The Sun. — London, England, 1853-02-14 00:00:00

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. THIS EVENING, FEB. 14, DAILY WEATHER TABLB. Latest Trains. INEW 51 - ). 1,:. - .. ~i,•.:, ( . .- ,. .ttr-, Zi ..10 This day is published, price 6d , PRESS ORDERS, containing the opinions of the leading journals upon the Abolition of Newspaper Privi leges. Edited by ALBERT SMITH. London: Kent and Co., Paternoster-row ; and to be had at the Egyptian-ball, Piccadilly. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Farewell Season of Mr. Benjamin Webster as Lessee and Manager. THIS EVENING, Faa. 14, Will be performed the new and original . Comedy, In five acts, called NOT SO BAD AS WE SEEM ; or, Many Sides to a Charac ter. Supported by Messrs. B. Webster, Barry Sullivan, Keeley, Buckstone, Leigh Murray, Stuart, Rogers, Miss Rosa Bennett, Miss A. Vining, Mrs. Leigh Murray, &c. After which, the new and original Farce, called TO PARIS AND BACK FOR FIVE POUNDS. To conclude with the Farce of A CAPITAL MATCH. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestria. THIS EVENII4I, FEB. 14, Will be performed the Comic Drama called A PHENOMENON IN A SMOCK-FROCK. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Horneastle ; Miss F. Baker and Miss C. Mitchell. After which, the new and popular original Fairy Extravaganza, entitled THE GOOD WOMAN IN THE WOOD, in which :Messrs. F. Matthews, Suter, Horneastie, and Templeton ; Madame Vestris, Miss Julia St. George, Miss Robertson, Miss Martindale, Miss Ellis, miss Wyndham, Miss Eglinton, and Miss Rosina Wright will appear. T o conclude with LI TTLE TODDLERINS. S o l e Agent for the Private Boxes, Mr. W. Allcroft, 15, New B )nd-street. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster. —Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Frs. 14, Wlll be presented the powerful new Drama of SLAVE LIFE ; or, Uncle Tom's Cabin—by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, 0. Smith, and E m ery ; Madame Celeste, Miss Woolgar, Miss Harding, Miss Keeley, and Mrs. Keeley. To conciple with the succeisful new Comic Pantomime, called NELL GWYNNE ; or, Harlequin Merrie Monarch. Principal Danseuse, :Mlle. Auriol ; Clown, Mr. Flexmore. • ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. C. Kean. THIS EVENING, FEB. 14, Will be produced Shakspere's Tragedy of MACBETH (aa acted at Windsor Castle, by Royal command). Principal characters by Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with the new and original Grand Comic Christ mas Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN CHERRY AND FAIR STAR; or, The Green Bird, the Dancing Waters, and the Singing Tree. Harlequin, Me. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pan taloon, Mr. Paulo; Columbine, Miss Desborough. Will be presented THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD. Supported by Messrs Farren, W. Farren, Jon , Hoskins, Shalders, Edgar, Bender, and Yinloch. Mesdames A. Philips, Anderton, H. Gordon, E. Turner, B. Bartlett, &c. After which, A DEED WITHOUT A NAME, in which Mr. Compton will appear. To conclude with THE SWISS COTTAGE. Box-office open from Eleven till Five, under the !superintendence or Mr. E. Chatterton. ASTLET'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Proprietor and Manager, Mr. W. Batty. LAST WEEK BUT THREE of Mr. BATTY'S MANAGEMENT. Extraordinary Attraction. The Two most powerful Equestrian Dramas ever produced—Mazeppa, and Uncle Tom's Cabin. THIS EVENING, FEB. 14, And during the Week, the Entertainments will commence with the superb Spectacle of MAZEPPA. AND THE WILD HORSE, reproduced with all its original splendid and magnificent effects After which, Batty's brilliant Scenes in the Arena, supported by the first Equestrian talent in Europe. To conclude with UNCLE TOM'S CABIN. Doors open at Half-past Six o'clock. To commence at Seven. Box-office open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins DAT —Morning 44 min. after 5 I Evening 1 min.aft. 6 To-Moaaow—Morning 17 rein. after 6 I Evening 35 min.aft. 6 MONDAY, FEs. 14, 1853. State of the wind and weather at each of the following places at nine o'clock on Saturday morning. The stations are arranged in order of latitude. LIMERICK—N.E., gentle breeze—cloudless, frost. 3IULLINGAR—N., strong breeze—cloudless. HASTINGS—N.E., gentle breeze—snow. SOUTHAMPTON—N., strong breeze—snow. FOLKESTONE—N.E., light breeze—snow. TUNBRIDGE—N., gentle breeze—snow. GREENWICH—N.E., gentle breeze—overcast. STROOD—N.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. SWINDON—N., stroll.. breeze—cloudy. CAMBRIDGE—N., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. YARMOUTH—E., strong breeze--snow. THE WEATHER.—Scx OFFICE, FEB. 13. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 30—highest since noon yesterday. 27—lowest this morning and during the night. 29—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29 . 64. WIND, N.N.E.—Light breeze, and cloudy weather— heavy fall of snow. FEBRUARY 14. 28—highest since noon yesterday. 25—lowest this morning and during the night. 28—this day, at noon. BAROMETER, 29.82. WIND, E.S.E.—Light breeze, and cloudy. The snow storm seems to have impeded the arrival of the mails throughout the country. Four or five inches of snow fell in Norfolk, and more in the northern counties. The Publication of " THE SUN" Commences every afternoon at THREE O'CLOCK, and the Late or Third Edition, containing the DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT ON THE SAME EVENING with all other news ariving in London up to the hour of Post, at SEVEN O'CLOCK. EXPRESS EDITIONS will be forwarded after the Post is closed by the 7 . 1b0 47,17pgia. art dwo LONDON, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1853. Another province has been added to our enor mous possessions in Hindostan. Pegu, on the 20th of last December, was formally announced by proclamation to be annexed to the British do minions. It was declared to be incorporated with our Eastern Empire by order of the Governor- General, and the event has since been celebrated by a Royal salute fired in each of our more im portant Asiatic Presidencies. It is nothing more than the old story with a new illustration. It is the continuation of the romance of Oriental con quest by the Anglo-Saxons--simply by another incident. A war provoked by one of the petty sovereigns has led, as usual, to the dismember ment of his territories. At least the dismember ment has commenced. A single province has been seized and declared to be a portion of our posses sions. The rest will, of course, follow in due time according to the customary scale of territorial absorption. In earnest of this, a threat has been already held out over the head of the fated King of Ava—that threat being uttered by the Gover nor-General in Council, and communicated through the medium of the already mentioned proclama . tion. It is in the closing paragraph of that docu ment that the Court of Ava receives the warning intimation that if the King of that ilk shall fail to renew his former relations of friendship with the British Government, and if he shall recklessly endeavour to dis pute its tranquil possession of the province, it has now announced to be its own, the Governor-Gene ral in Council will again put forth the power he holds, and will visit with full retribution aggressions which, if they be persisted in, must of necessity lead to the total subversion of the Bur man empire "—an intimation to all intents and purposes sufficiently significant. Were we not correct, therefore, in asserting that the recent oc cupation and subsequent annexation of Pegu is literally nothing more than the old story with a new illustration. Pegu is taken, and in the very process of its capture we remind the Court of Ava of our invariable policy under such circumstances, by informing the KING that in the event of his not acting in such and such a manner, we shall feel under the nece ss ity o f a d vanc i ng upon the residue of his dominions, and thereupon formally annexing them to our already stupendous possessions. The enemies of British power in the East designate our policy in this respect to be consistent at least in the pro gressive grandeur and unblushing boldness of our spoliations. History fortunately conies in to exonerate the Anglo-Saxon race in that quarter from the odium of aggression and the consequent crime of robbery. The annals which tell of our extraordinary advance from Arcot to Seringap a t am, and so on from the southern limits of the Carnatic to the northern boundaries of Affgha.nistan—show in facts so undeniable as to command the recog nition of all impartial writers, from ORME to MiLL, that the origin of each successive struggle in the East has been some event in which the British Government has been the assailed, and some neighbouring power the assailant. Hitherto upon these occasions the Anglo-Saxons have acted with astounding promptitude. They have appalled their antagonist into submis sion by marching an army forthwith over his frontiers, seizing his chief cities and fortification, and thereupon reimbursing itself for the outlay required in the expedition by adding one or other of the conquered provinces to the bulk of what constituted already its dominions. Upon a re petition of hostilities from the same quarter the Governor-General in Council has adopted a similar course for the indemnification of his Government. Therefrom—out of this very rational, and, all things considered, very just and reasonable policy —has grown up the vast system of our Oriental dominions. Among the secrets of our successes in its extension, as we have intimated, have been the energy and promptitude which the Anglo-Saxon authorities at Calcutta have repelled their eastern antagonists. Unhappily, in the instance before us, but little regard seems to have been had either to this energy or to this promptitude. Through out the whole of the Burmese War we have shown ourselves anything rather than prompt or ener getic. Having placed our forces, both naval and military, under the command of officers who ought in reason to have been long ago regarded as super annuated, we have looked on complacently while they have been throwing away, one after another, the most golden opportunities. Dilatory to the last degree in their movements, they have sacrificed time, and in sacrificing time have squan dered the lives of those placed under their authority, exposing them at one moment to the dangers of un equal conflict, and at another to the decimating perils of pestilence. As a natural consequence the old Admiral in command died—while the old General in command found himself crushed under the weight of a by no means undeserved unpopularity. After continuing the struggle against the Burmese during several weary months, General GODWIN at last drags the campaign to a tardy conclusion, and the event is celebrated, as we have shown, by the annexation of Pegu to the British territories. Every sensible observer in the United Kingdom must, of course, regard that annexation as merely a preliminary step to the seizure of the whole of the dominions of the King of AvA, by the all conquering arms of the Anglo-Indian Government. An alternative—(the usual alternative)--has been held out to the Burmese MONARCH by the Governor-General in Council : the alternative of the ruin and exile of himself and his race, by the' total subversion of his Sovereignty, or of his ac ceptance by the renewal of his former relations of friendship with the British Government. In all human likelihood, the Court of Ava will recoil from the mere notion of renewing any such rela tions of friendship, and striving by every imagin able means to dispute the British occupation of Pegu, will drive the Government of Calcutta to fulfil its threat by advancing upon the re maining provinces of the Burmese Empire, and quietly adding them en masse to the rest of our Oriental possessions. In speaking • thus we are only taking the Past as a guide to the Future—we are only threading the maze of pro babilities by the clue of experience. Hitherto our quarrel with the Court of Ava has been its refusal " to make amends for the injuries and in sults which British subjects have suffered at the hands of its servants," and for which refusal the Governor-General of India, in Council, resolved, by force of arms, to exact reparation. This, re member, is the explicit avowal of the Proclama tion of the 20th of last December. Well, the reparation has only been commenced, we take it, by the annexation of Pegu—it can only be com pleted, in all probability, and that, perhaps, be fore very long, by the seizure of the rest of the Burmese provinces, and their incorporation with the territories already owning obedience to the Anglo-Indian Government. The Commissioners for inquiring into the state of the Cathedral and Collegiate Churches are at length beginning to enter in good earnest on the important duties committed to their charge. They have forwarded to the several Deans and Chapters throughout the kingdom copies of the Commission under which they are empowered to conduct the investigation, together with a series of interrogatories, to which answers are requested by the 9th of April next. Suggestions, as to the means by which the purposes of the Commis sion may be best attained, are also invited at as early a period as may be practicable. These interrogatories, although not quite so stringent and searching as might be desired, will still, if fully and satisfactorily responded to, necessarily elicit much valuable information, amply sufficient to warrant the future legislation which the serious abuses that have sprung up during successive ages so urgently, so imperatively demand. There has clearly been a desire to spare the blushes '9l some Rev. Pluralists, who, although in receipt of incomes affording amply sufficient remuneration for the entire devotion of their time and labour to the efficient discharge of their capitular duties, are yet enabled to accept other lucrative situa tions ; so that one branch or other of their eccle siastical labours must be neglected. We should be happy to have a distinct account of the nume rous avocations devolving on the leviathan plura list, and the manner in which he provides for the efficient discharge of his various offices. Nor would a return, showing the distribution of time byhis venerable brother-in-law, Archdeacon CROFT, be an uninteresting document. It is, indeed, wonderful how these much-wronged men contrive to get through business which, from the remune ration attached to the various preferments, must necessarily be of a very arduous character, re quiring much application and trouble on the part of those who have so chivalrously undertaken the onerous task. It would also be desirable to have ascertained the degree of relationship or connexion existing be tween the parties in possession, and the patrons by whom they had been presented, so that it might be shown that each of these preferments, conferring not merely competence, but wealth, on the fortunate occupants, were originally bestowed on comparative strangers as the reward of literary ability, that they might enjoy as a fitting reward for unquestionable merit, the otium cum dignitate, and that there was no appearance of nepotism or undue favouritism in these appointments, as some irreverent scoffers have more than hinted. It is, however, a sound principle that no person is bound to criminate himself and therefore it is, we suppose, that these apparently pertinent inquiries have been so studiously omitted. The first head relating to the original, the pre sent, and the future contributions of the Chapter will show, at the same time what were the inten tions of the founders of these institutions, and how far these intentions have been carried into practical operation, or ho or in what respect they have been departed from, or the Statutes infringed upon, and also the probable effect of the 3d and 4th Vie., c. 113, when the provisions thereof be came operative. It will be interesting to compare the duties of the members and officers of the Chapter in the olden time, and the residence re quired from each—and the definition given in the Statutes of the term " residence," with the duties and residences now required, and the understand ing as to what constitutes " residence " at the present day. There might, under this head, very properly have been an application as to the past and present emoluments of the members of the Chapter, and the proportion which each bore to the total capitular revenues. But this most important topic has been totally, we I had almost said studiously omitted—an omission the more remarkable, inasmuch, as the questions " how are they paid ? what are their stipends and allowances, statutable or other ?" are put in refer ence to the vicars, minor canons, and school masters ; and " what are their emoluments ?" in reference to the lay vicar's clerks, and all other statutable officers. It would almost seem as if it were deemed expedient to limit the operation of any capitular reform to the inferior officers, and that prebendaries were a class too dignified to be interfered with by Parliament. We fancy, however, that Sir BENJAMIN HALL and the Mar quis of BLANDFORD will scarcely be contented with defective information on the subject on which legislation is most essential. In addition to the queries relating to the va rious officers and the schools, there are others touching the number and manner of the differevt services, the state of the fabric, together with the funds applicable to keeping it in repair, and the 1 amount actually expended within the last fourteen, years, the impropriate rectories, and the value of the tithes and glebes thereof, and the patron age value, and situations, &c., of the vicarages and perpetual curacies, and the situations, popu lation, and value of the other benefices in the gift of the Chapter. Those applicable to the expendi ture for sacred purposes, and the grants, annual or occasional, for the augmentation of vi carages or perpetual curacies, will, we trust, exhibit in the strongest light the liberality of those wealthy bodies, and the judicious application of the ample funds, with the control and manage ment whereof they had been intrusted. The answers relating to the powers of the Visitor, and the applications that may have been made to any other interpreter of the Statutes since the time of the Reformation, will show the sharp look-out after abuses that have been kept up for the last three centuries. There is one head, however, which appears supererogatory. To the inquiry, What are the relations of the Chapter to the Bishops I the answers might be, with little variations, " Sons, sons-in-law, brothers, brothers-in-law, uncles, nephews, and cousins by birth or marriage." The list could scarcely go much further. There would appear to be very snug family parties in the Cathedrals of each Diocese. We trust that Deans and Chapters may share the fate of Ecclesiastical and Prerogative Courts. Nothing but the complete abolition of the system will suffice, and the transfer of the actual duties to other hands, by which they would be far more efficiently discharged at less than a tithe of the present expenditure, and an immense fund would become available for religious and educational purposes. dutyupupon n i believen Br i tishr e ar e d CatholicsS to ot he was m t he first i o their obvious .b v. if theoCommentingupress s interesto u an rg d Wee upon their setting up a Religious Equality Agita tion, we assured them of the derision which such complicity an attempt muse 6 call forth, unless they British Catholicism from the stigma ofvindicated with Tuscan barbarities to Protestants. We pointed out to them that the cause of the MADIAIS was more theirs than ours,—that it was a grief to us but a disgrace to them. We reminded them of their cries of persecution, when refused by Act of Parliament, not Bishops and Cardinals, and any Church Governors they pleased, but merely the appropriation of titles from our territory, a pro hibition which they share with every British sub ject ; and we showed them that they would be held guilty of the most selfish insensibility if they raised such a clamour about empty names for themselves, s a i n gn d eydet, humble thecanons il f their own m e lessprotestan a ts uh on torca, c-dun geon for years, only for reading and distributing the Bible. Our appeal was unheeded, as we feared it would be. Soon after Sir CULLING EARDLEY invited Mr. LUCAS by name to concur with him in remonstrating with the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the Catholic agent in these cruelties. The invitation drew forth the savage reply, which Mr. KEOGH and Serjeant SHEE were so honourably forward to disavow. Still nothing was done. It appears, however, that Mr. RICHARD BESTE of Southampton, an English Catholic, did send a truly creditable letter to the Times, which that journal, most unaccountably to us, refused to insert, preferring ten pounds towards the expenses of a deputation of English Catho lics in behalf of the MADIAIS, and exhorting his fellow-believers to send such a deputation. The letter was afterwards sent to the Leech Mer cury, Lord CARLISLE having addressed the Catho lics, on behalf of the MADIAIS in that journal. His Lordship takes up the view to which we had previously invited the attention of the Catholics. He pleads with them their own constant assertion when seeking liberty for themselves, that their Church has made the same advance which all others have in this country, in shaking off the doctrine and practice of persecution for conscience sake. Ho suggests to them the propriety of " a deferential, dutiful, submissive remonstrance to their spiritual superior, but one which should still be earnest, importunate, and incessant, till, by its timely intervention, they are rescued from this gl slet a cL r nopt betterirpgod in c c A o R n s s t t e E n , c h y 0 , w this ev rdoes no r e not s ucce ed pr o a c much h ut if o n r a , t t h sh o i er l i c CULLINGo a l d ho p r r e n n eE c i p e A Re o sp f L p aE e ny r d - . e i n n ar t hi s ha t s o n ap u Th s e c al a S s codes of intolerance once certainly attached to their Church had not fallen into desuetude," as his, Lordship kindly hopes, and Catholics here have so often asserted. In the number of the Leeds Mercury following that in which Lord CAR LISLE'S bland epistle was published, the Hon. CHARLES LANGDALE figures as respondent ; but, alas, it is substantially to the same effect. Like Mr. LUCAS, he attempts to shuffle off by hinting at the inaccuracy of the reports of the case cir culated in this country. Like Mr. LUCAS, how ever, he makes no attempt to correct them, and how he could do so when the whole legal proceedings, the indictment and the sen tence themselves, are lying before us both in Italian and in English translation, it is difficult to see. Very naturally he declines to debate the question of " the accuracy of the charges," and tries more plausible ground. The POPE, to whom Lord CARLISLE suggested that the deputation should be sent, has, he says, nothing to do with the matter. The laws of Tuscany alone are in fault. Well, then, send the deputation to the D U KE, and let it beseech him, by all the liberty which Catholics here enjoy, by their liberty to read and circulate Mass-books, by their liberty to con vert English clergymen and ladies, by their liberty to do every thing but touch the prerogatives of the CROWN—let it beseech him to be as merciful to Protestants as England is liberal to Catholics. But Mr. LANGDALE must know that he is wrong on this very important point. He knows that the DUKE is but the tool of Rome. If he does not, every other Englishman now knows the Papal Canon Law on the duty of Catholic - Princes towards those who deedi it the right and duty of all men to read the Scriptures. Dr. CUMMING has published the clauses relating to this subject of the Bull Uni genitus, which Dr. MURRAY, who ought to know, declared to be a part of the law of the Catholic Church. That Bull, after denouncing the Pro testant view of the Scriptures, "as false, blas phemous, impious, heretical," adds : " And we venerable a is h brethrenßishops, tocoerce andcom p e l the Pat r iarc h s A eh Archbishops, u ish arge e op r s, nd B beingall tvhcoalelpedpoisne f o o r resist rth ispu th a rp e ose id if ef ne t c h e e ssa s ry ect,a , a T r h lll e DUKE, therefore, is but a consistent Catholic, and the POPE the authority at whose bidding he would immediately cease to victimise in dungeons the readers and distributors of GOD'S Holy Word. Mr. LANGDALE'S second argument is, that of Look at home, the American ladies for slavery. he says ; are there not persecuting T tingTloawwshiacghainwset Catholics in P rotestant S approaching to n y s t t hi r ug rotestants can be can only answer , shown in Sweden, we should not rest till Protes tants here had done thesiurallitmanostutnoonddeulirvaebrlothdeisir name and faith from . grace. But why ,he says, so far as Swe den ? of the infamous DURHAM Did not RUSSELL, the writer law against mil you, Lord CARLISLE, join Lord JOHN lions of your fellow co the Catholics may feel wonder Letter, atin enanayct fellow- subjects persecuting? to " be the obsequious and other members of the Protes- SHAFTESEIJEYS, o. glowing from the calumnious followers of the RODENS, u t t h t s ? The folly of thew pstir about the to the purpose . tant Alliance, striinlleigugacltoawni Ecclesiastical Titles was outrages of Eseterhall.m" to it. That Austria, the o n ß st u r t ous h e a n t ou i g s h, al b l which gave occasion • 1 WISEIKAN meant an insult to POPE, and Cardi n may be fairly matched with the pompous follies England, no m an in foolishsenses to care about , such an England was ver y insult is now q uite as little doubted. T o us it his will doubt That the Catholics. At all events, let them not cla • 11 Attorney-General is in victory on this matter is with mseoeumrs t t i h ll at so tl ra ie e reaL is ue•lis at. nitary defies or la, be honest. Look at the facts No, Mr. LANGDALE, Tuscan law with the English in structed to enforce a law which every Catholic dig nitary the supposed aggression of law. One made to resist other the unprovokQd off & foreign Prince, the of the case. Compare the spring of a persecuting faith ; the one leaving Catholics free to do everything but assume the emblems of sovereignty over our soil, the other prohibiting Protestants to have and to circulate the Holy Scriptures ; the one sanctioned by com paratively light pecuniary penalties, the other by imprisonment for long years in a felon's dungeon; the one drag-chained by every legal hindrance to its being enforced, the other diligently worked by spies and police; the one practically left as a dead letter, the other remorselessly pressed against the debilitated and the dying ; the one touching only conspicuous men not easily oppressed, the other pursuing a poor lodging-house keeper and his wife into their humble apartments ; the one unsup ported by any kindred legislation, neutralised rather by its opponents, composing half the Government of the day, the other backed by the bloody guillotine as more Catholic (we regret to write it) than the gaol. Let Mr. LANGDALE look on this picture and on that—let him say what feature is exaggerated either way—and let him, and let all Catholics blush to mention in the same breath the bondage and the blood which Popery demands for Protestants reading and circulating their Bibles, and the paper penalties which Eng lishmen have laid by in their archives against trenching on the secular rights of the English SOVE REIGN. Let Mr. LANGDALE and the Catholics be aware that the majority of intelligent Englishmen regret enough the foolish measure of 1851, but that it is vain indeed to think to blind them to the Catholic atrocities of dungeons and death for Bible-reading, or Bible-teaching either, by throw ing in their eyes the dust of an Ecclesiastical Titles Bill. We can just discover the difference between an unenforced fine and attacks on our liberty and life. We can assure Mr. LANGDALE of another thing : and that is, that from persons from whom we should not have expected it, we have heard the s s o remark, that if F renc h and Austr i an b ayone t s are to claim the ri g ht o f up h ol di ng the P OPE an d per ewhether E ng l an d ought not to occupy F lorence, or c uti some n e in other Italy—, it may well become a question place for the interests of Protestant liberty. Several of the Metropolitan Railway Companies have brought forward Bills for authority to con struct connecting links or branch lines, which must exceedingly promote the public convenience, while at the same time they will, we trust, prove remu nerative speculations. From _ the list of those Bills that have already received a first reading, in serted in another part of this day's impression, it will be found that the London and North-Western and the South-Eastern Company are exhibiting extraordinary exertion. The former company has no less than seven bills, viz. : "I. To construct line from Northampton to Market Ilarborouc , h. 11. Ditto from Tring to Oxford. 111. Ditto frol Crewe to Shrewsbury. IV. To _make branches to Stourbridge. V. To obtain additional powers as to the Oldham branch. VI. To construct branches to St. Albans and Amersham. VII. To con nect the Buckinghamshire with the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton." These improvements, if carried into execution, must prove exceedingly beneficial to the inhabi tants of the districts traversed by the new line, allowing opportunities for considerable savings, both of time and money. The South-Eastern projects are no less impor tant. They are as follows : "I. To form a junction with the Great Western at Reading. 11. To make a branch from the North Kent to the Thames. 111. Do. from Lewisham to Bromley and Croydon. IV. Do. from Strood to Maidstone. V. To vest in the South-Eastern the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway and Continental Packet Company." The public will owe a debt of gratitude to the Directors of this important Company for the spirit and enterprise displayed in these valuable addi tions to the railway communication of the country. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, FEB. 12. The following had the honour of dining with Her Ma jesty yesterday :—Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Her Royal Highness the Princess Augustus of Saxe Cobourg, Her Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of Hohenloho, the Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of Kent, the Lady in Waiting to the Princess Augustus of Saxe Cobourg, the Baroness de Speth, Lord George Lennox, the Hon. Charles Gore, Colonel the Hon. C. B. and Mrs. Phipps, and Lieutenant-Colonel F. H. Seymour. The band of the Grenadier Guards attended in the Castle during dinner and performed the following selection : Over'orre—" Fidele Berger"... ... Adam Duet and Finale—" Sicilian Vesper" Lindpaintner Waltz—"Englische Jubelklange' Sommerlatt Sinfonie, 3 ter Sertz—"Dio Weihe der Tone" ... L. Spohr Bolero „. ••• Bosquet March of the Brave ... Captain Armstrong Her Majesty's private band was in attendance in the evening. Her Royal Highness the Princess Augustus of Saxe Cobourg took leave of Her Majesty this morning, and left the Castle for Claremont. Lord George Lennox and the Hon. Charles Gore also left for London. The following had the honour of dining with Her Ma. jesty this day:—Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, H er Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, the Lady in Waiting to Her Royal Highness the Baroness de Speth, Sir George Couper, and Mr. Gibbs. The Queen's private band attended after dinner in the Castle and played the following pieces : Overture—" Heimhehr aus der Fremede" Mendelssohn. Selection—" Lestocq " ... Sinfonia (No. 2) Beethoven. FEB. 3 . The Queen a n d P r i nce, the Prince of Wales, 1 the Princess Royal, and Princess Alice, with the Duchess of Kent and the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, Attended Divine service this morning in the private chapel of the Castle. The ladies and gentlemen of the Court and the domestic household were also at the service. The Hon. and Rev. G. Wellesley officiated. A deputation consisting of Sir John Shelley, M.P., Mr. John Macgregor, XP., Mr. Humphrey Brown, M.P., and Mr. Mullins (solicitor), had an interview on Saturday with the Right Hon. E. Cardwell and Lord Stanley of Alderley at the Board of Trade. Mrs. Chisholm had an interview on Saturday with the Duke of Newcastle at the Colonial-office. On Saturday evening the Duke of Newcastle gave a grand dinner at his residence in Portman-square. The foll.owing had the honour of dining with his Grace :—The Earl Granville, the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, Lord Stanley of Alderley, Hon. C. Villiers, Hon. H. Fitzroy, Hon. F. W. Chal Leris, Mr. Merivale, Mr. M. Milnes, Mr. S. Depison, Captain Elliot, R.N., Governor of Bermuda ; Captain Foote, R.N., Mr. Ross, Solicitor-General of Canada West ; Mr. Daly, Governor of Tobago ; Mr. Temple (Hon duras) Mr. Leslie Foster, Mr. R. W. Grey, and Mr. Nethersole. George Hudson, Esq., M.P. for Sunderland, has just he Court.la t e y m p r u . r e l:1 h a u s d e d s n i n is th l e a Irish rg el y E n oou engagedmbe r e i n d taken possession o f th e M er li n P ar k estate i n G a l way, mining wEhstiacthes speculatio ns i n diff eren t par t s o f Ireland, and is at present working the Glengola lead mines, in the neighbourhood of Oughterard. The Merlin Park he tt p l hi to eTy s ma s Tj e olß d fao irntg- i r number material,culaomrl r e e b l anrhodaTot: COTTON Nnasi labourers and Mr. afford eo a T rrrHaddlsavpn Hudson Ee t d h rAmm e vEae cnßishesar. marble quarries are supposed not to be sur e passed antb supply ocmus .t tandto work employment q ua was yesterday placarded with an appeal to the public from the Havannah weavers of Messrs. J. P. Westhead and Co., who complain that they have been compelled to strike in consequence of a reduction of wages below what are given in Manchester of 15 per cent. The cotton districts have been remarkably free from strikes for some consider able time past until this arose. ST. VALENTINE'S DAY.—This day being the Feast of l St. Valentine, according to annual custom the Postmaster- General has irected that the district Post letter-carriers shall be regaled with a substantial dinner at some respect able tavern, in their respective walks, the dinner t o con sist of roast b ee f, pudding, and vegetables, and to take place in each district at one o'clock. The sorters, sub sorters, messengers, porters, and constables attached to the London District-office will be regaled in a similar manner in the Great Hall, on the basement floor of the General Post-office, or else at their option, they will receive a shil lin.. each. The drivers' vers of mail - carts, post - boys, and othe rs , whose service c annot be well dispensed with during the day will provided with a substantial supper in the even ing, and be each person on the establishment are to have a supply of ale. The number of letters delivered this merit ing exceeds by far any of former years. HULL AND SELBY RAILWAY.—The half-yearly meeting of the Hull and Selby Railway Company was held at the York and North Midland station, at Hull, on Saturday, Richard Lottie, Esq., in the chair. The formal business having been transacted, the report was read by the secre tary, from which it appeared that from the half-year ending the 31st of December, 1852, a balance was shown of 31,6831., 16s. 3d. to the credit of the company, and the directors recommended that after the payment of the in terest upon the quarter shares due on the Ist of February, 1853, a dividend be declared of 21. 9s. on the 501. shares each, and of 1/. 4s. 6d. on the 251. shares, such dividend to be subject to the income tax. Tho Chairman moved, and Mr. Leonard West seconded, that the report be received, and that the dividends suggested be declared. Mr. Foster said he observed in the statement of accounts an item for solicitors and law charges amounting to 1461. The Chair man having explained how this amount had been expended, Mr. Foster expressed himse' : satisfied with that explana tion. Mr. Pease and Mr. WhL,aker, the retiring directors, and Mr. John Bowes, the auditor, were then unanimously re-elected ; and the usual votes of thanks having been passed to the several officials, the proceedings terminated. THE GREENWICH WATERMEN.—On Monday last four more wateriness of this town (making in all 15 durin g t he past fortnight) left for Australia a free passage being granted o n accoun t of their working during the voyage. As in the former cafe, they are all yowlg men, and have just completed their apprenticeship. -- K /2VA Mercurll. MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NE WS. CITY, Two o'CLoes. The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday were estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 500 American and 500 Pernam and Maranham were taken for ex port. The market was tame, but closed steadily at previous rates. The sales comprised 5,000 Ameri can ; 600 Pernam and Maranham, at 64d. to 6 3 d. ; 300 Egyptian, at 6.1 d. to 8.1-d. ; and 500 Surat, at 31-d. to 44d. per lb. Railway Shares were firm at higher prices. The railway meetings announced for the week are the following : Buckinghamshire, Feb. 18, Euston Station. Colchester, Stour Valley, &c., F e b . 16 , Colchester. Cork and Waterford, Feb. 15, 2, Delahay-street, West minster. Dublin and Belfast Junction, Feb. 16, Dublin. Dublin and Wicklow, Feb. 16, Dublin. East and West India Docks and Birmingham Junction, Feb. 19, Euston Station. East Indian, Feb. 18, 50, Old Broad -street. Gloucester and Dean Forest, Feb. 19, Gloucester. Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, Feb. 15, Liverpool. London and Blackwall, Feb. 15, London Tavern. London and North-Western, Feb. 18, Euston Station. London and South-Western, Feb. 16, London Tavern. Madras, Feb. 15, Office. Maria Antonia, Feb. 14, Florence. Norther .1 and Eastern, Feb. 17, Office. Sambre and Meuse, Feb. 17, Office. Sheffield, Rotherham, 8., W., H., and Goole, Feb. 18, Wakefield. Taff Vale, Feb. 16, Bristol. Vale of Neath, Feb. 19, Cardiff. York, Newcastle, and Berwick, Feb. 18, York. In reference to the import trade of New York, returns show that in four weeks the increase was $832,717, and this, it was stated, was quite a mode rate augmentation. A favourable feature was the uniformity in the receipts of foreign dry goods. The importation of these articles is watched with interest, as they form an important item in the total value of imports, and show to some extent the state of the foreign trade. From Miramichi we learn that a fishery meeting had been held, at which resolutions were passed to the effect that, as the British North American coast fishery was daily increasing in value and im portance, the idea of conceding them to the Ame ricans should not be carried out without the con sent of the colonists. Accounts from Caiifornia are of an interesting character. In the new Pacific state the inhabitants were suffering very much from famine, floods, and sickness. The floods were so extensive that many towns and districts were under water ; miners were compelled to leave the " diggins," and pro' isions had become so scarce in some parts of the interior that many of the people were actually starv ing, attributable to the very bad condition of the roads. The quantity of gold shipped from the Atlantic States from the Ist ult. was but little more than 1,800,030 dols., which was owing to the unfavourable weather. This, however, was not expected long to continue, and larger ship ments were looked for. But to the " diggers" these floods are generally of ultimate advantage, as they wash away the earth, and leave the gold on the surface. In San Francisco flour was cheaper, and an increased stock was expected ; the wholesale price was 31 dols. to 32 dols., and the retail 33 to 34 dols. per brl. Money was abundant at 2i to 3 per cent. At the meeting of the British American Land Company just held, a dividend at the rate of 30s. per share for the year was declared, 15s. to be paid on and after the 11th April, and 15s. on and after the 10th October next. There is no definite infor mation concerning the gold discoveries, but that gold does exist in the eastern townships is ascer tained. Advices from Constantinople, of January 29, state that the value of money had risen there. The Australian florin was worth 41 piastres, and roubles were at 20 piastres ; francs were at 5 piastres. The English- Stocks have been firm, but with very little doing. Consols have been marked 99g for Transfer, and the same for Account. The New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. are at 1031 to g. The advices from Paris are satisfactory, and upon the opening of the Senate it is hoped the Em peror will make such remarks as will strengthen confidence. Bank Stock has been very steady at 228. Exchequer Bills are 525. to 555. premium, being scarcely so good. East India Bonds are at 60s. premium. Foreign Securities have been without any parti cular alteration. Mexican Bonds have been steady at 23i Peruvian 6 per Cents. have been sup ports oi at 104. Grenada Deferred Stock is at 11g, and dull. Brazilian Small Bonds are at 1011, and the 41 per Cents at 97. Buenos Ayres Bonds are marked 64. Portuguese 4 per Cents. are 38/, and Spanish 3 per Cents. 4715. The Swedish Loan is at 11 discount. Russian Bonds, are supported. The Gold Mine Shares have been very active, and many buyers have taken them up. Great Nugget Vein, Colonial, and West Mariposa have been in most demand. There is a report that Colonel Fremont's title to the mineral on his estates has been declared inva lid, consequently squatters can occupy the ground. The Land Company's Shares are firmer, and South Australian Land are up 2/. to 4/. The Aus tralian Bank is rising. Railway Shares are at very full prices, and in some cases dearer. The French lines are all de cidedly better. BRITISH FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY. (From th. Official List.) Br - iness none. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities.......... 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities New 34 per Cent. Annuities 1034 India Bonds, £lOOO Ditto, under £IC3 6O Consols for Account 10th March 99/ Exchequer Bills lid. March. June. £lOOO. £5OO Small PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Braz:lian Bonds, 5 per Cent. ._ Ditto New, 185-2, 4,1- per Cent B7i Ditto Small Bonds 1001 & 2031 101,4 Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent 64 _ Grenada Bonds, Deferred, Mexican 3 per Cent 23. Peru eau 6 pc , . Cent. Portuguese 4 per Cent.. 3B/ a d Russian Bonds, 5 per Ceut. Ditto, 41 per cent . 103 Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 94i Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 47.-; Swedish Loan li d HALP-PAST TWO. Consols Ditto March Account 99i i FIGHT BETWEEN THE "MANCHESTER PET " AND THE "PLUCKY ENGLISHMAN."—A little bit of a "spurt" has taken place between Cobden and the Englishman. Tho reporter for Bell's Life was not present, but one of the combatants has furnished the following account of the " mill," which is addressed to the " Pet ' in these terms —" You are a sporting man. I wrote letters, but you make a book. You post a challenge for the championship. Yon choose the day, the wager, and the stakes. Ten thousand pounds to a shilling a week. I take the odds. Done ! You go into regular training. You eat Burke raw ; chew, but, wisely, do not swallow Alison ; and digest the whole Pictorial History of England. The fight comes off. You ` peel' in prime condition. What bone I what sinew ! ` Nil nisi ne rves cu t eau. ' Y ou s4ep into the ring, like ` Spider Bill himself, with high-lows, shorts, a handkerchief, and b o ttl e -h o ld er. Th ere is a rally, and a round. You hit wild, groggy, and go down. Time's up. Where are you ? Nowhere. You and your bottle-holder have jumped over the ropes, and the word is non in veniendus." SCARCITY OF SEAMEN.---In consequence of the large number of vessels which have been despatched for, and lying in the ports of Australia, there is a very great scarcity of seamen, which is equally felt in Bristol and all the porta of the Bristol Channel. So much is this the case, that out bound vessels have been detained for a length of time, actually waiting for men to man them. At the Welsh ports, on the other side of the Channel, seamen are very scarce and eagerly sought for. Her Majesty's war steam-frigate the Encounter, of 14 guns, under the com mand of Captain O'Callaghan, is lying in the Cumberland Basin, Bristol, for the purpose of enrolling seamen for her Majesty's service, and a rendzvous for this ect has been opened in the neighbourhood. A BLACK DECISION.—At the Mar '-strcet police court, William Fortinie, a man of colour, was charged with refusing to support his illegitimate child. Margaret Mackey said she was engaged by M. Robin, the conjuror, in Titch borne-ftreet, to do work, and there met with the de fendant, who was also employed to assist in the tricks and conjurations at the theatre. The defendant con trived to become intimate with her, and the result was the little copper-coloured fac-simile of the father. The de feneant, notwithstanding the prima, facie proof of paternity presented by the child, stoutly declared ho was not the father. The complainant had no other corroborative proof than that which was afforded by the unmistakeable resem blance between the child and its putative father. Mr. Hardwick was hardly inclined to think that this kind of proof was the corroborative evidence contemplated by law. It was just possible that the defendant was not the father, as there were other black men in L on d on. He should therefore remand the case, to see if the complainant could bring some kind of corroboration of her declaration. DANCING MATCH.—A dancing match took place at Bampton, on Saturday night, the 29th ult., for 101., be tween the celebrated veter an d ancer, Old Tommy Gipin, of Mardale, late of Kentmere, and Mr. John Hall, of Bampton. The novelty of the thing drew together a large assemblage of spectators, and there was a good deal of betting on the result of the contest. After an alternate trial of about an hour, and while victory still hung doubtfully in the balance, Old Tommy suddenly discovered that he had forgot his "nankeen drawers," and offered to double the wager if his antagonist would meet him on Monday night to decide the contest. This was agreed to. Monday night came, and sure enough Old Tommy, his " nankeens," and his backers were there ; but his competitor did not venture to appear. Of course, Old Tommy claimed the wager, and threw up his cap, and declared th a t hi s next exhibition should be at the Alexander diggings, Amtralia.- 7 -Codid o Awn?. RAILWAY AND OTHER PRIVATE BILLS IN PARLIAMENT. We have prepared the following list of railway and other important bills which have already been presented to the House of Commons and read a first time. What with these and the election petitions, our representatives will have enough of hard work cut out for them in select committees during the present session. Aberdeen.—For raising further monies and extension of time for purchase of lands, &c. Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston, &c.—No. I. To authorise traffic arrangements with the Great Northern. No. 11. To authorize erection of station at Nottingham, and abandonment of portion of the line, &c. Ardrossan.—For vesting the company in the Glasgow and South Western Company. Bangor and Caernarvon.—For sale of line to the Ches ter and Holyhead. Birmingham and Oxford. &c.—For providing additional station accommodation in connection with the Groat Western, and other railways. Blackburn.—For extension of time, &c. Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire.—For making lines to Seacombe and Liskard. British Electric Telegraph Company.—For amendment of Act. Cheltenham and Oxford Union. Crystal Palace Company—For diversion of roads and purchase of lands. Devon and Dorset.—For making a line from Stoke Canon to Maiden Newton. Darlington and Barnard Castle. East Grimstead. East and West India Docks, &c.—For dissolving the existing company and incorporati n r, a new ono. Electric T e l egrap h C ompany o f Ireland.' Eastern Counties.—To make line from Stratford to Woodford and Loughton. 11. To make line to Ham Creek and the Thames. East Lancashire.--Fo r extension of line to Southport and Rainford. Great Extra -mural Cemetery Association.---For cemetery at Willesden. Great Northern. —I. For amendment of Acts. 11. For branch to Bedford. Hull and Holderness. London Docks Bill. —To augment stock and to form a new entrance from the river. London, Brighton and South Coast.—To enlarge London and Brighton Stations, and to form branch line to Crystal Palace. London and North-Western. —The following are the ob jects of the different bills promoted by this corn pany:—l. To construct line from Northampton to Market Harborough. 11. Do, from Tring to Ox ford. 111. Do. from Crewe to Shrewsbury. IV. To make branches to Stourbridge. V. To obtain additional powers as to the Oldham branch. VI. To construct branches to St. Albans and Amer sham. VII. To connect the Buckinghamshire with the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton. Limerick and Foynes. Limerick, Ennis, and Killaloe.—For power to sell, &c. London Assurance Bill. London and Finsbury Improvements.—For improve ments in London and Finsbury, and for construc tion of railway and stations. Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire. —For alteration of Barnsley branch. Manchester and Southport.—For alteration of line, ke. Monkland.—For branches. Midland.—For making line from Leicester to Hitches. Peebleso-sFrom Hawick to Peebles. Portadown and Dungannon. Redruth and Chasewater. South-Eastern.--The following are the objects of the bills promoted by this company :—I. To form a junction with the Great Western at Reading. 11. To make a branch from the North Kent to the Thames. 111. Do. from Lewisham to Bromley and Croydon. IV. Do. from Strood to Maidstone. V. To vest in the South-Eastern the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway and Continental Packet Com. pany. South Devon and Tavistock.--For line from Plymouth to Tavistock. Severn Valley.—For making a line from Hartlebury t o Shrewsbury. St. Helen's Canal and Railway.—For extending the line to Rainford, &c. Warrington and Altrincham.—For extending line to Stockport. West Cornwall.—For branches, &c. Wimbledon and Croydon. Woodford.—From Hackney Wick to Woodford. Worcester and Hereford.—This company has two bills for making railways between Worcester and Here• ford, and for forming junctions with other co rn . panys, &c. TEE COALITION PEA. We copy the following smart jeu d'esprit frond the Morning Herald : Now's your time—look out, and see, Here's the Coalition pea ; Which is the thimble? make your game, This or that, 'tis all the same. Here it is—now it's gone— Which is the thimble you bet upon? Is it reform of the criminal law ? You lift it—and look like a Johnny Raw. Well, upon that—reform of the Church ? You lift it—again you are left in the lurch. Well, now—reform of the income tax ? You're wrong, 'tis saddled again on our backs. But, surely, not without modification ? You're done again, and so is the nation. But come, at last, that thimble there ? Reform of Parliament, I'll swear. You're wrong again—you're done, 'tis clear, We've put it off to another year. Then, what the deuce have you got at all, Under the thimbles, any or all ? Dear sir, don't be so impatient and hot, I'll show you presently what we have got ; 'Ti3 something wonderful, something new 1 'Tis neither more nor less than " a Jew ! ! A living Jew, whom we mean to force Through houses both, as a matter of course, And render the state entirely free From national Christianity. Thimbles one, and thimbles all, Thimbles great, and thimbles small, i Thimbles many, and thimbles few, We've nothing under them but the Jew ! I P.S.—The joke and idea that give the fun, Are taken from Friday evening's Sun. W. G. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. SPORTING NOTES.—No. CCCLXXV. LINCOLN SPRING MEETING.—This meeting, under the stewardship of the Mayor of Lincoln, with Mr. Richard Johnson, of York, as judge, and Mr. J. H. Peart as starter, is marked to come off to-morrow and Wednes day, with four races for each day. The races commence to-morrow, at half-past one, w ith th e T r i a l Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 40 added, for three-years-old and up wards (one mile). Out of the Line entries, probably five or six will run. Mr. Wise's BROUGHTON ought to occupy the first place ; Billy Richardson and Game Tommy the second land third positions. The remainder stand no chance of finishing in front. For the Steeplechase little has been done among the betting fraternity ; and as I have for a length of time desisted from giving an opinion on these 'cross country events, I must pass this stake over by merely observing that The General and Bruce have some fanciers in the ancient city of Lincoln. The Two-years-old Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 80 added, for colts Bst 71b, fillies and geldings Bst 41b (straight run in, nearly half a mile), will be contested by a small field. The race will be confined entirely to BRIDESMAID, Vixen, and Pope Joan, the firs;.-named being the first to clear the judge's chair, the other two following in the order I have placed them. Vixen is reported to be very fast on her legs for a short distance, and it would not be throwing money away to back her, to save stakes in case Bridesmaid should miss the mark. The Selling Stakes of 5 sovs. each, 30 added, optional selling weights (over the mile course), will bring to morrow's races to a terminus. On Wednesday, the first race on the list is the Two years-old Selling Stakes of 5 sovs. each, with 25 added ; colts Bst 101 b, fillies Bst 71b ; the winner to be sold for 100 sovs., &c. (straight run in). This stake does not close until this evening ; which is likewise the case with the Innkeepers' Selling Stakes of 5 sovs. each, 30 added, optional selling weights (one mile). Out of the fifteen entries to the Lincoln Spring Han dicap Stakes of 5 sovs. each, 50 added, some half-dozen will go to the post. The race at the present time seems to me to lay between King David, Little Davie, Brough ton, and Newport ; and as I have here placed them, so, if meant, I fancy they will pass the post ; but for my final opinion see The Sun of to-morrow. Nothing whatever has been done in the Handicap Hurdle Race, consequently indicating the winner in this instance is quite out of the question. It is a sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, with 30 added (two miles, over five flights of hurdles). THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF. OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS. —The Attorney-G h nominated M r . J o h n Wickens and Mr. T. H. eneral Terrell a tO represent hi m i n E quity, in the matters relating to public charities. The right hon. gentleman has also selected Mr. Alfred Harrison to be counsel in Equity to the Board of Works, and to the Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes. The above offices are vacant by the appointment of Mr. W. Milbourne James to the office of Vice-Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in the room of Mr. Bethel, her Ma jesty's Solicitor-General. —Observer. EXTENSIVE CONFLAGRATION AND Loss OF PROPERTY NEAR THE BRIDGWATER STATION OF THE BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY. ---A destructive fire be ou on Saturd a y at the extensive works of Messrs. broke Hutch t inson and Ritson, the contractors for the Yeovil and Dorchester branch of the Bristol and Exeter Rail way. These works are situate on lands belonging to the company adjacent to the railway, and at about three-quarters of a mile distant from the Bridgwater station. The flames speedily communicated with a large quantity of Kyanised balls, and the fire burnt with terrible grandeur, rendering it soon apparent that all eCorts to save the engine-house and machinery would prove unavailing. By about half-past ton o'clock the violenee of the flames was subdued, but not until the engine-house, two powerful engines, a valuable lathe, and other implements used in the business, and as much prepared timber as would, laid longitudinally, have made five on six miles of railway, had been consumed. Happily, the wind blew from the eastward ; had it been otherwise the loss of property must have been much more extensive, as the yard was well stocked with timber. The damage has been estimated at from 2,0001. to MQOI. AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE EUROPA. At four o'clock y es t er d a y a ft e rnoon, the Br itish and North A mer i can Royal Mail steam-ship Europa, Captain Ry r i e , arrived in the Ideral from Bosto n an d H a lif ax , w ith 95 passengers a ll 200,000 dols. i n specie on freight. The E uropa left Bost on a t noon on the 2d instant, and HI ,, LL' early on the m orn i ng o f th e 4th, and pas sed the Canada, belonging to the same line, off Halifax' a The Royal Mail steamer Africa, from 'hence' the United States steamer Hermann, from Souta ampton and Havr e , had both arrived out a t 14 :.: ir 0 , York on th e 30th ult. ; and the screw-steam er ' of Glas gow arr i ve d at Philadelphia on the 31st. By this arri va l we h ave six days' later news from all parts of th e U n i te d S tates than we h a d previ°llsi' received by the Arabia. in the There had been very little of importance proceedings of Congress. The debate in the Senate on the Monroe doctrine, in reference to the relat i t positions of the United States and Cuba, was Pe s poned until the 3d instant. i A b e en In tho extradition case o f K a i ne who hau; demanded by the B r iti s h au th or iti es n Wasilie, 6 l,, -„ ; and whose cause has b een so o ft en a rgued L' e :,t the United States' C our t s , th e S upre me Cour t t Washington had decided, on the 31st ult., to grfo a re-hearing of the wh o l e case , w hi c h was file d commence at New York on the 4th of April. Cali. By the arrival of th e ma il s t eame r from of fornia at New York, with two million dollars o gold-dust, we are in possession of intelligence the golden state to the Ist of January, at WA re time the prices of provi s i ons i n C a lifornia (R l very high, and a famine was very generally dr° 3 ,,, f5 throughout the minin g di s t r i c t s . Heavy, srl-ad and floods had occurr e d, an d grea t suffering ;b e numerous deaths were the c onsequenc e among miners. 11th of From Mexico we have a d v i ces t o the 1 '","0. January. Everything was still in a confused a. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. :e Ol The commercial advi ces by th e E uropa re port bus'"erf generally throughout th e - Union as being active i n e L s i branch. Money was plentiful, and obtained uP ell terms. Stocks were in good demand, and prices maintained. , Tittle COTTON.—In the cotton mark e t th ere was bu t doing, h o ld ers were no t press i ng sales, an d the p ;b0 viously- quo t e d ra t es were ma i nta i ned. The receili—iief been very large, which tended to keep down prices. Orleans and Mobil e , 12 c . t o 124 c. ; Uplanda - and F lari 114 c. to 11 ac. at e) EnEensTuFFs.--There had been a P ratty b of done in breadstuff s . Th e mar k et, on the I li a..... steamer was firm, and prices generally st ea l t h; Western Canal flour, $5 374 t o $5 50 per brl., •te an d Gennessee wheat, $1 30 to t o $1 32 ; I n di an corn, l a to yellow, 70 to 72 cents, very firm ; Indian meal, $ 3 us ' $3 52. • IRON.—The demand was good, and prices firvi• l ogs PROVISIONS.—In provisions there had been a 4 111 business transacted. P r i ces , h owever , ar e gen et quoted lower. atti FREIGHTS.—The rates demanded by shipowv",fA higher than quoted by th e p rev i ous a d v i ces . Fb ti l 0 Liverpool, 3s. 6d. to 3s. 9d. per barrel ; grain; ls. per b us h e l • co tt on , 3-16 c. toic. ; cotton, to ID to ie. per lb.hOle ExcriANGE.-- 2 -There was a fair de ma nd for O e to if for th e E uropa ; th e rates were—On London , 1091 to , firm ; Paris, 5 13i Hamburgh, 361 to 36 i ; Broil 791 to 79i. MIDDLESEX SESSIONS-( THIS PA IfY ro The F e b ruary S ess i ons f or the tr i al o f prisl 9n-e 4, 't the county of Middlesex, commenced this morn Ser the S ess i ons -house, Clerkenwell-green before I 'ol. geant Adam s the Assistant-Jud ge , lir. Withar° , 8 00 full bench of magistrates. Th. calendar containAscir names of 67 prisoners for trial, of which 4 are h— raeanants. DARING HIGHWAY ROBBERY. sok°, William Sadler, 22, Mary Clark, 24, and An - tbo" 25, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging_ie with stealin g a poc k et - handkerchief and n i ne seve ry bur gb, the property and moneys of Mr. Charles rfa rrl from his person. ' Mr. Payne appeared for the prosecution, a ll f O'Bri en f or the defence. It app eare d from the evidence that, on the ill'ectigh- s otot we 6th of J anuary, about half-past nine, _the P r I,J, le o feo as proceeding a l ong the Cambridge Heath.r wards his home, when he was met by the ts'i° The priso ners, near the Queen's Head public-hoel'the PP; separated a n d went on each side of him, and "ffl goner Stok es put one of her arms round his b ° laker . pocket had t hen with her other took from his pocket a chief and the money named in the indictment , a h li e , sb e j ran away. He followed and caught he - , I/ u p 1 0 ,0 coughed twice, when the prisoner Sadler eall i . e th her said, "This is my wife, what aro you doing In on ill and at the same time struck him a violent blew' CO"' head, which knocked him down. The P t hen came up, and she and Sadler continued ns o s i , t hey into Stokesc u l s v t a o s d risone r o itieg the prosecutor until a policeman came up an d g, aft er. well know towtahse captured t . he _„ of The jury found all the prisoners geluY, The learned the cgenu e Assistant -Judge thae one ° A Which the prisoners had beenf sal iltY yr — Cow' most serious eharac:;er. To ound WI o fthc pt therefore was , th at they each be SiemnpterlCellea hard labour i n th e H ouse of Correctio n for 13 calen months. MARLBOROUGH - STREET-(THIS CONVICTION OF A DoG STEALER.— James vv.„,- - !„ e bn fancier was placed at the bar, before Mr• charged with stealing a bull-teuier, the Pr ° P e o l. John Ludy, carpenter, No. 7, Littl e York-buil a T l i, the Mr. Bishop, of Bond- s t ree t, a tt en d e d to "a r3 " o c f9 4 case on behalf of the Society for the Prosecution ,0 Stealers and their Confederat , :q, of which society the orignator. ' dof The prosecutor stated th a t on th e 31st 0 . • f a wl last he went into the parlour at Ben Caunt B'• iffr purpose of part a ki ng of some refreshment, fla f vill „. ° iP him at the time a b r i n dl e d r i d w hi te bull-tewe'ho ness took a seat at a table, and the p r isonerq,v g itneo g e i also a dog with hi m , eat oppwite to him. 1 ,4 0 14 soon after finishing his liquor, which he 4 ij ;I; to have bee n d rugge d b y some on e, i 0 "; asieep, and when h e awo k e h e missed t Prosecutor then went upstairs and inforaisari Caunt of his lois, and in spite of e very e ff° t'll ness could not succeed in finding the prisone r , 4 1 .0 1 , 0 night, when he found him at his lodgings in P rti i iiat A t 's and gave him in charge. Prosecutor added , - ,ncly" dog, which had not been found, was worth 1514 - dou collar it had on worth Is. 6d. fJa 9- or Mrs. Caunt said o n th e n i g ht o f t h e 31st t he; o h she was in the bar when she saw prisoner Pas 9 left r with complainant' s d og under his coat. Prisoner sesilo house, and directly he was gone she was told P r .o ° l' 9l° had lost his d og — s h e t h en told him that C o % 1, it away with him. g , to o ' be M b r r . ou ß g i h n t gh t a o m j o ther f lie p .t r' r j justice d iee it fwoarsaspopsreolpdroimatinthgat a lI I ' e or sentvaluable case the offence had been fully proved, ai 1 , 6 , - e cl, of now inflict the :iffiest punishment the law al' ° A . „ ctl 9 " - § t l prisoner was then committed, under the second " Th e et "Bishop's Act," to the House of Correction f or of six calendar months. ich"e ST. JOHN'S -WOOD.—Amon the institution - rau st P whi",- st. find ri s i ng up on the skirts of London, we - i e tf• • 0 4 the St. John's -wood Literary and Scientific Soc t ittit i o John' s - woo d seems the very place for such at in :0 061 10 to take roo t i n. It has long been a favourite •.0 of m en o f l etters —art has many of her votsrlp",riCrot, pleasant nooks, and the district can boast ite , he r Ae of college, an d it s o b servatory. Nor is it altog e l ia d 1 : t or ing in historical and legendary contrasts- 1 % 1. 01 40 0 in ancient days its monks and its priory ? oti 4P ;'sea der favourable auspices, and on liberal e° as to terms and management, the new s°cL - n - c eeo" well. Without expensive meetings and P r— i i roo .'or" that . evil which is fa'Al to so many well-cony soPr oo te jects- it has already obtained such an amou nt iiseer l as justifi es reasona bl e hopes of success. A f o e ; bO rr hoof, has bee n opene d— a lib rary, small, but growl fd , formed— an d a course of lectures is comm pos:j o tit the thi ng i s f a i r l y i naugurated—and i t i s in tu o d % . , 4e fte the inhabitant s o f th e di s t r i c t, b y a prompt e iv ost I "joe' co-operation, to render it'in ti me one of th e fLo n and agreeable meeting places in the suburb s ig bl —Athencettra. SUSPECTED CHILD MURDER.—Late on saaio ebkoriol: the body of a remarkably fine newly-born 0 1 ,t; ra d yob found on the step of the house of the Rev. 1 1ntlie berly, 30, Mornington-crescent, Regent's - P. r n tion having been given to the policemat,;ticrao o pe a body was immediately conveyed to the St. -"".... e 00,_ 0 0°, house, where Mr. Waldegrave, the house sung er e a minute examination of the body, from w hi 01 01 doubt that the child was born alive, It w .‘h wo o w e; in a piece of white calico much stained vr l ' b iolt g o ol' a over which was closely folded a pece instructooo calico. The police have received t. the most rigid search for the inhuman Per eu n ~ ar meantime, notice of the occurrence has bee n it 7 to Mr. akley, the coroner. " r oft.". Cup THE MURDER a t C LAYHIDON, s be en ta m he iattunt actual murdereraf s or at trial fi rst in hs aucdpo supposed. moreno s e e c d t t o o n Id with t pi h np considered that Hitchcock, the man who j'e' S ari` ° ;" P th ho ciPoeff s engaged to be married to a daughter of fl t he r ° „(1 prevailing impression is that they concoc ted de eel l iso ly o between their. They both parted from theloye, tbe eg the French nut tree, so as to make him be 1 1 1361 ,1 At he be attacked, it was by other parties. her e 0 fr o e G a iorg a c tartosc i p l r o lo dogged him to the Lower Farm Gate, w n cam o 4 Blackmore tracked Hitchcock; Sparks be as be te ffit, c ;; attack, over k t e hedge and passed his victim, but' Win ; beyond of the people, he had not heart to strike rev ° fief cock, it is thought, was behind urging biluitito the foci; t w he en i v e ge 'd ve ;j e g il ef ecg ; and and fi o n u a t l lay secondt e poor t time, and wretch blow. When Braddick came to APPr e f b ri t it 0 0 0 11 1 . in the morning, he told him that he thug soro, ° o t he Sparks, who had promised to bring ° A n ato,p in the morning. Now, as Sparks had ,P l i c avo'" u id money he borrowed of a Mr. lioniball a t t wbat c o cove l could have had no money to lend ex ce l ) to the taken from Blackmore. This led the jis oo BiOrk that Hit c h coc k was a n abettor of Va o c