so we may consider as entitled to the highest and most unqualified praise all attempts to restore it to its pristine simplicity and honesty of pur pose, and to free it from foul impurities and prurient excrescences, and such a desideratum may and we trust will he effected by the "Bye-Lanes and Downs of England." SKETCHES OF CANTABS. By John Smith, of Smith Hall, Gent. 2d Edition. We are always glad to see an old iriend, and the more so if he come with a new face, and in the present instance we are disposed to give our waggish friend a double welcome ; first, because in spite of the old saying about twice•told tales, we positively enjoyed a second reading of his little book, and, secondly, be cause we believe it is calculated to do much good in certain quarters. Let us ask our friend the author why he, John Smith, of Smith Hall, is now (as he professes to be) abroad? Let him be candid in this respect as he is in others, and he will doubtless tell us, which we engage to believe, as we did his former communications, cum grano sans, that his goings on at and about his Alma Mater have had no small share in inducing him to desert the hall of his fore fathers and visit the continent ! Be that as it may, we return to his book, which, as we hinted before, we are glad to find has reached a second edition. There are many people into whose hands we would put the " Sketches of Cantabs :" to young men about to repair to the universities we would say read it, you will not only derive amuse ment but profit from a perusal of its pages—(we do not recommend it to those at present at the university, because we feel certain that it is on the table of by far the majority of the young men there, not doubting that most of them act on the principle of the model man in the sketches before us, page 212)—and will at least learn what to avoid. To parents and guar dian, we would say, read it, you may find in it many a valuable hint, as for instance, pages 57, 58, &c. ; but we would chiefly call upon the dignified and vener able heads of our universities to read it, if only to cull from its good-natured, yet justly satirical, pages so much information as would induce them to attempt all necessary reforms ; for society, looking upon Ox ford and Cambridge as making the very heart which draws to itself the best blood of the country, has a right to expect that it, or rather, to drop the meta phor, they shall return it free from all impurities, the work of time. FINE ARTS. PORTRAIT OF MAJOR EDTVARDES. Painted by Henry Moseley. On Saturday w e were favoured, by Messrs. H. Squire and Co. (late Colneghi inimitablePuckle), exquisite - i trait, now exhibiting n their gallery, in Cockspur street ; painted by Henry Moseley, and representing Major Herbert Edwardes , C . 8., the illustrious soldier, whose heroic deeds in Hindostan have rendered him the Rising Star of our Eastern Empire, and whose recent arrival in England has made him the Lion of the present London Season. A more interesting pro. duction of art we have not, for a long time, had the gratification of witnessing, and we doubt not the public will eagerly scan the features of the young hero, as they are bore pourtrayed, with such graphic power and lite-like accuracy by the gifted brush of Mr. Moseley. Brief as the period is, which has elapsed since the return homewards of Major Ed wardes, our distinguished artist has, nevertheless, found sufficient time to transfer to canvass the appearance of the youthful but already renowned warrior. It must be a matter of interest in fact to the multitude to know, that the portrait now under consideration, although produced Kith such extraordinary rapidity, is an exact and authentic copy, t a k en f rom the living original—Mr. Moseley having completed his work on Saturday, the 16th instant, when he we; honoured by Major Edwardes with the seventh an d fi na l sit ting. Those, however, who are familiar with the features of the illustrious young soldier, will re quire no such assurance of the authenticity of this splendid picture, from the marvellous felicity of the resew • blance. The likeness, in truth, is altogether a triumph of artistic skill, a miracle of pictorial art— i the vraisemblance being, in fact, perfect. Not one amongst us but must feel deep gratification in be holding so real and felicitous a representation: cf the countenance of a man destined, as all England is convinced, to play a graT,d pact in the history of his country. Every one recg•goises in young Herbert Div:lades the germ of a great career, his previous actions containing evidence of all those character istics of genius, valour, and promptitude which make up the requisites a a great sol dier. And Major Edwardes, as was observed, by the present Commander •in-Chief of the British Indian army, shortly before his leaving this island for India, has already shown himself not only a great soldier, but a great financier, and in his way, too, a great statesmen. It requires not us to mention all the marvels achieved by aim in the Punjaub, his acts of a gallantry never surpassed, and of a daring rising to the height of rashness. Those acts are even now inscribed in golden characters in the pages of our history, and their remembrance is cherished in the heart of England. Hence it is that we are certain the portrait of Major Edwardes, by Mr. Moseley, will be examined with peculiar pleasure by the public, and it is gra,ifying also to know that a copy from the original painting may very speedily be obtained, in the form of a very beautiful engraving now on the eve of publication. When these engravings are issued we feel assured that thousands will be eager to possess themselves of an impression, and to adorn their walls with an effigy that may remind their children how the sons of old England should serve their country and their Queen with the strong arm, and the brava heart, and the genius, and the heroism, of the young and gallant Edwardes. EXHIBITION OF THE SOCIETY OF BRITISH ARTIST'S. Saturday being the day fixed for the private view of the gallery of this excellent and distinguished so ciety, we had then the gratification of examining this its twenty-seventh annual exhibition. Each of the members and associates of the institu- tion appear to have exerted themselves during the past twelve months, and to have applied themselves to the decoration of the walls of the different apartments with unusual assiduity. Among artists, as among other classes of the community, competition seems in . this respect to have exercised a wholesome and bene ficial influence, exciting those who have hitherto proved successful to maintain their reputation, and arousing in others previously unknown or unnoticed an ambition that might otherwise have remained dormant. It must be remembered, moreover, that the Society of British Artists is enabled in several particulars to compete for popularity with the more favoured among similar and contemporary associations. If, for example, the Royal Academy has its Landseer, this academy has its Herring, if the one has its Tur ner the other has its Pyne, and so on through the different departments of art. Herring, in the present exhibition, has no less than ten ; Pyne, no less than five; Woolmer, no less than eight; Tennant, no less than ten ; Hill, no less than seven ; Hurlstone, thirtten, Boddington eleven, Allen eight, Chirt six, Shayer eleven, and Hassell seven productions of va rious, and, in some instances, of superior ability. Josi, we observe, has nothing this season; Latilla only one, Lewis only one, Noble three, Gill tour, Bax ter two, and the other members in different propor tions. No. 19, " Interior of a Stable," represents the animals and fowls in such a building with that animation and naturalness, AN hich are pre-eminently the characteristics of J. F. Herring. No. 3, " Rustic Courtship," by J. J. Hill, is a charming picture of rural simplicity, the beauty of the sketch being con centrated principally in the rustic countenances. No. 31, " Erhinbrightstein on the Rhine," by Pyne, has all that sparkling delicacy of finish, and all that dim and liquid charm of atmospheric perspective which impart so much individuality to the pictures emanat ing from the same master hand. No 48, "At Co logne, on the Rhine," is a companion painting, circu lar in form, from the easle of Mr. Pyne. No. 43. " The Minstrel," by Woolmer, but for the quota tion in the catalogue, we should have imagined to be a sketch suggested by the exquisite " Genevieve" of Coleridge. No. 55, "At Upgang, near Whitby, coast of Yorkshire," by Hurlstone, forms an appro priate specimen of the manner cf . this charming pain ter. No. GO, `• Rail way by Moonlight," by Ten nant,is a wonderful illusion, almost bewitching one into the belief of its reality. No. 94, a capital realization of one of the incidents mentioned in the " Diary" of the inimitable Pepys. It speaks well for the fancy of the artist, Mr. Noble. No. 104, " Evening Bath, from the Italian," by Woolmer, is one of those delicious pictures of voluptuous garden scenery which seem to point out Mr. Woolmer as the fittest illustrator of " Boccaccio." No. 108, " The Young Shepherd," by Hill, forms an excel lent illustration of the peculiar style in which this gifted artist is wholly and altogether unapproach able. Other productions, too numerous to particu larise, attracted our attention, sad fully compen sated us for the time occupied in the inspection of the present brilliant and most successful exhibition. KIDD' S NEW PROCESS FOR ILLUMI NATING, SILVERING, DECORATING, AND EMBROIDERING ORNAMENTAL GLASS, 6-c., c. Tnat the present is a stirring, inventing, improving age, is an axiom so nearly approximating to a truism, that in spite of our admiration for " old times," we must needs pay some tribute of approbation to the efforts unceasingly made in our own to remove the bounds of science and art, and dispute with ages by gone the palm which some would still award to re mote periods ; for our own part, we gladly welcome whatever appears to us highly meritorious, either as likely to conter a benefit upon the community, or cal culated to raise the standard of good taste, and diffuse its influence widely ; and such a result, when fairly attained, we deem not only a novelty, but a benefit which entitles to our best thanks, and to the patronage of all classes, but particularly of those gifted by for tune, the man who has devoted his best energies to the pursuit of so desirable an end. Such seems to us the position in which Mr. Kidd stands, and we sincerely hope the public at large, and the nobility and gentry in particular, will visit (and we doubt not that the result will be such as he may expect, and as we think he deserves,) a small but very beautiful collec tion of specimens of illuminated, silvered, and, as he himself aptly terms it, embroidered glass, applicable to a variety of purposes, but intended by him to be adapted in the first instance to the decoration of objects which have hitherto been used with plain surfaces, such as mirrors, dressing-glasses, and gene rally to all fancy and artistical ornaments for the drawing-room or the boudoir. That this collection of specimens is not an extensive one is not to be wondered at, considering that, as Mr. Kidd mo destly says, the art which he has long cultivated is in its infancy, and it will require time to enable him to provide for what we deem will be the inevitable demand, but we question if the man of taste, and lover of the art, will not pre fer seeing these specimens as they now are, and fsr our own part, we deem Mr. Kidd's success to have been such as to warrant us in saying that he will find it very difficult to surpass himself. But this time will show. We were favoured with the view of a work of ancient time, from which it would seem certain that the art of silvering and illuminating glass was not unknown to the Romans, and wonder ful indeed and curious is that antique specimen of early art. But if in this, as in many other branches of artistical industry, the ancients had the start of us, it is equally evident that we have over them the great and important advantage, that owing to the great strides of science, particularly of chemistry, we can obtain a degree of durability and permanency which they could not impart to certain things ; and it was, for instance, with considerable satisfaction that we ascertained that the combination of substances em ployed by Mr. Kidd, in silvering his glass, was such as to resist the effect of time; in other words, not to lose its polish and brilliancy. But much as we were pleased with the singularly beautiful novelty which Mr. Kidd is about to introduce, we must say that we were still more delighted to find, that taking a truly liberal and artistic view of the application of his new process (albeit adapted to manufacturing purposes), Mr. Kidd seems in one respect to make this a secondary consideration, and from the exqui site grace displayed in the forms he gives to all ob jects made by him. From the consummate judgment evinced in the selection of those who assist him in his arduous labours, among whom we should mention Mr A. Conne, a most intelligent and first-rate waist in his peculiar line (engraving on glass), to whose abilities Mr. Kidd liberally ascribes a part of his success, and whose name he in the same fair spirit associates with his enterprise, from the sound taste evinced by :him in avoiding all semblance of mystery, and trusting rather to his un tiring efforts and natural abilities than to the protection of the law of patents (except in one case, in which he claims, and very fairly too, its support). It is clear we are to view him as an artist, and if we add that we found him as straightforward and explicit in the view he takes of his present enter prise as modest in his conception of its merits, we only anticipate the opinion of all who are likely to come in contact with him, or his works, and think we can predict for both the patronage of the public. We should be guilty of an injustice if we omitted to say that Mr. Kidd's claim to the sympathy of all liberal supporters of the arts rests not upon his new process alone, or even the efforts made by him to bring this to ideal perfection—as an engraver on glass, Mr. Kidd may be equalled by a few, but surpassed by none, and all lovers of cut - glass will derive considerable gratifi cation from an inspection of the exquisitely beautiful specimens exhibited by Mr. Kidd in that branch of ail. If' we expect, ere long, to see the gentlemen's and ladies' mirrors reflecting, and eliciting at one and the same time, the admiration of many a noble I coun t ena nce and many a bright eye. If we fully reckon upon seeing the national mirror a national theme of congratulation to Air. Kidd and his new process, we deem it equ:div certain who ver sees the tasteful and elegant, application of engravi;:g to glass, as executed by Mr. Kidd, will consider no draw inp,-room ns furnished, no boudoir as complete, no collection of works of arts as perfect, unle,s he has some such specimens to boast of as those we had the gratification of viewing. ASSAULT ON HE EDITOR OF A PROVINCIAL NEWSPAPER. A considerable sensation has been excited in the county of Cornwall by an assault committed by the late high sheriff of the county on the editor of the West Briton, an influential newspaper in the West of England. An exaggerated account of the occurrence has appeared in some of the local prints, but the fol lowing has been ascertained from careful inquiry to be a correct statment of the facts. It appears that at the county meeting of the 12th of February, called in favour of agricultural protection, there was only one of the county members present, T. J. Itobartes, Esq. The other three members were attending their duties in Parliament, and sent letters ex - pressing their sentiments on the subject. Two cf these letters (from Sir C. Lemon and W. H. P. Carew, Esq) were read in full; the other, from E. W. IV. Pendarves, Esq , the oldest of the county re presentatives, and a gentleman held in high esteem by all parties, was only partially read to the meeting, the part suppressed being that in which he exposed the falsity of some statements made in the requisition cal ling the meeting. Mr. Pendarves complained in a letter to the county papers, of the discourtesy of the Sheriff shown to himself and his constituents by the suppres sion of a part of his letter at the county meeting. Sir S. T. Spry, the High Sheriff; replied to this in ex traordinary terms ; the letter was published in one of the county papers, and the other (the West Briton) commented on it in severe language. The West Briton appeared on a Thursday evening, and on the next morning, Sir Samuel Spry called at the of fice with a solicitor. The editor was not there, and Sir Samuel and the solictor went to his residence. Some conversation took place on the subject of the com ments in the paper; Sir S. Spry was much ex cited, and on the editor refusing to withdraw the comments he had made, Sir Samuel raised a short riding whip which he had brought with him, and struck at the Editor. The latter caught his arm and wrenched the whip from him, and a kind of scuffling fight ensued between the parties, until the solicitor, recovering from his astonishment, went forward and parted them. There was no great per sonal damage done, though the editor's face was somewhat scratched by Sir Samuel's nails. The proprietors of the paper conceive it necessary that the editor should be protected in the discharge of his • duties; and in consequence a bill of indictment for the assault has been preferred against the late Sheriff at the present Lent Assizes for the county.—Nest Briton. INDEPENDENT ASSURANCE COMPANY. -0a Friday the Master in Chancery, Tinney, appointed Mr. G. Hutton, accountant, official manager, to investigate and wind up the affairs of this concern, which, according to the staterneiit of the petitioners presented to the Couit, was established in :1848, with the view of extending the benefits of life assurance among the poorer classes by granting policies for securing the payment of sums of money and for receiving premiums thereon by weekly, monthly, and other instalments. The directors were— Lord Teyitham, chairman; Alderman Farebrother, Mr. Purton Cooper, Lieut.-Colonel Dean; and Messrs. R. Williams, W. Holt, F. J. Clark, N. Hogan, R. Swift, J. 11. Thompson, and W. Baring. The proposed capital was 100.0004, and each of the petitioners subscribed for 150 shares. The shares taken amounted to 2,070, but no deposit was paid on 543, nor the first call on 692. Having raised a capital of 614/. only, and borrowed 1,0001. from their tankers, the company commenced business, Petitioners allege that the affairs were managed in a costly and extravagant manner that there was an unne cessarily large staff of officers, at unnecessarily large salaries; that the expenses of the compau far exceeded its means ; that the directors had liberal allow ances, and that shortly before the company failed it was urged that they should receive no remuneration until the concern was in a condition to afford it, and that they should forthwith refund what they had received. Policies acre granted, and the premiums payable thereon received; but the paid up capitil and money borrowed had been exhausted in carrying on the business. The subscribers declined to pay the deposits and calls, while policies to the amount of 3,000/. have become payable, and others to a large amount are daily expected to full in, and there are no funds or assets wherewith to meet them. The managing director was dismissed, and others either neglected the business, disqualified, or became absentees. As twenty qualified shareholders could not to got together nothing could be done, and in August last the company ceased to exist, with creditors threatening, encumbered with a large amount of debts, and with no existing assets. FOREIGN SHIPS.—On Saturday a return to Par liament obtained by Mr. Wawn, the Member for North Shields, was printed, stating the sums paid for foreign vessi Is admitted under treaties of reciprocity. The t tal amoul.t paid to the end of 1849:was 741,589/. 6s. sd. of which 39,2951. 17s. 4d. was paid in the year 1849. EDINBuRGu, DUINDEM, AND PENTII RAILWAY.— At the halt-}early meeting of this railway on Friday, at Edinburgh, Mr. John Balfour, of Balbirnie, the chairman of the company presiding, the dir ec t ors ' re port, with the accompanying resolutions, was adopted. The amendment of Mr. Monro, W.S., in favour of a committee of investigation, having been negatived by a large majority, Mr. Ileriot moved that no systematic traffic should he allowed on the line on the Sabbath; but there were only 132 vt tea for that motion, while there were 356 for the previous question. TUE Titucx SYsTEkt.—Por the last month or two these have been a great many prosecutions in East Wor cestershire and Staffordshire against parties chiefly con nected with the coal and iron mines of that district for paying their workmen in truck. The war against the system has be en taken up by gentlemen and tradesmen of Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Wednesbury, &c., and a great many convictions have taken place, which it was thought would have a very salutary effect. Another case hay, however, just beta tried at the last-named place with a different result. The defendant in this case is a butty collier, named Thomas Lawrence, and he was defended by Mr. Sergeant Allen, who succeeded in showing that the tickets given to the complainant were in the form of cheques, and thereupon it was contended that this was a legal payment, authorised by Act of Par liament, and the magistrates dismissed the case. ARTIST,' BENEVOLENT FUND.— The anniversary dinner of this institution took place on Saturday evening at the Freeinaiene Tavern, and was presided over by Mr. Baring About sixty gentlemen partook of the good cheer provided on the occasion. The institu tion has now been established for forty five years, and during that period has proved uf great benefit to the widows and orphans of artists left in imposarished circumstances. During the past year it appears from the report that the dividend allowed to the recipents of the fund, has been increased to 181. in the case of widows, arid 51. in that of orphans. The ploceedings of the dinner did not vary much from the usual routine on similar occasions—the secretary announcing in the course of the evening subscriptions amounting to about 5001. In the list of toasts proposed and duly responded to by the company the different societies formed in the metropolis for the promotion of art and the encourage ment of artists were included. Reference was made by several of the speakers to the approaching Exhibition of 1851, and its probable effect on the permanent interests of the fine arts in England. It was also strongly urged that every means should be taken to extend a taste for art 'among the masses cf the people, and to draw more closely together the connexion between art and manufactures. The evening passed off very agreeably. TOE EMIGRANTS IN THE BARQUE INDIAN.—A number of gentlemen, members of the Stock Exchange, have subscribed 80/., w hi c h h as been sent to Caroline Arnold, as an ack now l e d gment o f her moral courage in exposing the outrages committed on the female emi grants on board th e b arque I n dian, and in overcoming the difficulty of getting the case inquired into by the au thorities in Australia. , INCREAS E OF SHIPS AT SHIELDS — Though the first quarter of th e }ear h as n ot yet expired, no less than forty-six ves se l s h ave b een a dded to the port of Shields since New Y ear ' s D a ma king an increase of nearly 13,000 tons t o the pre y vious tonnage of the young port, a considerable part of which are new vessels and other ships that have recently been purchased by our fellow townsmen, the remainder consisting of vessels that have been transferred from the port of Newcastle. Should this immense accession of tonnage to the port continue in a corresponding ratio with that of the last twelve months, we shall soon be able to raise our customs' esta blishment to a second-class port.—Newcastle Guardian. LINCOLN. —The very beautiful oriel window which lately adorned the south end of the ancient city palace of John o'Gaunt h as b een removed, and having been pur chased by th e county m agistrates, is to be placed betw ee n the entrance g a t es t o the Castle. — Stumlord Mercury. A. M. de L agn i o u, a journalist and dramatic au thor, and according to his own account, an active mem. ber of the Legitimatist party, was, some time ago con demned, by the Tribunal of Correctional Police, to thirteen months' imprisonment for swindling. He had ordered some shawls to be sent to him by the Villes de France, and made use of the name of M. d e Laroche jacquelein, an d o ther noted legitirnatists. The inquiries made respecting him not being satisfactory, only one shawl, worth 200 f., was sent with a receipted bill. Toe shopmsn not being able to obtain the money took back the shave 1, but by mistake left the bill. At the foot of the bill was a note that if the shawl should not suit the money would be returned. A few days later the prisoner went to the Villes de France with the bill, and producing a shawl, which he pretended he had bought, demanded that the money should be returned. Supposing that the shawl was one which had been sold, the director of the establishment received it back and caused 200 f. to be paid to the prisoner. It subsequently turned out that the shawl was an old one, not worth 80f. Yesterday the prisoner appealed to the Court of Appeal against his condemnation, but, after hearing the facts, the judgment was confirmed.— Ga/ignani. A Ricci PAUPER.--A widow woman named Nanny Mole died last week at Bewdley. She had for many years received relief from the parish, and after her death the family were agreeably surprised to find that she had amassed a sum of 1701., part of which was found in an old stocking, and 1004 in the Bewdley bank.—Manches ter Chronicle. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert, the Princess Royal, tile ladies and gentlemen of the Court, and the ; domestic household, attended Divine service yester day morning in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace. The Hon. and Rev. Gerald Wellesley officiated. His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horseback on Saturday morning, attended by Colonel Bouverie. The Duke and Duchess de Nemours visited her Majesty on Saturday at Buckingham Palace. His Royal Highness Prince Albert presided on Saturday afternoon at a meeting of the Royal Commis sion for the promotion of the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations to be held in the yearlBsl. His Royal Highness arrived at the new Palace of Westminster at three o'clock, attended by Colonel Bouverie. The Commiksioners present were the Earl Gran ville, Lord Overstone, Sir Robert Peel, Sir Charles Lyell, iMr. Barry, Mr. 13az1ey, Mr. Cubitt, Mr. T. F. Gibson, Mr. John Gott, and Mr. Alderman Thompson. Colonel Reid, R.E , chairman of the executive committee, was also present. Mr. Stafford Northcote, secretary to the commission, attended. The meeting broke up at six o'clock. A deputation from the council of the Society of Arts had an interview with the royal commissioners. Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured the Royal Italian Opera House with their presence on Saturday evening. The royal suite consisted of the Viscountess Jocelyn, Hon. Flora Macdonald, the Earl if Morley, Lord Alfred Paget, and Colonel Bouveriet. The Queen's private band attended in I3uckingham Palace on Friday evening, and performed the fol lowing pieces : Overture, Op. 142 Aria, "Faust" Spohr. Scene, Romance, and Trio, " La Part du Diable" Trio, " Le Pre aux Clerc s " Herold. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge returned to their residence at Kew on Saturday, from honouring the Earl and Countess of Wilton with a visit at their seat, Melton Mowbray. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday afternoon at the Foreign-office. It was attended by Lord John Russell, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl Grey, the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, Sir Francis Baring, Sir John Hobhouse, the Earl of Carlisle, and the Right Hon. H. Labouchere. The Council sat two hours. The Turkish Ambassador was prevented by indis position from being present at the banquet given by the Lord Mayor on Thursday last. Lord Seymour had an interview with Lord John Russell on Saturday. Mr. Bazley had an interview with Sir George Grey on Saturday. Mr. Selby had also an interview with the Right V Hon. Baronet on Saturday at the Home-office. A deputation from the Londonderry and Coleraine and the Londonderry and Enniskillen Railways had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday, at his official residence in Downing street. Tile deputation consisted of Captain Jones, M.P., 111.1jor Blackall, ALP., Mr. J. Clay, M.P., Messrs. W. H. Thomas, T. Tyrrell, and F. 11. Hem ming. Lie Commission for inquiring into Smithfield market, and markets in the city of London for the sale of meat, met on Saturday at the Home-office. Mr. Gdorge Cornewall Lewis, Sir James Duke, Sir Harry Verney, the Hon. Frederick Bing, and Mr. John Wood, were present. The officers and gentlemen of her Majesty's Hon. Corps of Gentlemen at Arms had the honour of enter taining their captain, Lord Foley, at dinner on Satur day. at the Clarendon Hotel. The committee on manufactures of the Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, met on Saturday at the new Palace of Westminster. The members present were Mr. T. F. Gibson, Mr. Bazley, Mr. Gott, Mr. Herbert Minton, Mr. Apsley Pellatt, Mr. Itedgrare, Mr. H. J. Townsend, Professor Graham, and Mr. Marshall. Mr. Cole and Mr. Dilke attended on be half of the executive committee. Mr. .Northcote, secretary to the Commission, was in attendance. The Earl of Carli.le had a dinner party on Friday, at his residence, in Grosvenor-place. The company included Lady Morley, Lady Georgina and Mr. Grey, Lord harry Vane, Sir Hamilton, and Lady Seymour, Mr. Granville Vernon, Colonel and Mrs. Malcolm, Captain Egerton, Mr. and Mrs. W. Caven- dish, Mr. Macdonald, Mr. Birch, the Countess of Carlisle, Lady Mary and Captain Howard. The Duke of *Wellington attended the early ser vice, yesterday, in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The Archbishop of Canterbury preached the sermon yesterday, at the daily service. The Bishop of Oxford will preach on Sunday next (Easter Day), in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. TO THE SECRETARY OF THE BRADFORD REFORM ASSOCIATION. Sir,—On Wednesday the 20th, the Larceny Sum mary Jurisdiction Bill was brought into Committee, and there moved and carried that it be divided into two Bills. The effect of this may be considered hostile to the objectionable portions of the Bill, which are the powers to flog children by the public execu tioner at the order of two magistrates for thefts under the value of one shilling, and the mock option to be afforded to the unhappy small criminal, of say ing whether he will accept the flogging of the two magistrates, or will go before a jury. All men of any general acquaintance with the world, know what options of this kind mean. The Committee was finally deferred to the 18th of April. On Thursday a great contest in a small House, on the composition of the " Committee upstairs" on the County Rates and Expenditure Bill. It is to be re gretted that some way cannot be discovered of fram ing these Committees without their being supposed to consist of two opposed sets of partisans. Perhaps something like the old mode of ballot for an Election Committee, where each side struck off what it con sidered its avowed opponents to the number of a third, might have the effect desired. But possibly the whole may be rendered needless by the conside ration, that no sensible man puts faith in the decisions of a Committee, except t o th e exac t ex t en t o f th e evidence and arguments produced. On Friday was the debate in Committee on the Aus tralian Colonies Government Bill. The Conservative side of the House advanced precisely the same tactics as on a former debate on Economy; and with precisely the same effect of inducing a number of the Liberals to run after the hook, though they were told it was a hook, and assured by the inviters that it was a hook, and shown where the object was to land them. The Conservatives moved as an amendment, that there should be two Chambers in the Australian Colonies ; a point on which, viewed in its nakedness, few Liberals of anything like an advanced order could fail to agree. But then it was not naked ; the Conservatives added, that if they carried their amend ment, their object was to have a Second Chamber nominated by the Crown, with a proviso (how hand some) that not more than one-third of the members should hold offices of emolument under the Crown. And at this most monstrous bait, a portion of the Liberals did not fail to bite. That they trusted to being able to lick the bait off the hook,—to gain a majority by joining with the Conservatives on the first question, and then to get rid of the consequences by voting another way upon the second. Fish do so every day, and we know what comes of it. Of course the question is open to all varieties of opinion ; but it is therefore open to that one, which thinks that nothing is more dangerous than playing with the fiend, and joining in fellowship with him for a season in the expectation of being able to evade his claw when it shall be convenient. There may have been one or two instances in the history of mankind of the success of such a policy on the large scale; be` `,he number is by no means such as invites to repetition. The President of the Board of Trade took too much alarm at the conduct of the Liberals behind him, who none of them did more than was required for a fair exposition of their opinions and throwing them into the pool. A Conservative Member saw a strong necessity for introducing what he called the monarchical principle into the colonies. It was therefore no more than right, that others should have their say. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, AN OLD REFORMER. London, 25th March, 1850. THE ARMY. It will be most gratifying to the army to re ceive another proof of the kindness and attention which Lord Gough has always manifested towards the interests and welfare of those officers who have served under him, and deserved well of their country. Shortly before his Lordship resigned the command of the army in India he addressed to the Governor- General and the military secretary of the Com mander•in-Chief letters strongly recommending to the favourable consideration of the Government three distinguished officers who had served under his Lord ship in the three last campaigns. The honours and rewards placed at his Lordship's disposal after " the crowning victory of Goojerat" were, it appears, de voted to other claims, or were inadequate to the ser vices rendered by those officers. The brief summary of those servic es g i ven i n his Lordship's recommen dation affords the most ample evidence of the claims those officers possess, an d i s t o t h e f o ll ow i ng e ff ec t : Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Grant, C. 8., Adjutant- General of the Army, was virtually at the head of the important department of which he is chief in the last three great campaigns. His services in the Gwalior campaign were on ly inadequately rewarded with a brevet rnaj Jrity. For the Sutledj campaign, in which he was severely and dangerously wounded, he re ceived a brevet lieutenant- colonelcy. For the last and crow n i ng ca mpaign, in which his duties were most onerous and responsible, and were performed with a zeal, ability, and gallantry repeatedly com mended in the various dispatches, Lieutenant-Colonel Grant had neither advancement nor distinction of any kind conferred upon him ; and in the opinion of his Lord,hip, the Adjutant-General of an army of nearly 200,000 men, from his high position and distinguished service*, was entitled to some special acknowledgment and reward. The second case, that of Lieutenant• Colonel Wm. Garden, C. 8., whose services as Quartermaster-Gene ral of the Army had been frequently mentioned with the warmest commendations during the three last campaigns, is nearly similar to that of Lieutenant- Colonel Grant, and was recommended most urgently to the consideration of the Government. The third case was that of Lieutenant- Colonel Tucker, Deputy Adjutant-General of the Bengal Army. Lieutenant-Colonel Tucker is a most chival rous accomplished staff. officer, and his services in the field in particular have been most valuable, and mark him out as one destined to rise to the highest distinc tion. At the battle of Sobraon, in the affair of Ham nuggur, on the hard fought and fiercely contested field of Chillianwalla, and at the glorious and final victory of Goojerat, in which he slew three of the enemy's horsemen in single combat, the intrepid bearing of Lieutenant-Colonel Tucker called forth tie admira tion of all who witnessed it. Lieutenant-Colonel Tucker received a brevet majority for his services a • Sobraon, and he has been promoted to a brevet lieu tenant-colonelcy for the last campaign, and in hit- Lordship's opinion the very superior services and con spicuous gallantry of Lieutenant-Colonel Tucker de serve some special mark of approval, and his Lordship most emphatically solicited the Governor-General to convey to the proper authorities his most earnest re commendation that the honour of the Bath might be conferred upon that intrepid officer. These recommendations have been, we understand, transmitted to the Court of Directors and to the Horse Guards, and we have no doubt that they will be at tended to.— chronicle. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, MARCU 24.—The Cygnet, 6, Com mander D. Robertson, arrived this afternoon from the coast of Africa. The Encounter screw-corvette, Captain Gordon, sailed this afternoon at forty minutes past three for Lisbon. PLYMOUTH, MARCH 22.—Tier Majesty's ship Su perb, 80, Captain Purcell, which entered the Sound last evening from Queenstown, left again early this morning to relieve the homeward bound in the Chops of the Channel. The Arethusa, at her trial trip (before sailing for Lisbon), with all reefs out, close hauled, fresh breeze from the eastward, made 10.2 knots an hour. She draws 23 feet 4 inches aft, and 21 feet 10 inches for ward; mean draught, 22 feet 7 inches. Ships of her class draw usually two feet less, as is the case, we believe, with the Indefatigable and with the Pbaeton, which is five feet longer and 18 inches nar rower than the Arethusa. APTOINTMEN TS. WOOLWICH, MARCH 23.—Assistant-Surgeon Ar chibald Sibbald, M.D. (1841), to the Assistance, fitting for the Arctic Expedition. Master's-Assistant Nathaniel J. Loane to the Dasher steam-vessel at Woolwich. Third Engineer Augustus Mills to the Dasher. THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. _ The Pioneer screw steam-vessel, Lieutenant-Com mander Sherard Osborn, is now in a very advanced state, the whole of her doubling from her gunwales down to her keel being eompleted, and convicts have been busy to-day in scraping her sides to make her ready for caulking. A number of caulkers arrived from Deptford to-day to assist in getting the vessel caulked with the least possible delay, and the ship wrights are employed upon her from 5 30 A.M. to 7 P.m. Workmen commenced placing the apparatus for heating the vessel to-day, the well for lifting the screw up through has been completed, and the stern of the vessel is apparently of much greater strength than it ever was before. The well is 3 feet 9 inches long by 2 feet 7 inches wide. The figure-head has been removed, and a strong piece of timber substi tuted over her bows. When caulked and otherwise ready, she will be taken out of dock into the river to have her stores put on board, and be made in every respect ready for sea, and the hands now employed upon her will then assist in accelerating the progress of the other vessels of the expedition. The Intrepid screw steam-vessel, Lieutenant-Com mander John Bertie Cator, is progressing so rapidly, that her boiler was taken out at 5 o'clock on the afternoon of Thursday, the day she was taken into dock, and the workmen of the factory have been at work upon it and upon the engines without intermission, relays of fresh workmen being put on to work night and day. The well for un shipping the screw in this vessel has been cut out, and the shipwrights were at work upon her bottom by torch light until eight o'clock this evening, and will again commence at an early hour on Monday morn ing. The whole of the shipwrights have been taken from the Onyx steam-vessel .to assist in expediting the Intrepid, and as the shipwrights recently at work on the Nankin, 50-gun frigate, are now available for the Intrepid, she will be made ready for sea in a very short time. The Resolute, Captain 11. T. Austin, C. 8., fitting in Mr. Green's dock at Blackwall, is expected to be ready to be brought to Woolwich in about ten days to have her stores put on board. The Assistance, Captain Erasmus Ommaney, fitting at Messrs. Wigram's yard, is also in an advanced state, and will be brought to Woolwich the moment she is ready to receive her stores. The rigging and sails and every other requisite for the whole of the vessels have been prepared, and are ready to be put up with the least possible delay, and the expedition will be ready to leave Woolwich at an earlier period than the expedition under Captain Sir James Clarke ROSS, which left for the Arctic regions on the 19. th of May, 1848. THE BRAZILS. FALMOUTH, MAacil 23.—Her Majesty's packet Petrel, Lieutenant Creser commander, arrived this morning from the Brazils, having left Rio Janeiro on the 17th of January, and experienced throughout the passage a succession of gales and contrary winds. She brings with the mails about 15,0001. in specie, and Messrs. E. Adams, Baddeley, and Richard W. Pearce, with six miners, as passengers. in political matters nothing of importance had taken place. The Royal Family has sustained a melancholy be reavement in the death of his Serene Highness Don Pedro Alfonso, heir apparent to the Brazilian throne, which event took place on the 9th of Janultry, after a few hours' illness. The interment took place on the 12th, with the usual ceremonies, the Ministers of State and the grandees of the empire attending. Transactions in exports had continued brisk since the commencement of the year. Exchange had advanced, and was quoted on the packet's departure at 28i to 28i, at which rates a fair amount of business had been done. Transactions in coffee from the Ist of January were estimated at 90,000 bags, almost exclusively for the States, leaving 20,000 bags in stock. The advices from foreign markets continued highly favourable, but, notwithstanding, prices at Rio were much above those warranted by the best reports from consuming countries. Since the commencement of the year an advance had taken place of fully 600 reis per arroba. The latest quotations were—superior, 6,000 reis to 6,200 reis ; good first, 5,700 reis to 5,900 reis ; good seconds, 5,000 reis to 5,200 reis ; first ordinary, 5,400 reis ,to 5,600 reis; second ordi nary, 4,300 to 4,500 reis. In sugars the sales had been 600 cases, of which 400 were for export at 2,600 reis to 2,900 reis, and at 1,600 reis to 1,900 rein. On hand, all packages in cluded, 3,000 cases. Hides quoted firm at 160 for heavy, and 270 for light. Stock on hand 72,000, of which 7,000 were River Plate. Since the Ist of January, 440,0001., including 20,0001. taken by the Treasury, had been negotiated at various quotations of exchange, ranging from 28i. to 291 Moderate amounts had been passed upon Paris at 340 to 330, and on Hamburgh at 615 to 610. Stock opened at 86. Business had been limited. The quotations were 85i to 86. Her Majesty's packet Spider arrived at Rio on the 11th of January, with the Buenos Ayrean and Monte Videan mails, bringing dates to the 28th of Dec. Prior to the Petrel's departure, a few cases of yellow fever had appeared at Rio, and some apprehensions were entertained as to the probable increase of that fearful malady. FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE OF FRIDAY. PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS. J. Sowden, jun., Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, farmer, 2s. 9d., on Friday, March 22, or any subsequent Friday, between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Carrick, Franeis Braithwaite, Hereford, apothecary, lid., on any Thursday, between eleven and three, at the office of Mr. Whitmore, Birmingham. J. Ransford, Leamington, ale, porter, and coal mer chant, 9d., on any Thursday, between eleven and three, at the office of Mr. Christie, Birmingham. T. Fox, West Cornforth and Thrislington, county of Durham, and Regent's canal basin, limeburner and ccal merchant, 7d., on Saturday, March 23, or any following Saturday, between ten and three, at the office of Mr. Wakley, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. W. Wilkinson, J. Smith, and T. Denman (so far as regards T. Denman), South Rettord, millers—T. J. Moffat and R. Moffat, Mincing-lane, tea-brokers— J. Wilson and W. Facer, Harrowgate, Yorkshire, chemists and druggists--J. Middleton, W. Blundell, A. Middleton, and C. H. Harrison, Singa , cre and Manilla, merchants—W. Swift and J. Swift, Li verpool, licensed victuallers—W. Parker and W. Dicks, Leicester, boot and 41190 manufacturers—J. F. --rr------ --a -_ - Weymouth and F. Green, Angel court, City, solicitors —H. Smith, H. Larchin, H. W. Woodbridge, and R. Maughan (so far as regards H. Smith), Ratcliffe, brewers —C. 1 7 "),ckers and P. W. Hughall, Pontefract, architects —W. Yates, W. Aspell, and J. Fieldes (so far as regards W. Yates), Ilanchester, distillers—F. M. Faulkner and T. N. IL Walsh, Folkstone, custom-house agents—W. J. West and J. W. Longdill, Crutched-friars, merchants —W. Noakes, sen., J. Petitt, and W. Noakes, jun., Tice hunt, Sussex, drapers—C. Grapp and R. Young, Charles street, Manchester-square, livery-stable keepers —E. Russell and J. Oldfield, Leeds and Batley, Yorkshire, bootusakers—J. Verey and B. Lemon, Regent-street, hosiers—j. Husband and J. Wyatt, Verulam-buildings, Grays-inn, attorney's—T. G. Matthews and R. Leonard, Bristol, drysalters—W. G. Gordon and Maria Johnson, Royston, Cambridgeshire, innkeepers—F. Johnson, jun., and J. Sutcliffe, Shelton, Staffordshire, manufacturing chemists—T. Beale and W. Chappell, Regent-street, music dealers—E. Bury, T. A. Curtis, and J. Kennedy, Liverpool, ironfounders (as far as regards the said T. A. Curtis)—W. Fookes and R. Fookes, Weston, Somer. setshire, common b rewers — F. Fisher and T. Bestson, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, coal merchants—T. Wilson and J. Jones, Liverpool, watchcase makers—J. B. Sidwick, H. Whittaker, and J. Dury, Orley and Wreaks, York shire, cotton spinners (so far as regards the said IL Whittaker)._ _ INSOLVENT PETITIONERS. Henry Frampton, Worcester, tailor. George Tinker, Upton, Nottinghamshire, tailor. Richard Cotton, Whitehall, Staffordshire, furnaceman. William Thomas Lewis, Rond&-valley, Glanaorganshire surveyor. Samuel Stephens, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, boot dealer. George Simpson, Bursiem, Staffsndshire, plumber. George Owen Scutcher, Fenton, Staffordshire, spirit dealer. George Townsend, Alcaster, Warwickshire, publican. Elizabeth Hughes, Ludlow, Shropshire. Samuel Bailey. Tipton, Staffordshire, baker. Arthur Cook, Hertford, cordwainer. SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. C. Murray, Helmadale, merchant, to meet., March 27, and April 24, at twelve, within Hill's lan, Golspie. W. Lang, Dumbarton, draper, to meet, March 28, and April 18, at one, within the Elephant Inn, Dum barton. W 0. Watson, Edinburgh, merchant, to meet, M arc h 30, and April 16 at twelve, within Cannon's Tempe rance Hotel, Edinburgh. W. Mllven, Barrhead, Renfewshire, to meet, March 28, and April 11, at twelve, within the Saracea's Head Inn, Paisley. J. Morgan, Largs, hat manufacturer, to meet, March 30, and April 20, at two, within Brisbane Arms Hotel, Largs. C. Gow, Glammis, Forfarshire, farmer, to meet, March 29, and April 19, at one, within Boas's Inn, Glammis. EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF BIGAMY. UPTON-ON-SETERN, SATURDAY. —The magistrates sitting in Petty Sessions here have been engaged in adjudicating on a case of bigamy committed under very peculiar circumstances as regards the conduct of the first wife, who had adopted the habits and dress of a man, and had actually been married to one of her own sex. The accused bigamist is one John Curtis, a labourer, of the village of Strensham—the retreat of the poet Butler ; and he stands charged with having married a second wife during the existence of his first, hose maiden name was Anna Maria Wilkins, and whom he married in Strensham in 1835. Curtis and his wife lived together until the year 1840, when they c mie to a mutual agreement to separate. Upon this separation taking place the wife, who was of a mascu • line character, determined to change her condition" otherwise, and forthwith she assumed male attire, and proceeded into an adjoining county (Staffordshire), where she engaged with a farmer as day-labourer, and actually worked in the fields, and occasionally guided the ploughshare. She then became the " man servant" of a gentleman, and having the appear ante of a " brisk young man," she attracted the attention of her master's housemaid, and the two appeared to be on terms likely to lead to a consummation in marriage. It was supposed by some parties that these two fellow-servants were more intimate than virtuous, and the housemaid was severely taken to task by her relatives upon the subject, and some abuse fell to the share of the seeming man. The two were much annoyed by the scandal, and at length the banns were put up, and they were actually married, and lived together as man and wife, as everybody thought, for some years, the secret of the supposed husband's sex being undi vulged. At length, however, the housemaid tired of her female husband, and married a real man, re moving to a distant part of the country, while the heroine of our history remained in Staffordshire. In the meantime, her real husband, Curtis, tired of single life, resolved to marry again, and having paid his ad dresses to a woman in his parish, the clergymen, the Rev. Dr. Groves, incumbent of Strensham, was ap plied to, but very properly refused to marry the couple until he had some proof of the death of Cur tis's first wife. Curtis made another application for the fulfilment of a custom peculiar to the parish of Strensham, viz., to have the church bell tolled as for the death of the missing wife. This, however, was also refused, upon which Curtis and his bride ex pectant repaired to Worcester, where they were mar ried. The fact was very shortly afterwards conveyed to the ears of his real wife in Staffordshire, upon which she assumed her female attire, had Curtis taken into custody, and appeared to prosecute him for bigamy. The magistrates, having heard the evidence, committed Curtis for trial. POISONING IN NORFOLK. NORWICH, SATURDAY.—We regret to state that another case of wholesale poisoning has within the last three days been discovered in this county, which, as may be imagined, has created the most painful ex citement, a whole family of ten persons having bean poisoned, two of whom have since died. The locality of this dreadful affair is Stow Bardolph, a small re tired village, two miles north of Downham, in the western portion of the county, and the unfortunate TiC• time are the family of a respectable farmer named Mr. James Page, who resided there. An investigation has taken place before the Rev. E. J. Howman, one of the county magistrates, but the reporters were ex cluded on the ground, it was alleged, that it would not be prudent at present to give publicity to the evi. dence, though the case was admitted as one involving the utmost mystery, and it was doubtful if it was not a foul and deliberate murder. The facts furnished to the representatives of the press by the police are as follow : The family consisted of nine persons, namely, Mr. James Page, Mrs. Page, three sons, two young ladies (sisters of Mr. Page), a governess, three women, and one man servants. A few weeks ago a quantity of sugar was bought by a member of the family, which came first into use on Wednesday morn ing last. The tea at the breakfast table was sweetened with it, and Mr. Page at once complained it made him sick. At the same time he summoned the servants, and a remark was made by one of the women that there were some white particles in the sugar, probably mixed with it to cheapen it. A sediment was also discovered in the cups. Nothing more, however, it seems, was thought of the circumstance, and it was determined that in. stead of using the sugar for tea it should be em ployed for puddings and other pastry. At dinner that day an apple-pudding was served, and the sugar was added to it; and immediately after the family had partaken of it they were all seized with violent burn. ing pains in the throat, followed by purging, vomit ing, and other symptoms usual in cases of poisoning. The servants partook of the meal, and suffered in the same manner. Mr. Page at once di s p a t c h e d messen gers for medical gentlemen residing in the neigh bourhood, who were quickly on the spot, and every means was resorted to to c h ec k th e h orr ib le effects of the poison. They remained with the sufferers the whole of that night and following day. It was evi dent, however, that Mr. Pag e h a d swa ll owed a con siderable quantity ; he n ever ra lli e d , b ut sun k un d er its baneful effect s , exp i r i ng in great agony on F r id ay morning ; and at the time of these details being written the medical gentlemen have reported th e death of hi s son. T he other members of the family and two of the servants remained very ill, but hopes were entertained of their recovery. Mr. Page was highly respected, His body and that of his son await a coroner's inquest, which is l ikely to be held on Monday. UNIVERSIT Y INTELLIGENCE. oxvonu, MARCH 23.—1 n a convocation holden this day, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred on William Unwin Heygate, of Merton College. At the Fame time the nomination of Mr. Waite, of Trinity, and Mr. Wilson, of St. John's, as Ex aminer in Disciplinis Matbematicis et Physicis and is Literis IlumanioribuF, was approved by the House. It is said that at a recent meeting of the Hebdo• madal Board the proposal t o b r i ng t h e education ques tion before convocati on was rejected bye majority of 11 to 8. NEW STATUTE. In correction of a former notice it should be stated that the new statute proposes to substitute Justinian I Institutes for Blackstone in the pass school, and not the Institutes for Civil Law in the class school of modern history. MODEL L ODGING-HOUSIIS.—It is Said to be in contemplation to b u ild several model lodg ing -houses in Oxford, under the auspices of the parochial clergy. THE SPEAXER'S DIENER.—The Right Hon. the Speaker gave his seventh dinner on Saturday. The fol. lowing Members were present:—Lord Arundel and Surrey, Sir Richard Bulkelsy, Sir Edward Buxton, Ur. William Grey, Mr. Heywood, Mr. Wyvill, Mr. Hugh Adair, Mr. Foley, Mr. Tenison, Mr. Pigott, Mr. i. Talbot, Mr. Harris, Mr. Langston, Lord George Paget, Mr. G. Towneley, Mr. Compton Cavendish, Mr. Os. borne, Mr. ilatchell, Mr. Sadleir, the Hon. Mr. John Fortescue, Mr. Shafto, Colonel Pinney, Sir Thomas .t.i.bdy, Mr. M'Callagh, Mr. Chichester Fortescue and Mr. Armstrong. Lord Grorrenor wee slant thi9ullb L ales&