The Sun. — London, England, 1853-03-18 00:00:00

In a few days will be published, 1 vol. Bvo., cloth, 183. CHAMOIS HUNTING in the MOUNTAINS of BAVARIA. By CH IRLES BONER, • • • With Illustrations. - London: Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly. Now ready, 2 vols. post Bvo., cloth, 215., NARRATIVE of a MISSION to CENTRAL AFRICA, performed in the years 1850-51, under the orders, 1 . id at the expense of her Majesty's Government. By the late JAMES RICHARDSON, Author of " Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara." 4, 3 . Tr. Richardson's narrative is exceedingly interesting and amus ing. _The volumes add very much to our former meagre stock of In formatlon as to the Geopgraphy of Central Atrica."—Advertiser. London : Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly. EASTERN COUNTIES RAI LWAY COM PANI.—The Directors are prepared to receive appli cations for LOANS, on the security of their debentures, for a period of three, five, or seven years. By order, J. B. OWEN, Secretary. Secretary's Office, Bishopsgate Station, 16th March, 1853. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPEI. proprietor, 3lr. B. Webster. —Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Msactz 18, win be presented the Drama of THE GREEN BUSHE3 ; or, a Ilundred Years Ago. Supported by Messrs. Paul Bedford, Honey, innth, and Parselle ; Madame Celeste, 3liss Woolgar, and Miss Slaal+e• l . To conclude with (po3iffvely the last time but one) SLAVE LIFE ; or. Uncle Tem's Cabin. Doors open at hali•past Eix o'clock. LOYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. C. Kean. THIS EVENING, :WARM IS, Will be produced ShaksPere's Tragedy of MACBETH (as acted a t Windsor Castle, by Royal command). Principal characters by Mr. And Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. THIS EVENING, Meacn 18, wri be presented (last night but one) THE POOR GENTLE. MAN. Supported by Messrs. Farren, jun., Cooke, Shalders, Edgar, Bender, and Clifton ; Misses Anderton, J. Adams, E. Turner, &c. After which, THE SWISS COTTAGE. To conclude with THE ILLUSTRIOUS STRANGER. Box-office open from Eleven till Five, under the superintendence of Mr. E. Chatterton. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tats DAY —Morning 54 min. after 6 I Evening 20 min.aft. 7 To-Moaßow—Morning 53 min. after 7 I Evening 33 min.aft. 8 THE WEATHER.—Sun OFFICE, MAacu 18. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. S9—highest since noon yesterday. 23—lowest this morning and during the night. 28— this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30.03. WIND, E.—Snowing slightly. THE PUBLICATION OF " THE SUN" COMMENCES EVERY AFTERNOON AT THREE O'CLOCK, AND THE LATE OR THIRD EDITION, CONTAINING THE DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT THE SAME EVENING, With all other .2ceivs arriving up to the hour of Post, AT SEVEN O'CLOCK. EXPRESS EDITIONS will be forwarded after the Post is closed by the Latest Trains. - U T K , ~- i .,7 ). ~;t9 1. .„7; I*- -- --: : ft ' I LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1853. A large and comprehensive measure of Customs Reform has become an imperative necessity. The question cannot by any possibility be indefinitely shelved or postponed for any considerable period. Sir CHARLES WOOD himself could not tranquillise a body so zealous and energetic as the City Com mittee for the Reform of the Customs, or induce them to suspend their exertions for a complete modification of the existing system—a system under which so many serious grievances have been perpetrated as to materially damage the trade and commerce of the country. The influential deputation which, on Saturday last, waited on the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER to explain the nature of the abuses that have sprung up, during a long succession of years, in the administration of this important department, also offering valuable suggesticns as to the character and extent of the requisite alterations, was justly entitled to command attention. The deputation consisted of some of the merchant princes of England, of leading bankers, ship owners, and traders of the city of London, together with delegates from the outports and manufacturing districts, and, of course, several Members representing commercial constituencies, who put forward their complaints clearly and distinctly, pointing out the necessity of a sweep ing and radical change to render the law itself more easily intelligible, and its administration more in accordance with the spirit of the age. This intimation of the views and feelings of those whose experience qualified them to form a sound judgment on the matter was peculiarly appro priate, inasmuch as it is certain that some measure or measures will speedily be intro duced by Government. The late CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had admitted the justice of the remonstrances addressed to him, and on behalf of the DERBY Administration promised redress for the acknowledged grievances. His successor had been even more explicit—admitting the necessity as well of organic as administrative reforms ; and these to be effected not merely by Treasury Minutes, which are already by far too numerous, but by an Act or Acts of the Imperial Parlia ment, which, if not completely, would at least go far to remove every just cause of complaint. The efficient SECRETARY of the TREASURY had also de clared that the necessary bills are in a forward state of preparation, so that it was incumbent on the representatives of the commercial interest to lose no time in making their opinions known to the Financial Minister, before he should be, in any degree, committed to a different course from that in which they could cordially concur ; and also to urge the propriety of introducing the. con templated measures with the least possible delay, Igo that they might receive the legislative sanction during the present session. This they have done, and in- such a manner as to insure an attentive consideration' for their statements and sugges tions. The mere fact that there are no less than fifty one different statutes enacting or amending for mer enactments, would alone show the propriety of a. digest or consolidation of the various provi sions. But, that formed but a small portion of the evil. The law was explained and modified not only by a long series of Treasury Minutes, but by an immense number of bye-laws and regu lations, many of them completely contradictory— thB result being that all dealers in duty-paid articles "ar e hourly exposed to the most petty and vexatious interference with their business, to heavy cumulative penalties, exorbitant law costs, and denial o f j ustice ; and are, in fact, placed en tirely at the mercy of the officers and officials of the Custom-house." This assertion may be easily credited, w h en we find the extraordi nary, i t ? h owers under u p o n subordinates conferred even regulations. We find that "the officer s h ay elistin g upon goo _e s, rer to stop and z a s .i t e ships and set,arbitrary values private premises, persons, books and papers, goods, ation, and carry off property on without warrant or written statement of th e cause of Seizure 3 and they are so paid as to give them a direct advantage f rom seizures an d ever-va e hT ings. The Custom -house. holds q uarterl y sales -0-f all goods- seized, at which they are put llp in single articles, or small parcels, to suit buy ers for personal use, so as to realise the retail price, and in every instance a portion of the proceeds i s given to the seizing officer." But there is something even more objectionable behind. When goods are seized, which frequently occurs in consequence of the ad valorem duties, the practice is to inflict " fines," which do not find their way to the Exchequer, but the greater proportion whereof are handed over to the complainants, viz., the officers laying the informa tion, who are, therefore, stimulated to institute the most vexatious proceedings, not merely by the • praise and probable promotion obtained for the number of informations they prefer, which are b ruetgarded as th e t es t s o f th e i r 1 vigilance also by direct pecuniary considerations, holding out great temptations to 1 De.rsons o f th eir class. We can imagine the nature I of the investigation that ensues, on such a com plaint, from the following extract f rom the Memo rial :—" The Commissioners the - mselves sit to determine upon all cases with close d doors. The only witnesses are the informers an:d the Custom house officers. The parties are /Lot admitted : there is no opportunity of countex-statement or cross-examination. The press is excluded ; and no other report than the decision of the Board reaches the party seized upon. Everything a man is worth in the world may be taken. possession of and sold ; his books, papers, and Custom-house receipts—the only conclusive evidence that he has paid the duties—may be tampered with, or de stroyed, but he can obtain neither a statement of the charges against him, an account of his pro perty, nor the report of the officers." Should he complain, his position will be by no means improved. In fact, it will be better to submit to the first injustice, and yield without complaint or remonstrance to the inevitable evil. " For what can he do ? He may appeal to the Lords of the Treasury ; but the Treasury has no Court of Inquiry. The Lords of the Treasury neither ex amine the officers, nor the complainant, nor in any way review the case themselves. The case is referred back from them to the Commissioners, and from the Commissioners to the officers—so that the Treasury investigation is, in reality, no thing more than an inquiry of the Customs whether they have inquired into the case." Oh, but there is the Court of Exchequer, which is open to every suitor ; and where a jury will give a fair and impartial verdict between the Crown and the humblest citizen. Granted. But, before that rather expensive luxury can be resorted to, the suitor " must give security, by bond and sureties, for fines, penalties, and costs. If he succeed, he may have his goods or their value, but he has still the whole of the costs to pay—the Crown (or rather the Customs) pays no costs." Many may think the remedy worse than the disease ; and, much as we value the trial by jury, we can scarcely advocate it when success may en tail ruin on the victor, the time-honoured maxim, that "the Crown pays no costs," being his only satisfaction for the onerous outlay that has been forced upon him. We shall take occa sion ere long to examine the nature of the sug gestions offered by the deputation, which are well worthy of mature and attentive consideration. A full and impartial investigation will, we hope and believe, speedily be instituted' into all the proceedings relating to the unfortunate affray at Six-Mile-Bridge, and the subsequent prosecution of the military at the assizes, and the practical impunity afforded to the other side. We have already offered some observations on this very extraordinary case—more especially on the apparent conflict between the military and civil law, and the dilemma in which the private soldier is placed, whose only alternative is a dis obedience of orders, with all its concomitant disagremens on the one side, or an indict ment for murder or manslaughter on the other. It is only an act of common jus tice to this very important class, that the law should be clearly and distinctly explained, so that they may be enabled thoroughly to under stand that which is required at their hands ; and that if they are really placed in such a position, a suitable remedy may be supplied with all con venient speed. Mr. NAPIER yesterday moved for a return of the inquisition, depositions, informa tions, bills of indictment, and other records relating to the unfortunate transaction, which was ordered by the House. These could only be required for the purpose of instituting some motion in reference to the case. Indeed, the course pursued by his successor, so very different from that recommended by the Right Hon. and Learned Gentleman when first law officer of the Crown in Ireland, rendered it impera tive on him to take some step in the matter. A due regard for his own character compelled him to throw the utmost light upon the subject, so as to enable the community to decide between the courses pursued by himself, when in office, and the present Attorney- General of Ireland. It will then ,be seen - whether the military indeed acted in the reckless and hasty manner acscribed to them by the friends and relatives of the deceased, or whether they were indeed subjected to such pro vocation as justified them in resorting to the deadly weapons with which they were armed; whether, in fact, the peril was so imminent as to make the safety of the party depend on the promptitude of their action. When we find a party in the strict performance of their duty, accompanied by a magistrate, and placed in a narrow defile, from which it might have been im possible to have extricated themselves, so fiercely assailed, we can scarcely wonder at the deci sive step resorted to. The Grand Jury in ignor ing the bills must have conceived that the soldiers were fully warranted in firing on their assailants. and the Attorney-General in refusing to offer evi dence on the Coroner's inquisition, must have acquiesced in the propriety of that decision. It seems strange then that the complaints against those who were charged with being the instigators of the riot which led to the deplorable transaction should not have been also investigated. As, how ever, the subject has now assumed a new phase—as we may be certain of further discussion on adequate premises—we shall pa tiently abide the event before expressing a decided judgment in the case, or supporting the steps taken by the present or by the late ATTORNEY-GENE RAL of Ireland. COURT CIRCULAR. Her Majesty had a dinner party last evening at Buck ingham Palace. The company included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, her Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of Fiohenlobe, the Duke of Nor folk, the Chevalier and Madame Bunsen, the Earl and Countess of Derby, the Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury, the Earl and Countess of Roseberry, Earl Delawarr, Lady Fanny Howard, and Lord James Murray. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday at her residence, Gloucester-house, Piccadilly. A deputation on the subject of the leases to occupiers of Crown lands in the colony of Victoria, bad an inter view with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday at the Colonial-office. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Henry Moon, Cecil Birch, Arthur Birch, Niel Black, A. F. Mollisar, A. Lang, S. D P. Winter, J. Stanley Carr, and John Robert Murphy (of Victoria), and Colo. nel Ferrar - Hamilton, Mr. T. Stewart Gladstone, Mr. Joseph Morrison, and,Mr. John Connell. Mr. Masterman, M.P., and Mr. Gregson, M.P., had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yes terday at his official residence in Downing-street, to pre sent a memorial for the reduction of the tea duties. A deputation from Hanley and Skelton had an inter view yesterday with the General Board of Health, at their office, Whitehall. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Robert Brown, Thomas Simpson, Thomas Gilman, Thomas Pidduck, and Thomas Griffin. They were accompanied and introduced by Mr. Ayshford Wise, M.P. Sir Charles and Lady Mary Wood had a dinner party on Wednesday, at their residence in Chesham-place. The Company were the Earl and Countess of Claaendon Earl Granville, the lord Advocate, the Ma r quis Of Lansdowne, the Count, Countess, and Miss de Flahault, Lord and Lady Bessborough, Mr. Charteris, the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, Mr. Hardinge, and Mrs. , H. Herbert. _ _ The Marquis of Winchester had an interview with Viscount Palmerston on Wednesday, at the Home Office. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial Office, from the Governor of the Falkland Islands. a HER last ER chance MAJESTY'S of keep ing l EAT TH EATRE. —We — e n understandold national this b lishment, and saving the interests of the property-b t ox owners, a prop osa l h as b een m ad e by Signor Puggi, anal Messrs. Robertson and Nugent, to carry on the per formances f or a season. In case the proposal is ac cepted, the first -named gentleman has already provided a company. DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—The extraordinary perform ance of Mr. R. Sands walking he a d d ownwar d s on th e ceiling, fill s th e house nightly, and the other entertain ments afford general satisfaction. In the spectacular afterpiece of The Turkish Lovers, the dancing of Madlle. Julie, a very pretty, graceful, and spirited artiste, justly commands especial approbation. MALT.=A parliamentary return of the total number of quarters of malt made between the 10th of October, 1851, and the 10th of October, 1852, distinguishing the quantity made in each country, and the quantity used by brewers and victuallers, and by retail brew ers, has w been printed. Itap m p a e d ars e, thatwherei:f Eng1and3,358,32 thereere were used 4,404, 067 quarters victuallers, 11 ewrse,r andwere 47437,10,27073 bqyuraerttaeiriebremwmeres: e used by brewers and victuallers. 211 614 quarters made, whereof In Scotland t and victuallers. 158,293 were use— wb y h whereof brewers and d O3 tver In Ireland there hTbrewers THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 18, 1853. MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 10,000 bales, of which 1,000 American were taken for export, and 2,000 on speculation. The sales comprised 9,000 American, 250 Pernam and Maranham at 6id. to 62d., 250 Egyptian at 6/d. to Bd., 400 Surat at 3id. to 4td, and 80 Sea Island, ls. Bd. to ls. 10d. per lb. The market closed steadily, and, compared with Friday's rates, prices of American under 6d. were generally id. per lb. dearer, and Surat id. per lb. higher. Rail way Shares were dull. In the Colonial markets there has, this week, not been much activity. Sugar has been at full rates, and coffee scarcely so high. In spices there has been a moderate business. Not much has been done in rice ; saltpetre has maintained full prices ; cochineal has advanced ; cotton has had rather a better sale ; and tea has been in fair demand ; tallow has been dull. The letters and papers by the Sydney steamer have been delivered this morning, and the mails are so large that it is considered probable they will occupy best part of the day in delivery. The dates have all been anticipated by way of India, but few letters having been transmitted through that me dium, there is much general information scattered through our present advices. There is remarkable unanimity in one respect—viz., the necessity of extreme caution among shippers of goods in Eng land, the evidences of glut being stronger than ever. Melbourne seems to be more inundated than Sydney. The inhabitants of Moreton Bay, a district north of Sydney, have so largely developed its resources (chiefly grazing), that they already entertain the desire of separation ; and if Asiatic labour be ob tainable to any extent, the growth of cotton may become extremely profitable, as well as that of the sugar-cane. _ _ The cost of cultivation per acre, and production, is thus estimated by a local writer on the subject:— Produce of an English acre after the separation of the cotton seed by the gin, 8001bs. at 9d £3o 0 0 Expenses. Preparing the land £2 0 0 For seed, planting, and attending to weeding the crop 2 10 0 Rent of land 2 0 0 Gathering the crop, forty women and children, at 2s. Per day 4 0 0 Carriage to gin 1 10 0 Bagging for bales, &c 3 0 0 £l5 0 0 Profit I. acre Another party writes : £l5 0 0 " We have some cotton which we are about to send to Lancashire for inspection, produced at Moreton Bay, equal, if not superior, in quality to that sent by Messrs. Gardiners, of Manchester, grown as Sea Island cotton. This firm has engaged to purchase to the amounts of 1,0001. worth of cotton produced in Moreton Bay, at a price valued by brokers at home." One of the Gold Commissioners had reported to the Legislative Council at Sydney in favour of granting " digging" licenses at ss. per annum-- compelling the miners, however, to sell all their gold at 655. per oz. to the Government agents, companies being allowed to smelt and refine. There is very little probability, we conceive, of such a regulation being assented to by the Legislature, or, if so, that the miners would submit, and it is only extraordinary that such an insane desire of inter ference should exist in all Governments. How long, one might fairly ask, would it be ere Australia was supplied with coin, if Government had the task ? and yet private enterprise has already nearly met the whole requirements of the colonies. The gold diggers may be taxed moderately for revenue and police, but will never submit to an onerous impost or an undue interference. The steamer Great Britain, according to the Manifest received, has only 24,160 ounces on board. The ship Barend Willem, from London to Mel bourne, is telegraphed as having arrived off Fal mouth in four days, from the Downs, and being leaky. This vessel, we believe, had emigrants on board. The English Funds have been dull, but without any further decline. Consols have realised 991 for Transfer, and 994 to par for Account. There has been a bargain in the New Five per Cents. at 126, and in the Three per Cents, of 1726 at 99. Bank Stock for Account has been marked 2291. Exchequer Bills of June are 13s. premium. The Turkish news and the American President's Mes sage are partly causing the present dullness. Foreign Stocks have been neglected, and prices have varied but little. The Spanish Committee's Certificate is at 7. The 3 per Cent. Bonds are worth 491 to and the New Deferred 24i to 25*. The market, consequently, is rather flatter. Greek Bonds have been in demand at 81 to 9. Mexicsm Stock is worth 26 to 1. Dutch 2i per Cents, have realised 66i, and Russian 5 per Cents. 120 to 1. Sardinian Stock is worth 97k. The cause of the Upper India Railway seems to be very popular in the localities which it is intend ed to beneflt—a strong testimony of its merits. The journals of the Presidency take up the matter most warmly, and deplore even the smallest delay on the part of the Government. No line, they contend, would pay so certainly, so speedily, and so richly. The possibility of making this railway much cheaper than either the English lines or the East India Railway is contended for, as it is said to be unnecessary to have such expensive masonry and general works. In Railway Shares scarcely any business is doing, and prices are nominally much the same. French Shares are fluctuating, but still in fair demand ; and the Zealand have advanced. The Gold Mine Shares have been drooping.-- Australasian are decidedly lower. The Cocaes Mine is rather higher. The Ceylon Land and Mining Shares were par to pm. to-day The Land Companies' Shares are a little firmer. The Joint Stock Bank Shares are very quiet, but steady. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY. the Offiekd List.) Business done. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities...... 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities, 1726 New 314 per Cent. Annuities..... ........ New 5 per Cent. Annuities ' 126 Indialßonds, £lOOO 45 Ditto, under £lOOO 45 • South Sea Old Annuities shut Bank Stock for Account 2291 Consols for Account 13th April Exchequer Bills, lid. June. March. £lOOO ZOO 9 13 11. Small lB 11 6 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. lO4 Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent. Greek ex'over-due Coupons Mexican 3 per Cent 261 6 5/ Peruvian Scrip ~. . . ,44 4 , p , Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 20 x c Sardinian Bonds, 5 per C en t. ......... . 971 i 7 Spanish Bonds, 3 per C en t 49i Spanish New ,Deferred, 3 per Cent 25 1 41 5 Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup, not fun M P 0 Dutch Exchange 24 per Cent 66/ THREE O'CLOCK. 99 99i Consols Ditto April Account EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERY OF A DEAD BODY.— COn siderable excitement prevailed during yesterday and the preceding day in consequence of the following extraor dinary discovery of the body of a dead man, which has given rise to various rumours in the neighbourhood of Bethnal-green as • to the cause of death, and how the body became deposited in the place where found. From inquiries made it appears that, on Wednesday last, whilst some men were employed by the East London Waterworks Company laying down some pipes opposite the Bethnal-green-road East, one of the men, in remov ing some earth, laid hold of what, upon inspection, turned out to be the arm of a man. Upon making further search the men discovered, with the excep tion of the arm before alluded to, the entire skeleton of a full-grown male, with light auburn hair. Inforina tion of the discovery was sent by Mr. P. Edinger, the secretary to the company, to Mr. Vaughan, the sum moning officer for the district, who immediately commu nicated with the parochial authorities, and also with Mr. Baker, the coroner for the eastern division of Middledex, but whether or not an inquest will be held on the ' re mains fkrat present unknown. One of the rumours in circulation in the neighbourhood is, that the party had been murdered, and the body buried in the place where found ; but from inquiries made by Mr. Vaughan, 'the summoning officer, there seems strong grounds for con cluding that-the body was that of a suicide, who bad been buried in the cross-roads some 70 or 80 years since. The affair, however, has caused an extraordinary sensa tion throughout the parishes of Bethnal-green and Shoreditch. LINCOLN SPRING RACE MEETING.—On Monday and Tuesday next the meeting is announced to come off, it having been postponed in consequence of the frost. The entries for the various stakes are numerous, and contain the names of some of the best horses of the day . For the Grand Steeple Chase there were 36 entries, for the Spring Handicap 21, for the Hurdle Race 29, for the Trial Stakes 8, and for the Two-year-old Stakes 10. The innkeepers and other traders expect to be very busy, as the previous spring races have attracted hundreds from all parts of the kingdom who enter very extensively into the chances of the turf AN ACCIDENT occurred to the newspaper express train yesterday morning. The engine ran off the rails in the neighbourhood of Crick ; the road became entirely 'blocked up in consequence, but we are happy to learn that confusion, 'delay, and the fright of the passengers were the only evils arising out of this casualty. The passengers were sent on by another train, but the news ilapers did not reach Birmingham until two hours after tie usual - ' • .~ -~_- ~- ELECTION COMMITTEES-(THIS DAY.) NEW WINDSOR. At the meeting of this committee to-day, the exami nation of witnesses on behalf of Lord Charles Wellesley, the sitting member, was continued. Mr. Voules deposed that, so far from having had any connection with the system of open houses at the late election, he had cautioned the publicans not to treat any of the voters. Had seen the book containing the account which Darling said he had against Lord Charles Wellesley. Had made a copy of that book. There never was a committee in Lord Charles Wellesley's interest held at the Ship Hotel. Had particu larly ordered Mr. Darling not to give any refreshment to any one at Lord Charles Wellesley's expense. Had never taken any one into the Ship to have refreshment. Distinctly denied having ordered any supper at the Ship Hotel. (This witness was under examination when our report left.) MALDON. This committee resumed this morning at eleven o'clock. Mr. James proceeded to reply on the whole case. The learned counsel argued, at considerable length, that an item—Received of Mr. Codd, 501. on account of election expenses, which appeared in the account-book he had put in—distinctly proved the agency of Mr. Codd. The learned counsel had not concluded his address when our report left. BOW-STREET-( THIS DAY.) THE CHARGE OF SENDING THREATENING LETTERS TO PRINCE ALBERT. -•DEATH OF THE PRISONER. To-day was appointed by Mr. Jardine for the further hearing of the charge against Edwin Bates, of 10, Welbeck-street, Cavendish-square, of send ing threatening letters to Prince Albert for not forwarding him 3,0001. to help him with his scheme of perpetual motion, which he avowed he had discovered. The prisoner was examined at some considerable length last Friday, and was remanded to this day for the medical man to test his sanity. As the time advanced this morning the magistrate re ceived a note from the Governor of the House of Deten tion, announcing the death of the prisoner. It stated that he had died from a stoppage in the stomach. He wa" quite calm and collected up to the time of his death, and shortly before expiring made a will leaving all his furniture and effects to his wife. It will be remembered that the deceased had been up several times at Bow-street and the Mansion-house on charges similar to the present. In 1850-51 he was im prisoned for twelve months (in default of sureties) for sending a threatening letter to his Royal Highness. Since his liberation he had taken the above premises, and furnished them in splendid style, and certain portions of the house he had fitted up with machinery for per petual motion. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. -(THIS DAY.) A MISCREANT.—Tosias Tillman, a man about 40 years 'of age, residing at 46, 'Union-street, Middlesex Hospital, was brought before Mr. Hardwicke, charged with indecentl y assau l t i ng Ali ce 'Wallis a child six years of age, with i ntent to comm it a capital offence. It ap peared, from the evidence of Sophia Wallis, the mother of the child (who, with her husband, reside in the same house as the prisoner), that, on Monday evening last, the latter was, with other children, playing in the kitchen, when all at once the child ran into her room in a very excited state. On being asked what was the matter, and where she had been, she said she had been into the prisoner's room, and that he had laid her on the bed ; and, on being further questioned, the child gave such replies as to lead her mother to believe that a capital offence had been perpetrated. She then ran down into the kitchen and saw the prisoner and taxed him with his conduct, and threatened to fetch her hus band. Prisoner declared he was an innocent man, and denied all the child had told her. She then went to fetch her husband, and while she was gone prisoner and his wife left the house. On the following morning she examined her child, and appearances were such as to leave no doubt on her mind that a capital offence had been attempted ; but since then she had taken the child to a surgeon, who, on examining the infant, stated that considerable indecency and violence had been used to wards the child. The prisoner in defence protested his innocence, and said he had been drinking all day on Monday, and if any offence had been committed he was not aware of it. Mr. Hardwick decided on sending prisoner for trial. GOLD IN NEW ZEALAND. The details have been received of the recent discovery of gold in New Zealand. It appears that a reward of SOO/. having been offered to the first person who should point out an available mining field, the amount was claimed by a Mr. C. Ring, by whom deposits had been found at a spot called Proromandel Harbour, about 30 miles from Auckland. A number of persons were ac cordingly appointed to test the correctness of the state ment, and on their return the following notification was issued : " The committee appointed by the subscribers to the reward fund, deeming it desirable that the public should have correct information relative to the alleged discovery of gold, take this opportunity of stating that the deputa tion appointed by them to visit the locality of the alleged discovery have returned, and that the report is satisfactory so far as the existence of gold is concerned ; but that the question of its being sufficiently abundant to be profitably worked is yet in abeyance." Several samples of gold and quartz were brought up, but although it is stated that the metal was found wherever a trial was made, it was in such small specks as to prevent any certainty being entertained as to the district being worth working. The bed of the creek is described to be filled with very large boulders, which rendered it impossible during a hurried investigation to sink any deep or extensive holes. In a short time, how ever, several other parties returned to Auckland with additional specimens, some of which were obtained at a distance of ten miles from the original spot. The land belongs to the natives, and anxiety was consequently felt lest any collision should take place through an influx of diggers before proper arrangements had been made with regard to their rights. The Lieutenant-Governor was about to proceed to the neighbourhood for the pur pose of settling this question, and as it was considered that there would be no difficulty in fixing proper terms, all persons were urged to defer operations until his return. MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN BY THEIR FATHER-SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER. Intelligence has just been received of a most appalling tragedy, which has been perpetrated by a highly respectable master shoemaker, named Isaac Tucker, at the adjoining fashionable subu r b, Clifton, nea r B r istol, who, after having cut the throats of two of his children —two interesting little girls—aged respectively five and three years, put a period to his own existence in the same way. It would seem, from such particulars as have yet transpired, that the deceased had recently taken a house on Prince's-place, near the Royal York-crescent, in which Mr. Kempster carried on for many years a lucrative business, and into the possession of which he entered with his family only a few days since. On Wed nesday, between 12 and 1 o'clock, his wife had occasion to come into Bristol , on some business, and he was left at hoMe in the house with his children and a female ser vant. Soon after his wife left he was observed to come down stairs, go to the street-door, look up and down the thoroughfare, and then go to a look ing-glass, and survey himself putting out his tongue, and working it about in a somewhat strange man ner. He then went up stairs, and soon afterwards his - eldest little girl went upstairs. Nothing afterwards was heard of any of them, but some time subsequently upon a person going upstairs, the door was discovered to be locked, and upon its being broken open, all three of them were discovered quite dead, their clothes satu rated with blood, and their throats cut in a shocking manner, the head of one of Arm being all but severed from the body. The instrument with which the fatal deed had been accomplished, a shoemaker's knife, having a remarkably keen edge, was found in the room. The fatal occurrence has created an extraordinary sensation in the neighbourhood, and the house, since the bodies were , discovered, has been surrounded by crowds of persons. UNIVERSITY Or- LONDON.—On Wednesday a nume rous and influential deputation waited upon the Prime Minister at his official residence in Downing-street. The deputation consisted of senators of the University of Lon don, the heads or influential members of 16 metropolitan and 17 provincial colleges, the officers of the graduates' committee, princip a l s , o f en d owe d an d p r i vate sc h ools whose courses of tuition have been influenced by the 'Uni versity curriculum, representatives of important medical associations in town and country, and several members of the House of Commons who have promised to support the franchise committee lately formed. The deputation was introduced by Mr. J. Heywood, M.P., who shortly ex plained its object. Mr. C. J. Foster, LL.D. M.A., read a m emor i al in support of the claims of the 'Univer sity, which were farther enforced by Mr. T. Thornely, M;P., Mr. It. Monckton Milnes, M.P. Dr. Billing, an d Dr. Roget, members of the sen a te of the University ; the Rev. Dr. Har r i s , president of New College ; the Rev. Dr. Angus, president of Stepney College • Dr. J. H. Wilson, senior physician of St. George's ; and Dr. Black, president warden of St. Bartholomew's Hos pital. The Earl of Aberdeen said in reply:—" I have no he sitation in acknowledging the very strong claims you have urged for the favourable consideration of the Govern ment of the object you have in view; and I readily ad mit that the constituency which would be afforded by the University of London is such a one as it would be most agreeable to the Government to organise. You will not, I suppose, expect me to give a final answer to day ; but I assure you that, so far from throwing cold water on the subject, which was deprecated by one of the deputation, I do with the utmost sincerity assure you—and I beg you to believe that in so doing I am not by any means making use of words of mere formal cour tesy—that the subject will be taken by the Government into their most serious and friendly consideration." THE FATAL LOCOMOTIVE EXPLOSION NEAR MAN CHESTER.—The jury empanelled to inquire into this ex plosion concluded their labours on Wednesday night, and returned the following verdict : —" We find that the deceased Thomas Gresty, James Snowden, Wm. Black, and Thomas Moore were killed at Longsight by•the ex plosion of the boiler of the locomotive engine No. 1, be longing to the London and North-Western Railway Company ; and, from the evidence, we are of opinion that the boiler of this engine was in a defective condi tion, and unfit to be worked." This verdict, which takes no notice of the fact that Hefron, the engine driver, screwed' down the valves, has created some sur prise i 4 town. .(:: 3~.:... MARKET NEWS-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE. Coastwise, during the present week, the arrivals of Eng lish wheat have been moderate, viz., 3,230 quarters. The general condition of the samples has proved inferior. Fresh up to-day the receipts by land carriage were small—hence the stands were very scantily supplied ; nevertheless, the demand for all kinds of wheat of home produce was in a very sluggish state, at Monday's quotations. For forward delivery, next to nothing was doing, although the growers offered most kinds on lower terms. Upwards of 9,000 quarters of foreign wheat have come to hand. That description of produce moved off heavily, and late rates were barely supported. Floating cargoes were very dull, and lower to purchase. The arrivals have been large. The supply of English barley was good, of foreign very moderate. All kinds met a dull sale, but no actual decline took place in prices. Malt, the show of which was rather extensive, sold steadily, at late figures. We had a fair inquiry for oats, and the quotations were well supported. Beans, peas, and flour ruled heavy. Barrel parcels of the latter were lower to purchase. English .. Irish .... Foreign .. ARRIVALS THIS WEER. Wheat. ' Barley. I Malt. Oats. I Flour. 3,230 6,140 1 9,370 651 2,820 550 1 t 3,280 P,570 2,410 970 1 19,190 SMITHFIELD. The show of beasts in to-day's market was comparatively small, and in very middling condition, nevertheless, the demand for all kinds was in a sluggish state, tit Monday's currency. The primest Scots sold at 4s per 81bs. We were very scantily supplied with all kinds of sheep, yet the mut ton trade ruled heavy, at barely late rates. Prime old Downs, in the wool, reali se d 5 s 2d ; ou t o f th e woo l , 4s 2d per 811;s. Calves were in short supply, and sluggish in quiry, at unaltered quotations. In pigs, very little was doing, but we have no change to notice in their value. Milch cows were very dull, at from 151. 10s to 191. 108 each, including their small calf. Per Sibs to sink the •ffals. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Inferior Beasts ...2 10 to 3 0 rime Southdown 5 0 5 2 Second quality ...3 2 3 4 rge crso. calves 3 0 4 0 Prime large oxen 11 6 3 8 Prime small do 4 2 4 6 Prime Scots, &c. 310 4 0 Large hogs 210 3 2 Inferior sheep ...3 10 4 0 Small porkers 3 6 4 0 Second quality ...4 2 4 6 Suckling calves 20 0 25 0 Prime crse.•wlled.4 8 410 Quarter old pigs 20 0 23 0 TOTAL SUPPLY. FOREIGN SUPPLY. Beasts Sheep Calves 2OO I Calves llO Pigs 330 f Pigs — NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL. The supplies on offer to-day were good, yet a full average business was doing, at previous quotations. Per 81b8 by the carcase. s. d. B. d. Beef, inferior 2 8 2 10 Do., middling 3 0 3 2 Do., prime large 3 2 3 4 Do., do. small ....3 4 3 6 Pork, large ......2 8 it 2 a. d. a. d. Mutton, Inferior 3 4 3 6 Do.,middling 3 8 4 0 Do., prime , 4 2 4 6 ;Veal 2 8 4 4 Pork, small 3 6 4 0 BOROUGH HOP. The supply of new hops is now reduced to a very narrow compass ; the demand is by no means brisk, at our quo tations. Mid and East Kent pockets, 120 s to 160 s ; Weald of Kent, 112 s to 126 s ; Sussex, 105 s to 120 s per cwt. - COLONIAL. SUGAR.—SaIes have been made in British Plantation at 36s 6d to 39s 6d ; for Barbadoes and Demerara crystalised at 34s to 39s 6d for ord to good. Mauritius—At auction full prices were obtained; good to fine yellow 37s 6d to 395, and low to mid yellow 36s to 37s 6d. Bengal, in small parcels, has realised 36s Gd to 37s 6d for low damp to good dry white Benares ; 40s to 40s 6d for low white, and 38s for good yellow. Foreign—The demand has been good for most descriptions. White Macao has been at 255, and brown Pernam at 20s, for a near port. The latest sales in Havannah have been at 36s to 36s 6d. ; for good brown 35s to 38s 6d ; and for washed yellow, the rest being taken in at 37s to 42s for low to fine yellow, and at 35s to 37s for good and fine brown. Manilla brought 35s 9d. Bahia has been sold at 32s to 34s 6d for low to mid brown, some being taken in at 32s 6d to 37s for low foxey to good dry brown. Havannah good brown has been sold at 36s to 36s 6d., and washed yell ow a t 35 s t o 38 s 6d , goo d b rown to fine yellow being taken in at 35s 6d to 41s 6d. Java strong grey sold at 39s 6d. COFFEE.—There has not been much doing, and prices have remained about the same, holders not pressing sales. Plantation Ceylon brought's4s to 58s for fine fine ord small to mid coloury, and 49s 6d to 51s for triage. Native Ceylon has been at 48s to 48s Gd. COCOA--Bahia has been sold at 24s 6d for ord red and Trinidad at 31s Gd for mid grey. SPlCES.—Jamaica g inger, small to good o ld w hit e realised 44s to 103 s. Singapore pepper sold at 3ifd to 3d for mid clean, and Penang brought 3,id to 41 for mid and good. Mace, mid to good, realised 2s 6d to 2s Bd. Nutmegs sold at 2s 7d to 2s 9d for mid. RlCE.—Bengal fine has realised 12s at auction, and Aracan 8s 6d to Os for damaged, the sound being taken in at Os Gd per cwt. SALTPETRE.—FuII prices have been paid. Calcutta 1.4 i per cent refraction, sold at 265, and 74 to 7i at 28s to 28s 6d. Rum.—Very little has been done. COTTON.— This article exhibits more firmness. Madras mid Tinnivelly sold by auction at 4ad per lb for 2,500 bales. TEA.—Prices have been firm for both green and black. TALLOW.—P.Y.C. has been at about 44s per cwt on the spot. GREEN FRIIIT.—The market continues good, and likely to remain so. Several cargoes of oranges from St. Michael and Lisbon have been received ; three of the former, sold by Keeling and Hunt at public sale, went freely at the prices obtained last week. Lemons are in demand, and have advanced 2s. to 3s. per case. Seville sours command a high figure. Lisbon oranges have been landed in a bad state, and sold at a price in character. Nuts of all kinds without alteration. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. In the House of Lords last night, it will be seen that Lord Wharncliffe called attention to the performances of the Australian Mail Steam-packet Company, and the con dition of the screw-ships they possess for carrying out the Government contract. Surgeon John Watson (1834), surgeon and storekeeper at Jamaica Hospital, has been appointed to the rank of deputy medical inspector of that establishment. Lieutenant Edward Algernon Blackett (1847) has been appointed to the Duke of Wellington, 131, screw, Ports mouth. Surgeon.—Dr. William M`Dermott (1851) has been ap pointed to the Espiegle, 12, Sheerness. Masters' Assistant. —A. M. Mould, to the Duke of Wellington. PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 17. The Conflict, 8, screw, is rattling down her rigging, and otherwise nearly complete to take her station with the " steam reserve." . . _ The Menelaus, quarantine-service vessel, is to undergo examination by Sir John Pym, board of health officer, as to the propriety of fitting up berths abroad for sick parties. arriving from foreign stations. Hitherto she has only been available for merchandise. She is alongside the No. 1 jetty. The Duke of Wellington, 131, screw, Captain Henry Byam Martin, C.B.—An unusual degree of interest was ex cited to-day in witnessing the casting of the iron screw pro peller for this noble ship. It took place about. 3.20, but long before that time the foundry was crowded with specta tors. We noticed the Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral Sir T. J. Cochrane, Rear-Admiral Superintendent Fan ahawe, C. 8., Captain Warden, of the steam-department of Somerset House ; Captain Crispin, of the Victoria and Albert ; Captain Chads, C. 8., of the Excellent ; Captain H. H. Henderson, C. 8., of the Blenheim ; Captain Shep perd, of the Victory ; nearly the whole of the dockyard establishment, with several scientific officers of both ser vices. The casting was under the personal superintendence of Mr. Murray, chief of the engineering department, as sisted by Mr. Spence, &c., and weighs about seven tons. LLOYD'S SHIPPING-(THIS .DAY.) LONDON, March 18.—Wind at Noon, E., fresh breeze, and fine sharp frosty weather. DEAL, March 17.—Wind, E. by S., strong. Sailed—Pau line, for Sydney, N.S.W ; Vesta, Geelong; W. S. Lind say, Hong Kong_; Sovereign, San Francisco. LIVERPOOL, March 16.—Wind, S.S.E. Arrived—Mary Holland, Valparaiso ; General Berry, New Orleans ; Ame rica, Lawrence, New York ; Provider, Morlaix ; Triumph, Wilmington. Sailed—Orphan Boston ; Bocrov, St. John's, N.B. • Camilla, Newfoundland ; Inited, Melbourne ; Yorksihie, New York. OFF DOVER, March 17.—Wind, E. Arrived—John Millman, Rio Janeiro. FALMOUTH, March 17.—Wind, E., strong. Arrived— Alyth, Richards, Monte Video ; John Diners, Odessa. Off Port—Margaret Pratt, Pratt, New York. SWANSEA, March 17.—Wind, S.E. Sailed—Catherine, Rosser, Garracha. WATERFORD, March 16.—Wind, S. to N.W. Arrived —Nidot, Constantinople ; Lanscape, Trieste. HULL, March 17.—Wind, E.S.E. Arrived—Brothers, Wilson, Calcutta ; Amora, and Gazette, St. Michael's. Sailed—Wolgo, St. John's, N.B. RAMSGATE, March 17.—Wind, E.N.E. Sailed—Evan geline, Hong Hong. PORTSMOUTH, March If.—Wind, E. Balled—Lizzie, Vallericos. COWES, March 17.—Wind, E.N.E. Arrived—Carl, Jaemel. SOUTHAMPTON, March 17.—Wind, N.E . Sailed—Meteor, Sydney, N.S.W. ; Mary Green, Sailed—Ober on , Adelaide, S.A. ; Magda. lone (s), West Indies ; DARTMOUTH, March 17.--Wind , Madrid (s), d Gib E ra . l" S r Malaga. PLYMOUTH, March 16. Wind, E. Arrived—E mma, Rio Janeiro ; John Thomas Carrs, Wood, Constantinople. Sailed—Matilda, Melbourne. QUEENSTOWN, March •16 —Wind, N. Arrived—Mev row Winkel, Galatz ; Constitujune, Varnu. CORK, March 16.—Wind, N.W. Arrived—Evange listine, Ibrail. Sailed - Resperti and Bon Fe, St. Michael's Bergentio, St. Übe's. , LONDONDERRY, March 16. Arrived Patience and Louise, Odessa • Mora, Port Lagos ; Ja ne A nderson, and Brute, Alexan dria. NEW YORK, March 4.—The Emily (brig), f rom H al i fax for the West Indies, was fallen in with o n th e 2 1st of Feb. in a sinking condition, in lat. 31 long., 76 W., and the crew taken off by the Empire, arrived at Philadelphia. —A. large quantit also a y of cotton bales, m an y o f them partially burned — ship's yard, and o th er wreckage--were - passed on the 26th of February, in lat. 33 X, 74 W., b y the Lucy Chase, Hill, arrived here. THE MORHONS.—EIder Clayton, from America, has been " enlightening" some of the people of Sleaford dur ring the week on the subject of Mormonism. Several persona have been baptised by immersion in the river, at night ; one of them (a female) fainted in the water, and and had to be to be taken out before the ceremony was complete ; but, after being restored, she was again taken to the river, and the rite was concluded. Most of the converts hero are female r . ::' . a , J u:T THE CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY. Yesterday an extraordinary general meeting of this com pany was held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, to receive a report from the directors, and to consider the terms of an arrangement with the West End and Crystal Palace Railway Company ; Mr. Samuel Laing in the chair. (The report, which appeared in The Sun of yesterday) having been read, The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said, he be lieved the shareholders were aware that the period assigned by the deed of settlement fer the first meeting of to chom pany, was the month of August, and the directors would, under ordinary circumstances, have waited until that time; but it having become necessary for them to meet the pro prietors, they gladly availed themselves of the opportunity of explaining many particulars of an interesting and im portant nature. Their first business was to consider the terms of the proposed arrangement with the West End and Crystal Palace Railway Company. When they in formed the proprietors that the arrangement would involve no guarantee on the part of the Crystal Palace Company, it must be apparent to them that it would be advisable to have the means of access from the western part of the me tropolis. The agreement provided that the Crystal Palace Company should fix the rate at which tickets should be issued, including admission to the Palace and transport by the railway—the proceeds to be divided in the proportion of 4-7ths to the Crystal Palace Company, and 3-7ths to the Railway Company—the condition being, as mentioned in the report, that the Crystal Palace Company should not fix the r a t es so 'extremely low as to give the Railway Company no chance of remuneration. Taking the amount to be received for each passenger at the rate of ls. 6d. per head, the division which the railway company would receive would be Bd. a head. Raving said thus much upon- the agreement, he would allude to other branches of it, but the shareholders would understand that the report now presented was not so formal or so simple as that which they would, receive at the meeting in August. At the same time, however, he did not wi s h th a t an ythi ng should app ear to them conjectural on this occasion. The works which were in progress would speak for themselves much more effectually than anything the directors could bring under their notice a i nd he had no doubt whatever, that they should ultimately produce a structure which would be the admiration of the whole country. The first point upon which they were prepared to give the share holders any positive information was one of a very satisfac tory description—viz., that having been driven into the purchase of a much larger quantity of land than they abso lutely required, they had resold the surplus at a price which left them a very considerable profit. Feeling that the land would become profitable, the directors had ven tured to purchase 160,000/. or 170,0001. worth for the pur poses of the undertaking, by doing which they obtained the command of the whole area of ground ; and they were then at liberty to dispose of the surplus as they might think proper. The result had been that they had realised a pro fit upon this part of their property amounting to 51,0001. in the course of a very few months. Another important consideration was, that the land had been sold entirely in one lot to Mr. Wyse, ;the well-known contractor at Reigate, on condition that he would so appropriate it as to secure the Crystal Palace Company against any thing in the nature of a nuisance. Mr. Wyse having undertaking to build villas, hotels, stabling, &c., togeth er with roads of the very description desi re by the com pany, and which they would be compelled to construct if they had retained the land in question. There was one circumstance connected with the purchase of the land which was a source of considerable satisfaction to the di rectors. When the original purchase was made it was in sinuated that a " job" had been effected, in order that Mr. Schuster, who was a director of the London and Brighton Railway, might obtain a price for his land. Now, so far from that being the case, he gave his land at a market price, quite irrespective of any considerations affecting the Crystal Palace, thus securing to this company a profit of 50,0001. at the expense of his own profit. The next im portant fact to which he would direct their attention was as to the sufficiency of the capital provided by the charter and deed of settlement for the completion of the works. In an undertaking of this magnitude it was impossible for the directors to pledge themselves to any amount within a few hundred pounds ; but the principal sources of expen diture being now clearly defined, they did not see, as at present advised, any necessity for calling up any additional stock for the purposes of the works. The capital authorised by the charter was 500,000/., in shares, and one-third of that amount, or 166,6661. 65. Bd. loan capital. The whole of the expenses, as far as they could see at present, would be covered by that amount. As regarded their means of meeting their expenses, he need only assure them that the whole of the share capital was subscribed for, and was available. That difficulty was, therefore, completely got rid of, and they had now at their command the whole of that sum of 500,000/. As regarded the 166,6661., pro vision had been made for placing it at 4 per cent. in terest. In reference to the expense of the undertaking, he observed that the original estimates had proved to be erroneous, and far too circumscribed. The works had since grown upon them, and they felt that the truest po licy would• be to make the building worthy of the name of a national monument. They had, therefore, not shrunk from affording to Sir Joseph Paxton every facility for car rying out the beauties of his magnificent design. As far as could be judged at present, he (the chairman) thought the out-door part of the undertaking would be quite as wonderful, quite as magnficent, and quite as striking as the Crystal Palace itself ; and when it was borne in mind that all this was to be effected without calling upon the shareholders for any increase of capital, it must be acknow ledged that their prospects were extremely satisfactory. He now came to the question as to the income to be de rived from the Exhibition. There was an idea in the minds of some people that the benefit arising from it would be ephemeral, but in his opinion they would find that such an opinion was erroneous when it was considered that the undertaking would be carried out upon a basis of com mercial speculation. Taking the lowest estimate they could form from the amounts offered the present applica tions for space would realise 40,0001. a year. Under all these circumsta nces h e thoughthe was fully justified in sayin g that they had a fair prospect of realising a per manent income of from 50,000/. to 100,0001. a year. He, now came to a point which he could not say was quite so satisfactory—he alluded to the period of opening the building. The original idea was to open on the lseMay, 1853, but this had been rendered absolutely and physically impossible—and for two reasons. In the first place, in stead of carrying on their operations under favour able circumstances, they had had to contend with very unfavourable circumstances ; for, in his experience, he had never known a winter in which it would have been more difficult to push forward works of this magnitude. I tn e g r n of the aatui vt autumn, i sm t n e e: o ot hfr eelto postponei openn g they h l e tf eo m ri n e stt theh actep resummerse nupon t any n o ey n r one be ginning o f the best For his eee r o s y: wnofixing was much inclined to n veo p i a ll rt d be he not to have the b opened until a more distant period, and in the itnh for malgin f k e r that opening. mall y ( - meantime to admit the p u bli c b y tickets, at a price here after to be determined upon, to see the works in progress. They might fix upon a charge for this purpose which wo u ld protect the buildi ng f rom being so far crowd e d as to en cumber the workmen, but at a later pe rio d th ey might adopt means to enable the working classes to visit the palace before the completion of the works. There was one other subject to which he must allude —viz the question he as to the opening of the building on Sundays. Upon this observed, a matters origin and when they applied for a charter, both the company the Legislature were under an impression that there was no restriction as to opening on Sundays ; but they felt from motives regarding the public, and apart from any question of profit, that it w would h ee e n f o t t h b a e t adadvisable t to e a r l e l f p o e w r e T h e p building reee to r b e e e open net e the e theth a t pro t they yeeyr shouldproperty on Sunday no t a d mit thepublic to p any portion of afternoon. They thought, however, that a line of di s ti nc ti on was to be drawebetween the building and the gardens —and that there was not the same objection to allowing access to the latter as there was to opening an industrial exhibition, in which on week days bargains were carried on. They, moreover, thought that as th e gar d ens at Hampton Court 'and other places were accessible on Sunday, the same privilege might be granted to this company, and Lord Derby appeared to be of the same opinion. They had not the slightest idea that there could be any opposition to this part of their under taking, but it had since been discovered that an act of George 111. was in existence which contained a clause showing that it would be illegal to open on Sundays, seeing that th ey wou l d have to receive payment for admissions. As soon as they heard of this act of Parliament they felt that the question had become one of national considera tion. They accordingly gave a pledge to the Government that they would not attempt to evade the operation of the law, and a charter had been given to them with a pledge to that effect. In his opinion they had no interest what ever in getting that restriction removed. Their under taking was no longer a solitary one. There was a crystal palace in Dublin, one in New York, and another in Pa r i s, and he was qu it e sure that each would take a . pride in assisting the other. In reference to the building in Paris, he hoped that it would be regarded as a temple of peace, and that the two buildings—the one in England and the other in France—would be looked upon as a pledge of good whether e r xe the e t e r company ef Dulwich had will and friendship between the two nations. (H ear, hear.) en A tere S d n i A n it to En an ° y LD arr Eß an i g n e q m ui e r n e t wi dw t h h Proprietors consider aCbollleergeeepwonhsiicbhilwitoieule d ? entail upon th e The CHAIRMAN replied that they had entered into no such arrangement ; an offer was made to them from the college, but they had declined to accept it, and Mr. Wyse, to whom he had before alluded as the purchaser of their land, had entered into the agreement proposed by the college. The report was then adopted, and a resolution was passed to the effect that the directors be authorised to enter into an agreement with the West End and Crystal Palace Rail way Company for the conveyance of passengers to and from the Palace on the basis mentioned in the report. It was also resolved that the directors be authorised to borrow on mortgage bonds or debentures, under their corporate seal, a sum of money not exceeding 166,6661. 6s. Bd. on such terms as the directors might think desirable. Mr. Whitmore was then appointed auditor in place of Mr. Chapman, resigned, and the business terminated. A JUDGE CAUGHT NAPPING, AND AFTERWARDS SENT BY POST. —Mr. Justice Williams was the other day on the Great Western Railway, bound for Oxford. His lordship, possibly fatigued by the forensic eloquence so lavishly displayed by learned gentlemen when on circuit, very speedily surrendered himself fo sleep ; the potency of which may be imagined, when we state that he did not awake till the train reached Steventon. This was an awk ward affair. His lordship was wanted at Oxford, and thither he must proceed,—but how ? Post-horses have not been known since the rail opened, and there was no conveyance but the mail cart. Stern necessity knows no law, and judi cial dignity, accustomed to state processions, powdered footmen, and luxurious ca rr i ages , h a d t o b e con t en t w ith the rough trap of a country postman. Jehu, ignorant of the rank of his travelling companion, indulged his gos sipping propensity to a great extent • it so happened that a recent assize t r i a l, i n whi c h h e h a d concerned, was fresh in his recollection, and as the decision was contrary to his views, he took his revenge of judge, bar, and jury, I in no measured terms, expressing the utmost contempt for the institution of trial by jury, and giving it as his well-grounded opinion that all lawyers were rogues,— the biggest of the R's always having the most luck. The judge, doubtless, enjoyed the fun ; but the poor post man was paralysed when he afterwards learnt the name and profession of his distinguished passenger. —Exeter Flying Poet. DUMFRIESSHIRE ELECTION.—Lord Drumlanrig's sup porters in Dumfriesshire have not only discharged the whole of the expenses of his late contest, but have also transmitted a handsome sum to the treasurer of the Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary, the balance left from the subscription after defraying expenses. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (From a Correspondent °Ply' Times.)-1, ADELAIDE; DE0.16. The Peninsular and Oriental Stearn Navigation Com pany, while it is eclipsing the rival company in energy, promptitude, and speed, bids fair to earn'great unpopu larity in this community by a course of conduct adapted to deprive South Australia altogether of the advantages of its line of transit. Up to this date two steamers be longing to each company have arrived in Australia from England—the Chusan and the Formosa, belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental, and the 'AuStritliae and Sydney, the property of the Australian Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company. The Chusan and the For mosa did not touch at any South Australian port at all on their outward voyage, and, in consequence, the first intimation of their coming that reached 'Adelaide was the fact that they had passed by, learnt ,from Melbourne papers. On its return voyage, or rather on its first trip in its destined line from Sydney to Singapore, by way of Melbourne, Adelaide, and King George's Sound, the Chusan did come into Port Adelaide, and remained long enough_ to permit die' patches to be made up and forwarded. But the com mander of the Formosa saw fit to pursue a very uncour teous course. He brought his vessel into Gulf St. Vin cent early in the morning of the 18th of November last, and her arrival was signalled in Adelaide about 7 o'clock a.m. of that day. The Post-office opens at 8, and at that hour it was ascertained that the Formosa's raw' would be closed at 10 o'clock —scarcely three hours after her arrival—as Captain Parfitt had determined to go on board at that hour. This mode of procedure would be justifiable enough if the arrival of the vessels could be expected within anything like a reasonable distance from their appointed dates. But it is regarded as a Berk ° grievance, by those whose avocations or inclinations re quire them to bring their letters up to the latest possible moment before sailing, that they must either run t he risk of losing the mail altogether, or submit to the alter native of preparing their dispatches a fortnight or Pr e , before they can be forwarded. In th e instancetc6vin e ' I now refer the grievance was enhanced by the circum stance that Captain Parfitt did not resume his voyage until two o'clock in the afternoon. The subject vtu e brought under the notice of the Legislative Council on the same day by Mr. Angas ; but, as the company vvu e not under any contract, nothing f ur th er cou ld be done to expre , s the feeling of the members under the irritating circumstances. The Australian colonies have not yet gained from the opening of steam communication with w e mother country, and the disappointment felt is sever e ' bearing a proportion to the high hopes previously enter tained. Neither of the 4 vessels belonging to the eon' tracting companies made the voyage from Plymouth (e r Southampton) to Sydney under 76 days. One of then: consumed 79 days on the voyage, another 95 days, aby another 104 days. The longest passage was made the last vessel, the Sydney, inducing the fear that mat ters are getting worse and worse. The Cleopatra, ha i r ing left Liverpool on September 7, c on t rive d to mat e Port Adelaide, on December 9-94 days, and that with' out touching at any other Australia n p or t. Sh e took 3 , days for the run from the Cape here—a performan ce which the skipper of the most easy-going tub that eve r went to the bottom would feel ashamed of. And eve n the world-renowned Great Britain has done nothing to boast of. She did not make Australian land 0 0 ,t'' the 11th instant, eighty-four days a ft er h er dept" ture from England —an achievement outdone by many a merchantman making no pretensions to clippership. The excuse put forward in all these cases is, that the coaling arrangements are defec tive, but we are not favoured with any intimat i , °ll , whether th e d e f ec ti veness i s acc id en t a l or i n e v itable'; and, if the form er , w h e th er an y measures w ill b e adopte d to substitute more perfect arrangements for those bi which our hopes have been so cruelly mocked. These T complaints hav e r e f erence on ly t o th e C ape li ne . - 1- 'd only experience we have yet had of the Peninsular an, Oriental Comp an y' s rou t e , v i a Si ngapore, i s ca lculate d to raise our sinking anticipations. The Chusan arriv e at Port Adelaide on the Ist just, on her first return voyage from Singapore, which port she had left on the Ist of November, a n d b roug ht w ith h er E ng l is h advi_ l c e " . to the 24th of Sept em b er . Thi s i s th e mos t "pewit transmission of intelli gence we h ave ye t en j o yed, bt! even this is not all that we hav e b een p rom i se d. It 15 Aidpretty generally beli eve d h ere th a t th ese co l o nies not obtain the full benefits of steam com mun ication no t ' Brother Jonathan gets the notion into his head to pete with Old England on the Pacific and Indian, as u *" already does on the Atlantic Ocean. While on this subject of steam, I ma y observe that the question of the best South Au s t ra li an port for th e reception of ocean steamers, so warmly debated b e . re prior to the arrival of any, has been, as I anticipated a former letter , quietly and practically decided in fairer,. of Port Adelaide. ' Captain Down demonstrated tu ` perfect safety and, commodiousness of that port, bar bringing the Chusan right up to the wharves and laying ° her alongside of them ; and he has been followed by l e or two of the other boats. Generally, however, tu t commanders prefer remaining at some miles distance , e e f lessen the risk of losing the whole or greater portion , e their crews ; and for this reason they anchor at tu, lightship, or go up to the North Arm—both within P er ' Adelaide harbour. It would be well if ship agents in England would dis tinctly intimate to passengers by their respective sb,iP e w ori he a t r l ri le v r a o l r a n t o th t etihredyelsvtoiunladtiobne.lanAdemdoastt tmheeiashni dent has just occurred here, arising out of the w pc i s n oel lo P it ee ; A de r fi m r:it a e b n o e u ss t o si f x c m on il t e r s ac f t ro . m Th t e he Cleopatra, now e. s in poortm,ellol Nor'- Arm, come up to the wha rves , b u t i s anchored at the Nor'- her passengers called upon Captain Cummin g to VT them free of expense, which he refused todoan d „t e i mated that if they did not immediate)y leave the they would be charged an extra sum for each day they remained on board ! In consequence of this intimation,. eighteen of th e passengers seized the fi rs t opportunity of getting off the ship, which was offered by a little craft employed i n su p p lying water to the vessels in harbour. o th This boat bein g already topheavy by th e weight of . tank it carried, was not at all suited for the conveyan ce of passengers. Th e na t ura l consequence of overload in g it ensued ; it was capsized in a p u ff o f wind, and thre eo . the passengers drowned. The sufferers were the Re !. Mr. Hiern, a clergyman of the Episcopal Church , 1 1, cently of Barnstaple, Devonshire, his son, and Mr. IrenW, Holloway. Mr. Hiern has left a widow and nine chi' dren, bereaved strangers in a strand land ! The members of the Legislatu re h ave evinced ° usi• derable improvement in this their second session. Thal has been much less time wasted than during their assembly, and much more work done ; 29 bills were l a troduced, of which 26 were pa sse d ; one w as negati e p , in the house, and two wer e p erm itt e d t o l a p se . The jected bill was a Government measure, ostensibly tended to give to the Executive summary pcw„ e A rs rb dealing with trespassers upon auriferous land. applied to Crown lands alone, no objection would h ag been raised, but, as it included in its provisions P chase' and settled lands as well as waste land, it r° Nl/4"' construed into an attempt to enfor ce p a y men t of a ); alty from the owners of mineral tracts, and therefore 1 e dignantly rejected. Law reform has occupied a la r gj share of legislative attention du r i ng th e sess i on . Sae 0 , of the bills passed are short enac t men t s ass i m il a ting CO , - , t nial to British law on vario u s p o i n t s i n w hi c h i m proveat e .'„, has of late years been effected. They are h o wever, tended only to s erve a temporary purpose ; and a e ° l mission has been a pp o i n t e d, c h arged with the imParinto task of revisin g th e w h o l e co d e of colonial law an'. .„ administration. The commissioners are to put thero: selves into communication with the neighbouring, c° nies, and, if poss ib le, to i nduce simultaneous actien.,°of the part o f th e respect i ve Governments. The ilittie marriage h as un d ergone some d i scussion, an d a of alteration, the tendency of which is to place the c lergy o f all denominations on a footing of equality with those , e the Episcopal Church. Very strong inclination" evinced by a large portion of the Council to treat able riage e n ti re ly as a c i v il con t rac t, an d i t i s very pr oba tbe that some enactment to annul the recognition by the State of its religious aspect will be carried during,_ oe next session. Two very stri ngen t measur es na na been passed, direct e d, th e one aga i nst mor al, the other against physical pollution. The lat te 'he the Scab in Sheep Act—h as b ecome l aw ; but former—the Convicts Exclusion Bill—is reserved er u the Lieutenant-Governor for th e s i gn ifi ca ti on of P o t Majesty's pleasu re . Th e su pp or t ers o f this bill di d n to expect his Excellency to sanction it ; their o bject Wa a . e give emphatic expression to their sentiments respectibiri transportation to Van Diemen's L an d. O ne o ther ta ia deserves special notice. It is an ac t authorising eer-the parties, called undertake r s, t o b orrow 60 , 0001. fer d construction of a railway betw een th e c it y an d Por t e- Adelaide. This is a most desirable, indeed a most ri _p / 'cessary undertaking, and has lo ng b een ve xatio c ", postponed. Patience, unfortunately, is to be still 7 s , ther tried, owing to the slovenly n eg l ec t o f our lawrnaq be amounting, in this instance, to downright stupidity. he first section of the act provides that the bonds to i ,jl issued as security for the moneys to be borrowed i l ," - to be in the form set forth in the Schedule A an nexe" e . the act. There is no schedule. The act, 09 ' 18 0 1 quently, must be inoperative. A large portion the time of the session was taken up with debates .11* the proposed changes in the constitution, t i r e after all, ended in nothing. Alth oug h a e o majority had supported the proposition that O the change in the constitution was necessa r y, yet when precise nature of the change requi re d came to he spe cified, no majority larger than one at th e most (s od to times the numbers were equal) could b e muster of vote for any specific measure. The medium co ma e appointing a select committee was u lti ma tely adePrhis and a committee was accordin g ly nominated. jn committee the Radicals had a decided preponderarl r but the Conservatives contrived to accompany the reP,„ ° ,l with a protest, which was, in fact, a counter-report, '-orb thus nullified the whole proceeding. Both the rePrio _ea i n p l e the protest eai slatio n recommended tthe three estates—thethe o t h w e n P , r , i optrheeserntreedspelas tthheeyGdoviffeerrneodr, diametrically—the ettriweolyttathheera;eos,l being thoroughly democratic, the protest as thorling aristocratic. Nothing, however was done ; and n ot the will be done, until the unsettlement resulting fr arc L e d. gold discoveries shall have been completely rein— Till then, our politics-will be only routine bismess. giv eci THE SCREW i n fo - STEAMER CLEOPATRA.-- vvrrr e are thA t b 7 t h e owners of the screw steam-ship Cleopat ra u tlit she reached P or t Ad e l a id e i n 92 days from PlY r °:a in and th a t th e rema i ning 34 ' days, which she o 9 'l port proceeding to Sydney, were taken up by callingau Philip, and iii-discfi-argiiig-andreCeiving passengertefore THE NEW PATENT LAW.--A bill has been laid be fore ba the H ouse o f L or d s b y t h e L or d Ch a ncellor , w h in the just been p r i n t e d, to repeal certain provisions et 0, Patent Law ; Amendment Act of last year in reap cl 4, the transmission of copies of letters patent and op tioni to the aces in Edinburgh and Dublin. •;.%1111 24011