The Sun. — London, England, 1853-03-29 00:00:00

~ ~ „ which were passed soon afterwards, had the effect of intro ducing a stricter practice than had previously been obtained upon bills of this nature. By a subsequent order it was provided that no bill to disallow a marriage on the ground of adultery shall be received without a clause prohibiting the marriage of the offending parties. But this clause is struck out in committee or on the report, except in very peculiar cases. In Dr. Campbell's case, where the adul tery was incestuous, a provision to that effect was inserted in the Lords ; but the Commons refused to ratify it. XXVIII. Since the passing of Lord Loughborough's orders, all applications for divorces a vincu/o have been sup ported by ecclesiastical sentences ; and all have been sup ported by verdicts at law, or accompanied by circumstances which justified or explained the want of such verdicts. Moreover, it appears that during the time when the judicial business of that house was under the guidance of Lord Eldon and Lord Redesdale, it was by no means un usual to examine the petitioner ; thongh for the last twenty years, we believe, there is no instance of such an examina tion having occurred. In Heneage's Divorce Bill the per sonal attendance of the petitioner was dispensed with, upon proof that his domestic affliction affected his health so mush that he was obliged to go to a warmer climate and in Llewellyn's case, in the session of 1851, th e Peers; refused to examine the petitioner, though tendered for that P u M Divorce bills in the Commons were originally determined in the whole house. But that unseemly and inconvenient practice was put an end to on the motion of Mr. Labouchere, in the year 1840, when the house referred them to a select committee of nine members, of whom three are a quorum. An instruction is given to the com mittee that they do hear counsel and examine witnesses for the bill ; and also that they do hear counsel and examine witnesses against the bill, if the parties concerned think fit to be heard by counsel or produce witnesses. From the words of the instruction, it is considered that the prosecu tor is bound to examine witnesses, or otherwise substan tiate the allegations of the bill ; and that the last part of the instruction only is permissive in regard to parties opposing the bill. The proceedings in the Commons have acquired by this change a more judicial character; but it seems absurd that a case which has been already proved three times should be proved again. XXX. Under ordinary circumstances, a divorce bill may be obtained at the suit of the husband, but not at the snit of the wife. It may be obtained almost as a matter of right, at the suit of the husband, when the wife is con victed of infidelity, and the conduct of the husband is irreproachable. But it cannot be obtained at the suit of the wife, except in cases of aggravated enormity, such, for instance, as incestuous intercourse with the wife's rela tions, which precludes the,possibility of future reconcilia tion. In four cases of this description, Parliament has interfered. Unless, however, there are circumstances of aggravation, constituting an exception to the general rule, it has always declined to do so. Tvio propositions may therefore be affirmed. First, that the wife has no title to ask for a divorce a vinculo when she is aggrieved only by adultery ; and secondly, that the husband, aggrieved only by adultery, can demand, as it were ex dibito justieice, a divorce ct tined°, unless his own conduct has been censur able. XXXI. The provisions of a divorce bill are in the dis cretion of Parliament; and in this respect there is some ad vantage in bringing these questions under the jurisdiction of the Legislature,as other courts are bound by rules. Parliament may mould and adapt its relief according to the facts and exigencies of the case. In former times, it was asked to provide, by express enactment, that the divorce wife should not be left in a state of destitution. According to the modern practice, this is a matter that is ordinarily effected by private arrangement ; but it is never neglected. "There is in the House of Commons," Mr. Macqueen observes (and the observation is perfectly correct), " a functionary called `The Ladies' Friend' (an office generally filled by some member distinguished for his attention to the private busi ness of the house), whose duty it is to see that the husband petitioning for divorce makes some suitable but moderate provision for the divorced wife. This he attends to on all occasions ; not by inserting the intended provisions of the bill itself, for fear it should be rejected by the other House of Parliament, but by taking care that it is legally secured to her, before the bill has passed through committee. XXXII. The bill, as it is finally settled, seldom contains more than five clauses. The first dissolves the marriage ; the second enables the petitioning husband to marry again; the third entitles him to all the rights of a husband as re gards the property of any after-taken wife, and gives to such wife, as regards his property, the rights of a surviv ing widow.; the fourth deprives the divorced wife of any rights that, but for the act, she might have had as his widow, in the event of her survivorship; and the fifth ex cludes the husband from any rights which he might other wise have claimed in any property acquired by his wife, after the dissolution of the marriage. When the wife can obtain a divorce against the husband, the property-clauses are vice versa substantially the same as those which are found in divorce bills by the husband against the wife. Her they protect, and him they exclude, as regards any property belonging to her, which is not affected by a pre vious settlement, XXXIII. Having thus explained what the law is, as well with re g ard to divorces d mend et thoro, as also with regard to div orces a vinculo matrimonii, it is now our duty to submit to your Majesty the alterations and improve ments which, according to the judgment of your Majesty's Commissioners, may be made in it with advantage, and also with safety. "It must be ad m itt e d , " (t o adopt the language of an eminent jurist,) "that the intrinsic difficul ties of the subject are exceedingly great. The dangerous extremes are absolute and universal indissolubility on the one hand, which has been found to be productive of a general connivance at infidelity, and consequently of a general disoluteness of manners, and on the other, a con siderable facility of divorce in cases very difficult to be de fined—a practice (to say nothing of other evil consequences) which would be at variance with the institution of marri age, intended chiefly to protect children from the incon stancy of parents, and next to guard women from the in constancy of husbands, who, if divorce were procurable for any but clearly defined and ni.,ht tst.t.i.ra.c.Lot ily proved facts, would be enabled, as soon as they were tired of their wives, to make the situation of the helpless female so un easy, that they must consent to a divorce. To make the dissolution of marriage in the proper case alike accessible to all is one of the objects to which, in great cities, and in highly civilised countries, it i s h ar d es t t o po i nt out a safe road." These just observations should be carefully borne in mind in any alteration to be made in our law. XXXIV. Four points will have to be considered. First, the causes for which divorces should be granted, and whe ther they should be confined to a partial separation, or ex tended to a dissolution of the marriage bond. Secondly, the grounds or pleas in defence which should operate as a bar to them. Thirdly, the terms upon which they should be granted, and the legal consequences with which they should be attended. And, fourthly, the courts and mode of procedure by which such questions should be tried and determined. XXXV. The causes of divorce a mewl et thoro are, adultery and cruelty. There can hardly be a doubt that both these causes ought still to be allowed. The for mer is plainly so gross a violation of the marriage con tract, and so utter a destruction of all the objects for which the contract was made, that reason and re ligion alike proclaim that the innocent party should no longer be constrained to live with the offender, when he, in truth, by his own misconduct, has him self put an end to those engagements, which must al ways be considered, in a Christian country, as mutual and reciprocal. The latter, as interpreted by the ecclesiastical judges, amounting in fact, to a reasonable apprehension of danger to life, limb, or he a lth, ren d ers i t impossible to discharge the duties of manied life ; and the duty of self preservation must obviously take precedence of the duties of marriage, which are secondary both in commencement and obligation. XXXVI. It has sometimes been urged, that cruelty should have a more extended signification • that other causes of divorce, or, at least, of separation from bed and board, should be allowed, such as mutual dislike, incom patibility of temper, neglect, severity, and repeated pro vocation ; and that these separations might either be vo luntary, if the parties were forbidden to seek such a disso lution of the marriage contract as would leave them at liberty to marry again. We cannot assent to the sugges tions. The arguments against them are put so forcibly by Lord Stowell, and Hume and Paley, that, in the judgment of your Majesty's commissioners, they are absolutely unan swerable, "To vindicate the policy of the law," says Lord Stowell, " is no necessary part of the office of a judge; but if it were, it would not be difficult to show that the law in this respect has acted with its usual wisdom and humanity, with that true wisdom and that real hn ' inanity that regards the general interests of mankind. For though, in particular cases, the repugnance of the law to dissolve the obligations of matrimonial cohabitation may operate with great severity upon individuals, yet it must be carefully remembered, that the general happiness of the married life is secured by its indissolubility. When people understand that they must live together, except for a very few reasons known to the law, they learn to soften by mu tual accommodation that yoke which they know they can not shake off ; they become good husbands and good wives, from the necessity of remaining husbands and wives - for necessity is a powe r f u l mas t er i n teaching the duties Which it imposes. If it were once understood, that upon mutual disgust married persons might be legally separated, many couples who now pass through the world with mutual com fort, with attention to their common offspring, and to the moral order of civil society, might at this moment have been livin g in a state of mutual unkindness, in a state of estthrangement from th e i r common offspring, and in a stat e of e most licentious and unreserved immorality. In this ease l as in ma lita ny othe rs , th e h appiness of some individuals must , be sacrificed to , the greate r and more gene ra l goo d." Further on h e adds, ' And i f it be complained that by (the) inactivity of the courts much injustice may be suf fered, and much raisers' pro duced , theanswer is, that courts of j ustice do not pret ent i t( furnish cures for all the miseries of human life. They redress o r punish gross violation of duty, bu a t nd th , they gthoenhoapfrirts of; they cannot make men vir the world depends tuous ; undertake ( t i c. rem aleay v a h e P 4 . P v e . upon it s mess in it which human virtue, there may be much T • laws cannot xxxVII• Hum 4 i e a in equally well shown the la y waY encouraging petition danger of regogms ut,, it . paramount ing for divorce, unless is required b y . some y or outrageous cruelty. In wenld be manifestly necessity, as in conjual infidelity the fi rst place, they Conten d tli t i h t inconsistr_: - .t with the duty whiche parents ow e to their fulfill ed In the secon c i children, since no duty can be so well as by their cohabitation next united car Plac e , they well as the father d one s c ::Z h t° point out the reme injustice that would b the wife, since she has a right, as e gra titude of her children, and the comfort of their society, of both of which she is almost necessarily deprived, by her dismission from her husband's family. In the third l they say that it would tend to create a separation pla ce f a i n l terests, which must be the source of endless suspicions ; for the wife, being not secure quarrels and of her establish ment, would still be driving some separate end or project ; and this would beget peculation on one side, and on the other. And in the fourth place, it would destroy the necessity for mutual compliance, which, founded as it is on a sense of duty or a sense of interest, constitutes,.we in fact, the best fou n dation for mutual happiness. need not, ther e f ore , b e a f ra id o f d raw i ng th e marriage knot which chiefly subsists by friendship, the closest possible. The amity between th e p ersons , w h en it i s so lid and sin cere, will rathergain by it ; and where it is waver ing and uncertain, this is the best expedient for fixing ii. How many frivolous quarrels and disgusts are there, which .people of common prudence endeavour to forget, when they lie under a necessity of passing their lives toge ther, but whi c h soon wou ld b e inflamed into the most deadly hatred, were they pursued to the utmost, under the prospect of an easy separation." XXXVIII. For these reasons, we think that our laws, while allowing divorces d mensci et thoro in cause of adul . _. tely an d outrageous cruelty, have wisely denied the like IN privileges to mere dislike, contrariety of temper, severity, neglect, or voluntary arrangements. There is another .;Cause, however, which so entirely frustrates all the objects the marriage union, that it may reasonably be doubted bother it sh ou ld not be put on the same footinc , as cases cruelty. We allude to wilf u l and obstinate 'desertion. i t)l . , ir old Reformers con s id ered that this was so gross El, breach , 4 'yf all the obligations, human and divine, which the husband t„and wife owe, to . each othe r , th at in that case they would -''' have allowed the deserted party 'to enter again into fresh nuptials. At the same time they were so impressed with the importance of keeping the contract unbroken that, be fore the complainant could obtain a dissolution of it, every kind of means was previously to be exhausted, exhortation • and counsel, and even punishment, to bring the offender back to his duty ; and in case of his absence, an interval • was prescribed of two or three years, for the chance of his • return, that nothing might be done with levity or rashness. In other Protestant countries that offence, when properly established, is considered a scriptural ground of divorce, I even a vinculo matrimonii. In Scotland, also, if it be wil fully persevered in for four years, followed by a judicial requisition of conjugal rights on the part of the complain ant, it warrants a dissolution of the marriage contract. In this country desertion must be coupled with cruelty before it can entitle the abandoned party to a sentence of separa tion ; but in reason, in principle, and in its moral conse quences, it can hardly be distinguished from cruelty itself. We are, therefore, of opinion upon all these grounds, and especially for the purpose of protecting the wife from the wanton abandonment, as well as from the infidelity and tyranny of the husband, that wilful desertion, like adultery and cruelty, should enable her to ask judicial relief, if not by a sentence of divorce d mend et thoro, at least by an award of proper alimony for her separate maintenance where the desertion has continued for a period to be limited by the Legislature. XXXT3C. Though these three causes may justify a sepa ration from bed and board, it does not fellow that they will authorise a dissolution of the marriage bond, so as to leave either party free to marry again ; for it is that liberty in which the danger and mischief of divorces principally con sist. Adultery may be, and in Protestant countries it is, generally, deemed a sufficient reason for rescinding thel union, because it is an offence which destroys altogether the primary objects of the married state, by introducing, in some instances, a confusion of offspring ; by cutting off, in others, all hope of succession ; and by diverting, in all, the affections and feelings into strange channels, which reason and religion forbid them to flow in. But these evils cannot necessarily be predicated as the certain results of the other causes; for in them at least there is always a possibility of future reconciliation ; and if it be possible, it is for the interests, the happiness, the well-being of society —especially that part of it which is most exposed and least protected—the women and children—that in such a matter the door of reconciliation should not be closed. We are, therefore, of opinion that divorces a vinculo should not be extended beyond cases of adultery. XL. Divorces a mend et thoro should, for the causes above adverted to, be allowed to the wife as well as to the husband, and desertion should entitle the wife to a remedy by way of alimony ; but whether divorces a vinculo should be granted at the suit of the wife with the same facilities as at the suit of the husband, is a question which has elicited • much difference of opinion. There are four instances in which wives have succeeded in procuring divorces d vinculo from Parliament ; but in these the husbands were guilty of other offences besides adultery, which were held either to preclude or absolve the complainants from further cohabitation. In two the adultery was incestuous. In the third there was profligacy, deceit, abandonment, and the grossest injury done to the woman which villany could inflict. In the fourth there was bigamy. With these exceptions, there is no example of a divorce d vinculo being granted by Parliament at the suit of the woman. The applications which have been made on the ground of adultery, and that alone, have always failed. In Mrs. Teush's case, Lord Eldon observed that he never recollected a more favourable representation given "of any woman ; but yet on general grounds of public morality, he felt it his painful duty to give a negative to the original motion," that the bill should be read a secon d ti me . I n M rs . Mof ' fatt's case, however, he seems to have changed his opinion, and moved the second reading of that lady's bill, saying that "he saw no reason why a woman was not as much entitled to sue for divorce as a man." But in this opinion he was overruled by Lord Chancellor Brougham, who re marked " that it should-be a case extraordinary in its enor mity to entitle the female to such relief. He begged their lordships would look at such a proceeding as this; every man who desired to get rid of a wife has only to go and seek a mistress, and, as the natural consequence of such conduct, to desert his wife, and therefore he instantly drives her to an application to the house ; a divorce is ob tained, and his purpose is secured. He thought the best protection which could be imparted to the bonds of matri mony was, to abide by our ancient practice with respect to such cases. Parliament could afford the wife no remedy without at the same time setting the husband free from those shackles which it was his object to get rid of." We concur in the conclusion ; for it is to be remembered, ac cording to the just observation of Dr. Johnson, that " the difference between the adultery of the husband and the adultery of the wife" (socially speaking) "is boundless." It is on this account that a divorce a vinculo has been al lowed in one case and not in the other ; and if it were al lowed in both cases alike, we fear it would lead to all the evils of voluntary agreement for terminating the union. Such an opportunity, with the ill-disposed, would not be lost ; should it be conceded, there is reason to apprehend that in Many instances the husband would form a second connection in order to get rid of the first. According to the testimony of Chancellor Kent, it has produced that re sult in some of the states of America. In cases of incest, bigamy, or the like, it might be proper to give the wife the power to institute a suit for a divorce, a vinculo matri monii, but as a general rule, and in all other cases of ag gravated enormity, which may possibly arise, but cannot be defined, we think that the remedy should be left for the Legislature, and for that alone. The relief granted to Miss Wharton, Miss Knight, and Miss Turner, constitute precedents which will assuredly be followed by Parliament when special circumstances demand its interference. XLI. The next point which we have to consider is the ground of defence that should operate as a bar in a suit for divorce. When both parties are in the same guilt neither can claim the vindication of a law which each has broken, nor reasonably complain of the breach of a contract which each has violated. When one of them has connived at the guilt of the other, that connivance involves criminality, if it be more than mere negligence, over-confidence, and dul ness of comprehension -if it amounts, in fact, to consent, acquiescence, or intention - al occurrence ; and, therefore, in point of law, as well as in point of morals, it bars relief on account of adultery which itself has occasioned or allowed to take place. And when the parties are reconciled to each other, and the guilt is forgiven by subsequent cohabi tation, it would be clearly impolitic, in the highest degree, to reopen a matter which has thus been settled by the parties themselves. We are therefore of opinion that re crimination, connivance, and condonation, should still operate as pleas in bar, either for divorce d mend et thoro, or for divorce a vinculo matrimonii. In these respects we would leave the law as it is ; but, with reference to recri mination, we would carry it further. At present the husband is not barred from a sentence of divorce on account of the wife's adultery merely because he him self has neglected or violated the most sacred obli gations of the conjugal bond, as in the case of cruelty or desertion, but only when he has been guilty of a like offence. The cruelty and desertion of the hus band, however, is so gross a violation of his marital duties, and exposes the wife to so many temptations, that even if she fails in fidelity to him, we think that he is the last person who should be heard to complain of it. We would therefore recommend that gross cruelty, and wilful desertion should be recognised as pleas in bar to a hus band's suit for separation or divorce, on what ground so ever the relief might be sought. XLII. We have next to consider the terms upon which divorces should be granted, and the legal consequences with which they should be attended. But little alteration ap peared to be required in this respect as regards divorces newel et thoro. The first important matter is to secure to the wife, during the period of her separation, a proper provision by way of maintenance ; and this has been done with a judicious discretion, according to the circumstances and condition of the husband. Thre is one rule, how ever, with reference to the costs of snit which is somewhat questionable ; for it is founded on a state of things no longer existing. The rule is, that "upon general princi ples the costs of the wife must be defrayed by the husband, who is presumed to possess the whole property." Now, this presumption is sometimes erroneous ; for, by the mo dern usage, the wife is entitled, as often as not, to sepa rate property, independent of her husband.; we therefore think that this rule should be no longer imperative. It would be better to leave the question of costs, like the question of alimony, in the discretion of the court which tries the case. XLIII. With regard to divorces d vinculo matrimonii, there may be more difficulty. As the law now stands, Parliament can take care that justice is done in every case. Its power is supreme ; and if, in this matter, it is to dele gate that power to another tribunal, which is strictly judi cial, as we propose it should be, it must, on the one hand, invest that tribunal with a large discretion in adjusting the rights of parents and children, while it ought, on the other, to restrain that discretion within clearly ascertained and well-defined limits. As a. general rule, the future rights, interests, obligations, and liabilities, both of the husband and wife, against each other, should cease altogether with the sentence of divorce ; and for that purpose the sentence should contain provisions similar in principle to those which are usually inserted in divorce bill. Further than this, the terms or the decree cannot properly be prescribed. Every case will have to stand on its own merits, and it must be regulated by its own specialities : for which reason the Court should be clothed with ample authority to do com plete justice. It cannot vary, modify, or confirm any pre vious settlements—so far as they affect the relative inte rests of husband and wife—to secure such provision for the wife and children as circumstances may require, and to decide in whose custody the children shall remain, and how and in what manner they shall be brought up and edu cated. With respect to the parents, the law should regard them as single persons, relatively to each other, from that time forward. With respect to the children, they should be made wards of court, and placed entirely under its guar dianship and control. XLIV. The fourth and last point which we have to con sider is, the court or courts and mode of procedure by which that question should be tried and determined. Three tri bunals must now be resorted to : a court of law for damages against the adulterer ; an ecclesiastical court for a divorce a mensd et thore • and the Imperial Parliament for a dis solving statute. The great expense and the long delay of these proceedings is a grievous hardship and oppression to individuals, and they amount in many cases to a denial of justice. Even in an unopposed suit, the minimum expense of obtaining a sentence of divorce in the Consistory Court of London would vary from 1201. to 1401. at the least, and the case would occupy about two months. If it were opposed, the expense would range from 3001. to 5001. and upwards (in heavy cases to much more), and it would take from one to two or three years before it was decided. The proceedings also do not terminate here ; but there is an a_ppeal to the C our t o f A rc h es , an d f rom th ence t o th e 4 udicial Committ ee . Th e ex p ense o f an ac ti on a t l aw w ill dependte in a g reat measure on the nature of the case, a nd. extent to whi c h it i s con t es t e d. Th e expenses i n Par liament , exclusive of coun se l' s f ees , charges for witnesses, and the Solicitor's own bill, which amount, no doubt, to a considerable sum, average about 2001. With the other charges they would possibly be doubled ; so that the total coat under the average than c / i rivroorbl m lay o rr s e t ianee f hwe ay s o o u mm r e a a b tt l hr e joinuesnaniidse. circumstances, of obtain ost of rescinding an ln ha s r e d e ly tht b n e d less • or 80 01. ; and when the matter is much litigated, i i t ng wo a ult d i that when there is no a oppos a it l i n o a n r , l 2 i r wisilslasiudffitoce-b. to-be 2 4 1. Scot land,an also, it is not rialibunofalsthweh privilege for the rich, but a right for all ; and it is not unwortaYnocif Novembernoti. c e , that 84 0 It , o f the94p cases art i e s qmnirenteadryprevideh'ese lower classes. between November, 1836, are thus rendered neces litimiganvt.w"Terhee three e s t t questions I'm"° regulation s for a divorce d • 7 hasconfidence. couldb e The numerous • object of having such proceedings sub mitted to a court in which the country c , s appears to have W a •o ry uld b n y ot P b a e rl r ia e been to satisfy the Legislature that there is no ' collusion ve between the parties ; that the suit is a bowl fide one tbat the whole case has been thoroughly and fully examined and will di s turb the Legislature proved, beforeso sacred in its nature, and so important in its consequences. And yet these precautions are anything but satisf ac t ory, even for • the purpose for which they w ere intended , for in several cases, where the husband has r e covered large damage s at law, the bill for a divorce has been rejected by the House of Lords—while in others, where the damages have been merely nominal, the bill has succeeded. In such a state of things the only fail inference to be drawn from them is, that one tribunal which can satisfy itself of the proper re lief to be given or withheld is better than three which dis trust each other. The verdict at law is practically value less • and if the proceedings before the Legislature were as regular and searching as those in a court of justice, the ecclesiastical sentence would be so too. XLVI. We are, therefore, of opinion that in this, as in every case which has to be submitted to judicial investiga tion, one tribunal (subject to an appeal in the event of a miscarriage) is or ought to be sufficient of itself for admi nistering to the suitors complete justice, without having recourse to extraneous aid. But to prevent collusion groat care would be required. The testimony should be oral, principally at least if not entirely, instead of being taken as it is now in the ecclesiastical courts, upon written an swers to written interrogatories, where the second and every succeeding question is propounded to the witness without the propounder knowing what answer has been given to the first ; and where the party who cross-examines the witness knows nothing whatever of the examination in chief, except so far as he is able to conjecture from the plea upon which the witness is to be examined, and his name. Although, however, it is desirable that the evi dence should be principally oral, there may be great advan tage in verifying tha facts in the first instance, either by the affirmation of the party or by written depositions. In Scot land the prosecutor is bound to take an oath which is called the oath de calumnid, pledging his belief to the correctness of the suit, and disclaiming at the same time all collusion in the matter. A condition of this kind might not unreason ably be required as a guarantee for the passing of a divorce suit in England; for when the Parliamentary safeguards are taken away, collusion will be the mischief most easy to to practise, andmost difficult to guard against. If the evidence is oral, it is equally important that it should be taken down at the time by an officer of the court and in the presence of the parties, not ordinarily by question or answer, but in the form of a narrative ;" and when completed it should be read over .to the witness and signed by him as his testi mony. In addition to the evidence so taken, the judge should have the power of ordering other witnesses to be produced, who might, in his opinion, throw light on the subject, and also of examining the parties themselves. XLVII. We propose to adhere to the rule that the mere confession of the defendant, unaccompanied by other cir cumstances, should not of itself be sufficient proof of con jugal infidelity. This rale has been acted upon for ages in courts of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and forms the'subject of an express canon (No. 105) passed in 1603, for the regu lations of proceedings upon causes matrimonial. It has been also recognised, and, in some instances, very rigidly enforced, by the House of Lords ; but with this ra tional modification at the same time—that whenever collateral circumstances appear, tending to the proof of adultery, evidence by confession will be received in confirmation. Such collateral circumstances, however, must be primarily established, so as to lay a foun dation for the reception of the evidence by confession, which, when so supported, is not only receivable, but is indeed the strongest evidence that can - be well imagined of guilty consummation. XLVIII. If the power of granting a divorce et vinculo is removed from Parliament, it will be necessary to determine to what court the power shall be transferred. Your Ma jesty's commissioners have experienced great difficulty in solving this question. The courts of law, the Privy Coun cil, the ecclesiastical courts, and the courts of chancery have all been suggested. ere are objections to each and all of these proposals. Divorce is a subject which requires care and time for the due investigation of it ; and, there fore, it should be referred to the calm deliberation of one or more judges, rather than to the verdict- of a jury. The Privy Council is essentially a court of appeal, with differ ent judges sitting from time to time, and with no machi nery for conducting the investigation until the cause is ripe for hearing. In the Ecclesiastical Court there would be some advantage in having a bar well acquainted with the subject ; but until those reforms and improvements are made in them which have been so often recommended by both Houses of Parliament, we doubt whether they would be likely to give satisfaction if the determination of such a question as that of divorce d vinculo matrimonii werelnow confided to them for the first time. The Court of Chan cery in its present state has all the elements of a good tribunal for dealing with this matter. Its form of plead ings, and its mode of procedure, as regulated and improved by the recent statute, would readily be adapted to all the suggestions which we have pointed out above. But there is one great objection to it—and that is, that the entire dissolution of the marriage bond ought hardly to be left to the unaided decision of a single judge. We feel the force of the objection, and we think that in this matter a new tribunal should be constituted, consisting of a judge of the Court of Chancery, a common law judge, and a judge of the Ecclesiastical Court. Such a tribunal would combine the high principles of equitable jurisprudence with the knowledge of the civil as well as of the common law, and with that familiarity with the mode of taking evidence which would be essential to the working of the new system. _ _ XLIX. We would, therefore, recommend that applica tions for divorces a vinculo 9natrimonii, and all causes ma trimonial, should be submitted in future to a new tribu nal, consisting of a vice-chancellor, a common law judge, and a judge of the Ecclesiastical Court, and that they should sit for the purpose of trying these questions at specified times in different parts of the year. We would also recommend that there should be no appeal from their decision except to the House of Lords ; and we think there would be convenience in directing tkat divorces a mensa et thoro should likewise be referred to the same tribunal. Sir John Stoddart's evidence on the subject is clear and im portant. Do you consider (he was asked) that a court con stituted of judges of the common law and equity, and in cluding consistorial civilian judges, would be a better tri bunal than any one individual judge for sifting cases of this kind ?—Certainly I should think so. And that the proper course of proceeding is by a viva voce examination ?—Yes. Under such rules as to examining upon the libel as they might think fit to lay down for their practice ?—Yes. What would be the use of having two courts, one to divorce a men.es et thoro, and the other to divorce d vin culo do not know that two courts would be necessary, but I say that the present mode of proceeding to obtain a separation a mend et thoro is not sufficiently stringent; in my opinion, to obtain a divorce a vinculo. Whether there should be any alteration or not in the present proceeding for a divorce a mend et thoro is a separate question, but if there were a proceeding for a divorce a vincula before a single judge, or even before several judges, I think the pro ceeding should be very different from that which is now followed in the spiritual courts." L. We cannot bring this report to a close without advert ing to two questions of immense importance, which are closely connected with the subject submitted to us, though they do not fall within the terms of the inquiry proposed for our consideration. The one is, whether here, as in Scot land, the parties whose guilt has occasioned the divorce d vinculo matrimonii shall be restrained from intermarry ing. The other, whether a Scotch divorce, upon grounds not allowed by the laws of England, shall operate as a dis solution for all purposes of an English marriage. With regard to the former question, there is a standing order of the House of Lords, which makes it imperative on any person petitioning for a bill for a divorce a vinculo to in sert a provision in it prohibiting the person whose marriage with the petitioner shall be dissolved to intermarry with any offending party, on account of whose adultery such marriage shall be dissolved ; but this clause, notwithstand ing many struggles to have it retained, is usually struck out without resistance in the committee. With regard to the latter question, a Scotch divorce of an E ng li s h mar riage, where the parties are bond fide domiciled in Scot land, will be binding and valid in the courts of that coun try upon any question of Scotch law affecting themselves, their children, or their property ; but the courts of Eng land will not recognise, in some cases, the binding validity of a Scotch divorce, since an English marriage, being a contract which, like other personal contracts, must be in terpreted according to the law of the country in which it was made, cannot be dissolved by any proceeding in the courts of any other country for English purposes. The anomalies arising from this conflict between the law of the two countries are strange and distressing to many families, and a remedy, if possible, ought speedily to be provided for them. We feel, however, that both these questions involve so many and such important considerations of national policy, and they relate to matters which, in some respects, are so far removed from the scope of our inquiry, that we forbear to do more than call attention to them. LI. Having now considered the law of divorce in its different bearings, it may be convenient to sum up briefly the alterations and improvements which we think may be made in it with prudence and safety. Our suggestions are— That the distinction between divorce a menet et thoro and divorce a vincula matrimonii shall still be maintained. That the grounds for divorce a mend et thoro shall be conjugal infidelity and gross cruelty. That wilful desertion shall also be a ground for divorce a menth et thoro, or else shall entitle the abandoned wife to obtain from her husband a proper maintenance by way of alimony. That divorces a mend et thoro may be obtained by the wife for the above-mentioned causes, as well as by the hus band. That divorces d vinculo shall be allowed for adultery, and for adultery only. That divorces d viucu/o shall only be granted on the suit of the husband, and not (as a general rule) on the suit of the wife. That the wife, however, may also apply for a divorce d vinculo in cases of aggravated enormity, such as incest or bigamy. That recrimination, contrivance, and condonation shall, if proved, be deemed and treated as bars to the suit. That recrimination shall include any of the grounds for which divorces may be obtained a mensa et thoro. That the existing mode of obtaining a divorce a vinculo shalt no longer be continued. That a verdict at law, and an ecclesiastical sentence, shall not be considered as preliminary conditions which must be complied with before it can be obtained. That a new tribunal shall be constituted to try all ques ions of divorce. That all matrimonial questions also which are now deter mined in the Ecclesiastical Courts shall be transferred to the same tribunal. That this tribunal shall consist of a vice-chancellor, a common law judge, and a judge of the Ecclesiastical Courts. That the party who seeks a divorce, whether it be a di vorce a mend et thoro or a divorce a vinculo shall pledge his belief to the truth of the case, and that there is no collusion between himself and wife. That the evidence shall be oral, and taken down in the presence of the parties. That in general the process, practice, and pleading shall conform to the process, practice, and pleading of the Court of Chancery, as recently improved, with such additions as may be beneficially derived from the ecclesiastical system. That the rules of evidence shall be the same as those which prevail in the temporal courts in the kingdom. That the judges shall have the power of examining the parties, and also of ordering any witnesses to be produced, who, in their opinion, may throw light on the question. That the court shall be intrusted with a large discretion in prescribing whether any and what provision shall be made to the wife, in adjusting the rights which she and her husband may respectively have in each other's property, and in providing for the guardianship and maintenance of the children. _ _ That there shall be only one appeal from a decree of the court, and that the appeal shall be carried to the House of Lords. We humbly submit this, our first report, to your Ma jeety's royal consideration. CAMPBELL. STEPHEN LUSHTNGTON. BEAUMONT. SPENCER HORATIO WALPOLE. WILLIAM PAGE WOOD. EDWARD PLEYDELL BOUVERIE. LORD REDESDAIX'S OPINION ; AND STATEMENT OP HIS REASONS FOR NOT ENTIRELY CONCURRING IN THE PRECEDING REPORT. In considering the present state of the law of divorce, it appears that the law of England holds marriages to be in dissoluble; that a divorce d rinculo can only be obtained by getting an e cceptional law made for each case ; that this most objectionable mode of proceeding has been alloived little more than 150 years ; and that it has necessarily been r I 7'. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 29, 1853. confined to the wealthier classes, from the expense attend ing it. With these facts before me, I felt it my duty to inquire carefully into the grounds on which such divorces have hitherto been unknown to our law, and into the compara tively moral and social benefits which may be expected to arise either from a change in the existing law, or from a strict and consistent observance of it. There can be no doubt that the present law was founded on a belief that such divorces are contrary to the law of God ; and I was therefore bound to satisfy myself that at least they are not forbidden by that law before I could ad vise an alteration of our own which should make divorce d vinculo a common legal remedy. Christ himself has spoken on the subject ; and his words, which have been reported by three of the Evangelists, have been interpreted differently by very learned and holy men ; some holding that in those which declare man and wife to be one flesh, and that man may not put asunder those whom God has joined together, he pronounced the mar riage tie indissoluble ; while others have contended that another text from St. Matthew's Gospel not only permits the putting away of a wife who is guilty of fornication, but allows both parties to marry again. Before I was ap pointed on this commission, I entertained thislatter opinion, and my prejudices were in favour of it; but the attention which I have since felt it my duty to give to the subject has forced me to change it. I refrain, however, from argu ing this point, which has been so ably discussed by others far better qualified for such a task than myself. The only apostolic injunction which has reached us on this subject is opposed to divorces. From the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians it would appear that they had - written to him on the subject of marriage, and in the seventh chapter, after treating on various points, on which he says, " I speak this of per m i ss i on an d no t o f command ment; 'he adds ' " And to th e marr i e d I comman d , yet not I but the Lord, let not the wife depart from her husband. But if she depart let her remain unmarried, or be recon ciled to her husband ; and let not the husband put away his wife." In the first four centuries after the Apostles, the habits engendered under the Jewish and Roman laws in favour of divorce appear to have driven the fathers of the Church into some admission of the practice, but their unsettled and conflicting opinions on the subject prove that they were unable to speak directly in favour of it as , of diviie or apostolic precept. Some thought that divorces might be given for other causes than adul tery, which is clearly against our Saviour's injunction ; some that the innocent party alone might marry again; some that the man and not the woman ; both opinions being opposed to the complete dissolution of the marriage. At length, that which appears to be the true doctrine was generally accepted by the Church, that if a woman is guilty of adultery the husband is justified in putting her away from him, but that the marriage nevertheless re mains indissoluble. The hardness of men's hearts, how ever, induced them to cling to the old practice, and the Church of Rome, becoming corrupt and covetous, gave way in favour of those who could purchase such relief ; and, holding still the sound doctrine as to the indissolu bility of marriage, made the word of God of no effect by their traditions, and afforded such extended opportunities for declaring marriages null and void as enabled all who could conciliate the favour of the Church to have theirs so pronounced. The early reformers gave in to the licence which had thus grown up ; and it is remarkable, that men who professed in all matters to take the Scriptures for for their guidance should in this have gone quite beyond what is therein sanctioned and allowed divorces a vinculo for other causes than adultery. It is hardly possible to conceive a stronger proof of the danger of admitting the principle of such divorces, or of the certainty that, when once admitted, it Is sure to degenerate into more extended abuse. Passing from the consideration of the subject as a re ligious question, I proceed to treat it on moral and social grounds, and to inquire into the comparative advan tages which may be expected either from a change in the existing law, or from a strict and consistent adherence to it. To arrive at a just conclusion on these points, the question ough to be considered in its general bearing on the morals and happiness of the whole community, and not merely as regards the hardship which a change of practice may appear to inflict in particular cases ; and I am convinced (having, I trust, fairly and candidly inves tigated the subject) that the middle and lower classes have been far more benefitted than injured by having such divorces practically denied to them, and that it is very questionable whether, on the whole, the wealthier classes have derived any advantage from having been able to pro cure them. First, as regards the more numerous class to which divorces have been denied, I believe that there is no class in any country in the world in which the marriage tie is held more sacred than among them, or where an unchaste wife is more generally reprobated. They feel that once married, they are united for better for worse. Hasty and unkind words and treatment are on this account frequently forgiven on both sides from a sense of necessity, and per sons of uncongenial tempers and habit s , once un it e d , l earn to accommodate themselves to each other. Introduce fa cilities for divorce, and an immediate change for the worse may be predicted. A door for escape will appear to be opened upon every disagreement. A new temptation, by the offer of a lawful marriage by the adulterer, is offered to infidelity to a class to which removal from a former home a few hundred miles affords an almost certain con cealment of guilt from those among whom they settle, and an escape from the consequent shame. Ido not hesi tate to declare my conviction, that not only a serious in jury would be done to general morality, but that the misery and unhappiness which would arise from homes deserted and children abandoned would be bitterly and extensively felt. Moreover, in determining this question, it is our duty to inquire whether the present state of the law is felt as a grievance —whether it is generally com plained of. It is a remarkable fact that, notwithstanding the prejudice which might naturally arise among the middle and industrial classes from such divorces being open to the rich and denied to themselves, there has never been any popular demand for a change in the law. I cannot think that we are justified in forcing such a change on 1 those who do not ask for it, and particularly as the present state of the law as affects them has answered so well for their general happiness and morality. I next proceed to inquire into the effect of the present practice on the wealthier classes, the extent to which it has been carried (on which the necessity for a continuance of it may by some be thought to depend), and what benefits have arisen from it, or might be expected from its discon tinuance. From the publicity given to cases of divorce a vinculo, each having to go before the Ecclesiastical Courts, before a jury in the civil action, and before the two Houses of Parliament, a very erroneous impression has been created both at home and abroad as to the frequency of their oc currence. The number of divorce bills which have passed during the last 10years is only 43, being on the averagelittle more than four in each year. Last year there was only one; and this return includes not only all cases in the United Kingdom, but also in that large body of British-born sub jects who are engaged in the military and civil services in India and the colonies. It can hardly be urged that so small a number of cases affords grounds for an alteration of the law, unless such alteration should appear in other re spects necessary or expedient. The next question to be determined is whether divorces vinculo have proved so generally beneficial to those who have obtained them as to form a strong inducement to afford facilities for an extension of the practice. That there are cases in which happiness has been apparently secured is not to be denied— in some to the wife, in others to the husband, in a very few to both, and still more rarely to their children. In more cases they have proved disastrous in all respects;while in several, many of the evils attendant on them have been avoided by one or both of the parties contracting a second marriage, which renders the divorce, so far as they are concerned, in fact necessary. In considering, next, whether any advantages are likely to arise from the entire abandonment of divorce a vinculo, I would direct attention, in the first place, to the effect which the denial of such divorces to the majority of the people of this country has produced, and which I believe will be generally admitted to have been, on the whole, bene ficial both to their morals and lhappiness. As bearing on this point, 1 would also particularly refer to the effect pro duced by the refusal in almost everyinstance of application for divorce on the part of the wife, in the same ranks of so ciety as those in which relief is obtained by the husband. How often has forgiveness ensued in such cases, which would have been impossible if a divorce had been obtained ! And though the injury received by the husband through the infidelity of his wife is far greater, and harder to forgive, I am satisfied that not unfrequently the bar which a divorce has placed to a reconciliation in after years, has been the cause of much misery, particularly in cases in which calmer reflection may have suggested to the husband there were faults on both sides. A doubt may arise with some whether the withdrawal of the heavy, and, so far as thi s wor ld i s concerned, perpetual condemnation which accompanies such divorces, might not take away from those who are trembling on the threshold of guilt one great support and check against yielding to temp tation. Of such I would ask, whether they consider the four or five Parliamentary divorces which are obtained in each year, or the consequences which attend the crime, to act as a prevention ? lam inclined to think that the ex pectation of a divorce sometimes increases the temptation. If divorces d vinculo could be no longer obtained, divorces menses et thoro, on the ground of adultery, would neces sarily be accompanied by the same exclusion from virtuous society, which is now so justly enforced and so severely felt. But they would not close the door to all hope of reconcilia• tion. Let us remember, in determining this point, who He was who said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone ut her." Let us take example from Hin who forgave the guilty one, when she stood alone before Him, bidding her to " sin no more!' Let us remember that with God forgiveness is always accompanied with re- Foncliation, and humbly inquire within ourselves whether, if we desire to prove ourselves worthy to be His followers, we are justified i n p l ac i ng t h e b ar o f di vorce b e t ween an erring woman and all hope of reconciliation. I have another objection to the proposed alteration, from a conviction that it will extend much further than those who recommend it in their report intend or consider expedient. By the proposed change divorce a vinculo is no longer to be considered an exceptional law, but is to be made a com mon legal remedy. Viewing the subject in this light, they desire that such remedy should be limited by the rules which at present govern the exceptional cases to which it has been hitherto applied. To secure this, the provisions of the act of Parliament by which the change is to be effected ought to be clear and definite. No attempt has been made to frame such a measure, and I believe that, whenever it is attempted, the result will be unsatisfactory, It appears to me, that any court to which the determina tion of such cases would be referred must be placed in a totally different position from that in which Parliament now stands in reference to these cases. The applicationat present is to h ave an excep ti ona l l aw p asse d, an d th e dis cretion, consequently, which can be exercised by Parlia ment is great. N o j u d ge can f ee l hi mse lf i n th e enj▪ oyment of the same liberty in administering the existing law as he may in recommending or refusing a special relief from its provisions. I believe it will be generally admitted that a divorce d mensil et thoro may be granted in cases in which a divorce a vinculo ought to be refused. The practice of any existing court, therefore, can only be imperfectly adapted as a guide for this new tribunal ; and, unless a dis cretion similar to that now exercised by Parliament can be transferred to it, which I believe every lawyer would feel himself practically• debarred from exercising under the al tered circumstances, or unless words can be devised to ex press an enactm en t exac tl y th a t which the commi▪ ssioners desire to secure, w hi c h I b e li eve to be equally impossible, divorces a vinculo will in future be granted in cases which would now have no chance of success, and to which the commissioners do not desire to extend it. My apprehensions of evil consequences, however, extend still further. I consider the tribunal recommended by the commissioners for determining these questions a very good ono ; but proceding before it in cases of divorced vinculo will necessarily be attended with some expense, though far below that which is required. These divorces will thus be opened to another and numerous class, but a still more numerous class will be equally excluded as at present. Once create an appetite for such license by the proposed c hange, and the demand to be permitted to satisfy it will become irresistible. The cry for cheap law has of late been universally attended to, and the result will too pro- bably be that these delicate and important questions will be brought before inferior tribunals, where the number of the judges (each acting separately) will render anything like uniformity of decision upon the circumstances which are to rule in refusing applications impossible, and must ultimately lead to extreme facility in obtaining such divorces. For these reasons I am unable to concur in the report agreed upon by the other commissioners in all that relates to divorce a vinculo, as in my opinion it is expedient— That the law of England, which now holds the marriage tie to be indissoluble, should remain Unaltered ; and That the practice of passing exceptional laws in favour of particular cases should henceforth be discontinued. I concur in the other recommendations of the report. REDEBDALE. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. BOW STREET. William Bishop, a private in the first battalion of Grenadier Guards, accompanied by his sergeant, attended before Mr. Hall, to state the parti culars of the following lamentable occurrence : Bishop said that he was walking backwards and for wards on Waterloo-bridge, between twelve and one o'clock on Saturday night, in company with a prostitute who went by the name of Elizabeth Gordon ' and lived in Catherine-street, St ran d ; an d th a t having left her for a minute, for a private purpose, she suddenly raised her self to the parapet of the bridge, and leaped into the river. He heard the splash occasioned by her fall into the water, and, on looking over, he heard her voice ex claiming " Bill." She always called him by that name. He had known her on and off for several years ; but he had not had any quarrel with her that night. The sergeant stated that Bishop made a similar state ment at the barracks in the morning, but it was thought very extraordinary that he did not raise any alarm at the time, nor tell the police o r t o ll-k eepers w h at h a d happened. It appeared that he went to the house where the woman lodged and gave information of the occur rence to the landlady or some person living there. Under these circumstances witness had been directed by commanding officer to take Bishop before a magis trate, to state his own version of the story. Mr. Hall—Was he sober when he returned to the barracks ? The sergeant—Yes, quite sober. Bishop—l had been drinking all the evening, but I knew what I was about. I was not drunk. Mr. Hall—You say you had not had any words with her. Was anything. said in conversation which might induce you to think that she contemplated suicide. Bishop--No, sir. The sergeant said that inquiry had been made at the girl's lodgings, but nothing had been seen or heard of her since Saturday. Mr. Hall directed the sergeant to communicate with the police upon the subject, as, if the body should be found, Bishop would be required to give evidence at the coroner's inquest. In the course of the afternoon Inspector Wilkinson re ceived information at the Bow-street station that the body of a young woman, answering the description given of Elizabeth Gordon, had been taken out of the river at Wandsworth. GITILDHALL.—Wm. Nettle, a cabinet-maker, was charged before Alderman Sir R. W. Carden with com mitting a series of indecent assaults upon a little girl under 12 years of age. Margaret M`Kay said she lived at 39, Bridgwater gardens, and was twelve years old on the 9th of last February. A short time before Christmas she met with the prisoner in a "penny gaff" in Golden-lane, and when the performance terminated he took her to Smithfield. On the way thither he took her into a'public-house, and gave her a glass of gin, and afte r commi tti ng th e offence complained of he gave her sixpence, and appointed to meet her again at the "gaff" on the following evening. The second time she saw him he gave her sixpence, and on the third occasion he took her again to Smithfield. Her next meeting with him resulted in his taking her to a house of ill-fame near Smithfield, and after passing some time in bed together he gave her 41d., and parted from her. The last time she saw him was about three weeks or a month ago, when he took her from the penny theatre to a bookseller's shop at the corner of a court, where he gained admittance at the front door by ringing a bell, and let her in at the back, so that the boy might not see her at all. She passed the night with him by the side of the books in the shop, and did not go home to her mother's house until the morning. The prisoner gave her a shilling on that occasion, which she spent in cakes and sweetmeats. The prisoner appointed to meet her again, but she did not see him after that. The Secretary to the "Society for the Protection of Young Females," who was in attendance during the proceedings, here stated that he was watching the case on behalf of that society, and it was a most unfortunate fact that by far the greater portion of young females ap plying for admission to the Society's Asylum owed their fall entirely to these penny theatrical establishments. The case had only just come under his notice, but if it was remanded he would take steps to prosecute the inquiry further. Air R. W. Carden said he was glad there was some one to take up the prosecution in such a case. Th e evi dence was quite clear as regarded the first transaction, but he was afraid that the complainant was a wicked little girl, and although she had no doubt told some truth, she had evidently endeavoured to excuse her own bad conduct by a great deal of falsehood. The mother was greatly to blame for allowing a child to frequent such a den of iniquity, and it was not to be wondered at if children became degraded when they had parents so utterly regardless of their welfare. The Alderman then asked the officer on duty in that neighourhood why he bad not reported this penny thea tre to his superiors ?—The officer said because his supe riors were already aware of its existence. Sir. R. W. Carden wished to know why the police authorities had taken no steps to abolish such a hot-bed of vice and pest to society. The acting-inspector said he had attended the theatre on several occasions, but saw nothing beyond singing and dancing to enable him to interfere ; but with the evidence given by the money-taker in this case, the police would now have power to act. The prisoner was admitted to bail, and remanded till Friday next. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, MARCH 28. The market to-day was very dull and heavy, with generally lower prices. The principal dealers were occu pied with arrangements for the settling of the acoount on Wednesday. Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire (221.) shares, W.—Chester and Holyhead, 324 o.—Eastern Counties, 120—Lancashire and Yorkshire, 754—Lancaster and Carlisle, 93—Ditto (third shares), 130 p.—Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 170—London and South-Western, 1183—Ditto (4-shares, C), 13 p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 303 o—Midland, 743 4—South-Eastern and Dover, 234—York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 173 — Northern Union A, 251. MANCHESTER, MARCH 28. There was very little business doing, and prices were rather lower. Dovers, 23i ; Leeds stock, 75i ; Midlands, 74i ; Sheffield pref., 11. BIRMINGHAM, MARCH 28. The market here was very flat all day, and - very little business doing. LEEDS, MARCH 28. We have had a rather brisker market to-day. The business done done is still not large, and prices do not show any material change. On the whole, however, shares are firm. The following are the closing transactions this morning :—North British, si • East Lancashire, 18 ; Leeds Northerns, 16k ; ditto Fifths (41. paid); die. ; York and North Midlands, 29i ; North-Westerns, 8i ; Lancashire and Yorkshires, 75i ex div. ; South-Eastern and Dovers, 231. 6s. 3d. ; Leeds Northern Extensions, No. 1, k prem. DISTURBANCES AT GREY TOWN AND CHAGRES.—When the last West India steamer left Grey Town and Chagres, disturbances were daily apprehended between the Ame ricans located at those places and the Mosquitan and New Grenadan Governments. At Grey Town, the Mosquitan Government had allowed the Americans the temporary use of a small island, not much better than a sand-bank, which forms part of the harbour, and is situated at a short distance from the town. The Yankees quickly built a few houses on it, and now the steamers that come down the river, instead of stopping at the town as formerly to pay dues and benefit the inhabitants, stop at the island and avoid all dues, and deprive the inhabitants of the town of an immense benefit. The Mosquitan Government had ordered the Americans to, quit the island, because the ob ject for which they had been allowed a temporary loca tion there had ceased. The Americans had refused to leave, and the day after the West India packet left Grey Town the Mosquitan Government intended to drive the intruders out by force. When the packet left Chagres there was a violent dispute raging between the New Grenadan Government and the new town built up by American, German, and other speculators at Navy Bay. The New Grenadan Government had imposed a house tax on the stores and houses built there, which the inha bitants had refused to pay. The tax amounted to from 10 to 100 dollars a month, according to the size of the houses and stores and business done in them. A military official had been sent down to Navy Bay by the New Grenadan Government, and the struggle between the inhabitants and the authorities was expected to come off a week after the mail steamer left Chagres. Life in London of Sund a y (ADV ERTIS E3I2E e ; next, April 3, will contain full and exclusive r e p orts of the Northampton and Catterick Bridge R aces ; Bir mingham, St. Alban's, Driffield , and Oldh am S teeple Chases Remarks on Northampton, and Anticipations of Epsom, by "Pegasus ' Programme of Ep som, C rox- &c., &c. ; Coursing, Hunting, Angling, ton Park, Aquatics, Pedestrianism, Pigeon Shooting, Chess. Full particulars of the mills between Bill Hayes and Jack Grant for 300 sovereigns, and Ned Donnelly and Jones of Portsmouth for 100 sovereigns ; and other sporting and miscellaneous news. Bell's Life in London is pub lished every Saturday morning in time for all the early mails. The Latest Edition of Bell's Life contains a comprehensive summary of Saturday's news, up to the hour of going to press.—Sale of Bell's Life, 30,000. Office, 170, Strand.—Advertisements not received after five o'clock on Friday afternoons. [ADVERTISEMENT.]—HoIIoway's Ointment and Pills a Certain Cure for Eruptions and all Diseases of the Skin. ' —Extract of a letter from Mr. J. Bird, draper, Heady, dated Feb. 14, 1852, t o P rofessor Holloway :—" Sir, my child, when th ree months old, was afflicted with —a severe eruption all over her body. I sought every aid and the he advice was considered hopeless. I then tried your Ointment and Pills, and without exaggeration the effect was miraculous, for in a short time she was restored to perfect health, and so remains. Mr. Bowden, book seller, Gainsborough, and myself, would be happy to satisfy any inquiries as to the truth of this statement." Sold by all druggists ; and at Professor Holloway's Esta blishment, 244, Strand, London. n SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock. OLDHAM RACES, (THIS DAY.) (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) THE BOROUGH HANDICAP. Wild Hero Heroine .... THE TALLYHO STAKES. Flying Buck Uncle Torn.. ST. ALBANS RACES. (THIS DAY.) (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) THE SELLING STAKES. Kilwick Trojan Harriott Winner objected to for going wrong side of a post, THE LONDON GAZETTE. (THIS EVENING.) DOWNING-STREET, MARCH 26. The Queen has been pleased to appoint Robert Hodgson, Esq., to be Chief Justice for Prince Edward Island, and Joseph Holroyd, Esq., to be a Member of the Legislative Council. Her Majesty has also been pleased to appoint Robert Crosby Beete, Esq., to be First Puisne Judge of the colony of British Guiana. Her Majesty has also been pleased to appoint Charles Douglas Stewart, Esq., to be her Majesty' s Att orne y- General, and James Clement Choppin, Esq., to be her Majesty's Solicitor-General for the Island of St. Vincent. Her Majesty has further been pleased to appoint George Rutherford, Esq., to be Collector of Customs for the dis trict of Natal, in South Africa. OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, MARCH 28. Royal Regiment of Artillery.—Second Captain Leopold Griwston Paget to be Adjutant, vice Radcliffe, who re signs the Adjutancy only, March 4' • Second Captain Richard Phelips to be Adjutant, vice Mountain, who re signs the Adjutancy only, April 14; Second Captain Richard King Freeth to be Adjutant, vice Campbell, pro moted, June 21. Commissions by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire. William Chafyn Grove, Esq. ' • Alfred Morrison, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenants, March 14. Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of the County Palatine of Durham Henry Pascoe Smith, Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant March 26. Commission by the Lord Lieutenant of Glamorganshire. Royal Glamorgan Light Infantry Militia—John Samuel, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant, March 21. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey. Ist Regiment of Royal Surrey Militia—Fitzroy Camp bell, Esq., late Lieutenant-Colonel Fusilier Guards, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, Feb. 14. Robert Grange, Esq., Cap tain H.E.1.C.5., Nov. 26, 1852; Charles Craven, Es.q., late Captain Scots Greys, Feb. 7 ; Morgan Yeatman, Esq„ Feb. 9; Chas. Stephen Barron, Esq., Feb. 10—to be Captains. Augustus Goldsmid, Esq., promoted, Jan. 20; William Prescott Hinds, Esq., Fb. 18 ; Thomas Sandon Kirk patrick, Esq., March 3; Oswald Lee Nash, Esq, March 4 to be Lientenants. 2d Regiment of Royal Surrey Militia—Joseph Godman, jun., Esq. , Feb. 23, to be Lieutenant. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire. Oxfordshire Regiment of Militia—Captain Anthony Morris Storer, to be Major, vice Whitmore-Jonss, deceased ; Edward Hobhouse, Esq. (lately Lieutenant and Captain Coldstream Guards), to be Captain, vice Storer, promoted ; Thomas Newton Harrison, Gent., to be Lieutenant, vice Watson, retired ; Azim Salvator Birch, Gent., to be En sign, vice Hewlett, retired, March 26. North York Militia.—Her Majesty has been pleased to direct that the North York Regiment of Militia shall be formed into a Rifle Corps, and called henceforth the " North York Rifle Regiment of Militia." BANKRUPTS. Thomas Dallaston Stearn, plumber, Ipswich, to sur render, April 13, at two, and May 10, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Basing hall-street ; Morris, Stone, and Townson, Moorgate-street. John Turner, grocer and draper, Uckfield, Sussex, April 8, at two, and May 10, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee ; Parker, St. Paul's-churchyard. William Latham, shoemaker, Shelton, Staffordshire, April 13 and May 4, at twelve, at the Birmingham Dis trict Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham ; Lees, Burslem, and Hodgson, Birmingham. MARKET INTELLIG'ENCE. (Prom the London, New Price Current of this day.) " SUGAR.—The sugar market has been closed since Thursday, but will re-open on Wednesday, when a good demand is anticipated, consumption continuing on a large scale with light stocks held by the dealers, still higher prices are not expected for colonial or foreign. At present the public sales declared comprised 8,000 bags Madras chiefly good and fine grocery ; 12,000 bags Mauritius, 7,006 bags Penang and Bengal, 3,000 chts yellow Havannah -140 cases and 250 bags brown Bahia. Stock of West India at this port is 2,900 tons deficient of last year, and the present value of brown is at 32s to 35s for low to fine, yellow 35s to 38s 6d, grey 33s to 38s, crystalised 34s to 395, and fine 40s to 435. REFlNED.—Production being still barely adequate for home dealers' prices have ranged firm for all descriptions of refined. Brown lumps realised 46s ; tittlers, common to fine, 46s 6d to 49s 6d ; double, 50s ; Hambro loaves, 47s to 51s ; double, 52s to 54s ; and standard lumps, 478 per cwt. There is, however, a reluctance to operate for delivery at these terms, but for the present refined sugar is not ex pected to be cheaper, stocks being light, consumption fully equal to last season, and no increase in supply of foreign is anticipated. Wet lumps are yet much required—low to middling at 42s Gd to 43s 641 ; and better sorts, 44s to 45s— still at these terms a desire is evinced to sell. To-day re fined sugar was much wanted for home trade purposes, and stiffer rates paid ; brown lumps selling at 46s to 46s 6d per cwt. Crushed sells more freely for shipping on former terms. MAuumus.-Imports compared with last year show an increase of 400 tns ; deliveries are greater by 1,400, and stock is less by 2,400 tons. Privately purchases have been on a small scale, and 6.t previous rates a desire is evinced to sell, good to fine yellow at ars to 38s 6d, mid to good mid 36s to 36s 6d, low 35s to 35s 6d, good to fine brown 32s 6d to 34s 6d, low to mid 29s to 31s, ord to fine refining 32s 6d to 375, grainy white 41s to 455, yellow 36s to 40s Gd, and brown 34s to 35s lid per cwt. EAST INDIA.-By private contract operations have been immaterial, and previous terms are barely supported ; there are sellers of grainy white at 39s to 445, good to fine grocery 36s to 38s 6d, low to mid 33s to 35s 6d, common to fine soft yellow 29s to 335, and brown 28 s t o 29 s per cw t . T he bulk of the supply yet consists of grocery sorts. FOREIGN.-Prices for brown Parabia rule at 20s to 20s 6d, Bahia 21s 6d to 21s 9d ; Pernambuco 20s to 20s 6d, white 25s 6d to 265, Meceio 24s 6d. to 255, brown Havan nah 218 6d to 225, for numbers 9 to 10, yellow 22s 3d to 25s 6d, for 10A to 16, white 27s to 28s ; Manilla clayed 20s to 21s 6d, andunclayed 188 6d to 19s 6d per cwt. Several offers refused rather under these terms. To-day there was an active demand for floating cargoes of Foreign Sugar for exporration, and stiff r a t es are pa id . T wo of b rown Per name sold at 20s 6d for near ports, and Bahia 21s 6d per cwt. Duty paid parcels were operated in with more free dom, and realised full last week's terms. supply Ric being. - Pr i e c n e s t h are i n ebraeraealey with areluctance ocne the part this day of exporters and home d ea l ers t o opera t e . Since good d k total te u n e purchases white at h l a i v a e 6 n d o t t e a l x 2 c a e e 6d d e , to fine white lls, yellow 9s to 9s 6d, Bengal, d d low goodsooot to bagsm id ; lOs ja v t a e brokenle tol2 lo s, a m te i diotao 3d,good m a d mild ra : 6a 160ds to 6 xcateneenteens request soldh c ae l a n iu T i c o e tbe to 9s 6d, and Arracan 9s to 9 9s 3d to 9s 6d per cwt. 3d.Madaras l a det n a: st c y l lb:saaht o nael i n id9nlmod t Ae h wid, treeleaaordpivea busi ness O ar tsaa rate s,l3 o a dt of mid erewt: • bothaav having .4 n B g s C o ww F h F a is E t E ec . Bo - nec T nl t ua e di r e e adt hilna°s3Etboaeseltn°lsn? India p exporters have operatetdoed 3,oooslightlygbi l av n geesn n aw a t t a t 4 v yB e .B C6sedyi Since since TuesdaY , n a e n w dpr ic i e n s that time sales have not import,e forp been cwt. the --ho well m e an d good ordinary Plan tation continues much foreign markets ; previous.t main tained for all sorts. the continental markets former rates are supported for coffee, the demand being good. To-day exporters and home dealers were reluctant to ope rate in coffee, and last week's terms cannot be obtained for Colonial or Foreign. Native Ceylon of new import is 48s to 48s 6d. declared cwt. are not large.t A present the p u bli c sa l es of coffee CHICORY. - There is less desire to operate, but supply being limited, and consumption favourable rates are firm, British Root at 141 to 161, and powder 281 to 321 per ton. TEA.-For low to good congou a greater demand exists, Ip a h n o .r td forer spricessound u pn a rd re i e a on f several e t r the g reao t w ls bought Hyson, to hyt s l 0 0 i bn y, d ord, p e x e r peaernc advance,eru I s e have ru aa l i n f been e g ll is 4d to is sd, mid is 6d to ls 7d, good fine 2s to 2 s 7d , superior 2s 8d to 3s, Young is 8d to is lid, Hyson Canton lld to Is, Hyson kind i s 2d t o i s 10d, fine 2s to 2s 4d, Twankay lid to is id, Gunpowder Canton lld to is id, Hyson kind is 2d to 2s 9d, fine 3s to 3s 6d, Imperial Can ton is to is 2d, Hyson sort is 4d to 28 3d, Hyson skin 9d to isFlowery P e k oe i s wanted, and prices are better, 3s ruling for low goo d a t i s 4d to 2s, fine to superior 2s 2d to Bd. An increasing demand for scented Caper, and rates range firm at 9d to is Bd, whilst supply is less than previ ously. Public sales are not declared. pri SALTPETRE. -At p rev i ous terms a good business is doing vately, and only a moderate uantit q to 5 y is on off er ; Cal cutta 2i per per cent. realised 29s to 30s, 61 ditto 28s 6d, other sorts 258 to 28s, and Madras 24s 6d to 268 per cwt. Stock of Saltpetre is 1600 tons over last year. De liveries show an increase of 700, and prices for fine rule lower by is to 2s. A good demand for British refined at 308 to 30s 6d. FAIIIT.-In currants scarcely any transactions have taken; holders are very firm, and prices remain at 40s to 755. All the advices received from the islands confirm the reappear ance of blight, but we are disposed to think it is too early to form any positive opinion on the subject. In Valencia raisins a good business has been done at 31s to 445. Eleme raisins, eff the stalk, are much inquired after, and large parcels have changed hands ; Black Smyrna have met with unusual attention, in consequence of the trade introducing them as a substitute for currants-th e market has been cleared of nearly all the parcels in first hands at 32s to 355. Figs are in limited demand; Turkey 43s to 555. COCHINEAL. -Honduras silvers realised for low good to 4s to 4s 4d, fine 45 5d to 4s Bd, dead and pa s ty 3 s 8d to 3s lld ; black, co mmon t o middling 4s 2d to 4s 9d, good to fine 4s 10d to 5s Bd, Teneriffee silvers 4s ld to 4s 4d ; black 4s 3d to 4s Bd, Mexican 3s lld to 4s Gd, and silvers 3s 8d to 3s 10d pet pound. OILS. -There are still ready purchasers of coaoa nut, and prices are on the advance. About 600 hhds, &c., have been sold this day week ; Cochin at 40s to 41s, and other sorts 38s Ed to 39s 6d per cwt. Linseed oil is not in brisker request ,- the value is 28s 6d to 28s 9d on the spot, and 29s to 295 3d for delivery. Lard oil is cheaper. Olive re mains in small supply, and rates rule firm ; Gallipoli at 391. to 71/., and other sorts 651. to 681. per tun, There is a reluctance to operate in seal ; pale can be obtained at 351., and other sorts at 321. to 341. Cod is dull of sale at 331. to 331. 10s. Southern attracts little notice, and the prices are 321. 10s. to 361. 10s. for common to fine. TALLOW.—Since this day week a decrease has taken place in operations in Russian on the spot, together with a decline in prices; fine yellow candle selling at 44s 6d per cwt. There are sellers for delivery in last three months of the year at 44s 9d, yet few buyers are to be met with• Home melted is held for an advance, still not much busi ness has been concluded, but the supply is less plentiful, and 45s to 45s 6d is the value cash ; other sorts are cheaper, the quantity brought forwaad having exceeded dealers' wants. SPIRITS.—To-day there was a dull market for all articles, and rates are on the decline ; Leeward island rum can be obtained at is 11d, East India is 10d, Demerara 2s 6d to 2s 9d for 30 to 40 over proof, and brandy at 7s to 7s 2d for Cognac best brands of the vintage 1851. - SricEs.—Prices are fully as high for nutmegs, and seve ral transactions have taken place privately ; ord t o mid brown at 2s 2d to 2s 9d, good mid to good 2s 10d to 3s 6d, superior 3s 7d to 4s, and limed from is 8d to 2s 6d. At auction 30 boxes Batavia went at 2s 8d to 2s 9d for rather wormy. Of mace supply falls short of demand, and the the currency is firm ; ord to mid at 2s 5d to 2s 9d, and good to fine 2s 10d to 3s 2d. For pepper there is an in creasing demand, and rates well maintained for all sorts: supply being less than previously ; including paresis at auction, sdles for the week are 3,000 bags ; Malabar heavy at 3id to 48d, light to half heavy 3;id to nd ; Pena* dusty 3d to 3-id, and clean Sumatra 3id to 30. Of white supply is not adequate for demand,.and buyers are inclined to do business at 8d to 104 d, C or i an d er lid to is ",• Cayenne is not in much request, and currency is low, rul ing at 4d to 9cl for low to good, fine at 10d to 1s Od• Ginger is wanted mostly for home trade purposes, and sup ply being limited prices are firmer. African realised 26s 6d ; Jamaica, good to fine 100 s to 200 s, low to good m id 44s to 98s ; Cochin and C a li cu t, common to good mid 34s to 48s, and better sorts 50s to 76s per cwt. Cloves are still offered sparingly for sale ; Bourbon and African bid to bid, Penang lid to is lid, and Amboyna 7id to • 8d• A fair demand for cinnamon, and holders have confidence. COURSE OF MICHANGE-THIS DAY. Am5terdam............ 11 18 Gibraltar ...... •••• • • • • „ 15--, Ditto, three months .. 11 19% Leghorn Rotterdam ...... • • .... 11 19% Genoa .......• ••••• • • • 25 37 34 Antwerp .............. 25 30 Milan ••• • • • -- Brussels •25 30 Venice ........ ...... •• Hamburgh ............13 8 2 4 Naples • . 41,s iiAltona ................ Palermo • • 124 Paris .................. 25 10 Messina .. Ditto, three months •. 25 32% !Lisbon •• • • n . 434 Marseilles........ • • .... 25 35 Oporto ••• • • • Bourdeaux ............ - !Rio Janeiro . ••••• Frank,ort-on Maine .... Buenos Ayres..... •• •• -- Berlin . .............. 'New York, 60 days' sii,k4 Vienna ................ 11 5 'Philadelphia ••• • • • Trieste . . rza Pet erburgh ........ 3774, ;Foreign Gold in Bars Z 3 17 Madrid 50% Portugal Gold Coln 00 0 Cadiz .................. Mexican Dollars .. •• 0 0 8arcq10na........ ••• • • • New Dollars .....• 0 Slbrcx in bars .. •• • • SKIPPING INTELLIGENCE. CUSTOM-HOUSE-MARCH 28. - - - - ENTERED INWARDS.—The Ceres, from Rotterdam ; Menai, Calais ; Magnet, Harling en ; City of London, Dun kirk ; Lion, larlingen and Nieu Dieppe • Giraffe, Rotter dam ; Augusta, Calais ; Concordia, Rotterdam ; Les" van Nyenstein, Amsterdam ; Alice Thompson, Odessa ; Maria Lodovica, Galatz ; Ravensbourne, Antwerp ; Affeczione, Leghorn • Regina, Malta • Trident, Marseilles,. James Gray, Charleston; Helios, 'Berdianski ; Albion, Dunkir k ; City of Pari s , Boulome • Mercury, Bordeaux ; Linn ue, Gravelines ; Fyenoord, Rotterdam. ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR•LOADING.—The City of Len don, for Dunkirk Menai Calais ; C er es, Rotterdam ; Nayler, Stettin ; Ravensbourne, A n twerp ; Concordia, Rotterdam Princess Victoria M e lb o urne ; Marchion ess of Londonderry, P or t Phili p ; Jersey, Berbice. CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO.—The Cicely, for Aden and Bombay ; Louise, Alexandria ; Elige, Rotter dam • Rapid, Gal a t z , Ib ra il , an d C on stantinople ; Jers e y , Berbice ; City of Boulogne, Boulogne. LIVERPOOL, March 28.—The Irene, for Valparaiso, which upset in the river some time since, drowning nine men, has been righted, and towed into the Queen's Dock 33asin. —The George Canning, from Aliiwick, ran foul of and sunk the Woodcock, in Chester river flat, near th e small landing stage.—A bright varnished boat, bottom up, was passed on the 22d inst., and the mast of a vessel, with rigging attached, and the dead body of a man clinging to it, were passed on the 23d, 15 miles N.E. by E. of BardseY, by the Caroline, arrived here from Halifax. —The Celeste, from Belfast, whilst coming up the river yesterday,.rell foul of the Blonde, for Sydney, at anchor, and receive" considerable damage.—A fire broke out yesterday in the cabin of the Asia, loading for Melbourne, in the Sandon Dock, but it was extinguished before doing much damage' RAMSGATE, March 27.—The Figaro, of and from Bre' men, for New York, which got on the Goodwin Sands, has been assisted of; making a little water, and with loss of false keel. SCILLY, March 28.—The Sultana, Hamburgh schooner, from Baltimore, was totally lost here on March 24 ; craw drowned. BELFAST, March 26.—The Diligence (smack) of Cardi gan, which struck on the Briggs, on the 14th, has been floated, and was towed up here yesterday. The Albanian, Winsor, sailed from Mazagan to the United States, on or about the 10th November, and has not since been heard of. _ . The Robert Bruce, Wilson, from Leith and Newcastle to Cadiz, was in Portland Roads, 23d November, and has not since been heard of. The Catharine. Cornelia, Oldenberger, from Konigsberg to Salcome, passed the Sound 20th November, and has not since been heard of. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. The York, New Orleans to Liverpool, Feb. 24, in the Gulf of Florida. The Excess, from Coquimbo, March 6, lat. 29 N., long. 42 W. The Inca, of New York, bound west, 16th, lat. 45 N., long. 20 W. The Catharine, bound west, 22d, lat. 51 N., long. 8 W. The Salem, Liverpool to New Orleans, Feb. 24, off Antonia. The Argo, Clyde to Mobile, same day. Tarquin, Cardiff to New Orleans, Feb. 12, lat. 27 N.,. long. 53 W. The Scotia, Liverpool to Baltimore, March 4, lat. 37 N*l long. 12 W. COUNTRY M_.4RKE2'S. COLCHESTER —Milieu 26. Prices to-day were as follow :—Wheat, white, 48s to 56s ; red, 40s to 50s ; barley, 34s to 38s ; oats, 17s to 240 • bolo* Mazagan, 30s to 32 8 ; middl e an d small, 32s to 38; ; P°' white, 40s to 42s ; grey, 30s to 325. CHELMSFORD—MARCH 24. Prices to-day were as follow :—Wheat, white, old 403 Oa to 57s Od, new 38s to 55s • red, old 36s to 475, new 313 0 445; barley, 25 s t o 27s :chevalier 31s to 37s ; grinding , 21s to 27s ; malt, 55s to 56s ; chevalier 55s to 56s ; oa ts : 19s to 25s ; peas, partridge, 305 to 35s ; ' w hite, 32s to 3 43, boiling 38 s t o 41 s ; dun, new, 29s to 33s ; beans, tick , . 326 to 34s ; Harrow ti c k s , 31 s t o 36s ; Mazagan, 29s to 321 i. The following is the official statement of the of corn, &c., received in th e p or t o f L on d on f ro m the Fon° in Essex, from the 21 s t t o th e 2G t h M arc h, both in" elusive : quantiities - . 3 D . , • • 5 ' l3-1 o °. AA .6 1 A p. •i Leigh e o ai l rg c ri h Colchester r . . .............. .................................. 32 0 7 1 4 3 9 9 _ 1 54 298 Qg --- 1 0 27 47( - 42 87 '- 420 Malden ........................ 888 50 300 60 329 99 ._--- - RIIIKCALDY—MencH 26. The follow - in' g are the quotations for grain First ............ IV 2 h s ea o t d . I 3 13 1 a s r 1 e isl y i Oats. i Bowl° Os pd n Od Second ......... 488 Od 1 328 Od rs Od ° , -. Od Third,, ....... . .... 398 Od I 278 6d 178 Od I Os Oatmeal, per bag of 2801bs imperial, 29s Od to 308 Oil- COAL MARKET—MAacn 28. Prices of Coal per ton at the ,close of the market : -• Bate's West Hartle s. 3 Killingsworth E. ......... I 86. (1 . Burnhope 16 0 Lawson ..................... i u 0 Carr's Hartley l6 6 Riddell .......:.............1 8 „ Hasting's Hartley 1 6 v dge sW. Hartley 16 6 Washington, ............ ... 3 Howard's West Hartley Eden Main .................1 .9 Netherton Longri , New Tanfield ... '!O 0 16 6 Plummer .................. 4 6 North Percy Hartley l6 0 Richmund .. . ............. - 1 - 9 0 Ravensworth W. Hartley 17 0 Russell's Hetton .......... 220 , 20 South Hartley 1 7 16 0 6 B Belmontr add y ll : : .................................. f 3 ' ,0 ° 90 16 0 Stewart's ................... - 0 Tanfield Moor l6 3 Caradoc . .. ..... . ......... .:2 0 6 Tanfield Moor B u t es 16 0 N o rth Hartlepool ... r6 n :20 0 West Wylam Trad er 17 0 South Hartlepool :19 0 Willington Hartley l6 3 Thornley Wylam 17 9 Whitworth 1l 6 ~ 9,, Gosfort 1 9 Tees Harton h 1 8 Harvey Wylam, uns. l6 I Birchgrove Graigola 95 iW a yne's Merthyr Hebburn lB 0 Ships at market...... 9 0 I S old q 9 87. kg. BIRTHS. OF A SON. On the 28th inst., at his Grace's residence in Upi e, r Bel . grave-street, the Duchess o f Marlbor ough. On the 23d inst., at Clogrennane , Carlow, the Hon.. ' Rochfort. On the 25th inst., at 25, East Claremont-street, ./di-w* burgh, Mrs. Robert Chisholm. On the 20th inst., at 4, Clapham - rise, Mrs. J. Bobcher • t Io DAUGHTER. ane. str e e t , On the 19th atinst.,Ov A 203, Sloane-street, the wife a H. J. Curry. _____ ........ f gr. MARRIED. On the 24th inst., at the Church of the Holy Tri nitYt . Stratford-on-Avon, Benjamin Hadley Sanders, E5q.• , _,, 6 , torney, son of Thomas Tudor Sanders, Esq., o f Brow -i. grove, to Mary, daughter of Thomas Smit, Encl. , ° Clifford Forge, Stratford-on-Avon. On the 25th inst., by licence, at St. Peter's Everton, Henry J.) , Jaciison, Esq , of Everton, to Elizobetn, daughter of S. Moore, Esq., of Bellevue-terrace, Everton, Liverpool. On the 26th inst., at Christ Church, Bermondsey, John C. W. eldest son of the Rev. John G. Harrison, of Devon port, port, to Jane, second daughter of Charles Glyde Virra w " more, Esq., H.M. Customs, London. --.---- DIED. On the 18th inst., at Great Malvern, Mrs. Parker, widow' of the late Colonel Parker, of Astle , in the county of Cheshire, and sister of the Right Ho n. Lord Delan2erep aged 76. On the 21th inst., at Bradley Rectory, near Ashbourn, Derbyshire, Captain Archer, R.N , fourth son of Thorass Archer, Esq., Mount John, county of Wicklow, Ireland, aged 69. LONDON : Printed and Published by AIITRDO of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, Nl)* ' - o f Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy , in the mot, Middlesex, Tuesday, March 29, 1853. tN ,