The Sun. — London, England, 1853-01-22 00:00:00

TUE !Unit; ROYAL, ILIYMARKET P a rewe 1 'eaaan er !dr. Benjamin Webster as Ix THIS EVENING, JAN. 22, ,isee And Manazer. Will be performed the popular and highly successful Comedy - of MASKS AND FACE,I ; or, Before and Laird the Cuitain—by Mesas. Benjamin Webster, Leigh Murray, and Stuart ; Mrs. Stir :44 Mrs. Leigh Murray. Miss F. Maskell, and Miss Rosa Bennett. After which, the gorgeous Estravar,-,•anza, entitle I LEO TIIE TERRERLF.. To conclude with the Farce of BOX and COX MARI:LED and 'SETTLED. • ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madam?. YoAds. TUN EVENEIG, JAN. 22, Will be performed the Comic Drama. called A PHENOMENON IN A SMOCK•FROCK. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Mat hews, and Horncastle ; Miss F. Baker and Miss C. Mitchell. After which, the new and popular original Fairy Extravaganza, entitled THE GOOD WOMAN IN THE WOOD, in which Messrs. F. Mstthews, Sitter, Horncastle, and Templeton ; Madame Veoris, Miss Julia St. George, Miss Robertson, Miss Martindale, Miss Ellis, Miss Wyndham, Miss Eglinton, and Miss Rosins Wright will appear. To conclude with _LITTLE TODDLEKINS. sole Agent tor the Private Boxes, Mr. W. Allcroft, 15, New Be I hi-street. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPIII. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster. —Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, JAN. 22, Will he presented the uowerful new Drama of SLAVE LIFE ; or, U:itte Cahin—by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Cullenronl. 0. smith, s.rti Emery ; Madame Celeste, Miss Woolgar, Miss Laura Honey, Keeley. After which, the gloriously suceeisful Comic Pantomime, called E GWYN - NE ; or, Harlequin Morrie Monarch. Principal iIISt'USC, Millie. A uriol • Clown, Mr. Flexmore. ROYAL PRINCESS'S TEIEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. '. Kean. THIS EVENING, JAN. 22, W;11 be performed the new and original Comedy, in three acts, by Mag'as Jerrold, entitled ST. t,UPID ; or, Dorothy's Foi tens (as played at Windsor Castle, by Royal Command). Principal charac te-s by Messrs. Wright, W. Lacy, Harley. J. Vining, Ryder, F. Cooke, Everett, and Chester ; Mrs. W. Laey and Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with the new and criginal Grand Comic Christ mas Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN CHERRY AND FAIR STAR; or, The Green Bird, the Dancing Waters, and the Singing Tree. Harlequin, Mr. Corrnack ; Clown, Mr. Litnine ; Pan taloon, Mr. Paulo ; Columbine, Miss Carlotta Leclercq. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. TIIIS EVENING, JAN. 22, Will be presented LILIAN GERVAIS. Supported by Messrs. Compton, W. Farren, jun., Hoskins, Cooke, Edgar, Bender, and Clifton; Miss Anderton and Miss H. Gordon. After which, ROMEO AND JULIET; or, Harlequin Queen liab and the World of Dreams. Clown, Mr. Edwin Edwardes, *itli his highly-trained dogs. Box-office open from Eleven till Four, under the superintendence of 31r. Edward Chatterton. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Proprietor and Manager, Mr. W. Batty. Crowded Nightly to witness the Extraordinary Holiday Attractions. THIS EVENING, JAN. 22, And during the Week, the Performances will commence with UNCLE TOM'S CAISIN (54th time). After which, Batty's peerless Scenes in the Arena. To conclude with the successful Pantomime of FORTITNIO AND UIS HORSE COMRADE; or, Harlequin and the Seven Gifted Men. Doors open at halt-past Six o'clock. To commence at Seven. Rox-oilice open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE, TEM% DAY —Morning 0 min. after 0 1 Evening 12 min,aft. 12 To-Moanow—lloruing 35 min. after 12 1 Evening 59 min.aft. 12 DAILY WEA7HER TABLE. SATURDAY, JAN. 22, 1853. Stale of the wind and weather at each of the following Plac , ds at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations fire, arranged in order of latitude. HASTINGS—N., gentle breeze—overcast. SOCTHAMPTON—W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. GREEN - wrcn—W., gentle breeze—overcast. . STROOD—W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. SWINDON—S.W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. CAMBRIDGE—S., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. YARMOUTH— S.W., calm—overcast. The returns from the following places indicate the state of the weather on Thursday morning at nine o'clock : LIMERICK—N.W., strong breeze—partially cloudy. FOLKESTONE—S.W., heavy gale—rain. HOLYHEAD—S.W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. WHITBY—S.W., strong breeze—principally clear. SNAP—S.W., hard wind—rain. THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, JAN. 22. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 45 highest since noon yesterday-. 32—lowest this morning and during the night. 37—this day, at noon. BAROMETER, 29'67. WIND, N.N.W.—Fine, frosty weather. nt LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1853. Everybody acquainted with the course pursued by the British Parliament in the last ten years' legislation, remembers the glorious triumph achieved by JOHN FIELD&N in 1847, through the passing of that Ten Hours' Factory Bill ,which was designed by him to benefit so largely the great mass of our toiling population. Scarcely any one, however, is aware that that beneficent measure has been so far tampered with, that its humanising influences have in a very deplorable manner be come—particularly of late—restricted. Insomuch is this really the case,- that it has not erroneously been deemed advisable to reanimate in the cause the dormant enthusiasm of the community. The Holy Agitation, as we may well call it—for is not its object exclusively that of conferring upon the poorer classes the consolation of such leisure as may be rendered for them a source of un utterable happiness ? has been, within the last few (lays, revived at Oldham, and re vived, too, under the auspices of JOSHUA FIELDEN of Stansfield-hall, Todmorclen ! Upon the shoulders of the son the mantle of a worthy sire has descended. From him we may now ex pect the fortunate completion: of that noble and humane enterprise upon which his father so suc cessfully adventured. Successfully, we assert, not without forethought and deliberation ; for the evils at present militating against the happy operation of the enactment of 1847 arise from no legislative forgetfulness of the pure and generous principle therein established. That principle has been formally recognised by the English Parlia ment. It needs no further elucidation—it only requires its somewhat more perfect and complete vindication. For, as matters at present stand, in its regard the operatives do not by any means benefit as largely from the innovation as might at the outset not unreasonably have been anticipated. The secret of the flaw in the good measure originated, or at any rate realised, by Joam FIELDEN, is simply this—that the Act of 1847 has been since interfered with by the Act of 1850, the former "just, wise, and beneficial," the latter a " mockery, a delusion, and a snare." It is the. tardy recognition of this that wakened once more the ardour of the more active Reformers in the manufacturing districts, and which has called into the van of the new movement one with the " time-honoured" name of FIELDEN, a FIELDEN of Stansfield-hall, JOSHUA FIRTDMNT of Todmor den. Championed by the son of the re vered. Father of the Ten Hours' Question, We may confidently augur well for the new a gitation in the g o od o ld cause , i naugura t e d on WWednesday last by a numerous meeting at Old ha Presided over by the chief magistrate of the municipality. Why is not JOSHUA FEELDEN in parliam ent ? i n its He has a part t o pl a y there—here ditarycharacter There more effectively than out s id e the House. of Commons he might continue to watch over the frequently endangered interests of the operative," his father did be fore him," with so much advantage advantage to the councils of the Legislature. But for the absence of a FIELDEN from the Chamber of the Representatives in 1850, we might not have witnessed th e passing of that supposed emendation of the Bill which was transformed in 1847 into an enactment, but which during the session before specified was closed against many of its more beneficent consequences. is there not some constituency in the manufac turing districts that would honour itself by re turning to the House of Commons as its Member, the son of JOHN FIELDEN—JOSHUA FIELDT, of Stansfield-hall, Todmorden According to the present system, it is lamentable to reflect how very readily the law ragulating the Ten Hours' Question May at all times be evaded. The violation of the enactment proves, indeed, on inquiry to be of ve r y frequent recurrence. The Factory Inspectors find themselves, on all hands, deprived of the opportunity of brinling the offenders to punishment. They cannot even discover the fact of infrirn ge - meat, What i s the statement of Mr. FIELDEN" upon this Particular? Wiry, that the masters may at Pleasure violate the law with impunity, because . of the impossibility —(it int these days of Detectives seems a strong word in the perpetratio n of the discovering them in by evilt abhorred by the peo ple, and opposed rrilviees Parliament. Imme diately, an Inspector a aryl -town by the railway, information is at oneeillferwarded from the station to the factory, apprising the owner of the and, of course, approach of his unwelcome visitor ; ong before his arrival, an appearance of equality is mparted to the whole ordering of the establish ment. If the Inspector e n t ers a room a t n i g ht j when the females are toiling at unlawful hours, the lights are at once extinguished. If in the day time he enters an apartment where operatives who should not be there are assembled, as he appears through one door they disappear through another. And so there are evasions of the law with impunity under all circumstances ! Against the continuance of this system due provision ought at once to be made by the Legislature. The question is one admitting no longer of argument. The advisability of a rational restriction of the time of labour to the females and children of our manufacturing operatives was long since, thanks be to GOD ! almost univer sally recognised. Added to this, " proof posi tive" has been drawn from experience that the effects 013 the interference of Parliament upon this subject, instead of being in any way prejudicial, has tended, so far as it has yet gone, to the in creased demand of labour, and to the extension of commercial enterprise. It was said before the measure of 1847 was passed, that, in the event of the carrying of the enactment, the operatives would be injured by the diminution of their wages. Well, their wages have been decreased, but their comforts have increased simultaneously. The evi dence of Mr. FIELDEN upon this matter is emi nently worthy of consideration. Ho says that, in answer to his inquiries upon the subject, he has been told by operatives—" We may get less wages, but our provisions are cheaper, our children come home sooner at night, and they can wash, and mend, and make, all of which things had before to be paid for ; thus," say the poor fellows, "though we may get less wages, we have more to spend in eating, drinking, and clothing." Surely, d consi deration ! Then as to the increased demand of labour consequent—yes, we may almost say con sequent—upon the enactment of 1847, it is cal culated by Mr. LEONARD HORNER, Factory In spector of the district of Oldham, that in that locality alone 14,000 more hands will be required in the mills now in course of erection. Every thing, in fact, tends to the encouragement of the beneficent changes already commenced by the British Legislature in regard to the Ten Hours' Factory Question—that humane question which has become permanently associated with the name of FIELDEN—that question which has called forth the sympathy of more than one of the free States of America, and which chiefly inspired the hopes of the French multitude on the outbreak in 1848 of the last European Revolution. It is but a matter of simple justice to Mr. JARDINE, and to the office-keeper of the War , office, his wife, and daughter, to direct public attention to the statements yesterday made at the Police-court, Bow-street, by Dr. CHOWNE, the Senior Physician, and Mr. HANCOCK, the Senior Surgeon of Westminster Hospital, respecting the recent alleged outrage at the Horse-Guards, an out rage whi ch naturally excited the deepest indignation in the public mind at the impunity afforded to the supposed offenders. If the original statement had been correct ; if an unfortunate child, only four years of age, had really been stabbed in so brutal a manner, nothing could extenuate the atrociou3 act, and the party who committed, and all who endeavoured to suppress the fullest investi ation into this case, would be deserving of exem illary punishment. It appears, however, not only that the extent of the injury has been greatly exaggerated, but that it is more than pro bable that the wound was purely accidental, arising from one of the feet of the little sufferer slipping through the grating, which thus inflicted the wound, and the marks of bruises on the child's thigh appear to fully corroborate the view of the transaction taken by the experienced and talented practitioners above referred to. The extraordinary excitement arose chiefly from the positive allegation of the mother that her child had been stabbed through the grating. She, however, repeatedly varied her statements, declar ing at one time that the child bad said that she was hurt by an old woman from the area, who called out, " Get away you little —" ; at another that it was her sister who saw the de linquent and heard the exclamations ; and again, that the injury was inflicted with a toasting fork —a matter which the nature of the wound ren dered totally impossible ; and ultimately, that " she had never supposed that any one could have stabbed the child wilfully, but she believed it was done - accidentally by some one who only meant to frighten the poor thing away ; and if the person had come forward and confessed as much, she (the mother) world have forgiven it !" These contradictory statements would com pletely deprive the mother's testimony of the credit that might have been accorded thereto i f it had been consistent and invariable. - They would warrant the opinion that she had been availing herself of the sympathy which the mys terious transaction had eicited in the public mind to obtain benefactions, which, although very acceptable, and perhaps much required, could not be looked for under ordinary circumstances. Her representation would then have been taken quantum valeat, but for the corroboration of the house surgeon of the hospital, who distinctly and unequivocally declared that " the injuries must have been inflicted by some sharp instru ment." There was no doubt or hesitation on his part. He was much more decided in his views of the occurrence than Dr. HATCHELL was as to the cause of death of Mrs. KIRWAN, and yet a jury acted on that opinion, thereby con signing a person who had previously occupied a respectable position in society to certain infamy, and possibly an ignominious death on the scaffold ; and yet it now appears that it is not only possible, but almost certain, that he was mistaken. Mr. JARDINE, in speaking of the unfortunate trans action said—" No doubt it was the statement made by the house surgeon that has given rise to all the horror in the public mind, for be believed that the public would have been charitable enough to have considered it a case of accident, if any probable grounds had been given for the supposition." There can be no difficulty on the point ; it was from the positive assertion of a person supposed, from the situation which he occupied, to be a compe tent authority on such points, that the thrilling sensation was excited in the public mind on abundantly sufficient grounds. The person who gave such flippant testimony has had a greater share of practice than falls to the lot of many of his professional brethren who are called on to de liver opinions before Courts of Justice in matters of vital importance. And yet what does Mr. HANCOCK, the senior surgeon, say, when express ing the opinion of Dr. CHOWNE and himself ? " That view (of the house surgeon) may have occurred to a person of less experience than ourselves, especially after the positive statements of the mother of the child, that it was] stabbed through the grating, but we know that the injury might have been caused another way." We trust that this extraordinary.occurrence and the very erroneous opinions with respect thereto that obtained currency and almost universal cre dence, may have the effect of inducing medical practitioners to exercise a greater degree of cau tion before they give expression to such unqualified and positive opinions respecting matters of which they have not very considerable practical experience, and also cause juries to weigh such evidence closely and accurately, and to investigate the foundation on which it rests before they confirm it by their verdict, and cause irreparable ruining all his prosp i e n c j t u siTin t l o ife. a fellow-creature, It appears, then, that FRANCESCO MADIAI is /10t yet killed by his imprisonment.e Whatever benefit of fact into which this correction of the slight press was led may be t t0 r 11 . 7 make Catholics, we the ts bodily error, have been most willing to we say, for unhappily, for poor I VIA . n/A 8 1 , 1 : 1 14 ; 1 1 1 and temporal lot is scarcely better prison in a state of health ' it s elf ; and so far as Tuscany is concerned, n ce deat d h his being kept in which must render imprisonment ultimately fatal is as disgraceful as his actual death. These pater nal Italian Princes do really appear to be the in carnations of injustice and cruelty. Not long ago, Mr. GLADSTONE (and no act of his life has done him equal credit), exposed the infamous injustice of the noble Poerio's mock trial at Naples, and the revoltingly cruel barbarities of the patriot's dun geon; all Europe rang withthe aristocratic exposure, in the cause of aristocracy, of the despot of Naples' doings ; and Austria on Italian soil appears to have learned that though hanging would do for Hungarian patriots, yet that literally hang ing, simple "hanging, was too good for" those of Italy ; and a hitherto unheard-of scheme was de vised to prolong the agonies of strangulation for an hour or so ! Vast numbers, however, even in England, imperfectly appreciate either the merits or the sufferings of true foreign patriots, of those even who, as Mr. GLADSTONE remarked of POERIO, were merely desirous to obtain some of those very humblest safeguards of liberty which here are looked upon as too elementary for discussion. The case of the MADIAIS, on the contrary, is one which from the Duke or Earl to the village school girl, every one can understand ; it is not that those who appreciate the other wholesome iniquities al luded to do not burn with indignation at the thought of them ; but that, in this case no Chris tian can control his feelings at the thought of imprisonment or the guillotine for reading one's self, or reading to others, that blessed book whose truths from childhood upwards have been the guide of his life, and his consolation in sorrow. Catholics are strangely mistaken if they think that because the majority of Protestants obey their Bible too little, they are, therefore, indif ferent to it. They have an inward and well founded reverence for it, which will not bear to see it treated as a felon, by sending all who trust themselves in its company to the felon's cell. Hence the deep interest with which every class, the more lax as w ell as the most religious, follow this excellent man and his wife into their dungeons, read with aching hearts of their pure and holy faith and patience un der degradation and suffering, and feel that they have one commmon cause with them. Not only members of the Evangelical and Pro testant Alliances, but every Englishman with the slightest veneration for revealed religion ; yes, and even the few who are sceptical concerning it, are deeply aroused at this flagrant denial of the first rights of man. The testimony of the highly trustworthy Chaplain to the Prussian Legation, as well as that of the most respectable deputation which visited the MADIAIS from this country and others, leaves no doubt on any one's mind of the sincere and simple, indeed elevated, piety of the humble sufferers. No Englishman can or does look upon them as sufferers for a dogma or a crotchet, but for the very essence of religion itself. We perceive that a deputation on the subject has waited on Lord JOHN RUSSELL, and he has said all that official reserve permitted him. We certainly think it much less creditable to our Government to hold diplomatic intercourse with the bigoted Duke of TUSCANY than for his vic tims to hold intercourse with their Bibles'; but we fear that such a mode of action would produce little impression on so relentless a mind, and it would, perhaps, rather interfere with such poor consolations as foreigners can yet offer to the MADIAIS. We are happy to learn from Lord JOHN that the late Government had exerted itself for them in a way which met his approval, and which Sir H. BULWER, with his full concurrence, is still continuing. But why, we indignantly ask, was it a merely Protestant deputation to the Foreign-office ? Are no Catholic bosoms fired with the hottest indigna tion that such things are done in the name of their faith ? It is, unless they inwardly aid and abet these cruelties, more their business than ours. They must publicly move in the matter, or it will be justly said, not that the Duke of TUSCANY, but that Popery has murdered the readers of the Bible. Their faith is disgraced by all this, not ours ; yet hitherto few of them seem concerned to free it from this reproach—one of their pro minent members appears even to glory in it. Where is Cardinal WisEmAx Does he imagine that red hats and stockings, and surrep titious and sounding titles will do more for Popery than getting rid of these Tuscan blots on its gar ments ? Or, does he really think that England will not nauseate the hypocrisy which would raise the cry of Protestant persecution because his Foreign Lord • was denied the right of using English territory, to the praise and glory of his Hierarchy, but which can look on very calmly while Popery refuses liberty, health, and life itself to its own victims ? We have always been, and we are, thorough supporters of Catholic Emancipation—of entire Emancipation ; but, unless our English and Irish Catholics will give ir; practical evidence that their Popery is not the Popery of Tuscany—unless they will show even more zeal than the Protestant Alliance to put an end to -these Roman Catholic cruelties, they will compel us to doubt whether Popery can be dealt with like any other faith. British civilisa tion and freedom has driven persecution out of British Protestantism : it now remains to be seen whether it has driven it out of British Popery. MEDITERRANEAN AND HEAVY PORTION OF INDIA MAIL.—The Oriental Company's steam-packet Ripon, Captain R. Moresby, arrived at Southampton yesterday, and landed her mails under the charge of Lieutenant W. P. Newenham, R.N. Her dates are :—Alexandria, Jan. 7 ; Malta, Jan. 11 ; Gibraltar, Jan. 16 ; South ampton, Jan. 21. Her cargo consists of 4 packages of specie, 1 box of gold dust, 209 bales of raw silk, 29 cases of silk goods, 20 casks of elephants' tusks, &c. Alex andria harbour was full of shipping of all nations. The steam-frigate Faidgaad, sent out by the company for the Pacha, was lying there, after a fine run from Malta of 68 hours. She frequently averaged 13 knots, with only two boilers. There was a grand ceremony performed on her being handed over to the Egyptian officers. The admiral's ship fired a salute of 21 guns for the English flag, and when it was hauled down, and the Egyptian flag hoisted in its place, another salvo of 21 guns was fired—the brass band of the Ripon performing " God save the Queen" on board of the splendid ship. The officers who took her out had each a handsome Damas cus sabre presented to him of the value of 25 guineas. The crew got each a month's pay in addition, and the Ripon's band was presented with 151. Alexandria was healthy ; but the rain poured in such torrents, that the wretchedly filthy streets were almost impassable. The quarantine period between it and Malta had been re duced from three days to little more than one day. An excavated city, like Pompeii, near Cairo, named Sacco; rah, was the object of much curiosity. There have been found in it 38 sarcophagi, each weighing 68 tons. They formerly held the ashes of the sacred bulls, and are all of granite. ACCIDENT ON THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.— An accident happened yesterday afternoon to the 12.20 train from York by the breaking of a tire of one of the leading wheels of the engine. This took place about eight miles north of Doncaster, near the Womersley sta tion of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, over which line the trains of this company run. I was at Doncaster, and immediately went to the spot, and am, therefore, enabled to give the following account of the accident :—The train was about its proper time, or two or three minutes late. The line is straight. The driver and his fireman both saw that the tire had broken, and endeavoured to stop, but, before they had time for this, the engine left the line, at an embankment of 12 feet in height, and turned completely on its side. It is very much embedded in the earth. Next to the engine was a horsebox, which is broken all to p ieces, and the horse killed. ' Next to the horsebox was a break van, which is very much damaged. A second-class car riage was next the break van, and went partially down the embankment, but it has sustained hardly any damage ; and all the rest of the train proceeded uninjured on their journey. Captain Binstead, the superintendent of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, was on the ground when I reached the place, and had made the necessary arrangements for working the down line, sent a pilot engine to accompany all the trains in both directions while the up line was impeded, and by about 6 o'clock p.m. both lines were in operation. The engineman has his toot much crushed by part of the horsebox, and the fireman has his thigh broken by falling when he jumped from the engine ; one passenger had his knee bruised, and one passenger had a slight cut on the nose ; all the others escaped unhurt. Three or four of the telegraph poSts were knocked down, and messages consequently were stopped.—SEYMOUR CLARKE, General Manag6r of the Great Northern Railway. DEATH OF MR. CFIARES LAWRENCE.—Just as we were going to,press, we received intelligence of the death of our esteemed townsman, Mr. Charles Lawrence, in the 77th year of his age. This melancholy event took place last evening, at' the residence of the deceased, Mosley hill, Aigburth. The name of Mr. Charles Lawrence has been long known and honourably identified with the growing prosperity of this port, as the principal in the great mercantile firm of Charles Lawrence and Son. He was a deputy-lieutenant and magistrate for this county, and in the year 1823 served the office of mayor in this borough. For a long period, and up to the time of the amalgamation with the London and Birmingham Rail way,iKbynstoi hrx toe oroi Manchester. stbeh L ei epraßtlwea disciples eloewnfec libraryal c o y ai w ibavf a osi Gasnrecdwnh. presentedae vt i chairman i a mva n ena, d: board.—Liverpool marked ditphhoa3pris portrait aa. ec Liverpool lisetutiw. and copied from the portrait o f the Reformer at lio lryoerrf.eocojedlov.tiellilds THE' SUN, LONDON, SA TURD AY EVEN I NG, JANUARY 22, 1853. THE BALLOT. TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD J. RUSSELL. DIY LORD, —As the question of Parliamentary Reform is one which engages the public mind in no small degree at the present time, and as you have intimated that the. Government will shortly lay before Parliament some measure bearing on the subject, permit me to direct your best atten tion to the urgent necessity of introducing some provision whereby protection shall be afforded to all who wish to exercise the franchise in a free and independent manner. Without such protec tion no Reform Bill will now give satisfaction ; and to extend thb franchise to those who are spe cially dependent on others for the support of themselves and families, is little better than a delusion and a snare. I am not presumptuous enough to think that I can influence a mind so well-informed and en lightened as your Lordship's, but I feel impelled to address you, deeply sympathising with a large body of my fellow-men who are exposed to the most corrupting influences, and are labouring under a state of mental bondage from which the law affords no protection;—and also as a means of giving expression to my own feelings on a subject to which I attach the greatest importance. It is now universally admitted and acknow ledged by yourself and your colleagues, that the present mode of electing members of Parliament is most defective ; and the amount of evils which accompanied almost every contest at the late general election furnishes sufficient evidence that the time has come when a change must be made in our representative system. Of all the plans proposed, none appear so likely to mitigate the evil, if not to effect a cure, as the substitution, by means of the Ballot, of secret for open voting. You, and many others, have expressed a dislike to secret voting ; and I agree that it is most desirable that, as far as possible, all public, as well as private matters, should be carried on openly and above board. But when we cannot do so without producing consequences most disgraceful to a civilised land, surely, however much we may prefer the one course to the other, we should not, and cannot, continue to support a system which leads to such results. Besides, it must be remembered that secret voting is the mode adopted at our Clubs, and many of our public institutions ; and if we shel ter ourselves from consequences which otherwise might prove injurious to society, how much more do the humbler classes require the same protec tion, when forced to forfeit all independence by those who hold out temptations which weak nature cannot resist, and who resort to threats of pun ishment to be inflicted not only here but here after. The Right Honourable Baronet the Member for Carlisle has recently declared as an objection to the Ballot, that, as we cannot compel the electors to conceal their votes, those who wish to coerce and intimidate them would still have the power of saying, " If you vote secretly I will presume that you voted agaiilst my wishes, and I will act ac cordingly." I am not sanguine enough to sup pose that any law can be framed that would wholly put down the evil devices of man, and establish that purity of nature which is the only safeguard against corrupt practices ; but I believe there would be little difficulty, where unjust treat ment, was resorted to on presumptive evidence, in providing a remedy for those who, in conformity to the law, refused to render their consciences subservient to man's dictation. Are we to have no protective laws because the innocent sometimes suffer and the guilty are not always brought to justice ? Not so. And, al though the Ballot may not in every case be found a successful shield against the poisoned arrows of bribery and persecution, I firmly maintain that it will, in the majority of cases, prove a sure pro tection to those who desire to exercise the fran chise with a free and unfettered conscience. It is not my intention to enumerate the many advantages which I conceive would result from the adoption of the Ballot, nor shall I attempt to refute the many arguments, mostly founded on hypothp sis, which are put forth by the opponents of secret voting. My advocacy of the measure is built upon the solid rock of justice, and from that lofty position I fear not that it can be shaken. Is it just, or is it unjust, first to confer the fran chise as a boon on those whose position renders them totally unable, under the present system of open voting, to act independently, and then to deny that protection which would enable them to withstand the many temptations and dangers with which the free exercise of the franchise is now surrounded ? Is it justice to refuse to the neglected many that shelter which, when required by the favoured few, is always afforded ? Is it just that our country should be polluted with blood, that the bitterest animosity should be excited through out our land, and a thousand sins committed, to which every contested election can in a greater or less degree bear witness ? while that security is refused, which, at least to the well-disposed (and the innocent, not the wicked, we desire to protect), must prove a protection such as the humblest sub ject may justly expect from the Government of a free and civilised nation. Is it right when the great body of the electors, backed by the almost unanimous voice of the non-electors, call out for a just and simple measure of defence, to disregard the Divine command, " Whatsoever ye will that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Public opinion shall answer—aye, has already answered these inquiries. The Ballot is but a question of time. Within the last few months it has made rapid advances, it has obtained. many converts. The repeal of the Corn-laws was a popular mea sure, and, althoigh not effected in a day, it was at length carried by the people. The Ballot is a popular measure, and will be carried by the peo ple also. We know the glorious effects of the one, we shall see the happy results of the other. Lose not then, I would respect'ully urge on your Lordship, the O pp or t un i ty o f i n t ro d uc i ng a new Reform Bill, to g ran t th e pro t ec ti on o f th e Ballot to the humble yet conscientious voter. And let those who fear lest aristocratic ascendancy should suffer from democratic advancement learn, that to concede, not to resist, the just demands of a loyal people, is the surest way to command respect for themselves, to ensure reverence for the Throne, and to increase attachment for the Constitution under which we have enjoyed so large a share of happiness and prosperity. I beg, my Lord, to apologise for the liberty I have taken in addressing you. In doing so, lam solely actuated by a sincere desire to relieve the oppressed, and promote what I conceive to be a just and right cause. This object, I trust, will plead my excuse for trespassing at such length on your Lordship's attention.—l have the honour to remain, your Lordship's most obedient servant, JOHN LA TOUCHE. Harristown, County Kildare, Jan. 17, 1852. DARING CASE OF INTIMIDATION. — On Thursday morning the town of Ashton•under-Lyne was the scene of considerable excitement, in consequence of about 500 rough-looking fellows having entered it for the avowed purpose of intimidating some workmen employed as brickmakers, who are not members of the Trades' Union of Brickmakers. They had left Manchester by the 10.30 a.m. train by the Manchester and Sheffield Railway on Thursday morning, and their approach having been made known to the authorities of Ashton, they were met at the Guide Bridge railway station by the mayor (John Metcalfe, Esq.) and the high constable. Ills worship, the mayor, addressed them at some length, explaining their object was one of an illegal character if intended to excite fear or to intimidate other work men, and he advised them not to walk in procession, but quietly disperse. The advice, however, was disre garded, and having formed two-abreast they marched to the brickerofL of Mr. W. Conley, at Ashton, where 12 men were working who did not belong to the trades' union. Two of these men were so alarmed by their pre sence, though they committed no violence, that they left their work, and the mob of intimidators then went to the Ashton theatre, which had been engaged for a meet ing, and having held what they termed a demonstration, they quietly separated. The mayor again addressed them, and advised them to be peaceable at the theatre. Three companies of the 4th Regiment of Infantry had been called out of the barracks and placed in the Town hall, but there was no call for their further services. These brickmakers, however, are a bold and daring body of men, and bloodshed has more thy once resulted from the collisions between society men and " knobsticks." as they often carry fire-arms. MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, Two o'CLocit. The sales of cotton at Liverpool, yesterday, were estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 1,000 to 1,500. were taken for export and on speculation. The market was rather quiet, at steady prices, Rail way Shares were dull, at lower prices. The payment of the dividends further acted upon the Bank of England circulation during the week to last Saturday, and brought also into employment a larger amount of bullion. The public deposits were likewise influenced in the same manner, and the other deposits being drawn upon, may be attributed to the readier employment found for cash. The repayment of loans obtained while the transfer books were closed, caused a diminution of other se curities ; but, next week there will be greater fa cility for ascertaining whether the enhancement of the charge has acted upon the demand for discount accommodation. Compared with the previous week, the changes are as follows : Notes issued... Decrease ". M 2,665,555 504,610 Rest Increase 32,088,878 32,259 Public Deposits Decrease 4,939,878 832,036 Other deposits 13,284,158 Decreaso 1,026,490 Seven day and other Bills 1,09,567 Increase 40,463 Government securities, no alteration. Other securities Decrease 14,157,548 868,005 Notes Decrease 9,004,185 805,295 Bullion 19,148,507 617,114 Decrease Active circulation. Increase ... 23,661,370 300,685 Bills of Exchange were yesterday afternoon again negotiated at rather fuller rates, except on Paris, which was at 25 25 to 27i for 90 days' paper ; Amsterdam was 11 18-i to 19 ; Hambro' 13 51 to ; and Trieste 10 58 to 62. The exports of gold from London direct during the week, to Thursday last, was 11,0001., and 65,666 ounces, all to the Continent and Australia. Of silver, 5,030/. and 199,970 ounces have been shipped, chiefly to Bombay. The English stock market has been much firmer, and there are no sales pressing. The Bank return is considered favourable. Consols bring 99k g for Transfer, and 99 kir Account. The New 3k per Cents. have been 103± #. Bank Stock has risen to 226 and 227. Exchequer Bills are 58s. to 61s. premium. Foreign Securities have been rather improving. Portuguese 4 per Cents. are at 40. Spanish Bonds are nominal, and also Mexican. Equador have risen to 5A- I, and Grenada Deferred are better sup ported at 111 to 12. Dutch 2.1- per Cents. are still rather heavy. The Railway Share Market has a much better tone, and, with more doing, there is an advance in prices. Foreign Shares have also raffled. - The Gold Mine and Land Companies are at higher values. The Directors of the Devonshire Great Consoli dated Copper Mining Company, at their weekly board meeting, held this day, declared a dividend of 9,7281., being 91. 10s. per share, from nett pro fits arising from sales of Copper Ores, sampled in the months of September and October last. After payment of the same there remains in hand a balance of 22,3051. 7s. Bd. in cash. Ore bills not at maturity, and reserved fund applicable to the general purposes of the Company. BRITISH FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY (From, the Official List.) Business (tone. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities.... ...... 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities New 34 per Cent. Annuities... . 103 g I Consols for Account 10th February 99 i Exchequer Bills 1,3 d. March. Juno. £l000. . £5OO 6l 58 Small 6l 58 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto Small Equador Bonds 5l ii Grenada Bonds, Deterred, Ditto Ex Dee., 1819, Coupon 2ll Peruvian G per Cent. Portuguese 4 per Cent. 4O Ditto, 3 per Cent 37 Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. ....... Dutch Exchange 24 Per Cent 6sg i Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates... .... , TWO O'CLOCK. Consols Ditto February Account - 99 MINING INTELLIGENCE. (From the Mining Journal of this day.) MINES.-An extensive business has been doing this week in the British Share Market, and a vast number of shares have chani,eed hands-in fact, a much greater num ber of transactions would have taken place but many of the dividend-paying ones are nearly unattainable. Wheal BuPers have risen from 8201. to 9401., and higher rates demanded ; Devon Great Consols, from 4101. to 4201. ; Alfred Consols, from 131. 10s. to 151. 10s. ; Herodsfoot, from 51.105. to 101. 10s. ; South Caradon, from 1401. to to 1511. ; West Caradon, 2401. to 2501. ; Wheat Basset, from 5401. to 5501. ; Mary Ann, from 27/. to 301. ; Black Craig, from 31. 10s. to 4/. ; Boscean, from 221. 10s. to 251 and 271. ; West Ding Doug, 11/. 10s. to 131. South Phoenix, Wst Sharp Tor, West Phoenix, Bedford United, Merllyn ' South Tolgus, South Tamar, Spearne Consols, United Mines, Wheal Golden, Cubert, East Tamar, North Damsel, Wheal Norris, Wheal Langford, Great Sheba, Hennock, Gill, and Peru maintain the quotations, and are freely dealt in. In the metal market, the smelters are refusing to take orders for copper at the present quotations, and higher terms are in anticipation. British tin has risen Si. per ton ; block being 1071., bars 1081., which has sent banca up to 103/., and straits 101/. Tin plates, IC coke, are firm at 28s. per box, and 355. for charcoal. Spelter is steady, at 201. ss. per ton. The demand for rail iron\ continues enormous. Scotch pig has dropped 10s. per ton, owing to a forced sale of several thousand tons. As there is scarcely any in the market, a re-action up wards is fully expected. The demand for lead is consi derable ; no Spanish in stock. In the bullion market, Mexican and South American dollars, 4s. no. per oz. Bar silver containing gold, all gold above 6 grs. in the pound to be paid for, ss. lid. per oz. standard. Bar silver without gold, ss. Igd. per oz. standard. Bar gold, 775. 9d. per oz. standard. Spanish doubloons, 775. per oz. standard. Columbian doubloons, 765. per oz. standard. The sale of copper ore at Thursday's Ticketing was 3,411 tons, amounting to 29,753/. 155., the average produce and standard being 74, 1521. 6s. The corre sponding sale last month was 3,819 tons, produce 71, 1321., showing an advance of 211., equal to 1/. lls. per ton on the ore. By the arrival of the Royal West India Mail Com pany's steamer Parana, on the 18th instant, advices were received of the arrival at Valparaiso of the Ellen Simpson, laden with the machinery of the Carsons Creek Consolidated Mining Company : the captain ex pected to reach San Francisco by the end of December. Private letters from Jamaica give a very encouraging account of the prospects of copper mining in that island, and it is stated " that copper will yet make Jamaica more wealthy than ever she was in her palmy sugar days." The Jamaica Copper Company have received by the Parana a lump of nearly solid copper, weighing about 196 lbs., from the main lode of the Mount Vernon Mine. With almost the single exception of yesterday, the gold mining shares throughout the week have experienced great depression—the premiums on many descriptions having been disappearing with great rapidity, and the comparison of-the prices now current with those that ruled a few weeks past exhibit a marked depreciation, which appeared to be in a great measure in anticipation of a further rise in the Bank of England discount. This measure was adopted on Thursday, but the effect on this market had already been "discounted," and the consequence is that prices yesterday actually experienced a slight rally. This depression has not been confined to one particular class, but has affected all. A measure has been decided upon by the Committee of the Stock Exchange, of the utmost importance to holders and speculators in the new mining shares. After the Ist Feb. none of them will be allowed to mark in the Official List, unless they are registered, and thus oompelled to be conveyed by transfer ; but a reservation is made in favour of those which shall have fixed an early day after that date for registration. This step will cer tainly tend to check all attempts at forgery, should any of the gold shares attain high rates of premium ; while, on the other hand, the cost of the stamp on every trans fer will, most probably, act injuriously, and prevent the transaction of much legitimate speculative business. This important step on the part of the Stock Exchange will, it is considered, tend permanently to maintain the intrinsic value of shares in legitimate undertakings, while it will form a complete barrier to the introduction of bubble schemes. POST-OFFICE ROBBERY AT LEEDS. — yesterday, at the Leeds Court-house, Eli Crowther, a clerk in the Leeds Post-office, was charged with stealing a letter containing a 5/. Bank of England note. The letter was posted on the 23d October, addressed to Mr. Steel, Shirley, near Southampton. Evidence was given showing that the prisoner dispatched the mail by which the letter should have been forwarded, and that the note the letter con tained was, on the Ist November, paid with other money in discharge of a post-office order. After taking a good deal of evidence on these points the prisoner was re manded until next Wednesday. LAW INTELLIGENCE.-(THIS DAY.) COURT OF CHANCERY, (Before the Lord Chancellor and the Lords Justices.) WILKINSON V. THE AUSTRALIAN BANKING COMPANY This was an appeal motion from a decision of Vic,. - Chancellor Wood. The plaintiff, who is a shareholder of the third series in the Australian Banking Co., in his bill petitioned the Court to restrain the defendants, who are the directors of the company, from paying any dividend, or dividing any profits in any shape, except all in pro portion according to the number of shares possessed by each shareholder. From the affidavits it appeared that the company was originally formed in 1837, with a capi tal of 500,0001., in 20,000, shares at 251. each. Power was taken at the time to double the capital, and accord ingly, in 1839, 12,000 new shares were created, and on both these series of shares the full amount of 251. was paid up. In 1841, 8,000 more shares were created, on which only 21. 10s. per share was paid ; and of this latter class the plaintiff was a holder of 161 shares. The dividend paid in the first years of the existence of tl.e bank was 6 per cent., but in the last year it rose to 12 per cent., which it was 'the custom to distribute on the amount of capital paid up; so that the holders of the first and second series received 12 per cent. on 25/., and the holders of the third series on 21. 10s. only, The plain' tiff having consulted the deed of settlement, and being of opinion that, according to its terms, the shareholders had a right to have the profits divided upon the amount of their shares, and not of the paid up capital, filed a bill to compel them to adopt this practice. Vicc- Chancellor Wood having dismissed the bill, the present appeal was brought before the full Court. Mr. Rolt this morning opened the appeal, and had not concluded when we went to press. QUEEN'S BENCH. THE QUEEN (ON THE PROSECUTION OF DR. ACHILLI) V. NEWMAN. The hearing of the arguments in this case was re sumed this morning, when the court was again very much crowded. Mr. Serjeant Wilkins was heard in support of the rule for a new trial. He accused the counsel on the other side of having heaped unlimited and unqualified abuse on his client, without any show of foundation. He then pro ceeded to draw a contrast between the characters of the two parties to the action, observing, with respect to Dr. Newman, that Lord Campbell, in his summing up to the jury, gave him credit for the course he had adopted, and said he had no doubt as to the purity of his motives. If any additional proof of this were required, it was only necessary to state that Dr. Newman made many sacrifices in leaving the church of which he had been considered a distinguished orna ment, and that it was not likely he would have taken such a step except from the sincerest of convictions. Nothing was more natural than that a man of such learning and high character should endeavour to inquire into the antecedents of one who took upon himself to vilify the faith to which he had recently become a con vert, and to publish them to the world if they tended to show that individual to be unworthy of credit or of patronage. Dr. Achilli, on the other hand, had the strongest possible motives to deny the truth of the state ments affecting his reputation. It was asserted that the witnesses for the defendant were actuated by a love oflucre, but not one of them could have been more influenced in that way than Dr. Achilli himself, for he was represented as a poor man, and he stated in answer to a question, that he relied on Providence for meeting the expenses of the trial. There was, however, one fact which alone justified the supposition that the minds of the jury were unduly biassed. Sir F. Kelly had ob served, that if only one charge were proved against Dr. Achilli, it would destroy his reputation for life. But he had in reality been found guilty of one charge, for in his affidavit, he distinctly denied that prior to 1826, or at any other time, he was deprived by the Roman Catholic Church of his faculty to lecture for any cause whatever ; yet the jury found that he was, and therefore he stood convicted by them for perjury. He (Mr. Sergeant Wil kins) contended that there was no reason whatever for saying that any of the witnesses had any personal mo tives in giving evidence, for if they had consulted their own feelings or happiness, they would certainly have. never come into the witness-box. Could any one sup pose that married women, who had kept their shame from their husbands until the trial took place, would present themselves with any alacrity in a public Court, when it was impossible to describe the amount of misery to which they might after wards be subjected ? By the verdict of the jury, no less than 15 or 16 witnesses had been convicted of pel jury ; and it was but justice and humanity that the arm of the law should be thrown around them, and that they should have an opportunity of re-entering into an investigation of the whole matter, in order to set themselves right be fore the public. After being punished by his Church for gross immoralities, Dr. Achilli went over to credulous Protestants as a man of more than ordinary sanctity, who was sincerely desirous of promoting the glory of God ; but he found his progress stopped by disagreeable charges, and he therefore had the strongest inducements which could actuate a man to clear himself from them by every means in his power. The manifestation of feel ing by the 'jury during the trial was deeply to be re gretted. He (Mr. Sergeant Wilkins) watched them with the greatest anxiety, and he noticed them repeatedly nodding assent to facts which told on one side, and frowning and scowling at statements which told on the other. Then the bursts of applause and other manifestations of feeling against the defendant seemed to occasion delight among them ; nay, they once joined in the applause, and he could not help blushing for his countrymen when justice was thus dealt out by a British jury. They might perhaps have thought they were doing right, but that their minds were prejudiced was manifest to every other person in the court. What was the gist of the libel published against Dr. Achilli ? That he was an unclean and lascivious man, and had violated the laws of chastity which he had voluntarily taken, it mattered little whether the names of his par ticipes criminis were given or not ; the accusation was a general one, and admitted of a general and sweeping answer ; but on being asked if he had had carnal inter course with any woman at Viterbo and other places, ha shielded himself under his privileges and declined to an swer the question. This subject was remarked upon by Lord Campbell at the trial. Lord Campbell observed that what he stated was, that though Dr. Achilli might not be a chaste man, the fact of his refusing to give an answer to that pointed question might be taken as a proof of his veracity, for he might have given a distinct denial if he had liked. Mr. Serjeant Wilkins thought he could show that such an argument as to his candour ought not to be used. On the question being put, his answer was, "If pressed I answer " no," but. I avail myself of my pri vilege." If he had. been anxious to set his character right before the world could he not have answered " no" with alacrity and readiness ? When the same question was asked in reference to the period of his residence in Eng land, he gave the same reply, though he was then a married man. This topic must to any unprejudiced wad unbiassed mind have great weight as a test of the cha racter and purity of the man. Much had been said of the hardship which Dr. Achilli was placed under in being called on to disprove so long an array o f charges. Now, Dr. Achilli had written and published a historyerfrom of his life giving the most minute details of his care his childhood downwards, and if there was any man in the world to whom it would be no hardship to rebut attacks made upon any portion of his history that man was Dr. Achilli. There could be no doubt that he had been reluctantly dragged into Court, and that if left to himself he would have considered silence was discretion ; but being the champion of th e Protestant Church party in this country, and serious charges having been made against him, his friends and patrons made it compulsory on him to vindicate his character. Then the old cuckoo cry was repeated by the other side of the hardship of requiring the absence of Dr. Achilli from the Court during the trial, and it was said that if he had been on his trial in a criminal court, he would have been allowed to remain in Court to hear the whole charges. That was no doubt true ; but then he could not have been put into the witness box. But the hardship so prominently brought forward had no real existence, f or a man could never have an difficulty in stating th e t ru th i n the absence of others, and there could be no question that, when the pro ceedings each day at the trial terminated, Dr. Achilli had the shorth an d wr i ter ' s note of the evidence placed before him. The learned Serjeant then entered into an examination of the testimony of the various witnesses who were called to support the pleas of Dr. Newman. Lord Campbell said lie had no wish whatever to cur tail the arguments of counsel in a case of such importance, but for the convenience of the business of the court, lie wished to know how long the addresses i of counsel for the defence were likely to occupy. Mr. Sergeant Wilkins—l am afraid I shall be com pelled to detain the court for a considerable time longer. Lord Campbell—Very well. Our only object in en quiring is, has reference to arranging the sittings at cham bers, and at Nisi Prins. The learned counsel then proceeded with his address. Having in one of his observations spoken of Dr. Achilli attempting to crush into the dust a church which had existed a 1,000 years, and to strip the scarlctet robe from the back of the Pope, [he was interrupted by} Lord Campbell, who said—You don't mean to say that the Pope wears a scarlet robe ? Mr. Sergeant Wilkins—l don't think that is a question at issue. (Laughter.) Lord Campbell—No ; but I once had all interview with the Pope; and then his robe consisted of a white flannel dressing-gown. (Laughter.) [The case was proceeding when we went to pre: s.] COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, JAN. 21. The Queen gave the third of a series of dramatic per formances this evening at the Castle. A new and originarcomedy, in three acts, by Douglas Jerrold (never acted), was represented, entitled St. Ow laid ; or, Dorothy's Fortune. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, with the elder Royal Children, and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, his Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen, her Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, accompanied by the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, the Duke of New castle, the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Vis count and Viscountess Palmerston, Viscount and Vis countess Sydney and Viscount Torrington, entered the Reubens Room at eight o'clock, attended by the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting, and took their seats on a haut pas opposite the temporary orchestra. The performance immediately commenced, the parts being filled according to the following programme ST. CUPID ; OR, DOROTHY'S FORTUNE. Mr. Under-Secretary Zero Sir Valentine May (his Nephew) Doctor Budd (a Schoolmaster) Ensign Bellefleur (his Nephew) Mr. G. Everett. Checker Hawke Mr. F. Cooke. Trundle Officer ...................................... . Dorothy Budd (daughter of Dr. Budd) Mrs. Charles Kean. Queen Bee (a Gipsey Woman) Juno (Servant at Dr. Budd's) Director Assistant Director Mr. George Ellis. The Theatre arranged l and the Scenery painted by Ilr. Thomas Grieve. Her Majesty's private band was in attendance. In addition to the distinguished guests, comprising the Queen's dinner circle, the following party had the honour of receiving invitations to witness the dramatic performance : His Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe W e imar, and the Countess of Dornburg, Lady Emily Seymour; Lady Caroline and Miss Barrington, Colonel the Honour able C.B. and Mrs. Phipps, the Honourable Mrs. Grey, Lady Farquhar and Mrs. Clive, Captain the Honourable Mortimer and Mrs. Sackville West, and Miss Dallas, Major-General and the Honourable Mrs. Scott, Sir John and Lady Jane Walsh and Captain Walsh, Captain and the Honourable Mrs. Tottenham, Mr. and Lady Sophia Tower, Colonel M'Douall, commanding officer; Lieu tenent Howard and Mr. Tardrew, of the 2nd Life Guards ; Colonel Angerstein, commanding officer ; Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton and Captain de Horsey, of the 3d Battalion Grenadier Guards ; Mr. and Mrs. Challoner, and Mr. and the Misses Grenfell. Refreshments were served to her Majesty's visitors during the evening. . _ The - Duke of Newcastle, Secretary. of State for the Colonies, had the honour of laying before the Queen; yesterday, a nugget of pure gold, weighing 281 b., an valued at about 1,6001., found in the Colony of Victoria, Australia, and presented by the loyal inhabitants to he r Majesty. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, with the Prince of Leiningen, accompanied by the Duke of Newcastle , Viscount Palmerston, and Viscount Sydney, went out shooting this forenoon, attended by Lord Charles Fitzroy, and Lieutenant-Colonel F. H. Seymour. The Queen and Prince drove out in an open carriag e this afternoon. Lord Charles Fitzroy and Lieutenant' Colonel F. H. Seymour were in attendance on horse' back. The following had the honour of dining with her Ai jesty yesterday :—Her Royal Highness the Duchess ° Kent, his Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen, l' er Serene Highnes s th e P r i ncess Adelaide of Hohenlobe/ the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke and Duchess of Bedfort. the Duke of Ne wcas tl e , t h e Duke and Duchess °' Northumberland, the Lady in Waiting to the Duches s of Kent, Baroness de Speth, Viscount and Viscountel Palmerston, Viscount and Viscountess Sydney, 3° Viscount Torrington. The band of the Second Life Guards attended in th ° Castle during dinner, and played the following sele e ' tions March Von StasaeP Overture, "Don Juan " Mozart. Waltz, " Die Sutherland" Labitzky. Grand Selection, "I Martini" D on i ze tti. Ballad, " S w i ss Girl." Solo, trombone Linley. Quadrille, "La Poste" Schubert. Fest Polonaise Kuchner. Galop God Save the Queen. JO Her Majesty's private b a nd a ft erwar d s a tt en ded ) performed the following compositions : Overture, " Le Lac des Fees " Auber. Introduction, "Le - Pre aux Clercs" Harold. Selection, Ballet, " Gustave " Auber. Mr. Macgregor , M.P., had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday. Mr. Pres sl/ had also an interview with th e Ri g ht H on . G e ntlee l ' at his official residence in Downing-street. Mr. R. W. Wilbraham has been appointed see ° Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequel' er . Dispatches were se n t f rom th e C o l on i a l- o ffi ce y O ,- 1 ' 0 . day to the Governor-Gen era l o f C ana d a , an d the " vernora of the other North American provin ces . SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY "Elijah" is now so frequently performed that I.,tB;°' petitions call fo r no remark save when novelty 1" ritor duced by som e c h ange in the performers. This orato though its composition is of so recent a date, i s alre s looked if . upon in the light of an old acquaintance, not ° I/ 0 , in the metropolis but throughout the whole king to Our performers, even in the provinces have learn. execute it, and the public to understand it. " El i t t ti in short, is better known and more popular in B e g l i e s• than any oratorio whatever, excepting only "The if ' 0 . , siah" ; an d t h e orchestra and chorus of the Sacred . 1 0 monic Society are now nearly as much at home in i " in " The Messiah" itself. Last night th e ar d uous p ar t o f th e P rop h e t Was Bththe tamed by Mr. W e i ss , w h o ga i ne d go ld en op i n i on s by manner in which he acquitted himself. He exc elled-P il o have no hesitation in s ayi ng , ever y p er f ormer who appeared in the part sin ce St au di g l, b y w h o m it fil l, first performed. Mr. Weiss's v oi ce , a t once power to flexible, and extensive in its compass, enabled / 1111l io l execute the music without the slightest effort ; thus no physical or mechanical impediment to the 'by dom and boldness of his delivery : and he supportedy i his energy, the grandeur of the pa r t f rom th e begin as to the end of the piece. The principal soprano part lo g sustained by Madame Fiorentini, who was still suffe r t be from the hoarseness under which she had laboured iv g evening before, and which prevented h er f rom exe° llt r. some of the most difficult passages with th e ease a nd e', lo , ness of which she would oth erw i se h ave b een eePA tv le Her performance, nevertheless, was admirable in %'i l e and expression, especi a lly i n die beautiful scene ofeetc widow and her son, which sh e gave w ith exqu i s ite sv i ness and feeling. In the great air, " Hear y e , Isra e fii ii the state of her voice prevented her from d o ing of) , justice to her conc e pti ons . S evera l p or ti ons o f the c, o tralto part were assigned to Mi ss H u dd ar t, a hi g hlY P o mising young singer, who acquitted herself very ere a i t t ably ; but it was a mistake to lay upon her the w ei ' r o. of the grand scene in which Jezebel denounces the Poo phet—the most arduous passag e , p ro b a bly, i n the ' sr f oratorio, which taxes the highest t rag i c p ow ers °air Viardot. The hall, as usual, was crow d e d in e' part. FRENCH PLAYS. tUaAlthough a longer time than usual has elapsed t out an official promise of a series of French plays 'I gr, St. James's Theatre, the enterprising spi r it of o f Mitchell is still in full activity. The French goas:' i , 1853 will begin on Monday week, the 31st of Jam; 6 10' The first engagements will give a Palais Ro ls ya' df oe meter to the performances. M. Rav e l and to' Lambert are to be the principal artistes till Easter) v i t i, gether with Mademoiselle Luther, o f th e Gymnase , will make her first appearance on the 16th of Februl t / During the whole of this earli er port i on of the seas° 9, that is to say, till the opening of the Italian OPe there will be an extra performance on the i SaturdaYsVer During the Ea s t er week the series of French Ph' will be stopped, b u t t h e celebrated conjuror, 11°'' Houdin, will perform, every evening, for the last ti' England. 1) 9 On Monday, April the 4th, the French plays w' ll resumed. M. L a f ont, deservedly a favourite of the frioiti don public, will then make his debdt for the season , t i t o Mademoiselle Page, of the Varidt6s, will appear , f° l - 1 :0 1° ' first time in this country. In the following month tll° Madeline Brohan, the celebrated young actress ra cer Com6die Francaise, will also make her first appe 3ll , o and M. Scribe's comedy of Leg Conteg de la 1 ,. Navarre, never acted in England, will be produeeu_ is elo is a welcome piece of intelligence that Maderuc' d iot Brohan will be accompanied by the admirable eeli i M. Regnier. pil Mademoiselle Rachel, who kept away from us pi' the whole of last year, is to appear at the end of o t,P, Her engagement is not to last longer than allgiert during which Dian e , a recent play by M. Em il e will be produced. li st e' cot' A hone that M. B ou ffe may b o added to the eludes Sir. Mitchell's prediction, though the Pre bel state of the artist e ' s h ea l t h prevents the hope freui. bl converted into a p rom i se. As i t is, we find a va ried e of fare before us, graduated from the stirring far ce ° f th e modern Palais R o y a l t o t h e classical solemnitiesi°oot age of Louis XIV . , w i t h a guarantee for ef ll e ie i 0r every step ; and we h ave a r i ght to expect tha t th 1, formances at the St. James's Theatre will, as us ~scut, among the most agreea bl e entertainments of this '" polis. „ e g e 4 9 o AN AUSTRALIAN NABOB.—Among the l'•--Sincl who arrived yesterday at Southampton mail steamer Ripon was a gentleman from At 1 ; 0 00 1 . 1 tho stro jo who has made a rapid fortune, amounting to 7°l by gold de.lings in that country. sa ns DEATH OF MR. HARPER.—A ve ainful se-tiatle was excited the day before yesterday by th e „pc,” death of the veteran musician,for many years, a- 5 A y :, former on the trumpet, unrivalled in Eurol ) ?' ffr Harper had retired from the more laborious dutiet°J as profession, but still performed occasionally : I le , f,';te te , sisted at the rehearsal of the Harmonic Union , r • Hall, on Wednesday morning. At the end 0 1 ",":10 3 ; hearsal he was seized with a fit, and expired one , 0 14 mediately. He was, we believe, about sixtY 0 0 01 4 sixty-six years of age. His death is much and g e nt 00, regretted ; as he did honour to his profession, 11 4, °l l° by his slistinguislied talents, but by his respectity ratter and amiable disposition.