The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-14 00:00:00

THE LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 14, 1647. -.;, ......- ~...—, -- THE CAXTON MONUMENT. A public meeting was on Satuday held in the Grea Room of the Society of Arts, Juhn-street, Adelphi, for the purpose of promoting the erection of a monument to ;ommemorate the introduction of printing into this .ountry, and in honour of William Caxton, the earliest English printer. The chair was token at two o'clock by the Right Hon. Ldrd Morpeth. The meeting was numerously and respectably attended, end among those present we observed—Rev. H. Milman, Mr. J. S. Buckingham, Mr. Macready, Dr. Nuttall, LL.D., Alderman Wood, Charles Barry, Esq., Jordeu, Esq., D. Maclise, Esq., R.A., E. IL Bailey, Esq., R.A., Dr. Cuming, &c. Lord MORPETH having been called to the chair, said— ientlemen, in proceeding to take the chair upon this /wagon, I am fully convinced that my filling so promi nent a place, and in an assembly so distinguished, must be entirely attributable to the nature of the official posi tion which I occupy, and to the circumstance of its being in some measure connected with the superintendence . af that part of our metropolis which has been designed as the most appropriate site for the proposed monument in honour of Caxton. You must all of you, be aware that the credit of this movement, if I may so term it, whether in its original suggestion, or in the force and feeling with which it has been p ut forward, is entirely due to my Reverend Friend Mr. Milman. I think you will be dispos ed full y to agree with me, that the impulse could not have come from a priate quarter ; for with respect to h h e i s offici m al o p re osi a tfo p n rn it Abbey Church of Is most fitting that a dignitary , Westminster should have takentlftehteleading part in a man who plied his proposition to do honour to glorius craft within its tohallowed precincts, and it is surely fitting to his individual capacity that a proposition to do honour to the earliest English printer should have bean suggested by one who in many of its highest departments has occupied so large and continuous a renown in English literature. The appeal which my Rev. Friend has put for*l fully explains die grounds of the proposal of which it treats, and they are such as I am sure must be thoroughly understood and appreciated by such an enlightened auditory as that which I have now the honour of addressing. It will not be necessary that 'should remind them of the history, the merits, or the olaiins of William Caxton. The authentic details of his career are not so numerous as its achievements are me morable, and its whole tenor honourable to himself and creditable to the country of which he was a citizen.— (Hear, hear.) Born among the Wealds of Kent, among speakers of what he himself termed the broad and rude English of his day, he seems to have jerived from that genuine English soil much of its racy and hearty spirit. At an early period of his life we find nim transferred to a decidedly metropolitan existence, inasmuch as he became an inmate of the parish of St. Margaret, and a member of the Mercers' Company. But he was not confined either to a rustic or a cockney life, f o r we find soon afterwards t h a t Edward IV. Pia t i - le him his agent foil* agreeing upon a treaty of com merce with the Duke of Burgundy, and there have been assemblies in this country who would have been well pleased to co nnect the first English printer with some of the earliest practical expositions of the doc trines of free trade .—(Hear, hear.) Passing from that topic to one more immediately concerning ourselves, we find that it was as a sojourner at the Court of Bruges, and as a servant in the service of Margaret o f Burgundy, that his attention must have been a ttracted by the progress of that memorable discovery in the noble states of Germany which has been calcu lated, beyond all others, to affect the condition of the state and destiny of our race. It was there that his in genuity must have been exercised upon those practical details and mechanical contrivances, the difficulty and expensiveness of which we are even nett hardly able to oaleulate, and it was there that he was first fired with the glorious ambition of transferring to his own country that copious spring of power and progress which he had seen swelling up among the other civilised nations of Chris tendom. Whatever were his day dreams on this sub ject, he lived fully to realise them all. We find him next, having returned to his own country, under the auspices of the brilliant Edward, honoured, it would seem, with the confidence of the accomplished Rivers, and established. as I have already said, within the actual precincts of the Abbey of Westminster, and regularly dubbed " Anglia Prototypographus." It is for the antiquarians to compile an authen tic list of his publications, but I believe that no less than 64 works issued from the press of the earliest English printer. It is sufficient for me to state that he was the first person who gave that vogue which printing only can give to the works of Chaucer, and whose services to English literature he seems fully to have .estimated ; and I believe there is authority for sneting that he was a party to erecting a monument to his remains. Besides the works of Chaucer, he published those of Gower and Lydgate. I do not know how I can better illustrate his tendencies, and the disposition which, through a long life, seemed to have verged very strongly towards chivalry and piety, than by mentioning what were his first and last publications. His first was the tale of " Troy Divine;" his last was " The Lives of the Holy Fathers," which be appears to have completed on the very day which closed his useful and pregnant life.—(Cheers.) Here, then, I leave him, Gentlemen, to your discriminating esti mation, and to that suitable acknowledgment which, having been but too long deferred by many succeeding generations of his countrymen, it is now your privilege to offer. Many of our warriors, of our statesmen, of our sages, and our poets, have not wanted the votive marble or the commemorative statue. But I would beg to remind you how much every one of these has been indebted to the invention of print ing, of which, however, it is the main value and the distinguished boast, that it does not confine its THE CORN TRADE. benefits to a distinguished few, to the favourites of for- (From the Mark-lane Express.) tune, or to the idols of society, but that it penetrates, The consumptive demand for wheat has, within the and gladdens, and enriches the mass and the many.— last few days, increased materially, and no correspond (Cheers.) It is true that Homer, Plato, Virgil, and iog increase having taken place in the deliveries from Cicero attained their celebrity and their empire over the growers, the supplies have scarcely sufficed to meet the minds of men before the existence of printing- the inquiry, and prices have, consequently, again begun presses ; but it is the newspaper on every breakfast to tend upwards, notwithstanding the continuance of table—Shakspere in every village library—the Bible highly auspicious weather and very favourable reports in every cottaee—(Cheers)—it is the English primer from all parts of the country respecting the growing among the wilds of Australia, the English hymn-book grain crops. The firmness of holders may probably in the streams of the Missouri—these are the products have in some measure been owing to the rumours preva and triumphs of printing.—(Cheers.) It is possible that lent respecting the reappearance of the potato blight ; when the day—l b e li e ve I nee d no t t a lk or possibility; but the principal cause of the rise which the price of it appears that in our own day the electric telegraph wheat has undergone has unquestionably been the in may make the operation of printing proceed with adequacy of the supplies to satisfy the demand. As re the rapidity of the lightning ; but, by honouring the Bards the future we are disposed to think that present first introducer of that great invention, we are setting rates will be about maintained, nearly, if not quite, up to the best example to succeeding races to pay the debt harvest, however favourable the weather, unless the which in its turn may become due to all the lengthened arrivals from abroad should prove much more extensive series of great discoveries.—(Cheers.) I believe that than calculated on ; whilst an unfavourable change ten years have only elapsed since the men of Germany would undoubtedly, in the existing state of the country, amply redeemed the obligation which undoubtedly rested lead to a material rise. We are happy to observe that upon them of erectinwonument to Guttenburg in the mo s t recen t accoun t s f rom I re l an d con t ra di c t t h e his own city of ce, and I believe the previously received reports of the reappearance of the genius of Thorwaldsen was engaged in moulding a potato disease in that country. Such another visitation monument to that benefactor of his species. It is full as that of last year would, indeed be an awful calamity ' • time that England should show how much she owes of but the grea t er th e magn it u d e o f th e su bj ect , t h e more what she now is to the genius of the first English imperative it is the duty to watch the matter closely, so printer.—(Cheers.) It is, therefore, with no doubtful that in case of the worst every means might be employed or hesitating feeling that I call upon the citizens of this to mitigate the evil. great metropolis, on the inhabitants of this flourishing The accounts from Scotland do not speak so favour kingdc m, the subjects of this extended empire, to pay the ably of the crops . as could be wished,. the weather having debt which I conceive t o b e d u e to the merits and to been parts l e e t sa th a s us i ßicio d u e s there si than in the more southern t no wheat complains have the fame 3 of William Caxton.—(Cheers.) The exact de tails and design of the monument which your liberality reached us either regardsas s ua or spring corn from may enable us to rear to give effect to this pur- any quarter. pose had, perhaps, better be reserved for more We have again to report a very small arrival of wheat matcire and select consideration. It certainly of home growth, the receipts into the port of London appesirs to me that the suggestion contained coastwise having, up to this (Saturday) evening, in the letter of my Rev. Friend, Mr. Milman, of making amounted to only 4,859 quarters. The quantity brought the monument to the earliest printer indicative of pure- to Mark-lane by land-carriage samples from Essex, Kent, fying• and illuminating influences, is a very happy one.— and Suffolk, has been still more trivial; and though the But, at all events, we shall all agree that the proposed millers have conducted their operations with the utmost site for the monument is eminently appropriate. There caution, the tendency of prices has been upwards. The let it stand close to the haunts of his youthful industry few runs left over from Monday were placed on Wednes and of his life-long labours, associated with all the day at rates scarcely obtainable in the beginning of the I venerable recollections of surrounding antiquity, and week; and the tone of the trade was altogether firmer serving also to date the enterprising efforts of modern than it had been previously. On Friday there was improvement. There let itstand (dose to that stream which hardly any English wheat on sale; and the disposition floats upon its tide that mighty commerce of the British to buy having increased, holders of the little on hand empire, to whose infinite expansion he was called upon declined accepting former terms. That an advance of to contriiitue—close to those halls of the Legislature, 2s. to 3s. per quarter was paid is certain; but the trans• which, by their ancient recollections, and by their me- actions were, in consequence of the extreme insignifi dern splendours, are worthy of the country and of their cance of the supply, quite unimportant. The country own distinction—and, above all, close to that famed demand for foreign wheat has again begun to revive, Abbey which has raised its requiems over so many and if importers had been disposed to accept last Mon immortal names—names which no one has done more day's prices they might have succeeded in making rather than Caxton to make heir-looms of our British glory.— large sales. For parcels in granary decidedly enhanced (Cheers.) rates have been asked, and, except in cases where the The Dean of WEsersuNsTEn regretted that india- expiration of the lay days rendered it desirable to sell pensable businesh kept hi s p re decessor in the country from on board ship, purchasers have found it difficult to as otherwise it would not have fallen to his share to buy without paying 2s. per quarter more. The rise move the first resolution on the present occasion. But, wo u ld probably have been more decided if the opinion however, much be might have been inclined to wish had not prevailed that liberal supplies from the Black that some other individual had undertaken it, he Sea are close at hand; the expectation of large arrivals would have deeply regretted if his sense of his having induced buyers to confine their operations to as own unworthiness had prevented his undertaking the narrow limits as their pressing wants have admitted. duty of moving the first resolution, for doing that The receipts from abroad have, during the last eight honour to William Caxton, which previous generations days, amounted to 19,326 quarters, the greater proper had neglected. He felt it a happiness to say that when Lion of which is from the Baltic. Mr. Ililman first conceived the design he had eosins- Town made flour, which till lately was almost wholly nicated it to him in consequence of his position in Ille neglected, has within this day or two excited some at chapter, and also to the Noble Lord who had so kindly tension, the possibility of an advance of 55., if the wheat consented to fill the chair, and it was at once seen that market should undergo a further rally, having induced the inonument would siot only be an ornament to the the bakers to purchase somewhat more freely. American neighbourhood, but its erection would at the same flour has also been in improved request, and for the best time be makin g up for t h at past neg l ect o f w hi c h b ran d s o f Western Canal I s . t o 2 s . p er b arre l more was there was so much reason to complain. Those realised at the close than in the commencement of the who were old enough to recollect the state of week. The arrivals of the latter have not exceeded that pan of the t own with which he was con- 7,659 barrels. nested five and-twenty yearsago,would recollect that Barley, of home growth, seems to have become very the splendid street now termed a dirty lane, called Swallow -street. e ßegent-street, was only scarce in all parts of the kingdom, and the receipts have into connectn Another street was consisted of 1,163 quarters already designed, which is intended during the week. A few the same locality is a Oxford- purchases of this grain were made both on Wednesday streeC with wich Regent- and Friday for shipment coastwise, but the local demand street terminates. There furthe r improve runt still to be bro u g ht abo ut by the formation of day's of 'site decline a retail character, ch ere a c ract oTe e r r e , and d.sunpoplpio Supplies s rt fro n of A mahrlooand a street Leading from the Abbey of Westminster to the continue t i b n e u e e n to calculatedcom e to u h p a o n n d . somewhat more liberally than -fashionable neighbourhood of Belgrave-square. In the midway Gothic of this street there was to be a square of G • centre of that square that this last, las l t n malt very little business has been done since our want r s design, and it was bein the , and the tendency of prices has been downwards. Th© brewers appear to have sufficient for their present' monument was to placed. After citing sever a l in stances of the advantage of the ar h t e o A f p m ri e n r t l i c n a g n , 2 purchase. the arrivals from Scotland English y i s e h n d oats w o h n ic ly h r, t s h 3 ey shoe no disposition to which he stated that Mr. Bancroft, t quarter en tl quarters t a e n r d s havehela Ireland ter, had frequeetly works put into his hands from th s e - United States, co ntaining accounts of discoveries which whilst d come have t n b h e u e n n d , he had himself made , but he had not bad time to publish respectively, 5 s and 770 quarters, making a hem. As another instanoe, be might state, that after a total supply e f ° l, of an This has, howeveronse-grown corn of only 1,073 ew weelia' voyage, the intimation of the discovery of 0 1, been compensated quarters. as a -9,9 0 quarters from xtinct species of birds, to which the ostrich was bat uently, been no scarcity. abroad ;and there has, conse iigmy. By Professor Owen this species had been termed g lies will continue on a Vlether the foreign sup• 'he " Dinernis."—(Laughter.) Such inetane42.2 as these p for the very sufficiently liberal scale to make le amends might be insignificant in themselves, but moat retriarksb. trifling nature of those of British in their inference, and in citing them he fel. be wasgrowth ma y well be questioned. Meanwhile the trade thls b erain remains depressed, and the bringing under the notice of those present the most Os in 1 .3,4' o ' v x , Wednesday as well as on Friday , dealers were qualified claim of their object to the notice, the exer- ei7 -- 7 , ‘ fit ,' 1 i iS ti i4e 2 0 easy terms as in the be to 141 : 'y on ',tons, and the good will of his hearers. Without tres- nearly, n ' eginning ef laming further on the patience of the meeting, he would the week. -propose the first resolution. B e ans and peas boo filed come sparingly tc,Loci l not. " That it is desirable to have some national testi monial to commemorate the introduction of printieg into England, and in honour of William Caxton, the earliest English printer." Mr. JOHN MURRAY, the eminent publisher, briefly sec , , nded the resolution. His Excellency Mr. BANCROFT was called upon to propose the second resolution, and said that, as the deni zenanother clime, who had traversed the At lantico,f the chiefest of his feelings were engaged for those which enshrined the glories and montemented old d e fa gr n e e a s ; spirits of England, and strong as his feelings would be for t2ie old home of his forefathers, and anx ious as he would be tread the ground famed in history for the struggles which it had witnessed for liberty and renown, there were no places which laid so deep a hold upon his affections as the spots where the holiest feelings had been excited, and where the best aspirations had been uttered, and the chief of these was the Abbey at Westminster.—(Loud cheers.) But while stating these feelings he was aware that there were other claims which demanded his notice ; but while he fully acknowledged those claims he could not but attend, in the first instance, to the precise object of the resolution which he had to propose, and that was, that the site chosen for the statue should be placed towards the western front of the Abbey. —(Hear.) But in proposing the site of a statue to the memory of William Caxton, could he forget the great claims which that eminent individual had upon the gratitude of the world? Caxton! what had not Caxton done? He had made the English language the vocal instrument of almost every heart, he had given to the man of science the power of diffusing his discove ries over the world for the benefit of mankind—he had enabled all who touched the British lyre with depth, and earnestness, and genius, to find a home in the affec tions of all who were capable of appreciating the beauti ful and the true. Already had the British tongue per vaded every land—through the agency of the press it had permeated every region of North America, from the furthest north to the extremest south—it had reached the Cordilleras, and had passed the Rocky Mountains. The press existed in every town, and almost in every village of the United States. Was there not then every inducement to lend a helping hand to promote the object of the meeting.—(Cheers.) It should be recollected that the Americans had. a part in all the as sociations in all the lofty recollections of the British people—from them the Americans derived their origin, to them they traced their glory, and among there rested the bones of their forefathers; the British people had no glories of olden date in which the Ame ricans were not entitled to participate, the places where they had achieved their fame were hallowed in the minds of the Americans by the deeds of his ancestors and the associations of his early life. For all these reasons he felt that there was every inducement to adopt the site which he would propose in the following resolution : " That the proper site for any work of art would be the west front of Westminster Abbey, at the end of the new Victoria-street." The resolution having been seconded by the Rev. H. H. MILHAN, who briefly explained his own idea of the kind of monument which ought to be adopted, and which has been already fully stated to the public in The Sun, Mr. J. Buckingham and several other gentlemen sug gested that the resolution had better be framed so as to express the neighbourhood instead of the front of the Abbey, and •the resolution having been framed so as to express the wish, it was unanimously adopted. The Rev. JOSEPH HUNTER then proposed the follow ing resolution : " That a General Committee be requested to act (three being a quorum), with liberty to add to their numbers, and that the following constitute a Sub-Com mittee, to determine the nature, site, and details of the erection of any work of art:— " Charles Barry, Esq., R.A. " Etty, Esq., R.A. " Sir Richard Westmacott, R.A. " The Dean of Westminster." Upon this a long discussion ensued, in which Mr. S. C. Hall, Mr. Jerdan, the Chairman and several other gentlemen participated, and ultimately an amended re solution was adopted, the effect of which was that the noblemen and gentlemen named constitute a general committee, to promote the object, and to decide upon the form and the character of the memorial, three to form a quorum ; and that Mr. C. Barry, R.A., Mr. Etty, R.A., Sir R. Westmacott, R.A., the Rev. H. H. Milman, and the Dean of Westminster, constitute a sub-committee, to determine the merits of any work of art. This resolution was at length carried unanimously. Mr. CLAPHAM, a gentleman who stated himself to be a representative of the press in the United States, begged leave to propose a resolution to the effect, that as the name of Caxton was not the sole possession of one people, but was the common property of the whole family of nations, and especially as it was a household word in the United States, that measures should be taken to ob tain contributions from that country. That public subscriptions in aid be received; that the Rev. H. H. Mileran be the treasurer, and Mr. H. Cole the secretary." The resolution having been seconded, was carried by acclamation, and amidst the loudest expressions of good feeling. The Rev. H. 11. MILMAN moved the thanks of the meeting to the Noble Chairman, and the motion being seconded by Mr. S. C. HILL, His LORDSHIP returned thanks, and in the course of his observations, after expressing the pleasure which he experienced in presiding, said that his was not altogether a barren honour, for he had, since the meeting com menced, received the present of a box, which he ex hibited, made out of the oak taken from the house which was Caxton's printing-office. His Lordship also ex hibited an enamel of the portrait of Caxton, done by Mr. Bohn, from an illumination in Lambeth Palace. The meeting then broke up. withstanding which, sales have proceeded slowly at about the currency of Monday last. Indian cor❑ has in some degree recovered from the recent depression, the idea that wheat will not go lower having had the effect of directing attention to an article so useful as a substitute. By the most recent accounts from the Continent it appears that the weather had, on the whole, been aus picious for the growing grain crops; which circumstance, together with the accounts from hence of the very im portant fall which took place in our markets towards the close of the last month, had had sufficient influence to cause some reaction. It appears, however, from the ge neral tone of the Baltic advices, that stocks are deci dedly short in that quarter ; and it is, censequently, pretty certain that so soon as the news of the rally which has this week taken place shall have become known on the other side, holders will again raise their pretensions. A letter from Dantzic, dated 20th ult., states that the quantity of fine wheat on the spot was very small, and as the water in the Vistula was low it was feared that the supplies still expected down might be prevented ar riving. The best qualities of mixed and high mixed wheat had, it seems, been held at very nearly former prices ; but secondary sorts had, upon receipt of the English advices of the 21st of May, receded 2s. to 3s. per quarter. The highest quotation for Glib. to Glilb. fine high mixed was then 18s., and prices of other sorts varied from 755. to 83s. per quarter, free on board. Accounts from Konigsberg, of the 29th of May, in form us that the supplies of grain from Poland had in creased, and that, in the abs ence o f or d ers from Great Britain, holders had shown a disposition to accept re duced rates, notwithstanding which very few bargains had been closed. The value of rye had also receded there. From Rostock quotations come as high as ever ; in deed, according to letters from thence of the 31st ult., the tendency was rather upwards, owing to the extreme insignificance of the stocks. The weather in that neigh bourhood had been and was then favourable, and an early and abundant harvest was confidently calculated on. Some cargoes of Russian rye had arrived, which had been sold without difficulty at prices corresponding with 553. to 60s. per quarter, free on board. At Stettin, on the 31st of May, fair red wheat, of 591 b, weight, was held at 88s., and white at 90s. per quarter, free on board. Stocks were then very light, the neighbouring growers having brought forward little for sale. The value of rye had rather receded, owing to in creased receipts from Russia, Sweden, Szc. ; still good parcels were not obtainable below 68s. per quarter, free on board. consumed. The shelves, paper, and shoes, were all wet, Paper was placed about every six inches on each shelf. The fijor was quite covered with turpentine. He b-ought samples of shoes from each of the six shelves, al of which smelt strongly of turpentine. On the fifth slelf he found a shoe stuffed with paper and saturated wth turpentine. Other articles were enumerated, as wst with turpentine. It would take two gallons to do it al. He also found a wooden bowl which had been fil ia with turpentine. One waste book he found on the ccunter, it was wet through with turpentine ; the others hEd been consumed. Near the parlour door and under the counter he found a shirt, both sleeves were burnt. Mr. Maxwell deposed that he was inspector of sal vsges. He had been called to the fire, and affirmed to the truth of what had been stated by the former wit nesses. He examined the rooms and the shop. Six shelves on one side of the shop and five on the other were saturated with turpentine. The premises were in sured for 4001. on stock, wearing apparel, and fixtures. They were insured in the Guardian-office, Mr. Chamley agent ; 3401. was on the stock, and 601. on the building, on which the prisoner had spent money, and had on lease. He had made a rough estimate on the value of the stock. He considered that the whole might have cost 1701. No part was entirely destroyed. The book produced was the only one he saw. It was postcd on the 29th of May. This being all the evidence prepared, Mr. Davenport, on behalf of the prisoner, said there was no room for him to doubt that some one had set the house on fire, but who did it ? The door of the house was open, and the key was in the back door. He was told that several persons had threatened to serve the pri soner out; b ut not being prepared with witnesses he sought a remand. The magistrate consented to hear th e rema i nder of the case to day, when it will come befor e hi m i n t h e usual business.—Liverpool Cour i er. DECISION OF THE AMERICAN BRANCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ALLI ANCE ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION. (From the Anti-Slavery Reporter.) Among the subjects of deepest interest relating to the anti-slavery cause, brought to our attention by the last American racket, is the formation of the American branch of the Evangelical Alliance, and its decision on the subject of slavery. The vexata questio came up on the first day of its sitting, and occupied the greater part of its discussions during four days. There were three parties represented on the occasion. First, those who were anxious that the subject of American slavery should be avoided altogether ; secondly, those who were for compromising the question, by the adop tion of some middle course ; and, thirdly, those who were for a full declaration that the Alliance would not allow slaveholders to form part of it. Every attempt to evade the discussion failed. It was found impossible to keep the subject of j mu 4 tot ueuuerations. To use rue language of Mr. Kirk, "It was a strange thing that the subject of slavery was introducing itself into every meeting —was like the frogs of Egypt. No • thing was put forward with such pertinacity. One was allowed to do nothing by associated action till slavery should be removed. Could they send missionaries to the heathen ? 'No !' was the answer, Abolish slavery !' Could they meet for ecclesiastical purposes ? No !' again —'Remove slavery 1' In the pulpit, in deed, it was possible to preach on other subjects, and in his closet he could pray for other blessings than the re moval of slavery. But it was impossible for two men to associate together for any religious or benevolent purpose but it would be thundered in their ears, Just remove slavery !' " In this statement we have the full acknowledgment of the wholesome pressure of enlight ened public opinion, as expounded by a leading minister of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Patton, whilst anxious to take a middle course, was constrained to say, that he thought " the spirit of the age, though not a ground of Christian action, was deserving of serious consideration. It was the writing of God's finger, and should no more be disregarded by us than the command ments of the Decalogue. The signs of the times all show that slavery is the great question which is to shake this continent. The country will be convulsed with throes till it be thrown off." Dr. S. H. Cox pronounced the resolution intended to discriminate between " those who hold slaves, not by their own fault, or for the sake of their own advantage, but from motives entirely bene. volent ; and those who hold their fellow -creatures in bondage for the sake of gain," as " practically ridi culous." It was, therefore, abandoned, as was also its substitute, on the ground of its generality. In the course of the discussion, Chief Justice Horn blower said, " He could not believe that there were any slaveholders from humanity or from necessity. He could not admit the distinction between those who held slaves from love of gain and those who held them from motives of benevolence. He should as soon think of distin guishing between committing other crimes from motives of benevolence and selfishness. No man could be com pelled to hold slaves against his will. The law might compel a man to maintain slaves, but could not compel him to exercise acts of ownership over them." We quote these remarks from a high authority, in answer to the false declaration of some of the American delegates when in this country, that " many pious men were slave holders against their will." At Hamburg, on Tuesday, there was no export demand for wheat; but a parcel or two of red, weighing 611 b. per bushel, were taken for the interior of Germany at prices equal to 82s. to 83s. 63. per quarter, free on board. Bye had receded 25., and oats were rather easier to buy; but of barley none had been offered for sale. The accounts from Holland and Belgium speak w.ll of the crops, and at the leading markets wheat, rye, &c., had receded in value. In France prices have also given way of late; and the most recent advicea from Paris, Havre, and Marseilles, report the wheat trade very dull. All over the Mediterranean quotations of wheat have receded during the last month, owing to continued large arrival; from the Black Sea. At Leghorn, on the 27th of May, very good Marianopoli wheat, deliverable in all June, was obtainable at Coi. Bd., and for delivery the fol lowing month there were offers at 21 livres, equal to 575. 7d. per quarter, free on board. Since writing the above the Hamburg mail of Friday has arrived, bringing letters of later date from the Baltic. The weather had, it appears, continued very fine, and the tendency of prices had been downwards. At Dantzic, on the Ist of June, the highest quotation was 80s. to 81s.; and at Hamburg, on Friday, the best red wheat was ob tainable at 80s. per quarter. SERIOUS CHARGE OF ARSON. On Tuesday a young man, of exceedingly respectable appearance, was charged at the Police court with setting fire to his shop, in Kirkdale. The prisoner resides in Castle -street, Kirkdale, where he has followed the business of a boot and shoemaker for the last twelve months. The charge was supported by Mr. Dowling, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. Davenport, attorney. The first witness was William Eastwood, a seaman, who deposed that he lived at No. 7, Clarernont-place, near Castle -street, Kirkdale. He was in Castle street about one o'clock yesterday morning, going past the house of the prisoner. He did not know that the pri soner kept the shop. When he passed the house, a dog got hold of him by the leg, which he drove off; and when he had proceeded about fifty yards beyond the house, he heard a crash of glass. He then turned back, and saw that the shop was on fire. He went back, and knocked them up. He saw the smoke and flame through the shutters. He alarmed the neigh bours. A man then put his head through the window, and said, " 0 ! Lord, 0 ! Lord." He told him the house was on fire. It might have been two or three minutes after he knocked. The man tried to get on the top of the house. He and the police persuaded him to go back, and they would get ladders, which they did. The man went in again. They reared the ladders against the house ; after that, he went to the back, and got over the wall, to go and see who was in the house. They went into the house. He got in by the back doar. The door was open. He then went into the garret, but found no one there. The staircase was not on fire ; only the shop. He got a light, and went up stairs again, but found no one. He was suffocated with the smoke, and had to get through the garret window himself. This was not the case the first time. No room communicated with the lobby. There was no room behind the shop. He went into the shop a quarter of an hour afterwards. He did not see the person who came out of the house. The person might have had his shirt on. He was undressed. He went out of the back door to the yard. The door was locked inside ; the key was in it he unlocked it himself. Mr. Edward Parnell was next called. He said he was Mr. Chaney proposed the following resolution:— " Believing the claiming and holding of our fellow-men as property to be wrong and sinful in all circumstances, and directly at war with the precepts of the Gospel, we cannot receive as members of the Alliance those who practise this sin and wrong."—Dr. Bond opposed it as " too sweeping in its character," though he, at the same time, admitted " that slavery in this country (the United States) is worse than in any country on the globe. The slave laws of the southern states are more intolerant than those of the Mahommedans. The laws of his own native states (Maryland), where slavery wore its mildest aspects, would disgrace the Dey of Algiers."—Dr. De Witt observed, "He was opposed to slavery, but if the Alliance should adopt a rule to exclude slaveholders, he, for one, would stand by the side of those at the south, who were groaning under the burden of slavery, and praying over it." And yet it was declared by Dr. Bond, the editor of the Christian Advocate, that though " He was a southern man, he knew no Christian at the south who testified against the laws forbidding slaves to be taught to read;" and he might have added, with great truth, nor against any other law of the southern states which contravenes the laws of God, whether it respects the parental relation, the marriage tie, or the Christian duties of slaves. overseer for the poor in the township of Kirkdale. He lived at 26, Castle-street, Kirkdale, immediately opposite the shop where the fire was. George Bevan kept the shop. He (Mr. P.) slept in front of the house. He was alarmed yesterday morning. Ho lifted the blind and perceived the policeman and another person knocking loudly, and perceived smoke issuing through crevices of the window shutters, and the room appeared to be enveloped in one vivid flame. He slipped on his clothes. His next thought was for the inmates whom he called loudly on to escape. He went to the house next door, at the back of the premises, knowing them to be rela tions of the person whose house was on fire. He then returned to the back part of the house, and saw the prisoner in the act of descending the ladder. He was about two-thirds down when he threw his feet off and appeared to cling to the under side. He called out to him not to do so, when the policeman and others went to his assistance and brought him down insensible. He then had him conveyed to Mrs. Tellett's, and called in medical assistance. The prisoner was not restored when he left in half an hour. It was a As might be expected, Mr. Chaney's resolution was too strong, and a substitute for it was offered, which left the question untouched, concluding with a declaration that this was not to be " taken as evidence that any member of the Conference was favourable to the institu tion of slavery, or feels indifferent upon this subject, or that they can approve, sympathise, or mingle in Christian fellowship with those who are voluntary slaveholders for their own advantage." This was felt by many to be too weak; and, finally wearied out by the subject, the following declaration was adopted by a vote of 16 to 11:—" That while the Evangelical Alliance admits into bosom such persons only as are respectable members of evangelical churches, we are nevertheless persuaded that the great object of the association, the promotion of a larger Christian union, may be furthered by a frank expression of our sentiments on the subject of slavery. We, therefore, declare our deep, unalterable opposition to this stupendous evil, and we hold it to be the duty of all men, by all wise and Christian means, to seek its entire extirpation and removal from the land. Still, the one object of the Alliance shall be steadily kept in view, which is the promotion of Christian union and brotherly love." three story house. There was a door leading through the yard into an entry. He had been to the premises after the fire was put out. There was a back parlour behind the shop. The connexion was through the door. He did not go up stairs. The fire was confined to the shop. He had examined the shop. There was a parti cular smell, similar to turpentine. He saw the leaves of a book which appeared to be saturated with turpentine. Other articles were saturated. The prisoner had been in j t s h ei Ic e ojt pi s oo l n o bns p u Dht sianondnocnabeleedNew, on fficer em ecaemd b rea e 4d r a9 .. bl nHu was heasithshathedhe the next e t r h h t a s v o g e o t h b e gx t witness. He stated that he placed the ladder and went up it. The top window was open. Ho saw a man at that window be fore. He called three times, loudly. No one answered. He then descended the ladder. He had no sooner got to the foot of the ladder than the prisoner made his ap pearance. He went up to meet him. He was not dressed. The prisoner threw some clothes out of the window. He seemed exhausted, and the witness assisted him down. He appeared suffocated. There was no smoke in the bed-room. The smoke came through It is believed an anti-slavery branch of the Evangelical Alliance will be formed in the United States. We shall be glad to hear that this is done. It ought to be set about immediately. DARING ATTEIVIPT AT BANK ROBBERY IN ELGIN. —Early on the morning of Monday a very daring and determined attempt was made to rob the savings-bank here, which, we are happy to say, proved fruitless, there being no money left in the premises. The business of the bank is transacted in a room, fitted up for the purpose, attached to and communicating with the Museum recently erected in the High-street, and on Saturday evenings, as is generally the case at the first meeting after the Whit- Sunday term, sums of money to a considerable amount passed through the hands of the actuaries, and it is sup posed that the attempt at robbery was made under the impression that a considerable amount had accordingly been deposited in the premises, and that, if successful in obtaining access to them, a large booty would be obtained. From the proceedings of the depre dators, it is evident that they were well acquainted with the premises. They first endeavoured to effect an entrance to the bank by breaking through the roof, and with that view had raised a part of the lead which covers it; but finding this too difficult to accomplish, they proceeded to the west side of the Museum, and obtained access by breaking a pane of glass in one of the windows. The inner doors being all open, they got into the bank without further interruption. They then proceeded to rifle the drawers, and, to effect their purpose, procured a hand-saw, a knife, and several chisels from the keeper's workshop, also attached to and communicating with the Museutu on the east sido, with which they forced open the drawers, and, in doing so, broke two or three of the chisels to pieces. The drawers were, how ever, found to contain only a few printed forms, &c., of no value. They then attempted to break open the safe, but without effect ; and notwithstanding all their exertions and trouble, they only succeeded in obtaining about twenty shillings in silver, belong ing to the Museum, which had been left in an open press in the bank. It is remarkable that, considering the length of time in which the parties must have been occupied in the premises, and the noise with which their operations must have been attended, no person heard them. The keeper, who sleeps in a small room in the tower, says that he was awoke about one o'clock with the noise of footsteps, but after listening a short time and hearing nothing farther, he did not go down. No clue has as yet been obtained to lead to the detection of the guilty parties.—Elgin Courant. BRISTOL SUGAR MARKET, JUNE 11.—Prices have further given way this week, without, however, bringing the buyers freely into the market, and the transactions since our last are merely for immediate purposes ; the arrivals are heavy and the assortment large. In rum there is nothing doing, and purchases can bo made on easier terms. The refined market continues steady.— Bristol Mercury. THE WEATIIER, TRADE, &c.--After a month's undisturbed sunshine the temperature has become cooler, and several refreshing showers have fallen during the present week. This will be most favourable for the crops, especially on stiff lands; the wheat is now ready to burst into ear; turnips and potatoes are looking excee dingly well, and there is as yet no i n di cat i on of disease in the last mentioned root. Fruit trees are much infested with insects, whose ravages have much thinned what bid fair to be an extraordinarily heavy crop. Since the price of grain has fallen there appears to be a better feeling among manufacturers, and the money market has become somewhat more favourable.— Whrcester- Airs aironick. the shop. There was a bed in the room, and another in the room adjoining. They appeared to have been slept in. Mr. John Eaton, inspector of police, deposed that he was in Castle-street yesterday morning, about two or three minutes past one. The shop was all in a blaze. There were two or three officers there. He called to them not to break open the shutters. After the fire was got out he entered the shop. He saw the fire was con fined to the windows. He got in through the front. The blaz ,, , went out of itself. He found a candle at the foot of the stairs, in the lobby through the back part. He found a turpentine bottle on one of the shelves; it was on the second shelf, and broken from the heat. Turpentine was about it. It was on the right-hand side of the shop, be hind the counter. He examined the place at the back of the counter and shelves, where ho found paper partly con sumed. He searched underneath, and found paper soaked with turpentine, which he produced. He found part of the paper on the shelves; it was near the window. The shelves were divided. He found the paper on the con trary (opposite) end. It was impossible for the turpen tine to flow to it from the broken bottle. The turpen tine was all round the shop on both sides. It was on every shelf in the shop. Opposite where the bottle was found was wet with turpentine. He examined the floor in the centre of the shop, between the two counters, and this was also wet with turpentine. It was under neath the shop, having penetrated through the ceiling. Mr. Maxwell put the candle to the ceiling of the cellar, and it blazed. There was a very strong smell. There were two pieces of carpet on the floor between the counters; these were wet with turpentine. lie found a number of shoes saturated with turpentine. The bottle he produced was the only vessel he fbund which had contained turpentine; it might hold about a pint. There was not much about the bottle. To saturate the articles as they were, he thought would take a gallon of tur • pentine. The shop was in his division ; there was another shop or two in the neighbourhood. He had not heard of any injury threatened to the prisoner. Mr. Thomas Abraham, superintendent of police, was next called to give evidence. He stated that he resided opposite the prisoner. He was roused from his sleep by the alarm. The fire was then confined to the shop. It was like a furnace all at once, all of a sudden. It blazed ten minutes. His attention was called by inspector Eaton, and they found the flames dying. They then applied water, and broke into the shop. There were chairs placed against the door, and steps. Ho saw the flames through the' opening that had been forced be tween the doors. They could also see it through the crevices of the door. (The shop has two windows, and the shutters cover the entrance as well as the win dows.) The wood work was much scorched, as well a number of s h e l ves th a t were we ll stocked with boots and shoes. He directed Mr. Eaton to take pos session, which he did. He confined himself to the op posite 1 ;,L 4 4 of the shop. He found on the shelves on his side a quantity or roll as the floor ? partly THE POTATO DISEASE. The rep ,rts from Ireland continue to hold out favour able hopes for the forthcoming crop. We give the fol lowing resume of intelligence from various parts of the country:— IRELAND. • GENERAL ELECTION. DUBLIN, JUNE 10.—The Hon. Mr. Vereker, brother of Lord Gort, has formally addressed the electors of the city of Limerick, soliciting their suffrages on principles totally divested of parties or prejudices. Ile is opposed to a repeal of the legislative union, and is strongly is favour of the endowment by the State of the Roman Catholic priesthood. The repealers have not yet pro vided themselves with a candidate to succeed Mr. James Kelly, who retires into private life. THE NEW RELIEF SYSTENI. The Evening Freeman publishes the following letter from the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam:— " Castlebar, June 8. " Dear Sir,—You may well conceive what was my surprise and alarm when, on arriving in this town yes terday, I perceived numbers of the people almost frantic with despair, as if the prevailing famine were aggravated with some other fresh calamity. On inquiring of the assembled clergy into the cause of this excitement, I was informed that the relief supplies immediately re. quired for sustaining the lives of the people were ad journed on account of some trifling informality in fur nishing the estimates. DUBLIN, JUNE 9.—There is so much diversity of opi nion as to the acqtal state of the potato crop, that infor mation of an official and authentic character is greatly to be desired. ‘Ve are happy that it is now in our power to supply such, and from a part of the country—the county of Waterford—where the disease has been represented as very prevalent and destructive. The inspector of drainage under the Board of Public Works, in the barony of Coshmore and Coshbridge, in that county, has addressed the following letter to the Dublin Evening Post : "Llsmore, Juno $. " Sir,—Herewith I send you extracts from my reports on the subject of the potato crop, which yon can use as you think proper. You will see from the extract from the general report in March, that I was averse to ex tensive cultivation ; but every day confirms me in my opinion that we are likely to have a prolific crop.—l am, sir, your very obedient servant, " H. HUTCHINSON. " Extracts from the Reports of Henry Hutchinson, In spector of Drainage for the Barony of Coshmore and Coshbridge, County of Waterford, from the 15th day of March to the sth of June inclusive:— " Extract from the General Report ordered the 28th March, 1847. " There is a considerable quantity of potatoes planted throug,hout the barony, in pieces of from one to five and six acres, and I have seen more potatoes within the last month than I saw in the six preceding months, clearly showing that the seed has been saved in spite of the general failure ; and in many instance s w h ere t h e l an d s have not been dug and are opened now, the seed, though small, comes but with fresh sprouts and sound. This is almost a matter of regret, as I am afraid, if successful, it will be the means of keeping them in their former habits, and also prevent a greater breadth of other roots being cultivated. " Week ending March 20.—1 have also to report upon a large quantity of potatoes being planted in various parts of the barony, and of the discovery of seed po• tatoes amongst the farmers, where a few weeks ago I suppose no such thing as a potato was to be found. " April 10.—Potato planting still goes on rapidly in the barony. " April 24.—The wheat and oats are looking remark ably well, and potato planting goes on at a rate that is truly surprising. I am clearly of opinion that scores wlso appeared to possess none have been sowing the seed, and in some cases it is now making its appearance. " May I.—Potato planting still goes on in every quarter to a considerable extent, and those which I have examined appear to be doing very well. " May 16.—The potatoes which are coming up are loOKlug well. " May 22.—Setting aside the damage, by continued rain, the crops of all descriptions have improved wonder fully. Everything is looking well, particularly the potatoes, which are getting over ground. " May 29.—The whole of the crops look exceedingly well, particularly the potatoes, which, in some cases, are up from eight inches to a foot over ground—their general appearance very healthy. Potatoes are looking well through the entire barony, strong and vigorous, and there is not the slightest appearance of disease in any part. A few patches in exposed situations were caught by the sharp winds and frosty nights, so as to curl the leaf, which is not unusual. Generally speaking, the whole are in excellent condition. I have not a doubt of their arriving at full maturity." " Extract from the Report of Thomas Waters, Sub-In spector of Drainage in Templemichael, &c., for the Week ending sth of June, 1847. " On my inspection of the different drainage works, I find that the potato crop at the present time looks most healthful, and, from inquiries through the farmers, they say the crop never looked better at this time of the year (so say they), strong and vigorous in the stem. There are many farmers now regretting that they had not planted much more, now that the crop is looking so well; also the wheat, a prolific crop; the bete, or, as they call it here, here barley, shot out in many parts of the country, a very fine crop indeed; the oats also doing very well." The barony to which those returns refer is termed " the garden of the county of Waterford," being far the finest and riches land in that county. Of all kinds of crops those official reports, which are probably by this time in the hands of the Government, give a most gra tifying account. But it would not, we fear, be safe to place full reliance upon the potato crop, notwithstanding, unquestionable evidence of disease has been ascer tained in various quarters. A gentleman of the greatest respectability, residing at the north side of Dublin, examined his potato fields this morning, in consequence of the circular from the Royal Agricultural Society, and, although toey exhibited a most luxuriant appearance, he found, on close examination, that the stalk between the root and the surface of the ground was marked by diseased spbts. This gentleman has adopted the advice of the soeiety, by dibbling turnip seed into the beds. We have also learned that the disease has certainly ap. peared amongst the potatoes in the county of Wicklow; and that some farmers have come into Dublin, to acquaint their landlords with the fact. From most of the other counties, the reports of the potato crop are still favourable, and all accounts agree that the grain and green crops promise great abundance. But from the counties of Cork and Carlow there are accounts this morning that the potato crop is certainly infected. " I Would:not believe that the lives of the people would be sacrificed or endangered, and the public peace exposed to peril, on:account of suchiomissions. This is not the only place, nor is it the first occasion, I have found the people, owing to the ignorance, or carelessness, or inhumanity of officials, exposed to starvation. 66 If there are formalities deemed so essential as that without them supplies will not be furnished, it becomes the duty of the well. paid functionaries of Government to have them strictly observed in the committees; nay, do cuments of such fearful import should be posted up for general information. But if, through negligence or some more culpable cause, such formalities should be omitted, is it to be believed that in any Christian country the in habitants of an entire union will be placed in the awful position of a besieged city, threatened with all the horrors of impending starvation whilst there is abun dance of provisions outside the walls? Enough, alas! more than enough of human victims have already fallen to satisfy the most heartless of the political economists. It is therefore high time to strive in good earnest to stay the march of the angel of death from making further havoc through the land. " Your very faithful servant, " X JOHN, ARCHBISHOP OF TUAM." THE POTATO CROP. The accounts continue conflicting, but there is a de cided balance in favour of the appearance of the grow ing crop. The disease, however, had shown itself at Tervoe, in the neighbourhood of Limerick; and a letter from Omagh, in the county of Tyrone, asserts that the blight extensively exists in that district. It was generally reported that the disease had made its appearance in Meath, but a person who has just re turned from that county says, that the very contrary is the fact—that the crops never looked more flourishing, and a closer examination had convinced him that, so far, there was not a single symptom of the blight of last year. COUNTY OF CARLOW.—Leighlin-bridge, Jun• B. The plague has made its appearance in this neighbour hood, but by no means so extensive as the reports from Carlow, might lead us to imagine. So far as; our ob servation goes, the advice of ploughing them out, and substituting some other crop, is, to say the least, we think, premature. There has been a fair extent of land put under parsnips last spring here, but whether from the first attempt at their culture or old seed, many have to complain of failure. The grain crops are looking beau tifully, wheat particularly so, and with a continuance of hot weather will be harvested much sooner than was at an earlier period of the season anticipated. The turnip sowing, when finished, will be unusually extensive; it is feared too much so in very many instances with small land holders, who will not be able to procure stock for their consumption. The Cork Examiner, which came to hand this evening publishes most flattering reports of the state of the crop in that county. STATE OF THE COUNTRY. The Limerick papers of yesterday publish a long ca talogue of outrages—some of them of the very deepest dye—the commission of which, according to one of the local papers, is solely attributable to the facilities af forded to the peasantry for possessing themselves of fire arms, to remedy which the Legislature is called on to pass before its dissolution a Short Arms Bill, as the means of restoring confidence to the well-disposed. STOCK AND SHARE MARKET. Three per Cent. Consols, 86k ; Three-and-a-Quarter par Cent. Stock, 88 88k ; Steam-ship Building shares, 44; ditto, of 251., 52 ; Midland and Great Western Railway, 61; Great Southern and Western, 22k. COUNTY OF KILKENNY.—The Kilkenny Journal of June 9 contains no reference to the potatu crop in that county. PROVINCE OF ULSTER.—The Banner of Ulster of Tuesday thus reports on the state of the potato crop in the northern province:— " From all we can learn—from public newspapers and private correspondence—we are inclined to view the matter, in any event, as greatly exaggerated. It may not be out of place here to remind the people that in 1839 and 1840 the miss' of potatoes was little less damaging than the disease of last year. Our correspon dence, without an exception, in the north, represents the ' , potatoes as free from infection in the stalk, and those , which have produced good-sized tubers, to be perfectly sound. From the north of the county Down we are in formed that crops of all kinds, potatoes included, look remarkably well and healthy, with the exception of flax.' From other counties in the province we have accounts not varying an atom in character, and all of them highly favourable." COUNTY OF CORN.—The Cork Constitution of Tuesday contains the following:— "Very forward specimens 6f the growing crops, giving every promise of an abundant and early harvest, have been sent to this office ; amongst them some bere barley, well advanced, four feet in height from the root. The appearance of the potato crop in the division of Donough more is, up to the present moment, most encouraging to the farmers, who have speculated upon a healthy crop this year ; and though the quantity of land under pota toes bears but a small proportion to that occupied by this esculent in former years (probably not more than two acres upon the average of the farms in the country, and the.labourers have discontinued to set any), a considerable quantity of potatoes is planted, in various stages of maturity, and all without the slightest appearance of failure. A quantity of seed which failed upon one gentleman last year is now promising an abundant and healthy crop. _ _ " ' Woodfort, Bandon, June 5.—1 this day saw dug, and eat of, a very fine sample of quarry potatoes, with oat any appearance of disease, grown in the garden of J. B. Warren, Esq. They were planted the 26th of September, 1846, and manured with decomposed leaves. As Mr. Warren has tried every experiment recom mended by the best authorities, and planted them from that date up to the present time, at regular intervals of a fortnight, each of which are growing vigorously and well, it leaves room for hope that this dispensation of Providence may be lessened this year, and give us abund ance again in this unfortunate country. " ' ALCOCK OTTLEY.' " The following comes to us without a name. This we regret, as, on this subject, unauthenticated communi cations are looked on with suspicion:— "' Tallow, June s.—The blight in the potato crop has, I fear, made its appearance in this neighbourhood. In several gardens the leaves have partly withered, w hi c h, I dread, is the commencement of the destruction of the crop. I examined my own garden this week. I found some of the leaves last going to decay.' "We do not regard this as very bad. In our own neighbourhood a similar withering, occasioned by the sharp and biting wind, was observed a fortnight ago, and the owners of some of the gardens were in despair ; but since the weather softened and the sun shone out, the gardens have revived, and look now as flourishing as they have in any year looked at the same season. Per haps this may prove to be the case at Tallow." -- - ARRIVAL OF SIR HARRY G. SMITH AT CHELTEN HAM.—Sir Harry G. Smith arrived in this town on Monday evening, a course of the Cheltenham waters having been recommended by his medical attendants. In proceeding from the railway station to the Belle Vue Hotel, Sir Harry passed near the College, the pupils of which wore drawn up in file, and sig nalised his approach with loud cheers. Sir Harry in a brief address thanked them for the compli ment. A considerable crowd had assembled in front of the hotel to get a sight of the hero, but as Sir Harry's party drove quietly up in a single carriage, few of the w a t c h ers not i ced its arrival. The bells, however, were immediately set in motion, and continued firing at intervals during the evening. Yes terday (Wednesday) at half-past one o'cock, about a hundred of the resident gentry and tradesmen met at the Assembly rooms. They formed a procession, headed by Captain Kirwan, M.C., and accompanied by the Montpellier band, for the purpose of waiting upon Sir Harry Smith with an address of congratulation. In presenting it, Captain Kirwan said that nearly 700 sig natures had been obtained, notwithstanding the short ness of the time. Sir Harry Smith having returned an appropriate reply retired; and the deputation having given three cheers for Lady smith, also withdrew.-- Chflecnltum Oro**, THE IRON TRADE. Another fortnight has passed of the most seasonable and growing weather that could be desired ; under its cheering influence short crops, late harvests, and blighted produce are fast vanishing from the horizon even of the most inveterate alarmists, while the returning promise of an abundant provision for man and beast is hailed with thankfulness, not only in our own favoured land, but throughout all the countries where the scarcity has hitherto been more severely felt. Dependent mainly upon this bountiful dispensation of Providence, and the consequent rapid retrograde movements in the corn market, has been the confirmation of the opinion main tained in our last notice, that the crisis of the monetary disorder was passed. Such is indisputably acknowledged to be the fact; and the traces of returning commercial confidence, controlled by the judicious caution requisite to the recovery from so serious a derangement, are daily becoming more evident. Though this improvement will necessarily have less immediate effect upon the iron trade than many others, as it has participated so slightly in the general depression, yet its interests will not re main unbenefited. Prices have all along been well maintained, and if the ironmaster's capital has not realised so liberal a per tentage of profit as formerly, and as—in the opinion of some—might have been ob tained at the close of the last year, still a steady remuneration has been returned through the increased quantity of business done, and the punctuality with which payment has been obtained. Thus provided with the means of meeting present necessities, and influenced by the better tone of feeling in the commercial world, as well as the encouraging prospect of further improve ment, few would be disposed to undersell, even should the briskness of demand be suspended till the renewed activity in railway enterprise again calls forth the full energies of the trade. But if, on the other hand, any considerations of our relationship with other countries, and the state of foreign competition, should force upon us the policy of a temporary reduction, the low prices of provisions which will follow an abundant harvest will afford an opportunity for such an equitable adjustment of wages as would ultimately prove rather beneficial than otherwise to the interest of the trade, and might be established without exciting bitterness of feeling among the workmen, or distress in their families. The limestone getters, who were standing for an advance, as we ventured to predict, have already seen the unreason ableness of their conduct, and have returned to their work. The arrival of orders has not varied much during the last month, and sufficient are now on the books, and on hand at almost every work, to afford full employment for a longer period than is generally the case at this season. A rumour has reached us that the chain makers in the neighbourhood of Dudley and Stourbridge are endeavouring to enforce higher wages; but an under standing has been entered into between their masters and the merchants, that their demands shall be resisted —the wages now given being more than thirty per cent. higher than they were a short time since.—Birmingkam Gazette. THE TRIPLE MURDER AT MIRFIELD. Up to this day it was understood that the Christian name of Mrs. Wraith was Mary, and it was stated so by one of the witnesses, and always considered so throughout the previous inquiries ; to-day, however, the Coroner stated that it was Ann, and, accordingly, in the report of this day's proceedings, it so ap pears. Mary was the name of the first wife of James Wraith, , A an e d e th w us ra w it e h au t p e o d se b th ee e n m m ist a a r k ri e ed barosefe. ore she shes W ha r d aith lef ; t, her name wasas we before stated, became the th se e c e ond rar w k i e f r e , of and jame two sons named Parker also. It will be remembered, also, that when " Will Sheard," at Robart Town, was asked by Charles Flint to go down on horseback, and inform the magistrates of what M'Cabe had " seen " and " heard," he de murred, saying, " it was a serious matter to interfere, and he would rather be quiet ;" whereupon M'Cabe said, " don't go, Bill, don't go, Bill • I'm going down to the Shoulder of Mutton Inn, and I can declare it myself." He did, as is now well known, set off to go to this inn, and had got a good portion of the way when he was ap prehended. We have learnt that at the time he was so appre hended, he was " declaring" his story to a woman who resides on the road-side in Mirfield, along which he was passing. We are desired to announce that, now the Coroner's inquiry is over, the house where the murders were com mitted will be permanently closed against all visitors. The dreadful annoyance to which the family now resid ing there has been put by the thousands of persons press ing in on them, renders total exclusion absolutely neces sary.—Leeds Mercury of Saturday. THE EXPIRING PARLIAMENT. As nearly six years have elapsed since the last general election, it may not perhaps be altogether uninteresting to our readers to bo reminded of the course that was then adopted with respect to the dissolution of the old and the formation of the new Parliament. Her Majesty in per son prorogued the then Parliament on the 22d of June, 1841. The dissolution by proclamation took place on the following day, the new Parliament being summoned to meet, and met accordingly, on the 19th of August— a period of fifty-eight days thus intervening between the two events. The Legislature having then assembled, the sittings continued for a period of seven weeks, namely, from August 19 to October 7, when the session, by suc cessive adjournments, was carried over until February in the following year. Supposing this precedent to be fol lowed on the present occasion, and that Parliament be adjourned on one day and dissolved on the following, then allowing, as in the former instance, fifty-eight days for the elections and the interval necessary for and consequent upon the calling of a new Parliament, the second session of the 11th Victoria will commence on the 7th of Sep tember. On the previous occasion, the new Parliament commenced its sittings on the lath August, which were protracted until the 7th , of October, pri nc i pa ll y from the fact of Lord Melbourne i s Government h av i ng b een out voted en the address n both Houses, in reference to the paragraph in the Speech from the throne, calling upon Parliament to consider the laws regulatin g th e trade in c orn, with the view of determining whether they did not aggravate the natural fluctuations of supply, embarrass trade, derange the and increase currency, dimi n i s h t h e comforts d increase the privations of the p eop l e, votes which neces sarily led to the delays and adjournments consequent upon the formation of a new Administration. Circum stances, however, have chan ge d since then has changed ; the corn-laws are all butdefu Si nc r t ' and Pee 't l ma y, therefore, be pres ume d t h at the forthcoming initia tory session, if it commences on or about the 7th of Sep tember, will terminate in a month or five weeks from that period, should no untoward circumstances, foreign or domestic, intervene.— Observer. We understand that some of the high Tories have been bustling about this week with a requisition to Sir A. Dalrymple to offer himself again a a candidate for the Borough, but we have not heard whether it is his intentioll to comply with it.—Brifhtan &mad, -- - RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, JUNE 12. STocK ExcitartoE.—The sales are—Birmingham and Ox' ford Junction, 6,71 3 p.—Eastern Counties, 20—East Lanes shire, New (scrip), par—Great Northern, 1% dis.—Leeds and Thirsk, Preference, 6s. 3d. dis.—Liverpool, Crosby, sad Southport, 1 p.—London and North-Western, 1771A-"' Ditto, New Quarters, 10 1 / 4 p.—Ditto, Quarters (G. J.), 16 p.—London, Brighton, and South Coast, 53V2—Mancbester and Leeds, Fifths, 3% p.—Ditto, 321. Shares, dia.—Ditto , Fifths (late W. R. L.), 1 ,4 dis.—Ditto (late Manchester , Bolton, and Bury), 17 p.—Manchester Sheffield, and Lia colushire, Quarters, No. 1,2% p.—Midland Stock, 1214"" Ditto, 40/. Shares, 4% p.—Ditto, New, 3 p. —Ditto. CCDP3' lidated Birmingham and Derby, 93—Newcastle and Berwitt. New, 2 p.—North Staffordshire, 2% p.—North- Western, 113 dis.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham, 91. 12s. 3d. Sharer (s)' dis.—South-tastern and Dover, New, No. 4, 1 4 db . " I ork and Newcastle, Preference, 2Y R p. MANCHESTER, JUNE 12. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are--Ambergate, Noting ham, and Boston, 1% dis.—Birkenhead, Lancahire, and Ohs shire Junction, 17 dis.—Blackburn, Clitheroe , Ste," Pt' entials, 1 1 ,6 p.—k leetwood, Preston, and West Riding, 1 9-16 dis.—Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester, p.—Ditto, Branches, Halves, 7-16 p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lin colnshire, Quarters, No. 1, 23/ p.—Manchester and South ampton, 308.6 d. dis.—Newcastle and Berwick, New, 15-16 p.—Preston and Wyre, Halves (B), 7-16 p.—Soutl•Eastsra and Dover, 36 1 4—Ditto, No. 4, % dis.—Huddersfield sod Manchester, Thirds, p. LEEDS, JUNE 12. STOCK EXCHANGE. —There has been the usual amount of business passing during the week, but with rather greate r fluctuations in prices than we have been in the habit of ex periencing lately. The sales are—Ambergate, Nottinghlatof and Boston, 255. dis.—East Lancashire, New , 20s. C. do. —Ditto, New (scrip), 4s. dis.—East and West Yorkshire, 1 1 6 n. dis.— Great Northern, 1% n. dis.—Leeds and Think! New, SV A n. dis.—Ditto, Preference, di s .—Malton Driffield Junction, 16s. 6d. dis.—Manchester and Leeds, al. Shares, 2s. 6d. n. dis.—Ditto, West Riding Union, 29.. 13. dis.—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midla nd, ss. n. dls• —Midland, Preference, 2 3 4 p.—North British, Thirds,s 9d 3 _ p.—Ditto, Extension, 3s. p.—N or th Staffordshire, 2/. 8. n. p.—North-Western, 31s. a. dis. HULL, JUNE 12. STOCK EXCHANOIS.—The sales are--Ambergate, Notting ham, and Boston, 27s.—Gre a t Northern, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, dis.—Manc hester sad It Leeds ( West Riding Union), dis.—North Briti sh, Quiz' tens, 90s. 405,--ManChelter, SHEFFIELD, Juwz 12. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are--East Lincolnshire, It p.-Manchester and Li nco l n U n i on , 335. 6d. &Bs-blan ches: and Leeds (West Ridi ng U n i on ), LA dis.-Manchester,Sh field, and Lincolnshir e (Grimsby and Sheffield), 02 /, Shar es, 575. dis.-Ditto, Do c k s , 4 , 4 dis.-Ditto (Sheffield and JAW" coln), 3 1 4 die.-Midland, 40/. Shares, 4 1 fordshire, 2 p.-North- West 5/ /--York and IN e# ern, 1 is dis castle (6 per cent.), 3/. p. NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, Ram 12. 3 , , STOCK EXCHAZIGL-The sales are-Newcastle and 1.) wick (North Shields Purchase), 31-North-Western, 3 6d. dis.-North Staffordshire, 465. 3d. die. EDINBURGH, JUNE 11. p.......N0rt1a STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 5171 Airdrie and Bathgate, 3/. 10s.-Arbroath and Forfar,. 155.-Ditto, Halves, 151.-Ay r an d G a lloway, 1/. 19s. 6 0 d., _ , Caledonian, 29/. 155.-Ditt o New, 2/. Is. 6d.-Cald and Dumbartonshire, 1/. 155.--Clydesdale Junction, 4241 -Deeside, 3/. 55.-Dunblane, Doune, and Callen der, 11. 4' 1,1" 6d.-Dundee and Arb roa th, 381. O. -Ditt New. No. 31.2! , IN.-Ditto, New, No. 2, 301.-Ditto, New , N o. 0, p u 6d.-Dundee and Northern Junction, 11. 129 . - r idee a! , , Perth, 32/. 10s.-Ditto, New, 13/. -Ditto, Quarteo , 31 ; 5 6d.-East of Fife, 1/. 18 s .-E as t L o thian Central, IL I0. v : Edinburgh and Bathgat e , 81.-Edinburgh and Glasgollin'. -Ditto, Halves, 221.-Ditto, Quarters, 17/. 3s , 9(l ' 20/. burgh, Leith, and G ran t on , 181. 10s.-Ditto, Pr eference:, 10s.-Ditto, New, 2/. 45.-Ditto, Q uarters , 12$. 9 d. - din burgh and Northern, 17L-Ditto, New, 31. 65,-Ditto, Pie port, 71. ls.-Ditt o , ditt o , N ew, 2/. 45.-Edinburgh an d ratt i l y aNew Co., 1/. 11s. 6d.-Ditto, Halves, 7e. 9 , 1. - G lasg° nd Ayrshire, 117/. 10s.:-Ditto, New Stock, 40L 5 5 • 61. Ditto, Halves, No. 1, 81. 65. 6d.-Ditto, Halves, No., 2s. 6d.-Glasgow, D um f r ies, and Carlisle, 51 . Is.-G,T,515,, and Garnkirk, 38/. IN.-Glasw General Term inus, I‘`• -Glasgow and Greeno c k, 17L-Ditto, Halves, 8/. 139. drosoe , Ditto, Preference, 8/.--Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ar 4/. 55.-Great North of Scotland, 2/. 23.-Great (late Direct Northern), 4L 45.-Ditto (late London York), IL 15s. 6d.-Newcastle and Berwick, 26L 12s. 6d.. North British, 32/.-Ditto, Halves, 15/. 25. 6d.--D,""' Quarters, 4/. 7s. 6d.-Ditto, New Quarters (scrip). Ditto, Thirds, 2/. 10& 6d.- Ditto Fifths, 6 - 81 * Central, 271.-Scottish Grand Junction, 195.-Scotti sh land, 18/. IN.-Shrewsbury and Hereford, 108.-Shrewsburlii Oswestry, and Chester, 9/. New, 1L -Stirling a ° Norther). to, wr . s h a er Dunfermline, 4/. 175.-Stirling and Midland, 2/. 55 . -- and Coltness. 491.-York an d Newcastle, 371.-Ditto, vle" 14/. 12s. 6d.-Ditto, Preference, 6/. 17s. 6d.-Direct bay and Madras, 2 s . 6d.-East Indian, 35.-Grest IS T r r of India, 2s. 6d.-G rea t S ou th ern o f Madras, 25. -] O u Nellore, and Arcot, Is. 6d. 'GLASGOW, Juwz 11. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Ayr and GOO Vat 40s.—Caledonian, New, 41s. 6d.—Dundee and Perth, ters, 64s.—East Lothian Central, 36s.—Glasgovr, and Neilston Direct, 154—Ditto, New, 4% —Glasgow, marnock, and Avr (5 per cent. guar. ), 40 1 / 2 —G l2ls ggsi, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 51.35. 6d.—London and Brighton, ,00 —North British, Thirds, 50s.—Stirling and Midland Jan cti 46s.—York and Newca,stle, Preference, 71. v RICHES AND POVERTY.—That poverty is real e 1 is absurd to deny, and that it i s the parent of rna r l other evils moral no lea than physical, teaches, and will for ever teach us. Not only that Po verty that stands between its victims and the con 1" t comforts, almost the necessaries of life, is thus Pr e gro with sorrow and sin, but that too, which closes the acc`i", to every elegant enjoyment, and binds down to Pe, r 4 cares and worldly anxieties, the time, the thought. whole spirit. But to believe that the reverse of al this must in itself be happiness is to have little experi e- 1 experienc of life, with all its varieties of pain and disappointfnen —of blighted hopes—of unavailing repentance. Sofa who have never known what it is to possess riches, be"? that the power of dispensing them must and dues brfinof happiness; but in vain does the " widow's heart sing r e , joy," if no chord in the breast of her benefactor echo __ to the sound of her r e j o i c i ngs —if h e f ee ls that tbere sr: evils much worse tha n p over ty. If p e rsonal regret hal closed the heart to s y m p a thy h e ma y be beneficent, 17g1t the blessings of beneficence do not return upon .1111 F' Who knows besid es th emse l ves , th e lives that chti l governesses lead ? Who has tasted, besides thenrsolve.; the bitterness of the bread they eat ? The fine inistre% may not frown too severely upon her cook or her foot man. They w ou ld resent i t , an d would seek a nother. Place. But theor governess ! That she will re,51611 her engagement is po not to be apprehended, and are t f ier r e , not dozens—scor es — w h o wou ld be glad to succeed he , if she gave he rse lf a i rs . There are tragedi es in rest life more sad to witness than any of the are, : and the life of the d a ily go verness, in meagre circai] , stances, is one whole tragedy. —A legal FORGERY OF A WRIT I3l' AN ATTOBN-• b p y ra t c h ti e tioner upon 10. charge o Navi n structed forged a writ. It appears that Turner had been .n named magistratesoTf Turner ,e Sheffield. upon been c o rc ittedffort i r l a in w N r o it v a e g m a b in er st la a s p t, e b ra y n t n he w t h ru o s h te a e ct s of:idaedbetnoe payfit the or% which he had borrowed of the club. Before the writ h n t j t a arrived the defaulter made arrangements for paYinel t 2 h ; but Turner said teat he had received the writ on club, to iss e u y a day following that on which the arrangements were made, and he was consequently paid 255. 09°4 When this sum was paid he was required to delixer the an original writ ; and, with some reluctance, h• d h_ iuser d er e n d abwßs. ove re The afterwards oe ffi wcwritre Lit ondon, n ao apprehended. pds which pou rn ep,hescet several antetddeeddt,: at be erasuresa forgery. a e su r e d A th e e le la r s k t et t" : Q T ue n en e ' r s i n n a nation, Novemberthat n la o s p t ; re a c n ip d e t t h b a r t s h u n chawri believed had been issue d toi that the precl for the writ pr o d uce d in covet had been i ssue d January, d 1846. The prosecutors a offered letterto ab fromndo his a th e p L roceedings i agentn n gs if Turn e r could produce enclosing the writ, or otherwise show th at he had really received it; but he was unable to offer soli proof whatever. W EYM OUTIL — Rumours have been prevalent for some time past that Captain the Hon. Frederick Villiers, brother of the former member (Lord Villiers) and Mr' Butt, of the Western Circuit, would come forward en the Tory interest at the next election ; incline hol" ever to the opi n i on t h at there will be no contest. Ele9' tions are ex p ens i ve th i ngs to play with, and Mr. Ch rist i e is safe bey on d any oppositio n that can be offered. Wet; mouth never had a mem b er with so strong a hold on t,.. 0 liberal part of th e constituency, and if he c ontinues t he same manly and consistent course he has hi t herto P u t ty sued, he need not fear any rival that may endeaveur_.‘ displace him at any future period. Colonel Freest u character and liberal support of all the institutions and amusements of the plac e have secured him a just 1 , j ' 7: 1 1. 0 laxity. W e y mout h an d M e l com b e R eg i s will sen", ti e good liberals i n t o t h e next P ar li amen t. Journal BIRTHS. On the 6th inst., at Dunham Lodge, l Norfolk, the Colonel R. M. O a k es, o f a son. On the 9th i ns t., a t Ch elsea, the wife of the . s wsiiofn. Raffo, Secretary o f hi s Hi ghness the Bey of Tunis, u. On the 10th i ns t., at Camberwell, Mrs. Denis on port, of a son. On the 10th inst., Waltham-cross, the lady of 7 A° Sharpe, Es q .. o f a daughter. J. ll' On the 10th i nst., at Cambridge, the wife o f the WA,. Titcomb, of a d aug h ter. On the 11th i nst., in Tavistock-square, Mrs. J ° " 1114- gallay, of a son . On the 11th i ns t ., i n Carlton House-terrace . , the wife of g• Alexander, Esq., o f a d aug h ter. _______— Wife of . MARI. On the 13th o f January at VED Wallington,_ Now l' es Charles Clifford, Esq., eldest son of George Clifford. Escl" °t Wycliffe Hall, Yorkshire, to Mary Ann, third daughter John Hercy, Esq., of Hawthorn Hill, Berkshire. On the 9th inst., at Woburn-place, Mr. Lawrenc e J -1 / 1 131 41 of Euston-square, t o C at h er i ne, eldest daughter of ltiatb ir/1 Levy, Esq., of Woburn-place. the On the 10th inst., at St. Georges, Y_Aanover-square' Rev. Court Granville, to Lady Cha.fiotte Murray. 515 the Duke of Atholl. Tn epb On the 10th inst., at Cie sing Church, Essex, • Chambers, Esq., of the Bengal Army, to Maria. e " daughter of th Rev Sir John Page Wood, Bart. bet On the 10th e inst.,. at Littleworth Church, Berks, Hu Hutchings, Eeq., to Geraldine Laura, third daughter of J- 4 I Elizabeth Baker. DIED. On Wrkinesday, the 9th inst., at Carmarthen, Gorr, eldest son and heir by entail of the late Rev. Henry Stow; house-Vigor. This promising youth was great grandson 0; the late Sir James Stonbouse, Bart., and grandson als° 0 John Taylor Gordon. Esq. M.D. A r- On the 9th inst., Samu ' el Housle Es q., of Glonn e-te terrace, Regent's-park. Y' 4 ' Joh n On the 10th inst., at Bishops Stortford, Herter M r ' Slater, aged 85. On the 10th inst., at Paris, Elias Edward Telfir, Es • On the 10th inst., at Hampstead, Emma, the Wiii °f ql?• G• Slade, Esq., aed 37. On the 11th inst., at New-grove, Mile-end, Bi t ' /Vilna° Bayne, aged 86. Lon-.en , inted qua I3ned by 1111.111D0 YOUVO•tVetr:Age And, Prhrer, ;; ix Arst.d. i n jape et the Water , tst, CLI, 0. r 1114 To •-vi t o • Coany c of iLlifilleoes. Alvin "-^1 NJ Th.,/ th r ,s, Iti turc 0 also the Etrest s t Assur. .......... k e .:: 1 1 V .......... co 114 the a Or of the s Or a ' Es The i t the a , to nu ;' , Do4ey Th e A t Zee, be forty; A tXI dent of 24, tat% tneut of 23 11 Ex tnen t Of 2, 4La