The Sun. — London, England, 1850-02-15 00:00:00

di ler sentence f transportation we-e sent to a place, the, therefore, it became a peNal settlement. There were e `' nv iots, for instance. at Gibraltar, which could not he considered as a penal settlement. But the repeal of the c , i ao , e, proposed by the Hoe. Member would enable the uovernment to send convicts t the C:•pe, or any ether e°l "Y, just the same as to Woolwich, Portland, or any °s 'er Place t , which convicts were sent for hard labour, until they could be otherwise provided for. If n die- Puiition existed to exercise this ponce despo a tic y ally, the colonists had the power of counteracting it, for their complaints were easily made known in this takeetr.Y. He believed the reped of this power would away the means of enforcing tho sentvnce of trans- Perfekt' at this reoineet, and would not eficet the ob- Jett °F the Hot). Gentleman, or protest the colonists from couviets being sent out. And under what circumstances Were convicti sent abroad? If transportation was to h. taaintained a t a l l, it was the general opinion that the (::cOnvicts should be di s p erse d as w id e l y es poss ibl e, i n } ( l l . e r to prevent that a ccumu l at i on of v i ce an d i n i qu i ty b bud resulted fro m t h e aggregat i on o f l arge flam ers in 4 , an gs on üblic woik:. It' tho present Act ihould be el e iled P , there would be ne alternative but to g a e , rl , 4 th' m iu masses, and keep them to work in masses, w ' ; '`', on the expiration of their sentences they would, itno et _ Gen any reformatory discipline, be dispersed as free Gen throughout the colonies.—(hear, hear.) The Hon. ph iep t i d eman f,,,. e i . Y a muted that the Colonial•office was de r great difficulties. He wished to impress on it,etukalninhers the necessity of not trifling with the sub which ar a w ay . the by in to" -- quarter sessions they were clamorous f pass tlg' "(I which they desired to see carried out, in order i rP lieve the comities from the cost of their care and hadiliktenanee• Transportation to Van Diemen's Land blt-t'ett suspended by the late Government, and the _er e- U",,, rl4 . ,nits had followed that step. It had lately been be s--eu i n very tnoderate numbers, but increased num 471stharl been sent to Bermuda and Gibraltar. Now, had been poing on at home ? In England the 18 4 .1 r nher had not increased. The number transported in I .4 l : f i s as 3 . 35 7; in 1848, 3,296; and in 1849 the number A -' o lit 500 less, partly owing to the operation of the "' e t LI last session, and partly owing to the increased t e o c ra i rep of the people. What was the case with respect re, tns la , ? The sentence of transportation for larceny Isar " c 'esate numbers was one of the stronge-t grounds in 113 44 8 ession for lessening the punishment. In Ireland I Z,the nutnber transported was 700 ; in 1845, 627 ; 1r4 11 7 ) 6 ; * 708 ; in 1847 (during which transportation to ere tts T i d3 lieles Land was suspended) the number had in tad to 2,208 ;in 1848, the number was 2,729 ; i ‘s tl i 1849, it am ounted to 3,039. There could be e t% lot that offences in Ireland had greatly ins rout I d 6u, and although some of the sentences were coin it became necessary to visit many of them o r ", 84e/ere punishment, in order that it might not . go effs - t a : t hat the sentences would not be carried into lier t conduct of many of the convicts sent to he C,Tis entitled them to considerable indulgence, and i ble itettlerl as neyc d that a number of them would prove as va u many of the emigrants who had gone rv rsti " l u to that country, for the crimes were not of abl e 10 "%lens character. It might, perhaps, be des . ir- Parti;, te uuce the number of classes of offences for which Parii„mtre liable to be transported; but so long as eff ects Th e ePt up this punishment, they ought to overnment of the power of carrying it into else e ;Ron. Gentleman had spoken of the power W hen, i i ; er c.ised despotically by the Colonial . Minister, Isbeti n Point of fact, he never exercised it without the hp. o „ 0 , 11 °I other members of the Government. . Looking disehrte motion as one which would tenfold increase the into elf( of (tarrying the sentence of transportation se - 1 . - n ee % end which would fetter the discretion of the tie ti o -t4en t in dealing with the subject, he trusted ateruele would not adopt the suggestion of the Hon. eitIP A • MOL th e ESWORTH supported the motion, be -404 Colonial -office had proved itself not well qua who k to e xercise th e power of which his Hon. Friend it, T gad brought forward the subject sought to depriv e vtl le iln, Proof of this position, he had only to refer to tll, Thad tak en place at the Cape. It appeared that on % Cir c a of August, 18 48, t h e Co l on i al Secre:ary sent k epi u to several of our colonies, offering to send stmi n at certain description of convicts as a boon, but tolol taut no such convicts would be sent unless the Cs nist a expressed their approval of the offer. At the tist . 84 a Smith brought the subject before the Le- Viett"tve Council, and pledged his word that no con- Cf th W °tlld be sent unless approved of by the majority iriiv colonists ; but the Colonial Secretary, before top:ttig for an answer to his dispatch, resolved Plotj ell( ' out to the colony a certain number of The Colonial Secretary, therefore, cora teteviolated the promise he had made, and the nt violated been that the colonists had virtually rebelled. the 6 (31114 net help regarding what had happened . at Ca pe for a it sfepi re as source of great danger to our colonial proclaimed to them that they had t V° use it and resist in ordir to rid themselves tet ! 3 ' ran nY of . the Colonial-office. He had presented to nniitsitou f 4 °lu New South Wales, signed by 13 that c % 6,000 ; l o t , o , t „ l ng their intention to resist transportation t ° l llcl t and their belief that, if persevered in it tad thi s "d to te t e 3 cod to the connexion between the colony That p e titi on h a d b e en a d o pt e d before t, Pld have h eard of the successful issue of the ttltgtt n 0 at the Cape. He could not conceive how any tllu ti % right feeli ng could ever consent to the colony in testi;. resided b e i ng converted into a convict settle d reference to the report of the Transportation ilst7ittee would sho w the evil effects which traneporta -111%44 produced in New South Wales and Van , tae Land. After the fearful amount of crime which a t e c b ihrt disclosed, it was not matter of surprise that 'Aos ° „ l tlsta should hold the transportation system in le t s lialce- The Right Hon. Baronet the Home &ere earr-iitiNd the present motion would create difficulties tar :oi i t out sentences of transpor aio . If he (Sir ' , ion l e i - worth) had no . other revson tor supporting the et " k Q should do it upon that ground alone, us he banxious to abolish transportation. This if tr- 'ad "11 make the colonies the cesspools v s 0 . no right to —(llear.) 1091,48„-k e TOR'NEY-GENERAL remarked that the ~. the Ba r I, th Member for Southwark had not spoken " lue • • e em They were not at 45 44 stion btfore the House. t , I t , NI% led on to consider either the question of the or transportation or of the conduct of the . G0t.441111t t. 4 411 11t towarda the Cape. The question for discus- F, P icri s t ' vihether they should take from the Crown . the n 10,ilii 0 „Pclaessed of selecting places within its own R to which convicts might be transported. If ti: ) :L(1 l n° better ground for the motion than that it uotC" to the abolition of transportation,. he hoped . t se w th e ,euld pause before consenting to it. But, in Itti, 4 l , o ipp o r • Gentleman who had brought it forward 1 114-• e s B his object to be the abolition of transpor d - NS., i IS object was to repeal the sth Geo. IV., and 'r provisions of the 6th Geo. IV., which her Majesty, with the advice of the Privy o s , sto 11 1."ir a PPoint places within the dominions of . the . 4 1 th 34 t. „.e transportation of felons an-I other or . im . t k onourable Gentleman had made no provision ljjee :ro criminals should be sent provided that 1 41' I:it e . t r i e abolished. The simple object of the t ttel l otte tl i` el lasn was to take away from the Crown to re Po~ tati °f fixing, by order in Council, places of If the Hon. Gentleman did not mean 4, ll „tt)e h il „ e whole of the Acts, the Crown would still Ito t , - `,Pl4,w'er of sending convicts to the hulks and be e ,l) bet if he did mean to repeal them, what , I . )t t of the reformatory establishments at t 4 % i `te ob i • - '4u Parkhurst? If the repeal of the statutes `tt ;'vieli' t e ; e t of the motion, then he objected to it as a , %VII i i ,' °ll of the prerogative of the Crown, for "1i t1 e 1 , 4 14 1 , - "Il Was not in the first instance a statutory tl R " nt a conditional commutation of the sen thst.k,it 'l tt , t4 . The Crown had always had the power `” 4 t- t c h Place f transportation. It was in cense hGsrtetre'e Collusions that took place between the k e i Nit 1 3 4114 their masters that the statute was passed. I ,t,ls:itst l i e ,, et tv). He could well understand that when the I,N I of t7 t , w ell abused the Crown should have claimed the Dte": L egislature, but it did not therefore follow `titl ' l4 lll L°Reitive ad ceased to exist. The 24th Geo. 1 11 % the 5 , e4 the h Crow nto fix the place of transportation, Qtlt 4 , 4 ?o:'` Q G ". gave the same power. Suppose e ml t l "Woman obtained leave to introduce his Propose to ask the House to fix some & A l es% Penal settlements, or did he suppose it 4 4 _ tit to th e d utY of the Government, in the first place, s't'a ;:qt e ll •i is it ssent of the colonists? The disadvantages d ate4,4ter course were evident. If a statute c a n i mperfect information, making the Bp % Pei tt rle t , th v_ot, and if convicts had been sent out in lis!tetl t , t ,l,teh tt ; Passive resistance . lately offered at the t o „!ipbbk t o been rebellion.—(flear, hear.) His 4 s ' g u ,l 'a Motion were insuperable. Hon. Mem -1,11144 11 1 :, - `` to abolish transportation might vote APt tr ;_ c)o , eurred with his Right Hon. Friend the h i t tc.,'„l i i (j r,,), and should resist themotion.—(llear.) 14; t1 IN' bil u ftßY agreed with the Attorney-General vt o !kieeti chl 'ot was not the time to discuss whether 4 4 -.1 b, tt, 4441-should be abolished or not. He was not Sfp It that the prerogative of the Crown kes • NIA 'eet 4 4 41, f tts, eu by the motion. ),the f tt r, 4741 exile were entirely statutable punish- It 4) 1 - s";ti e t,t t r .er4 it ra t r were condemned to death, the Crown ur 4t ,lon v ,, ye of commuting the sentence, but that ot ti kti 14 trod 411 % a sentence of transportation. Exile D tt e . 4 ° ,, ll bY th.tieed Chart he 39th Elizabeth, and trans- OPOsi."rtat. 18 th es 11., which gave a power ti; i ct the - tn i°ll .to America. His . Hon. Friend who osu 7 b y go did not intend it should interfere 4 4 04 „Pi k bile tiv . ~_es ..._,. c etsion of the Council, or that t t 7 l YAli t "t " 11 . 11 h transportation had . been directed toe Paten A till tio places of transportation till specin for e A, b y Parliament . I; would always be eka e ut h e h ants:meat to appoint new penal settle h,y°l4ivt 9 1 , a they would be cautious and not in „l4l Tho u Population on young and uncontaminated '4 ,aiu tl t i - 6 - r m " h 0 did a not concur in all, that tot, , PO, I P the Hon. Gentleman who had made 4', 44 4,W , 3 - a elt it is duty to give it his support. It t ree t r tit te he could not support the motion. A b t tl :ca N juni6e: thought his Hon. Friend would the e te: l4- 11 1,- the que `: t; in directing the attention of 4 14" N bsi "of transportation, unless -rover vri l°4l ll t I ti g the 't b tore them. If Govern- Csrh°lll';nl4(''°os-iad.(o7. up th e qu t e t' stio e n, the house might very I tt s u eareyi n s Purloin-lent could do to aid the I , ll l l 4, t ,str tt i nt .t. R i out the sentence of transportation, or di s th 'on of tri z )uld in t o his respect be imposed on the t:et et t th s - 8 . row . n. A ist present the question was, it % 11. ut Y . tkeould that which would fetter the a rt' of o ut Goy do Pos. .in i n , it , who were required by law . 44, '4ti utterable in.tances the sentence or lf)ti NU d o o rs, " 4 which could only be effected by Go th;ng what it could to make a proper distribu st,),. mey_ r , Pers on , _ „„ L xaer ti l f) sentenced. He thought the ti n i t "uen h e ar usu pl : tt the question on too high • a le tru Ghat uerted it to be on rey t„, -, hen e of prerogative. .It d hsiNtt owneo .11 xercnsin g its best prerogative e of the Crown; condition on which ittut,:kutred 4 " (1 111 that sense transportation might but transpor -634 twons"itftncrallY understood, had for many " e g " S punishment imposed by THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, statute, and to be carried out according to the manner provided by Act of Parliament. He did not think, therefore, that there was any weight in the argument, that the motion trenched on the prerogative of the Crown. Formerly, when he was a young man at the bar, the sent-nai used to run, that the criminal should bo transported to such place as her Majesty, with the advice of her Privy Council. should appoint-1e wing the place at the discretion of the Crown and the responsi bility of the Minister. Now the sentence was shorter, and did not refer to the place. While he at present could not support the motion he entreated the Govern ment to bring forward this important question of trans portation. As far as his experience went, he was satis fied it was the only effective punishment, and the only one which Parliament, in its mercy, could safely substi tute for a higher one. Improvements might be made in the mode of carrying it gut; but it was a punishment which must Le carriel out if they wished to inspire wrong;-doers with terror. He could support no motion that would :e id to the abolition of transportation. If Government would bring the subject forward they would receive the thaeks f every ono who took an interest in the correction of offenders. Mr. HUMS said, that in supporting the motion he must not bo supposed as agreeing with the Hon. Mem ber for Southwark, as he had no wish to see transporta tion abolished. Ile thought that what had occurred at the Cape sea; a strong reason why a power like that in question should not be reposed in any individual. Every body knew that it was not the Government, but the Co lonial Secretary, who exercised the power. If there were any difficulty in finding proper places to which criminals might be transported, it was the duty of the Government to do everything in their power to prevent men from becoming criminals. He found from the Syd ney Gazette, received by the last mail, that great dis turbances had taken place in Sydney, in consequence of the determination of the Government to force convicts on the colony. Those convicts had been landed almost under the fire of cannon, and the Government House had been placed in what might be called a state of siege. Ile believed that the more they circumscribed the powers of officers capable of acting as Earl Grey had acted, the more likely were they to prevent scenes such as those to which he had la ferred. Lord J. RUSSELL said that before the House came to a division on the question, he wished to put before them the difficulties in which the Government were placed, and which he thought would not be at all diminished by the adoption of the motion which the Hon. Gentleman had made. The Hon. Gentleman proposed to repeal a par ticular part of one Act of Parliament, whereby her Ma jesty in Council was empowered to send transported con victs, according to her Majesty's discretion, to certain places within her dominions. But at the same time the Hon. Gentleman did not propose to repeal other parts of former Acts which gave the same powers. He did not propose to repeal the power which had been given to her Majesty, a few years ago, to send convicts to Gibraltar, and to other parts of her Majesty's distant possessions. Under those circumstances, he (Lord J. Russell) could not see what object the Hon. Gentleman could hare in view, except, as ho said, to show that the power had been abused, and that it ought therefore to be abo lished. Now, if that were the case, he really sub mitted to the House that they were going to decide a vary important question on very insufficient date. Suppose the Hon. Gentleman had proved to demonstration that the Noble Lord at present at the head of the Colonial office had been completely mistaken in his conduct with respect to the Cape, it did not therefore follow that the power which he had improperly exercised ought not to exist.—(Hear, hear.) Suppose that that conduct was altogether wrong, it did not therefore follow that other Colonial Ministers might not make a better use of that power which the Hon. Gentleman and others thought might be very beneficially employed. It, therefore, seemed a very illogical consequence to say, that because the power bad been in one particular instance abused, it should consequently be altogether destroyed. But as re garded the particular instance to which the Hon. Gen tleman bad alluded, he had himself stated in one part of his speech the very great difficulties with which the Secretary of State for the Colonies had to contend; and the lion. Gentleman could not estimate these difficulties too highly. While, however, he had stated them, and had them fully before his eyes, he had made no allow ance far them. In the first place, the law of this country authorises transportation. The judges, and not only the judges, but the chairmen of quarter sessions, condemned tc that punishment 3,000 persons every year; and when to those were added the persons whose sentences were com muted, the total number annually sentenced to transportation amounted to about 4,000. Now, if the Colonial Secretary were to send all those persons to one particular colony the result would be that the greatest evils would arise from the concentration of so many cri minals—that the most horrible state of society would be produced, and that the Colonial Secretary would receive representations which no Minister could hear without a desire to amend such an abuse; but if, on the other hand, he were to say that, finding himself embarrassed by such a number of convicts, he wished to know from the inhabitants of other colonies whether they would , receive a portion of them, he was met by a complaint of his tyrannical conduct. The Hon. Baronet the Member for Southwark (Sir W. Molesworth) bad said, " Was there ever such tyranny? Here is a Secretary of State asking a colony whether it has any objection to receive convict.." He (Lord J. Russell) had before him the circular of his Noble Friend at the head of the Colonial-. office, in which his Noble Friend, after having stated that there,had been great complaints at the Cape of the insufficient supply of labour, had expressed a wish to be informed how Lr it was the opinion of the colonists that a number of convicts could, without any danger or in convenience, be sent among them. Now, could anything be less arbitrary or tyrannical than that? Sir W. MOLESWORTII—I did not say that it was arbitrary or tyrannical. Lord J. RUSSELL continued—The Hon. Baronet had complained of the tyranny of the Colonial-office in the matter. The Hon. Gentleman who had made that motion had said in April last that great objections were entertained at the Cape to the reception of the convicts sent to that colony, and it MO then been stated by his Right lion. Friend the Secretary for the Home De partment and by himself, that if that were the case they had no intention of forcing convicts on the colony against its will. But there certainly did occur a case of very great embarrassment for the Government, and one in which not only his Noble Friend the Secretary for the Colonise, but in which the Irish Government also, and his Right Hon. Friend the Secretary for the Home Department, had found themselves involved. The num ber of persons transported from Ireland had increased by a very considerable amount; they had increased within a very few years from 700 to 3,000; and last year they had actually amounted to that latter number. But many of those persons who had been sent to Ber muda were persons really unfit for the hard work which they had there to perform. They were per sons who, under the pressure of famine, had com mitted thefts for which they had incurred the sentence of transportation; but who, under ordinary circumstances, and it they bad not been placed un der the pressure of famine, would never, perhaps, have appeared before a criminal court. Well, it had been thought, after some consultation upon the subject, that if 300 of those persons were sent to the Cape they would do no injury to the colony, while they would enable the Government to send to Bermuda some of those convicts who were crowding the gaols in Ireland. His Noble Friend at the he td of the Colonial-office had stated, in a dispatch which was before the House, that he had supposed the inhabitants of the Cape would not feel any great objection to receive those 300 persons whose crimes were not of a very atrocious character, but he lamented to say that he had been entirely mistaken, and be therefore withdrew the order he had issued upon the subject. Now he (Lord J. Russell) asked if there was anything in that transaction of so very tyrannical a character—(Hear, hear)—or anything betokening a de- sire to deal oppressively with the colony ? He did not wish to go into the history of what had occurred at the Cape, because he really thought that, although the colonists were fully justified in saying, as they had been invited to do, that they did not wish that convicts should be sent among them, the manner in which their re. sistanee had been expressed was one that did no honour to those who had taken a leading part in it. —(Hear, hear.) Sir H. Smith had stated, that the pro posed introduction of the convicts had been made a pretext for public agitation; and he (Lord J. Russell) had no doubt but that statement was a correct one. Ho thought that Sir 11. Smith, who had been placed in most difficult circumstances, had gone very far for the purpose of appeasing the irritation felt upon the subject. Sir H. Smith had said, that although he had been instructed to land the convicts, he did not propose to do so, but that he would have them in the vessel at anchor in Simon's Bay, until he should bare received further orders from home as to the mode of disposing of them. In the month of April last it had been declared in that House, and in a dispatch of his Noble Friend at the Colonial office, that the Cape was not a colony to which convicts would be sent in future; and Sir H. Smith had de clared that he would not land those 300 persons until he should have received further instructions from home. Now, under those circumstances, it appeared to him (Lord J. Russell) that people who had nothing at heart but a wish not to have convicts in the colony might have been satisfied with those declarations. But instead of that, the excitement had become greater than ever, and a gentleman in the colony had asked, at a public meeting, if it was to be borne that they should be contaminated by seeing a transport at anchor in Simon's Bay, and which they knew contained convicts. Now, really that was carrying the objection to convicts to an extent which ono could hardly comprohend.—(Hear, hear.) It was well known that there were, at the very same time, some 200 or 300 of tho ordinary convicts of the colony at work at Robin's Island, where they might be always seen; and yet the sight of a ship anchored in Simon's Bay. and liaving convicts on board, was a contamination which the colony could not bear.—(Hear, hear.) Really they had carried to a most excessive length their excite ment and indignation upon the subject. The Hon. Gen tleman bad chosen to raise that topic, ,end to make it a main support of his motion; and bad he not done so, ho (Lord J. Russell) should not at all have entered into a discussion of the matter. Ho said, therefore, on the whole, the motion of the Hon. Gentleman was inexpe dient; that even if he had proved his case with regard to the Cape, that proof would not bear out his motion; and that that instance itself had been so grossly exag gerated that it could not justify the conclusion which the Hon. Gentleman endeavoured to deduce front it. Mr. STANFORD said he should feel bound to vote against the motion. He did not, however, wish it to be understood that he was therefore indisposed to relieve the colonies of the burden of transportation. But he did not think that was the proper occasion for discussing that great question. Mr. ADDERLEY, in reply, said that the Noble Lord would not add to his reputation by taking up the cudgels for Lord Grey. The surprise which the Noble Lord felt at the inhabitants of the Cape attaching importance to so trifling a matter as the location amongst them of a few hundred convict., reminded him of the taunts which in the last century were direct , r 1 against the peo ple of Massachusetts for making a piece cf work about some new farthings. The fact was, that a great princi ple was at issue in each case.—(Hear, hear.) The Go vernment now took credit for not having landed the convicts at the Cape, but everybody knew they were only prevented from doing so by the resistance of the colonists. —(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord asked triumphantly whether it was tyrannical to call upon the people of the Cape to state whether they had any objection to receive convicts ? No one said that it was. Tho tyranny complained cf was in not waiting for the answer. He had no intention of getting rid of transportation by a side wind; all he desired was t ) deprive the Queen in Council of the power of sending convicts to any colonies except those already appointed for that purpose. The present system, if continued, would lead to the abolition of transportation in a few months. Ho entirely dissented from the argument of the Right Lion. Gentleman (Sir G. Grey) that, as the Crown had the power of revoking the orders in Council, the colonists ought to rest satisfied with the present state of the law. Mr. ANSTEY inquired whether the Hon. Gentleman asked leave to bring in a Bill to abolish transportation or a Bill to ruin and demoralize Van Dininen's Land?—(A laugh.) In the former case he should support the lion. Gentleman. Mr. ADDERLEY regretted the Hon. and Learned Gentleman had not been present during the debate. The object of the Bill was neither the one or the other. The House divided; the numbers were— For the motion ... 32 Against it ... 110 Majority —7B On the motion of Mr. E WART, the Committee on Public Libraries was re-appointed. Mr. PUSEY moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the improvement of the relations between landlord and tenant in England and Wales. Mr. AGLIONBY objected to a Bill being introduced unless there was a reasonable prospect that it would be adopted. He acknowledged the zeal of the Hon. Gen tleman, but thought it would be better to leave landlords and tenants to settle for themselves questions relating to buildings and the like. Mr. PUSEY explained that the Bill was simply an enabling Bill. It did not compulsorily interfere between landlord and tenant. Leave was given to bring in the Bill; and the HOW* adjourned at Ten o'clock. Mr. Ansley paired off, on Mr. Fagan's motion only, with Lord John Manners, from half• past six o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From the rotes and Proceedings of the Howse of Cornnsons4 THURSDAY, F.RB. 14. MINISTERS' MONEY (IRELAND). Motion made, and Question proposed, " That this House will, To-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee, to take into consideration the Law relating to the Rate or Tax called' Ministers' Money,' in Ireland, with the view to the repeal of so much thereof as relates to the said Rate or Tax ; and further to take:into consideration the Act 3 an i 4 Will. IV., c. 114, called ' The Church Temporalities Act,' for the purpose of amending the same s• 3 as to provide thereby a substitute, out of the Revenues of the Ecclesiastical Commis sioners, as a provision for the Protestant Ministers in certai❑ corporate towns in Ireland, in lieu of the annual sum now received by them under and by ♦irtue of the Act 17 and 111 Charles II.; c. 7 :" Whereupon previous Question put, " That that Question be now put." The House divided : MINORITY-AYES, 76. Aglionby, H. A. Greene, John Pilkington, James Anderson, Arthur Grenfell, C. P. Pinney, William Armstrong, Sir A. Hall, Sir Benjamin Power, Nicholas Barron, Sir H. Harris, Richard Rawdon ' Colonel Bass, Thomas) Hastie, Alexander Salwey, Colonel Bouverie. E. P. Herbert, H. A. Scholefield, William Bright, John Heyworth, L. Scrape, G. P. Brotherton, Joseph Horsman, Edward Scully, Francis Brown, W. Hume, Joseph Sheridan, R. B. Castlereagh, Yisc. : Humphery, Aid. Sidney, Alderman Caulfeild, J. M. Keating, Robert Smith, John B. Clifford, 11. M. Keogh, William Smythe, G. Cobden, Richard Kershaw, James Somers, J. P. Corbelly, M. E. ; Langston, J. H. Stanton, W. S. Cowan, Charles Lushington, Charles Stuart, Lord Dudley Drummond, Henry M'Cullagh, W. T. Sullivan, Michael Ellice, R., jun. M'Taggart, Sir J. Thicknesse, Ralph Ellis, John Meagher, Thomas Thompson, Colonel Evans, Sir De Lacy Melgund, Viscount Thornely, Thomas E wart, William Moffatt, George Trelawny, J. S. Fergus, John Molesworth, Sit W. Wall, C. B. Fortescue, J. W. Monad], William Walmsley, Sir J. Fox, W.i.T. Muntz, G. F. Gibson, Thomas M. Norreys, Sir D. TELLERS. Grace, 0. D. O'Connor, Feargus Fagan, W. Granger, T. C. Pearson, Charles Power, Dr. Grattan, Henry Perfect, Robert MAJORITY—NOES, 96. Ably. T. N. Goalburn, Henry Morison, Sir W. Adderioy, C. B. Green&ll, Gilbert Mailings, J. IL Adair, IL Shafto Grey, Sir G. Mundy, William Barnard, E. G. Grogan, E. Naas, Lord _ . , Bateson, T. Guernsey, Lori Napier, Joseph Beresford, William Gwyn, Rowel Paeke, C. W. Bernard, Viscount Hallyburton, Lord Paget, Lord A. Best, John Hamilton, G. A. Paget, Lord C. Blair, Stephen Ilatchell, John Paget, Lord G. Blandford, Marquis Hawes, Benj. Patten, J. W. Bowles, Admiral Kaye*, Sir E. Peel,:Sir Robert Boyle, Colonel Hayter, W. G. Plowden, W. H. Bramston, T. W. Heald, James Plumptre, J. P. Bremridge, Richard Henley, J. W. Portal, Melville Bruce, C.:L. C. Herbert, Sydney Piney, P. I Buck, L. W. Hood, Sir A. Richards. Richard Charteris, Francis Jervis, Sir John Russell, Lord John Chatterton, Colonel Jocelyn, Viscount Sanders, George Christy, Samuel Jones, Captain Smith, J. A. Clerk Sir George Knox, Colonel Somerville, Sir W. Cocks, T. S. Labouchere, Henry Spooner, Richard Cole, Hon. H. A. Lacy, Henry C. Stafford, A. Compton, H. C. Lascelles, E. Stinky, E. Duncuft, John Lascelles, W. S. Tancred, H. W. Du Pre, C. G. Law, C. E. Verner, Sir W. Ebrington, Viscount Legh, G. C. Verney Sir 11. Elliot, John Lewis, G. C. Watkins, Colonel Entkid, Lord Lindsay, Colonel Williamson, Sir IL Farrer, James Lowther, Henry Wilson, James forbes, W. Maule, Fox Young, Sir John Fordyce, A. D. Maxwell, lion. J. P. TELLERS. Fox, S. L. Meux, Sir Henry Hill, Lord Marcus Frewen, C. H. Miles, William Grey, R. W. TRANSPORTATION. Motion made, and Question put, " That leave be given to brin! , in a Bill to repeal that part of the Act 5 Geo. IV., which empowers her Majesty, with the adv,ce of her Privy Council, to appoint any places in her Majesty's Dominions for the Transportation of Felons and others under sentence of punishme , ..t." The House divided:— MINORITY—AYES, 32. Aglionby, H. Gooch,:E. S. Napier, Joseph Baillie, H. J. Greene, John Prime, Richard Baring, Francis Halsey, T. P. Falwey, Colonel Best, John Hervey, Lord A. Scholefleld, W. Blair, Stephen Hume, J. Fimeon, John Chatterton, Coleael Keating, Robert Sullivan, Michael Christy, Samuel Lewisham, Viscount Verner, Sir W. Cobden, R. Lushington, C. Walmsley, Sir I. Cocks, T. S. Molesworth, Sir W. Wilmer, Sir E. Mundy, William Fox, W. J. Kuntz, G. F. Fuller, A. E. Naas, Lord TELLEIIII. Adderley, C. 13+ StafTerd, Augustus MAJORITY—NOES, 110. Abdy, Thomas N. Goulburn, Henry Perfect, R. Alcock, Thomas Greenall, G. Plowden, W. IL Anstey, Thomas C. Grey, Sir G. Plunaptre ' J. P. Armstrong, Sir A. Hatchell, John Power, Dr. Baines, M. T. Hawes, Benjamin Power, Nicholas Baring, Sir F. T. Hayes,,Sir E. Pusey, Philip Barnard, E. G. Hayter, W. G. Itawdon, Colonel Bass, M. T. Heald, James Romilly, Sir John Bellew, R. M. Heathcoat, John Russell, Lord J. Berkeley, Admiral Henley, J. W. Scrape, G. P. Boldero, Henry Herbert, Sidney Scully, Franels Bouvorie, E. P. Heywood, James Seymour, Lord Brockman, E. D. Ilobhouse, Sir John Sidney, Alderman Brotherton, J. Hood, Sir A. Smith, R. V. Brown, W. Howard, Lord E. Smith, J. A. Caulfeild, J. M. Jervis, Sir John Somerville. Sir W. Childers, J. W. Keogh, William Stanford, J. F. Clay, James Labouchere, Henry Stanton, W. H. Clerk Sir G. Lucelles, E. Talbot, C. R. Cowan, Charles Lascelles, W. S. Tennent, R. J. Cowper, W. F. Law, C. E. Thompson, Colonel Craig, W. G. Lennox, Lord H. G. Thornely, T. Crowder, R. H. Lewis, George C. Trelawny, J. S. Drumlanrig, Vis. Littleton, E. R. Tufnell, Henry Duncan, George Lockhart, W. Vane, Lord H. Duncan, John WTaggart, Sir.T. Verney, Sir 11. Dunilas, Admiral Matheson, Colonel Wall, C. B. Dundas, Sir David Monte, Fox Willcox, Brodie Ebrington, Lord Melgund, Viscount Wilson, James Ellis, John Milnes, It. M. Wilson, Matthew Elliot, John E. Moffatt, George Wellesley, Lord C. Evans, Sir De Lacy Monsell,;William Wood, W. I'. Evans, John - Moody, C. A. Wyvill, M. _ . Fagan, William Ferguson, Sir R. , Fordyce A. D. French, F. Frewen, C. 11. . . Mulgive, Earl Young, Sir John Norreys, Sir D. Takington, Sir J. TELLEU. Parker, John Hill, Lord M. Peel, Sir Robert Grey, R. W. NELSON'S DAUGHTER, Hostsm.—Such conflicting statements have been given to the world relative to this interesting personage, and so much has been broadly as serted by Mr. Pettigrew in his recent work on Lord Nelson with respect to her origin, that no privacy in do mestic life is violated by venturing on the following re joinder. The lady in question does not believe herself to be the daughter of Lady Hamilton. She repudiates the idea that Lady Hamilton was either directly, orin directly related to her. It is her firm conviction that Mr. Pettigrew is mistaken on this point, as well as on others which refer to the state of abject want i n which he supposes Lady Hamilton to have closed her last hours. Horatia, now Mrs. , resided with Lady Hamil ton to the last. Her means, it is true, were limited; but of that abject wretchedness' and positive want which Mr. Pettigrew imagines to have ultimately overwhelmed her, there was none. She declares that Lady Hamilton never once gave her to understand that she was her mother —never lavished on her any mother's caresses— never hinted that such was the relation in which they stood to each other. Oa the contrary, she has st rong . grounds for b e li ev i ng th a t no suc h r e lationship !meted. Mr. Hazlewood, a solicitor, then residing at Brighton, and far advan ce d i n lif e , was k nown to have been much in Lord Nelson's confidence. Ira him Horatia wrote. The purport of her natural and eager request was, that he, as the confidential adviser of Lord Nelson, and the depositary of all his secrets, would tell her who her mother was. Mr. Hazlewood replied, that she was quite correct in her conjecture that he was privy to all the circumstances, and was completely in Lord Nelson's con fidence on that and other points; but that the information she so ardently desired he must decline affording. He was bound by the most solemn promise to make no dis- closures whatever upon that point. One assertion he would make. To Lady Hamilton she did not owe the duty of a daughter. Of that she might rest assured. Her mother was a lady who had never been suspected. She had married well, and was now the m o th er o f a f am il y, and a person of considerable conse quence . T o revea l lloratia's origin by the mother's side w ou ld d o h er (Iloratia) no real serv ice, but would cause infinite misery to a happy, united, and distinguished f am il y . H e thought, therefore, he was taking the kinde s t an d w i sest course in putting a negative on her request, how natural soever it might be in her circumstances, and in main taining the unbroken silence to which he had pledged himself on the subject to Lord Nelson, her father! Mr. Haslewood was throughout life regarded as a man of the strictest honour and veracity : and his statement is entitled to implicit respect.—From the forthcoming Life Book of a Labourer. RAMSGATE, FEB. 14.—The Quatre Fralelle, Hull to Naples, is on the Seven Rocks, with four feet water in her hold, cargo discharging, and will possibly be got off this night's tide. SIR JOHN FRANKLIN AND HIS COMPANIONS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—I enclose herewith the copy of a letter I have received from Captain Sir John Ross, offering to take the command of an expedition intended to proceed via Barrow's Straits in search of Sir John Franklin and his companions, provided the necessary funds can be raised fur its outfit; and I trust I am not asking too much in requesting that you will, fur the sake cf the object, give it publicity in your widely-circulated journal. Feeling, in common with the country at large, that nothing should be left untried that holds out the most distant prospect of. relieving the missing expe dition, or even of ascertaining its fate, and knowing the eminent qualifications of Sir John Ross for the task which he so generously volunteers to undertake, I have great pleasure in recommending his proposal to public attention, and am ready to receive subscrip tions, at the Hudson Bay Ibuse, for carrying it into effect. The outfit is limited to the amount of 3,000/., any sum received beyond that amount to be held for dis tribution to himself and crew on their return. I beg to add, that the Hudson's Bay Company have voted 5001. towards the equipment of the expedition. I have the honour to be, Your obedient, humble servant, J. IL PELLY. Hudson's Bay House, 4, Fenchurch-street, Feb. 14. 267, Strand, February 12, 1850. Dear Sir Henry,—ln the grateful remembrance of the kind and humane interest that you and other members of the Honourable the Hudson' s Bay Com pany took in my rescue, at a time when, with my devoted companions, I appeared doomed to end a miserable existence in the frozen regions, and well knowing that your sympathy extends also towards my gallant friend Sir John Franklin and his crews of 138 brave men, who are in a position still more distressing and perilous than mine, while the en deavours which have hitherto been made for their relief have been singularly unsuccessful, I venture now to lay before you my statements, which have been delayed to this late period principally by the sudden and untimely death of my truly patriotic and ever-to-be-lamented friend, the late Sir Felix Booth, on whose further munificence I had on this occasion depended to enable me to perform the sacred promise I made to Sir John Franklin on his de parture, namely, that if he was still mis sing in February, 1847, I would volunteer and do all in my power for his relief. That I consci entiously did offer my services to Government then, and in each subsequent year, is sufficiently notorious, but although they were declined, I can impute no blame to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, who were unfortunately misled by the numerous opinions adverse to mine, both as to sending early relief, and more particularly as to the size and de scription of the vessels to be employed on that im portant service. It is now but too evident that unless success crowns the endeavours that obeli be made during this season for the relief of the imperilled na vigators, any further attempt will be utterly hopeless. Impressed with this conviction, I hold it to be the duty of all who can in any-way respond tcy this im perative call on their humanity to lend their implored aid; and it is with this feeling I now come forward to offer my humble services, which I tender without fee or reward, either by additional pay or otherwise ; and having fully ascertained that the whole expense of the expedition I propose will not exceed 3,0001. (of which a detailed estimate is enclosed), I trust that that will not be found extravagant. I have now the honour to state that I have not made this application without having consulted the First Lord of the Admiralty, and also that lam on terms of intimacy with the gallant officer who is appointed to command the Government expedition, with whom it will be my earnest desire to act in the common cause with cordiality and friendship, although we act independently of each other. The object of the expedition I propose being sol e ly to search for and relieve Sir John Franklin and his brave companions, my proceedings must be guided by circumstances ; among which I may mention the in formation I expect to obtain at the various headlands in Barrow's Straits. I have therefore only to men tion some of the advantages I possess over most of the officers of the royal and merchant navy. 1. An excellent constitution, well adapted and ac customed to a cold climate, and a perfect knowledge of every precaution necessary in an arctic voyage. 2. A perfect knowledge of the Danish language, by means of which, and by procuring a Dane at Greenland who understands the Esquimaux language, I could, through him as an interpreter, obtain valu able information. 3. Dr. John Lee has offered me his excellent set of astronomical instruments, formerly lent to Colonel Chesney, which saves that expense. 4. I have engaged an ice -master, and an excellent crew of fourteen men, brought up in the whale fish ery, and now ready to join. From having been six years consul in Sweden I am well acquainted with sledging with d ogs , which can be procured in Greenland. It is indeed true that I have not youth on my aide, but, besides excellent health, I have that experience which I maintain to be paramount to every other consideration in the navigation of icy seas, where cases of difficulty and danger suddenly and continu ally occur, requiring that prompt decision which ex perience alone can teach, - I have only to add that if the public will aid me with 3,0001., no exertion shall be wanting on my part to-accomplish the great object which is in view, and I shall be for ever grateful for your compliance with my humble but earnest request. I have the honour to be, with truth and respect, Dear Sir Henry, Your most obedient and very bumble servant, (Signed) JOHN Ross, Capt. Royal Navy. Sir John Henry Pelly, Bart., Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, THTJRSDAT.--W 0 are requested to contradict the statement that Mr. T. T. Grant, F.R.S., th Establishment, Gosport, is abo u t t o vaca t e t h a t office for e the rappointment theof C R . o o n y t a r o t Clarence Victualling Controller of Victualling at Somerset House, vice Meek, The Niger screw steam-corvette, navigated by the officers and crew of the steam ordinary at Woolwich, arrived at Spithead to-day, to join the steam reserve in this harbour. The same navigating party will re turn with the new steam-sloop Argus to get her ma chinery. The Sidon steam-frigate, equipped for sea, and compasses adjusted, was removed into the steam ordinary from the lower moorings in the harbour to day. The Serpent, 12, Commander Barker, arrived at Rio from England, en route to the Bast India and China station, on the 21st of December. PORTSMOUTH GARRISON, &C. The establishment of the depot battalion at Park hurst BArracks, Isle of on the 31st of March next. Wight, will be discontinued Instructions have been issued for discontinuing re cruiting for the army until further orders. The following regiment move :-4th Foot, from P ortsmouth, an d 2 3d (1 bat talion), from Winchester to a 82d Regiments, from Plp r l e rn u n n u d t e h r ; o2rBdtehrs and ymouth to Portsmouth; 77th Regiment, from Portsmouth to Wales; 91st Regi ment (1 battalion), to Dover; 50th, from Dover to Portsmouth ; 7th and 95th depots, to Winchester. SOUTHAMPTON Tntritsnaz. Captain George Smith, R.N., th e A dmiralty super i n t en d ent o f packets at this station, to-day exhibited before a large assemblage of officers of the navy, army, Peninsular and Oriental, an d R oyal West India Mail Companies' services and men, his system of training for naval gunnery, so th a t t h e vo l unteers o f th ese latter com panies' men desirous of perfecting themselves in the science of ship gunnery for their respective services might do so without expense to themselves, but with great benefit to their interests, and those in which they are employed. To achieve this desirable object, the Lords of the Admiralty have granted Captain Smith the use of an iron 18-pounder gun, and the necessary tackle and gunnery implements for successfully work ing it, together with the services of a gunner's mate, from her Majesty's ship Excellent, at Portsmouth, who practically exhibits the system necessary to be acquired. To-day, for the first time the practice was publicly exhibited in a long shed, at one extremity of the dockyard at this port, admirably adapted by size and situation for the attainment of the object con templated In this shed the gun is mounted behind a port-hole similar in size and construction to the port of a ship, and, by means of a moving target similar to that invented by Captain Smith in 1826, and which he brought into most effective play on board the Excel lent in 1832, when he commanded that ship, the science of practical gunnery is simply conveyed to the men, who seem to take an earnest interest in the instruction. In a few week, by means of this drill, the seamen of the above companies will become expert gunners, thereby considerably enhancing the value of their servics to their employers, and rendering them far more capable than at present of defending those valuable cargoes (in case of need) which they navi gate from the Indies to England and outwards. Too much praise cannot be awarded Captain Smith for the energy and enterprise manifested by him in this en deavour to increase the useful knowledge and benefit the crews of our principal mercantile steam marine. It has been his own exclusive work, undertaken with out emolument, and at much pecuniary loss to himself, but the officer who has invented those inestimable adjuncts to steamers—their paddle-box boats—and numerous other important matters for the benefit of the service of which he is so distinguished a member, was not likely to stop at trouble or expense when hid talents and fertile imagination could benefit others. An elegant dejeuner wai served on the spot, which was partaken of by about 100 guests invited. APPOINTMENTS. Wool.wicu, FEn. 14 —Mate—john E. Doran (1849), to the Wellesley, 72, flag-ship of Vice-Ad miral the Earl of Dundonald, G.C.13., on the West Indies and North American station. Assistant-Surgeon —George H. Edwards, (1847), to the Adventure store-ship, at Deptford. Clerk in Charge—George 11. Whillier (1845), to the Medina steam-packet, on the Meditterranean station. Navel Cadet—Elgar Cookson, to the Sphynx steam-sloop, at Portsmouth. Intelligence was received in town to-day stating that the Olin steam-frigate, of 560-hOrse power, Cap tain Hon. P. I'. Pelham, went to sea on the 19th of January, and very nearly proved another Avenger, having gone on the rocks on the coast of Greece, about nine o'clock r.m , and did not get off until nine o'clock next morning. Fortunately, when she got off she made very little water. The divers were, however, sent down to examine her bottom, and the result was that she could not go to sea without a convoy. The main keel is reported to be very much damaged. TIM ARCTIC EXPEDITION. Captain Austin, C. 11., attended at the Admiralty to-day, but up to a late hour the vessels selected to proceed on the expedition, if they hare been decided upon, were not announced. It has been said that Captain Austin's opinion is that it is immaterial whe ther the vessels leave this country in May, or even in June; but the statement is at variance with the pre sent exertions of the gallant officer to be ready to proceed on the expedition at the very earliest period it is possible to complete the necessary arrangements. The Rev. W. Scoresby, D.D., who has just pub lished a pamphlet on the Franklin expedition, states that when her Majesty's Government offered a pecu niary reward of 20,0001. in March, 1849, with a view to a further stimulation of enterprise, it utterly failed in producing any effective efforts for search on the part of the whalers, as it was not promul gated until the 23d of March, after most of the whalers had sailed, and were, therefore, without orders or authority for departing from their usual fishing-ground. Captain Austin, whatever may be said to the con trary, is not likely to let the grass grow under his feet in a matter he has so cheerfully and energetically undertaken, and will no doubt proceed on his enter prising voyage at the earliest possible moment the vessels destined for the expedition can be made ready. The Rev. W. Scoresby is most urgent on the early dispatch of such vessels as may be appointed to pro. ceed in search of Sir John Franklin and his brave companions, and expresses his opinion that they ought to be at the ice by the middle of June. He illustrates his views by giving the earliest passages of vessels into the western water of which he has records, by ob serving that the leading ship of the year 1849 was the St. Andrew, Captain Dring, which entered the western water on the 12th of June; the Neptune, of Aberdeen, Captain Penny, June 13, 1838, was con sidered an early passage, and several other vessels en tered at equally early periods in previous years ; and he considers the passage should be attempted earlier, as it was made by Baffin, in his gallant little vessel the Discovery, of 55 tons, on the Ist of July, or almost a fortnight before the average passage of the earliest ships of the present day. The new expedition is in excellent hands, and the most sanguine results are anticipated from the known energy and persever ance of the gallant officer who is appointed to the squadron. OWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) EAST COWES, FED. 14.—DREADFUL ACCIDENT.— Our town was thrown into great alarm this afternoon by a report being brought that Norris Farm, in Nor ris-park was on fire, and that two men (Buckett and Jerrom) were killed, and that the father of Buckett and another man were seriously injured. There being no fire-engines at East Cowes, expresses were sent to "West Cowes, and in an incredibly short time three engines were brought over by a number of men, well supplied with fire-hooks, buckets, &c., but fortu• nately their assistance was not required. All that we can at present gather is, that there was a consider able quantity of gunpowder in two copper canisters (the men described it as two bushels, but the quantity is doubted), which Mr. Bell had had landed from his yacht, with other yacht stores, and placed in a room at the farm (better, perhaps, known as Norris's sta bles) ; Jerrom was painting on the premises, but how the powder took fire is not known. The explosion was tremenduous ; the roof was blown off, the mate rials of the building being blown to a great distance. The men injured were at work outside. The premises are ♦ery extensive. There were also two very large hay ricks in the yard, near the building, but the fire was got under without any damage beyond that done by the explosion. PUBLIC HEALTH ACT.—The superintendent-in spector has given notice that he will open his court al the Medina lintel, at East Co we!, nn the Gth of March, COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Princess Alice, and the Princess Helena, visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday, at Gloucester House. Her Majesty was attended by the Countess of Mount Edgecumbe (Lady in Waiting), and Colonel Buckley (Equerry in Waiting). His Royal Highness Prince Albert presided yester day at a meeting of the Royal Commission for the pro motion of the exhibition of the works of industry of all nations, to be held in the year 1851. His Royal Highness arrived at the new Palace of Westminster at three o'clock, attended by Lieutenant- Colotel the Honourable Alexander Gordon. The Commissioners present were Earl Granville, Lord Stanley, the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel, tho Right Honourable Henry Labouchere, Sir Archibald Galloway, Sir Richard Westmaeott, Sir Charles Lyell, Mr. 'l'. Baring, Mr. Barry, Mr. T. Healey, Mr. Cobden, Mr. William Cubitt, Mr. T. F. Gibson, Mr. J. Gott, Mr. Jones Loyd, and Mr. Philip Pusey, M.P. The Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Scott Russell, was in attendance. The meeting broke up at a quarter past fire o'clock. Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured the Hay market Theatre with their presence last evening. The Royal suite consisted of the Countess of Mount Edge cumbe, Hon. Elizabeth Lennox, the Marquis of Ormonde, Colonel Buckley, and Lieut.• Colonel the Hon. Alexan der Gordon The Countess of Mount Elgecumbe has relieved the Countms of Dena in her duties as Lady in Waiting to the Q Leon. _ _ _ The Queen's private band was in attendance in Buck ingham Palace on Wednesday evening, and played the following pieces:— Overture, Adolph von Nassau Marschnor. Invoeazione all' Armonia ILEX. Prince Albert. Chorus, Viva Enrico Pucitta. March, Prometheus Beethoven. The Hen. E. Joy Morris, United States Charge d'Af faires to the kingdom of the Two Sicilies (with his lady), has left town for Paris on his route to Naples. A deputation of shipowners had an interview with the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, yet terday, at the office of the Board of Trade, on the subject of the present state of the shipping interest. The deputation consisted of Mr. G. F. Young, Mr. W. C. Harnett, Mr. George Marshall, Mr. J. Richardson, Captain Gilmore, Mr. N. Gould, Mr. J. Allan, and Mr. W. Tindall. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yes terday. The Lords present were the Master of the Rolls, Lord Campbell, the Chancellor of the Dachy of Cornwall, and the Judge of the High Court of Admi ralty. Sir Edward Ryan sat as a Privy Councillor. An appeal from Bombs) , was heard, " Spooner v. Juddow." THE DiscteLlNE or LtrE.—The readers of this charming work, which appeared two seasons ago, will be glad to hear that the distinguished authoress has been occupied in writing another story, which is to be pub lished very shortly. The new novel is entitled " Pride and Irresolution." ST. MARTLEBONE BANK FOR SAYINGS.—The 20th annual general meeting of this institution was held yesterday at the office, No. 76, Welbeck-street, Caren dish-square, the Rev. John Hume Spry, D.D., in the chair. It appeared from the several reports road to the meeting, that the progress of this bank, during the past year, had been of a very satisfactory description, no less than 2,487 new deposits having been made in the last year; 20,382 deposit accounts remained open on the 20th of November last, of which 15,495 held balances averaging lees than 3/. Is. 4d. The sum in the bands of the Govern ment on the 20th of November, 1849, as per receipt from National Debt Office, signed by Mr. Higham, and laid before the meeting was In the hands of the treasurer, Sir Claude Edward Sco t, Bart., whose acknow ledgment was likewise produced In the hands of the Actuary 1,026 15 10 33 9 5 £312,154 7 6 The balance due to depositors at that date, as per balance-sheet produced... £311,447 4 3 Surplus 707 3 3 Tho balance duo to depositors has since risen to 316,2101. 15.. _ facLosuns Commtastott.—Frorn the fifth annual report of the Inclosuro Commissioners, just presented by the command of her Majesty to both Houses of Parlia ment, it appears that the numb er o f app li cat i ons of all kinds to tho otlice, since the passing of the Act, has been 498; and the number of acres comprised in the applica tions f,r inclosure and conversion, is 273,967 a. Or. 2p. Since the last report there have been 129 cases, of which 51 aro for the exchange of lands, 3 for partition., and 3 in respect of proceedings under local Acts, and the quantity of land comprised in the applications is 48,065 a. 2r. 29p. The average expense of the inclosure pro ceedings, as far as the office is concerned, up Co the time of the assents of the provisional orders, and including any expense that may have attended the assents—leav ing the case thus ready f or P a rliament to deal withor for the Commission t o s i gn ify its intention of authoris ing the inclosure—is 181. 17s. 4d. The report further testifies to the peat and continued disposition of the country to avail itself of the provisions of the Incloeure god Amendment Aote. FEBRUARY 1.5, 1860 LITERATURE. SIR FRANCIS CIIANTREF, R.A. Recollections of his Life, Practice, and Opinions. By George Jones, R.A. We deem it the highest privilege of talent, not in deed that it creates wonder, excites admiration, or even stimulates in others a noble spirit of emulation, but that it gives rise, in the heart of all its true admirers, to a certain degree of personal interest which incites them, not from mere inane curiosity, but from sympathy and gratitude, to seek a nearer acquaintance with, or a better knowledge or, the man whose works, in whatever range of science or art his rzenius may shine, they love to contemplate or study. IC this be true with regard to the great and good men of our own times, still more forcibly does it apply to those whom den'h has snatched from among us, and for whom our interest seems rather to he in creased than diminished by the close of their earthly career. Thence our eager desire for the more or less f4ithful representation of their features, our anxious search for narratives of incidents and occurrences connected with their lives, arid our proneness even to be otters led away by an easy belief of, and confidence in, every record, whether artistical or graphic, which makes them present to us. No wonder then that we should at all times be ready to welcome such a work as that for which we are indebted to Mr. George Jones, and that we should hail with applause the attempt made by a friendly pen to acquaisit the world, within certain judicious limits, with the rise, pro gress, and signal success of a man who was enabled, by the sole force of the love of art, to overcome many difficulties, and raise himself to a degree of eminence which procured fur him many admirers and no enemies. Well pleased are we then to be thus put in possession of much in connexion with the private life and opinions of so great, yet so unassuming, an artist, which would prove, if proofs were wanting, that high worth in any station of life and modesty are always found united. Impressed as we arc with the forego ing thoughts, we can hardly help expressing some regret at finding that much of the work in question, particularly the first portion of it, is exclusively em ployed in recording opinions so completely artistical in their nature as to entitle them to the serious con sideration of artists, but less likely to come home to the feelings of the general reader : this, which we would not call a fault, is less the case as the work progresses, and we are happy to concur, corre spond, or commune with that excellent man, and to find ourselves at home with him, and, as a consequence, with the Bost of eminent men, in every rank, and station in society (and be it said as much to their credit, as to his own) his friends. Still more are we disposed to admire the spirit of genuine liberality, and in some instances (see page 127 et seq.) of munificent generosity which he evinced to wards fellow-artists and friends, but most of all we were pleased to be introduced to the man himself, so far as not only to. become acquainted with his pecu liarities and very foibles, but to be compelled to ac knowledge a greater treat than we had antici pated, by the perusal of some cf his letters. Of course, while descanting on the merits of his friend as an artist, or his worth as a man, the author may well be supposed to treat his subject with a certain degree of partiality, nay, more, to give us occasion ally his own views in common with those of the hero of his record; but those letters are Sir F. Chantrey's own words, his own views, his own wit and humour ; the acts he treats on are his own acts, and over the selection alone of those letters could friendly interference have any sway, and they not only afford a clue to the real character of Sir Francis, but tend to prove the soundness of the writer's judg ments and opinions, which, we are glad to say, are further confirmed by the interesting details con tained in the appendix. In conclusion, we congratu late Mr. G. Jones, on having acquitted himself of his task with credit to himself and advantage to the world and the arts. ROYAL PANOPTICON OF SCIENCE AND ART. An institution which promises to unite on the largest scale imaginable all the features of a public exhibition, a private society, and a school of instruc tion in chemical science, mechanics, mining, geology, and manufacturing processes, though much wanted, has never yet existed. Such an undertaking is on the point of accomplishment in the metropolis, the mother of boundless wealth and enterprize. In addition to lectures on the various sciences, illustrated by draw ings, models, and experiments, a laboratory, acces sible at moderate fees, will be established, and students may receive instructions in the different branches of chemistry, conduct operations, and make experiments, which under the present system are possible only to persons in affluent circumstances. Besides a complete school of chemical science, there will be an engineering department, in which will be taught mining, geology applied to mining, and the principles and construction of machines and agricultural implements. To this department, which will be furnished with a powerful steam-engine, there will he annexed a library, con taining drawings and scientific works of eminence. Manufactures of various kinds will be exhibited in all their stages, from the first product of rude in genuity to the highest state of perfection which they have attained. The galleries will be furnished with specimens, models, and drawings ; and lecturers will explai❑ the construction and purposes of new in ventions. Jo the theatre, Mr. Clarke's Patent Optical Diorama will ba employed for scenic representations. This process is a very great improvement on the hydro-oxygen dissolving views, invented by the same gentleman. It imitates nature on a larger scale than any yet exhibited, and represents objects in motion, such as the waving of trees, the flashing of lightning, the effects of wind—from the gentle breeze to the terrific hurricane. Whether we regard the Panoptiaon as a public exhibition of a scientific character, or as a school of chemistry, arts, and manufactures, accessible at mode rate charges, while we applaud the intention we cannot but feel astonished at its magnitude. The undertaking is national, and if there were no other reason kfor expecting success, the company, at the head of which are some of our most illustrious men in social and scientific life, deserve, and will no doubt meet with, public encouragement. UNIVERSIT Y INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD, I'm 14.—1❑ a Convocation holders this afternoon the honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred on Richard Burroughs Lucas, Esq., gen tleman commoner of St. Mary Hall. In the same Convocation an election was holden fur the choice of a Vineriun scholar, the candidates being George Wood, 13. A., scholar of University ; llsns 'William Sotheby, 8.A., of St. Alban Hall ; and Oc tavius Ogle, scholar of Wadham ; the numbers at the close of the poll being—for Mr. Wood, 58 ; for Mr. Sotheby, 24 ; for Mr. Ogle, 95 ; whereupon Mr. Ogle, having taken the oaths of allegiance and supre macy, was admitted to his scholarship by the Vice- Chancellor. The Examiners appointed by the Trustees of the Mathematical Scholarships—viz., Professor Baden Powell, of Oriel ; 11r. Price, tutor of Pembroke ; and Mr. Spottiswoode, of Bohol—give notice that an examination will be holden in the schools on Monday, the 11th of March, and the following days, for the purpose of electing one senior and one junior scholar. Gentlemen who desire to offer themselveq as candi dates are requested to call, with certificates of their standing, the consent of the head or vicegerent of their college or hall, and (for the senior scholarship) of their having passed the examination for their degree in case they hare not taken the degree of 8.A., on Professor Powell, New College-lane, on Wednesday, the 6th, at two o'clock. _ The junior scholarship is open to all members of the University who have not exceeded nine terms from their matriculation inclusively. The senior scholarship is open to all bachelors of arts, or those who have at least passed their public ex amination, and have not exceeded the 26th term from their matriculation inclusively. CAMIIRIDG B , Fin. 13.—At a Congregation holden this day, the undermentioned degrees were conferred Bachelors of Arts—W. 11. Hawker, G. Meek, and C. L. Pemberton, Trinity College ; 11. L. llarkness, C. A. Jenkins, R. C. R. 0 wen, and D. Smith, St. John's College, and E. W. Gilbert, Jesus College. UDDEN DRITH.—One of those melancholy events occurred yesterday morning, about ten o'clock, in Judd street, Brunswick-square. W. Clayton, letter carrier in the London district office, having left his home about five minutes previously, to commence his duties in the Post office, was seized in the s t reet w i t h a v i olent fit of cough ing, which appears to have ruptured one of the blood vessels. The vital fluid poured from his mouth in tor rents, and, in leas than three minutes from the attack, he WUS so reduced from exhaustioe, that it because appa rent he could not survive. A surgeon Was in immediate attendance upon him, by whose desire ho was conveyed in a cab to the North London Hospit 11, but the skill add practice of that valuable institution could not benefit him. He was dead before he arrive''. IMPORTATION OF OrSTERS Some arrivals have e o3i o s r te t r h s e fr fi(rnst taken place, within this day o w r hi t Jersey, by the screw steamers . , e w h o' h hare , time, been placed on the station to run between the Channel Islands and the metropolis. There have on some occasions been importations of preserved oysters from Jersey, but this is , we believe , the firstintroduc tion of the article in their native and fresh state from that place. It is understood that they are of British raking, and that, in consequence of the beds on osr coasts having been affected by the lath inclement wea. ther, the demand in the market fur these supplies from Jersey is considerable. MIRLTIOROUGH-HOUSE.—The Sale of the late Queen Dowager's effects was recommenced yesterday, and will be continued this day. There will be no sale to-morrow, but the mansion will be again thrown open next week for the disposal of the remainder of the royal property. Lady John Russell had an assembly yesterday even ing, in Cheaham-place. THE COUNTRY M-IRKETh. BIRMINGHAM. FEB. 14 —At Gloucester and Worcester m.rkets, on the 9th, owing to a greatly decreased supply from j the farmers, the wheat trade ruled firm, with the turn in favour of the seller. Barley as dull and difficult to dispose of as ever. Oats maintained their value, with a fair retail sale. Beans rather cheaper. Peas held for former prices, with few buyers. During the present week we have ha 4 an improved feeling in the wheat trade, and an advance of 6d to Is per quarter has been realised on some descriptions. Barley nominally unaltered. Limited parcels of oats have changed hands at former prices. Only retail sales reported in beans and peas. At this date market, although there was &vain a short supply of wheat from the farmers, the trade ruled dull, at the above advance. 16 improvement in any description of barley. Very little doing in oats. We had few inquiries for beans or peas. Louciiinortocuir, Frs. 14.--The supply of wheat and barley at our market to-day was small; fine qualities of both were fully Is dearer; secondary more in demand at full prices. No alteration in oats or beans. Borrow, FEii. 13.—Wheat, red 35s to 36s Od, white 435; oats 1.3 to 17s; beans, 25s to 27s per quarter. Strarorto, Fre. 11.—Wheat, white 39s to 4 21, red 36s to 39s ; barley 21, to 265; oats 141 Od to 181; beans, 26s to 321 per qr. LYNN, FEB. 12.—Wheat 32. to 345, fine 3Cs to 40s per qr. ; barley 20s to 22., fine 24s to 25s per qr. ALroitin—Averages for the week ending Feb 11—Wheat 351 1 d ; barley 21s 3d ; oats Os Od ; beans 2.5 s to 29. p er fir . Urn/it - matt, Fre. 13.—Wheat 35s to 40s ; barley 19, to 0. !..; oats 12s to 19s ; beans 19s to 2 a p er quarter. Butter 100 to lid rr lb ; eggs 19 for Is. NEWARK, FEE 13.—Wheat, white 425 to 455, extra 465, red 39. to 425, extra 43. ; barley, malting 25a to 26., extra 275, ta f n o s t:ei n g e n w 0 2 s 4s to to 0s 2 ; 61, oa e t x s tra 16 2 , 7, t ; 0 ~ed grinding 2(), to o 2 m 3 i i n ; a I b , breakers 32s to 345, seed :f6t ; spring tares, seed 32a to 36a per qr. DERBY SMITHFIELD MARKET, FEB. 12.—The - e we. a good average number of fat baste this morning, many of them of excellent quality ; the attendance of purchasers was large, and the demand for beef was some little improved. The sup., ply of sheep was also good, fully maintaining last week's prices. Fat pigs were scarce. F a t ca l v e s w e re more plentiful than they have been this year. Beef made from 5d tobid ; mutton, bid to 6d ; veal, 5d to sid per lb. Pigs, 8s per score. Rough fat, 3s 6d per stone of 14lbs. Hides, lid per 111; colt skins, 2d to 3id per lb. EDINBURGH GRAIN MARIE?, FEE. 13.—Wheat—The quantity of wheat brought forward to-day was 943 qrs, being 257 qrs. less than last week. Top price 4s up„ and the average the same-85 qrs unsold. (Barley—The quantity brought forward was 755 qrs, being 31 qrs less than last week. Price on the top the same, and the average 2d up-48 gra unsold. Oats—Of this kind of grain we had 1,141 qrs brought forward, or 66 qrs more than last week. The top price Is down, and the average tke tame-302 qrs unsold. beans The quantity of beans to-day was 162 qrs, or 11 qrs more than last week. Price on the top Is, and the average 7d down-13 qrs unsold. Top of Wheat ... 62i1b. 448 Od ,• Barley ••• ••• 661-Ib. 25s Od „ Oats ... ••• 44$1b. 21s Od „ Beans ••• 65iIb 28s Od EDINBUROM CATTLE MARKET, FEB. 13.—The supply of cattle this morning was 638, being 137 more than last week. On account of the extra number, sales were dull, and prices down fully 6d per Dutch stone. Top price, 7s to Os Od ; current, 6s 6d to Os Od ; middling and inferior, 5s to tis per Dutch atone. A number unsold. The supply of sheep this morning was 2,315, being 309 more than last week. Demand brisk, and in consequence prices a shade higher than last week. Top price of best mutton, bid per lb ; cur rent, Od to 5d ; inferior, 4d to W. GLASGOW, Fan. 13.—Coastwise, with the exception of about 3,142 quarters of barley, 1,106 quarters of oats, and 830 sacks of flour., as well as from Ireland, the supplies continue light. From abroad only about 280 quarters of wheat, 2,747 barrels of flour, and 1,940 quarters of beans, have been received, and there were no foreign arrivals reported at Grangemouth. The tone of the market has undergone no material change since our last, buyers having to pay full prices for fine sweet wheat and the best descriptions of flour, of which articles our stock is quite reduced. At this day's market there was a good attend ance. A fair business was done in wheat and flour, in mode rate quantities, on fully last Wednesday's terms. Barley and feeding stuffs were rather cheaper. Oatmeal and Indian corn without notable change. CORE, FEB. 13.—Flour--First 12s Od to 131; extra 14s 6d; seconds, 101 6d to 12s ; households 9s to 10s (d; thirds, 7s to 9s per cwt. Oatmeal 10s to 00s Od; Indian meal 7s to 74 3d ; wheat meal. lOstoooB Od per cwt. Indian corn 132 s 6d to 135 e per ton. Bran 3112 s 6d to 3/15sper ton. Hay—Farmers 151 to 35a; average 00s ; dealers 23e to 38s Od; average 00s per ton. Sts aw— Farmers 18s Od to 28s Od ; average 221; dealers 00s Od to 00s Od; average 00s Od per ton. Bread—Wheaten loaf 6d t. 60; household loaf 5d to bid per 41b. Fresh butter, 8d to 101 per lb_ Eggs-5s Od t. 5s 2d per hundred. Coals— Newport 151; Lydney 17s ; Landore 15s ; Best Neeth Culm 14e per ton. Tallow 40s Od to Oos per cwt. Whisky, 25 o. p., 5e 9d per imperial gallon. Meat —Beef 4d to Cd; mutton 4d to 6d; veal Od to Od; pork 4d to Od; bacon 6d to 7i.cl ; sausages 5d per lb. Hops 131 Os per cwt. Bangor slates 3/ 2. 6d to 3154 per ton. Bark—Barbary 715 s to 815 a; Valonia 141 tu 01; French 71 5a ; English 01 per ton. Fleece Wool 103 to 12s per stone. Hemp 32/ to 60/ per ton. Fish— Seotch herrings 161 to 171; red ditto 20s to 22s per barrel ; Newfoundland 9' Os to 11/ per ton. Timber—Memel, 851 per ton; deals, first quality, 18s ; second quality, 16s per 100. Hides—Market 13s to 20s ; salted 13e to 20. per cwt ; calf skins 2d to 3d per lb. Potatoes, white 7d to 9d; Minions 12d to 1.3 d; Guano Peruvian, 111 10s; Icbaboe. 9/ per ton ; Tar—Archangel, 19s per barrel. RAILWAY SHARE 51ARKETS, BRISTOL, Fan 14. STOCK ETCTIANGR.—The market still continuos inani mate, and little business bas been transacted. The only alteration in prices was—Greet Western, Quarters, Midland, 44. LIVERPOOL. Fan. 14. STOCK Exclusion. Ent little business was done in our :Stock Exchang4 to•day, and the tendency of prices has been downwards, the market closing heavily at the quotations. The transactions were as follow Lancashire and Yorkshire, Fifths, ;1. Is. 3d. dis. —London and Sorth. Western, 110 c.—Ditto, New Quarters,N c p. Fifths, p.—Ditto, Quarters (C), 4:1 1 , Ditto, Halves, di:.— Caledonian, Prete/Nice, 7:5,i —Edinburgh and Glasgow, 27—Great Western, 64 3 i. ..... ..... MA SC tIESTEIt,' Ern; 14. STOCK EXCHANOK.—The market this morning opened very dull, and prices sustained a decided tall, but a reaction to a small extent took place in the afternoon. The trans actions were as follow : East Lancashire, 10 Lanca shire and Yorkshire, Fifths, 7 die.—Ditto, 311. (late Ex r,osion), it; di. —Ditto (West Biding Union), tiA; dis.— London and North-Western, Mancha ter and Birmingham, Quarters (C), 11-lti p.— Manch -titer. Sh 41141. and Lincoln shire, Preference, 7 —Ditto (Sheffield and Lincolnshire). 4—North Staffordshire, 10 11-16 dis.— , -outli-Eastern and Doter (No. 4), Thirds, 6 1-IC—Ditto, Scrip, 6 1 A. BIRMINGHAM, FEB. 14. tiroca ExcitAxon.—By accident, owing to two lists being at the same time before us, we yesterday inserted the sales of a previous day as those of Wednesday. The true trans actions of that day were—Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley, .1 1 4 p.—Birmingham, Wolverhampt,n, and Stour Valley, 91—London and North-Western, New Quarters 11. 135. 9d. p.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), II dis.— Shropshire Lnion, 3/. Bs. dis. The sales to-day were—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), 8 dis.—Ditto (11), dis.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham, Preference, Scrip, 17i4 p. YORK, FEB. 13. STOCK EXCHANGE.—T he transactions to-day were as follow :—Eastern Counties, 7 , 4 York, Newcastle, and Ber wick, 16—Ditto (G. N. E. Purchase), 2Y.,,—York and North Midland, Preference, 64 Is. GLASGOW, FEn. 13. STOCK Ex cnANGE.—The transactions to-day were as follow :—Edinburgh and Glasgow (Stirlng Midland Junc tion), 5 per cent, guaranteed, 21 , e,—York, Newcastle, sad Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase or Preference), 555. EQUALIZATION OF POOR- RATES IN TETE WEST LONDON UNION.—On Wednesday evening a meeting of the parishioners c f St. Andrew's, Holborn, was hidd in the Inquest-room to consider a proposition that fir the purpose of settlement, and fur raising funds for the re lis f of the poor, the several parishes in that union should be consider oil one parish under the provisions of the Act 4 and 5 ‘Vir. IV. c. 76. Mr. Churchwarden Wade took the chair Mr. Johnson said the object was to relieve the parish of St. Andrew's from the heavy and unequsl pressure of the pour•rates. Now each parish was corn. belled to contribute according to the number of its own poor. The effect of this system was that in St. Andrew's, a poor parish, the average quarterly rate was 14d., whilst in St. Bride's it was 10d., and in St. Dunstan's only 6d. in the pound. The total number of paupers receiving outdoor relief in the union was 3,000; of them., owing to local circumstances, over which the ratepayers had no control, ot e thousand had ,ettleirents in St. Andrew's. Then, with regard to the present system of settlements, it was a source of continual expense to the union, and of wino) auce to the guardians, whilst it materially in terfered with the proper relief of the poor. lie antici pate I that if this mea•nrs, should be adopted, its tact would be so to simplify the managesnent of the affairs of the union as to allow of a considerable reduction of expenditure. Its solutions ware adopted to the effect that it was desirable steps should be forthwith taken to procure an equal assessment throughout the whole of the ulio-). MAINcIIIIIIIII FINAINCL&L IND PARLIAMENTART REFORM ASS,_,CIATION MIikTING IN THE FREE TRADE HALL—A meeting of the above association was held in thu Free Trade-hall on Wednesday evening, on which occasion there were from 6,000 to 7,000 persons present. Alderman Harvey occupied the chair, and amongst the gentlemen on the platforms were—Sir Joshua Walmaley, M.P., Sir Francis Allow/es Ba.t., Mr. George Thomp son, M.P., Messrs. Edward Midi, Henry Vincent,Al!x ander Mackay, James Watts, Dr. Watts, James E. . Nel son, Law (Derby), Wadkinson (York), Robert Rumnoy John Whyatt, Albert Cuckshaw(London), Councillor Ilibbert, I'. T. Cuadelet, Rey. T. G. Lee, W. P. Roberts, &o. 'rte . wmr. as a dd ressed George Thompson, m at reat length .p. by Sir Joshua vv a rnin im ee si t ey g , Ed ward Miall, Henry Vin cent, and ot h ers . Resolutions were also adopted, pledging the meeting to supp ort t h e movement by contributions and co-operation . M r. Thompson stated tha t they would in the course o f a f ew wee k s aga in appear i n that hall, when the intentions of the association in connexion with Lancashire would be laid before them. The whole proceedings were of the most enthusiastic character. ry tne pi ,n ri c te o d m p n l l e i ; sa l e cl b f A A. h J e . S a t b o o t ' v s e a r c d 6 1 r N B POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION. —S IR J OHN FRANS.- justotlicer hAiriv? ebted medal engraver in ordinary to the Queen, from a medal lion by M. David, in the pesseasien of Lady Franklin; it is of the same s i ze as t h e celebrated Kirk Series and f ms the fifth of the Royal Polytechnic :Seth's, which is now in the course of publication by Mr. Stothard, at the Polytechnic Institution. Doubtless many who take an interest in the fats of this talented officer feel some desire to be possessed of his portrait, and if anything is likely to add to the desire, it is, perhaps, the fact of seeing dim portrait produced. This, however, is ono of the many advantages which the Polytechnic confers upon its visitors. The likeness has I'een pronounced admirable. NEW LETTER-BOX IN PARIS.—A i new species of letter-box is about to be generally adopted n Parts by the postal administration. The first specimen has been erected in the archway leading to the .Caserne des Sapeurs-Pompiers, in the Rue do la Pam. It is de scribed a' a truncated column of cast iron, bronzed, four feet in height. The aperture through which the letters are to be slipped is at the top, and on e ach fee of th e column is the inscription—" Poste. ;--Rotte aux Lett res . Vs n suvect this " truncated column ' is what, would here, in more eenoes than one of the word, be celled "post.