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

del •er sentence of transportation were sent to a place, that, therefore, it became a penal settlement. There were "leicts, for instance, at Gibraltar, which could not be e°oBldered as a penal settlement. I.lat the repeal of the sh un G o :e Proposed by the Hon. Member would enable , the r •ern eseat to send convicts to the Caps, or any otne -e ' °l l, just the 5 - 11110 as to Woavvich, Portland, or any ether 1 • , until acerte whic h convicts wernf Pm for hard labo . u . r, 1: - -ot theinonld be Otherwise tinaiitled for. If any dts -I;"iti°4 'exo - isted !to ' exercie'ilas -4 4.C. power despotically., :0: their' had th 6. power .''()1 counteracting it, ci'implaints were easily- Mace known in this 4, l e c tlt r.i'• he believed the repe .1 of this power would e waY the means of enforcing the sentsnce of trans- Aort a e ion -moment, and; would not effect the ob 't,eet of the Hon. Gentleman, or protect the colonists from w'envicts being sent out. And under what circumstances k et e convicts sent ab roa d? If transportation was to be c - order t 0 at an, it wa s th e genera l op i n i on t h at the Zeovicts s hould be di sperse d as w id e l y as possible, in itl, ~ er 4 0 p r event that accumu l at i on o f v i ce and iniquity h ers e " hod result e d f rom the aggregation of large mim in a 0 1-- ',• • g n gs en public works. if the present Act se s T t i h be repealed, there would be 119 altern . s.t . nrebtto ate' e '' l , ll in masses, and keep them to work in masses, I tith ( o ) ,.,": l° expiration of their . sentences they would, ta.,, t i;" '-oY reformatory discipline, be dispersed as free Hon. Ge st! ,rll4hout the colonies.-(Hear, hear.) The ‘ Pi le -,,-` ta so freely admitted that the Colonial-office was R s e",nunder great difficulties. He wished to impress , - '4 31 "nlbe i jest b, t „, ra the necessity of not trifling with the sub whictr a i ng assay the means of executing s f. ,- , , n r tences ing, aid eplarter acasions they were clamorous . win pass tl rat* eh they desired to see carried out, in order taisin te l : lli ve the counties from the cost of their care and 1 , 11 (1 bet, U. Transportation to Van Diemen's Land 4 'n t usPended the late Government, anal h th e e n te st re ' 4 llt3 had followed that step. It had lately e h e,r L e l iii s v "Y tnoderate number, but increased num : /Th t k - "eon sent to Bermuda and Gibraltar. Now, 114 4- "Etd been poin on at home ? In England the 184 4 3 : had not incre g asml. The number transported in Ints a b a3 3,3 57; in 1848, 3,296; and in 1849 the number A ct i,f o l tit son leas, partly owing to the operation of the cos if i sat session, and partly owing to the increased ,tele last c ! the people. What was the case with respect ; 11 1vJ e j t " ? The sentence of transportation for larceny int, "etc numbers was one of the stronge t rounds att setBi ° o for lessening the punishment. In Ireland in isis I.ttile number transported was 700 ; in 1845, 627 • 18. t il' 7 ° B • in 1847 (daring which transportation i to t t sa - ,l l ' er nele ' s Land was suspended) the number had . n ilit (It: 181°49 , 2 1 2 t 0s ; in 1848, the number was 2,72% amounted to 3,039. There could . b crease cluht that offences in Ireland had greatly in d Skew tiled although some of the sentences were cem- Inch "t became necessary to visit many of them tinan?lvere punishment, in order that it might not . go Nq,n that the sentences would not be carried into e t ,3 ,The conduct of many of the convicts sent t het4u‘ entitled them to considerable indulgence, and iu_ Shi t , teved that a number of them would prove as va gone fr settl ' e ta h ol i er- as many of the emigrants who had ',tee , ad to that country, for the crimes were ofnot . I sle ( aetions character. It might, perhaps, be des.ir tn: reduce the ;her of classes of offences for which it t. stt -4thwere liabl n e u to be transported; but so long as :Dri 4 s - 1, 14 kept up this punishment, they ought not to ~..I t .t .-R e Government of the power of carrying it into 1 0 4 „'''''e lion Gentleman had spoken of the . power . " t-fl'et'cised despotically by the Colonial Minister, Oren 'lCl oti - ' Pint of fact, he never exercised it without . the 1 1Pos ti ," st other members cf the Government. Looking 4t irte t i t ? I notio n as one which would tenfold increase the 4 144 eft; e , B 0 f carrying the sentence of transportation it e Veran°' a nd which would fetter the discretion of the u ''s Do py tit in dealing with, the subject, he trusted " gt 't ih - e llle Would not adopt the suggestion of the Hon. I n 11 e .:' k OLESWORTII supported the motion, be lle t ',"e C olonial-office had proved itee'f not well qua ,ht tin exercise the power of which his Hon. Friend s is' 4 * roue-lit forward the subject sought to deprive wi ltil lt °of of this position, he had only to refer to t h Scl taken e 7th place at the Cape. It apt?! a-ed that on . 1 o • of August, 1848, the Colonial beere.axy sent llt o ite lliar ' .41, to severa. of our colonies, offering . to se . n , d , 'Ni l ' e srtain description of convicts as a boon, bet No ' 4 t hat no such convicts would he sent unless the 1,114,1"4t!= g, e xpressed their approval of the offer. At the it he - e 1 - 1. Smith brought the subject before the Le- IF t t 1%, 1" : e i pliell, and pledged his word that no con s o, st be sent unless approved of by the majority ) 0 furls, c3lonists ; but the Colonial Secretary, before se ' for an answer to his dispatch, resolved tllt tOjet, ll4 that to the colony a certain number of Ns - The Colonial Secretary, therefore, corn -41141t4k violated the promise he had made, and the i 4 e Z t d been that the colonists had virtually rebelled. ,:te a - ,,'" ti net help regarding what hat happened at t;Pire-e1 for a source of great danger to our colonial eYto a el' it proclaimed to the-A . that they had 'the. 10 threats and resist in order to rid themselves k enil r '' It'll of, the Colonial-office. He had presented Vl5 • (41 hoe s / ist s , atat . aew South Wales, .signed by 6,000 Istn o h I ng their intention to resist transportation it itta'ii t: - -- Y , and their belief that, if persevered in ithi4 ,e ad to „„, sever the connexion between the colony 1 4, 1 ' eo a c ri °- ,"'"Y• 'Chat petition had been adopted before Otis - " 00 heard of the successful issue of the bi t„ t at th e c ape. Ho could not conceive how any Olib Llfsrht feeling could ever consent to the colony in t t' resided being converted into a convict settle tittski,4 l reference to the report of the Transportation 11 h ' il t le would show the evil effects which transports- OS 4 t produced in New South Wales and Van , a 4t sin r e p Land. After the fearful amount of crime which e t i,sel ss t . t disclosed, it was not matter of surprise that t tt ger t , ll ' lets should hold the transportation system in c / ,, l 'ai, t :,,,' The Right Hon. Baronet the Ho me Secr.e- IP 4r yi " 41 the present motion would create difficulties 0 r) rata Nt. ) .s i °o t sentences of transportation. If he (Sir q, 11 1) o lta t rth) had no other reason for supporting the 4 84 ; 8 , 4 0U1d do it upon than ground alone, us he . kkt t ftir;3ll4-a3civeen anxious to abolish transportation. This h 'Veit tier o right to make the colonies the cesspools I: 4 t D 41 , ,,,na.-( (Hear.) ' ''' - ‘ ) RNEY GENERAL remarked that the 11 16 441 . Z? -et the Member for Southwark had not spoken , l loS ti : i c i e a i l ie i ti o before the House. They were not at on to consider either the question of the tealt tr ansportation or of the conduct of the Go- Pr,,ltts, °t°wards the Cape. The question for discus kt;t i s : IThether they should take from the Crown the St itl , i eli p° t 4se ssed Of selecting places within its own i i'a t in , e, 4 ,, " 15 Which convicts might be transported. If ,71fi 4 1' a - fi ne better ground for the motion than that it ( 1 1117t 1 4 5 ',:° the abolition of transportation,. ho hoped 1 , 1 40, i i °aid pause before consenting t . But, in s' l l p' t '' t rr i a• Gentleman who had broug at it forward O il ,' Il te e sa his object to be the abolition of tramper r;4ntelp•,,B ob ject Was to repeal the .sth Geo. IV., and h i ll '‘' ' -i t 'jug provisions of the 6th Geo. IV., will() 4454°, ° t (l. "Qr Majesty, with the advice of . the Privy 14 1 w ° f° 4 • to .4 ~.. O r OPolnt places within the dominions of the 1 ,,,,,11 i t 's transportation of felons and other cum rtt '' . he e . '"lourt:ble Gentleman had made no provision l e? if r- erillainals should be sent provided that h a ll "e * tett e . s _abolished. The simple object of the t ) t his l 'es ' 4 O was to take away . from . the Crown P (ltt i ef fixing, by order in Council, places of y tt ! tt' s 8h4C4t411.,_ Ifthe Hon. Gentleman eid not mean 1 ' n? Po oho o f of the Acts, the Crow a would still 1i,11744,',Zr of sending convicts to fat) hulks and .4;t, t el t :7cos is uttt if he did mean to reperl . them, what 4 t til. i '' e .h It /I ' d c'j the reformatory establishments at Ott „clij eet Parkhurst? If the repeal on the statutes , then he objected to it as a laskt4l"-Ilitcitsitt4tei`3„:fofthtehnie motion of the Crown, for tt . ''ea?!,et, i; u l t vas not in the instance a statutory 9i .N a conditional commutation of the sen nsts t th s ' The Crown had always had the power n7401,ef thece f transportation. It was in cense- Pnq 9411 % i, see of that took place between the O s li a „nt4 their masters that the statute was passed. tOti lit ttol t ). Re could well understand that when the V th:ftb;taa A bused the Crown should have claimed siit)oDrston'egislature, but it did not therefore follow th: th e 4 1e4 thgative had ceased to exist. The 24th Geo. 14 li q li G la Crown to fix the place of transportation, I t itn' tli c i l l ' C a : 4 e; IV. gave the same power. Suppose I t .7, rathe - n'ettlan obtained leave to introduce his t 41 16. a lit.° Pose to ask the House to fix s om i e t tt N te tee settlements, or did he suppose beepts a l , e d lit the Sty of the Government, in the first place, tll Pt. einl 4Bs ellt of the colonists? The disadvantages O a tqCtlcit o e h t , ceurse were evident. If a statute h d kL •ts lil,,Mtl sl ,., -1 u nlierfeet information, making the Cape i c 4),",e, - ,,, t 'co, 6, e ct, and if convicts had been sent out in eeM b„ge Passive resistance lately offered at n h is fOtilti ll 't 1 5 i3, l• ° been rebellion.-(Hear, hear.) 4- k h /P O 11,1 motion were insuperab'.e. Hon. Mem (l4:4l k t ilt aa tn e to abolish transportation might vote 11 1 1 . tt t ib k qa t kre e with ' Har ) t -13e llrr d his Right don. Friend the ~t -44 hA I:4)k ' i lt s _tld should resist thetnotion.-( e . 1 erep tl rea s titee ; 43 X - agreed with the Attorney-taenera ,01, t ecl C r , li -- :,,was not the time to discuss whether n tl , m be - ' M741014(1 be abolished or not. He was not ,h N lart li fte nt t that the prerogative of the Crown the .I'tS s h ad by the motion. He believed that t tsn's In' Pe t , -4 exile were entirely statutable punish- N tl tse er ees t , 9ll were condemned to death, the Crown s n tti ttl tis .(4l Wa s 4° of commuting the sentence, but that t " t t t ; t ie K t rod e - n ii ,?t a sentence of transportation. Exile j 4 V4 1 22 , 1a u j;: t hy the 39th Elizabeth, and trans the , I (3 tOtie e - , t4 Charles 11., which gave a power I+,c):lrly the 41011, to America. His Hon. Friend who ,4 4 1,14,,,,n0 , - ,1 did not intend it should interfere ,1110 riot s to%,, m .eelsion of the Privy Council, or that ,at 4 ,tie,s' i ; r b „ - u, teh transportation had been directed I,the,stss-',"otveedetql Places of transportation till speciti eti4,l;,‘ to r p°Y Parliament. It would always be ttnk e s 't he 4' atlicruent to appoint new penal settle ,lttittelnvict pot3Deti they would be cautious and not in ih, k ii -ellan klation on a young and uncontaminated YAt tit et ‘4l fin gh he did not concur in all that t, 4 ° E l , 1 1 ,; r4 f th e 14 11 , 1 4% 41 kW said it ; lion. Gentleman who had made is duty to give it his support. 4 ° l7t th t, ti soe Bal n d 110 could not - sup - port the motion. At N etc ij,ustifie"43 th ought his Hon. Friend would be 'Ni t % I le c it , f . in directing the attention of the ti 4tl l),. t h s ill i ti bak e es ' i° , ll of Penstraportation, unless Govern 0a -ns e - , c), the s e nt - t it mlf Govern ,,, )' sin an n. before te . . 'eine is seisin er n the question, the House might very el t t ta , easini,. what Parliament could do to aid the ~t e t r t eo hr aiet 4 n k R out the sentence of transportation, or 'it t , t t ho 'Of th e in this res ect be imposed on the lc ) n i t th,„ e Cro wn. At PresentP the question was, yttl,t'S etir,should do thatwhich would fatter the 1, 1 10 o w . ami ern ,~,, ikiln,,Asr,t4(llbri, atindnvvuu2.er.able instances the e sentence of tt,ef distal;° ~.. Teta could only be effected by Go -- ta- what 't could to make a_proper distribu /tl'titttil‘QenPergeilts to sentenced. He thought the \sesi,/vheis t e , llll had put the question on toe high L' 4 Sy",truel!s,serted it to be one of prerogative. It 4N'it r n -he e ro n . t I,n:ion exercising its best prerogative Nb11„1111itt‘ al 'ln"qdisap.ole.the cond;ti - w hich , `Cored ' "'t in tr-o-•' • ' lll ( 1 0 . , 4 pre r . ssthectrrunnsp.urtation might, I boa at ogativ e o f 0 11 0.,:;1111:;lelle.ally understoowd,n Crown, for ranmspaonry nuereet 48 . _ • . R PUMSAMent imposed by 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 sentence used to run, that the criminal should be transported to such place as her Majesty, with the advice of her Privy Council, should appoint—leaving 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 portstion. 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 eut; but it was a punishment which must be carried out if they wished to inspire wrong-3oera with terror. He could support no motion that would lead to the abolition of transportation. If Government would bring the subject forward they would receive the thanks of every one who took an interest in the correction of offenders. Mr. lIUME said, that in supporting the motion he must not be supposed as agreeing with the Hon. Mem brT for South wark, aa he had no wish to see transporta tion abo:isheil. Ile thought that what had occurred at the Cape wai 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 Secrttery, 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. Ile found from the Syd. ?cry Gazette, received by the last mail, that great dis tarbances 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 hsd been placed in what might be called a state of siege. He 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 ri ferred. Lord J. RUSSELL said that before the House came to a division on the question, be wished to put before them the difficulties in which the Government were placed, and which he thought would not be ut 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 ego, 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 have in view, except, as he 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 very important question on very insufficient data. 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.—(llear, hear.) Suppose that that conduct was anog*.ther 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 had been in one particular instance abused, should consequently be altogether destroyed. But as re garded the particular instance to which the Run. Gen• tleman had alluded, be had himself stated in one par of his speech the very groat difficultie; 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, ho 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 ether 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, ho 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 4." 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 far it was the opinion cf 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. MOLESWORTH—I did not say that it was arbitrary or tyrannical. Lord J. RUSSELL continued—The llon. 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 entertainol at the Cape to the reception of the convicts sent to that colony, and it had then been stated by his Right Hon. 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 Culonics, 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 bad 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 if they had not been placed un der the pressure of famine, would never, perhaps, have appeared before a crimi na l cou rt. 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 ney would enable the Government to send to Bermuda some of those convicts who were crowding the gaols in Ireland. His Noble Friend at the head 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 la-nented to say that ho had been entirely mistaken, and he therefore withdrew the order he had issued upon the subject. Now ho (Lord J. Russell) asked if there was anything in that transaction of so very tyrannical a character—(Boar, 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 roally 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 thole 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 H. Smith, who had been placed in most difficult circumstances, had gone very far fur the purpose of appeasing the irritation felt upon the subject. Sir H. Smith had said, that although he had been instructed to laud the convicts, he did not propose to do so, but that he would kayo them in the vessel at anchor in Simon's Bay, until he should have 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 IL Smith had de- clared that he would not land those 300 persons until he should have r peeived further instructions from home. Now, under t hose 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 contarted convicts. Now, really that was carrying the objection to convicts to an extent which ono could hardly comprehend.—(Hear, hear.) It was well known that there were, at the very same time, some 200 or 300 of tb,o c,rdinary convicts of the colony at work at Rubin's Isl arid, where they might be always seen; and yet the sig ht of a ship anchored in Simon's Bay, and having convicts on board, was a contamination which the colony could riot bear.—(Hear, hear.) Really they had carried to a inn at excessive length their excite ment and indignation up, )n the subject. The Hon. Gen tleman had chosen to rss ise that topic, and to make it a main support of his mot' on; and had he not done so, he (Lord J. Russell) shout i not at all have entered into a discussion of the mattes . Ha said, therefore, on the whole, the motion of Um 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 ex2g geratEd that it could ?Jot justify the conclusion which the Hon. Gentleman r nder.voured to deduce from it. Mr. STANFORD s uid ho should feel bound to vote against the motion. .?Jr: did not, h owever, wish it to be understood that he waF. therefore indisposed to relieve the colonies of the burden of transportation. But he did nut think that was the pr 0110 occasion for discussing that great question. Mr. ADDERLEIe in reply, said that the Noble Lord would not add to nis reputation by taking up the cudgels Lori Grey.. The surprise which the Noble Lord felt the iltliabLanti of cif, Cape alLauhing iiiiportauce to so trliiing a matter as the location amongst them of a few hundred cox, ids, reminded him of the taunts THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY E VENING, which in the last century were directed against the peo ple of Massachusetts for making a piece of 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. The tyranny complained of was in not waiting for the answer. He had no intention of getting rid of transportation by a side wind; all he desired was to 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. He entirely dissented from the argument of the Right Hon. 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 wh2ther the Ilon. Gentleinan asked leave to bring in a Bill to abolish transportation or a Bill to ruin and demoralize Vau Diemen's Land?—(A laugh.) In the former case ho should support the Hon. 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 House adjourned at Ten o'clock. Mr. Ansley paired off, on Mr. Fagan's motion only, with Lord John Manners, from half•pa,st six o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons., THURSDAY, FEIZ. 14. MINISTERS' MONEY (IRELAND). Motion made, and Question proposed, " That this House will, To-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee, to take in'o consideration the Law relating to the Rate or Tax called' Ministers' Money,' in Ireland, wifh 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 1 4 Will. IV., c. 114, called The Church Temporalities Act,' for the purpose of amending the same s ) as to provide thereby a substitute, out of the Revenues of the Ecclesiastical Commis sioners, as a provision for the Protestant Ministers in certain corporate towns in Ireland, in lieu of the annual sum now received by them under and by virtue of the Act 17 and IS Charles 11., c. 7:" --Whereupon previous Question put, " That that Question be now put." The House divided : MINORITY-AYES, 76. Aglionby, 11. A. Greene, John Pilkington, James Anderson, Arthur Greufell, C. P. Pinney, William Armstrong, Sir A. Hall, Sir Benjamin Power, Nicholas Barron, Sir H. Harris, Richard Rawdon, Colonel Bass, Thomas i Hastie, Alexander Salwey, Colonel • Bouverie, E. P. llerbert, H. A. Scholefield, William Bright, John Heyworth, L. Scrope, G. P. Brotherton, Joseph Iforsman, Edward Scully, Francis Brown, W. Hume, Joseph Sheridan, It. B. Castlereagh, Vise. : Humphery, Ald. Sidney, Alderman Caulfeild, J. M. Keating, Robert Smtth, John B. Clifford, H. M. Keogh, William Smythe, G. Cobden, Richard Kershaw, James Somers, J. P. Corbally, M. E. ! Langston, J. 11. Stanton, W. S. Cowan, Charles Lushington, Charles Stuart, Lord Dudley Drummond, Henry M'Cullagh, W. •T. Sullivan, Michael Ellice, E., jun. ➢i'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, Sir W. Wall, C. B. Fortescue, J. W. Monsell, William Walmsley, Sir J. Fox, W.J.f Mintz, 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. Abdy, T. N. Goulburn, Henry 31orlson, Sir W. Adderley, C. B. fireman, Gilbert Mullings, J. R. Adair, R. Shafto Grey, Sir G. Mundy, William Barnard, E. G. Grogan, E. Naas, Lord 13ateson, T. Guernsey, Lord Napier, :Joseph Beresford, William Gwyn, Rowel Packs, C. W. Bernard, Viscount Hallyburton, Lord Paget, Lord A. Best, John Hamilton, G. A. Paget, Lord C. Blair, Stephen Hatchell, John Paget, Lord G. Blandford, Marquis llawes, Ben). Patten, J. W. Bowles, Admiral Hayes, 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 Pusey, P. Buck, L. W. Hood, Sir A. Richards. Richard Charteris, Francis Jervis, Sir John Russell, Lord John Chatterton, Colonel Jocelyn, Viscount Sandars, 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, H. Stanley, E. Duncuft, John Lascelles, W. S. Tattered, 11. 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 Enfield, Lord Lindsay, Colonel Williamson, Sir It. Farrcr, James Lowther, Henry Wilson, James r'orbes, W. Mottle, Fox Young, Sir John Fordyce, A. D. Maxwell, Hon. J. P. TELLICAL Fox, S. L. Melia, Sir Henry 11111, Lord Marcus Frcwen, C. H. Miles, William Grey, R. W. TRANSPORTATION. Motion made, and Question put, " That leave be given to bring 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 Fe'ons and others under sentence of punishment." The House divided:— MINORITY—AYES, 32. Aglionby, 11. Gooch,:E. S. Napier, Joseph Baillie, H. J. Greene, John Prime, Richard Baring, Francis Halsey, T. P. Salwey, Colonel Best, John Hervey, Lord A. Scholefleld, W. Blair, Stephen Hume, J. Simeon, John Chatterton, Colonel Keating, Robert Sullivan, Michael Christy, Samuel Lewisham, Viscount Verner, Sir W. Cobden, R. Lushington, C. Walmsley, Sir I. Cocks, T. g. Molesworth, Sir W. Filmer, Sir E. Mundy, William Fox, W. J. Munta, G. F. Fuller, A. E. ITaas, Lord TELLEIS. Adderley, C. E. Stailsrd, Augustus MAJORITY—NOES, 110. Abdy, Thomas N. Goulburn, Henry Perfect, R. Alcock, Thomas Groenall, G. Piowden, W. H. Anstey, Thomas C. Grey, Sir G. Plumptre, 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. Rawdon, Colonel Bass, M. T. Heald, James ' Romilly, Sir John Bellew, R. M. Ileathcoat, John Russell, Lord J. Berkeley, Admiral Henley, J. W. Scrope, G. P. Boldero, Henry Herbert, Sidney Scully, Francis Bouverie, E. P. Heywood, James Seymour, Lord Brockman, E. D. Hobhouse, 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. Lascelles, E. Talbot, C.R. Cowan, Charles Lascelles, W. S. Teunent, 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. Tufbell, Henry Duncan, George Lockhart, W. Vane, Lord H. Duncuft, John M`Taggart, Sir J. Verney, Sir H. Duncias, Admiral Matheson, Colonel Wall, C. B. Dundas, Sir David Maule, Fox Willcox, Brodie Ebrington, Lord Melgund. Viscount Wilson, James Ellis, John Manes, It. M. Wilson, Matthew Elliot, John E. Moffatt, George Wellesley, Lord C, Evans, Sir De Lacy MonselL:Williant Wood, W. P. Evans, John Moody, C. A. Wyvill, M. Fagan, William Mulgrave, Earl Young, Sir John • Ferguson, Sir R. Norreys, Sir D. Fordyce, A. D. Pakington, Sir J. MUSD. French, F. Parker, John Hill, Lord M. Frewen, C. H. Peel, Sir Robert Grey, R. W. NELSON'S DAUGHTER, Houvria.—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, or in 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 in 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 wretchednesas 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. On the contrary, she has strong grounds fur believing that no such relationship existed. Mr. Hazlewood, a solicitor, then residing at Brighton, and far advanced in life, was known to have been much in Lord N e l son ' s confidence. To 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 fiskence 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 mother of a family, and a person of considerable consequence. To reveal Horatia's origin by the mother's side would do her (Horatia) no real service, but would cause infinite misery to a happy, united, and distinguished family. He thought, therefore, he was taking the kindest and wisest 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. Hazlewood 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. Qintra Fralelle, Hull to on tlle with lour a.ter 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 SU. V. Suz,—l enclose herewith the copy of a letter I have received from Captain Sir John Ross, 'offering to take the command of an expedition int, n ded to proceed via Barrow's Straits in search of k iil John Franklin and his companions, provided the n 3essary funds can be raised for its outfit; and I tru lam not asking too much in requesting that you si ill, for the sake of the object, give it publicity i n your widely-circulated journal. Feeling, in common with the country at large, that nothing should be left untried that hold a out the most distant prospect of relieving the missi ; expe dition, or even of ascertaining its fate, and k vowing the eminent qualifications of Sir Juhn Ross for the task which be so generously volunteers to u n dertake, I have greabpleasure in recommending his :proposal to public attention, and am ready to receive subscrip tions, at the Hudson Bay House, for carryil q; it into effect. The outfit is limited to the amount of 3,( lOU, any sum received beyond that amount to be hel. 1 for dis tribution to himself and crew on their returi I beg to add, that the Hudson's Bay CJMi ny have voted 5001. towards the equipment of the exi dition. I have the honour to be, Your obedient, humble sery u nt, J. H. 1.1 !ILLY. Hudson's Bay House, 4, Fenchurch-street, Feb. 14. 267, Strand, February 12, 1850. Dear Sir Henry,—ln the grateful rem s tabrance of the kind and humane interest that you e e id other members of the Honourable the Hudson's B 4 ty Com pany took in my rescue, at a time when, 'with my devoted companions, I appear e d d oome d t i en d a miserable existence in the frozen regions, and well knowing that your sympathy ex t en d s a l so , towar d s my gallant friend Si▪ r John Franklin and hit , crews of 138 brave men, who ar e i n a pos i t i on :it ill more distressing and peri▪ lous than mine, while .the en deavours which have hitherto been made - fi it their relief have been singularly unsuccessful, I venture now to lay before you my statements, whi ch have been delayed to this late period principally by the sudden and untimely death of my truly pateti )tic and ever-to-be-lamented friend, the late Sir Feli a Booth, on whose further munificence I had on this n2,casion depended to enable me to perform the sacred p romise I made to Sir John Franklin on his de parture, namely, that if he was sti 1.1 mis sing in February, 1847, I would volun leer 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 zi. Aorious, but although they were declined, I can im .pute no blame to my Lords Commissioners of the Ad zniralty, who were unfortunately misled by the n emerous opinions adverse to mine, both as to sendir ig early relief, and more particularly as to the size and de scription of the vessels to be employed on t b a t im portant service. It is now but too evident the it unless success crowns the endeavours that shall 1)e made during this season for the relief of the imp er i Il e d na vigators, any f u rth e r attempt will be utterly l iopeless. Impressed with this conviction, I hold it to, b e t h e duty of all who can in any way respond to im perative call on their humanity to lend their inplered 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 otl ierwise ; 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 tri Let that that will not be found extravagant. I have now the honour to state that I have t lot made this application without having consulted the First Lord of the Admiralty, and also that lam on terms of intimacy with the gallant officer whodzo is n ppointed to command the Government expedition, wi th whom it will be my earnest desire to act in the comm on cause with cordiality and friendship, although we act independently of each other. The object of the expedition I propose bei solely to search for and relieve Sir John Frankli, 1 an d hi s 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 na , abt of the officers of the royal and merchant navy. 1. An excellent constitution, well adapted, a n d ac customed to a cold climate, and a perfect k nowledge of every precaution necessary in an arctic voyage. 2. A perfect knowledge of the Danish l.ss' nguage, 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 NY bale fish ery. and now ready to join. From having been six years consul in S eden, I am well acquainted with sledging with dogy , which can be procured in Greenland. It is indeed true that I have not youth on my side, but, besides excellent health, I have that e xperience which I maintain to be paramount to every other consideration in the navigation of icy see a, where cases of difficulty and danger suddenly and continu ally occur, requiring that prompt decision w hick 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 any part to accomplish the great object which is in vierw, 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 'errant, (Signed) JouN Ross, Capt. Royal Nary. Sir John Henry Pelly, Bart., Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company. NAVAL IN TELLIGENCE. con tradictthe statement that Mr. T. T. Grant, F.R.S., is about Royal to vacate that office are requested to P O RTSMOUTH, Ts URSD AY.—We Clarence Victualling Establishment, s b to li r s e h kee e p n e t for the appoi n tment of Controlle r o f Vi c t ua lli ng a t the storekee per Gosport, of the 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 was removed into the steam The Serpent, 12, Command er B ar k er , a rrived at Rio from England, en route t o th e Bast India and ordinary from the lo wer moorings i n th e harbour to day.rd nai compas s es ry China station, on the 21st of December. PORTSMOUTH GARRISON, &c. The establishment of the depot battalion at Park on the 31st of March next. burst Barracks, Isle of Wight, will be discontinued — lnstructions have been issued for discontinuing re cruiting for the army until further orders. The following regiments are under orders to move :-4th Foot, from Portsmouth, and 23d (1 bat talion), from Winchester to Plymouth ; 28th and 82d Regiments, from Plymouth 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, THURSDAY. - Captain George Smith, R.N., the Admiralty superintendent of packets at this station, to-day exhibited before a large assemblage of officers of the navy, army, Peninsular and Oriental, and R oya l W est India Mail Companies' services and men, his system of training for naval gunnery, so that the volunteers of these 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. T o ac hi eve iis desirahle 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 servies 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 til3 bericu of whioil he is so distinguished a member, was not likely to stop at trouble or expense when his talents and fertile imagination could benefit others. FEBRUARY 1 53 1850 LITERATURE. SIR FRANCIS CHANTREY, 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 hatter knowledge of, the man whose works, in whatever range of science or art his genius may shine, they love to contemplate or study. If this be true with regard to the great and good men of our own times, still more forcibly does it apply to those whom death has snatched from among us, and for whom our interest seems rather to be in creased than diminished by the close of their earthly career. Thence our eager desire for the more or less faithful representation of their features, our anxious search for narratives of incidents and occurrences connected with their lives, and our proneness even to ba aten 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 acquaint 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 for 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 are 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 host 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, hut to be compelled to ac knowledge a greater treat than we had antici pated, by the perusal of some of 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 P. Chantrey's own words, his own views, his own wit and humour ; the acts he treats on are his own act:, awl 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 detail s con tained in th e app en di x . 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. An elegant dejeuner was served on the spot, which was partaken of by about 100 guests invited. APPOINTMENTS. WOOLWICH, F.EI3. 14.—Mate—John E. Doran (1849), to the Wellesley, 72, flag-ship of Vice-Ad reiral the Earl of Dundonald, G.C.8., on the West Indies and North American station. Assistant-Sargeon—George IL Edwards, (1847), to the Adventure store , ship, at Deptford. Clark in Charge—George 11. Whinier (1845), to the Modina steam-packet, on the Meditterranean station. Navel Cadet—Edgar Cookson, to the Sphynx steam-sloop, at Portsmouth. Intelligence was received in town to-day stating that the Odin steam-frigate, 0f560-horse power, Cap tain Hon. F. T. .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. TIIE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. Captain Austin, C. 13., attended at the Admiralty to-day, but up to a late hour the vessels selected to proceed on the expedition, if they have been decided upon, were not announced. It bas been said that Captain Austin's opinion is that it is immaterial whe ther the vessels leave this country in May, or even in Jame ; but the statement is at variance with the pre :ent 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 g a ll an t lit t l e vesse l the Discov er y, o f 55 tons, on the let of July, or almost a fortnight before the average passage of the earliest ships of the p resen t d ay . Th e 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. COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. (PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT ) EAST COWES, FEB. 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 very extensive. There were also two very large hay ricks in the yard, near the building, hut 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 at the Medina Hotel, at East Cowes., on the 6th of March. CO UHT CIRC ULAR. The Queen, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Princess Alice, and the Princess Helena, visited her Royal Highness the Duche's of Gloucester yesterday, at Gloucester House. Her Majesty was attended by the Countess of Mount Edgecutube (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- Colonel the Honourable Alexander Gordon. The Commissioners present were Earl Granville, Lord Stanley, the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel, the Right Honourable Henry Labouchere, Sir Archibald Galloway, Sir Richard Westmacott, Sir Charles Lyell, Mr. T. Baring, Mr. Barry, Mr. T. Bazley, 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 five 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. Eliz %both Lennox, the Marquis of Ormonde, Colonel Buckley, and Lieut.-Colonel the Lion. Alexan der Gordon The Countess of Mount Eclgecumbe has relieved the Countess of Desert in her duties as Lady in Waiting to the queen. 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. Invocazione all' Armonia H.R.H. Prince Albert. Chorus, Viva Enrico Pucitta. March, Prometheus Beethoven. The Hon. E. Joy Morrie, 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, yesterday, 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 Duchy of Cornwall, and the Judge of the High Court of Admi r.'.lty. Sir Edward Ryan sat as a Privy Councillor. An apFeal from Bombay was heard, " Spooner v. Juddow." THE DISCIPLINE OF LIFE.—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. MARYLEBONE BANK FOR SAYINGS.—The 20th annual general meeting of this institution was held yesterday at the office, No. 76, Welbeck-street, Caven dish-square, the Rev. John Hume Spry, D.D., in the chair. It appeared from the several reports read 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 less than 31. Is. 4d. The sum in the hands of the Govern ment on the 20th of November, 1849, as per receipt from National Debt Office, signed by Mr. lligham, and laid before the meeting was £311,094 2 3 In the hands of the treasurer, Sir Claude Edward Scott, Bart., whose acknow ledgment was likewise produced In the bands of the Actuary 1,026 15 10 33 9 5 £312,154 7 6 The balance duo to depositors at that date, as per balance-sheet produced... £311,447 4 3 Surplus 707 3 3 The balance duo to depositors. has since risen to 316,2101. 15.. fNCIMSURE COMMISSION.—From the fifth annual report of the Inclosure Commissioners, just p resen t e .l b y the command of her Majesty to both Houses of Parlia ment, it appears that the number of a ppli cat i ons of all kinds to the office, since the passing of the Act, has been 498; and the number of acres comprised in the applica tions fur inclosure and conversion, is 273,967 a. Or. 2p. Since the last report there have been 129 cases, of which 51 are for the exchange of lands, 3 for partitions, 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 to 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 for Parliament to deal with or for the Commission to signify its intention of authoris ing the inclosure—is 181. 17s. 4d. The report further testifies to the past and continued disposition of the country to avail itself of the provisions of the Inclosure and Anionclunut Lots, ROYAL PANOPTICON - 5 - F 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 engine er i ng department, in which w ill 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 be 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 explain the construction and purposes of new in ventions. In the theatre, Mr. Clarke's Patent Optical Diorama will be 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 breezy to the terrific hurricane. Whether we regard the Panopticon 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 ifor 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, Pan. 14.—Ina Convocation holden 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 for the choice of a Vinerian scholar, the candidates being George Wood, 8.A., scholar of University ; Hsns 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 ; fur 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 ; Mr. Price, tutor of Pembroke ; and Mr. Spottiswoode, of Baliol—give notice that an examination will be holden in the schools on Monday, the 11 th of March, and the following days, for the purpose of electing one senior and one junior scholar. Gentlemen who desire to oiler themselves 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 have 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. CAMBRIDGE, FEB. 13.—At a Congregation holden this day, the undermentioned degrees were conferred : Bachelors of Arta—W. H. Hanker, G. Meek, and C. L. Pemberton, Trinity College ; H. L. Harkness, C. A. Jenkins, R. C. R. Owen, and D. Smith, St. John's College, and E. IV. Gilbert, Jesus College. UDDEN DEATH.—One of those melancholy events occurred yesterday morning. a b ou t ten o ' c l ock, in Judd street, Brunswick-square. W. Clayton, letter carrier in the London distri c t office, having l e f t hi s h ome about five minutes previously, to commence his duties in the Post office, was seized in the street with a violent 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 less than three minutes from the attack, he was so reduced from exhaustion, that it became appa rent ho could not survive. A surgeon was in immediate attendance upon him, by whose desire he was conveyed in a cab to the North London Hospital, but the skill add practice of that valuable institution could not benefit him. He was dead before he arrived. IMPORTATION OF 0 TSTERg -- Some arrivals . have taken place, within this day or two, of oysterfrom Jersey, by the screw stealw)ra . w oohhare,cr the f i rst t the Channel been placed on th e station to run i between e Channel Islands and the metropolis . 'There have on some occasions been importations of preserved oysters from Jersey, but this is, we believe, the first introduc tion of the article in their native and fresh state from that place. It is understood that they are of British taking, and that, in consequence of the beds on our coasts having been affected by the late inclement wen- ther, the demand in the market fur these supplies from Jersey is considerable. MARLBOROUGH-HOUSE.—The sale of the late Quee❑ Dowager's effects was recommenced yesterday, and will be continued this day. There will be no sale to-morrow, but the mansion will bo again thrown open next week for the disposal of the remainder of the royal property. Lady John Russell bad an assembly yesterday eyen ißgt iu Cheaham-place. THE COUNTRY MARKETS. BIRMINGHAM. FEB. 14.—At Gloucester and Worcester markets, on the 9th, owing to a greatly decreased supply from 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 had an improved feeling in b the n w r he ea a l i t se t d r a o d n e, so a m n d e d e e !: er advance . of u ar ti l d e y t o n 0 1 m s i per nal l yquuanratletre unaltered. Limited parcels of oats have changed hands at former prices. Only retail sales reported in beans and peas. At this day's market, although there was again a short supply of wheat from the farmers, the trade ruled dull, at the above advance. No improvement in any description of barley. Very little doing in oats. We had few inquiries for beans or peas. LOUGHBOROUGH, F. 14.—The supply of wheat and barley at our market to-day was small; fine qualities of both were fully la dearer ; secondary more in demand at full prices. No alteration in oats or beans. 80 1 :STON, FE 7s B. Wheat, red 35 8 t o 38 s O d , white 435; oats sto 1 ; beans, 25s to 27s per quarter. SLEAFORD, FEB. 11 .—Wheat, wh i t e 3 9s to 425 , red 36s to 39s ; barley 21s to 265; oats 14s Od to 18s; beans, 268 to 32s per qr. LYNN, FEB. 12.—Wheat 32s to 345, fine 36s to 40s per qr. ; barley 20, to 225, fine 24s to 25s per qr. ALroen.—Averages for the week ending Feb 11—Wheat 35s lid; barley 21s 3d; oats Os Od; beans 25s to 29s per qr. UrEINGHAM, FEB. 13.—Wheat 35s to 40s; barley 19s to 23s ; oats 12s to 19s ; beans 19s to 2is per quarter. Butter Rqd to Ild per lb ; eggs lil for Is. NEWARK, FEB. 13.—Wheat, white 42s to 455, extra 465, red 33s to 425, extra 435; barley, malting 25s to 265, extra 275, grinding nominal, foreign Os to Os; oats 16s to 18s, seed 20, to 23s ; beans, new 24s to 265, extra 27s ; peas, breakers 32s to 345, seed 36s ; spring tares, seed 32s to 36s per qr. Denis- SMITHFIELD MARKET, FEB. 12.—There lIR3 a good average number of fat beasts this morning, many of them of excellent quality ; the attendance of purchasers nas 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. Fat calves were more plentiful than they have been this year. Beef made from 3d toso ; mutton, 5d to 6d ; veal, 5d to 51d per lb. Pigs, 8s per score. Rough fat, 3s Gd per stone of Nibs. Hides, lid per lb; calf skins, 2d to 31tIper lb. EDINBURGH GRAIN MARKET, 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 yrs unsold. Oats—Of this kind of grain we had 1,341 qrs brought forward, or 66 qrs more than last week. The top price Is down, and the average the same-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. 44s Od „ Barley ... ••• .. 5641 b. 259 Od „ Oats ... ... ••• ... 44i-lb. 2ls Od „ Beans ..• •• • ... 65 lb. 28s Od EDINBURGH 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 (id per Dutch stone. Top price, 7s to Os Od ; current, 6s Gd to Os Od ; middling and inferior, 5s to 6s per Dutch stone. 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, 5-d per lb ; cur rent, Od to 5d ; inferior, 4d to 4d. GLASGOW, FEB. 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 sour, in mode rate quantities, on fully last Wednesday's terms. Barley and feeding stuffs were rather cheaper. Oatmeal and Indian corn without notable change. CORK, FEB. 13.—Flour—First 12s Od to 13s; extra 14s 6d; seconds, lOs 6d to 12s ; households 9s to 10, 6d; thirds, 7s to 93 per cwt. Oatmeal 101; to 00s Od; Indian meal 7s to 7s 3d ; wheat meal, 108 to 00s Od per cwt. Indian corn 132 s 6d to 135 s per ton. Bran 3/12s 6d to 3113 s per ton. Hay—Farmers 155 to 355; average 00s; dealers 23s to 38s Od; average 00s per ton. Straw—Farmers 18s Od to 28s Od; average 22,; dealers 00s Od to 00, Od; average 00s Od per ton. Bread—Wheaten loaf 6d to 60; household loaf 5d to Sid per 41b. Fresh butter, 8d to 10d per lb. Eggs-5s Od to 5s 2d per hundred. Coals— Newport 15s; Lydney 17, ; Landore 15s ; Best Neath Cohn 14e per ton. Tallow 40s Od to 00s per cwt. Whisky, 25 o. p., 5s 9d per imperial gallon. Meat —Beef 4d to 6d; mutton 4d to 6d; veal Od to Od ; pork 4d to Od ; bacon 6d to 70 ; sausages 541 per lb. Hops 131 Os per cwt. Bangor slates 3/ 2e 6d to 315 s per ton. Bark—Barbary 71 5 s to 8/ss; Valonia 14/ to 0/; French 7155; English 0/ per ton. Fleece Wool 105 to 12s per stone. Hemp 32/ to 00/ per ton. Fish— Scotch herrings 16s to 175; red ditto 209 to 22s per barrel ; Newfoundland 9 , Os to 11/ per ton. Timber—Memel, 85s per ton; deals, first quality, 18s ; second quality, 16s per 100. Hides—Market 135 to 20s; salted 13s to 20, per cwt ; calf skins 2d to 3d per lb. Potatoes, white 7d to 9d; Minions 12d to 13d; Guano-.. Peruvian, 11l 10s; Ichaboe, 91 per ton ; Tar—Archangel, 19s per barrel. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. _ BRISTOL, FEB. 14. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market still continues inani mate, and little business has been transacted. The only alteration in prices was—Great Western, Quarters, 15% — Midland, 44. mvEßrooL, Fan. 14. STOCK EXCHANGE. But little business was done in our Stock Exchange 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, 7/. Is. 3d. dis.— London and North• Western, 110 c.—Ditto, New Quarters,N c. p.—Ditto, Fifths, p.—Ditto, Quarters (C), p.—Midland, 43!,—Ditto, Halves, 24 , , s tbs.—Caledonian, Preference, 7%—Edinburgh and Glasgow, 27—Great Western,.64:;4... MANCHESTER, FEI3. 14. STOCK E 'CHANG E. —The market this morning opened very dull, and prices sustained a decided fall, but a reaction to a small extent took place in the afternoon. The trans actions were as follow:—East Lancashire, 113 A —Lanca shire and Yorkshire, Fifths, 7 dis.—Ditto, 324 (late Ex tension), 4 5-16 die.—Ditto (West Riding Union), 6% dis.— London and North-Western, Manchester and Birmingham, (quarters (C), 11-16 p.—Manchester. Sheffield, and Lincoln shire, Preference, —Ditto (Sheffield and Lincolnshire), 4—North Staffordshire, 10 11-1 G dis.—South-Eastern and Dover (No. 4), Thirds, 6 1-16—Ditto, Scrip, 6 1 4. BIRMINGHAM, Fen. 14. STOCK Excuartom.—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, 4 p.—Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Stour Valley, 9A'—London and North-Western, New Quarters 1/. 13s. 9d. , p.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), 8 dia.-- Shropshire Union, 31. Bs. dis. The sales to-day were—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), 8 dis.—Ditto (B), 6 1 / 8 dis.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham, Preference, Scrip, 13i, p. YORK, FEB. 13. STOCK EXCHANGE. —The transactions to-day were as follow :—Eastern Counties, 7'4 l —York, Newcastle, and Ber wick, 16—Ditto (G. N. E. Purchase), 2N,—York and North Midland, Preference, 61. Is. GLASGOW, FEB* 13. STOCK Excrikiecx.—The transactions to-day were as follow :—Edinburgh and Glasgow (Stirling Midland Junc tion), 5 per cent. guaranteed, 21 1 ,4—York, Newcastle, sad. Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase or Preference), 55a. - _ EQUALIZATION OF POOR-RATES IN THE WEST LONDON UNION.—On Wednesday evening a meeting of the parishioners cf Sr. Andrew's, Holborn, was held in the Inquest-room to consider a proposition that for the purpose of settlement, and for raising funds for the re lit f of the poor, the several parishes in that union should be consideied one parish under the provisions of the Act 4 and 5 Wm. IV. c. 7C. Mr. Churchwarden Wade took the chair Mr. Johnson said the object was to relieve the parish of St. Andrew's from the heavy and unequal pressure of the pour rates. Now each parish was com pelled 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 these, owing to local circumstances, over which the ratepayers had no control, one thousand had settlements 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 annoyance to the guardians, whilst it materially in terfered with the proper relief of the poor. lie antici pated that if this measure should be adopted, its effect would be so to simplify the management of the affairs of the union as to allow of a considerable reduction of expenditure. Resolutions were adopted to the effect that it was desirable steps should be forthwith taken to procure an equal assessment throughout the whole of the MANCHESTER FINANCIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY REFORM ASSOCIATION MEETING IN THE FREE TRADE I.IALL.—A meeting of the above association was held in the Freo 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 platform were—Sir Joshua Walmsley, M.P., Sir Francis linowles Bart., Mr. George Thomp son M.P., M e s s rs. Edward Dsioll, Henry Vincent, Alex ander Mackay, James Watts, Dr. Watts, James E. Nel son, Law (Derby), Wadkinson (York), Robert Rumneye John Whyatt, Albert Cockshaw (London) , Councillor b ThomLeps on e,W.P .Rob y e rts, sir See. flibbe T tt h , e P. m T ee . t C in a g ed w e a le ' was addressed Walmsley, Mr. George M.P., Ed wardG. Lee, great length Miall, Henry Vincent , and ot hers. Res o l u ti ons were also a dopted, pledging the meeting to suppo r t t h e movement by contributions and co-operati on . m r . Th o mpson stated that they would in the course o f a f ew the association appear in that hall, when the i ntent i ons of in connexion with Lancashire would be laid betre them. The whole proceedings were of the most enthusiastic character. POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION. --S IR JOHN FRANK LIN—A very spirited medal of the above celebrated officer bite just been completed by A. J. Stothard, F,N.S., medal engraver in ordinary to the Queen, from a medal lion by M. David, in the possession of Lady Franklin; it is of the same size as the celebrated Kirk Series, and forms the fi f t h o f th e R oyal Polytechnic Series, which is now in the course of leiblication by Mr. Stothard, at the leelytechnie Instituion. Doubtless many who take an interest in the fate 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 ;hat portrait produced. This, however, is one of the many advantages which the Poly - technic confers upon its visitors. The likeness has been pronouncei admirable. NEW LETTER-BOX IN PARIS.—A new species of letter-box is about to be generally adopted in Paris by the postal administration. The first specimen has been erected in the archway leading to the Caserne des Sapeurs-Pompiers, in the Rue de is Paix. It is de scribed as a truncated column of cast iron, bronzed, f our feet in height. The aperture through which the letters aro to be slipped is at the top, and on each fac e o f th e column is the inscription—" Poste.—Boite aux L ettres. We suspect this " truncated column" is what would here, in more senses than 0110 of the Trprd ) be coaled is "post.