The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-07 00:00:00

atr. Rogerson was elected and sworn in, and exercised his uT?e within tea day s a ft er t h e arr i va l o f the letters patent, Which_ was a c l ear recognition, and amounte d to an appoint-- in l aw. Mr. Watson had argued that the office was never filled, and th a t t h e election Was informal, because it leas too early ; th ere m i g h t have b e ,, n some i rregu l ar ity, but was cured, and therefore it was rather too much for those persons. to Vim round now and repudiate their own acts, and B t tY_ that the office was vacant ; but there could be no doubt o l a Vvhen once a p erson was e l ecte d an d exercised the duties v ls office, that he was duly elected, and that he was en d to hold the office for life, unless he was guilty of int- P r o Per conduct. Mr. Grirnshaw could not have been pro- PerlY elected a t t h e ad j ourned meet i ng if t h e o ffi ce had been pro- Per _ Mr. J us ti ce COLERIDGE was clearly of opinion that Roger i!oawaas duly elected. For years he remained in office , and t ap Pe red quite shocking to turn round and say that after th ..this the office was void. He was of opinion pink a coroner was not a corporate officer. Only of the consequences of the doctrine set up. a man could be removed at the end of six ears, he could b e removed after 20 , so th a t a coroner who act performed a long course of duty, who had received moneya as fees, who had held inquests, recorded verdicts 8411e of them, perhaps, f or w ilf u l mur d er —and discharged wellyverdicts 80411e important fu nct i ons a ff ec ti n g the public at large, as ag r h imself; might be got rid of to gratify some caprice Party-feeli ng . Th e part i es w h o a pp o inted him recog -1 14-. *e4 him, and enabled him to do all, now turned round and called him a usurper. His mind shrank from contem- Plating the cons uences which must necessarily flow from l a th eq a course of things. The quarterly meetings were well fl own to b e open days, b ut i t b y t h e expe di e nt of an ad 'aurtitneut the could bring on whatever the parties pleased , W it hout notice', the object of the Legislature would be utter l 3 e facted. th ll r. Justice Elm (whe, whilst at the bar, was counsel for at ther side) simply concurred in the judgment of the Court, ~Mr. Rogerson was duly elected. , 1- he case has been in litigation since 1842, and great ex• rca 3 e has been entailed upon the parties. BAIL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Justice WIGHTMAN.) BEAGLE V. STANDISH. kr• TEMPL E applied, on behalf of the Sheriff of Middlesex, for pe an attachment upon some goods in the possession of a t h e named William Withers. &distress was put in on " t h of April, but a person named Emanuel Nathan, ° Was li v i ng with the defendant as h er h us b an d, claimed a etof the goods, and a distress two or three days after „'. 3 Put in in his name, for 42/. for rent, and the goods were al `, ,zed by William Withers on his behalf, and they were re %Zed l 'Y Withers, notwithstanding the plaintiff intimated a -he should dispute his claim to the goods, and he took out v.:lin:lawns under the Interpleader Act, before Mr. Justice erid ge, by which the goods were ordered to be sold, and the proceeds brought into Court, but Withers refused to give for g°l3d a up. The sheriff was threatened with an action W ith goods or t h e i r va l ue. H e a pp re hended that the act of therefore resolved it s elf into contempt of Court, and that _ an att ac h ment s h ou ld i ssue . kr car 7" Justice Wicarreux said the sheriff should have taken Zof the goods, and kept them in his possession. If he re to accede to the application, a similar one might be made s h e e ri never, a sheriff was in possession. It was the duty of the trained. o keep possession of goods on which he had dis ett Was there any authority for a sheriff seeking an b e - h s - a " d inen . t because he was unable to keep goods on which sir seized? tli a • TlEmPut had looked for a precedent, but confessed i t , lie had been unable to find one. QV Justice WIGHTMAN said, then, having no authority to Ache he of his application, he could not accede to it. It of the S he had said, the duty of the sheriff to keep possession goods. Urilj,r• T RMPLE then sought a rule nisi, calling upon w irers to sh ow cause why the goods should not be given up. rif f 1 ". MARTlN—Withers was a mere stranger, and the she- Islnust, therefore, take his ordinary remedy. • ee '42, IPLE was not aware that a sheriff had any remedy „Pt by an application to this Court. a ."! . r. MARTIN said a sheriff might maintain an action itainst the trespasser.—Application refused. O 4 3, RANK NOTE.—PATTY C. THE GOVERNOR AND kr J COMPANY OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND. t ro ughs BAILEY said the plaintiff, a foreigner, had te lat ir t an action against the Bank of England, for the de stolan'4l,°[ a bank-note for 5001., which he alleged had been ativ zrotu him when he was abroad. The Bank had re tof ed, notice to stop the note from a person who called him catne real owner. The action was brought in 1843, but llidefendants obtained an order from Mr. Justice Pattesme lati. s ' i l a g „,Pon the plaintiff to give security for costs for th • —"°°. of the Master, and in the meantime all proceed to be stayed. He complained that such security had not or i mead given, and he asked for security within a fortnight, ,n default judgment to be entered up. Application agreed to. BANKRUPTCY. —(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD.) To..d IN RE C. ELSTONE. On b .aY was appointed for this bankrupt, who had carried e- a usin em as a linendraper, at Guildford, to pass his last zunlination—he had not however filed his balance-sheet. Li z is , 1014 01;it said that adjournments could not be granted H ONOUR time, at the expense of the estate, in cases where 4,,The bankrupt bankrupt had not filed their accounts in proper time. , aa 'f bankrupt said that he had not had means to employ 44.c5C9untant until recently. b.lti r HONOUR said that was not a sufficient excuse, a antauupt ought not in fact to require the assistance of an „,!itant, but ought to make out his own balance-sheet. 1 2 , 00 1 0 naraissioner then asked if the bankrupt had kept • Z! , and on being answered in the affirmative, said they he have been lodged with the official assignee, who sheet. have assisted the bankrupt in making out his balance- The bankrupt said that he had taken them to the official ti . mi P d eo, but they were in such a state of confusion that he ud not make them out. '-`4 ter_, iBllo Nona said that was as bad as not keeping any , lD and to know from the accountant something about the th ou r „.ankrupt said his accountant was not present , al able 7. he had promised to attend, and he had not been 0 retain a solicitor. ,is L iloNoun said the bankrupt's fault had been great in timenot k e • eping proper books—it was not a case in which further thelne ought to be allowed, and he should therefore adjourn last examination sine die. MARLBRO'-STREET-(THIS DAY.) John Johnson and William Johnson, cab proprietors, residing at No. 6, Devonshire-row-mews, Devonshire-street, were placed before Mr. Bingham, charged with receiving a horse, gig, and harness, value 45!., well knowing the same to have been stolen. " — Mr. William Wood, No. 14, Camomile-street, City, livery stable-keeper, stated that on Thursday-week a person who gave the name of Thompson, came to his yard, saying that he was sent by Mr. Holland, in Finsbury-circus, for a horse and gig, as that gentleman wanted to go to Merton on urgent business, and would return it next day. Prose cutor, knowing Mr. Holland, let the man have the horse and gig, which not being returned as promised, excited his sus picions. He therefore proceeded to Mr. Holland's, to make inquiries, when he was informed that Mr. Holland never authorised any person to hire a horse and gig of prosecutor. Prosecutor then caused bills to be printed and circulated amongst the police, giving a description of the horse and gig, and also of the man who obtained them. He subse quently received informaation from a police-constable, that a horse and gig answering the description of the one 4e had lost, was in the prisoners' stables. Yesterday afternoon he proceeded there, and on entering the mews saw his gig standing in the yard. He inquired for the prisoners, and Was told that they were out with their cabs, but would be at home to dinner at one o'clock. tie afterwards saw the prisoners' mother, who, in an swer to his inquiries, said she had bought the horse and gig at the same time producing a receipt for 171. He Waited about the place till the prisoners returned, when he gave them into custody. William Smith, 11 E, said he received charge of the pri soners yesterday evening, and conveyed them to the station, W here they made the following statement : That on the th of May, as they were on a ca b stan d i n Ch ar l o tt e - s t ree t, betwee n the hours of two and three o'clock, a man came up an d asked them if they knew any one who wanted to buy a horse and gig. The prisoner, Wm. Johnson, replied that he aid not, but if he (the man) would bring it to his place, he Would see what could be done. The man accordingly took e horse and gig to the prisoners' yard, and atter some haggling," gave the man 171. for it, which they considered as much as it was worth. They had bought it fairly and honestly, and had no idea of its being stolen. In reply to Mr. BINGHAM, Mr. IN ood said that he should not proceed any further, if he had the horse and gig returned to him. Mr. Clarkson, who attended for the prisoners, said he should not offer any objection to that, but he considered it hard that his clients should lose 171. by the deal. Mr. BLNGIIAM said, on those conditions, he should dis charge them. THAIVIES.—(THIS DAY.) TIIX STEPNEY MURDER.—In the case of Henry Jones Harrison, a general dealer, residing at Dunstan's-place, Step ney, charged with a murderous assault on the person of Ann yourd, a woman with whom he had cohabited upwards of 18 months, the particulars of which appeared in The Sun of the pd Inst., the poor creature expired yesterday morning from the effects of the injuries she had received. Harrison will be brought up to this Court on Wednesday. Wm. Aldis, who styles himself " The Leicester Pet," was charged with having assaulted Mr. Thomas Abbott, proprie tor of the Britannia Tavern, Ratcliffe-highway. Mr. Abbott stated that the prisoner came into his house yesterday evening, and called for something to drink. Knowing his quarrelsome character, witness refused to serve him, when he took up a pint of half-and-half belonging to Some one else and drank it off. Some words ensued between the parties, and witness ordered the prisoner to quit his house, And on his refusal threatened to put him out. The fPrisoner replied, " What 1 put me out—not you nor orty policemen could not do it. I'm the ' Leicester Pet,' and a regular fighting man." He then struck witness three violent blows. A policeman came up, and with some difficulty the prisoner was conveyed to the station-house. K 247, witnessed the violent conduct of the prisoner, and 1/44 ed, that when taken to the station-house it took three Pcl-44,amen to put him in the cell. The prioner said it was all false, if he had struck the COM- Pla‘inaut be should have " left his mark." Mr. BA LLANTINE sa id he should commit him to the House of a Correction, with hard labour for seven days , for bein g drunk and.- disorderly. fine The prisoner, who appeared to have thought only a s mall would have been inflicted, looked rather chap-fallen at this decision. WEATIIER AND CROPS.—A most favourable seed sohilon was followed, in the early part of May, by un seasonable cold weather, by which the bloom of garden and field was thrown at least a fortnight behind. Within the last ten d a ys, however, tha sun has shone out with a t1:lu 21 31 Fal lustre ; th e winds have been warm, and the Z e ngs of a delicious softness, particularly favourable ... v egetatio n . Th e c rops are everywhere described as ," 135 t Promising. Wheat and oats were at one time be- F i nd, but the extraordinary warmth has now brought ^crn ,well up. In gardens the crops of vegetables are i tuuti.dant and early ; and the earlier kinds are in con attuit use at the table. So far as we can ascertain, no a PoPterr; of disease has yet been observed in the potato C rops, which, in the gardens, present a vigorous appear fgles.—lnverncss Courier. TylA POISONING S AT MENSAL NEW TOWN.—Upon 4ititury as to the state of Mrs. Hickman, we were informed by Zi!r. Abercromby, the surgeon who has attended her from !lie flail. that she is so far recovered as to dispense with tak ng ntaciicine, and that all the three survivors—viz., 111ra. ICI PP 4 n her eldest son Thomas Hickman, and Caroline ~_° T l ' 3 ,l3Y , her sister, ITU ;nuts the pie, will be abl e to atte n d 'RV 4djourned inquest on Wednesday next, and give their evidence. The analysation of the remains of the pie, with 112,e_contents of the different stomachs, is still in progress, bi!t, Will be completed in time for tha Pattlts to be given in evi ".44 at the roatuued inquiry, ~tYL:^ TUE SUN, LOND9N, MONDAY EVENING-, JUNE 7, 1847. RAILWAY COM M ITTEES. LITERATURE, (THIS DAY.) A SHORT TREATISE on the STEAM-ENGINE, adapted to the use of SCHOOLS, in which are given PRACTICAL RULES for the USE of EN GINEERS, By James Hann, A.1.C.E., Mathema tical Master of King's College School, 6:c. HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP VI. LTS, SOMERSET, AND WETIVIOUT27. (NO. XX.) AND EXETER. GREAT WESTERN. The cross-•examination of Mr. Saunders was resumed this morning by Mr. COCKDURN. To the practical engineer this work will be found to he invaluable. Every difficulty is supplied by a practical rule, and numerous examples are also given, worked out at length, so that the application of the methods to what is required in actual business is brought within the capabilities of any one possessing a moderate knowledge of common arithmetic. At the same time, as a study of the mathematical theory of the steam-engine, the investigations of the various subjects are handled with great ability and given in a remarkably clear and comprehensive manner. The author treats on the work done on the piston, the duty of en engine, the safety valve, parallel motion, the eccentric wheel, the crank, the fly wheel, &c., in each of which the latest and most approved theories are adopted, and in many respects greatly improved. We may refer to the article on " Parallel Motion" as singularly original and ingenious, and calculated to effectually simplify a hitherto intricate inquiry. In the preface, the author denounces in forcible terms the unjust prejudice sometimes absurdly enter tained against the productions of continental authors, who, especially in France and Germany, have for years been the principal motive powers in the onward progress of science : " Pambour's investigations have been handled rather roughly by some reviewers, who seem to consider it to be a sort of scientific sacrilege for a Frenchman to write on the steam engine, as our illustrious countryman, Watt, was the great improver and almost the invent ,r of it ; but if those who sneer at our continental neigh bours will take the trouble of reading their writings, they must be ignorant indeed if they do not find sufficient either to convince their judgment, or to modify their vanity and prejudice. " Those who are at all conversant in the history of French science, know that, since the revival of learning in Europe, France, under every dynasty, has produced men who have been the admiration of the world, and whose inventions and discoveries succeeding generations will ever applaud as some of the noblest monuments of science ever reared by the human intellect. It has been well observed by a Northumbrian writer, that the philosopher of one country sees not an enemy in that of another ; he takes his seat in the temple of science, and asks not who sits beside him. _ _ _ GROUP VIII. The Committee on this group re-assembled this morning in Room 8 ; Mr. Young in the chair. LISKEARD AND LAUNCESTON DRANCH. This Bill was withdrawn this morning, the promoters having declined to proceed for this session. TAW VALE RAILWAY AND DOCK. A considerable time was spent in discussing whether the Committee should proceed with this Bill, and it was even tually agreed that it be referred to the Committee in Room No. 6, where the Bristol and Exeter Railway Bill was under consideration, as it was considered to have a relation to the lines in that group. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow, having arranged to proceed then with the South Devon (Extension and Amendment) Bill. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sia,—The dawning of elective commotion again begins to arrive—music and the rabble parading the streets, flags displaying, the " minions of corrup tion," at work in almost every street ; and in the pot-houses and way-side innumerable instances of intoxication and debauchery—these are the elements which already present themselves in this borough anticipating the approach of a dissolution of the Commons. The price, likewise, is passed as current as at a shamble, at 201 to 251. Really ! the contem plation of such scenes, as the sources of our Legis lation is enough to disgust any reasonable mind in the nineteenth century. Our inference presents itself strongly to notice, in respect of the deport ment of candidates for seats ; viz. that those who buy must sell, and that Halls of Westminster vie with the Exchange. Be as it may, such a state of things is too bad, as regards the public credit, their morals, and their welfare, in this enlightened age. THE MAN IN THE MOON. Edited by Albert Smith, and Angus B. Reach. - The " Man in the Moon," is a " fellow of infinite jest." The illustrations are most humourous, the puns most execrably laughable, and the parodies full of fun. THE MIRROR. The story of the " Miser's Will" is concluded in this number, and concluded somewhat abruptly. Hastings, the Miser, disabused of his false suspicions of his wife, seeks a reconciliation with her—(our readers will remember that she was living in the house of Smith, the rascally apothecary, as Mrs. Cart wright)—and Smith, finding his intrigues have been discovered, murders Hastings, and straightway pro duces the will which Hastings had made in his favour. A later will, however, is produced in favour of Mau rice Herbert (the Frederick Wilson of the early part of the story), the lover of Mary, and the guilt of Smith is discovered. Smith hangs at the Old Bailey, and Maurice and Mary are married. From a paper, entitled " Notes on Cambridge," by an Under-gra duate, we extract the following : " We wish, however, to recommend one or two things to the notice of our readers, as the changes which would most likely tend to increase the usefulness of our colleges and halls. Extravagance must be checked, before a large class of persons will be enabled to enjoy their ad vantages. We think too that the number of sizarships might with great propriety be augmented. Although Cambridge abounds with scholarships opened, in nearly every case, to every British subject, yet they require, for the most part, a previous residence in the University. We think many men may be found, whose talents would reflect honour on their professions, but who are unable even to enter their names en the College books from lack of means, much less reside the major part of one whole year." This is very well as far as it goes, but a much more sweeping reformation is needed before our universi ties can become the useful educational establishments which they were intended to be by their founders. The other papers of this number (with the exception of the one entitled " Jenny Lind, or the Idolatry of voice,") are excellent. The paper to which we take exception is a diatribe against music, written some what after the fashion of Plato's diatribe against Poetry, almost as clever, and to the full as unjust. I merely pass these hints, trusting the press may give it notice, if possible check the spreading evil, and most urgently the question, whether a better state of things cannot be obtained. The basis of qualification is unquestionably both unjust and false. The press has its duties ; and btging your attention to it, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Penryn and Falmouth, W. June 2, 1847. " Those who can see nothing beyond the limits of their own country should read what one of our own poets has so beautifully expressed, " Genius is of no country, her pure ray Spreads all around, as generous as the day." THE CROPS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sia,—l think it is the duty of the press, after what the people have suffered, to seize every opportunity of laying before the public a correct statement of our prospects with reference to the crops. I believe there are parties mean enough to give a false appearance in order to get up prices. Having recently travelled a considerable breadth of country, I am bound to say, never, perhaps, were we blest with such a rich pro mise of a bountiful harvest. And as to the potato disease, of which we hear so much, I believe it exists more in the imagination than in fact. Let us thank God, and take courage. A better day is coming.—Yours, A CONSTANT READER. Rochdale, June 4, 1847. WHITE AND BROWN BREAD. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—In your paper of the Ist instant, there are some very excellent editorial remarks upon Professor Johnston's essay "On the Nutritive Quality of the Bread now in Use." The information contained in that essay cannot be too widely disseminated, as it would tend to remove many very common and erroneous prejudices. A medical gentleman of my acquaintance, who has paid great attention to this subject, informs me that he always uses household bread, made at a corn-factor's in St. Giles's. That when he eats this bread for breakfast, he requires no luncheon ; but that when he eats the common white bread, he always requires some re freshment at noon. lie thinks the vulgar prejudice in preferring the white bread, is one great cause of weakness and de formity in the limbs, so very common amongst the children of the labouring classes in this great metro polis, inducing the disorder called rickets. Brown bread is very much more nourishing than white, and contains a much larger quantity of phos phorate of lime, which is the principal constituent of bone. Children in the country, who usually eat brown bread, are less subject to this deformity of the limbs, though often residing in a malarious atmos phere. It might be desirable to change the usual terms of bread, and call white the worst, and brown the best.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, BEST BROWN. COURT CIRCULAR. The Qieen held a Court on Saturday at Buckingham Palace. His Royal Highness Prince Oscar of Sweden was pre- sented to her Majesty at an audience by Viscount Pal merston, G.C.8., her Majesty's principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and conducted by Colonel the lion. Sir Edward Cust, K.C.H., her Majesty's Master of the Ceremcnies. His Royal Highness was attended by Baron de Rehausen, Swedish Charge Ct'Affairii, and Colonel Berkeley Drummond, Groom in Waiting to the Queen, and also by Captain Haffner, of the Swedish Royal Navy. The Queen was attended by Lord Camoys, Lord in Waiting, and Major the Hon. A. N. Hood, Groom in Waiting. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the Queen and Prince Albert on Saturday. Viscount Palmerston had an audience of her Majesty on Saturday. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Capt. the Hon. A. H. Gordon, visited his Royal Highness Prince Oscar of Sweden on Saturday afternoon, at the residence of the Swedish Charge d'Affairie, in Hatkin street West. The Royal dinner party on Saturday, at Buckingham Palace, included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, his Royal Highness Prince Oscar of Sweden, his Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen, Baron de Re hausen, Swedish Charge d Affaires ; the Duchess of Sutherland, Viscount Palmerston, Earl Spencer, Lord George Lennox, Captain Haffner, Aide-de-Camp to Prince Oscar, and Colonel Berkeley Drummond. The band of the Coldstream Guards attended during dinner in the Palace, and performed the following THE POTATO DISEASE. DUBLIN, JUNE 4.—A very full meeting of the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society was held, with closed doors, yesterday, for the purpose of receiving authenti eated reports of the actual condition of the potato crop, with a view of elucidating to what extent, if any, the sS mptoms of last year's blight had shown themselves. Sir Robert Kane presided. The Duke of Leinster, the Earl of Charlemont, and several other leading members were present. The SECRETARY stated that he had received various communications from several places respecting the state of the potato crop, giving different accounts of its ap pearance up to the last few days. Messrs. Higgins and Sons, of College-green, stated that they had planted a plot of " early martins" in the open ground in January last, the seed of which had been saved with great care; and about the same time they had also planted a few sets in a green house. They both came up well, and appeared healthy until the early part of last week, when they all manifested unquestionable symptoms of disease, similar in its appearance to that of last season. Those that were under glass and those in the open air were affected at the same time and in the same manner. pieces : Grand Fantasia from " Gustave."—Auber. Waltz, " The Garland."—Kcenig. Cavatina, " La mia Letizier" (I Lombardi).—Verdi. Polka, " The Camelias."—Jullien. Quadrille from "Don Pasquale."—Coote. Shortly before eight o'clock the Queen and Prince Albert, and their Illustrious Visitors, left the Palace, in five carriages for her Majesty's Theatre, to honour the performance with their presence. The August party consisted of her Majesty the Queen, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, his Royal Highness Prince Oscar of Sweden, his Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen, Baron de Rehausen, the Duchess of Sutherland, the Viseountees Jocelyn, Earl Spencer, ess Royal, the Lady Augusta Bruce, B aroness d e Speth, Lady Caro line Cocks, Hon. Mis s P aget, L o rd Camoys, Lord George Lennox, Captai n H affner Major the A. N. Hood, Colonel Berk e l ey Drummond,' Lord Alfred Paget, and Captain the H on . A . H. Gordon. Yesterday morning h er M a j esty an d her Royal Con sort, ed to , o t k he th p e rin ir e early walk. Their Royal Highn esses the Pr i nce o f Wales, Prince hthe Duchess airings. Princess Du c Alice, he ss oafn Dent, e t n h t e Princess Helena to o k their accustomed , the , the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, and the Domestic Household attended Divine service yesterday in the Private Chapel in Buckingham Palace. The Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay offi ciated.lmperial Highnes s th e G ran d D u k e Constantine nis of Russia, attended by Vice-Admiral de Lutke, dined with her Majesty the Qu een D o wager on Saturday, at Marlborough House. At eight o'clock the illustrious party left Marlborough House for the Royal Italian Opera Home to honour the performance with their pre sence. The Royal party consisted of her Majesty the Queen Dowager, his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine, of Russia, their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar, the Countess Brownlow, the Countess of Assonburg, Earl Howe, Vice-Admiral Lutke, Count de Beust, and Baroness de Zigesar. His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine and Suite dined with their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge yesterday at Cambridge House. Prince Oscar of Sweden visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent on Saturday, at Clarence House, St. James's, Yesterday the Prince, attended by Baron de Rehausen, Colonel Berkeley Drummond, and Cap tain Haffner, paid visits to her Majesty the Queen Dow ager, at Marlborough House; the Duchess of Gloucester, at Gloucester House; the Duke and Duchess of Cam bridge, at Cambridge House; and also to the Prince of Leiningen. Saturday was the birthday of his Majesty the King of Hanover. His Excellency Count Keilmansegge his Majesty's Representative at the Court of Great Britain, gave a grand dinner in honour of the day, at his re sidence, in Grosvenor-place. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, attended by Baron Knesebeck, honoured his Excellency with his company. The Duchess of Kent visited the Queen Dowager on Saturday. rile Duchess of Cambridge, attended by Mr. Edmond Mildmay, honoured the Royal Italian Opera with her presence on Saturday evening. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, and their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weim ar, cthhea el v attended .RGeße D le, i p v t i o n n e , s t e h r e vi l c e e ss y o e n s s te b r y - St. James's. The 'tplhraeaylnleternsvr.wnTilnirgeHrieenlmadtohbreey. and the communion service by the Rev. Dr. Wesley. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Hook, who took his text from Acts, chap. 26, verse 28, The a nthem, " Ascribe unto the Lord" (Travers), was sung by Messrs. Lockey and Machin. Sir George Smart presided at the organ. The sacra ment was admini stered b y the Rev. Dr. Wesle y . The Bishop of Norwich and the Dean of Hereford the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Closet were in waiting. The Countesses B e rown ar lo e w e an e d Assenburg, Earl Howe, Count de Betiq t a d B and • d R Zielgeg ar were m their Royal Highnesses. St. Albans, and the Countess of Erroll, Duchess of . attendedad ministered the Sacrament. The sermon was preached wTahietiDegukeens ohferelaijinesgtyon,Rutland, and St. Albans, the rhlyloosker.vice. The Rev. Dr. Wesley The Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Rev.th the early and Count de Beust, visited and inspected the National by thee Saxe Weimar, attended by the Countess of Assenburg Gallery on Saturday. Her Royal Highness the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar and Suite, honoured the establishment of Messrs. Hunt and Roskell with a visit on Saturday afternoon. A Cabinet Council was held at three o'clock on Satur day afternoon, at the Foreign-office. The Ministers present were Lord John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Minto, Sir George Grey, the Earl of Clarendon, Viscount Pal merston, Earl Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Auckland, Sir John Hobhouse, Lord Camp bell, Viscount Morpeth, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Right lion. T. B. Macaulay, and the Right Hon. IL Labouchere. The Council sat two hours. Mr. Wilson Patten, M.P., and Mr. H. Tennant, of Glasgow, b a d an interyiew with the Right lion. Edward . i." " The object purposed by the establishment of ' The f Strutt on Saturday, at the office of the Commissioners of apricot, and nectarine trees. It is now feeding upon the the carriage that was destroyed, and a Shilling Magazine' has been acknoAledged by unequi- Railways. I turnip, potato, and other plants. Allied species are de- i collision was inevitable threw himself, vocal success from the fi rs t. Aiming at rivalry with no I A deputation from the London Missionary Society, stroying the currant tree, and damaging to a serious Opt- top down the-embankment an d elder periolical, it soug ht a new path for itself, in which cunsistivf,* of Mr. Robert Charles, Chairman of the extent the carrot, parsnip, and par s l e y crops , th at th e y The second guard afro followed his e however, it is hoped it has undeviatingly continued. There may Board; Rev. W. Ellis, Rev. John Burnet, Rev. C. Bath; have exhibited iu s ane instances the fatal plague-spot uninjured. a un m a o u r e e ad au ed th n en it t h ic d au c e sc e r e i a p s t . ion h o i f s th t e o b p e art h ie o s r:ed, have been occasions when performance has halted short of Ilnahine; Rev A. Bnzzacott, of Rarotonga, and the noticed in previous years upon the potato plant. Although every endeavour was made 14 of' intention,—but the purpose that animated the first Rev. J. J. Freeman, had an interview with Viscount b,) .f i l li le t ;e t tet g s r u ea u t fo p r l t a u g h a a e te o ly f Aprpohviedetahviratiliinaaglal ihnumruaantphreoir number is as vital as ever, and seeks to vindicate itself Palmerston at the Foreign-office on Saturday. in the ensuing volume, in which—with the appearance of Mr. E. B. Roche had an interview with Sir George destructive course this year. that by the publicity given to the supposed names in the novel and characteristic papers from practised pens— Grey at the Home-office on Saturday. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, I foregoing account of the accident the friends will be dis will be found a gossiping commentary on the leading A deputation respecting the Metropolitan Buildings ALFRED SMEE. covered. topics of the times in a New Series of ' The Hedgehog Bill, headed by Colonel Wood, had an interview with 7, Finsbury-circus, June, 5, 1547. Letters.' Viscount Morpeth, on Saturday, at the office of her Ma- P.S. I should feel obliged for information and speci "ln addition to this, a New Story by the Editor will jesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests, in White- wens of the Aphis from all parts of the country. be commenced as soon as it shall be sufficiently advanced hall-place. The deputation consisted of Messrs. W. to ensure its unbroken continuance to the end." Cubitt, Grimsdell, and Piper, on the part of the Builders' Right glad are we that Juniper Eledgehog is about to Society, and Messrs. H. Biers and Stephens of the resume his pen. He is the very spirit of "Punch"— .`.caster Carpenters' Society. a judicious mixture of spirit, sweet, and acid. We Mr. T. Greene, M.P., and Mr. E. Rice, M.P., had an look forward with pleasure to his reappearance in the interview i le on Saturdaywithth the Right icri f Hon. next number. Right glad are we to find that the m nt iw with S . jnnenta i l r George Mr. Homer H. moi e 'of Glasgow, Office, editor is about to commence a new story ; for, albeit, an ir on Satur erv d e ay. g " the Dreamer and the Worker," which is continued Mr. Cunard had an interview with Earl Grey, on Sa in the present number, promises to be an excellent turday, at the Colonial Office. and instructive novel, yet the author is somewhat too didactic, and lacks the spirit that is in St. Giles and St. James. The best paper in the present number is the one entitled " Glances at Family Biography— Cent. per Cent." It is full of caustic sarcasm, " richly deserved and well laid on." DREADFUL EXPLOSION-EIGHT FRIGHTFUL COLLISION ON THE LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAIL WAY. WOLVERTON, SUNDAY.—Last night one of the most alarming and fatal accidents that ever occurred on the line of the London and North-Western Railway took place within a short distance of the Wolverton station. The down mail train for Liverpool, consisting of 19 carriages of various descriptions, started at its appointed time, a quarter before nine o'clock last evening (Satur day) from the Euston-square terminus, and was due at Wolverton at 15 minutes before 11. The train was heard approaching the Wolverton-station at its proper time, and was properly signalled by Police-constable Fessey, who was stationed at the bridge between 600 and 00 yards on the London side of the station. The signal indicating that all was right for the train to enter the station was hoisted at the latter place, but to the asto nishment of the officers at the station the train turned off into a siding instead of coming onward down the main line, and in an instant after a fearful crash was heard. On the superintendent reaching the spot a shocking scene presented itself. The mail train had entered the siding commencing near the bridge, usually appropriated to coal and merchandise waggons, and bad come into collision with five or six waggons laden with coal. The fifth and six carriages of the mail train were literally smashed to pieces, and were strewed about the line to gether with the passengers they had contained ; whilst, singular to relate, the engine and tender and all the other carriages in front of them, which consisted of the Liverpool and Manchester parcels' vans of the second class carriages, were, with the exception that the engine had its buffers and plant somewhat broken, compara tively uninjured. The consternation amongst the passengers at this mo ment was frightful in the extreme, and some were ob served rushing from the broken carriages with blood streaming from their faces ; and the groans uttered by those unfortunate persons who were unable from the severe injuries they had sustained to extricate them selves from the fragments by which they were sur rounded were truly appalling. As soon as the conster nation created by the first shock had somewhat subsided, all the energies of the company's officers, and the more fortunate of the passengers were directed to the assist ance of the sufferers, and body after body, apparently in a lifeless condition, was removed from the line to one of MEN KILLED the ante- rooms of the Wolverton station, where they were at once attended by Mr. Rogers, surgeon, of Wolverton, in the employ of the company, and by the other medical gentlemen who happened to be in the train at the time of the collision. We regret to state, that no less a number than seven persons, who were in the sixth second-class carriage, were found either in a dead or dying condition, scarcely half an hour having elapsed from the time o f the occurrence before they had all ceased to exist. The most singular circumstance, however, connected with the deaths of these unfortunate persons is the appearance of their bodies, so unusual in cases of railway collision. With the exception of a few slight scratches and bruises, none of the bodies (which are those of seven male persons of various ages) ex hibit crushing of bones, and other marks of violence. Scarcely any blood is to be seen about them, and they are all believed to have died from the same cause, namely, crncussion, resulting from the suddenness and violence of the shock. (Abridged from the Liverpool Journal of Saturday.) We are sorry to record that, on Wednesday morning, an explosion of fire-damp took place at Gerard's Bridge Colliery - , St. Helen's, belonging to Messrs. Speakman, Caldwell, and Co. There was at the time about fifty men employed under the ground, and thir teen ponies. Most of them were got out in a few hours, very little injured ; but eight of the number were found dead. The inquest was held yesterday, at two o'clock in the afternoon, at St. Helen's, before John Hayes, Esq., co roner for the district. Mr. Taylor, agent for the proprietors of the mines, appeared to watch the proceeding s on their behalf ; and Mr. W. P. Roberts, of Manchester, the miners' " attorney-general," was present, as the representative of the Colliers' Union. _ The first witness called was Thomas Winn, who said he was employed as a collier in the Cowley -hill Mine when the accident happened. All the persons who were killed worked in the same mine, but in a higher level to the one ;in which he was em ployed. About five o'clock in the morning he went down into: the mine, but having a long way to go from the bottom of the shaft it would be six o'clock before he got to work. It was between seven and eight o'clock when the explosion took place, there being upwards of 50 persons in different parts of the mine at the time. Witness worked in the place where the fire occurred, accompanied by a man named Marsh, who worked a little higher up than himself. Marsh, who was hacking with his pick against the side of the mine, said to witness that he thought he was going through, or there was a " bit o f a s li p , or a s h oot . ' Witness said to him, if that was the case he must put his candle out. They then put both their candles out, and witness said, "Let's be going." Marsh, at the same time, observed, " Aye, Lord, it has fired!" They im mediately made their escape, and sat down in the next opening. They both began to be alarmed lest they should be suffocated, and witness exclaimed, " Oh dear me, we are all done." He then put his hand to the mouth of the upper level, and the strong foul air forced it back again. They then both got into the bottom level, and ran down the main road towards the pit mouth, a distance of 400 or 500 yards from where they had been working. Witness kept shouting to the men to put their lights out. He never saw a breath of foul air in the mine before, and could not account for it in the present instance. Witness did not ask Marsh to pick through, but said that if he ,did he must put his light out. In reply to a juror, witness admitted that he feared an explosion from the pick going through the old working. By Mr. Taylor—Was aware that it was a rule of the colliery to provide lamps for the men. By Mr. Roberts—He was not aware that there had been any conversation amongst the men that there was foul air where he was working. Ho never heard of any. He had never used a lamp in that part of the mine, nor ever saw any one else use any. It is usual to have candles in preference, as they give a better light. Thomas Marsh, a collier, employed with the last wit ness, corroborated the whole of his testimony. After some further evidence, The jury, after about a quarter of an hour's delibera tion, returned a verdict of " Accidental Death, caused by gases arising from the combustion of coal, which was set on fire during an explosion." Amongst the passengers injured is a gentleman named Turner, residing in Staffordshire, who received several severe cuts about the head and face, but who was yester day reported to be going on favourably. Another gentleman had one or two of his ribs fractured, and six or seven others are stated to be more or less injured, but were enabled to proceed to their destinations as soon as the train was got ready to forward them, after having received proper medical attention. As soon as possible after the sufferers had been at tended to, and the broken carriages removed from the main line, an investigation was made into the circum stances which had led to so frightful and fatal a calamity. It was stated that at the Wolverton station the points arc always kept straight with the main line, and they require to be altered to allow a train to enter the siding. It appears that the constable Fossey, after having given the signal for the arrival of the mail train, ran from the bridge, where he was stationed, to the points of the siding, about forty or fifty yards, and held them back, so that the mail train passed on to the siding instead of passing onward down the main line. This was not discovered by the engine- driver until he had passed the points a considerable distance, when seeing the danger he instantly applied the breaks, turned off his steam, and reversed his engine, and then both he and the firemen jumped off on to the embankment, and thus in all probability saved their lives. The train was at this moment going, it is stated, at a rate not exceeding ten miles an hour. On the constable Fossey being interrogated as to the causes which led him, after signalling the arrival of the mail train, to run down the line for the purpose of turning it on to the siding, the only explanation which he af forded was, that he afterwards thought it was not the mail train, but a luggage train, and he did so for the purpose of securing its safety. This statement, however, being very much doubted, the man having been employed by the company at his present duty six months, the super intendent of the Wolverton station felt it his duty imme diately to give him into custody. Immediately after the mail train, which was detained nearly two hours by the unfortunate occurrence, had been dispatched on its journey, a special engine was started off to London with the melancholy news to the directors, and other high officials connected with the railway, and Captain Huish, the general manager of the line. Mr. Bruyeres, the superintendent, Mr. Creed, the secretary, and some of the directors, arrived at Wolverton yesterday by the mail train for the purpose of pursuing an investigation and ascertaining who were the sufferers. This was found extremely difficult; but from the cards and other evidence discovered on the persons of the deceased parties their names are supposed to be as follow: J. B. Ratteray, belonging to an iron foundry at Dun dee; Ifiller, secretary of a London Ragged-school; James Clifton, supposed to be from Coventry; T. Mac kiuson, a collegian of Cambridge; T. Shenott and p w ehc h i tm e a r b e bt o,belongingattired , in t d o ne . gn ti Tty man,h b s Au e tivlewnt who se r d n e a c n e n a er d persons are attired in the most respectable . ishC aot T doh phe nothing b o nd : you ge known of n w ao - e uponrw r e e ns removed to an outhouse at the Wol The names of the persons killed are John Matthew, collier, aged 45 ; Peter Matthew, collier, his son, aged 22 ; John Matthew, aged 17 ; David Matthew, 15 ; and Joseph Matthew, aged 10—all his sous, all drawers ; he has left a wife and several young children. Joseph Worral, collier, aged 50, left a wife a:nd five children ; John Lea drawer, 17 ; and James Morris, drawer, 12. Messrs. Purdon, proprietors of the Farmer's Gazette, stated that they had issued a circular to the secretaries of the different local farming societies, requesting them to send in returns of the exact state of the crop in their immediate neighbourhood, and the great majority of re turns already received described it as still apparently in a healthy state, and all the other crops looking exceed ingly well. Mr. Mousell read extracts from reports of several per sons employed by the Board of Works in drainage,. from different parts of the country, stating that the disease had attacked the stems generally, underground, though the leaves and stalks appeared still healthy and flourish ingA. letter was also read from Mr. J. M. Spong, a prac tical agriculturist in Carlow, stating, that within the past week he had travelled over large portions of Carlow, Kildare, and the Queen's County, in company with some gentlemen whose names he mentioned, and that they had found the first symptoms of the disease existing gene rally. It manifested itself in the stem, low down, near the set or seed, under the earth, and afterwards advanced into the leaves and branches. It appeared to have at tacked the autumn or early planted potatoes to the greatest extent, and even the English reds, which had escaped the disease last year better than any others, ap peared generally affected at present. Mr. Spong's statement was accompanied by several specimens of potato plants, which he stated he had pro cured in different places in the above counties, and which, upon being examined by the council, appeared to contain evident symptoms of the disease as above de scribed. They were also inspected by Professor Allman, and other practical and scientific gentlemen, who fully concurred in the above opinion, and considered that the disease resembled in its leading features the epidemic of last year. Considerable discussion then ensued as to the course it would be most prudent and advisable for the council to pursue, so as to produce the best information relative to the exact nature and extent of the disease, and to suggest such remedial and precautionary measures as might be deemed prudent and advisable. The chairman was clearly of opinion, in which his Grace the Duke of Lein ster and the other members fully concurred, that their best course was to seek, through the machinery at their command, for the most accurate information on the sub ject, and, at the same time, to take advantage of the pre sent timely warning to suggest such substitutes for the present crops as may, upon inquiry, be deemed advisa ble, 9. n d can be planted in time. Accordingly, it was ordered that a circular should be prepared and sent to the secretaries of the different local farm societies in connexion with the central one, stating that the council, having received reports from some parts of the country, leading them to fear that the potato crop in those districts were already showing partial signs of disease, deemed it right to direct the attention of all growers throughout the country to the necessity of im mediately examining their respective crops; and in order to enable them to form a sound opinion on their condi tion, they subjoined the following short statement of the Principal external marks by which the disease can be generally recognised ; namely — That the disease is to be found in that part of the stem which lies under ground, and may exist, although the leaf appears perfectly healthy. This is shown some times on that portion of the stem near the surface of the ground, but more frequently near the seed, or set, and presents the appearance of a bruise, or dark mark, upon the surface. The council further recommend, in any instance where a crop appears decidedly affected with this disease, the immediate substitution of Swedish or Aberdeen turnips, or of mangel or cabbage plants, where they can be ob tained; all of whichinay be dibbled into the drills between the potato-stalks, without any additional manure. verton station, where they now lie awaiting a coroner's inquest, which, in consequence of the distance to send i❑formation to the coroner for Northamptonshire, can not possibly be held before Tuesday. The following official report of the occurrence was furnished to .the reporter by Captain Huish, general manager of the line, after the investigation by the rail way authorities, this day (Sunday):— " OFFICIAL REPORT. " It appears that the 8 45 P.M. down mail train on Saturday, the sth of June, left London at the usual time, and passed safely till within sight of the Wolverton gmah.r e t the w p a o y i s nt r m ig : station. At the bridge, which is distant from the en trance to the :station about 600 yards, a siding com mences, into which coal and merchandise trains are passed. The train arrived precisely at its proper time, the steam was shut off before reaching the bridge, and the guards were at their post. The policeman at the bridge gave the usual signal of the arrival of the mail, and the signal was acknowledged and repeated from the station. At this time the points were right, and every thing in proper order for the entrance of the train into the station. " From some cause, yet to be explained, the signal man appears to have gone to the points, a distance of forty or fifty paces, and to have turned the train into the siding. On finding himself off the main line and The break of the tender which locks all the six wheels reversedgoin g into his i sa engine,ing usuallyand workedfull o f t hgood:, wheelsth the enginem backwards.an was applied, and the guards used their breaks. The train, which was composed of nineteen carriages of various kinds, after running a considerable distance into the siding, struck a waggon of coals which, with four or five others, was standing there. The engineman and fireman were unhurt, and the buffer plank of the engine only was damaged. The leading carriage was the Liver pool parcel van, and the second the Manchester parcel van : both are uninjured. The next was a second. class carriage, also uninjured, and the passengers unhurt Following this was another second-class carriage ; the fifth from the engine was a second-class also. This carriage appears to have been lightly loaded, and from the momentum of the train and reaction of the buffers of the leading carriages, was lifted up on its end. The next carriage was a second-class also, being the sixth concussion was f, lr in the deaths of seven male persons. The carriage was forced under the one which was lifted ru f i r pa o : m easn t s h dh e ot e wh n e g m i i n .an e rj . ku a su n . eo d sh o a:ae n hpmep t h eca i ao s iri t l i h ltosi e inoen. lamentable itself is broken to pieces, and, although the leading car , havew It i s resulted itlhol et,hea entirelyexception a carriagec t o i e f the wu shaetel u ldet n h d sem e o r lipes f lco r yhi a ni m etf rtsi mischief' a p p ears to have k th o fallen on the fifth and sixth carriages. " It would be improper to anticipate the evidence the p a r ironcel vans,wor before it is officially given, but from all we can learn the o fr f o t rn he accidentturning omission hoef arisestrain entirely tiyn, o because e te for the main line, and require holding back to enable a train to enter the siding. The man is in " In a collision attended w i t h so fearfulcustody, a loss of life it might be expected that many y passengers would be in jured, but we are h a p py to say thi s is not the case. One gentleman had a rib injured, and two others were much shaken, but with th ese exceptions we do not learn that any passengers were seriously hurt." SUNDAY NIGHT. In London, throughout the day, in consequence of a rumour extensiv e ly c i rcu l ate d, t h at f or ty li ves h a d b een lost upon the line, the applications at the Easton-square terminus as to the truth of the rumour were most inces• sant, and parties whose friends left last night by the mail train were solicitous as to their safety, awaiting the arrival of each train with great anxiety. Some of those who were unfortunately injured in the collision were brought up from Wolverton by the York mail train, and were removed to their residences suffering much . from contusions and bruises. The guards of the train had a most miraculous es cape, the chief gaard, Haines, was actually sitting on RE-APPEARANCE OF THE APHIS VASTATOR UPON THE POTATO PLANT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—I regret to announce that the Aphis Vastator re-appeared last week upon the patato i plant in every dis trict round London. At present t may be found sparingly upon the under surface of the leaf, and though within the last few days it has multiplied twenty-fold, severa l plants must be examined before it can be d e . tected. The present hot weather is highly favourable to the rapid mu ltiplication of this pest, which, coupled with its early attack, must lead us to have the worst apprehen sions for the crop this season. This creature has already greatly damaged the peach, `c • . . GROUP XXXII. MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND LIN COLNSHIRE (BRANCH TO CHAPEL TOWN, &c.) The Committee was occupied during the whole of the day in hearing evidence in favour of this Bill. The Committee adjourned till twelve to-morrow. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE—The Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert honoured the performances with their presence on Saturday evening. The royal party were accompanied by her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, his Royal Highness Prince Oscar, of Sweden, and his Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen. In the royal suite were the Duchess of Sutherland, the Viscountess Jocelyn, Lady Caroline Cocks, Lady Augusta Bruce, the Baroness de Speth, Hon. Miss M. Paget, Earl Spencer, Viscount Palmer ston, Lord Camoys, Lord Alfred Paget, Lord George Lennox, Colonel Drummond, and the Hon. Captain Gordon. There were also present his Royal Highness Prince George, the Duke of Wellington, the Duke and Duchess of Montrose, the Duke of Leeds, the Duchess of Somerset, his Excellency the Russian Minister, the Baroness Brunnow and Mademoiselle Olgar de Lechner, the Marquis and Marchioness of Ailes bury, the Marquis of Denegal, the Marquis of Worces ter, the Marquis of Huntley, the Marquis of Granby, the Marchioness of Clanricarde and Lady Emily De Burgh, the larquis of Sligo, the Marchioness of Blandford, the Marquis of Douro, the Earl of Falmouth, the Countess of Blessington and the Misses Power, the Earl of Cardigan, the Earl of Munster, the Earl and Countess of Wilton, the Earl of Dal housie, the Countess of Powis and Lady Lucy Herbert, the Earl of Bective, the Earl of Grenville, his Excellency the Sardinian Minister, the Swedish Chargé d'Affaires, Viscount Cantilupe, Viscount Canterbury, Viscount Somerton, Vis count Clifden, Viscount Ranelagh, Lord Brougham, Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, Lady Brougham, Lady Fitzroy So merset and Miss Somerset, Lady Foulis, Lady Abinger, Lord Gardiner, Lord and Lady Trimelston, Lord Lyttle ton, Lord Forester, Lady Menx, Lady Smyth, Lady Clay, Lady Wilmot, Sir George and Lady Palmer, Count D'Orsay, Hon. J. Macdonald, Hon. G. S. Byng, Sir H. Wil loughby, Sir Arthur Clifton, Sir William Massey Stanley; Colonel Meyrick, Colonel T. Wood, Major Baring, Mr. Martin, M.P., and Mrs. Martin; Mr. Hudson, M.P., and Mrs. Hudson; Mr. Packs, M.P., M. C. de Koudriaffsky, Mr. B. Baldwin, M.P., &c. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—The Queen Dowager, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia, and their Serene Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar, honoured the Royal Italian Opera, Covent.garden, with their presence on Saturday evening. The Queen Dowager was attended by the Earl and Countess Howe, the Hon. Miss Seymour, the Countess Brownlow, Ge neral Sir Andrew Barnard, the Hon. Mr. Ashley, Colonel Cornewall ; her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, by Captain Mildmay ; his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine, by Admiral Lutke and Rear-Admiral Count Hayden ; their Serene Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar, by the Countess of Assen • burg, Baron Beust, and Baron Zigezar. There were also present the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and Lady Blanche Somerset, the Duke and Duchess of Cleveland and Lady Augusta Poulett, the Marquis of Winchester, Marquis of Douglas, Marquis and Marchioness of Douro, the Earl of Liverpool, Earl of Strathmore, Earl of Zetland, the Earl of Euston, Count Potochay, Viscount Dupplin, Viscount and Lady Maria Alford, Viscount Templetown, Viscount Clifden, Lord F. and Lady Caroline Leveson Gower, Lord arid Lady Charles Wellesley, Lord Otho Fitzgerald, Lord and Lady Blantyre, Lord Earnest Bruce, Lord George Manners, Lord Midleton, Baron Koller, Baron de Freedericksz, Baron Paravicini, the Hon. Sir Edward and Lady Butler, Hon. R. Carew, M.P., Hon. F. Byron, Hon. Henry Liddell, M.P., Hon. Henry Yorke, Hon. ohn Fortescue, Hon. Henry Fitzroy, Hon. Geoffrey Browne, Hon. Miss Copley, Hon. N. E. Grant, Hon. Colonel, Mrs. and Miss Fitzgibbon, Lady Antrobus, Sir Henry Paulet, Sir R. Blosse, Sir Percy Shelley, Sir Henry Webb, Sir William de Bathe, Sir Wil liam Massey Stanley, Lady Jodrell, Lady Macfarlane, Lady Scott, Sir Peregrine and the Misses Acland, Sir W. and Lady Molesworth. Sir John and Lady Yarde Buller, Sir John and Lady Campbell, Sir Philip Broke, Sir Richard Vyvyan, Sir Robert Brownrigg, Sir Jasper and Lady Atkin son, Sir Thomas Winningtos, Mr. George Tomline, M.P., Mr. Henry Baring, M.P., Lady Pollock, Mr. R. Yorke, M.P., Mr. W. Wilshere, M.P., and Mrs. Wilshere, Mr. John Dennistoun, M.P., and Mrs. Dennistoun, Mr. Hodgson, M.P., &c. FUNERAL or DR. CHALMERS.—The funeral of this distinguished man took place on Friday last, when his re mains were committed to the earth in the Cemetery at Grange, near Edinburgh, in the presence of many thousand persons, the funeral procession consisting of the civic autho rities, the gentry, the magistracy, and numbers of ministers not only of the Free Church, but of the Established Church of Scotland, and of various dissenting congregations, who, together with other mourners, amounted to nearly 2,000 persons. Upwards of forty carriages formed the rear of the procession, in which were Lords Moncrieffe, Robertson, and Ivory, Sir J. H. Maxwell, Principal Lee, Professors Robert son, s Jam es Gordon, sea o t, f the wer L e Lordo a rd Bo F in re t s b id e en r t, oo t e h s e cion. W Provost, us Simpson. Wilson, Alison, D &c. The carriages of the and Sir am head of the p rocess i on h a d reached th e P grave there h rear rn hadth e barely entered the grou n d. The ran k s of the procession betweenthewhichcoffin, with its plat e , formed in tw ,, o T lines, h n m a s n of 8, Dr. e. aged 67," was borne along, D.D., followed by died Hanna, as chief mourner, the relatives of thend the members deceased, When the coffin was lowered into the g of the procession no longer retained their rou places ; they all drew towards the grave, and gathered ro un d itin one vast and dense multitude, in silent awe, whilst dust was piled above the dead. DESTRUCTIVE FlRE.—Between twelve and one o'clock last night, a most destructive fire, and which, it is supposed, has been attended with loss of life, broke out in the residence of a person named Adams, residing at 61, Theobald's-road, Red Lion-square. Before the fire was ex tinguished the interior of the house was reduced to a com plete ruin, while from rumours it would appear that some one of the inmates had fallen a prey to the devouring element. The fire was first discovered by police-sergeant Fryer, 16, E division, who, with some of the constables, was passing the house, and whose attention was attracted by a strong light in the shop. This induced them to listen at the door, when hearing the snapping of wood, they instantly alarmed the inmates, and in a few minutes several persons, male and female, appeared at the windows in a state of nudity. As soon as they were made acquainted with their perilous situa tion a rush was made to the door, which in the mean time had been forced open by the police. The fire, which origin ated in the shop (a chandler's), from being fed by the air, in an instant burst forth with redoubled fury , and but for the coolness of the police several must have perished. In the meanwhile the fire proceeded to run through the house with astonishing rapidity, and by the time the engine from the Holborn station arrived, which was within ten minutes from the discovery, the flames were to be seen rushing forth from out of every window, and through the roof. Within twenty minutes after the first discovery the Chandos-street, Well street, Farringdon-street, Watling-street, County, and West of England engines were on the spot, and, although a plen tiful supply of water was obtained, the united exertions of the firemen could only prevent the flames from extending to the adjoining houses. To add to the confusion which inva riably attends a fire, the whole of the carriage way was near broken divisionsthe up,w place. e and this A d o t n h renderedi t s hel arsgp large tb,itoadny of the d difficult u e l r t ed f or itheen material a ne d C tod E e s athon ati get hr. s o E:. and.— M othersu e h Fire Brigade and inhabitants. a o s f theissad police of by the t he i chair men of trivial men PUBLlC oqnar E te X r r se E ss N i pro secutions,n to show their regard, or appar en t regar d, public purse, they are never heard to say a word about the the serious train of expenses incurred on account of the prese rving and the game prosecutions. No, not a word game complaint on that head ! It is high time those gentlemen of b ecame sensible of the extreme strong feeling which is now setting in against them because of the game preserving and the game-law nuisances. ALARMING ACCIDENT.—A most frightful accident took place on Saturday morning, attended, we are fearful, with loss of life, as not the slightest hopes are entertained of the coachman, who was thrown from the box of a break be longing to Mr. Barnes, the • b While driving the break througho- master of Oxford-street. pair of fresh horses, the startedhorses Cavendish-square, with a un manageable, ran the break on the off, became quite shal Thomson's Hotel; the wheel came in just by Mar lamp-post, threw the driver with violent force, • contact with the both starting off with the poll till they them selves by both falling at the end or ' them, starting up at a most furious rate Irex.riet ta disengagedoree, the horses , ran • ( ;, a ti w e net ; i . vile of bone-land, in turning which he knocked down a gialaryle fifteen years of age, who was taken into a stableman's abouteo by, much bruised ; the horse was almost immediately stopped e by the stableman, although so much cut about that it will be of little value to the owner. The other horse was stopped in Harley-street by a cabman half crossing the road, and was secured without much damage. It is most dangerous to the public safety to allow young horses to be exercised in so close a neighbourhood. ARMY AND MILITIA SERVICES.—The account of the finally audited receipt and expenditure for army and mi litia services for the year ended the 31st of March, 1846, has been printed in due course. The receipts amounted to 6,401,8561., and the expenditure to 6,201,4881., leaving an un appropriated balance of 200,3681. CONTINENTAL COMMUNICATION. The South- Eastern and Continental Steam-packet Company's steam ship the Lord Warden left Folkestone for Boulogne on n- Friday, at 1.50, p.m., with fifty passengers ; and the Pri cess Helena arrived at Folke stone from Boulogne at 2.35 P.M. We believe we may now state, that the session will be brought to a close before the second week in July, the period we indicated last week, and that the dissolu tion will immediately follow, should no unforeseen cir cumstance arise to render its postponement necessary. — Observer. THE LAT FIRE AT MESSRS. M A UDSLAY AND E FIELD'S FacTony.—On Saturday morning the following notice was exhibited at the entrance gate ; —" In consequence of the confused s t a t e o f the manufactory, the f ollowing work men are informed th a t their services will n ot be required until nine o'clock on Monday morning :—Carpenters, vice men, turners, loarn-moulders, brassfounders, fitt ers, Punching shop men, firemen wh ose forges are uninjured , and the whole of the ya r d labourers. Greensand moulders, boilermakers, and flatteners will not be required on Monday." ROYAL ARSENAL, WOOLWICH.--A battalion of the workmen in this department is to be formed on the same principle as those in her Majesty's dockyards, Sergeant- Major Moore, of the Royal Artillery,name d for the is jutancy of the battalion, and will have an allowance of 1001. for his outfit, in accordance with the excellent provision made by the new warrant on non-commissioned officers being aPPonted to commissions. i " It is unnecessary to expatiate more fully on this subject, as every liberal and enlightened mind must con sider national prejudice to be a most baneful evil ; and he who cannot admire greatness not only in whatever country, but also in whatever region of intellect it may be found, betrays a want of that generous feeling which expands itself into universal benevolence towards all mankind." We also find the following sensible remarks on the subject of the crank : "'The crank, as applied in the steam engine, has been a great stumbling-block to many who have not made themselves acquainted with elementary principles. The connecting rod acting obliquely on the crank, has in duced some to consider that there is a great loss of power ; in fact, it can be shown that the force on the crank is to the force, if it acted at right angles all the way round, as twice the diameter of a circle to the cir cumference. But then the piston, or moving power, only moves through twice the diameter whilst it forces the crank through the whole circumference ; hence, what is lost in force is gained in speed, for the power multiplied into the space it passes over, is equal to the resistance multiplied by the space that it passes over. If the force acted at right angles all the way round, it must itself move through the same space that the cr a nk d oe s ; there fore,independently of friction, nothing would be gained by such an adaptation. " One simple elementary truth runs throughout the whole of Theoretical Mechanics, viz., that no power can be either gained or lost by mechanical combination, if we except the friction of the parts that enter into that combination. Without a clear knowledge of this in the first place, we cannot expect to enter upon the whole question where friction is taken into the account, with any great advantage. For want of a knowledge of this simple principle, immense sums have been expended to remedy defects which had no existence whatever, except in the imagination of the contrivers." • On the whole, as a work of mathematical study for the man of science, as a practical manual for the engineer, and as a book for the us e of schools, this little volume is admirable, and without a rival. In this age of mechanical inventio n and railway specula tion and enterprise, such a work has long been a de sideratum, and it cannot fail of being deservedly ac ceptable to those for whom it is intended. MAGAZINES (CONTINUED). BENTLEY'S MISCELLAN Y. The illustrations of the present number of Bentley are a portrait of Fenimore Cooper and a portrait of Charlotte Corday, each of which is accompanied by an interesting biographical memoir. The memoir of Charlotte Corday is extracted from the forthcoming volume of M. de Lamartine's " History of the Giron dins," and it contains the record of ',the most pure and the most romantic love that ever took possession of the heart of man. At her trial before the revolu tionary tribunal there was present an artist who was sketching her likeness : " Behind the painter was a youth, whose fair hair, blue eyes, and pale complexion proclaimed him to be a child of the north. He was standing on tip-toe, in order to have a better view of the prisoner. At every answer, the manly vigour, and almost feminine sound of Charlotte's voice, made him shudder and change colour. Unable to master his emotion, be provoked several times, by his involuntary exclamations, the murmurs of the crowd, and attracted the prisoner's attention. The moment the president pronounced sentence of death that young man half arose, with the gesture of a man who protests in his heart, and immediately sank back, as if his strength failed him. Charlotte, indifferent about her own fate, noticed that motion. She felt that, at a moment whan she was abandoned by all on earth, one soul was attached to her, and that in the midst of that hostile crowd she had one unknown friend. She thanked him with a look: it was their only communication on earth. " That young stranger was Adam Lux, a German republican, deputed to Paris by the revolutionary party of Mayence, in order to unite the movements of Ger many with those of France in the common cause of human reason and the freedom of nations." As she was conveyed to the place of execution. " Adam Lux was awaiting the cart at the entrance of the Rue Saint-Honore; he piously followed the wheels as far as the foot of the scaffold. " He engraved in his heart,' he said, her angelic meekness. Amid the barbarous howlings of the crowd, the mild expression of her beautiful eyes revealed her tender yet intrepid soul—those charming eyes that would have moved a rock! . . . Let the place of her execution be holy ground, and let astatue be erected to her with these words—Greater than Brutus. To die for her, and, like her, to be beaten by the hand of the executioner, to feel, in dying, the same edge that cut off the angelic head of Charlotte, and to be united to her in heroism, liberty, love, and death, is henceforth my only prayer. I shall never attain her sublime virtue; but is it not just that the object adored should ever be superior to the worshipper?' " " A few days after her execution, Adam Lux pub' lished an apology of Charlotte Corday, and participated in her offence in order to share her martyrdom. Being arrested tor this audacious provocation, he was cast into the Abbaye. So then I shall die for her!' cried he, as he passed ov er the threshold of the prison. And he died accordingly, soon after, hailing the scaffold consecrated q by the bl o od o f Ch ar l o tt e , as t h e a l tar o f l ove an d liberty." The story of " Captain Spike " is continued, and the scene of this chapter takes place on the wreck of the schooner which had been upset in the Mulfred and Jack Tier have managed, by dint of great exertion, to save Mrs. Budd, Rose, and Biddy from drowning, and they were all assembled on the keel of the schooner, floating on the gulf stream — the boat has been lost—they have no water, and only a small portion of biscuit and three apples as provi sions ; fortunately a storm of rain comes on, and Mulford, by cutting channels along the keel and deepening them into small wells, manages to collect sufficient fresh water to slake their thirst. He per ceives by the bubbles which rise from the wreck that the air pent up within her hold, which had ren dered her buoyant, is escaping, and is convinced that she cannot float for many hours longer. In the grey of the dawn he fancies he perceives the boat drifting at a distance, and notwithstanding the close vicinity of the sharks he strikes to swim towards the object he sees in hop es t o rega i n t h e b oa t, an d th us save their lives. Alfred Crowquill makes a holster pistol talk (as h e i s wont to make chattels and movea bl es discourse) and tell several most amusing love adven tures he a d Whoever ? d fa ya;:athd Barnum natseiltrimshumst laugh aforetime the owner of the said pistol ; and Alb ert S m i t h fi n i s h es hi s go-a inrgeghul4a, r sli g ck o-a r - i h g e h a t d aw st a y y le f, Dr. W. C. Taylor gives us under the title of " A Merchant P r i nce of the Middle Ages, " an admirable account of Ja cques Coeur, the great French financier. H e w as t h e Finance Minister of Charles VII., and to the financial combinations of Jacques Coeur, r a th er th an to the apocryphal exploits of Joan of Arc, is the restoration of the mo narch to the throne of France to be attributed. In fact, it may be doubted whether Joan of Arc was not the mere tool of Jaques Coeur, acting under his guidance, to secure the efficient carrying out of his plans. The reasonable, he convinced by his argu ments, whilst, through the agency of Joan of Arc, he appealed to the superstitious fears and hopes of the unreasoning and enthusiastic, and thus carried out his plans. The history of Jacques Coeur is a study for any statesman. The other papers in this number are of more than average merit. DOUGLAS JERROLD'S. The present number concludes the fifth volume, and it opens with the following announcement : " A few wards at the conclusion of this—the fifth volume may hero be permitted by way of preface to the volume about to OW. SUSPECTED MURDER. BIRKENHEAD, SATURDAY.—The discovery of ft most atrocious murder within the last twenty-four hours has thrown this place into the greatest excitement. Last evening an inquest was held at the Dock Hotel, on the body of the unfortunate being who perished, and the following facts were disclosed. His name WAS James Frimingham, a quiet young man, aged nineteen; and it appears on the night of the 24th ult. he had 'teen par ticipating in the annual festival of some club. He did not return home, and nothing was heard of him until yesterday morning, when his body was found in the Mor peth Dock, bearing such appearances as to show that he had been murdered. A black silk handkerchief was stuffed in his mouth, the left side of his face was lace rated, and the left hand trousers pocket was turned inside out. The police being apprised of the discovery, they were instructed to apprehend a stonemason of the name of Edward Silk, on suspicion of being concerned in the death of the unfortunate young man, he having given very contradictory accounts as to where he left him on the preceding evening. It also appears that this party when he reached his lodgings on the night in question, was seen to have blood on his hands and pocket hand kerchief. Silk was then intoxicated, and on being asked where he had left the deceased, he replied that he had been drinking with him, and that he left him at the corner of Bridge-street. He added that the deceased had severely cut himself under the eye by falling, and that he (Si) had wiped the blood off his face with his pocket-handkerchief. Mr. Vaughan, a surgeon, who examined the body, said that the handkerchief was firmly wedged down the deceased's throat to the extent of ten and a half inches. Suffocation was the cause of death, produced by the handkerchief being stuffed in the throat. Deceased could not have placed the handkerchief in his throat himself. The CoaorrEn here intimated that he would adjourn the inquiry, so as to enable the police to collect more witnesses respecting the murder. UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD, JUNE 4.—The University prizes have been awarded to the following gentlemen:— Chancellor's Prize—English Essay. The Political and Social Benefits of the Reformation in England. Goldwin Smith, 8.A., Stowell Law Fellow of University. Chancellor's Prize—Latin Essay. Quatenus Rei publicm intersit, ut jurisprudentia Romanorum inter lit teras fere humaniores colenda proponatur. Edwin Palmer, 8.A., Fellow of Balliol. Chancellor's Prize—Latin Verse. Tunis Londinensis. Jchn Coningtcn, 8.A., Fellow of University. Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize—English Verse. Prince Charles Edward after the Battle of Culloden. John Adams, Commoner of Magdalen-hall. Mr. G. Smith, while Demy of Magdalen, College, was the successful competitor for the Latin Poem in 1845, and for the Latin Essay in 1846. Mr. E. Palmer gained , the Latin Poem in 1844. THE WEATHER AND CROPS.—The beneficial change in the weather which has recently taken pleice, not only in this country but over the Continent of Europe, and its bountiful effects in bringing forth the fruits of the earth, promising a speedy return of plenty and cheapness, are already noticed in the columns of this day's paper. Here we only propose to note the great rise of temperature experi enced in our own locality within these last few days. For the last three of these the thermometer, in the shade, in a northern exposure, and in spite of easterly winds, has stood in the shade at 70 degrees and upwards of Fahrenheit, ac companied with brilliant and almost burning sunshine. Our friends in London and Paris, we perceive, have been labour ing under a heat of about ten degrees higher.—Ca!edonian Mercury. ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF THE CHARITY CHIL- Daser.—Thursday being the anniversar q meeting of the charity children at the Cathedral of St. Paul's, the parochial schools from the various parishes, with the. exception of these of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields and Shadwell, at twelve o'clock assembled at the sacred edifice, accompanied by their re spective clergymen, &c. A sermon was preached by the Biahop of Chichester. The service commenced by the chil dren singing the " Hundreth Psalm," after the first lesson. " Te Deum" was chaunted by the gentlemen of the choir, and " Jubilate Deo" after the second lesson. The Duke of Cambridge honoured the interesting ceremony with his pre sence, and at which were also the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, Aldermen Sir J. Duke, H. Hughes, Sidney, &c., and a n'ast respectable congregation. POST-OFFICE NOTICES. The following notices were issued on Saturday last at the Ge aeral Post-of f ice, St. Martin's-le-Grand :—" Mails will be .made up for Sierra Leone, to be conveyed by her Majesty's steamer Gr o w be postage r. The postage on letters so forwarded for Sierra L eo n e olestoters on; , &c. an at the rate of ls. the half ounce, Allu.nce,id will be charged on newspapers this vessel must be specially ad intended to dressed, • By b steamer Growler.' The Growler i s expecte d h b e e r forwarded Majesty's y to sail from Plymouth about the 12th. inst." " The mails for the Mediterranean, Egypt, Aden, Ceylon, India, Hong- Kong, and China, will be made up on the evening of the 7th inst. (this evening), to be forwarded by the fortnightly closed overland mails, via Marseilles. For Gibraltar, Malta, Greece, the lonian Islands, Egypt, India, of the 19th inst., rid S ou th ampton, Corunna, e" on Vi thego evenin g O po rt o, Lisbon, Madeira, rid Lisb on, C ad i z, and Gibraltar, on the morning of the th inst. (this morning), to be forwarded by the Iberia steamer from Southampton; next packet due, the Madrid steamer, o n th e 14th i ns t., M a dei ra , British ' and foreign colonies in the West Indies (except Mexico, Hon duras, and Havnnnah), Venezuela, Bermuda, San Juan de Nicaragua, New Grenada, Chili, and Peru, on the morning of the 17th inst., to be forwarded by the Severn steamer from Southampton ; next packet due, the Medway, on the 7th inst. (this day). British North America, Bermuda, and the United States, on the evening of the 18th inst., by the Caledonian steamer, yid Liverpool, Halifax, and Boston; next packet due, the Britannia, on the 15th inst." FALMOUTH, JUNE 5.--Her Majesty's brig Frolic, Commander Hamilton, arrived off this port yesterday morn ing, from the Pacific, having sailed from San Blas December 15, Valparaiso February 11, Port Famine (in the Straits of Magellan) March 22, and from Rio de Janeiro April 18. She has on freight about 2,000,000 dollars; in addition to which, also 18,000 dollars taken out of the wreck of the brig Can ning, which vessel took fire and sank in December last, in Port Famine, on her voyage from Islay for London, laden with wool, saltpetre, and 30 , 00 0 dollars on freight. The fire is supposed to have arisen from spontaneous combustion, and three of the crew were unfortunately drowned at the time. The Frolic left at Rio her Majesty's ships Curaeoa, the Firebrand steamer, the Griffon (from the River Plate), and the Crane packet, arrived from Falmouth on the 17th of April. The Swift packet sailed two or three days before the Frolic for the northern ports and Falmouth ; she spoke, on the 2d inst., in lat. 48 55 N., and long. 10 12 W., the ship Tudor, with the 50th Regi me nt o f F oo t on board, from Cal i cutta for London. _____...... . rVpWa ~,._ _,,_ __ ...,, ,:. ~..t..J.:z. s, Ott A,- -i) \ 141,5141-Agfl .'....: ' rt.i. ,::7 4- ~- ,": 1--, t -,, :=s `Aigkr