The Sun. — London, England, 1847-03-04 00:00:00

b trb Mlittou SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock M. SGYER'S ARRIVAL IN DUBLIN.—We understand that M. Soyer arrived in Dublin on Monday night, and on Tuesday had interviews with the Lord-Lieutenant and the Commissaries-General, Sir R. Routh and Sir J Burgoyne, who, although they had previously doubted of his plan of relief for the starving Irish, are now con vinced and delighted with it; and he is immediately to erect a kitchen on the plan of a model which he had made in London previous to his departure. PETITIONS ON PRIVATE BILLS. ROUSE OF COMM O\ S.—(THIS DAY.) (Room 22, before Mr. Examiner SMITH.) OPPOSED LIST. Gloucester and Hereford Railway and Canal Purchase (for making a Rai!way from Gloucester to H ere f or d, w i t h con necting lines, and purchase of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal, with power to the London and North-Western Railway Company to subscribe to the in tended Railway, and purchase and make arrangements in respect of the same). Opposition withdrawn ; standing orders complied with. This was the only case on Mr. Smith's list. (Room 23, before Mr. Examiner MAL) OPPOSED CASE. Midland Railway (Worcester, Hereford, Malvern, and Chel tenham Lines, with a Branch to Ledbury), proposed Ex tension by the Midland Railway Company from Worcester to Hereford, with Branches to Ledbury, Malvern, Ash church, and Cheltenham, with power to purchase or make arrangements with the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Company, and Junctions with the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway. This case was opposed by the Oxford, Worcester, and Worverbampton Company. The opposition occupied the whole of tke day, and was adjourned till to-morrow. TATTERSALL'S-THIS EVENING. SIX O'CLOCK. Dr.nRY. 13 to '2 agst Van Tromp—taken 12 to 1 agst Planet—taken 17 to 1 agst Glentilt—taken 25 to 1 agst Conyngham—taken 33 to 1 agst Allertonian—taken 50 to 1 agst Christopher—taken 66 to 1 agst Black Dwarf—taken 66 to 1 agst Clarendon—taken 2,000 GUINEAS STAKE& 12 to 1 agst Lunedale—takan 12 to 1 agst Sister to Cobweb colt—taken CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) OLD COURT. ROBBERY OF DIAMONDS UPON THE HIGH SEAS. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition.) Mr. BALLANTINE then addressed the jury for the defence. The Lola) CIIIEF BARON carefully recapitulated, in his summing up, the whole of the evidence, and the jury, after consulting for a few minutes, returned a ♦erdict of Guilty of stealing on the high seas. The LORD CIIIEF BARON then, in an impressive address, sentenced the prisoner to seven years' transportation. This case occupied the court nearly six hours. IMPERI L PA RLIAMENT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his scat on the Wool sack at Five o'clock. LIGHT-HOUSES. The Earl of EOLINTON presented a petition from Aben'ea pra)ing that the cost cf light-houses might be defrayed by the State. JUVENILE COMMITMENT. Lord BROLTGIIAM moved for a return of the docu mei to relating to the commitment of a boy to Tot hi I-fields, on the 19th of February last, for felony. The boy was but five years and two months old, and the present motion was will a view to the removal of the matistrate. L , :rd CAMPBELL said the only question to be con sidered was as to whether such proceeding should originate in their Lordships' House or elsewhere, be cause the action to which his Noble and Learned Friend referred was monstrous. Lord BROUGUAMsaid, he had conferred with his friend the Secretary of State for the Hcme Department, as well as his Noble and Learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, and they agreed with him (Lord Brougham). He agreed with his Noble Friend as to that House not beirg the proper place for these proceedings: but yet he thought, under the circumstances, they should be granted. The motion was then agreed te. NAVIGATION AND EXPORT RETURNS. Lord ELLENBOROUGH moved for the navigation and export returns for the last two years, with a view to comparison, as there had been a diminution in some of the most important exports to the extent of 3,329,0001. In sheep's wool there had been a falling off to the amount of 1,500,0001b5. There was a great diminution also in articles that were necessary to the perfecting of manufactures ; in dyes and dye stuffs there was a small increase ; but in cochineal and madder there was a de crease ; there was a marked falling off in madder toot, and in indigo to the amount of two-ninths of the whole usual imports, and in bark to the extent of 97,000 cwts There was likewise considerable decrease in the import of barilla ; in untanned hides to the number of 210,000. In cocoa nut oil there was a slight increase, but in all the other articles there was a serious falling off. There was a diminution in these articles of import, but especially in the raw materials, the subject of our manufacturing industry. He had been making m, ration of certain diminutions, but he must say that the trade of Britain appeared upon the whole, not going back, but stationary ; that seemed to be the result. Perhaps it would not be pro per for him then to raise any inferences upon the details which he had . just mentioned. He ought to mention, however, that there had been an increase in the export of machinery and of metals, to be used no doubt in the manufactures and the railways of other countries. The Noble Lord added that perhaps it might be desirable to have returns similar to those for which he had moved, for the last six months of 1344. The Earl of CLARENDON said there could be no objection to the returns just moved for, as he believed they would enable them and the country generally beta r to estimate their prospects and their present condition. The Noble Lord, in moving for the returns, had referred to different details and diminution, but he believed that satisfactory reasons should be given for these diminu tions. Lord ASHBURTON wished to know from the Noble Earl whether it was true that there had been a very great importati•in of woollen cloths into this country from Belgium in consequence of the recent ralution of the duties on goods of foreign manufacture, and whether this importation had interfer“l with the manufactures of this country. The Earl of CLARENDON had heard of that im portation from Belgium, but he had heard of no com plaints fromithe woollen manufacturers of this country with referent:3 to it. LABOURE`-IG i'OOR (IRELAND) BILL. The Earl 'of CLANRICARDE moved the com mittal of tl.is Bill. Lord MONTEAGLE thought that the Government deserved praise for having attended, in this Bill to the s•uggcstions ha had thrown out. lie cordially approved of the principle of encouraging as much as possible voluntary contributions, rather than the mode of corn puls9ry payments, in support of the pJor. He would not throw any obstacle in the way of the further progress of the present measure. Ile hoped tint n, consideration would have the effect of snaking them fail in making the present measure as ef fective as possible. . - - The Marqui4 of LONDONDERRY said he was quite opposed to any c, Inpulsory clause on either land or land lord being introduced into this Bill. It was his con scientious opinion that if such a clause was introduced it would grove pernicious. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE explained that the terms of the Act showed that the objection to the indemnity clause was not justified. It certainly was larg ly framed, but it was yet sufficiently explicit and defined. Lord BROUGHAM said—lf his Noble Friend had said that this clause was loosely instead of largely framed, he was sure that everybody would hare agreed with him. The meaning of the Act was to indemnity the Government, and those who acted under the Government, from any evil consequence; but in consequence of Mr. La bouchere's Act, this intention was in a degree frustrated. The present measure would give an indemnity to all persons who had acted illegally under the Act, and any presentment made under the Act were to be indemnified from all penalties. lie looked with great apprehension on the measure, which gave powers which ho did not wish the Government intended to give. The Marquis of LAN SDO VVNE — said that no doubt the words of the Act were capable of a very large inter pretation, but he did not think they were quite so loose as the Noble Lord had supposed. The Act was intended culy to afford indemnity to all such persons who had acted under the authority of Mr. Labouchere's letter. Lord BROUGHAM thought that power might be vested in the Lord-Lieutenant to give indemnity to such persons as he thought proper ; if it were not so, persons who had acted with make fides would be indemnified. Learned Friend need not be under any apprehension that persons acting with niala fides would be indemnified under the second clause of the Act. It would only ap ply to those persons who acted bond fide, or who might have considered that they were acting in a strictly bona fide manner. The House then went into Committee. The various clauses of the Bill were agreed to, and tl e ie ' report ordered to be read a second time to-morrow. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE laid ou the table papers relating to the state of union workhouses in Ireland. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKkit took the Chair shortly before pour k. Papers from the Acc:untant-General's office were presented. On the motion of Mr. GREENE, the following reso'ution was agreed to :—" That in order to give time for the breviate to Le laid on the table one clear day before the second reading, the York and .Newcastle Railway (Har tlepool Dock and Railway, and Great North of England, Clarence, and Hartlepool Junction Railway Lease and Purchase) Bill be read a second time on Friday, notwith standing more than seven clpar days will have elapsed shrive the first reading thereoff' THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY_ EVENING, MARCH 4, 1847. EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY (ENLARGE MENT OF LONDON AND STRATFORD STATION AND AMENDMENT OF ACTS). On the motion that this Bill be read a second time, Mr. FOSTER said the title of the Bill did not convey the exact object of the Bill, which was for the purpose of raising capital to create a steam-boat company in con nexion with the railway; he, therefore, felt it his duty to move that the Bill be postponed until that day fort night. Lord SANDON seconded the motion. Mr. A. HAS LIE said he was not aware of the ob jectionable clause in the Bill, and consented, on the part of the promoters of the Bill, to postpone the second reading fur a fortnight. Lord SANDON stigmatised the Bill as one framed for the purpose of deceiving the House, as under its title it sought to vest the railway company with power to raise capital for the purpose of becoming steam-boat proprietors. It was the incumbent duty of the railway department of the Board of Trade to see that Bills which professed to be simply railway Bills had nonanother object in view before they came before the House, as it could not be expected that the House could find time to analyse the nature of all the railway Bills which came before it. Lora G. SOMERSET agreed with the Noble Lord that the railway department of the Board of Trade should revise railway Bills before they came under the consideration of the House. The motion was agreed to. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS AND GENERAL LIFE AND FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. This Bill was read a third time. MANC HESTER, BUXTON, MATLOCK, AND MID LAND JUNCTION DEVIATION BILL. Mr. EGERTON postponed the second reading of this Bill until Tuesday next. GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY (LINCOLN AND GRANTHAM). This Bill was read a second time. TEN HOURS' BILL. Sir A. L. HAY presented a petition from millowners in Aberdeen, employing upwards oflo,ooo men, expressing their alarm at the Ten Hours' Bill, and praying the House not to consent to any alteration in the present arrangements between the employer and the employed, as they considered that any such alteration would be in jurious to both. LIGHT DUES. An Hoer. MEMBER presented a petition from Glasgow complaining of the excessive charge of the light dues. Mr. FOSTER presented two petitions to the same effect RAILWAY TRAVELLING ON SUNDAYS. Mr. SPOONER presented five petitions from Shrews bury, Ipswich, and York, regretting that railway Acts had been passed allowing the running of trains on Sundays ; setting forth that the running of trains on that day was contrary to law ; and praying the Rouse to repeal the clauses in the various railway Acts permitting this practice, and not. to pass any railway Bill which contained a similar ps o visian. Ile should move to-morrow that the petition from York be printed with the votes, as it was his in tention to call the attention of the House to the question on a future day. RAILWAY REGULATION BILL. The Hoer. MEMBER also presented a petition from the directors of the Birmingham and Oxford Railway against this Bill. ANATOMY ACT. Mr. FERRAND presented two petitions from places in the West Riding of Yorkshire against certain clauses in this Act. ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL. An HoN. MEMBER presented a petition from Wigan against this Bill. RAILWAY LEGISLATION. Mr. ELLICE' desired to draw the attention of the House to the dismissal of two Committees, of one of which he was chairman, without any explanation being afforded to the Members. He would, therefore, ask the Chairman of the Committee of Selection, whether, after the appointment of Committees, and after having Bills referred to them, the Committee of Selection would enter into the consideration of complaints preferred against members of those Committees? Sir W. HEATIICOTE called the attention of the House to the standing orders relating to the selection of Members on railway Committees, which provided that no Member should be placed on such Committees who had any private interest himself in any railway Bill to be brought before it; or whose constituents had a direct interest in the passing of any such Bill. This caused the Committee of Selection last year to proceed with great caution. But it was not for any of the above reasons that the llon. Member who had asked the ques tion, or the other gentleman selected with him, had been discharged from serving. The Committee on which they had been named to serve was one to deal with lines invo.v:ng the broad and narrow gauges, and at that time the question of the gauges excited great interest, not only in the localities through which the lines passed, but in towns remote from the routes of the lines. On this account the Hon. Member, as being the representative for Coventry, which took a great interest in the narrow gauge, and, therefore, without the least imputation on the Hon. Member, but in order that there might not be the least ground for supposing any undue bias, he was discharged from attendance. The same applied to the other lion. Members, whose services were not re quired. Mr. ELLICE was not satisfied with the explanation given, as he thought, after Members had been selected on a Committee, and had made the declaration, they should not be discharged without some good reason for the same. He was very glad that his Hon. Friend had no other ob jection to allege than that his constituents were sup posed to be in favour of the narrow gauge, in conse quence of the railway passing through Coventry. It gave him the occasion of again pressing upon the consideration of the House the absolute folly of going on with the pre sent system. In order to show that he was disinterested he would refer to a statement he had already made, hoping that some member of her Majesty's Government • would propose a resolution by which all competition between the two gauges should be referred to competent judges. The Committee had refused to entertain the consideration of the gauges, on the ground that they did not consider themselves competent judges. The parties interested did not themselves consider the Committee s impartial on the question, and it was impossible to find any one Committee upon which there could not be found one Member who had not already formed opinions on the question. 300,0001. had been spent in the discussion of the question before a Committee of that House, and when such sums were expended the losing party would be ready enough to accuse the Committee of not being so pure as they supposed themseles to be. He hoped that the House would find a remedy for such a s) stem. After a few words from Lord G. SOMERSET, which did not reach the gallery, Mr. STRUTT said that the Railway Commissioners had sent round certain returns to be filled up by the Railway Companies, on this question. Those returns were afterwards to be reported upon by the Commissioners to the House. Very likely early next week this report would be prepared and in the hands of Honourable Members. With regard to his own interpretation of the resolution, he did not know whether his opinion would be of any great im portance, but certainly he understood it to mean that no Bill should be proceeded with till the terms of the reso lution had been carried out. Mr. HODGSON said it' that were the case no Bills would be proceeded with till after Easter. Ile con sidered this was most unfair, and the Right Hon. Gen tleman the Member for Coventry was to blame for not having brought forward the subject earlier. Mr. ELLICE said the reason why he did not bring fcrward this subject earlier thau he did was, because he had felt confident that the matter would be taken up by Government, and he believed it would have been Laken up by them had it not been for the illness of his Right lion. Friend the Chancellor of the Ex. chequer. Lord SANDON was understood to say that it would be unwise to proceed with the Bills before the Committees could have the report of the Commissioners before them. Without the reports from the Commissioners, it was impossible for the Select Committees to understand the merits of the several questions that were to come before them. Thus a railway company might be at the ex pense of depositing their plans, bringing up their Witnesses, and employing their counsel, and, after all, the report of the Commissioners might render all this expense and exertion abortive. Before he sat down, he wished to ask his Right Hon. Friend, the Member for Derby (Mr. Strutt), what course it was intended to pursue with respect to the several Bills now before the Commissioners. There were several Bills now before them, indeed a whole tribe of Bills, apparently for slight deviations from established or granted lines, but which, in reality, involved an immense amount of capital. He wished to know what restriction was to be placed on the employment of railway capital, and on the liability of the several shareholders? For his own part, unless there was to be some special report made to his Right lion. Friend of the nature of those clauses in the several Bills which might be reported to the House, he would rather leave the whole matter entirely in his hands without troubling the Commissioners at all. Mr. STRUT'I' said that this subject had attracted the attention of the Railway Commissioners, and it was intended to adopt the recommendation of his Hon. Friendithe Member for Coventry, and have a conside ration of the clauses before they were placed before the Select Committees. With that view it was intended, instead of calling the Committees together on Monday or Tuesday, to defer their meeting till Thursday, so that the Committees summoned for to-morrow were, it was understood, only to meet, and adjourn till Thursday. Mr. GISBORNE considered that the course taken by the Committee of Selection, and complained of by his lion. Friend, was most objectionable. The House was contented that the gentlemen appointed to act on the Committees should sign a declaration to the effect that they had no personal interest in the matter, and that they were unaware that their constituents were strongly influenced upon the question. The Committee, however, was not satisfied that it should be left to the discretion of the gentlemen who signed as to their power, but it entered, behind their backs, into investigation as to whether they would be able to sign or not. lie did not know that it would have been p. ssible to select five gentlemen in the House, not Iri:h Members, whose constituents were not interested in the question of the gauges.—(Hear.) Ile hoped there would be some competent tribunal esta blished, as he confessed he was more afraid of au incom petentunMUL" E S consideration'r e UI t l . than an interested tributes'. di j d or not b s l ee any grounds in the easel tice to erase the lu ta Selection, as for many years the Committee o years it had been the prac tice on particular cora in intt of Members selected to The motion was agreed tel).ees, and substitute others. , as it appeared to be the Sir J. Y. BULLER sa i d umextett,e i t should not t would be a desire of the House that th ese truer on their duties till Monday . saving of expense to the parties concerned in the Bills if the Committee of Selection were instructed to annul their order for meeting to-morrow, and summon the committee to meet on Thursday next. He should, therefore, move an instruction accordingly. The motion was agreed to. - SECOND READING. The following Bills were read a second time, and ordered to be committed : Direct London and Portsmouth, Brighton and Chiches ter, London, Brighton, and South Coast, and London and South Western Railways. Edinburgh and Northern, and Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton Railways Amalgamation. Great Northern Railway (Deviations between London and Grantham). - - Newcastle and Berwick Railway (East Coast Line, Blyth, Seaton Sluice, and other Branches). York and North Midland Railway (Hull Station and Branches). York and North Midland Railway (Harrogate Branch Extension and Terminus). York and Newcastle Railway (Wcarmouth Dock En largement). York and Newcastle, Newcastle and Berwick, and North British Railways Amalgamation. QUARANTINE LAWS. . . . Dr. BOWRING gave notice that on this day fortnight he should move for the continuation of the correspon dence on these laws. To-morrow he should put a ques tion to Hon. Gentleman, the Vice-President of the Board of Trade (Mr. M. Gibson), on the subject. objection to give his Hon. Friend the information he re quired, or the weekly return of the number of persons employed upon these public works. With regard to the other question his Hon. Friend had put respecting the number of men now employed upon the public works, he regretted to say that it was found impossible, not. only to reduce the number of men, but also to prevent a great concourse in that number. He had lately stated the number to be 450,000. His Hon. Friend must recollect that a bill which was to be passed by the House, and which did in a certain degree affect the public works, had not yet come into operation, and it had therefore been impossible to prevent the numbers em ployed from increasing. Distress had been greatly on the increase lately in Ireland, and the number of men employed upon relief works, according to a return for the week ending the 20th of February amounted to 668,000.—(Great sensation.) Lord G. BENTINCK (who was almost inaudible), wished to know the number of applications which had been made for loans to the Lord Lieutenant. Mr. LABOUCHERE was not able to anwer the ques tion of the Noble Lord. All that he could say was, that power had been given to the Lord Lieutenant to carry into effect the intentions of the Government in the manner in which he should think most desirable. The Lord Lieu tenant had come to the determination of not ad vancing money but of advancing seed, in small quantities, to be repaid is a short time. There had not been a great number of applications made. The Lord Lieutenant would not advance seed except for wheat, he thought it better to leave the supply of corn seed to come through the ordinary channels, as any in terference would do more harm than good. Lord GEORGE BENTINCK wished to know if the Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland had any objection to lay upon the table of the House a return distinguishing the different professions of the persons engaged on the public works. Mr.LABOU C HERE said he would give a return,show ing the names of the persons, and distinguishing the dif ferent works upon which they were engaged, but it was quite impossible to give a return, distinguishing the dif ferent professions of the persons employed in the short time allowed him for making the returns. Lord G. BENTINCK said he would undertake that the information could be collected within a wee k. Mr. LABOUCHERE said his only wish was to give the fullest information, but it would take a good deal of time to give a return distinguishing the labourer from the small farmer, or the farmer from the mechanic. Major MACNAMARA wished to know when he might expect the returns he had moved fur connected with his Hon. Colleague. Mr. LABOUCHERE said both he and the officers of the Board of Works were anxious that the returns should be made as soon as possible, but sufficient time had not yet elapsed to admit of their preparation. GAME LAWS. Mr. COLLETT wished to inquire of the Hon. Gen tleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government intended to introduce, this session, any Bill with respect to the Game Laws, in ace( rdance with the recommendation •of the Committee of last session ? Sir GEORGE GREY was understood to say, that il the Hon. Gentleman would give him notice of his ques tion, he should lose no time in replying to it. DRAINAGE AMENDMENT BILL. Lord LINCOLN wished to know if the Honourable Gentleman (Sir G. Grey) intended to take the second reading of this Bill before Easter. The reason he asked the question was this, that he was anxious to ascertain the number of applications which had been made fur assistance under the Bill, before it was further proceeded with. He understood that a list of the Mem bers who had so applied, would be shortly laid on the table, so that they could have some means of judging. Sir. G. GREY said he intended to move the second reading to morrow night. It was necessary that the Bill should be proceeded with without delay. POOR-LAW AUDITORS. Sir W. JAMES wished to know whether the Hon. Gentleman the Secretary cif State for the Home Department considered that auditors would be justified in refusing to allow accounts submitted to them in their official capacity in accordance with the decision of the law officers of the Crown. Sir GEORGE GREY said an auditor so acting would incur great responsibility, but he was empowered to exercise his discretion as to allowing or disallowing accounts. If the parties were . dissatisfied with his de cision, they had the power of appealing to the Poor-law Commissioners. EDUCATION. The minutes of the Committee of the Council on Edu- cation (in August and Dee;-ir;ler la3t) ha+•e just been printed by Parliament. The following are extracted therefrom : " REMUNERATION AND DUTIES OF SCHOOLMASTERS AND MISTRESSES. " At the close of each of these years, if the pupil teachers have received a certificate of good character and of satisfactory progress, the master or mistress by whom they have been instructed and trained shall be paid the sum of 51. for one, of 91. for two, of 12/. for three pupil teachers, and 31. per annum more for every additional apprentice; and, on the like conditions, 21. 10s. for one stipendiary monitor, 4/. for two, 6/. for three, and 1/ 10s. in addition in etich year, for every additional stipendiary monitor. " In addition to the foregoing subjects of instruction, if the pupil teachers be skilfully trained by the master in the culture ,of a garden or in some mechanical arts suitable to a school of industry, or the female pupil teachers be instructed by the mistress in cutting out clothes, and in cooking, baking, or washing, as well as in the more usual arts of sewing and knitting, and the inspector certify that the pupil teachers are thereby in a satisfactory course of training for the management of a school of industry, the master or mistress will receive an additional gratuity, proportioned to the degree of skill and care displayed. " In consideration of the foregoing gratuity, and of the assistance obtained from the pupil teachers and sti pendiary monitors in the instruction and management of the school, the master will give them instruction in the prescribed subjects, during one hour and a half at least, during five days in the week, either before or after the usual hours of school-keeping. " The stipends will be liable to be withdrawn by their Lordships on the report of their inspector, on proof of the continued ill-health of the pupil, teachers, or stipen diary monitors, or of misconduct, want of punctuality, diligence, or skill, or failure in their examination, or in default of the required certificates. SUPPORT OF NORMAL SCHOOLS. EDUCATION OF SCHOOLMASTERS AND MISTRESSES, AND GRANTS IN AID OF THEIR SALARIES. " Exhibitions on behalf of successful Pupil Teachers to Normal Schools—Employment of certain of • them in the Public Service—Grants in aid of Expenses of Nor mal Schools, and of the Salaries of Masters and Mis tresses educated therein. " The Committee of Council on Education had under their consideration their Lordships' minutes as to the apprenticeship of pupil teachers in elementary schools. " It appeared further expedient to their Lordships, that the Lord President should authorise one or more of her Majesty's inspectors, together with the principal of a normal school under inspection, to submit to his Lord ship, from among the pupil teachers who had success fully terminated their apprenticeship, a certain number of those who, upon competition in a public examination, to be annually held by such inspectors and principal in each inspector's district, as might be found most proficient in their studies and skilful in the art of teaching, and concerning whose character and zeal for the office of teachers the inspector of the district could give the most favourable report. " That the Committee of Council on Education, on comparison of the testimonials and examination papers of these apprentices, should award, for as many as they might think fit, an exhibition of 201. or 251. to one of the normal schools under the inspection of her Majesty's inspectors. _ _ _ g a u T ee h n a , t s s th ch e o pupil teachers to whom such exhibitions should be a war d e d, s h ou ld b e th enc eforth denominated " That the exhihition should be liable to be withdrawn if the principal of the training-school should be dis satisfied with the conduct, attainments, or skill of the Queen's Scholar.' " Their Lordships were also of opinion, that it might be useful to offer further incentives to exertion and good conduct among the pupil teachers, by opening to such of them as might not display the highest qualifications for the office of schoolmaster, but whose conduct and attainments were satisfactory, an opportunity of obtain ing employment in the public service, under such regu lations as may be hereafter adopted. " Their Lordships hope that the grant of an exhibition of 201. or 251. to the most proficient pupil teachers, to enable them to enter a normal school, may diminish the difficulty experienced by the trustees and managers o' such institutions, of maintaining them in efficiency. In order still further to reduce the burden of such esta blishments, their Lordships will award to every normal schocl subject to inspection a grant for every student trained therein, concerning whose character and conduct the principal shall give a favourable report, and concern ing %hose attainments, skill in teaching, and general aptitude for the vocation of a schoolmaster, it shall ap • pear to the Lord President, at the close of each of three years of training from the report of one or more of her Majesty's Inspectors, and from the examination papeis, that a certain standard of merit has been attained. Such grants shall be 20L at the close of the first year, 251. at the close of the second, and 301. at the close of the third year's course of instruction. This standard of acquirement shall not be so ordered as to interfere with the studies pursued in any normal school, hut shall ;be adapted to those studies, so, however, as to apply im partially to all such normal schools an equal incentive to exertion, by requiring efficiency in a sufficient num ber of the studies pursued in them. " Their Lordships will further grant, in aid of the salary of every schoolmaster appointed to a school under their inspection, and who has had one year's training in a normal school under their inspection, 151 or 201. per annum; and in aid of the salary of every such school master who has had two years of such training, 20/ or 251. per annum; and of every such schoolmaster who has had three years of such training, 251. or 304 per annum; provided he has upon examination, obtained the proper certificate of merit in each year, on the following con ditions:— " 1. That the trustees and managers of the school provide the master with a house rent free, and a fur ther salary, equal at least to twice the amount of this grant. .. 2. That the trustees annually certify that his cha racter, conduct, and attention to his duties are satis. factory. " 3: That the inspector report that his school is effi cient in its organisation, discipline, and instruction. " On the same conditions their Lordships will grant, in aid of the salaries of schoolmistresses appointed to schools under their inspection, who obtain similar certi ficates in a normal school, two-thirds of the sums to be awarded to schoolmasters for each year's certificate of merit. RETIRING PENSIONS TO SCHOOLMASTERS AND MISTRESSES FOR LONG AND EFFICIENT SERVICES. " That a retiring pension may be granted by the Com mittee of Council to any schoolmaster or schoolmistress who shall be rendered incapable by age or infirmity of continuing to teach a school efficiently. " Provided that no such pension shall be granted to any schoolmaster or schoolmistress who shall nut have conducted a normal or elementary school for fifteen years, during seven at least of w hi c h suc h s c h oo l s h a ll have been under inspection. " That in all cases of application for pensions a report shall be required from the inspector, and from the trustees and managers of the schools, ab to the character and conduct of the applicants, and the manner in which the education of the pupils under their charge has been carried on. " The amount of the pension shall be determined ac cording to such report, but shall in no case exceed two. thirds of the average amount of the salary and emolu ments annually received by the applicant during the period that the school had been under inspection. " A minute of the grant of every such pension, and of the grounds on which it has been awarded, shall be published in their Lordships' minutes." FRACAS at MULLINGAR ASSIZES. (From the Dublin Evening Mail.) On Friday a most extraordinary scene occurred in our court-house. Shortly after Mr. Justice Crampton had taken his seat upon the bench, the Hon. W. Paken ham, foreman of the g ran d j ur y, entere d t h e cour t and stated that Mr. Cooke, of Cookesborough, had called Sir Richard Levinge a liar, and other opprobrious names. Th 3 judge ordered the attendance of Mr. Cooke and Sir Richard into court, and upon their appearing, they were ordered to enter into recognisance, each in the sum of 10001., to keep the peace. The origin of the quarrel was as follows :—On Thurs day last, a meeting of the grand jury, and the chair men of the different relief committees of the union of Mullingar, was held, and the question as to townlands being under discussion, Mr. Cooke objected to being compelled to support the paupers which properly be longed to other estates, and he went on to charge Sir Richard Levinge with having in the first instance ejected a number of tenants who had now squatted on his (Mr. Cooke's) property with others. who had been similarly treated by Mr. Gibbons, of Ballynagall. No observation at that time was made by Sir Richard Levinge. On the following day, however, on the meeting of the grand jury, Sir Richard Levinge called their atten tion to the statement made by Mr. Cooke on the day previous, and assured that gentleman that, on inquiries made yesterday, he ascertained there was not one of his tenants on the townland alluded to who could have squatted on Mr. Cooke's property, inasmuch as, for forty years, he (Sir R. Levinge) had not ejected more than two or three tenants. Mr. Cooke in repll, at tempted to deviate from his former charge, and wished it to appear as if he had merely been exemplifying his argument ; but he was at once reminded that his charge was precise and personal, affecting Sir R. Le vinge and Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Cooke again denied that the fact was so, but the grand jury unanimously . as serted the contrary, in which Sir Richard Levinge joined. This led at once to a personal altercation, in the course of which Mr. Cooke used the term liar, as ad nat p ma p ne l i e pbl. es t s o er ne S at iant ß e c s h uit a o r i n d umt L ee e se c lue , a .o n r d ia, a hn n ey n c o oi u rt n bc c ue e rm d sg t :an t t t elh h ee e s. not as above st a t e d, h av i ng b een reported to the judge, . t e o enterin parties were ordered into court. Sir Richard Levinge u ntl the co unty gaol. cus tody of the sheriff, and conveyed to backtotbe At a subsequent period he was b ro ug ht tr n h e h n i his p committeda ro continued to immediately an complied, re c 0 gni s but an ee t I , r w . a C s o c o o t m h t v t i e n d g to refused t 1 e t un changed,l and Mr. Justice to re • • main until the him to Mullingar gaol, where he is n c court-house, x u r t t - d h a o y u . s e , His and determination, allowed Crampton m ia a m i b n po tw o o u en t v next assizes. DISEASE IN FLANDERS.—The Belgian journals represent the misery in Flande r s as most frightful. The Journal de Bruges says—" The mortality, already f r i g h t f u l , has not yet reached the horrible acme to which it w ill qu i c k ly rise. The reports of several physicians prove to us that the detestable food of the people of the country creates diseases which must inevitably spread death around. M ore th an 5 0 cases of dropsy have occurred in a single village:' FOOD DISTURBANCES IN THE NOPTIT FIRING BY THE MILITARY AT WICK. Contrary to all expectation the turbulent spirit manifested in some districts in the north, regarding the shipment of food from the various ports, has again manifested itself, and been attended with disastrous results in the town of Wick. It appears that, in the course of last week, a vessel bad arrived at Wick to ship grain, but, by the interference of the populace, thi s was prevented. Sheriff Thomson and the authorities, however, deemed it necessary that protection should be afforded to the exporters of the grain, and ap• pretending that outrages might be committed, sent for the aid of the military at Fort George. Accord ingly a detachment, consisting of one hundred and lour men of the 76th Regiment, under the command of Captain Evans Gordon, was dispatched by the Pharos steamer, and arrived at Wick on Tuesday. After being landed they were quartered in the Temperance Hall. The authori ties now made preparations to protect the loading of the ves sel, and, on Wednesday, a number of constables were sworn in, but the shipment of grain proceeded so slo, ly that they were dismissed with an injunction to assemble if necessary. The following are from th e l oca l papers: (From the John 0' Groat Journal of Friday.) Before dusk on IV ednesday evening a party of the military was marched down the quay to watch the vessel during the night, and here commenced the most alarming part of the whole proceedings. How a mob was created, there are various statements; one thing is certain, previous to the arrival of the military, the streets presented the usual features of ordinary days. About seven o'clock the whole remaining body of the soldiery were quickly marched to join their comrades, on a shot being fired as a signal from their party on the quay. At this time there was a great excitement. An immense gathering of the populace; men, women, and children had asssembled, and, in other parts of the town, deep anxiety was depicted in every coun tenance, and great excitement prevailed. The Sheriff and Provost were present amongst the mob, who surrounded the military on all hands. The Riot Act was read by the Sheriff, but this had not any effect in inducing the people to disperse in peace. At this time the feelings of the inhabitants were roused up to the highest possible pitch, for a direct collision was anticipated every hour. The soldiers were divided into several parties, and were ordered to disperse the mob at the point of the bayonet. In this attempt several were wounded but only slightly. The soldiers continued for some time parading in different directions, which had the effect of scat tering the crowd. The prisoners were taken and lodged in jail. But the worst remains to be told. As a party were march ing from Pulteney-town, back to their quarters, when imme diately under the brae where the Academy is erected, a volley of stones was thrown by individuals on the top of the brae and the Sheriff and Provost were both struck. The soldiers were immediately ordered by the Sheriff to fire, and we deeply regret to sav, that two individuals, a man and a girl were wounded. 'The man, William Hougston, fore man cooper to Mr. David Davidson, did not form part of the mob, nor was he with them at the time. According to his own statement, which seems highly probable, he was proceeding quietly home. A ball went through his right hand, which was so shockingly mutilated, that the fin gers had to be cut off, and it is even doubtful if a farther amputation will not have to be made. The,other a girl, named Macgregor, was wounded in the left arm, the ball passing through the fleshy part, but we believe that the in jury done was not dangerous. About this time it is impos sible to depict the state of excitement which was visible in every direction. Men, women, and children fled, on hearing the report of the musketry and on learning that damage had been done. Parents were anxiously running in search of their children, while the crowd were giving expression to the most vociferous shouts and yells. Soon after, with the ex ception of the guard at the vessel, all the military were or dered to their quarters, but throughout greater part of the night, groups of the inhabitants were assembled at every corner, where the unpleasant events of the evening were can vassed. Nothing occurred, however, to produce a breach of the peace. FURTHER PARTICULARS. ICIVOUId seem that, previous to the soldiers being ordered to disperse the mob, they suffered a cont i nuous an d most aggravating series of assaults from the crowd, and not a few of them were wounded. Some of the women seized staves, with which they struck the solders ; one, in particular, struck an officer thrice, when she received a pretty severe sword cut. Stones were also thrown from various directions. A great many were wounded by the bayonets of the soldiers, but no serious injury was done to any by this means. THURSDAY, Fort O'CLOCK, P.M.—A public meeting of the electors has just been held, at which resolutions on the sub ject of the military being brought here, have been unani mously passed. The Town Hall was crowded to suffocation, and was presided over by the Provost. At the close of the meeting, the whole assemblage have gone down the quay, and removed the obstructions. From present indications we think, as we sincerely trust, we have seen the end of this most unpleasant matter. The Provost made some explana tions to the meeting, which were loudly applauded, and gave universal satisfaction. Few speeches wei e made at the meeting, but such of the gentlemen as spoke. expressed their resolution to support the authorities, and an earnest desire for the immediate removal of the military. CASTLETOWN.—On Monday evening several hundred par sons assembled at Castlehill harbour, in order to put to sea a vessel ( the " Fisher " of Leith) which had come there to load grain. They proceeded to hoist the booms out of the harbour entrance, and to use threats to compel the cap tain to leave the port. Mr. Traill, M.P., accompanied by Sheriff Gregg, the latter of whom happening to be there b 7 chance, quickly proceeded to the scene of action, but their presence had not much effect on the turbulent mob. Many were armed with sticks and bludgeons, and having pro ceeded on board the vessel, the mate, in attempting to de. fend himself with a knife, was felled to the deck. This lat onset had the effect of dispersing the crowd, as they sup posed the man had been killed, and each took to his heels. Mr. Traill then, at a late hour, (about 12 P.M. or 1 A.m.), had his household forces mustered, got the booms replaced. the vessel secured, and had the mate carried on shore; he is, however, severely injured. The crew having been withdrawn no further attempt was made to put the smack to sea. That such outbreaks should take place in a rural district like Castletown and Dunnet, is remarkable, and cannot be justi fied by any good reason. Mr. Traill is known to have re tained in the district more meal and grain than have been stored there in any previous season, more indeed than can be consumed before next harvest. The people, too, are well em ployed, and want is not known among them. Tuunso.—A correspondent of the above journal, writ ing from Thurso, on Tuesday last says— "We have had lamentable disturbances here. The populace have blocked up the road to the river with two small sloops; one of them was taken up to-night. They have also planted a ten-pounder on the braehead. About one hundred special constables have been sworn in, and everything assumes a most threatening aspect. We have too much cause to fear serious consequences, unless, by some means or other, peace be restored." We have learned, in addition to the above, that on Wednesday evening another gun was placed on the brae, and that the feelings of the people continue wound up to the greatest pitch. Assemblages at night are frequent, and threatenings of violence are per severed in. The peaceable inhabitants are kept in a state of the utmost terror from these manifestations. RE-APPEARANCE of the POTATO DISEASE. The following communication from his Grace tEe Duke of Portland, relative to the re appearance of the potato disease, will be found worthy of consideration : " Sir,—lt is certain that the potato disc ace has again appeared in the same manner as it appeared last year at this season. No man, therefore, in common prudence, can depend upon a crop of that root this summer. I ven ture, with great confidence, to provide a substitute—viz., the Swedish turnip. Till within these six weeks I w•as not aware that Swedish turnips were good human food, much superior to the common turnip. I have since eaten them, and I think them much more substantial food than potatoes. Having had much experience in the use of potatoes as food for cattle, I am sure that Swedish turnips are the better food of the two. In point of quantity they yield larger crops. I have grown here twenty-two tons per acre. I have no doubt that in milder climates larger crops may be obtained. The cul tivation of the turnip is less expensive; comparatively, the seed costs almost nothing. As they need not be sown very early in the spring, they do not suffer from early frosts; and in the autumn and winter no frost will hurt them. Ido not know that on the same land they will bear repetition continually, as potatoes will; they are also liable in sand lands to be hurt by the grub. These two last are the only disadvantages to which they are liable. When well cultivated, on the whole I con sider them a superior crop, and to be preferred, even if there was no such thing as a potato disease. " Welbeck, Feb. 26." " SCOTT PORTLAND. CORPORAL PUNISHMENTS IN THE ARMY. Two Parliamentary returns, of great social importance have recently been issued by order of the House of Commons. The first is intitled " A Return of Persons Flogged in the Army, in Great Britain and Ireland," from January, 1845, to July, 1846, and the second returns the number of corporal punishments inflicted, from the Ist of August, 1846, to 31st December, 1846. The flogging " experiences" of 53 entire regiments, and 79 depots, are recorded in these documents, from which it appears, that during the first eighteen months in question, 348 soldiers suffered the punishment of the lash ; 228 in 1845, and the remainder in the first half of 1846. The number of stripes awarded was 43,168, and the number inflicted 38,929, or in round figures, something like 90 per cent. of the whole amount. The nature of the offences, and the quantum of punishment administered, may throw some light upon the operation of the military code of legislation. Ninety-four soldiers were flogged for insubor dination ; their sentences awarded an aggregate infliction of 12,500 lashes, and the number actually " laid on" was 11,748, or more than 123 in each case. The " drunkards" amounted to 80, and were doomed to receive 8,133 lashes, and the cu rative process was carried out to the extent of 7,129 nine fold lacerations, or upwards of 89 per man. For " s e lli ng their necessaries" (i. e. any portion of military clothing, which in all cases, the sold ier pay s for , or receives indirectly: as a p or tion of his state wages), 69 culprits were brought t o the triangles, and received 7,325 lashes, out of 8,035, or more than 106 each individual. For using " violence to su periors," 36 were tortured into a love of peace and moral suas ion, at the easy cost of inflicting 135 lashes per man, or in the whole 4,863 stripes, out of 5,350 ordered. The " thieves" rank next in the military scale of vice : 29 of these receiving 3,730 out of 4,050, or upwards of 128 each delinquent. The last class of offences is described rather vaguely, as "disgraceful conduct," and of these there are 35 instances, for which 5,100 lashes were awarded by courts martial, and 4,134 inflicted, or something worse i,we were going to say better), than 118, as the share of each unfortu nate criminal. With regard to the distribution of punish meat, the returns afford singular results, In ten regiments. and 51 depots, not a single case of flogging occurred. In 6 regiments, and 12 depots, only one instance occurs in each, and in 5 regiments, and 2 depots, but two cases of flog ging are recorded. On the other band there are three regi meas, with 20 cases each ; 67 soldiers were brought to the halberts in four regiments, and out of the entire number of couit martials avoiding corporal punisl m nt, 37 regiments. Thcse between them, no less than 8i each ; the latter fact sift rding some scope for reflection, as to the "reforming" influences of the lash. But the philosophy of the question is to be gleaned from the second return of flogging cases, from August Ist, 1846, to 31st of December last, comprising the period since the death of the martyr White. 68 regi ments, and 64 depots, yield a total of 400 lashes awarded, and 155 inflicted. It would seem as if the chiefs of the army felt that a paltry 50 lashes is a sentence too weak for vengeance, and too feeble to produce amendment. - --- FOOD IN BELGIUM.—A letter from Antwerp, of the 28th of Februar7, informs us that the price of bread bas again risen. On Friday the price of wheat was 33E 55c. per hec., of rye 22f. 72c., oats 9f. 79c., hay If. 95c., and straw sf. 80c. The price of bread of second quality was 50c. per killo gramme,iand that of rye bread 30c. FACTORIES BILL. Lord EBRINGTON gave notice that when this Bill was in Committee, he should move that clauses should be inserted, appointing medical practitioners, whose business it would be to report on the health of persons employed in factories. Further, that clauses should be in serted reqnirino• b the security of drainage and ventilation, just such as those which now were in operation with respect to unguarded machinery. Mr. ROSS gave notice that he Should move to except Ireland from the operation of the Act. SMITHFIELD MARKET. Mr. SPOONER, on behalf of the Member for Wor cestershire (Mr. Ormsby G ore)gave notice that he should pistpone his motion respecting the removal of this market till Thursday, the 18th, when, instead of mov ing for leave to bring in a Bill, he should move for a Select Committee. RIOTS IN TUE NORTH. Sir A. LEITH rose to ask a question of the Learned Lord Advocate respecting a circumstance which had come to his knowledge through the public press. He understood that in consequence of the delivery of some grain the military had been called out to quell a riot, and that they had fired on the people, and several persons had been seriously injured. He wished to know why the civil authorities had not interfered without call ing out the military. The LORD ADVOCATE said that it was true that a riot had been created in consequence of the delivery of some grain, and that the military were called out and two persons were injured, one slightly and the other severely, but the civil authorities wet e in no way to blame, for they had taken all necessary precautions the day before in consequence of some in structions which they had received of the probaoility of a tumult. Iu the morning of the day the Sheriff received in formation that a vessel had been attacked in the harbour, and that it would be advisable to unship the corn, as the the vessel would be scuttled in the harbour, and that the crew would be thrown overboard. In consequence of that idformation, the Sheriff the county applied for a strong body of soldiery, and under their protection the crew disembarked. In their passage through the town the populace were very violent, and ill-treated them. Looking at all the facts of the case, there was no re flection whatever on the civil officers and the sheriff, in what he had done—he had acted- entirely in con currence with the magistrates of thej county. So far from his being likely to act in a harsh and hasty manner, he was well known to be a gentleman of a bene volent and kindly character. CENTRAL RAISWAY TERMINUS FOR GLAS GOW. Mr. BOUVERIE moved that an humble address be presented to her Majesty, that she will be graciously pleased to give directions, that there be laid before this House a copy of the Report made by the Commissioners appointed to consider and report upon the advantages or otherwise which might be afforded by a central railway tut-minus in the city of Glasgow. LABOURS ON PUBLIC WORKS IN IRELAND. Mr. E. DENISON had a question to ask the Right lion. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland, in relation to the relief granted under the public works. It appeared that according to his statement on the 19th of January' that there were 450,000 persons employed on these works: BOARDS OF WORKS. Mr. W. IL COLLETT wished to know whether the House could be furnished with the names and occupations of the 11,000 overseers' employed on the productive and unproductive works of Ireiand ? Mr. LABOUCIIERE would be quite ready as soon as the returns of the overseers were received to lay them on the table of the House. These returns weuld comprise the number of the people employed, together with how many were employed inland, and how many were engaged in the works of piers and harbours. If her Majesty's Government received any further in formation, there would be every disposition to produce it as amply as it was obtained. Mr. J. O'CONNELL gave notice that on the House going into committee of Supply, ho should move that the people now employed on the public works should for the remainder of the term be engaged in the tillage of the land.—(Hear, hear.) EMIGRATION. Mr. VERNON SMITH rose, and was [LEFT SPEAKING.] DREADFUL ACCIDENT AND DEATIL—OD Wed nesday evening a poor woman named Jean Campbell, who was totally destitute, called at the shop of an old master at the foot of Loanwells -street, Paisley, for shelter during the night. lie gave her a little supper, and allowed her to sleep before the tire. About six in the morning a man who lived near the house heard a strange and fearful cry. He instantly rose and went down stairs, but by the time he had got in, her clothes, which had caught fire, were consumed, and the skin was burnt off, and hangingfrom some parts of her bod y. . One of her eyes was burnt black, and the other much in jured. She lived till nine in the morning, and expired. She had also fallen and cut her head during the awful struggle. G avow Argus. THE PROPAGATION OF THE POTATO. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES, SIR,—I beg to submit to you some important remarks on a new method of increasing the potato, which promises to be of the utmost utility. Ever since the introduction of the potato, now nearly three hundred years, the general way of increasirg them has been either by planting the small tubers whole, or by dividing the large ones into two, three, and four sets, but rarely making more than four sets from one tuber. The present great scarcity of that valuable esculent, and my own practical experience in the propagation and management of plants, more particularly to the procuring of a great number from some of the tuberous-rooted kinds, induced me to turn my attention to the subject, towards obtaining a much more abundant increase from the potato than the present system gives. I have made a trial of the method now so successfully practised for the propagation of the dahlia, as follows :—The roots of the dahlias are. taken up for preserving through the win ter about the same time as the late-planted potatoes, and stored from the frost; some of the sorts that are much in demand and scarce it is now customary to put into pots in December and January, and to place them in the hothouse or hotbed, which causes them soon to show the eyes just above the tubers; these are allowed to grow to about two or three inches in length. They are then taken off carefully so as not to destroy the eyes that are formed at the bottom part of the young shoots; two eyes are left on each of these shoots, which will give double the quantity of cuttings, ready to take off in ten to fif teen days after the first lot, and every succession of cut tings may be expected to be much more numerous. I have known instances when the almest incredible num ber of 500 good healthy plants has been made from one dahlia root by the above mode of treatment. It will, perhaps, be as well to mention that, by the old way of propagating, viz., by dividing the root when in a dor mant state, it was scarcely possible to make more than six or seven plants. I now lay before you the result of my experiments with the potato as far as time has permitted me. I placed some tubers of four sorts in the hothouse and treated them in every respect as the dahlias; they made cuttings quicker, these cuttings rooted sooner than the dahlias, and by the present thriving appearance of the tubers, from which some cuttings have now been taken, I have not the least doubt of their proving as prolific as the dahlia. Some objections may be started to this method of propagation in competition with the old estab lished system. My present endeavour is to provide in some measure for the great deficiency of potatoes for this season's planting, and I am convinced that, to a certain extent, it will be found to be perfectly successful. I think my suggestion will open a great field for improve ment in the culture of the potato, and may lead to many experiments ; and some other advantages may be ex pected to be made known. I regret this idea did not strike me earlier in the season, as it would have given me an opportunity of placing before the public my other experiments, which are not just now sufficiently matured, although I feel quite satisfied they will come up to my anticipations. In order that this plan be fully and fairly tested, I would venture to reeommend every gentleman's gardener, or other parties having the opportunity, to commence immediately to make the following trials:—viz., where they have already planted the tubers in frames for the first crop, and the tubers have made shoots, or not, the mould to be taken off carefully, by hand, from one, two, or more rows of the sets, so as to expose them, and some light and pure soil, finely sifted, be put on directly, just thick enough to cover the sets ,• by adopting this mode good cuttings will be produced, and, if treated every way the same as dahlia cuttings, they will readily take root. On some of the earliest planted sets they will probably be found, on removing the soil, to have already made some growth; these should be taken off to near the sets, they will throw out fresh shoots or cuttings very soon, and every attention should be paid to promote the growth and health of the tubers or sets, such as oc casionally to replenish the soil about them, giving air at times to prevent a too rapid growth or the shoots will become weak and succulent. I am under the impression that if from twelve to twenty cuttings were nut into each store pot in the middle or latter end of . April, they would take root in ten or tw eive days, and %% hen g radually hardened to bear exro-ure they could at once be permanently planted into gardens or fields with as much certainty and in a similar manner as the turnip, cabbage, &c., are from the seed beds ; and here I would suggest the propriety of getting them out as soon as possible in order to prevent the plants being checked too long, for the success of the crop of all tuberous-rooted plants depends, in a great measure, on their free and uninterrupted growth. In a former part of my letter I expressed regret at not having had the opportunity of making an earlier trial of my plan, and that will very likely lead some persons to inquire how I propose to manage with the young plants that might be rooted in January and February, and when they could not be planted in the open ground. I beg to add my recommendation for that early time of the 3 ear for the young plants would be either to put them into large sized pots, or plant them in frames for an early crop for the table, or to give stock, the tubers would be ripe in time for re-planting out of doors fn May, making two crops in one season ; and if of a new and choice sort, I would re-pet the young plant, take off the top for another cutting, and keep the young plant for increasing, and I think it would yield many cuttings it encouraged. This method might be pursued to a great extent. And probably this new method of propagation may be a means of throwing some light on the much talked of disease in the potato as to its origin ; my impression is, that it arises from a very minute parasitical plant, which attaches itself to the haulm and fills up the pores of the leaves arid stems, checking the circulation of the sap, and depriving the plant of all nourishment of the atmo sphere, and that it is only in remarkable seasons this parasite vegetates. From experiments now making I expect some further important results, which I shall be happy to make known. EDWARD BROWN. The Cottage, Slough, Bucks. THE POOR-LAW. We understand that the following is an abstract of the opinion given by th e Attorne y and Solicitor-General, which was referred to by Lord John Russell ou Friday night. It is dated Oct. 16, 1846 : "1. Two of the commissioners should sit as a board, and they are not at liber . ty,. as they seem to have conside re d themselves to be, to d!ibute the business of th commission amongst themselve3, w distribute the business of the commission amongst tbernselve3, witheat eventually referring it to the board. " 2. The commissioners are not bound to have the attend ance of their secretary at their board meetings. "3. The commissioners ought to exclude from the-record none of their correspondence that refers to their business as commissioners. "4. The commissioners are not bound to enter a minute of opinion in every case, unless they shall finally- differ. [lt has even been suggested that they should register opinions.] " 5. Every communication relating to the conduct of any of the officers, or to the business of the commission, should be addressed to the party concerned in an official shape (although private correspondence respecting the business they have to do is not forbidden information all, or any of the commis sions, f o r thus they may obtain which is neces• sary 'and useful, and need not be communicated to the board under all circumstances). The following is the opinion of an Assistant Poor-law Com missioner of the Poor Removal "44 have no hesitat ion in giving my opinion that the Poor Removal Act operates most harshly upon the aged and in firm poor—upon the class of poor most deserving of ou r sympathies. I have no hesitation in sayi ng t h at, d ur i ng the whole period since the passing of the A c t, I h ave never visited a board of guardians, I have never visited a union, I have never conversed with a person, without hearing the greatest dissatisfaction expressed at the measure. I have never known an instance in which approbation of the law has been expressed. I have heard the greatest dissatisfaction expressed at the measure by ratepayers, and by the poor applying for relief. lam bound to say the sooner the Act o f 1 ist Session is repealed the better. the Act has a tende nc y to induce the proprieto rs of close parishes to pull down their cottages, and drive the poor from the . place of their labour. Everything is now done to force an irremovable person out of a parish. The only paupers who have derived bened from the Act are the Scotch and Irish." AUSTRIAN DESPOTISM. The blighting effect of Austrian despotism is sadly shown in the following extract: — "Every man in Austria pays an income-tax of seventeen per cent., which must all come from the industry of the country, and go into the pocket of the Emperor. For what purpose? To enable him to establish schools, and provide the people with the means of moral and intellectual culture? To build railways and canals, and to furnish the people with facilities for cheap and speedy intercourse and trade ? No ; but chiefly for the maintenance of an army, for their de struction, if they attempt to improve their condition, by re modelling their social institutions; and for the support of agents, who enter their social and domestic cir4es, to listen to their most secret words, and watch their Most secret actions. "No trade can be carried on in Austria without a license from Government, for which from five to ten shillings per an num are paid, according to the nature of the trade and the advantages of the situations. If to-day a man take out a baker's or tailor's license to work in Freiwaldan, and, in a week, he finds a better opening in Lindewiesse, and deter mines to remove thither, he must take out a new license for the latter place, which is but two miles distant, at the same rate as before. And as those licenses cann ot be ha d at all without the recommendation of one of the local magistracy, these ten thousand petty tools of despotism, for there are ten thousand of them, are empowered to decide who and how many may work at each trade. A man cannot kill a lamb for his neighbour without a license. A poor tailor, who came as a patient to Graefenberg, and had not the means to pay his expenses, wished to work at his trade, in order to earn the means of support. One of the guests gave him ern- PloYment ; the poor fellow was delighted to have something to do. Ed the tailors in Freiwaldan, hearing that the man was exercising his trade without a license, instantly inter fered, and threatened to have him arrested if he did not desist. He dared not set another stitch, and many times afterwards a collection -plate was handed round to the guests in the saloon on his behalf.—Six Months at Graefenberg. SAYINGS BANKS IN IRELAND:A return of the amount of deposits in the Irish savings ban k s has j us t been printed by or d er o f th e H o use of Commons. The returns are made up to th e 20th o f November last, and contain the fol lowing comparative statement of the amounts due to the banks of the several provinces on that date and on the cor responding to be for day of 1845. The total amount .o f de p o s i ts ap pearslB4s. 1846. Leinster £1,078,309 12 4 Ulster Connaught 131,156 5 9 ...... 140,782 19 11 Munster 1,045,584 1 3 ...... 1,107,280 3 8 Gross Total. £2,876,388 10 7 ...... £2,882,166 3 9 The balance on the surplus fund account were, in the total, in 1845, 11,023/. 3s. 3d. ; 1846, 10,915/. 2s. 2d. The separate return for Dublin (included in Leinster in the above table) shows the amount of deposits to have been on the 20th of November, 1845, 635,8511. 35.; and in 1846, 485,1161. 2s. Bd. ~~ THE COAST OF AFRICA. Th. following is an •,xtract of a letter from a enrre spoAeut The Hydra steam-sloop, C‘a‘pAstacinensli'oot Jan. u i ng,v 2 en 2 i luBp47ilie River Bonny on the 29th of October last. She attempted to go up the day previous, but grounded inside the bar on sand bank for four hours. She was got off after grea t exertions by throwing the aftermost 68-pounder overboa rd, also a 321 b. carronade, and almost the whole of her fresh water; however, the Hydra was taken up the river the fol lowing day by one of the captains of a merchant.vesse l a anchor, trading for palm oil. Captain Young went up 10 inquire into the merchant captains' complaints against t he King of the Bonny; but they could not substantiate then!, for it appeared that the King told them on their arrival, that he could get no palm oil for trade, owing to his being at war with the King of the Calebar River. The mercu ent captains had subsequently supplied him with powder , sh o t, and muskets on tick, but as his memory was rather forget ful, they thought a little music front the - Hydra's 68-pounders would refreshen it. She proceeded from the Bonny to Lagos, where she tell in with the Acteon, Captain Mansell, when, she found herself in for another s qua bble with the King e l the Bimbia, he having been report e d t o the commodore as committing, or having committed a breach of faith. Ae' cordingly the Acteon, in company with the Hydra and Styr, steam-sloop, Commander Cbads, proceeded to the Rivet Bimbia, calling at Fernando Po for a pilot. Captain Seem"' the Governor of Fernando Po, offered to pilot her. She a r rived on the 18th November, and took up a position within range of her shells, when it was found out that the info rsu r tion was false ; in fact, the Baptist missionaries have a large settlement at the entrance of the river, and this would be the last place for slavers. ths " Whilst up the Bonny it was discovered, although kings on both sides of the river did not sell slaves, ye t they murdered all prisoners in cold blood, ro as t e d, and ate th e , and one of the kings assured an officer th a t a little girl, al!! the plenty of salt and pepper, was very nice. So much for suppression of slavery, to say nothing of the expense an loss of so many valuable lives and th ose who escape rm' e l rendered unfit for further service. There were 2,000 " V . brought down to the beach at Palma, nea r the river LegL" to be shipped into the two vessels captured last SePte rnv t il by the Hydra. Not having enough pr ov i s ions to last the arrival of other vessels, they took their slaves down 1 " the beach, murdered them all, and stuck their beads 011 melt poles. Provisions were very scarce on the coast, and be brought from a great distance inland. " From the Bimbia, the Hydra proceeded to Fernando re'w, Princess Island, and arrived at As cens i on o n the morning r 4 the 26th December. I 1 " The Devastation, with the broad p en d an t of Sir C. tham ; the Acteon, 26, Captain Mansell ; Sealark, 10, Or Gooch, were then here. The Devastation, with Sir C. 14°- tham, and Acteon, left Ascension th e same d a y for Sierr‘ Leone and the West Coast. The Sealark left this place about a week since, with dispatches for Sir C. H o th am , brought out by the Haddington, a large merchant-steamer, bound to China, and the Grappler, steam-ve s s e l, Li eu t. Cornmeal"' Lysaght. " Captain Hutton took command of the island of Me e !: sion last Monday, so that Captain Morrell at present recoup' a supernumerary, until we hear from the commodore. 'IL . Grappler leaves this place also to-day, for Sierra Leone , " meet the commodore. " The Sealark left her captain behind at the hospital de l ; gerously ill from repeated attacks of epilepsy, in fact, be expected to die hourly. " The turtle are rising very fast, which promises a g °64l season. " The Eurydice, 26, Captain Anson, touched here on her way to the Cape. " The Wanderer, 14, Command e r S ommerv ille, hag lob her second lieutenant and t e n men f rom coas t f e ver, O t t to her commander sending his pinnace twice up th e Pongos. The lieutenant stated that himself and boat's ere were - completely exhausted from their first trip. m the " A vessel expected in about a fortnight fre,„,,,,, commodore, with orders for the Hydra to proceed homy She will probably be in England about the first Wee' May." THE RUSSO-DUTCH LOAN. OPINION OF DR. ADDAMS. the It is obvious that upon the sepa ra t ion o f H o ll a nd en- b et, Netherlands, consequent upon the r evo l u ti on o f Septe i 1830, it ceased to be obligatory on G rea t B r it a i n to makes further payments on account of the Russian Dutch Loantter virtue of the Convention of Pilay,,lBls, according to the Le of that Convention. though it was said or intimated b ;,, 4 obligation still subsisted, according t o th e s pi r it of the C ° vention. vention. But whether Russia could or could not, fops upon the spirit, as against the l e tt er o f th e C onv ention, a t justly insisted on such further payments, is a question 1 1 : 1 : 01 ., merged upon the execution of the C onven ti on of Noven n a 1831, between Great B r itai n an d R uss i a. A n d it is ° ;t , this latter Convention th a t it i s now o bli ga t o ry 02 " Britain (if at all) to make any such further payments. by Now, in the Convention of November, 1831 (execti t .7s the two Powers), th e o bj ect i on o f t h e Convention of 1 ° t bst recited to have been, to afford Great Britain a guarantee ..., Russia would procure a certain policy on all questiosens debt, to Belgium, on the one hand ; and the other, to ~b t , to Russia the payment of a portion of her old Dutch 0 1' ‘ in consideration of the general arrangements of the Cong'no., of Vienna, to which she had given her adhesion- 411 , 11 7311 ments which (says the Convention) still remain ' 11 0 „ 0 . force; and it is in virtue of this special consideration 1`."."t0 vention of 1831, art. 1) that Great Britain undert* 7 4 , / r. continue, on her part, the payments stipulated in the "'" ycntion of May, 1815. h h st ill It seems to me, that the phrase " arrangemtntsw- t oi elt remain in full force," pretty plainly implies that 1 ra pt arrangements had not remained in full force, at sq . ...is, through any fault or delinquency on the part of . -n - a Great Britain would have declined to enter into all i n s cp Convention ; and the language of the whole Coi tye rg:judg-• cording to the true interpretation of it, in inY b urs at Britain • ment, is idntal in import with this--tht o;eration of undertakes e to ic continue the payments in - e us ' aintaint . Russia maintaining, or by reason that she do es m to those general arrangements of the Congress of Vienna , which she was originally a pa r ty a t th e time of the b o ld" of such Congress in 1815. And this being so, it also see ms t o me th a t a breac h or violation of those general arrangements in any material P though the fault or delinquency of Russia, plainly reles s ; Great Britain from that conti nu i ng o bli ga ti on w hi c h A took upon herself under the Co nven ti on o f November. 1a4)", in consideration or by reason of Russia maintaining su general arrangements. which I And this reduces the whole question (and as to 711,1110er think there can be no doubt) to a consideration of vi,',- - _ s e;s the reunion of Cracow to the Austrian Monarchy, at Ws" and in manner as stated in the case, is or is not a departu re . from from the general arrangements of the Congress of Vienna , _„ g , a material article, and one to which Russia is a conses - ' 7 and therefore a guilty party. For surely, it admits of no doubt that one of the ge n o ers j . arrangements (and that a principal one) of the Cong i .; Vienna was, the independence of Cracow. By the 61,. , . ft sr title of the " principal act," an Act consisting of r„ 6 O titles, of June, 1815, are several following articles. tr i r c ill with its territory is declared free, independent, an i d l l os sisr neutral, in terms the most positive and precise, an a , their Austria, and Prussia are pl e d ge d t o th e maintenance o! freedom, independence, an d neu t ra lit y . Th e 6th 0° ,4 8 ; "La ville de Crac ov i e avec son terr i to i re ea t d ec lares %r u e, patuite cite libre, ind e p en d an t e e t s t r i c t e ment o° ,oo sous la protection de la Russie, de l'Austriche% et v ; s sie Prusse." Again, the 9th article—" Lea Cours ne r o ir. d'Autriche, et de Prusse s' e n gagen t a respecter da re do respecter, en tons tems, la neut ra lite d e l a villa " n tbe 6 Cracovie et de son territoire, &c." Th e s e ar ti c les, if t he introduced inte an " acte principal," commencing with t recital of that of 9th of June, 1815, c l ear ly s how the independence of Cracow is one of the principal arrangel i dor of the Congress of Vienna ; and that the violation of Tot pendence and of one of the general arrangements (eau f lush principal one) of the Congress of Vie n na is one to OA Russia has been a guilty party, i s as c l ear ly shown by facts of the case. Gr° Under these circumstances it appears t o me that if tll. Britain makes any further pay men t s on ac count 0 4 00 Russian Dutch Loan, it must b e on p o liti ca l co neider n 7oo only (as to which I give no opinion), and not by ILO f oie s obliged thereto by the Conventi on (i n t o w hi c h the Convention merged in that respect) of November, 18 31. ArO t EXTENSIVE ROBBERY of SIL - 11 0, PLATE, GOLD WATCHES, &c., AT NORWt i laP A very extensive robbery was effected on Sunday °v r, between six and seven o'clock, at the shop of Mr. Co°r")iP silversmith, in London -street, at the corner oPPo sit toll 66 Barnard s, and on the alarm being made at the station' i or the superintendent of th e police (Mr. Yarington) sn u „"ballt rak of the men attended. It was soon discovered that I;+'i fifty gold watches, which were sa f e i n the shop on S a f i de a l night at sin o'clock, had disappeared, and that a grtd tl 3l l more very valuable p ro p er t y h a d b een p l ace d bels"tecom counter ready to be car r i e d off. The amount of the lost was variously re p or t e d, b ut a f ter a str i ct i n ves . . ..„,'' f r om assisted by the magistrat e s, it s ee m e d t o h a ve Der gr ono 1,5001 to 2,000/., and with this the thieves had e t ho ni leaving no trace of which way they h a d go ne. Di° - frv pears to have seen any one either going to, or coming i r ter the premises, and the private door leading from lane, by which they must have entered, did not presen tr erf marks of being forced, or the lock having been picked. tb e possible exertion appears to have been made to d e ter robbery, but without any known effect. TelegtaPh ieew sages were sent in all possible directions of the robbed' base descriptions of the stolen property. The robbery Mi ls o f th e been committed between six and seven o'clock, for ons et WO young Mr. Cooper's, with a friend, appears to haveb e hr otbe r ,, the shop about six o'clock that e ven i ng , and his 10010 gave the alarm of the robbery soon atter seven. laysf private investigation took pla ce on M on d ay b e fore th e w s so f and a full bench of magistrates, wh en one o f the C 4 : 1) ;bot one of the men were examined at very great lengt o o , bo cl9 the nature of the investigation we k now not hi n g. v. in custody.—Bury Herald. WILD SWANS.—Some of these birds were obsosoierge. on Lech Eck; the week before last, by James in g l i tch ing e keeper to Mr. Murr a y o f H en d er l an d , w h o , a fter f o ur °- them for three days, a t l as t succee d e d i n securing or them. They turn out to be of the rare spec ies kilo? bir d ' turalists as the Bewick swan. One of them, a very it id ot has been presented to the College Museum, whi ch e d o lus 1 possess a specimen ; anothe r , w hi c h w as onl9 wing e l o W ed turned out on Loch Eck, where, it is hoped, it will be_ster-' to remain, an ornament to th a t b e a u tiful sheet o f Calecloniax Afercuru. BLICHS. NV A -13611st°' On the 26th ult.,at Denmark-hill, Camberwe ll , MO- ~f. t' a daughter. eg 1 • On the lot inst., at Streatham Rectory, the wife of . the _ Af of ic Nholl, of a daughter. Os 111 ' w On the lot lust., at Adelaide-crescent, Hove, Brig hWn ' John C. Turner, Esq., M.D., of a son. .read, Wl' 11. On the 2d inst., at York-terrace, Cambe rwe ll NeW __.........„.. A. Bevan, of a son. -------- . , di Alt LIED. 0 obeli Attu' At St. James's Church, Clerkenwell, Captain G. F. ....I I - hi , Bombay Army, to Mary Anne, only chill of the late Jo" Esq., of Worcester. dang hter °f On the 21 inst., Edward Jay, Esq., of Bath , t o Anne, __.....---- the late Abraham Harman, Esq., of Walworth DIED. ,mn 10 DI On Tuesday last, Mr. John Bird, of No. 52, Hatton-gar---,4. ar,... 75th year, highly respected by his numerous acquallit42,.„politO many years Secretary to the Society of Patrons of the in"'" Charity Schools. al It• 11. On the 22d ult., at Newcastle, Staffordshire, Yates, the the Madras Army, aged 69. . N .,a aged 6g r t . On the 24th ult., in Paris, Thomas Coxhead Marsh, ---' gobe— On the 26th ult., at Cowley-road, North Brixton, Captain 76. Gilbert Livingstone Macdonald, of the 52d Light IntantrY, ate Be. On the 26th ult., at Bath, Maria Agnes, the wife ef Walter John Partridge.yonnieSt On the 27th ult., in Great Marlborongh-street, M ae' - daughter of William Hunter, Esq. bfr. Ito bert Majer-Gener On the 27th ult., in Gloucester-place, Carnden-toWn, • Peale, aged 70. A nn e ,he WIO of On the 28th ult., at Purbrook-park, Hants, 3101 t John Deverell, Esq. On the 28th ult., at Winkton, Hampshire, E dmund liretunan* Walcott Simpson, Lieutenant-Colonel Royal Horse Artillery, London: Printed and Published by 111711D0 Y0U3,70. i'L 1116 e inct Strand, - Printer, at The Bun °ince, N 0.112. Strknd , in t he '''Ziarelk of the Savoy, In the County of M iddlesex, Tharsdarr "- 4, 1847. T the • SLITGD O • " 1 ,, be r • wirrltl *Obit Sta ItAL, • • a gar" De seta at t, am ore ry • ra z h lleeve - s e t t ': ' Irk Wake, t iff , t Ilan if t r ee l i r t .tis bled ter t Th r %oi l , * 2 4 ltit botit 11 ST A • . IBS (it The t,oThl the A. ‘L t X kat ier r ":•. 1 . r4 4 wa r : at* ' or lr tb."4 "nod Eels Salo . ftiot.7t , 06,1 351 , 1 1 • lbe„, • cu b tonsid eram et..43"12%!zre tTel l r b Zr tn.* It t ignetl tith i ti . est v rep o in DOI peep 1u , .111 of t eca M The folk, vi Ea g i ?Aft deb, tti The kano beoeth a wat ? oral , 0 t o th . is eve :mow the - on the u taab Zin ) Pati it s r , LThiciPte :s.de t ,1 8. —, in 8 Pot fi t ; :1111.e. are mac th 4 b e sYste krecto t t beY i t ' Most p 1 ho h id L'iulowed by ni eY has amc b b -l ' el b Cm d c s, for tquitab 4; 0 1 aro. e • to an , as vred e°44 ,, uetre tc ft, • 0 the tm 14 ard Cc that Lice th e mo Alssurai r ,,./:"Ins of .7"riPany's `,.. r ee', Loin G'asl he Principe LIFE ASSI SOLI aohn Atkin! Xenry Wm. iienry Char a. Godwin, man. \ Vilna /CH E ASS t hrk, Jnvolvii reePectu Act, ~~~ ~.71 1 11 Inst th respect ' 4 , on all c . 14 ,..rtire of tt - . 0 the op Feats to m Assurano rerni .Ra enabled I ftrth be! tack Pol i Pre t (000 Com ke iret . a p t r 3,5 0 4 ketil bl 8'0)1 e lmase or ( g rallany, *ttO do ett all 01 ad. Tha l i k l ere eftent oft, And gad %heracts C a!Mon cl ih e cal to . 4 4: ttn„„ '41:4 MEI