The Sun. — London, England, 1847-03-18 00:00:00

~~. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE Ot COMMONS, March 17. FACTORIES BILL. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. DENNISTOUN rose to bring forward the motion of which he had given notice, that the House should not resolve itself into a Committee until this day fortnight. He said, notwithstanding the violent denunciations of the Hon. Gen tleman, the Member for Knaresborough (Mr. Ferrand), against those who opposed this Bill, he should not be deterred from bringinetforward his motion, and of stating be reasons which led - him to do so, together with the reasons why he could not agree to the Bill ; but at the same time he must disclaim any intention of wishing to defeat the measure by any factitious opposition. He should not, at the moment the House was about to rise, at six o'clock, nova an amendment, as had been done in the former discussions of the measure.—(Hear, hear.) When he esoked at the history of the various proceedings which had taken place on the subject of a Ten Hours' Bill, he was for cibly.lad to the conclusion that lion. Members had but a very faint comprehension of the measure. He had taken the trouble to look through" Hansard ;" he there found that three years ago when they divided on the Ten Hours' Bill introduced by Lord Ashley, that the numbers were 186 to 183, and on the twelve Hours' Bill (as we understood the Hon. Gentleman) the numbers were—for the Bill, 188, and against it 181. Shortly after a Bill of the same class—a Ten Hours' Bill —was introduced, and the same House of Commons, who had decided against a Twelve Hours' Bill, voted against this Bill by an overwhelm ing majority of 297 to 159. And now the supportere:of the measure had increased from 159 to 195, whilst the number of opponents of the measure had been reduced from i 97 to 87 ; therefore, it appeared to him, that the House had not a very definite notion of the question. Then he declared that the title of the Bill was a dishonest one, as it was termed a "Bill for limiting the hours of labour of young persons and females in factories." He therefore wished to put this question to those who had charge of the Bill: " Will the Bill not also affect the labour of adults—Of men ?" Tney must know that if they limited the hours of children and females to ten hours a day, that the men would be prevented from working more than ten hours a day. They could not work without ,their aid, and therefore they must suspead their labour at the same time. He slid, therefore, that the Bill was nothing more than " a delusion, a mockery, and a snare," as it could not fail to have the effect he had pointed out. He was not one of those who admitted that former legisla tion had been beneficial. They had lately interfered with regard to children, and tha result of that interference was, that at the present moment there was not employed in Scotland one single young person under the age of thir teen. He wished to know if it had in any way pro moted their interest. On the contrary, he had in his possession an advertisement, inserted in a Glasgow paper, calling a meeting to take into consideration the lamentable ' condition of the children who infested the streets of this, the second city in the empire. All illegitimate interference with labour on the part of the Government was, in his opinion, most objectionable. They had interfered in favour of the agriculturists by their abolition of the corn-laws. They had interfered in favour of the shipping interest by the navigation laws. In the West Indies, their sugar duties were interfering with them, and, again, there were the enormous duties they had imposed upon silk. He would ask the House who had been the parties? Who had cone there year after year (es an Hon. Gentleman opposite had expressed it) whining for protection, but those very parties on whose behalf they had attempted to interfere? They had not only interfered with protection but they were now about to interfere with the rights of those who had never before asked anything at the hands of that House. He had been very much struck with the mode in which the Right Hon. Member for Tamworth put the case a. affecting wages, but he had very much understated the case. He said that their interference would be equal to an income-tax of 12 per cent. on wages, but it was in reality equal to an income-tax of 16i per cent., and more than that, for when they placed an income-tax on all property above 1501., they did not, at the same time, tie the hands of all the parties who were liable to it. On the contrary, it was only an inducement for further exertion and more determined energy to make up for that loss. They were not only putting a tax of five fold upon the labourer, but they at the seine time tied his hands, and said that no powers of his should be exerted be- ' yond ten hours of labour. That was neither more nor less than a boon to their foreign competitors. He did think that the House eh( uld be more cautious before it gave in to a notion, which he knew was very prevalent, that this country, in its manufacture of cotton, was infallible in its supremacy, and that no foreign nation could touch them. He believed that a more fatal delusion never went abroad ; and he might say that the trade of a country once gone, was gone for ever. Let the House look at the manufactures of Flanders. What was the situation of Bruges and Ghent? At one time they possessed the whole manufacture of lace. They had lost it, and had never since been able to recover the loss. They might say that there men had not the industry and energy of those of this coun try, but they stood nearly NAT to thin country in the manu facture of cotton. Wnat was the state of the cotton trade towards the close of diciest century, and lie might say tow. ands the close of the war? Why, this country possessed almost the entire manufacture of cotton, but, from one cause or another, competition had gradually sprung up, so that, at the present moment, in the article of cotton, instead of being the sole manufacturers, their foreign rivals managed exactly to compete with them ; that was to say, that they manufactured the same amount of cotton, and they were encroaching upon this country at a great rate. There were many causes for that. they had great water power and less cost of the raw material, but they were about to step in and make an artificial restriction, which would act as a boon to that country. He had got a statement of the usual hours worked by five of their chief competitors, America, France, Prussia, Switzerland, and the Tyrol. They worked upon the average 14 per cent. more than this country. But, said the Noble Lord, they could not refer to America, because he understood that during six weeks or two months they had holidays allowed to them. He would then strike out America altogether, which worked 13 per cent. more than thiscountry, and there remained still an advantage of 14 per cent. in favour of the remaining countries. They proposed to add 16 per cent. more t, that advantage, making 30 per cent. in their favour. But, if they looked at it in another point of view, the magnitude of the interest involved in this country was something enormous. Let them see what was the money value of the inenufactures of this country? Ile should take it at the moderate estimate which he had put, namely, 112,000,000. Now, it they struck off one-sixth of that amount ; they would strike off nineteen millions per cent. How would that effect the export trade? lie believed that the great bulk of it would come into other hands, and if their exports did increase to nineteen millions, or in what ever proportion they increased, he would wish to know what would become of their imports, and what would become of the enormous amount of trade they would be compelled to forego. lie thought that the late Ministry had well and pro perly resisted this infraction, and, in point of fact, the present Government, although the Noble Lord at the head of it was not opposed to it, those who were at the present time more perfectly responsible for the finances of the country were in opposition, to it. What did the Chancellor of the Exche quer say ? There was no man in that House more opposed to the views of the promoters of this measure. What said the late Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Hun. Member fer Cambridge, and what said the one befOre him, the Right Hon. Member for Portsmouth? What said 1.-ird Mouteagle and Lord Ripon ? Why they were all opposod to it. The Secretary of the Board of Trade, Lord Clarendon, the Secretary for Ireland, and the former Presi dent of the Board of Trade—every one of those, with a regard for the finances of the country, were diametrically opposed to it. Notwithstanding all that array of authority they had determined to proceed. At all events, those opposed to the measure would have done their duty in warning the H , use of what in their opinion would Le the inevitable result. On them alone would rest the responsibility. He would make a short statement with regard to the amend ment as proposed to her Majesty's Government. He had given the subject his best attention, and he must say that it appeared to him, as he would show, a very feasible one. His only objection was that the House was going too far, because, in point of fact, they were to admit the principle of the ten hours altogether as applied to the number of hours to be wrought in a week or in a year. The advocates of this measure said that no female or young person should work more than 59 hours in a week. ✓ He took that principle, and agreed with it—all that he asked was that they should concede that which appeared to him to be the principle of the Bill. That they should be allowed to work during the three days as much as twelve hours at a time, binding themselves not to work during two con secutive days more than twenty hours—that was twelve hours one day and eight hours on the succeeding day. Their object was to be allowed to work their machinery during three days for twelve hours, so that by a system of relays the pro ductive powers of the country would not be trenched upon. If that point were conceded it would meet their views almost to the letter. That was a fair proposal, and they would do well at once to agree to it. He called upon the "louse, how ever, to delay the measure for one single fortnight. The Hon. Member for Knaresborough said that it was a most un fair thing to delay the passing of this measure until after Easter. He would ask the Hon. Member for Oldham if there was the slightest chance of any further stage being obtained for this Bill before Easter? Even under the most favourable circumstances, they could not' get be yond the Committee; and when the report was brought np there would be a discussion upon that. Under the most favourable circumstances, they could not bring up the report before Easter. lie proposed that they should go into Committee that day fortnight, so that the manufacturers of the country should have time to consider the provisions of the Bill. They would be able to say " aye" or "no." If they agreed to it, it would be preferable that the measure should have the general concurrence of the masters and men, and there would be less opposition in the House than there was likely to be if they went on at present. It would be difficult to explain, to such an audience as he then had, as to the proposed mode of working the mills by the system of relays, and how that system was to be got up. In his mind it was perfectly practicable to use such a system, and they would not require more than 20 per cent., or one-fifth more of the amount of labour. Sup posing that a mill at present employed 100 operatives, Under this clause, the same mill would be obliged to employ 120, and of course their wages would continue to b e th e _ . .. same. The mode in which this was to be brought about he would explain. Supposing that 120 hands entered the mill on the Mon 'ay morning. sixty of these hands would work the entire day, and the rest would be divided into three relays. At the hour of breakfast the first 20 labourers would retire, and their place would be taken by the reserve twenty, mid at three o'clock the second twenty would have their Places taken by the twenty which had worked for the first three hours. It would be impossible to explain the system Properly to the blouse, , and therefore he could not proceed v" it•—(Cries of Go on.") These would be again re lieved by another reserve, so that the third branch would only have Worke d e i g ht hours. The result of that was, that oat of the 120 six ei t g worked for twelve hours, and sixty worked for eight houy o The next day the thing was exactly reversed, for those weihOgh.wt hours twelve hours on the Monday would work only oui.soon the Tuesday, and those who worked eight hours o n th e Monday would work twelve hours on the Twaday. Thu would go on until o i r n e t g stricted to nine; but the Saturday, when the hourpspl.Te'edt-leti the sante principle could be a been working seven /in.y that Cie whole 120 woujd i considerably less iwye h t e , se nine hours. So hours per day during the week —an into:let a Ten flours' Bill. than the proposed In short time h thought that the system would work so well that e they would be enabled to carr y it on with 116 instead of 120. He had e ndeavoured to make the system as distinct as sible, but if he had been at all obscure it was owing to the difficulty of explaining these operations to such an assembly. He had done his duty, and telt greatly obliged for the atten tion with which he had been heard, and would conclude by moving that this Bill be committed thii day fortnight. Mr. FINCH had anticipated, when he saw the notice on the paper, that this motion was merely a factious opposition, but he saw that the measure was a bond fide one, and he believed therefore, whether the House accepted or rejected it, the mover and his motion were both entitled to respect. The Hon. Member fa. Oldham had him !elf allowed that the system of relays, although very ob• actionable on many accounts, was at least an advantage. The Hon. Member who had just sat down had stated that THE- SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY-- EVEN'ING, 'MARCH, 18 1 1847. the children in Glasgow were previously neglected, but that was not an uncommon occurrence, and he did not see that the Ten Hours' Bill would at all affect the evil of which so much complaint was made. It had been urged that with respect to young females they did not attend to them after the business of the day was concluded ; but it was plainly evident that, according to their constitution and the state of their health, they would either partake of dcmestic enjoyment or have the opportunity of improve ment in the lecture-room or reading classes. They would, by shortening the hours of labour, give them the opportunity of attending on Sunday-schools, of which, from being so wearied and jaded by their weekly labour, they could not now take advantage. By passing this Bill, then, they would be very largely advancing the morality of the people, for they would be affording to those young persons the opportunity for acquiring domestic habits, and thus not only enjoy a great benefit themselves, but also enable them to confer benefits on others. Then, with regard to wages, the Right Hon. Baronet, the Member for Tamworth, had indulged in a long disquisition on the effect which this reduction of time would have upon wages; but a greater fal lacy had never been put before an intelligent assembly. That Right Hon. Member had entered into a calculation to show, that, by this reduction, the working people would be obtaining two holidays instead of one ; but the fact was, that they were absolutely working seven days a week, instead of six ; and the whole of the calculation on the reduc tion of the wages, by a sixteen per cent. income- tax, fell to the ground. By a reference to the work of Mr. Porter, it would be found that wages always bore a relative amount, not to the time of the worker, but to the importance of the business which he had to perform, and he ( Mr. Finch) was prepared to show that, according to the evidence of expe rience, the reducti , n of the hours of labour would in no way affect the rate of wages. The Right Honourable Baronet had talked of giving the people cheap mutton, cheap bread, and cheap beef; but this had better be left to the people themselves, who, if they were allowed stifficiert opportunity, would be able to take care of their own interests in these matters without the intervention of the Legislature. In America the manufacturers did not suffer by limiting the hours of labour, and in point of machinery, coals, and capital, they were in a much worse position than the munufacturers of this country. He had no hesitation in saying that the manufacturers of this country would have as much work done by working ten hours a day as by working twelve hours, and ha hoped the House would carry the Bill as a Ten Hours' Bill. Mr. AGLIONBY said that the principle of the Bill had been debated over and over again, and been decided upon by the House. He did not think it necessary, there fore, to take up the time of the House, but would im plore them to go at once into Committee. The Hon. Member for Glasgow had stated no adequate reason for postponing the Bill for a fortnight, and he hoped his pro-- position would be rejected. He thought it better therefore to proceed with the question at once, and any amendments Hon. Members wished to make could be discussed in Com mittee. Lord J. RUSSELL agreed with the Hon. Gentleman who had just spoken that the best course for them to adopt would be to go into Committee at once. Had he had an opportu nity of stating his opinions before the House rose when the question was last under consideration, he would have made some remarks on the general question. It was not, however, the fault of the opponents of the measure that he had not had that opportunity. The Honourable Gentleman who spoke towards the close of the evening, had been carried away by his argument, and was in consequence induced to prolong his speech till nearly six o'clock. He was quite willing to forego the oppor tunity he had at present to enter into the question, and he did so for the purpose of preventing delay and avoiding a fresh debate. The House had pronounced its opinion on the measure twice—first, on the second reading of the Bill; and, secondly, on going into Committee. He took the question, then, as decided, and he thought it far better for them to go into Committee at once, when any amendment the Hon. Member for Glasgow, or any other Hon. Member, might propose, could be discussed. He thought his Hon. Friend who had spoken last had made a mistake with regard to the proposition which he stated as having been made by the masters, and that it could not be regarded with sincerity, inasmuch as it was made at the eleventh hour. He (Lord John Russell) thought that so far from its being a proposition of the manufacturers, it was a proposition of one gentleman—(Cries of "Three ")—engaged in the cotton manufacture. , . He thought it, therefore, un fair to charge them with bringing forward the question of relays, or of introducing it at the eleventh hour. He thought it quite unnecessary to discuss that propo sition now, and considered that the best course for the House to adopt would be to go at once into Committee. It was true that great anxiety and great ex pectations were felt on the subject, and he trusted they would lose no further time. Mr. FOX MAULE said, when the Hon. Gentleman got up and used arguments for not delaying the further consideration of the Bill, he thought he should refra:n from introducing topics in his speech, which would have the effect of giving rise to argument. The Hon. Member forCoekermouth stated that the object of the amendment was to cause farther delay, and that the minds of its advocates were so fully made up, that it was quite useless to make any proposition to them to forego the Ten Hours' Bill, and, secondly, that the propo sition now made was not a bowl fide one, inasmuch as it was made at the eleventh hour.—(Hear, hear.) The parties who had made this proposition were not only honourable men in their calling, but also gentlemen who had clone all they could to carry out in their manufactories the provisions of the Factories Bill. Mr. AGLIONBY said—Directly the opposite. /dr. FOX MAULS—Then his ears never so mistook any thing which had ever been stated in that House. He thought that the proposition showed something like a desire upon the part of the masters to meet the wishes of the men; and he thought it desirable to secure the willing co-operation of both masters and operatives in carrying out the provisions of the Factories Bill, shou!d such pass into a law. If good feeling were not established between the masters and opera tives the greatest mischiefs would result from the passing of the proposed measure. Mr. AGLIONBY rose to explain. He denied having made any reflection whatever on the character or conduct pursued by any manufacturers with respect to this measure. Mr. BROW NE thought that by passing this measure an injury would be inflicted upon the country, equal in its ex tent to that produced by Louis XIV. upon France, by the banishment of skill and labour from that country, while the cruelty inflicted upon the operatives themselves would be of the most serious and alarming kind. It was an undeniable proposition, that a few hour's employment would be remune rated by low wages only. The present measure proposed to rob the poor man of all the capital which he possessed, viz., his labour, and he should therefore feel it his duty to oppose the further progress of the measure. Mr. P. BORTH WICK opposed the amendment. The object of the amendment appeared to litni to have been proposed for the purpose of obstructing the progress of a measure which hal virtually received the sanction of the House. Mr. BRIGHT wished to make a few observations with respect to the petition which had been presented by the Noble Lord at the head of the Government. Some time ago a memorial was presented to the Noble Lord and his col leagues, signed by nearly 400 master spinners largely en gaged in the cotton trade, representing, he might say, five sixths of the capital invested in that, trade, and employing over 120,000 persons; but the Noble Lord, he was sorry to sly, did not accede to the proposition which it contained. But, to• day, he had presented a petition in favour of the Bill, which ho stated was signed by manufacturers in Lancashire, York, Chester, and Derby. Tae first name in the petition was that cf the brother of the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Oldham, to which no one could object. Next came the names of several persons who were stated to reside in Rochdale; but, with the exception of about twelve, he was in a condition to say that he never had the felicity of kno ing that they were spinners. One signed himself John Scholefield, a flannel manufacturer, who stated that he em ployed six persons.—(" Hear, hear," from Mr. Ferrand)— ' another, Josh. Wild, of Great Bolton, waste dealer, who em ployed four persons; but the majority of them employed no more than two persons, and but few of them employed three. Some of them signed themselves grocers and drapers. At any rate the majority of those who had signed the petition had little or no connexion with steam-power, or in the capital invested in machinery, or any of those trades which the Bill was proposed to affect. He complained that such a petition had been presented by the Prime Minister, because a petition presented by one in that high office carried with it much authority. Perhaps not one-hundredth part of the capital invested in the cotton and other trades was represented by them. Either the Noble Lord must have been at a great loss for supporters, or he had been grossly deceived ; certainly it did not convey the views of those engaged in that trade. He also complained that the Noble Lord had not discussed the principle of the Bill. On the first occasion he was asked to discuss it, but he declined to do so ; he was in the second stage sought to do so, but he again declined. Now they were about going into Com mittee he still adhered to his resolution not to speak. He should not complain of this if the Noble Lord were not at the head of the Government. He admired his talents and his courage, and he, and those on that side of the House who felt disposed to support the Noble Lord's Government, felt grieved at his silence as to the grounds on which he sup ported the Bill.—(Hear.) He stated it did not resolve itself into a question of principle but into one of degree; but, whether it was a question of principle or of degree, the Bill would, if passed, have the effect of stopping the ma chinery of the country to a great extent, and therefore was one of paramount importance.—(The Hon. Gentle man then read a long extract from an article in the last number of Chambers 's Journal, entitled " Two Days in Dundee," by William Ch am b ers — a ll o f w h ose writings, he said, could be relied upon—to show that many parents had removed their children from the factories, where they were earning ls. 3d. a week, for the purpose of being sent out to beg. The industrial schools gave three meals a day, and this led them to consider the question whether this quantity of food, and what was made by begging, was not of more value than the wages they received. This showed that interference with labour would do no good to those persons, whilst it would do incalculable mischief to the employers. By the returns of the factory inspectors, it appeared that from the year 1835, when this system of agitation commenced, down to 1839, there weie 30,000 fewer children employed under 13 yea-s of age. Mr. Owen was more entitled to the authorship of this plan than any other person, as he had suggested it years ago. From a paper he had received from the United States, it appeared that a com mittee of Congress had, on his instigation, been appointed to consider the subject, but they had reported that they could not come to any conclusion on the subject. The Bill would wantonly interfere with the capital of the country, and with out the aid of the great manufacturers, legislation could not be carried on at all ; and if the master-manufacturers thought proper to enter into a combination against this Bill it could not be carried out. The Hon. Gentleman the Member for Knaresborough had stated that if it was not passed the working classes would revolt ; but they had found that every ieduction of the hours of work had been accompanied with a reduction of wages, and many of them anticipated a like result from this measure. Why should the manufacturers of cotton, who were anxious to make up for the losses of this year by working more hours during 1848 be prevented from doing so ? He believed the employers would rather have a ten hours than an eleven hours' Bill.---( Hear, hear.) The employers who approved of it, simply did so in order that it might be tried ; and if it was found a good principle they would maintain it.—( Hear, hear.) He, for one, wished the matter decided at once.—(Hear, hear.) The speech of the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Salford (Mr. Brother ton) had a great effect upon the House ; but since that Hon. Gentleman was employed in a factory a great change had taken place, as an enactment had been passed forbidding the employment of persons ucder thirteen for more than six hours a day, and the majority of the young persons in other trades, who were apprenticed, were under thirteen. they had more persons then in shops in this country under hardly were in of fourteen than they had in their factories. They them thanown foepeplionsge it c, te r ril tl e e r a t w ur o e rk n i o n t g les e s i tnjurious, and engaged in work hurtful than in the factories. He had a strong asses, and he would rather deceive them, for he had a convictions. regard for hiapractical experience and con scientiouswas one which would be injurious,lallieved that the Bill should support the motion of ilon other vote which would retard the passing o e' f n r and therefore he and any Her Majesty's Government had voted for this treasure umreeattrre. years ago, and he (Mr. Bright) had predicted what would happen. That prediction had since been fulfilled. He hoped that, seeing the consequences of the vote, her-Majesty's Go vernment would not now assist in forwarding the measure. Mr. lIINDLEY said that he had been a free-trader all his life, and believed in the principle to its fullest extent, but he thought that the Government should take care that the articles produced should be made with a due regard to the feelings and morals of the people. What had Mr. Cobden said upon this subject? After commenting upon the system of oppression upon trade, he had said, that if the Government would take off the restrictions upon trade, he would freely give his labourers the same wages which they were then receiving, with ten hours' labour.— (Loud cheers.) The Hon. Member for Oldham had not always supported the opinion he had just given out, for upon a former occasion he had agreed with the Hon. Member for Stockport in his views upon this measure. He would no longer trespass upon the time of the House, nor hinder them from going into Committee upon this question.—(Cheers.) Mr. FIELDEN was astonished at the assertions which had been made by the Hon. Metaber for Durham, for he had placed the petition against which this protest was entered in the hands of the Noble Lord a fortnight since. That Hon. Member had complained, in the protest which he had pre vented, that the mill -owners who had signed the petition were not men of property, and that it consequently was not entitled to the attention of the House, and had con tended that his own protest was a more valid document. But if it were so, why were not the names of the several partners in the different firms given, together with a state ment of the number of men employed in each factory, for that would have given validity to the assertions which it contained. There were 323 firms, whose names were signed to this protest, and it was pretended that they represented a constituency of 323.000 people, but lie would like to know whether the Hon. Member for Durham would make himself responsible for the respectability of these firms, as he would make himself responsible far those who had signed the petition presented by the Noble Lord, and why throw the responsibility upon him of passing this Bill through the House? He should like to know how this protest was got up, and what part the lion. Gentleman had taken in it. For his own part, he did not know but that it was written by the Hon. Gentleman himself; for he found that it was signed by Bright and Charlesworth, of Ashton under-Lyne.—(" Hear, hear," from Mr. Bright.) It was signed also by Samuel Scotland Junes, of Rochdale, and by several other persons whose respectability he would not impugn, but there were other names for which there were no owners in existence. There was Joel Gee, of Dunkinfield, together with several other the owners of which were nowhere to be found. While the names of those who had signed the petition presented by the Noble Lord were some of the most distinguished men in Manchester, well known throughout the whole of the manu facturing districts.—(Hear.) And what did these people say? Why they wanted to convince him that he did not understand his own business.—("Hear, hear," and laugh ter.) More than thirteen years ago he bad stated the whole of the case to the mill-owners, and had then recommended them to adopt the ten hours' system. And look at the be nefit that would have arisen from it. There was the Hun. Member for Durham himself, whose mills were at the pre sent moment entirely at a stand-still, and all his hands stand ing idle.—(" Hear," from Mr. Bright, and cheers from several parts of the House.) lie did not hesitate to say, that if this Ten Hours' Bill had passed last session, and was at pre present in operation, that every mill in Manchester would be now at work. They had machinery now erected at such an extent that they were enabled to supply all the markets of ' the world. And tnen with regard to wages, it. was his own firm conviction that wages would be as high under a ten hours' Bill as they were under a twelve hetes' system. In 1831 he had recommended that a ten hours' plan should be adopted, and since then the House had passed a Bill for preventing the use of relays of children, and had hindered all under a certain age from working more than &girt hours a day. But let bins finish with the protest. (The lion. Gentleman then read several names which lie stated to be fictitious.) The Hon. Gentle man had asserted that these parties were in possession of fully five-sixths of the capital employed in the cotton trade. Why a greater story never was told. Ha had to complain that no notice whatever had been given to him of the inten tion to bring this motion forward, for if he had received a note, or any intimation whatever, he should certainly have been in his place to resist it. Nor had there been more courtesy with respect to the protest presented by the lion. Member for Durham, of which he had heard nothing until lie saw it ore the table. The fact was, this motion was merely brought forward for the purposes of delay, for it could serve no other purpose whatever. If there was any object really to be attained, why did not the Hon. Gentleman meet him at Manchester, at Oldham, at Halifax, and at the several other pieces which he had visited for the promotion of this object?—(Cheers.) It was true that the Hon. Member possessed the gift of the gab—(Leughter)-- but it was a pity that he did not use it in contarring a boon on the people, instead of imposing an injury. lie would not con,ent to any delay of the measure, even for a single hour. Mr. BRIGHT said that he had no doubt that the whole of the mistake referred to by the lion. Member for Oldham (Mr. Fielden) arose from a mistake in the printing of the list of the names from the petition. Mr. DENNISTOUN rose for the purpose of making some explanations respecting a conversation which had passed between himself and the Hon. Member for Oldham (Mr. Fielden), to which that Hon. Member had referred. Mr. STANSFIELD was understood to say that he would support the motion. Sir R. PEEL said that he was not quite certain what was the actual motion before the House. Mr. DENNISTOUN said, the motion was to postpone the Bill gcing into Committee for a fortnight. Sir R. PEEL could not then support that motion. It appeared to him that it was only a motion for delaying the Bill. The Bill had been already fully discussed upon every preceding occasion; it was now proposed to delay the Bill going into Committee for a fortnight, which would bring the House to the Wednesday immediately preceding the adjournment, a day which he did not think would be a very convenient one for the purpose of discussion in Committee, and he thought that the consequence would be the postponement of the Bill till after Easter. He did not think that sufficient grounds had been made out for delaying the measure, and he should, therefore, feel it his duty to oppose the motion. Mr. DUNCAN supported the motion for pcstponement. Lord JOAN RUSSELL said that the Hon. Member for Durham complained that he had taken no part in the discus• slot'. He should now, therefore, state as shortly as he could the reason which induced him to support the Bill. lie hoped the lion. Member and other Hon. Gentlemen would not forget that ott one occasion he did briefly state his reasons fur supporting the Bill, and it he did not then go fully into the question, it was because he was limited to ten minutes to do so, the lion. Member who spoke before having only finished ten minutes before six o'clock.—( Hear, hear.) The Right lion. Baronet the Member for Taniworth in a speech he made on the Bill, had also stated that lie would like to hear him (Lord John Russell) express the views which lie entertained on the subject, but the Right Honourable Baronet was so led away that evening by his argument, as to preclude the possibility of his being able to state what his views were. Be tbre -he could now proceed to make any observations on the general question, he wished to say that he did not think the Hon. Member for Durham had any right to lec ture him upon his conduct in 1844.—(Cheers.) It was with his eyes open that he (Lord J. Russell) then supported the measure brought forward, and he was quite willing to bear the responsibility of the consequences that resulted from that step. If he recollected well, it was urged as an argument for the abolition of the corn-laws by the Hon. Gentleman and those who acted with him representing the Anti-Corn law League, that if these laws were abolished there would be no necessity for prolonging the hours of factory labour to the same extent as then prevailed. Now, if he were disposed to retaliate on the Hon. Member, he would say that those assertions were held out for the purpose of securing the support of the working classes, irrespective of the truth of the statement. lie would not, however, say that they were insincere in their representations, but he thought that a consideration of this should induce him to be sparing in his taunts of his (Lord John Russell's) conduct in 1844. With e r two e oar g us a ld r t d shca t eb o rec t ey h inoy e ou q nn uestio n , it had be en d e b ate d b e f ore, an d i t g d e c o e3u peoplebsat y b u f t o for themuto factories limito e t h n e t w e r ahso i into it. i o te fp e rlTfaeblecoet labour legitimate object. It was stated, however, that the con sequence of this would be to limit the labour of adults, but he could not assent to this objection, as it would be just as reasonable to allege with regard to a proposal to make a railway front a sea-port to Loncon that it would injure the coasting trade generally. The principle of the measure was good, and should therefore be carried out, notwithstanding any inconvenience which might result. —(Hear, hear.) He thought the object of the Bill was a perfectly legitimate one, and it should therefore have his support, as he believed' that great benefit would result from it. The powerful argument for the limitation of the hours of labour was the opportunity which would be thus afforded to the manufacturing population of having re ligious and moral instruction, cultivating the domestic affec tions, and acquiring domestic habits. Now, the advocates of these improvements in the social condition of the working classes seemed to forget that they were incompatible with the protraction of the hours of labour to 14 hours a day. It was said, however, that the hours afforded for those purposes would be abused, and devotod to vice; .but he was not deterred by such an objection from supporting the measure. He should be quite content if those who would be benefited were left to spend the leisure which this Bill would give them at their own homes, in kindly intercourse, instead o imposing any restriction upon them as to how they should spend it.—( Hear.) They next came to the great question inserted in the Bill. Could they give these advantages to the sons and daughters of the working classes employed in factories, without at the same time injuring the manufac turer and the industry of the country, and thereby injuring those classes whom the Bill was designed to benefit ? This was a large and formidable question, and though the limitation of the hours of work might be indirect, still if the practical effect of such a limitation was likely to injure our foreign commerce, the question became, as he said, one of a very serious nature. Now, he did not think that a case had been made out by the opponents of the measure to show that serious injury to our foreign trade might be appreltendsd.— ( Hear, hear.) And, in considering the question, they must not simply look at the value of the manufactures exported from this country—namely, 37,000,0001., as for instance, one of the largest manufacturers in this country—Mr. Marshall, of Leeds, only worked his flax-mill eleven hours a day, and they had a right to assume that he did so with profit. They had also been told that many other manufacturers in Leeds did not employ their workers more than eleven hours a day; therefore the hours of work did not bear so materially on the amount exported as many Hon. Gentlemen seemed to suppose. The next consideration was, how many various elements there were in the price of the article, in order to show they would be affected by foreign competition. With respect to cotton, there was the original price of the raw material, the cost of its transit across the ocean, the commission of the merchant at Liverpool, the expense of working it into thread and into various fabrics. It had then to be embarked again, and he would assume that it was carried to China, where it would have to compete with American and Swiss manufactures. The original cost would not be affected by the Bill, and the manufacturers would not pay their workers for twelve hours' work if they worked only ten.—(Loud cries of "Bear, hear.") The manufacturers would pay only for the quantity of work done. The expenses of a manufacturer who had invested 100,0001. in his works had been thus estimated :-51. per cent. interest on capital in the first instance ; wear and tear 6/. ; oil, tallow, and coal. about 12/. ; and 1/ for gas ; making altogether twenty-fur pounds per cent.--( Hear.) With regard to wear and tear, as far as the reduction of the price of labour was concerned, there would be an equal re duction in this part of the expenditure. Less coal and tallow, &c., would be used, and this, with the other item, would make a reduction of about 12/. per cent.; so that there was only U. per cent. on which any loss could take place—na-r:ely, the in terest on the capital.— ( Hear.) But look at the groat ad vantages which the cotton manufacturers had obtained. There was formerly a tax of 700,0001 a year on cotton in the raw material—( Hear, hear)—and the repeal of the corn-laws must also be looked upon as a great advantage, as, now the corn-laws had been repealed, there could be no lo ger that difference between the price of corn in other countries in Europe and its price in this country;—(Hear, hear.) Thee would be in the same position whether the price was high or low. If the average price of corn in this country was formerly 555. per quarter, and 455. in France, for the future the prices in these countries would be the same. If there was a time of extraordinary scarcity—a deficient harvest—and the price of corn was 70s. or 755. a quarter, the French manufacturer would not have the advantage of obtaining his corn at 60e., whilst the English people had to pay 70e., as there would be an equalisation of prices.— ( Hear, hear.) These advantage, he thought, were equal to 700,0001. a year to those engaged in manufactures.—(Hear.) But of this he was sure, that all those who had contended in that House for the repeal of the corn-laws urged in support of their repeal that they were the greatest disadvantages with which they had to contend, whether in China or Americassigainst foreign ma nufactures, because they were debarred from using the corn And other provisions of the same parties.—(Hear, hear ) He said, therefore, that the manufacturers had received great advantage by the repeal of:the cotton tax, and next by the repeal of the corn-laws.—(Hear, hear.) The duty on wool had also been taken off. It was stated, on behalf 0. the working men, that the passing of this Bill would caws much lots to them, by reducing their hours of work, and in consequence their wages. Now, as far as he (Lord John Russell) could judge, the working men were willing to risk a trial of a ten hours' Bill.—(Hear, hear.) The manufacturers could not suffer, because they would not give so much for less work as they would do fi r a greater quantity. It was urged, in opposition to the Bill. !hat the quantity of manufactures exported was equal to mills working twelve hours a day throughout the year, and that if the hours were reduced that th e quan tity o f pro. d action must be diminished. Now that was not correct.—(Mr. Bright said it was correct.) Yet he had heard the llon.Gentle man state this fact, in connexion with his own Hear.) There were many other mills working short time, and that short time was ten hours or eight hours a day. That hap pened very often three times a week, or three days in the week. He said that the production was not what it seemed, hut it was diminished when there had not been suf ficient employment. It did seem to him that if they introduced a Bill for eleven hours, die conse quence would be, that there would not be a strain to produce the quantity that could be manufactured in twelve hours, but that there would be a more steady employ ment throughout the whole year than there was at the present moment. It might be that in a certain time there would not be a sufficient number of mills to furnish the demand, but at least he thought it was not the case at the present time. No one could exclaim that there was at the present time a deficiency of power to produce all the manufactures of cotton which might be required for the demand of the world—and if that were the case, so far from :pinking it an inconvenient or a bad time for entertaining this question, as they were told, it seemed to be peculiarly a fit time, because the same production which they now had in Lancashire and York would be continued, and that without the addition of a single mill or a single power•loom to the manufactures of this country. For his own part he should expect, that if a Bid, limiting the time of labour to eleven hours were to pass, that the general production would be fully equal to that which it then was. He believed that there would be fewer fits and starts. He believed that there would be a more equal employment, and the manufacturing capabilities of the country would be brought in force—when it was not so at the present time. It was said that after all they must look to the keen competition that was kept up, and they said that unless they had all the time which they had at present they should be unable to meet that competition. Why, if that were the case, he asked how had these parties been enabled to meet that competition hitherto. He was oblige .1 to ask that, because they said that t hey were working under a disadvantage which, according to their statement, had overwhelmed the manufacture of this country. Let them take Russia. He believed that the Russian people were allowed to work ninety hours to the week. At the samn time, money was advanced by the Government for the support of the cotton-mills in Russia, which were subjects of especial favour with that Government. There was no tax upon raw cotten. If such were the advantages given to the cotton manufacturer of Russia, he must naturally ask what had enabled the manufacturers of this country to keep up the commercial prosperity which they had done. He believed that this fact depended on somewhat more than the mere circumstances attending the manufacture, which were not in themselves of paranimint importance. His belief was that this country • hail derived it from its general freedom and from its manufacturing skill; advantages of which it would not be deprived by reducing the hours of labour, if these young persons were to work eleven hours per day. He could say, that in those countries where manufactures had sprung up, it was impossible to say that injurious facts had followed measures of this nature, or that the manufacturing prosperity could at all be estimated by these measures. He would then take the case of America. It was said that the competition of America was very dangerous to this country, but at the same time he believed that there was a law in Massachusetts that persons under fifteen years of age should not be employed more than nine months in the year, and the owners are obliged to give them three menthe to attend to their education. If there was such a law in this country, by which every person under fifteen years of age should have three months' absence from the mills, they would be told at once that the measure would be fatal to the manufacturer, and that it was quite impos sible to keep up a competition of such a description, and yet America had kept it up, and he believed would keep up the competition, and furnish a great part of those manu factures which go to different parts of the world. He be lieved that these things depended not on the general nature of the institutions, but on the commercial enterprise and manufacturing skill of different countries. It was clear that such was the case, for Russia, with all its advantages, was unable to compete with this country; while America, which was under great disadvantage in this respect and in wages, which were ls.3d. more than those of Russia,bad been enabled to compete with them. He believed that the rate of wages in America were 15s. to 153. 10d.—a much greater sum than they were here. At all events it could not be denied that there were great re strictions. His belief was, that if they were to restrict the hours of labour of young persons and of women to a period not exceeding eleven hours a day, they would find that the fears which had been so loudly expressed on this subject would shortly after the alteration give place to confi dence. They had repeatedly seen that measures of this kind had been introduced, and they bad seen them obtain complete success. They had seen the people better off, in every respect, after these measures were passed. At the same time he thought that the con sideration was so very serious that it would be far better to introduce a Bill to reduce the number of hours to eleven than to go on with a Bill at present to limit the hours to ten. He thought it would be far better to adopt that which had been proved by experi ence, than to go at once to the extent of th e li m it a ti on pro posed. He did not himself, think that manufacturing prop er ty th 'o a u t b i l f il t we a r l e l possible suffe to suffer by by the chan ge; an d h e did t hi n k introduce such a change, that they did owe it to the rising generation to make an alteration which would be beneficial to them. He could no t l oo k w i t h in difference to the statement that a great p ar t o f t h e peop l e o f In this his co o hadcountry it was h work,onlyto te eat, sleep, and di e .—(Ctr eers. ) duty of the Stat e t o en deavour that they should have a people, in the tirst place, asplatheee look up to the l aws an d their protect o r s f rom un d ue op pressionaware of the doctrines of their religion. In th e next p l ace , able to cultivate their domestic happiness an d d omest i c affc and,un t a ibn u e e tch in oe fl utb i h e t t irr i y o d ns upon th e y out h o f t h e country. 1 G ove rn m e ntleet ; confessed a nd of that he did not see th at t h at object had been attained, or that it was li kely to be attained, so l o n g as th e they had !tit ose young persons were p erm i tte d to be protracted as herto been. He c ou ld not conceive himself that hou th rs e a girl of fourteen years of age employed for twelve hours at at work, and for two hours after in the factory, coming home every day tired and exhausted, would be able to do anything but rest, in order to commence the labours of the next day. He did not under stand how such a young girl would b e b roug h t up to be a good wife or a good mother, and he was willing, therefore, to incu r t h e r i s k , i n the ho itionpeconodfimproving the conditi on an d alleviating the of these people. He might be mistaken in that view, but he would onl y g o a cc o rding to what had appeared to him, after serio usl y cons idering this subject, to be th e case. H e was ready, wh en t h e S peaker left the chair, to vote for th e clause re stricting the time of working to eleven hours. u s wished the Bill t o rema i n i n that shape, as he thought it wo uld g ive consi derable advantages to those onhis He Bill. w a% therefore, ready t o go i nto Committee persons who were the objects of it. He would be ready to join those who were disposed to do anything fvr the welfare of this country. The House then went into Committee. Mr. DENNISTOUN rose to move the adjournment, but there were cries of "Go on, go on." Mr. HUME said that in his opinion, if they were to go on, they had better go o n now, for he was firml y convinced that the matter would no t be settled in the c ountry until the eight hours were obtained. For his own part, he should not move any amendmen t, awl be would advise all his f r i en d s to abstain from doing so also. Oa the first clause being put, the object of it being to limit the working in factories to eleven hours each day after the let of May in the present year, Mr. BRIGHT rose to ask when these hours were to be taken, for the Bill did not specify when the mills were to be In operation. He presumed the Bill was to be perpetual. and therefore this point ought to be settled. Mr. FIELDEN answered that this Bill would, of course, be regulated, as to its construction, by the other Bills which had been passed for the regulation of factories. Sir G. STRICKLAND wished to know whether it was in tended to limit the operation of the clause to two years, but no reply was given to the question. The clause was then passed. On the second clause being put, Mr. FIELDEN said that as there seemed a wish entertained by several Hon. Members, he would propose that the time for limiting the labour to eleven hours a day should be ex tended one year, and he wished therefore that the Ist of May. 1849, should be substituted for the let of May, 1848. Mr. ROEBUCK quite disapproved of the Bill altogether, but, as it was to be passed, be should prefer that the ten hours' system be adopted at once, and he would therefore move that the Ist of May 1848 be inserted instead of 1849. Lord JOHN RUSSELL thought that the Honourable Member who had char g e of the Bill ought to use his own discretion as to wh a t time he inserted, but, for his own part, wh en th e c l ause f or li m iting the hours to ten a day came under con si de r ati o n h e s hould move for its omission altogether. Mr. BOUVERIE called the attention of the Committee to what he considered would be the serious result of passing this measure upon the children employed in factories, by forbidding them to work, and not, at the same time, providing for them any other kind of em ployment, cr affording them the means of education. Cord MORPETH would not trouble the House at that late hour with his reasons why he thought this clause should be expunged. He wished, however, to say that he would not consent to a greater reduction than one hour till he had greater experience of the *ration of such a reduction. It had been found by a number of manufacturers that the eleven hours had worked well, and he was not disposed to go further at present. Mr. FERRAND thought that what the Noble Lord stated was a reason why he should consent to reduce the hours to ten instead of eleven. Mr. DUNCAN supported the expunging of the clause, as, if carried, lie was persuaded it wonld seriously injure the flax trade of the town of Dundee, which he represented. The Honourable Gentleman entered into some statistics with regard to the flax trade of Dundee in support of his view. The shortcbming upon all was no less than 2,332,0001b5. (Divide, divide)—and in one article we had exported only a few pieces of late, when we used to send out ship loads. It they reduced the time they would be doing away with the whole of the foreign commerce of the country, for if they once lost their customers, they would never be able to regain j them.—(Loud cries of " Divide, divide.") The House then divided, when there appeared— For the clause Against it Majority in favour of the clause —7B The clause, therefore, stands part of the Bill. The result of the division was received with loud cheers. The remaining clauses were then agreed to without amend ment. The announcement was received with loud cheers. The House having resumed, Mr. GREENE brought up the report, which waa ordered to be taken into consideration on the 21st of April. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjuurned at a few minutes to Six o'clock. itAILVVAI coMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROUP, I. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills comprised in this group reassembled at the usual hour this morning, Lord Granvile Somerset in the chair. THE SOUTH-EASTERN MID-RENT SCHEME. yo T ur he of da t y his w i a j a ne co . occupied in bearing general evidence in fa. Mr. Alderman Lucas, a landholder on the existing line from Paddock Wood to Maidstone, bore testimony to the great advantage the South- Eastern Mid-Kent' scLeme would afford to that part of the country. The Rev. Mr. Cobb, of Ightham, said at present his part of the country was entirely without railway communication ..ith London. He preferred the South-Eastern Mid-Kent line, because considered it the b?st. It passed through Bastel Valley, a very large hop producing district, and it would derive considerable benefit from the construction of this line. Mr. Woodridge, of Tunbridge, proved that the majority of the inhabitants of that place were favourable to the South- Eastern scheme. Mr. Wm. Harrison, of Hadlow, said it was absolutely ne cessary that Hardlow should have a better communication with the metropolis. The South-Eastern line, he considered, accomplished ►that object in the best possible manner. Mr. Wm. Golding, a farmer on the route of the proposed line, gave it as his opinion that no district was more in want of railway accommodation than that lying between Ightham and Tunbridge and London. The South Eastern was the best line of the two. Mr. Mercer, of Maidstone, Mr. David Bailey, of Seven oaks, Mr. Carter, a miller in the Bastead Valley, and a num ber of other residents, merchants, traders, and owners on the line, gave concurrent testimony to the former witnesses. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. GROUP XII. IPSWICH AND BURY ST. EDMUNDS (No. XX, -NEWMARKET AND ELY.) (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. AUSTIN, having gone at some length into the question of the subscription contracts, proceeded to explain the lead ing features of the scheme, which he intended to establish by evidence. Mr. A. Ransome, of Ipswich, was the first wit ness called. He deposed that the two lines pro pused by the Eastern Counties Union Company were much interior to the rival schemes, and were unanimously supported by the Bury St. Edmund's inhabi tants. The present scheme had their support, because it would give the town a direct communication with the estern and midland counties of England. Mr. Webber, of Ipswich, gave evidence of a similar character. A line which would connect Bury St. Edmund's and Newmarket was greatly to be preferred over, the schema to Ely, and it would open up the midland counties to the agri. cultural produce of the East. Mr. Deck, auctioneer, of Bury St. Edmund's, gave evidence to a similar effect. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow. REGISTRY of BIRTHS and DEATHS DURING THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 13. 1 Deaths registered in the week. Births registered in the week. Males... ... ... 503 Males ... ... ... 740 Females ... ... 523 Females ... ... 695 Total ... 1,026 Total ... 1,435 SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY. The twenty-first half-yearly general meeting of the pro prietors in this railway was held ye3teeday at the Board room, London-bridge Terminus, for the purpose of receiving the report of the directors, and transacting the ordinary bu siness of the company. James M'Gregor, Esq., chairman of the company, presided. The advertisement calling the meeting having been read, and the common seal of the company affixed to the registry of proprietors, The SECRETARY proceeded to read the report, of which the following is a brief abstract : " The Accounts of the South- Eastern Railway Company for the half-year, ending on the 31st of January, 1847, show that the gross Receipts of the Company on Revenue Account have amounted during that period to . 236,404/. Os. 5d.; that the working expenses have been 61,1971. 9s. sd. • the rent of the Greenwich Railway and the Whitstable Railway, 19,878/. 2s. 3d.; the Rates, Government Duty, and Toll to the London, Brighton, and South-Coast Company, for the use of the Croydon Railway, 31,0471. ss. Bd., mak ing together the Expenditure on Revenue Account, 112,1221. 17s. 4d. The Balance carried to the Account of Profit and Loss, 124,2811. 3s. Id. ' • and the Profit and Loss Account shows an amount at the disposal of the Proprietors of 100,2041. 7s. 3d. " The amount received for passenger traffic during the half-year on the South-Eastern Railway, exclusive of the Greenwich Branch, is 144,0001. 12s. 7d., of which 55,4231. 15s. Id. has been paid by 112,419 first-class pas sengers ; 54,683/. 12s. 11d. by 247,670 second-class pas sengers ; and 33,890/. 4s. 7d. by 381,708 third-class pas sengers. "A comparison with the corresponding half-year of 1845-6 shows an increase during the last hall-year of 38,5701. Bs. 9d in receipt, and of 16,040 first class: 41,186 second class; and 130,344 third class in number, in all 187,579. "The comparison of last half-year with the corresponding half-year of 1845-6, shows an increase of 7,241 of persons carried over the Greenwich Branch, within that period, and there is an increase of the earnings on this branch of 1,1131. Uts. 7d. " The merchandise account has yielded 37,2451. 14s. 7d. during the last half year, which exceeds by 13,3201. Os. 7d. the amount earned in the corresponding half of last year. " The directors gave up possession of the New Cross Lo comotive Works on the 31st of January, in accordance with the agreement which had been entered into, and removed the South-Eastern Locomotive Establishment to the new works, at Ashford. "The amount due to this company from the Brighton Company, on giving up the New Cross Works, amounting to nearly 40,0001., has not yet been paid. "The branch from Minster to Deal will open so soon as the swing-bridge over the Stour is completed. Its construc tion has been delayed by the severe winter. "The contracts for widening the Greenwich branch and extending it to Gravesend, and for filling up the canal in the tunnel, and doubling the line of the railway from Gravesend to Rochester, are all let. All the works are proceeding favourably, and there is every reason to expect that they will be completed according to the contracts, which require all the works to be constructed and ready for opening within twelve months after obtaining possession of the land. That part of the North Kent Railway between Gravesend and Rochester will, it is hoped, be opened as a double line in two months. " The directors have avrangei with the Board of the Reading, Guildford, and Reigate Railway to vary the agree ment existing with that company, and instead of the South- Eastern Company allowing 4►A per cent. to the Reading, Guildford, and Reigate Company, on the whole outlay for constructing the line end a division of profits besides, they have agreed, subject to the approbation of the proprietors, to allow 5 1 4 per cent, without division of profits, on a fixed capital of 600,0001. The South-Eastern Company having the responsibility of executing the works. "The directors trust the arrangements they have made, and are making, for the internal management of the com pany, will insure to them efficient aid in all departments of its service, and they beg leave to tender to the proprietors their assurance that no exertions on their part shall be wanting to uphold the property and increase the prosperity of the South-Eastern Company." The CHAIRMAN then said that he trusted the report read would be found satisfactory. On the 24th of February they had an interview with the Brighton Company, which they had hoped would terminate satisfactorily, were it not for the expressed determination of the Brighton Company to proceed with their Mid-Kent schemes. A copy of the corres pondence which passed between the Chairmen of the two companies was read, and it appeared that while both parties expressed themselves anxious to come to terms. neither was willing to forego the schemes which they them selves were promoting. If he were asked why the negotia tion had not been proceeded with on their part. he should say that, as the basis of all negotiation was founded on the withdrawal of the Brighton Mid-Kent projects, the South-Eastern Company, finding that this withdrawal would not be conceded, and esteeming these projects, if finished, to be non-paying ones, had deemed it prudent to reject all overtures while these projects were insisted on. A SHARENOLDIR said that there was one item of expendi ture generally found in the reports of other railways which ' he did not find in the South-Eastern Company. He meant the amount due to directors for their own services. Were the directors not paid. or was the omission a clerical error? The CHAILMAN said that when the directors undertook the management of the railway, they found that it was a matter of absolute necessity to apply the pruning knife to the salaries of all the officera. The secretary, for instance, was only allowed 400/. per annum, and the others were propor tionably low. In adopting these reformatory measures, they felt it to be their duty to begin at home, and a resolution was agreed to that their services should be given gratuitously until the position of the company could be made fully satis factory to the proprietors.—(Great cheering.) The CHAIRMAN then moved the adoption of the report, which having been seconded, was carried unanimously. The CHAIM/lAN then proposed that a dividend of 21s. per share on the paid-up shares be declared; of 13s. on the shares created on the 19th of March, 1844; and of 7s. 6d. per share on the shares created on the 7th day of November, 1844; the same to be made payable on the 12th of April, 184 7.—Carried. The retiring directors, Mr. Martin Luther Pritchard, Mr. Alexander Randall, and Mr. Henry Lewis Small, were re elected. A resolution, expressive of the obligations of the company to Lord Viscount Torrington, moved by Mr. Pameow, seconded by Mr. BLISSARD, and supported by Mr. D. SA• LoxoNs, was carried with acclamation. The CHAIRMAN said the business of the meeting was now over, but he could not permit them to separate without ex pressing the thanks of himself and his colleagues for the honourable confidence they had reposed in them, and he begged to assure them that no effort would be wanting on their part to carry the affairs of the company to a successful termination.—(Cheers.) Mr. 11Aiii.ow moved a vote of thanks to the chairman. _ Mr. COLEMAN seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and the meeting broke up. TETE GANG OF CORN STEALERS TN KENT.—At the Rochester Quarter Sessions, held on Saturday, before James Espinasse, Esq., Recorder. Mathew Burgess and Charles Smith, two of the men implicated in the extensive robberies which have been recently committed in various parts of the Western Division of Kent, were brought to trial, together with Robert Jenkins, charged with being an accessory after the tact. The trial occupied the greater part of the day. Mr. Rose and Mr. Russell appeared for the n rosecution ; Mr, Addison defended the prisoner Smith and Burgess, and Mr. T. Hills attended on behalf of the prisoner Jenkins. Barns and granaries around the neighbourhood of Rochester had re cently been robbed to a considerable extent, access to which had been obtained by means of skeleton keys, 24 of which were found in the possession of one of the prisoners, and an inquiry being set on foot, it was found that small quantities of corn Lad at various times been sold to Stephen Charlton, a corn factor, at Strood, by William Gilbert, who has ab sconded. The case was clearly proved against the prisoners Smith and Burgess, and they were sentenced to seven years' transportation. Jenkins, through whose instrumentality the principal offender, Gilbert, has for the present escaped, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. WooLviECii ACADEMY.—WiIIiam Racater, Esq., M.A., has been elec ted to su pp l y the vacancy occasioned by he resignation of Professor Barlow. -- ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. IVES TERN CIRC UI T.— Dorchester. March 16. CROWN COURT.—( Before Mr. Jos! ice WILLIAMS.) Robert Bridge, John Fetherstone, Samuel Mostyn, William Barnes, William T , eve/ian, Thram Vivian, Samuel Palmer, George Guy, Richard Martin, and Richard Rees were in dicted, and the bid ctment charg..i them with a•sembling in a tumultuous manner, and with force and arms mAing an affray to the terror and and disturbance of her Majesty's subjects, wherein one James Bushrod, together with Ruth, his wife, and Sarah Ann. his daughter, were assaulted, beaten, and abused, and at the same time in and upon George Groves, Jethro Waters, and Thomas Cake, constables, assault ing and beating them, the said constables bein then in the execution of their duty at Upway. ?,Ir. Stock was counsel for the prosecution, and Mr. Fitz herbert defended the prisoners. The prisoners are what are termed " navigators," and were employed upon the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Rail way at Upway, between Dorchester, and Weymouth. On Motility, the 18th of January last, s nne of the prisoners went to a public-house at Upway, kept by Bushrod. In the course of the evening the rest of the prisoners came to that house. Atter drinking some beer a quarrel arose among the men, and went on till it came to what was termed a desperate row. They knocked down some of the pots which supported the beams of the tap-room. This disturbance con tinued until sonic constables arrived, who recommended them to be quiet and enjoy themselves. They, however broke the table and drove the constables out, of the house. The pri soner Bridge dragged Bushrod out of the house, knocked hint down, and kicked and beat him until he was tendered insen Bible. Upon coming to himself he found that his passage door had been broken, and the men were then endeavouring to force the parlour door. His wife and daughter were lying on the ground in a senseless state. His daughter's cheek was severely cut. There then was a clamour for more beer. lie was terrified, and therefore lie drew some, but the men broke all the mugs. Bushrod at length contrived to lock up his bar and left tha premises. He returned in about an hour; most of the prisoners had gone away. The constables, who had been driven out of the house, had now procured further assistance and came to the spot. Two of the prisoners were then lying in the tap-room asleep, and they were imme diately taken into custody, and the other prisoners were ap prehended on the following day. When the constables were in pursuit of the prisoners Bridge threw stones at them, with a view of driving the constables away so that they mightl not be taken. Bridge had been heard to say that he would have a row at Bushrod's. One circumstance is particularly worthy of notice, because it has a tendency to create these lawless acts, and that is—that it is the general rule to pay these men their wages at public-houses, where of course there is the inducement to get to drinking, which continually leads to riot and disorder. The jury found the prisoners Guilty of the assault upon a peace officer, and they were sentenced—Bridge to four months' and the other prisoners to two months' imprison ment, with hard labour. (Before Mr. Justice CaEsswELL.) Bartholomew Gale and William Reid were indicted for entering the dwelling-house of George Lane, at Coracombe, and stealing money. Mr. Ffooks was counsel for the prosecution, and Mr. Ed wards defended the prisoners. It appeared that the prosecutor kept a turnpike-gate at Tollerdown. On the night of the 18th of February, 1846, he was awoke by a cry of " Gate." He got up, and went uown stairs, and opened the door. when two men laid hold of him, and two others went into the house. They told him if he did not bide quiet they would have his head off. The prose cutor's wife came to them, and they knocked her down, and said. they would have her life if she did not tell them where the money was. She told them the money was gone, but there was some in the window. One of the men held her down while the other took a lantern from his pocket and went up stairs. The man who held her down had a hand -1 kerchief over part of hi s f ace , an d t h e ot h er part was black ened.' She had a black eye. They took away 11. Os. 10itl. The prisoners lived in adjoining parishes, about six or seven miles from Tollerdown-gate. Gale was seen in company l i with Reid about nine o'clock that night, and they were heard talking together as to the best mode of disguising them selves to go to Tollerdown-gate and get some money ; and the husband of one of the witnesses told them it would be a good way to tie a handkerchief round the face and wear a cap, and he gave them a bit of rag, and told them to black it against the back of the fire. Gale blacked the rag and put it in his pocket, and her husband gave him a cap be longing to one of his own children, and Gale put the cap on ; the husband then took a lantern, and they all left the house— her husband, the two prisoners, and John Reid, the brother of the prisoner Reid. This witness stated that she after wards heard William Reid give an account of the robbery, which corresponded with the account given by the prosecu tor and his wife. Her husband told her that while he was holding the prosecutor he told him that this was a shocking thing, and they must soon meet before the judgment -seat of Christ. Her husband had been transported 12 months ago. Gale was apprehended at Dorchester, and Reid near Brid port in October last. Mr. EDWARDS addressed the jury on behalf of the pri soners, and urged upon them that they could not place any credit in the story told by the woman. The Learned JUDGE having summed up, The jury returned a verdict of Guilty against both pri soners, and they were sentenced to be transported for 14 years. Thomas Saunders, Il liam Larcombe, and William Lar combe the younger, were indicted for burglariously breaking and: entering the dwelling-house of Edward Legg, at Beaminster, and stealing therefrom divers articles, and Maria Saunders and Ann Saunders were indicted for receiv ing the same. Mr. Slade was counsel for the prosecution. The house of the prosecutor was found to have been broken into on the morning of the Bth of January, and some boots, bags, a quantity of flour, silver spoons, and many other arti cles were missing. Some persons had entered by the window, and six panes of glass were broken, and one of the cross-bars had been removed. Thomas Saunders and William Larcombe the younger were seen together on the road going towards Mr. Legg's, about twelve o'clock that night, and about five miles from their own residence. A search was made that morning in the house of Thomas Saunders, and a great many of the stolen articles were found in the bedroom. The two female prisoners, who were his wife and daughter, were in the house. While the search was being made Thomas Saunders got out of the upstairs window. lie was immediately taken, and then he asked if the constable had got Will Larcombe all right. William Larcombe, the younger, on the same day, took some of the articles to an ironmonger at Crew kerne, and sold them. The prisoners all lived at Moster ton. On the morning of the 9th of January some earth near Larcombe's house was observed to have been fresh moved. The spot was searched, and several of the stolen articles were found buried. Maria Saunders was apprehended on the 9tu of January. Four silver spoons which had been stolen were found upon her. One of the constables said he had worn one of the stolen handkerchiefs in the hope that it might be identified. The judge told him he was a very foolish man. Ann Saunders worked at a mill at Mostcrton. Some of the stolen meat was found where she worked, wrapped up in an apron. Ann Saunders admitted that she had taken the meat to the place where it was found. The Learned JUDGE, in st.mming up the case to the jur y , observed that there was no case against the elder Larcombe, and he thought it would have been as well if he had not been sent there. As to Ann Saunders, the maw considered the wife acted under the control of her husband, and therefore she was entitled to an acquittal. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty against Thomas Saunders, William Larcombe, the younger, and Maria Saun ders, and Acquitted the other prisoners. They recommended Maria Saunders to mercy. A former conviction was proved against William Larcombe, the younger. The Learned JUDGE sentenced Thomas Saunders and Wil liam Larcombe, the younger, to be transported for seven years, and Maria Saunders to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for two months. There were no less than II witnesses to prove this case. HOME CIRCUI I.—Maidstone. March 17. CIVIL SlOR—(llefv.re the LORD I ._ HIM' JUSTICE.) HYDER V. DIXON. This was an action brought by Captain Hyder, formerly of the 10th Dragoons, against Mr. Alfrei Dixon, the son of the proprietor of the well-known horse repository in Barbican, to recover the value of a race- horse, known by the name of " The Devil among the Tailors," sold to him by the defendant, and warranted sound. Mr. Mantague Chambers and Mr. Bovell were for the plaintiff, and Sergeant Shee and Mr. Bramwell for the de fendant. It appeared that "The Devil among the Tailors" had been run by Mr. Dixon at Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, and Chatham races in the autumn of last year, and was very successful, being th.i winner on several occasions, and at one of the meetingS . he ran as many as five heats. At Chatham races he was again successful, and, according to the evidence of one of th 9 witnesses. he bore the character of being a very good "country plater," and upon this occasion he was claimed-.by a person named Messer, according to the terms of the race, for 801. ; but Mr. Dixon was unwilling to sell him, and ultimately gave Messer 20/. not to press his claim. Capt. Ryder, who had been steward at one of the races where the horse had run, and was aware of his capabilities, afterwards entered into a negotiation with Mr. Dixon for the purchase of the horse, and it was at length arranged that he should give 1101. for him, and a cheque for that amount upon Messrs. Cox and Greenwood was liven to the defendant, but it was arranged that the transaction should not be con sidered completed until the horse was delivered safely at Brown's training stables in Lewes, and then the cheque was paid. The horse was taken to Lewes in due course, and when the cheque was presented for payment, the clerk who cashed it, it appeared, took upon himself to require the defendant to state on the receipt lie gave upon that occasion that the horse was warranted sound. This, it seemed, took place on the 15th of September, the original bargain for the sale having been concluded on the 10th ; and this interval formed a material point in the present inquiry. It seemed that the horse arrived at Lewes on the 12th of Sept ember, and it was very soon perceived that he was very ill, and it was found necessary to call in the assistance of a veterinary surgeon; but the remedies he prescribed were of no avail, for the horse went on lingering and wasting until the 21st, and thee died, and on his being openad it was found that his kidneys were very much dis (skied, and this disease was time cause of his death. The veterinary surgeon who had been called in stated his opinion to be that the disorder existed for a fortnight or three weeks before the death of the horse took place, and consequently that the animal must have been unsound at the time the warranty was given ; but it was admitted in cross-examina tion that horses were frequently attacked with inflammation and other maladies very suddenly, which would cause their death in a few hours, and that it was very improbable, if the horse had been suffering from this fatal disease in the kidneys at the time he was sold by the defendant, that he could have aim five severe heats at the Chatham races, and have won l the race. Mr. Sergeant SHEE, on behalf of the defendant, com plained that by the proceeding of the banker's clerk he was made answerable for a supposed warranty of the 15th of September, when, if one had really been given at any time, it must have been on the 10th, when the horse was sold, and when, even according to the evidence of the plain tiff's own witnesses, he might have been perfectly sound. He then went on to say that according to his instructions the horse WAS, in point of fact, perfectly sound when he wars delivered, according to the instructions of the plaintiff; to the trainer at Lewes, and that the malady must have come on suddenly, either from the change of stable or some other cause, and hat, therefore, the defendant was not liable for a breach of warranty. The groom who took the horse from Chatham to Lewes was examined, and he proved that the horse appeared quite we:l during the journey between the two places, and that on the following morning, after his arrival at Lewes, he cantered him for an hour upon the downs, and did not oberve any thing the matter with hire. S(;ine other witnesses were also examined in support of the statement made by the Learned Sergeant. The jury found for the plaintiff—Damages 112/., that sum including some expenses that had been incurred by the plain tiff in doctoring the horse prior to his death. EXTENSIVE FIRE AT SOIIAM —We have jUat re ceivc:l information of an extensive fire at Soharn, that broke out on Monday nir,lit last, in hiall-street, on the op posite side of the street where the late conflagration burst forth. We can furnish no particulars.—bury Herald. RECRUITING - IN GL A SGO A FEMAL& RECHUI Is. Last Saturday the East India Company's recruit in g: Canergeant, stationed here. was applied to by a ep l looking young fellow t o b e adtntted as a recruit. 013ei gratulating himself on his good luck. the sergeant wa s foie° the way to the rendezvous, wh e re the recruit to he 5 ft. 5-,1- in. in height. The chest and legs w ere examined as usual, though the worthy sergAsot sidered this proceeding quite unn,cessary in this instso7 and performed this part of his duty very cursorily. re bystand , is eyes were, however, sharper tha n deluded sergeant's, for he saw, while the chest was belt looked at. that the would-be recruit was—a teloat el e r avoid a closer extvei7,ation, she at once conlcssed h sex, whi't the disappointed sergeant stood by in astonishment. She said her name was Anne bl e ir n i 18 years of age ; was a native of Ireland, thoug" Sc .tch geereets, who were eoor, and that aster their the she had found it difficult to obtain a livelihood. 1314 „, 4 8 stout tied hardy, thought she mi g ht pass for a boY : ca — go to Cerk, engaged a• a sailor, and went two voyege l , ffi g the West Indies. On her , eturn, in November Jest' 5 ;I, ,„ employment for three weeks in a f a ctory in GNeg.,,,i but did not like the confinement. Siebseven tl Y employed shoot the Broomielaw us a cost port er "o also at Pollokshavrs in field labour. Having a bro thel the East India Company's service, thought she wontiS there also, and was much disappoin te d iv h en disnor e her , She has cousins in Glasgow. and generally PISS ed 1 00 • self off as her younger brother, and was never even spy po'ted before. She has a lto g eth er a ma nly look 'blue dre:sed out in corduroy jacket, moleskin trousers'u rpe bonnet, striped shirt, andhob nailed shoes, the was° os gender could not be doubted. To avoid suspicioo.l.o smokes, and can take her glass of whisky or Port er ie her would-be fellows. Her voice is rather shrill , et ld ie the only weak point in her ass u med c h ara cter. S h c r po the soldiers, saying she would e nd eavou r to get Or' go the railways as a " navvie!" This true 'ale seriesier confirm the old adage " that truth is some Wit itt rm.- . than fiction."—Scotch Reformers' Gazette. RAILWAY SHARE IVIARKEI g. LIVERPOOL, Mama 17. did . k i ll STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are —Birm'ngham and Dn, its p.—Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 8 p.. --Eastern COunAtto, IT —Ditto, York Extension, % dis.- -Great Western, 27 Loado li Shares, 3% p.—Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 111 P• — __Ditt 6 and North-Western, 176—Ditto, New, Quarters, 10% P'„ l / K Quarters (G. J.), 17 1 A p. —Manchester and Leeds, Halves, , K Ditto, Fifths, 5 1 , 3 p.—Ditto, 32/. Shares (late Extension) , a r Z 01. Manchester, Sheffield. and Lincolnshire, 91—Ditto, Qu D a itt e oL 9d. dis. —Midland Stock, 117—Ditto, 401. Sh ares , 454 p.— 3 p.— Newcastle and Carlisle, I 15—N or th St a ff or d s hire, 2 / p.' North Western, IA dis.—Preston and Wyre, Halves (3)0,1(410 Shropshire Union Railway and Canal, 1 dis.—So u th StanfY 3s. 9d. p.—West Riding Union, p.—York and Newess'" rtl.ir! ference, 4 p.-Dutch Rhenish, 3 dii: MANCHESTER, Kum 17. STOCK Exeff sonar. -The sales are-Ambergate, ITottlnCtn - 31 1 , Boston, -Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Jonc , ' o n ' Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 8%- East Lancasut7, Pre" (scrip), 1% - East Lincolnshire, 2% c.-Fleetwood, P r eston. 01 Riding Junction, IA -Huddersfield and Manchester Rali wa jostert Canal, Thirds, 1 - Leeds and Thirst, 2%-Liverpool, ' uan (SW and Newcastle Junction, -London and North-Weste rn chester and Birmingham), Quarters (B), 6-Ditto, (CL... te r au chester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, % p.-Mauc h 'Zbgeld" Leeds, 321 Shares (late Extension). 2 9-16-Manchester. and Lincolnshire (Great Grimsby 20/. Shares), 1 11-16 djt:ptst (Sheffield and Lincolnshire), 14- N , anchester and Sonn, 15.16-North Staffordshire, 2% -Northern Counties Muc h ' god,' -Shropshire Union, 1-South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4 , tiv P' Staffordshire, %- South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and Goole. P' per Riding Union, 1% -Wharfdale, par- York and Newcastle, exec, p. LEEDS, Mika' l7. .„, STOCK EXCLIANGE.—Ihe sales are —Ambergate, Boston, ss. dis.—Eastern Counties, York Extension, 6s. 6d....."Z5t 1 ,7 Lancashire, cew, p.—Ditto, New (scrip), 235. 6d. P. for , 1 West Yorkshire, 13s. it. p.—Great Northern (late London PA'7, s o `• 2s. 6d. dis. —Ditto (late Direct Northern), 3s. die. —Hudderlg l i Manchester, 214 p.—Leeds and Thirsk 2 dis.—Ditto, FrePrZn 6d. p.—Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland, 14s. 6d. p.-- 4 ''_ e tst Brighton and South Coast, Fifteenths, 3s. 6d. p.—Ma P' 00 , 7 Leeds, 321. Shares (late Extensions), 2% p.—Manehest . j p o_7; Matlock, and Midland, Ss. p.—Newcastle and Berwick, 974. tali.' —Ditto, New, 3/. 14s. -North British, Quarter Shares (li t f,.. Branch), 365. p —Ditto, Extensions (scrip), 14s. p.—Nortriteln ties Union, 335. dis.—North-Western, 2s. p.—Sheflielo , o r t ham, anti Goole, 7s. 6d dis.—South Yorkshire, Done° Goole, par —A est ItidinE troio.l4, 335. 6d. p. HULL, 31eacu 17. so ns STOCK EXCTIANGE.•—The sales are—North British, 4 60. (scrip), 13s. 9d. p.—Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston , :4011 , —Newcastle and Berwick, 33 c. n.— Ditto, New, 3% P' Western, 4-North Staffordshire, 165. 9d. SHEFFIELD, MARCH 17. ' SToca Excumsox.-The sales are-Manchester, Buxton. l e ' f io li ff . and Midland, % p.-Manchester, Sheffield, and ki n t v e ste * (Grimsby), 5% dis.-Ditto, 201. Shares, 1% c. dis.-North' par-South -South Yorkshire, Doncaster. and Goole, Is. dis. o ut! EDINBURGH, MARCH 16. STOCK EXCHANGE. -The sale are-Aberdeen, 271. I s g• -- O P. 4 and Bathgate, 31. Arbroath and Forfar, 284. 6 _ ol /, Shares, 151.-Ayr and Galloway, 2/. Is. 6d.-Caledonlant 2 d odo .CIY Ditto, New, 21. 85.-Caledonian and D um b ar t on , 2/. 71.- 4 , 1 1 , Junction, 39'. 55.-Deeside, 31 55.-Di rect Northern, ': , 17 4. Dunblane. Donne, and Callender, It. 12s. 6 c 1.-Dundee"" - 5,37, breath, 42/. 155.-Ditto, New, No. 1, 301.-Ditto. ~ Nov, 1 41 0 Ditto, New, No. 3, 41. 155.-Dundee And Perth, 3 . -- ,,5trf....4 Shares, 201. 55.-East of Fife. 21. 16 5 .-E as t L e thiall 103. 6d.-Edinburgh and Bathgate. 51. 17s. ficl.-Edi nb QO ll :l.tigow, 741. 2s. 6d.- Ditto, half Shares, 20 , . biog r o Shares, 19?.- Edinburgh, Leith, a n d Grairon, 20/.- DI O S ence, 211.-Ditto, New, 31. 35.-Ditto, Quarters, 155 .- Lft , e t ; and Northern, 16/ 55.-Ditto, N ew Sh ares, 31. 195. l w ,Sl port, 7!. 145.-Ditto, ditto, New, 21. 12 5 .-Edinburgh (Old), 11. 17s. -- Dina (New), 21. 95.-Ditto, Halves. 1 6, • -• and Ayrshire, 651. 10s.-Ditto, New Stool. 34/.- No. I, 61. IN.-Ditto, ditto, No. 2,8/. 155.-Ditto, Quar t ; P r olagli 161. 10s.-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 5/. 175. 6 ‘' 01054 and Garnklrk, 391.-Glasgow General Terminus, 121. sl. and Greenock, 191.-Ditto, Halves, 91.-Ditto, Preference,„tii -Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 51. 188.- Great....Arp-olfw England, 233'. 10s.-Great North of Scotland, 21. So. 6d • Th ...-31 8 and York, 31. 125. 6d.-Ditto, Extensions (scrip), 21._M chester anti Leeds, 1081.-Ditto, Sixteenths, 81. 55. ',: es , and Berwick, 331. 55 .-North British', 321. 155.-Ditto, 1 141 ,: 8 ), 2s. 6d.-Ditto, Quarters, 3/. 193.-Ditto, New Quarters M'Seeir Ditto, we: 35.-Ditto, Thirds, 3/. 7s. 6d.--Ditto, Fifths, 61. 150. - S eotti 5 or trail, 221 . 17s. 6d.-Scottish Grand Junction, IL ls. -Sco l d • land, 221. --Shrewsbury and Hereford, IL 12s. 6d.-Shrewstf, vestry, and Chester, 8! . 45.-Ditto, New, 11. 2s 61. - S tir. uftska i , Dunfermline, 31. 16s. 6d.-Stirling and Midland, 2/. 95. -- ;;" n)S. - and Coltness, 481. 15s. ex di v .- York and Newcastle, 31) ", - O r Ditto, New, 111. 155.-Ditto, P re f erence, 8/, 178 6d.-Dlrec al* bay and Madras, 3s. 9d.-East re Bs. -G rea t North of Is, 35.-Great Southern of Madras, 3s. - Madras. Nellore, and MO" GLASGOW, MARCH 16. STOCK EZMIANGX. -The sales are--Caledonian, Ne w . 465• s elf Caledonian and Dumbartonshire, 415.-Edinburgh and Perth ( Co.), 505.-Ditto, Halves, 165.- Glasgow General Teromast,ol, -Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 628-Ditto, 37-Ditto. -1 ;ov No. 2, 7 % -Ditto, Quarters (5 per cent. guar.). 15% - fries, and Carlisle, 5% -Glasgow Harbour Mineral , of Scotland, 475.-Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct, 38 3 . - 31aDen,_ . ‘7 4 104 Southampton, 175.-North British, Thirds, 675. - &OULU' Junction, 20s. -G of SAW DUST BREAD.—Sir John F. W. s tate in his discourse on the study o f Natural Philosop li P s ub' " that saw-dust itself is susceptible of conversion into b cer' stance bearing no remote analogy to bread; and the : og re' tainly less palatable than that of fl ou r, vet no WIY able, and both wholesome and digestible as Yierlht expert- nutritive."—Nom See Dr. Prom's account Trsa 3 ' merits of Professor Autenrieth, of Tubingen. "% a eett s. tf. 1827, p. 380. This discovery, which renders fai lli ;i l an it impossible, deserves a higher degree of celebrit'r" pront' - obtained."—The following is the passage paper, to which Sir John Herschel refers :—" f v' e h , in - I , l) ,, r ipstr : at vi e the properties of lignin as an aliment, the only Pe'" - ,, 0 0te t" - in which we have to yonsider it here, I shall briefly experiments of Professor Autenrieth, o f Tubing en ' t thi s showed some years ago that by pr o per managet ee d. Tie principle might be rendered capable of f o rming b rea ns e;--"! following was the method he employ e d f o r this Parl ) ,"„„,as the first place, everything that was soluble in wat e ' icov"„ moved by frequent maceration and boiling. ~„t is 1 ", was then reduced to a minute state of division , tu - o ,,jer ' sar, not merely into fine fibres, but, actual P t ° o f g .. a and after being repeatedly subjected to the heard tVr, oven, was ground in the usual manner of corn. I ,v, " - ri d ts s `; prepared, according to the author, acquires the Olen of corn flour. It is, however, never quite white; bu t i n 0 1 ? of a yellowish colour. It also agrees with corn flo,e A r it ioe respect, that it does not ferment without the au`:: fou n d leaven ; and in this case sour leaven of corn•flnurL01 11 1 1 to answer best. With this it makes a perfectly un''''„j spongy bread ; and when it is thoroughly baked, st, 0 10 1 , 4 much cru,t, it has a much better taste of bread tha"oie* in times of scarcity is prepared from the bran and 1 ° 0 0; 0 corn. Wood Our, also, boiled in water, forms a jo bic li tough, trembling j"lly, lik e t h at o f w h eat starc h, an is is very nutritious." P ill' ROMANTIC ADVENTURE OF A CHILD- 4 - h ° err °°l' can, the so u of a res p ec t a bl e wor ki ng man in L' c ro ete rf having been i n S co tl an d f or a f ew wee k s l a st i e u with his mother and the res t o f th e familPf r ieV tracted a strong attachment for the locality and the ile fre with whom he resided. Upon his return hom e rein quently requested his parents to consent to his to " t o ',- and latterly became so importunate, that he 1 10 " 0 ;d 1 r, chastised in order to drive the notion from his mind e' to bd to Scotland. Within the last few weeks, unkneW e a d ao family, he had accumulated a small s t o ck of b re n fri th - money ; and on Monday last he might h av e been 5,,-",ri Cr; two companions, directing their c o u rse towards the fof two companions, directing their course towards bet° rence Dock, inquiring in the language of our ii` bi ca the "Stot-land boat." Upon their arrival at th e „ P f cil! 6 emb irkation all the glowing pictur e s of t h e land " do failed to induce his less courageous companions to voijoa board, but undaunted, the child went alone w ithout cor e P ci ler e ' or guardian, a child seven years of age, with the Cenul.ooo; bound for Glasgow and Greenock. Fr om the le s t t oen t .j tioned port he had a farther sea voyage to perform c,. RIO miles. In a lonely and mountainous district in th e cots °, of Bute, upwards of 250 miles from the gas-lighted strf his native Liverpool, our little voy ageur i n th e greY 60 111 ; ing approached the object of all his longi n gs. a 5e11,;.0 house, the inmates of which were g a th er ing re - i ,", 41 00 1 r; cheerful fireside, when a knock was heard at t": l ift When opened, they found, to their astonishment, their, -oJ Saxon favourite of the previou , summer, cold, wear' d 'co,'; hungry; he received a truly highland welcome, 39 forgot the toils and dangers of his perilous journeP ol or,,e; breakfasted on th e b an k s o f t h e M ersey oil Alonde), of t' ing, and on T ues d a y n i g ht h e s l um b ere d i n t h e lan"„ o l.,,0 Celt. Such is the romance of steatn.— Liverpool Jour Of BIRTHS. ro e, On the 15th inst., in St. George's-place, the Lady Ernest p a daughter. , o pt On the llth inst., at Largs, Ayrshire, the lady of Lieu° . A oe r' Creyke, R.N., of adaughter. 13 On the 11th inst., at Gotham, near Bri s t o l, Airs. Clifford cos• of a son. of 1- rid On the 13th inst., at Bath, the lady of J. Ed wa rds, E 4 l''f ,:,'1 36 " On the 15th inst., at Connaught plac e W e st, the Trliu " _....,, Baring Young, Esq., of a daughter At St. James's Church, London, It I by the Roy, It. C. • t en' go'h Rector of Brocklesby, Sir Edward Brackenbory, L T ' S " or Ali &c., of Kendleby, In the county of Lincoln, to Elean of the late W. B. Clark, Esq., of Belford Hall, in the coun t Y. o o re" thumberland, eldest daughter and co-heiress of the late M ill ' 0„ wick, Esq., of Bishopwearmouth, in the county of Durh ani• On the IGth inst., at Paisley, by the Rey. John Thoinson!,,ter W. Laing, of Trinity-square, Southwark, to Mary, eldest dam' the late Hugh Kerr, Esq., Paisley. the 1/e jt On the 16th inst., at Paisley, by the Rey. John Thoms°ll,,,s John Fulton, Garvald, to Margaret, second daughter of the ~ elf' Kerr, Esq , Paisley. E At• - ..et• On tho tith inst., at Paris, E. Aujard, Esq., to A nn second daughter of W. P. Attel, Esq., of Hadley-green , On the II th e inst., at Collitifighadm. the Rev. Archibald J Grew Stoughton, to Charlotte, the eldest daughter of the Mayor, Rector of Collingharn. MED_ „,,ed 57 1 On the 13th inst., at Twickenham , Henry Turner, Esq -, ,-^ 001 , " X On the 13th inst., 17.1;zabeth, eldest daughter of the late 3ir• O'llyan. ctllffO rj' On the 13th inst., the Rev. William Bird, of Church Eaten, - shire, aged 84. On the 13th inst., at Gloucester House, Samuel Knebel,., of V I:1 ; e , Vr On the 12th inst., William Taylor, Esq Gloucester-Pia— al gent's:he 13th -park, aged 72, f SAO on inst., at Ampthill, Bedfordshire, Ann, wife 0 - - May, aged 73. ' Ann PAl''• 1, On the sth inst., in P r i nces - s t ree t, R o therhithe, widow of the late Captain Allan Dalziel, aged 84. On the 15th inst., Mr W. Edmunds, architect, of Margate. ray s 0. the Gth inst., at Tillingt,,n, near Petworth , Charles .A. Esq., aged 79 mcDo 1"o1' N.. 01 " °. cfit . .itit.ir. Ph , , , Matt ' -tr.n(l, in the '3lOlO 01 thA S%Yoy, in the County of l'iliddlenx, ThurVIIIT. 18, 1847. `.....~.,~.. w TRE SDIA. EREST 41._---3ED from ! 1 . ' , GM:nen °111 si: Cs, that great c us tritt fssorreat at M IS, TILT, a inn tonn of the re ski be ceived Jed, unless 4Y "U 4, Tender ' and Lear 0 4 Z, i Tin, and Z i t ging e° o n b l e ) : ( 1 t d CONTR/ I % run ent „. vie 4 0 .- wuted K tele, that on 1 Y to tr --uouth, tern ebe or other red, betn PTFORD. p o r. or H p o YSMOUI 649 1 0UTH Wa jrlons to de ik'ne Condition fitDDlieatlon 147"fili be r Nat4Ntleed,unt t y l o Writing erY Tendef and bear IZlonst also b tha_fted by tends Oorthe Con L'Zt.e each of eLßitic h ) ,L s ons of al • • or on very fit. or at a aro ktdp!ailed r tet l Nowth.7,..nt of i t : 4 o il: A ee ss a letter NATIOI ut o a 4 '1141 : 411". ":)1 1 tti; 41: t 4: I !: ni : b els in e t c :ll3 : it a r i te 4 en a bled the w 44 POll c y ppr..,i. "s".------ 4 4s. d 163 ° i 4 b division * Annber or t 1 1 2 E E • ---wourgh, y i rlis Comps SEVEN weir Iforta Z o ollstantion iir t eros of Ass e° roParison .__orers, and woststent !De Prospect Agents tin pELic 70, I LONDON. kbijit._Chotiasto: tzt: ;:bert Gurne' ir W. Curtis, Davis, E "`hard Fulle j 011 ? - Afthe LeFs effect aY to t; to low ra 01 lutti ng q tllt two 11 0YI No 20 Cap[ J ohn Sha 111: ° 4 J. sa Deputy Samuel Ii 4, Ao bert 1) —4o Ns __ E tue Sown y _ E.tal , ohdon Ofll, ' I'aIIIDENT- a4leXander ' °lll l Conn( N a V ' dliatn P e 1a IXYIN