The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-18 00:00:00

... to t * • he ed . e-a_erd JOHN RUSSELL—Do you take the opposi now ? It is open to you at a future stage. I 3 ANKES considered it best to take the discus -0,1 now, because he did not find any one clause in the tee ".of which h e cou ld a p prove, an d perhaps it was then b est course to sh or t en th e di scuss i on . The Noble r d had admitted that he thought these persons not th _ r aPetent or qualified to fill these offices, and yet up to W Present time this subject had not been brought for jd, It was now brought under the notice of the bethought at a most inconvenient period of the session. Iv! thought that the delay which had taken place h..” most unwarrantable. An important enquiry „z i t taken place into the conduct of these officers t} iia bet, although a very strong report had been made to to mise no Member of the Committee had ever yet me forward to state his opinion distinctly as to what $O use place, or to bring it under the notice of the Ow. He found no improvement in the Bill. Think sesß that a much better mode of carrying the end into oovnect could be devised at much less expense to the Ti t , i int rY, therefore he objected to the whole Bill. ts e Poor-law Commission was first of all created for a hltnPorary purpose, limited to a period of five years ; ' t no one cou ld l oo k a t thi s Bill without seeing that the r,r 4 e sent Bill proposed to make that Commission in a diffe lit form p ermanen t. Th e Bill, besides, added very p c :s e lY to the patronage of the Government. They pro e, sad to f orm a b oar d on th e p r i nc ipl e o f the Board of . nntrol. Th e Board of Contro l was f orme d un d er very '7 ill iar circumstances, and, undoubtedly on the W u ule, the system had worked well. But it ap plied question whether the system that t h to the distant Ilindoo, was applicable to hodePeasantry of this country. On a firmer occasion he observed that the system, which was then so much efr i °s ed, was, in reality, the system of Sir Matthew t h - Le , which was, that the local authorities should have e administration of the affairs, subject to a control t tl 'uell less li m it e d th an th a t w hich was now interposed. ," vestin g vas t di scre ti onar y p o wers in the local guar tansns; with • , et an appeal in regard to some points to the g l strates of the county, at quarter se - sions , with a n PPeal al ways f rom t h ence u p t o the Home-office, they tbe establishing a better system, than by trusting he administration of the law to a set of meddling men London. Under these circumstances, he thought it mlh better to delay any legislation upon th e sub j ect a ture session of Parliament, and he should, fore,there move th t the Bill be recommitted that day three ,e `uenths, a Captain PECHELL h a d ne ver shrunk from express Pooris decided o pposition to the manner in which the laws had lately been administered, but still he could not consent to the amendment of his Hon. Friend Zresite, The Noble Lord at the head of the t3ernment, had told them that if this g e l , could be disposed of to night , the fell, o f Towns Bill might be brought on to. morrow, e n, now he w ould tell the Noble Lord how he could facil itatez o the committal of the Bill to - night. Let the ble Lord g i ve th e House a pledge that the appoint manta under this Bill should be such that they should 0t• h ereafter have to complain of the conduct of several e ll e existing authorities. On no one occasion had the tiaerfdLz-law Commissioners ever visited a board of ardiana, and altogether there could be no question t t he poor-law affairs of this country had been sadly efficient and He thought, therefore, that none but ev e lent and practical men ought to be appointed :Qr this Bill, and as 250 Members of this et ; e u ee had expressed their opinion of the in h `"Petency of some of the existing authorities, be t rusted a pledge would be given that they should oft hold office under any future new arrangement. One I. thesee Poor-law Commissioners had set himself up es th? L ndidate for one of the 'Welch counties, no doubt in - I ._"°Pe of getting an appointment under the Bill should thbe returned as a Member of that House ; and he bat that circumstance rendered it the more urgent li t'at the House have the privilege he asked for.—( Hear, en ear .) They were now called upon to make arrange ents by this Bill for the administration of the poor • .„ . w e during the next five years ; but he was inclined to ree with the lion. Gentleman the Member for Dorset ire the e that such a change would be introduced into J us titution of that House - by the result of the ensuing actions, that the Bill would stand a goo d chance of he I h fn g considerably modified in the next Parliam ent, and ; ther e f ore, hope d suc h arrangeme nts would be made in th. Progress of this Bill through Committee as to meet r e - e v iews of the lion. Member for Dorsetshire, with Cv e ct to limiting the duration of the Bill to a less uete than five years.—(ficar, hear.) tb! 4 , r . MILES said that nothing which took p lace since th; 'ast disc uss i on h a d a ltered his mind, and he regretted c ourse which his lion. Friend had taken in ra isin g thed iscussion, on the present occasion. He would ta ke b teat r.' opportunity of defending Mr. Chadwick, whom h e i eved w as most h ones t, u p r i g ht, and sincere, and he itireceived a letter from Mr. Chadwick requesting him ! a y such p a p ers b e f o re the House as would fully ex hl pate him from the charges which were made against Tee °Y the Noble Lord at the head of the Government. following was the passage in the Noble Lord's ' • e eh to which exception had been taken. be T t he SPEAKIeIt sa d that the lion. Member could r ead extracts from the speeches of another Member delivered during the present session. 1 % MILES begged pardon of the House, and then bente: on to read a defence of Mr. Chadwick's, in which 4, B aid that he never heard of any complaints against lit until the speech to which he objected was delivered. e zt i B position was to some proceedings which viand be e eie e telated to injure the commission or the law, to 11 1 , - ' llB rather than to men.—(Hear.) Mr. Chadwick also wh O e te a letter to Mr. Nicholls, demanding to know v ie t her he had offered any improper opposition, or in th e he had ever reason to suspect him of caballing he not ` i t : Public service, either from personal or private ey ? To all these questions Mr. Nieholl wrote a te_Y stronee„ letter in favour of Mr. Chadwick, denying a;crutft of all these charges, an praising him for the i lea es : which he had rendered to the comiriissioners.— b r i i i ar ehear.) He (*air. Miles) thought it his duty to b e t g ' ° rwatd this case at the very earliest moment, and doinrusted that the House would pardon him for so Lord g (Rear, hear.) bee J OHN RUSSELL said, that after what had , ta Ll stated, he thought it might be permitted him to teat' what he thought of the conduct of Mr. Chadwick. , tee a high opinion of his abilities, and he considered otit reports upon the poor-law were most valuable, ne did object to his conduct as secretary to the corn eef,sioners whom he was appointed to serve; and he ZZered his opinion from an attentive perusal of the ,! i lee, and particularly of the evidence of Mr. Chad °k himself. He certainly did admit, that on several iTetvarsions Mr. Chadwick objected to certain measures, upon consideration of his opinion, he (Lord John --- sse n) approved and decided in Mr. Chadwick's favour. le (Hear, hear.) But Mr. Chadwick, in his evidence, did t en — People to imagine that the commissioners did . not th o s elentiously discharge their duty in examining into /l et; suggestions which might by offered to their ee e ' t e , e _e who wilfully shut their eyes to the th "lueration of clauses, and who wilfully neglected e n - e o i k r ,duty, The Noble Lord then referred . to Mr. Chad eh evidence, and said that if these were . Mr. Chadwick's opinions, he ought to have resigned his i lep • e r e • He was very sorry that such s houid be his i 4 ession, but it was adored from a perussl of his own t v e l n' a . e : jet:. of Mr. would, in this place, again take an eppor iei::"Y of expressing his high opinion of the abilities and Mr. Chadwick. lie would not enter into tilllco debate raised by the Hon. Member for DorsetAire ; t„,question was decided on !he second reading of the h,!" after four nights' discussion, an he iliereeffe did viwuhhPiiccehhthhaj t w h o e u i l i d ouse would then go t int Committee, bi be quite ready to defend any clauses sir might be object e d to.—(Hear, hear.) to JAMES GRAHAM said that he would be sorry Whit anYihing p a i n f u l t o t h e f ee li ngs of any one ; but Chadwick, he admitted and valued the high abilities of Mr. eWiek, he must say that he had some errors. ,%;thought, t h ere f ore, t h at t h e cont i nuan ce of Mr. Chad - e ad in connexion with the commission would not be vantageous to the public, while at the sam e time he Onside rd that he should have an appointment in some eeaer ; tee import an t branch of the p u blic senice that would ?hoe employment to his superior abilities and prevent e public - from being deprived of them. When the gill went into Committee he would be happy to tiscuss !!ti details, and he would suggest to the lion. Member waa propriety of withdrawing his motion. Lord COURTENAY could not agree with the Noble Lord (Russell) that the evidence of Mr. Chadwick before the Andover Committee showed a desire to undermine the power of the Poor law Commissioners. The result of that inquiry was, in his mind, and in that, he be lieved, of the whole Committee, an impression that ,4r. Chadwick had acted with great ability and zeal, and t hat his exertions were directed to a fair and higher ad ministration of the law. On the reperusal of that evi dence this morning, there was nothing in Mr. Chad €lek'a evidence or conduct which appeared to him (Lord ourtenay) to afford the least ground for the charge of unf airness, or of a desire to undermine the power of the e 'lrarnissioners. He thought it necessary, in justice to 'tr. Chadwick, to say thus much in his defence. fordCHRISTIE was quite certain that the Noble W o urd at the head of the Government would be the last to =unjustly towards any individual, still he thought the,Chadwick was harshly dealt with. Ile thought that ef e mputation made against him required a great deal h it evidence to substantiate. When he heard the infl uence li eio Secretary stating that Mr. Chadwick was e e i s d by feelings of disappointment, and that the ki_upderstanding between him and the Poor -law Com th_lieloners were influenced by these feelings, he thought he wanted were circumstances which, to some extent, he :led these feelings. In consequence of the reports joie the as an assistant commissioner, he was invited to Of e board, and was intrusted with the drawing up f ortil lleport in which the Poor-law Amendment Bill was ep e k: d e Lord Brougham, on the 31st of July, 1834, Qkeellin the most favourable terms of that report, for its litr ce of composition, its lucid arrangement, and its t iltin gter of reasoning, He thought, therefore, that wh e g the subsequent proceedings into account, h i n tw o . . . gentlemen were appointed commissioners over litll e t , hat some allowance should be made if he did labour iiurprisfeelings of disappointment. He was very much qr a h e d , however, that the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir J. os e , a ril) should continue him as secretary, when by his hetwZnhis.sion, he was aware that the . misunderstanding 'river nu and the Poor-law Commissioners extended fer e ,: Period of five years. He would say a word in re euetlt ) ee to himself. - Allusion had been made to his con se,sasaire of the members of the Andover . Committee.. as t o se eged that he put a question to Sir F. Lewis elsperi: vete affairs. Now, that statement was un tied ent e r hat gentleman had misunderstood his question, into that personal explanation upon that nder e t e d • o r n mg. The statements of the lion. Member ered uiit Wolverhampton were not to be received with perfect led e f ti ;e_ es that lion. Gentleman was the brother of 'ed t o u se who were implicated in the accusation that ma%the..„. formation of that Committee. enur e v ILLIERS said be was not surprised at the td a.. e taken b y .4"fil9d the Hon. Member who had just (4. 411 he recollected his conduct with respect to Mr. Parker's case. He then stated what was stated to him in confidence. _ Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that the Right Hon. Member for Wolverhampton had expre3sed his regret on this question, and had made a most honourable retrac tion. Mr. VILLIERS said the Hon. Member for Wolver • hampton had asked Sir Franklin Lewis a most improper question in reference to his son. Mr. C lIRISTIE—That is untrue.—(Order, order.) Mr. VILLIERS said the Hon. Member for Wolver. hampton was the last person in the House who should use that term.—(Order, order.) The SPEAKER interposed, and Mr. CHRISTIE retracted the expression. Mr. VILLIERS said that he thought the conduct of the Hon. Gentleman was most improper, and having explained himself ho would not trespass further on the House. Mr. GRIMSDITCH said he felt bound to oppose the Bill. He would waive all question of patronage. if he could see his way clearly through the meshes of this Biil. He would himself delegate power to the Secre tary of State, and employ assistant commissioners to superintend local districts, and make it imperative on each of them to reside within his district, and visit the various unions comprised in it. He wanted none of the Chadwick's, the Lewis's or the Nicholl's—not one of them. He admitted Mr. Chadwick's great abilities ; he was an admirable writer ; but, like the Hon. Member t r Wolverhampton, he was too much of a theorist. The Hor. Member concluded by expressing his determina• tion to oppose the Bill. Mr. SPOONER said that although a great and in tense feeling existed out of doors upon this subject, there was yet so little interest exhibited inside, that the House could scarcely be kept, and, therefore, he agreed with the Hon. Member for Doreetehire, that the termination of a session, and of a Parliament, was not the best period to consider this Bill. According to the present system, the poor labourer, who was no longer enabled to support his family, was separated from his wife and from his children, he was treated worse than the convicted felons; there was less care taken of his moral and physical being, and, therefore, he contended that as the workhouse test had already proved so defective, the present Bill was so much the more defective, that it provided no remedy for this evil. He thought that this question was too important to be discussed with the limited number of Members, who seemed disposed to attend to it, and although he would not press the House to a division, he could not think of sitting down without making these few obser vatiens upon the measure. The motion was then withdrawn, and the House went into Committee on the Bill. On clause 1 being proposed, Mr. GRIMSDITCH suggested that one officer should be empower, d to take the whole control of the work tng of this law. He should, therefore, propose to leave out the words after " that," and add that her Majesty " c•.nstitute and appoint a Member of the Privy Coun cil to carry out the administration of this law, to be called the Secretary of State for the administration of the Poor-law." After some observations from Sir GEORGE GREY, expressive of his disapproval of the alteration proposed in the clause, the amendment was withdrawn. The clause was then agreed to, as were also clauses 2, 3,4, 5,6, 7, 8,9, 10, and 11. On clan-c 12 being proposed, Mr. HENLEY said the Committee were arming these commissioners with great powers, and it was, therefore, highly desirable that they should keep a record of their proceedings, in order if there should happen to be any wrong doing, the wrong-doer should be easily got at. Now, it appeared to him that as this clause would throw all the responsibility upon one person, the entire board would be removed from all blame when blame was due. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the object of the clause was to throw the responsibility of the proceedings of the board upon the President. Mr. BANKES said, if that were so, where was the use of establishing a board of commissioners when the entire responsibility was to rest in the President? Lord J. RUSSELL said that Government had always intended to throw the responsibility upon the President, in the same way the President of the Board of Control was responsible for the proceedings of the Government. Mr. BANKES protested that it was not fair to place the English peasant on the satne tooting as the distant hiindoo.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) The clause would eventually be a delusion. He thought that the object of the Government, in this Bill, was to whitewash the commissioners, and by Act of Parliament state what his duties really are ; if there was to be a board at all, it was abso lutely necessary that it should be both an efficient and responsible one. He thought that the cor poration ought to be compelled to keep the records. Sir G. GREY did not see anything in the clause which prevented the commissioners from keeping the records of their office. After a tew words from Mr. HANLEY and Sir G. GnEY, Mr. REDHEAD YORKE said that he could not conceive anything more obnoxious than the clause would be as proposed by this Bill, and if the House should decide on dividing upon the clause he should certainly vote against the clause. Mr. CHRISTIE thought that the commissioners had kept a record according to the provisions of the Act of Parliament, but he quite concurred in the clause in the present Bill, proposing to repeal the clause in the existing Act, now that the constitution of the board would be entirely changed. Mr. GRIMSDITCH thought that there was no ne cessity for retainine this clause in the Bill. The ATTORNEY-GEie ERAL thought that the pro vision made in the Bill for enforcing an annual report to be laid upon the table of the House was a sufficient guard that the proceedings would be public and known to the House. Mr. BANKES said that it appeared to be assumed that the President of this Commission would be a Member of that House, but there was no security for that. He might not obtain a seat in the House, or it he did, he micht not be able to keep it. Mr. II ANLEY moved that all the words from " or," in line 26, down to the word " preceding," in line 30, should be struck out. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the House divided, when there appeared— For the amendment A ga inst it 65 Majerity —42 The clause was then agreed to, as was also clause 13. Clauses 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, with a few verbal alterations, were then agreed to. Clause 20, after some observations from Mr. Henley. Sir G. Grey, and others, was agreed to. Clause 21 was agreed to. Clauses 22, 23, and 24 were also agreed to. On clause 25, Mr. P. BORTHWICK proposed an amendment, that the word " five" be omitted for the purpose of inserting the word " three," which he conceived was a sufficiently long period for the commissioners' term of office. Colonel SIBTHORP proposed as a further amend ment, that the word "one" should be substituted, for no commissioner so stigmatised would then act in an arbi trary manner, and earliatuent, would have an opportu nit) of investigating their conduct; every session. Mr. GREENE said that it was not then competent for the Hon. ;Winner to propose the last amendment. Sir G. GREY resisted the limitation, arid considered that, the term of five years was quite short enough to enable the company to acquire the experience nee. ssary to discharge the duties of their office efficiently. Mr. SPOONER supported the amendment. Mr. MUNTZ thought it a dangerous thing to extend the period to five years, considering the late arbitrary conduct of the Poor-law Commissioners. After a few words from Mr. TATTON EGERTON, Mr. HENLEY supported the amendment. He thought three years' reign was long enough for them. Sir GEORGE GREY said that assenting to the term of five years did not preclude the House from reviewing the system every year if it were so disposed. Mr. BANKES suvported the amendment. Mr. P. BORTH WICK could not withdraw his amendment, and would press it to a division, as the extension which they had lately had of the administra tion of the Poor law made it necessary to keep a more vigilant eye on the proceedings of the commissioners. Captain HARRIS said that this board was but a mere renewal of the old one ; and he should, therefore, vote for the short period. Mr. HUDSON hoped the Goverment would give way on this point, and meet what appeared to be the general wish of the House. The House then divided, when the numbers were, For the amendment 43 Against it 76 Majority —33 The clause was then agreed to. The other clauses were then agreed to. The House resumed, and the report was ordered to be brought up this day. RAILWAYS (IRELAND) BILL. Mr. HUDSON wished to know when Government meant to take the Railways (Ireland) Bill. lie suggested that they should take the Irish Railways Bill instead ci the general Railways Bill on Monday. Sir G. GREY fixed this Bill for Monday also. CORN, &c., IMPORTATION BILL. This Bill went through Committee, and the report was brought up and received. LUNATIC ASYLUMS (No. 2) BILL. The report on this Bill was brought up and agreed to, and the Bill was ordered to be read a third time this day. SAVINGS' BANKS ANNUITIES BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. POLICE CLAUSES BILL. The report on this Bill was received. ROYAL MARINE SERVICE BILL. The report was brought up and received. REPRESENTATIVE PEERS (SCOTLAND) BILL. This Bill went through Committee, and the report was brought up and received. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at Half-past Twelve o'clock. Sir Robert Peel, Marquis and Marchioness of Nor manby, Lord Villiers, Marquis of Douro, Earl of liar rowby, Countess of Kinnoul, Lord Newport, Mr. Shar man Crawford, M.P., Lord Combermere and party, Duke of Cleveland, and m a ny ot h ers o f the nobility and gentry honoured the exhibition of the Bosjiemens at the Egyptian Hall with their presence. THE IMMEDIATE REPEAL OF THE CORN LAWS. — The petition tram the Chamber of Commerce was pre sented in the House of Commons on Wednesday even ing, by Mr. Milner Gibson, and on Friday afternoon a deputation from the Chamber, consisting of Messrs. Thomas Huxley, Salis, Schwabe, Charles Pooley, and John Ilrooks, had au interview with the Premier, to urge the views embodied in the petition upon the con sideration of her Majesty's advisers.—Manchester Courier. IHE SUN,- PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) THURSDAY, JUNE 17. POOR-LAWS ADMINISTRATION BILL. (IN THE COMMITTEE.) Clause 12 (Repeal of certain Enactments, as to the records of the Commissioners):—Amendment proposed, in page 4, line 27, to leave out the words " or of any other Act as would require any Minute of the opinion of each of the Commis sioners to be made in the record of their proceedings, in cases of final difference of opinion upon any order or pro ceeding or :"—Question put, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause." The Committee divided : _ LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, /IIJIO 18, 1847. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, June 17. (Sittings at Nisi Prius before the LORD CHIEF BARON and a Common Jury.) CROWN CASES.—ATTORNEY•CIENERAL V. POWELL. This was an information filed by the Attorney-General and the Board of Cust oms , c h ar ging the defendant with having fraudulently concealed and brought into con sumption twenty-four chests of tea without the payment of duty. The manner in which the fraud was committed was as follows:—A sailor of the name of Partridge, formerly resident in Jersy in 1845, became acquainted with the defendant Powell in the month of November. Powell was at that time in charge of the steam-boat called Lord Collingwood. At Christmas in the above year they left Jersey and came to London. In the mean time Powell told Partridge that he could put him in the way of making his fortune, by run ningtea through th e C ustom -h ou se, coastwise. Partridge immediately concocted the plan, and they arranged it that a bond should be given to the Custom house, and purloined, and that the profits arising from it were to be distributed between Powell, Walsh and Partridge. This having been settled, Partridge obtained drafts upo n the London and Westminster Bank, to purchase tea i n b on d, an d h e ca rried this busi ness on for twelve months, under the name of Clark. He obtained a parcel of tea from the Custom-house, the destination of which purported to be Liverpool, but the goods were removed to a warehouse, and never for warded to their destination, but were brought into con sumption. Ultimately Partridge was taken into cus tody, and put into Whitecross-street Prison, and information that he gave l e d to prosecutions against his confederates, Powell and Walsh. It was proved by the Comptroller of Customs at Liverpool that he only received a packet in respect of the bonds, and he searched in vain for the con signees. For the defence it was agreed at length that the known character of Partridge rendered him un worthy of credence, and th a t th e j u ry could not give a verdict against Powell on his evidence. The jury returned a verdict against the defendant in the single value of 3201. The Attorney-General appeared for the Crown, and Mr. M. Chambers, Q.C., for the defendant. JUDGES' CHAMBERS, June 17. (Before Mr. Justice COLEBRIDGIC.) BUNN V. LIND. This case, which appeared in Me Sun on Tuesday last, on an application made on the part of the defend ant for a commission to examine witnesses at Berlin, came before his Lordship pursuant to adjournment, when the solicitors for the parties were again in at tendance. Mr. LEWIS, on tie part of the plaintiff, informed his Lordship that he hai no affidavit in answer to the ap plication. He, however, begged to mention that the cause was between fifty and sixty out of the special jury list, and could not be tried before the sittings after Hilary Term. Mr. JENNINGS, ou the other side, expressed his anxiety to get the case tried as early as possible. Mr. Justice COLERIDGE inquired whether it could not be arranged that the cause should be tried on the circuit? Mr. JENNINGS apprehended that it would be im practicable, as the commission could not be returned in time. Mr. LEWIS asked his Lordship to grant the commis sion on terms. The plaintiff would have to join in the expense, if not otherwise ordered, or he could apply for a separate commission. Mr. JENNINGS remarked that the expense would not be so great as keeping the witnesses in London, pro vided they arrived. He had offered to appear a long time ago to any process that might be issued. Mr. LEWIS replied that such a remark as the latter was easily made. As to an offer to appear to a process issued when a party was not within the jurisdiction of the court, it was, he would venture to say, of not much importance. Mr. JENNINGS said, there was a circumstance he wished to mention, and that was, that it had been threatened to arrest the defendant. Mr. LEWIS denied that such a threat had been made. What had been stated was, that if the party was about to leave this country, an application might be made to a judge on the subject. " But, at present," added Mr. Lewis, " that necessity has not occurred." Mr. JENNINGS—But it will probably occur at the end of the season. Ills LORDSHIP thought that such a circumstance might be a very cogent reason to urge on the cause. Mr. JENNINGS asked for permission to the commis sion to put additional interrogatories if they should bo required. Mr. Justice COLERIDGE—Why not have a viva voce examination? Mr. JENNINGS replied that his counsel, Mr. Noggins, had advised a commission by interrogatory. His LORDSHIP observed that in such commissions there generally occurred the necessity for further ques tions. Mr. JENNINGS said it would be a great expense to send over commissions. HIS LORDSHIP thought there were persons competent at Berlin to conduct the examination. They must give parties at Berlin credit for some knowledge. Mr. JENNINGS said the interrogatories would go as to the alleged fraud and misrepresentation. His LORDSHIP made an order for the commission to issue, with permission to the commissioners to pat addi tional questions on either side. Mr. LEWIS said, that as there was so much anxiety for the trial of this cause, as stated by the other side, he should be most happy if his Lordship would now make an order that it be tried the sittings after next term. Mr. Justice COLERIDGE said he had no right to make such an order. There were other causes to be tried, and there was no reason why this one should precede the others. Mr. LEWIS remarked, that be had made the applica tion from what had fallen on the other side. Mr. Justice COLERIDGE—It is not the only cause in the world. Mr. LEWIS—No, my Lord; but it is thought to be so by some parties. His LORDSHIP signed the order for the commission to examine witnesses, and made the same returnable on the first day of Michaelmas term—the costs to be costs in the cause. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. OLD COURT. :Before Lord Chief Justice WILDE and Mr. Justice PATTESON.) MURDER.—Gilbert M•Donald, aged 46, described as a carpenter, was charged with the wilful murder of Agnes M‘Donald, his wife. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased was in the habit of constantly getting intoxicated, and on the night of her death had been indulging her unfortu nate propensity. Some words arose between her and the prisoner, and a quarrel ensued which led to the event with which the prisoner was charged. The jury found the prisoner Guilty of manslaughter, and he was sentenced to be transported for hie. THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE DEE BRIDGE. The proceedings at the inquest held on Wednesday were brought to a close. The following details we take from the Liverpool Times of yesterday: — Captain Symonds, RN., inspector of railways, read the opinion of himself and Mr. Walker, the Government engineer, as to the cause of the accident. This document ran to a very considerable length, and occupied up wards of an hour and an half in its delivery. It was cautiously guarded by reasonings upon probabilities and conflicting engineering opinions, that the decision of these Govern ment inspectors was not very positively pronounced. Their inference, however, seemed to be that the fracture was made in the centre of the girder; that the girder of itself was too weak to support the weights usually pass ing on it; and that the principle of the construction of the bridge was objectionable. The evidence having been brought to a conclusion, The CORONER proceeded to sum up the whole case. The jury retired at twenty minutes past five, an an absence from court of fifty minutes , returned the foterl lowing ver di c t : —" W e fi n d that George Roberts , John Matthews, and Cha r l es N e vill were accidentally killed, after on the evening of the 24th of May last, in the parish of St. Ma r y' s - on -the. Hill, i n th e city of Chester, by being precipitated along with the train of carriages on the bank or bed of the river Dee, from the breaking of one of the twelve cast-iron girders constituting the railway bridge over that river. We find also that Isaac Jones died on the 26th of May last, from the injuries received at the same time and place, and from the like cause. And we find that Thomas Anderson came by his death on the 24th of May last, in the parish aforesaid, by being accidently thrown from the tender on to the rails. We are further unanimously of opinion that the afore said girder did not break from any lateral blow of the engine ihe tender, masonry carriage, of h o t rv e an, or from a n y fa u lt o r defect piers or a b u t men t s , b u t from its being made of a strength insufficient to boar the pressure of quick trains passing over it. We feel that the eleven remaining girders having been cast from the same pattern and of the same strength are equally weak, and consequently equally dangerous for quick or pas senger trains, as was the broken one. We consider we should not be doing our duty towards the public if we ors that there ar e upwar d s o f passenger trai ns , an d we separated without expressi n g our unanimous opini on s e l loir i c l ek in principl e an d form to the late u that no girder bridge of so brittle and treach erous a metal as cast iron alone, ov e n though trussed with cas t iron ohna reehriuot hundred d s n , r ei evidence safe ibdn reid egteoe bridges late one over the river Dee, either in use or in course of being constructed on various lines of railway. We con sider all these unsafe, more or less, in proportion to the span; still, all unsafe. We, therefore, call upon her Majesty's Government to institute such an inquiry into the merits or demerits of these bridges as shall either condemn the principle, or establish their safety to such a degree that passengers may rest fully satisfied there is no danger, although they deflect from 1 to 5i inches." The CORONER said that the first part of the verdict he would record, but that the latter part, calling for Go vernment interference, might be taken notice of by the gentlemen of the press, and would be forwarded by him to the Board of Trade. EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.—Last night a public meeting was held in the United Presbyterian Church, Oakshaw-street, Paisley, in furtherance of the objects of the Evangelical Alliance. John Hart, Esq., of Cartvale, was called to the chair. The Rev. Mr. Banks commenced the proceedings by leading the devotional exercises; Rev. Mr. France briefly explained the objects of the Alliance ; Rev. Mr. Jordan, in a neat address, refuted some objections to the Alliance ; Mr. Whitelaw, of Nor wich, delivered a short address ; and the Rev. Mr. James followed, in his usual masterl y style. The attendance was good, and the spirit which evidently characterised the meeting of gw;l7edle s i ofa eu v ye ery pleasin g nature,--North MAJORITY-AYES, 65. Acheson, Viscount Grosvenor, Lord R. Protheroe, Edward Aldam, William Hamilton, G. A. Pusey, Philip Baring, F. T. Hawes, Benjamin Rice, E. R. Len, John Hobhouse, Sir John Rich, Henry Borthwick, Peter Howard, P. H. Russell, Lord J. Boyd, John Hughes, W. B. Scrope, G. P. Brotherton, Joseph Jervis, Sir John Seymour, Lord Buller, Charles Kemble, 11., Sheil, R. L. Busfeild, W. Labouchere, Henry Somerville, Sir W. Christie, W. D. Langston, J. H. Strutt, Edward Cowper, W. F. Macaulay, T. B. Thornely, Thomas Craig, W. G. Mahon, Viscount Tollemache, John Denison, J. E. Mitchell, T. A. Turner, E. Dickinson, F. H. Morris, David Villiers, Charles Dundas, Sir David Morison, General Ward, H. G. Esmonde, Sir T. Nichol!, J. White, Samuel Evans, William O'Brien, J. Wilmington, Sir T. Forster, Matthew O'Brien, Timothy Wood, Sir Charles Fox, C. R. O'Conor, Don Wyse, Thomas Gibson, T. M. Pakington, Sir J. S. Gladstone, J. N. Parker, John Graham, Sir James Polhill, F. Grey, Sir G. Price, Sir R. TELLEB.S. Tufnell, 11. Hill, Lvrd Marcus MINORITY—NOES, 23. Allix, J. P. Floyer, John Spooner, R. Arkwright, Cr. Frewen, C. H. Stuart, John Brisco, M. Grimsditch, Thomas Thompson, Alderman Crawford, W. S. Hall, Sir B. Vivian, J. E. Davies, D. A. Hodgson, F. Yorke, 11. R. Dudes, W. Joßiffs, Sir W. H. Douglas, Sir H. Miles, William TELLERS. Entwisle, W. Muntz, G. F. Banker, George Etwall, Ralph Prime, Richard Henley, J. W. Clause 25 (Commission to continue for years) :- -lotion made, and Question proposed, " That the blank in page 7, line 41, be filled with five :'"—Afterwards pro• posed, " That the blank be filled with three :' "—Question put, " That the blank be filled with five.' " The Committee divided : MAJORITY-AYES, 76. Alelam, W. Graham, Sir James Plumrldge, Captala Bell, John Grey, Sir G. Price, Sir Robert Bellew, It. M. Hallyburton, Lord Repton, G. W. J. Berkeley, Captain Hamilton, Lord C. Rice, E. R. Blake, Martin J. Hanmer, Sir Jolla Russell, Lord C. Bodkin, William 11. Hawes, Benj. Scrope, G. P. Boyd, .John Heneage, G. H.W.: Sheil, R. L. Brotherton, Joseph Hobhouse, Sir J. Smith, R. V. Buller, Charles Howard, C W.G. Somerville, Sir W. Buller, Edward Howard,tE. G. Stanslield, W. R. Burke, T. J. Hughes, W. B. Strutt, Edward Busfeild, William Jervis, Sir John Talbot, C. H. Cavendish, G. H. Labouchcre, Henry Thoruely, T. Christie, W. D. Langston, J. H Tollemache, J. Clerk Sir 0. Lemon, Sir Charles Turner, Edmund Clive, Viscount Macaulay, T. B. Vane, Lord H. Corbelly, M. E. Maule, Fox Villiers, Charles Courtenay, Lord Monahan, J. H. Vvian, J. H. Craig, W. G. Mostyn, E. Ward, H. G. Denison, J. E. Nichol], John White, Samuel Dickinson, F. F. • O'Connell, M. J. 'Wortley, J. S. Duncan, George Ogle, S. C. Wyse, Thomas Dundee, Admiral Pakington, Sir J. Dundas, Sir David Palmerston, Viscount TELLEIS. Evans, William Parker, John Tufnell, Hear) , Gibson, Thomas M. Philips, Mark Hill, Lord Marcus Gill, Thomas Pinney, William MINORITY-NOES, 43. Adderley, C. B. Entwisle, William Neeld, Joseph illix, J. P. Etwall, Ralph Neeld, John Arkwright, George Floyer, John Palmer, G. Bankes, George Frewen, C. 11. Pechell, Captain Berkeley, Craven Gardner, J. D. Perfect, Robert Blackstone, W. S. Gladstone, Captain Rashleigh, W. Rrisco, M. Grimsditch, T. Sibthorp, Colonel Buckley, Edmund Hall, Sir Benjamin Vivian, J. E. Burrell, Sir C. Halsey, T. P. Waddington, H. S. Carew, W. H. Pole Harris, Hon. Capt. Williams, W. Copeland, Alderman Henley, J. W. Yorke, R. H. Cripps, W. Hudson, G. Davies, D. A. S. Jolliffe, Sir W G. H. Deedes, W. Masterman, John Douglas, Sir C. Morris, David Eg<rton, W. T. Munta, G. F. TELLEM. Borthwick, P. Spooner, Richard LATE RAILWAY ACCIDENT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Stet,—Observing in your excellent paper this morning that various means are pointed out by parties to ensure additional security to the public travelling by railway, I beg to point out one that I think the late awful accident near Wolverton imperatively calls for, which is, that not only upon all points of the railway, such a■ where Fossey was placed, but also upon all engines and tenders, now conducted by two individuals, an over looker, every way competent, should be at hand, to see that the duty of those so appointed should be properly attended to. Just for a moment consider what would be the consequence should any of the three employed be seized suddenly in a fit of apoplexy, or otherwise dis abled from performing their duty. Had such au officer been appointed, Fossey never would have dared to turn the train improperly off the right direction, which the verdict of the jury proves he did.—l am, Sir, &c., ONE OF THE CORONERS FOR THE COUNTY OF YORK. June 17, 1847. NEWSVFNDERS' BENEVOLENT AND PROVIDENT INSTITUTION. The eighth anniversary general meeting of this excellent society, the object of which is to grant pensions and temporary relief to masters and servants engaged in the sale of newspapers, who from age, infirmity, or distress, may require assistance, was held last evening at eight o'clock, at Anderton's hotel, Fleet. street. Mr. L. Wild, of Catherine-street, was unanimously called to the chair in the unavoidable absence of the President, Mr. Harmer. from illness, who, however, sent a donation of 101. los., and expressed himself as keenly alive as ever to the great importance of the institution. The CHAIRMAN said he was sure they must all regret the circumstance which had rendered the absence of their worthy and benevolent President necessary ; but, at the same time, they must also be glad to find that he was recovering, and that he was the same good friend they had heretofore found him. Fur himelf, he might say that he should leave nothing undone to promote the prosperity of the institution in every way in his power. The SECRETARY (Mr. Cole) then read the report, which simply stated that, during the last three years the improvement of the funds had steadily progressed, and that during the past year they had added 50/. to the permanent Stock. A candidate had offered himself for one of the pensions but he had been removed by death ; his widow applied for and received aid, but she only lived a few weeks after. No other application for a pension by a member of the institution had been made during the past year ; but the committee had felt themselves bound to grant temporary aid to an extent considerably beyond what they considered the society should be calle'l upon to make to parties who had never joined it as members, or added one farthing to its funds, yet as the applicants were known to be thoroughly deserving of commiseration and it was allot ded to them—still it was a gratifying tact, that so few among themselves had been necess‘tated to claim the advantage of the society's benefits, but this enabled them to afford extraneous aid. The funded stock is 8501. The committee trusted that their inconsiderate fellow- tradesmen would join them in the laudable work they had in view, by donations or small annual subscriptions, and thus ensure for themselves and those dependent upon them the aid of the society iu the hour of need. The accounts showed the disbursements to have been 1391. 16s. 3d., and the expenditure 82/. 9s. 10d., and that a balance of 571.65. sd. remained in the hands of the treasurer. Mr. Tom Ass presented a donation of 101. 10s. from Mr. l)ouglas Jerrold, (or rather, Douglas Jerrold's Maly Newspaper,) who had intended :o have beea present ; but the dangerous illness of his daughter in Guernsey, had called him suddenly from town, and rendered his absence unavoidable. He assured them that Mr. Jerrold felt the deepest interest in the institution, and as he had received the utmost kindness front the trade, not only in London, but in the provinces, he felt that he was doing no more than his duty in presenting the Society with this donation. He also wished to be come a contributor of 21. 2s. a year. The announcement was received with the warmest de monstrations of gratitude, and the Chairman, on behalf of the meeting, cordially thanked the donor, who was, on the instant, elected one of the vice-presidents, as also was Mr. Bond Cabbell, M.P. The committee and the other officers of the institution having been re-elected, and a vote of thanks passed to the Chairman, and suitably acknowledged by him, the meeting sepatated. PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—Mr. Macready takes his farewell for the season to-night in his masterly delineated character of King Lear. Numerous foreigners of distinction have taken boxes, the tragedy being by desire, and the ce lebrated songstress Jenny Lind bas also secured a private box to witness the eminent tragedian in Shakspere's master piece. A LIMB Or TIIE LAW IN A TRAr.—On Monday last, at the Police office, Blackburn, before Eccles Shor rock, Esq., Arthur Martin, railway guard, appeared against George Baron, small debt bailiff, and Henry Johnston, whom he charged with extorting money from his wife on false pretences. Mrs. Martin stated in evidence that on Wednesday, the 9th of June, her husband being from home for a few days, the defendants came to her house, and demanded Cs. on account of Mr. Ingram, cabinet-maker, &c., due for repairing a chest of drawers. Mrs. Martin denied the debt, stating that she had bought the drawers on the condition that they should be repaired if necessary, from the wood shrink , ing, within twelve months, at Mr. Ingram's expense. The wood had shrunk very much, and she had sent back the drawers to be repaired, for which the alleged debt was incurred. She asked the defendants to defer pressing their claim till her husband came home, but they remained in the house for a considerable time, declaring they had a "wapentake" for her, and would proceed to the last extremity on the following morn ing, at nine o'clock, if she did not immediately pay the debt, Baron at the same time producing a piece of paper, which he alleged to be the " wapentake; which, on being disclosed and handed to the witness, on her paying the 6s. 6d. for Baron's trouble, was found to be the tradesman's account. Being called on for his defence, the myrmidon of the law smiled most insinuatingly, and said the thing was all a mistake, and that he bad told Mrs. Martin that Mr. Ingram had been served with a " wapentake," and that he might have to do the same by her to morrow morn ing, at nine o'clock ; not that he then had a " wapen take" or " proper law" for her. That he had so threat ened, however, was clearly proved.—He was ordered to pay back the money and costs, 9s. ; which he left the Court to raise by help of " wapentakes," mock or real, or such other influences as he could put is operation.— Manchester guardivi MURDER AT KNOWSLEY, BY A MADMAN. (From the Liverpool Mercury of this day.) On Sunday evening last the neighbourhood of Knows ley, 'the seat of the, Earl of Derby, about eight miles from this town, was the scene of a most revolting out rage, which has resulted in the death of a young female, only about sixteen years of age. Her name was Ann Leyland, and she lived in the capacity of servant with Mrs. Highcock, the keeper of a lodge near the stables on the Knowsley estate. The name of her murderer is James Dwerryhouse, He bad served in the 67th Regi ment of Foot for ten or eleven years, and was discharged on account of ill-health, upon a conditional pension. It is some time since be lost his pension, and we are in formed he has since been in the service of Mr. Robertson Gladstone and Mr. John Molyneux. He formerly lived at Broad-green, but he has been residing lately at Waver tree, and had for some time been in the employment of the London and North-Western Railway Company, as signal man. His stepfather had, within a short time, observed something very curious in his manner. He had become very much changed, and was quite of a religious turn of mind. On Saturday evening last he was seen by a man in the neighbourhood of Wavertree, sitting beside a pit, washing his feet, and a short time after he was seen in the same place, reading what ap peared to be either a prayer-book or a hymn- book. Ile then ran off, but instead of going in the direction of home he went to the house of his mother, at Broad-green, and what transpired there will be gathered from the evidence given at the inquest. After ho left his mother's house nothing was heard of him till Sunday evening. Appre hensive that be might do injury to himself or to some one else, his friends gave information to the police in Liver pool and Prescot, and also forwarded a description of his person, but he was not seen or beard of till about half-past seven on Sunday evening. At that time he was observed by Mrs. Highcock, coming towards the lodge, which is within two hundred yards of Knowsley Hall. Mrs. Highcock and Ann Leyland were the only per sons in the lodge. He was met at the door by the old woman, but whether any conversation took place between them or not cannot be ascertained. The tragical event had such an effect upon the mind of Mrs. Highcock, that she was unable to give her evidence before the Coroner, and she has been confined ever since. Certain it is, how ever, that he knocked the old woman down, and she lay on the ground a considerable time in a state of insensi bility. The girl ran out of the house screaming, in the direction of another lodge, where there is a watchman stationed. She was followed by the prisoner, who seized hold of her, but what next occurred will, probably, never be ascertained, as the girl never spoke after she was again seen. When the old woman recovered, after the lapse, it is ,apposed, of some little time, she ran towards the stables at the rear of Knowsley-hall, and called for help. One of the grooms, named Mills, was the first to run to the rescue of the poor girl. Be found her only a short distance from the lodge, stretched on her back on the ground. Her murderer stood over her. He had a foot upon each of the girl's arms, and holding her down with his bands, he was, with a demoniac grin, tearing the hair and scalp attached to it, from the head of his unfortunate victim. Mills seeing the position of both, fancied the man had a knife in his hand, and going be hind him, pushed him off her body. By this time another of the grooms came up, and the fellow made a rush at him, taking with him the hair and scalp. The madman got away a short distance, went upon the lawn in front of Knowsley-hall, and then danced, holding up the scalp in the manner and with all that fiendish glee which is so well described in the history of some Indian war tribes. When one of the men passed him on his way for the police-officer, he again held up the scalp, as if exulting at the dreadful deed he had perpetrated. The girl, who was in a state of insensibility, was im mediately removed, by the direction of the Earl of Derby into one of the apartments at Knowsley-hall, and a mes senger on horseback was dispatched to Prescot, for Mr. Alty, surgeon, who attended her with unremitting at tention during the whole of the night. The Earl of Derby expressed great anxiety respecting her, and everything which human skill, care, and attention could do for the poor girl was done, but she never rallied, and a little after eight o'clock on Monday morn ing she died. She was buried, we believe, on Wednes day morning. Dwerryhouse was, soon after the melancholy occur rence, conveyed to the police-office, at Prescot, where he remained the whole night. Police-officer, No. 157, of the county police, sat up with him all night. He dozed a little during the middle of the night, but never slept soundly. He talked of nothing but religion, and seemed very much disposed to argue about passages from the Bible. After slumbering a little he would jump up suddenly, and talk again of religion. His hands were handcuffed behind his back. Looking exultingly at himself, he said his position reminded him of that of St. Peter, when he was in chains. He said he felt quite consoled and happy —happy as a nobleman. He was free from sin and the dominion of the Evil One, and could easily shake off his fetters if he liked to do so. He then quoted passages of Scripture, and looked quite pleased. The only reference made by him to the horrible occurrence of the evening before was on Monday morning. After talking a con siderable time on religious subjects, ho said he last night met with an evil one, an enemy of God, in the shape of a woman, and he nearly killed her, but he did not know whether she was dead yet or not. In the course of the day, Taylor, the groom, who was one of the first to go to the rescue of the girl, went into the apartment where the prisoner was connned. He was immediately recog nised by Dwerryhc,tise, who became quite furious, stamped and foamed, and called out, " Here is ttnother of the enemy; begone, out of my sight." An inquest on the body was held at four o'clock on Monday afternoon, t.t Kucwsley-ball, before John Hayes, Esq., county coroner, when the jury returned a verdict of " Wilful reorder against James Dwerry house." The coruner immediately made out his war rant, and the prisoner. in charge of police-sergeant Petty, was conveyed to Knit:l4le Gaol, to await his trial at the August Assizes. It was reported at Knowsley, on Wednesday, that the murderer had died in prison the previous day. From inquiries made yesterday at Kirkdale Gaol, we learn that he is still alive, and, apparently. in excellent bodily health. Since his cernmittal to Kirkdale, his conduct has been such as to leave not a shadow of doubt as to the state of his mind. He is continually raving about reli gion. b(Tl;y life. There is no doubt he will be confined in a lunatic asylum NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PLYMOUTH, JUNE H.—His Danish Majesty's corvette Flora, Captain Elihrecht, will probably leave this port to-morrow for a cruise :n the North Sea, and proceed thence to Copenhagen. Among the naval cadets on board is his Serene Highness Prince William of Hesse Phillipsthal, a fine young man about 17 years of age, who left this port on the 7th inst. for Marlborough House, to visit his august relative her Majesty the Queen Dowager. The young Prince returned on the 14th, and the next day, in company with Captain Ellbrecht and the officers of the corvette, was entertained by Port Admiral Sir John West, G.C.8., who invited a large and fashionable party of naval and military officers to meet his distinguished guests. The entertainment concluded by a ball given in the evening by Lady West. The Trinity steam-yacht Vestal, Captain E. W. Jones, came in on the 13th and left on the 15th inst., for an extensive tour of inspection of lights to the eastward. Sir Henry Pelley, deputy chairman ; Captains Ford, Pixley, Shepherd, Mann, and Redman, elder brethren, are on board, and during their stay visited the lighthouse on the Breakwater and Eddystone. PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAY.—The rumour which Re gave yesterday respecting the Scourge steam-sloop, and which we could not then trace to any authentic founda tion, has been confirmed to day; that vessel is being ra pidly dismantled, Captain Catlin, his officers and crew, being ordered to be turned over to the Fury steam-sloop at Sheerness. The cause of this order is defective ma chinery—the old complaint, although the Scourge is a new vessel, and scarcely one year and seven months in commission. Whether her 13-inch mortar is to blame for this, or the work itself was inferior, we have been unable to find out, but certain it is that the vessel is put out of commission. It is high time some commission was appointed to investigate the causes of these repeated failures of the Government steamers from alleged bad workmanship in the machinery, which is continually offering some hindrance to her Majesty's service by breaking down. We don't know whether the Scourge's engines are constructed upon any established plan, or whether they are experimental. With the pattern of the Comet before their eyes we are surprised that failure is so frequent. The engines of that excellent little craft are in better working order now than they were when they were fitted in 1822, although her boilers, like the Victory, have not a piece of the original material with which they were constructed in them. The machinery of this little model will indeed have to be provided with a new hull if she is kept six months longer in commis sion. We merely adduce this to show the value of the proverb, " Let well alone." nof i r toya l The immense American steam-ship Washington, of 2,000 tons and 2,000 (!) horse power, passed Spithead this morning, about nine o'clock, on her way to Bremen from Southampton. In point of size she looked like a n elongated three-decker with only one streak roun d her, but about as ugly a specimen of steam - ship buildin g as ever went through this anchorage. She did not a pp ear to make much use of her 2,000- h orse p ower either, but seemed rather to roll along than steam through the water. She excited considerab le curiosit y , although her cdomepeoreed,wheithc,3th2elinßgritwanitnhiaw, hhaiedhetvhie vessel would have been viewed b ad a different result - d p e e n rf t e ly rm ta a le n . os t , a he s edge be en obtained in her favour: - l H o ' n h ise B e r il l e y i ra sle o , u 7 6 2, t C o a r p e t fi at Kingssome, sailed this after en route to Osborne on Sa t u rda y for a cursory inspection Highness Prince Albert will visit this port of the improvements in progress on the estate. His Royal Highness will returu to town the same afternoon. —Times, WRECK OF AN EUIGRANT VESSEL.—KIRSWALL, MAY 25.—0 n the morning of the 24 th instant, during the prevalence of a very dense fog, the American ship Herald, of Baltimore, Captain Pullen, came ashore at Tanherness, not far from this place, and having filled with water, will in every probability be a wreck. The Herald left Amsterdam on the 16th of this month, hav ing on board a general cargo, consisting of coffee, steel, &c., and 112 emigrants, principally Prussians and Ger mans of the small farmer class, in families. These emi grants, with the crew, were all got ashore in safety, and have fortunately for themselves saved their small stores o f provisions and luggage.—. Ross Advertiser. FACTORY ACT.—Frora the let of next month until the let of May next, no pereon under the age of eighteen is to be employed in & mill or factory more than eleven hours e mployed in a mill or factory for more than ten hours per day, nor more than sixty-three hours per week. From the Ist of May next, no person under the age of eighteen is to be per day, nor more than fifty-eight hours per week. Both these restrictiou are to extead to females above the age of eighte tr.! SOUTH AMERICA. LIVERPOOL, TLIIIRSDIY.-By the Columbus, Captain Green, we have advices from Pernambuco to the 14th of May, Bahia to the Ist of May, and Rio de Janeiro to the 24th of April. News has been received of the arrival of the Antelope steamer at Rio, after a very rapid passage of 27 days. EXPORTS. PERNANBUCO, MAY 14.—Cotton—In consequence of the decline in our exchange, cotton is in more request, and as it arrives is readily bought up at first quality, 5,700 to 5,600 per arr., or 54c1. to 6d. per lb. ; and a further rise will, we think, take place as soon as our port is better supplied with shipping. Sugars—Our market is well supplied with this article, and sellers of bags in general are disposed to submit to —cases whites, 900 to 1,000 above ferro in usual assort ments, and according to quality equal to 19s. lld to 20s. 101. per cwt. Some large holders of cases will not, however, sell at present rates. Barrels are very scarce, and cost fully 5 per cent. dearer than bags, owing to a great want of flour barrels and shooks this season. We estimate the stock in first and second hands at 5,000 cases, and 50,000 bags of all qualities. The fall on our Exchange will, we think, prevent any further material decline at present, and if shipping were not so scarce, and freights at such an advance, we, no doubt, should have higher prices —at the present moment, for want of vessels, there is no demand, and the late more dis couraging accounts from home intimidate speculators here. We quote Muscovados 1,000 to 1,150 above ferro in usual assortments, and according to quality equal to 15s. 21d. to 16s. 71d. _ _ Barrels and bags. s. d. Whites, Ist to 2d quality alone... ... ... 2,590 23 10 Common assortments... 2,250 to 2,300 21 6to 22 0 Low whites... ... 2,000 to 2,200 19 2to 21 0 Superior Muscovadoe, or yellows ... ... 1,900 to 1,950 18 3tolB 9 Muscovado, good ave rage Ist 1,800 to 1,850 17 3to 17 9 Ditto, more ordinary... 1,750 16 9 Hides, dry salted, continue in limited request. Exchange—The limited transactions in shipments of produce during the . past month from the continued scar city of tonnage, an d this added to large remittances from the southern ports, for investment, have caused our rate to fall in less than a month from 30d. to 274 d. Its future rule will depend upon the next accounts we receive from Rio and Bahia, as also - upon the number of vessels that may arrive to enable shipping-houses to resume their operations. In any case we do not expect to see it go much lower, and the arrival of only a few vessels, want ing cargoes, would again give it an impetus upwards. s. d. FREIGHTS. Tonnage continues as scarce as ever. The last char ters fur Trieste were at 41. 15s. to Si., and 5 per cent. for cases, 15 per cent. less for bags, to the Channel; and a market in the United Kingdom, 51. ss. to si. 75. 6d., and 5 per cent. for cases. Liverpool, 41. 156., and 5 per cent. Cotton, to and 5 per cent. per lb. There are no disengaged vessels in port, and two or three moderate-sized vessels would still command these rates, or 2s. 6d. less for the Channel and Mediterranean. Mims, MAY I.—The Ada's cargo (3,220 tube of cod fish and haddock, from Jersey) 501d11,500 codfish and 9,500 haddock. The Othello followed her, and, meeting with no offer, proceeded, on the 15th ult., to Rio. Since then the Clutha, from Harbou r G race and Pernambuco, has arrived with 2,468 drums, whi c h were disposed of at 9,200r5. ; but, turning out inferior to the samples were rejected, and an abatement of 800 rs. per drum sub mitted to. Flour—A cargo of Trieste had fetched 25 dolls. Stock, 4,200 barrels. _ Sugars-1,800 to 1,900 browns, and 2,400 to 2,450 whites. Cotton-5,500. Freights are somewhat lower; and last charters for the United Kingdom are at 41. 10s. and 5/. per cent. Exchange, 28 to 274. RIO DE JANEIRO, APRIL 24.—N0 further arrival of codfish. The Othello from Bahia, and Broad Axe from Jersey, are daily looked for. The article is now retailing at 13 dolls. to 15 dolls. per drum. Flour—Stock, 24,040 barrels, in first hands. The quotations are,—Richmond, 24 dolls., and Baltimore, 20 dolls. per barrel. Exchange fiat. Nothing doing above 28d. _ . . Freights are not so firm. Last charters are 655. to London for sugar, and 775. 6d. for a Swede to Ham burgh. Coffee in demand at 3,000 dolls. to 3,100; superior, 2,800 dolls. to 2,900. Stock; 22,000 bags. COURT CIRCULAR. ——— - The Queen held a Court and Privy Council yesterday afternoon at Buckingham Palace. The Council was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Albert, the President, the First Lord of the Treasury, the Secretaries of State for the Home and Colonial Departments, the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Lord Steward, the Lord Chamberlain, and the Master of the Horse. At the Council Sir George Arthur was, by command of the Queen, sworn one of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and took his seat at the Board. The Hon. William Bathurst was the Clerk of the Council in Waiting. The Queen gave audience to the Marquis of Lansdowne and Lord John Russell. His Royal Highness the Prince of Lucca had an audience of her Majesty on taking leave. His Royal Highness was introduced by Viscount Palmerston, G.C.8., her Majesty's principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and con ducted by the Hon. Sir Edward Cust, K.C.H., her Majesty's Master of the Ceremonies. The Prince was attended by Count de Revel, Sardianian Chargé de'Affaires, and the Marquis Provenzali (Chamberlain). The Hon. and Right Rev. Dr. Eden bad an audience of the Queen, in the Royal Closet, and did homage on his ap pointment as Bishop of Sodor and Man. Sir George Grey, her Majesty's principal Secretary of State for the Home De partment; the Bishop of Norwich, Clerk of the Closet; and the Dean of Hereford, Clerk of the Closet in Waiting, as sisted at the ceremony. Viscount Palmerston had an audience of her Majesty. The Earl Cathcart had an audience of the Queen on his return from Canada. The Court was attended by the Treasurer of the House hold, the Vice-Chamberlain, the Comptroller of the House hold, Viscount Combermere, Gold Stick in Waiting; Lord Byron, Lord in Waiting; and Admiral Sir Edward Uodring ton, Groom in Waiting. ount Schimmelpenninck, the Netherlands Minister, had an audience of the Queen yesterday, and presented to her Majesty, on the part of his Sovereign, an Equestrian Por trait of his Majesty the Ring of the Netherlands, and other pictures. The Queen went to the review yesterday in Hyde-park, in an open barouche and four, accompanied by their Royal High nesses the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, and her Royal Highness the Heriditary Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar. The Marchioness of Douro, the Countess of Assen burg, Lady Caroline Cocks, and the Hon Miss Paget, followed in another barouche and four. His Royal Highness Prince Albert was present at the re view, attended by a numerous staff on horseback. His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia visited the Queen yesterday, and partook of a dejeuner with her Majesty and Prince Albert. The Queen and Prince Albert inspected yesterday the etch ing by Mr. S. Cousins, A.R.A., for the engraving from Winterhalter's picture of the Prince of Wales, in the dress of a sailor, now exhibiting in St. James's Palace, which was submitted by Mr. Alderman Moon. Prince Alfred, the Princess Alice, and the Princess Helena, took airings yesterday in the Royal gardens. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester gave a grand ball last evening, at Gloucester House, Piccadilly. The company began to arrive soon after nine o'clock, and were ushered up the grand staircase to the suite of drawing rooms, which were all opened for their reception. At half- past nine o'clock their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived, attended by Lady Au gusta Cadogan and Mr. Edmond Mildmay. Their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar arrived, attended by the Countess of Assenburg, Count de Beust, and Baron de Ziegesar. A deputation, consisting of Mr. Mallaly, Chairman of the Birkenhead Dock Commissioners; Mr. Brownrigg, and Mr. Potter, Commissioners ; and Mr. ends', bad an interview with Lord Morpeth on Tuesday, at the office of the Commis sioners of Woods and Forests in Whitehall-place. The Marquis of Bute had an interview with the Right Hon. E. Strutt yesterday, at the office of Commissioners of Railways, in Great George-street. A deputation, consisting of the Marquis of Downshire, Lord Newry, Lord Acheron, Sir J. Rennie, Mr. Quentin Dick, Mr. Parsons, Mr. D. C. Brady, and Mr. Hugh Boyd, had an in terview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at bis official residence in Downing-street. A deputation, consisting of Mr. Beckett, M.P., Mr. Mar shall, Mr. Pritt, and Mr. Dibb, had an interview with the Right Hon. E. Strutt, at the office of the Commissioners of Railways, in Great George-street, yesterday. Mr. E. Ellice, jun., M.P., had also an interview with the Right Hon. , Gentleman. _ _ _ _ Mr. Thomas Gabriel Bottomley, (Chairman), Messrs. John Coneybeare, John Batstone, Geading, Wright, and Mr. W. E. Harvey, (Secretaries,) claimants for compensation under the Westminster Improvement Act, headed by Sir De Lacy Evans, M.P.. had an interview with Lord Morpeth yester day at the office of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests in Whitehall-place. The Commissioners of the Metropolitan Improvements had a meeting yesterday at their office, in Whitehall-place. There were present Viscount Morpeth, Lord Colborne, Lord Lyttelton, the Lord Mayor, Sir C. Lemon, and Sir R. Inglis. THE LATE JOHN TAVIIILL, THE MURDERER.""- HERTFORD, THURSDAY NIGHT.—This day a commission, issued on behalf of the Crown, was opened before Mr. Wad dington, Q.C., Mr. Pollock, and Mr. Maule, the commis sioners, and a jury, to inquire what freeholds, leaseholds, lands, messuages, tenements, goods, chattels, &c., Jo hn Tawell, late of Great Berkhamstead, possessed at the time of his death, &c. At the conclusion of the evidence the jury returned a verdict, " That John Tawell died possessed of certain freehold property, which he held on committing the crime of murder, and personal property, which he held on his execution. That the freehold property was of the annual value of 71/. ; the leasehold property being worth 100/.; the shares in the Sydney Banking Comp an y worth 510/. ; in the Bank of Australia worth 4,000/.; household furniture and other property worth 6201." The whole value of his pro perty was estimated at nearly 8,0001. The case excited mnqh interest and great sympathy for Mrs. Tawell, who is highly respected. On Tuesday afternoon a small sailing boat, con taining four persons, was upset off Wandsworth Meadows, supposed from carrying too heavy a press of sail, and a youth, named .Johnohn Cowderoy, residing in Lavinia -terrace , Hercules-buildings, Lambeth, was drowned, the oth er th ree persons being saved by Cowper, the waterman, they having contrived to keep themselves afloat by clinging to th e oars until he reached them. THE MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, JUNE 17. The Oriental Company's newly-chartered steam-ship Jupiter, Captain Meeham, left the docks this day at three, rat., with the peninsular and other mails, also fifteen passengers, and full cargo of bale goods, &c. The Royal West India mail packet, the Severn, Captain Vincent, left this port to-day, at three, P.M., with the :mails for the West Indies, &c., fifty passengers, and a full general cargo, and 4,618/. in specie. v CRICKET.—MARTLEBONE CLUB AND GROUND NORTHERN CouNTiza.—Thia match, which was comm enced on Monday, occupied Tuesday, conclusion till Wednesday,the Mary htto a whenwes no t b rought state e of the weather, de clared the victors by fire wickets . T he -- ___...:l the play. during the two latter days, wee euolz Uto v,A HENLEY REGATTA. Yesterday this regatta, so far famed, and so anxiously expected, " came off " with great eclat. The number of the prizes, celebrity of the men, and the severity of the contests leaving nothing to be desired, and the assembly of visitors was numerous and fashionable. The committee in addition to the usual prizes, have this year g i ven a valuable Challenge Cup, to be awarded to the winner of the trial heats in the grand challenge cup race; and a sixty-guinea challenge cup, for amateur four-oared subs. H. Wood, Esq., of the Leander Club, officiated as umpire, and accompanied the matches in a cutter manned by eight crack London watermen. The Diamond Sculls. First Heat. Mr. W. Mauls, Trin. Coll., Cambridge (Light blue) 1 Mr. S. Wallace, Amateur Scullers' Club, London (White, with red cross) Second Heat. Mr. E. G. Moon, Mag. Coll., Oxford ...(Dark blue) 1 Mr. J. N. Lambert, London The pace was first rate. Time, lom. 328. Town Challenge Cup. Walked over by the Dreadnought Club. The Grand Challenge Cup. Trial Heat. Oxford University Boat Club (Dark blue) 1 st. lb. Messrs. E. G. Moon, Magdalene 2. M. Haggard, Christ Church 3. J. Oldham Brasenose n 7 4. F. Royds, Brasenose 5. E. Griffiths, Worcester 6. W. King, Oriel ll 0 7. G. Wenlie, Brasenose ll 3 E. C. Burton (stroke),Christ Church, 10 13 C. Soanes (steerer), St. John's Cambridge University Club (Light blue) 0 st. lb. Messrs. W. Maule, Trinity ... 2. T. Gesborne, St. John's 3. E. P. Wolstenholme, Trinity 4. A. Garfet, Trinity 5. C. A. Nicholson, Trinity 6. Harkness, St. John's 7. Vincent, Trinity lO 10 Jackson (stroke), St. John's ll 0 Murdock (steerer), St. John's Much anxiety was evinced to witness this race, but the race was unfortunately of a very monotonous cha racter. The Oxford, a fine powerful crew, who swing well together, had the middle station, and at the word " off" took the lead without procrastination, and kept up the practice till the bridge was " shot." This was not effected without many plucky attempts on the part of the Cambridge to wrest this position from them ; but from the very commencement the Cambridge were over powered. The pace in this race, as in the Scullers' Heats also, was_ remarkably fast, 18 minutes 8 seconds. Five o'clock.—Steliards' - Challenge Cup. Christ Church Club rowed over, the Worcester College Club having withdrawn. At Half-past Five the race for the Silver Wherries came on. Pollock and Fellowes, London (Red). H. S. and T. Polehampton, Oxford (Blue). Blue took the lead instanter, and kept it up to Poplar Point, when Red, who had been rowing "within them• selves," shook off their lethargy, and pushed ahead. Second Heat. W. S. Falls and W. Coulthard, St. George's Club, (White, Red Cross) 1 E. P. Wolstenholme and R. Vincent, Trinity College 2 A pretty race ; the St. George's, who had the Berks station, took a very slight lead at the start, held, but could not increase it, until they had covered half the dis tance, but then by beautiful rowing, and watermanlike handling of their boat, they realised a lead of two boats' length. Final Heat for the Diamond Sculls. W. Maule, Cambridge . I J. G. Moon, Oxford This heat drew all the stragglers in by-ways, &c , to the river side, each university prompt to cheer on its champion. Mr. Moon had the Berks station eml the best of the start, and having been the favourite before starting, his backers now, naturally enough, became very sanguine, but Mr. Maule was not to be shaken off:. Scull and scull they dashed along the Reach, now one• and now the other gaining a trifling advantage, but at Phillis-court Mr. Maule at last obtained a decided lead, which from that point he improved to three boats' length, and finished the race without much distress, Mr. Moon being dreadfully exhausted at the Stewards. Stand. The sports of the day were concluded by the Final Heat for Silver Wherries. W. S. Falls and W. Coulthard, St. George's Club (White, Red Cross) 1 Pollock and Fellowes, Cambridge Subscriptionßooms, Leander Club (Red) , 2 Red, on Berks shore, at the start jumped off with the lead, which they speedily converted to a boat's length: and a half; but at Remenham Bay the St. George's pair crawl up to them, and stick to them like a burr up to the point, when they make a rush to pass them, but here Mr. Fellowes was somewhat too powerful and very much too energetic for his partner, and by picking his boat up too quickly, bored the other pair almost to the other side of the river; who, to avoid collision, " eased off," but claimed the foul on the ground that though no actual collision had taken place, they had been hin dered from passing Messrs. Fellowes and Pollock, owing to their being out of their proper coarse. This the committee allowed, and the cup was awarded to the St. George's men. To-morrow the racing will be continued, when the final heat for the Grand Challenge Cup will be rowed by the Thames and Oxford University. ATTEMPT BY A SERVANT TO POISON HER MISTRESS. —A case of this description has just been heard at the county magistrates' office, at Worcester. The accused is Mary Anrr Tandy, servant to Mr. Nicholls, a farmer, residing at Powick, Worcestershire, who was charged with administering poison to her mistress with intent to kill and murder her. It ap peared from the depositions of the several witnesses that Mrs. Nicholls had been in the habit of drinking a little warm water on going to bed, which the servant brought up into her mistress's bed-room. On Thursday last she took up the water as usual to her mistress's room on being requested, and Mrs. Nicholls drank a small por tion of it. She immediately discovered that the water had an unpleasant taste, and exclaimed, " What's in this water ? I am poisoned." Mrs. Clewes, who was on a visit to Mrs. Nicholls, hearing her screams, went to her assistance, and the inmates of the house having been aroused, some mustard and water was ad ministered as an emetic, and had the desired effect. Mr. J. F. Turnberrow, a lodger in the house, administered a further dose of the same, and subsequently gave Mrs. Nicholls the whites of three eggs, which further relieved her. Mrs. Clewes, on tasting the water left in the cup, found it very unpleasant, but the water in the tea-kettle from which the girl had been seen to pour it into the cup was good. The remainder of the contents of the cup were handed over by Mr. Turnberrow to Dr. Turley, who on the following day analysed them, and on applying the usual tests discovered, without doubt, that oxymuriate of mercury was contained therein. Dr. Turley stated that a fitth of the solution left in the bottle was sufficient to destroy life. He visited Mrs. Nicholls on the same day, and found her labouring under symptoms which left no doubt on his mind that she had taken poison of the same kind as that contained in the solution, part of which Mrs. Nicholls had drunk. Mr. Nicholls had had mercury in the house for some days, for the purpose of dressing sheep, and the prisoner was fully aware that it was kept in a certain cupboard. Mrs. Nicholls had noticed that the paper which contained the mercury had been disturbed, as though it had been opened and wrapped up again. The prisoner was ap prehended on the following day at the house of her father, at Welland, whither she had proceeded. On being informed of the nature of the charge against her, she said she had not put anything into the cup, and that if there was angtrgina else in the cup, it must have been put in be f or e she the water into it. At the termination of the inquiry the prisoner was fully committed to take her trial a assizes at Worcester, on the charge of attemptt the to m en u s r uing der. Mrs. Nicholls had scolded the girl in the course of Thursday morning. We are happy to add that Mrs. Nicholls is in a. state of convalescence. THE LATE CONFLAGRATION IN THE STRAND.- OFFICIAL REPORT.—The fire which broke out yesterday morning in Angel-court, Strand, briefly noticed in this jour nal of the same date, was attended with a far greater de struction of property than was at first imagined. At a moderate calculation the loss will amount to several thou sand pounds, and the whole of the insurances effected upon the buildings and their contents do not exceed 5,0001. The following is Mr. Braidwood's official report of the damages: —" Thursday, half-past twelve, A.M., a fire occurred in Angel-court, Strand, upon the premises belonging to Messrs. Leighton and Sons, bookbinders. Cause unknown. Goods in trust insured in the Imperial Fire-offiee. The stock in trade insured in the Sun. The whole range of workshops nearly destroyed and their contents burned. No. 6, Angel -court—. Mr. C. Smith, map-seller and globe-maker ; contents in sured in the Imperial, the building unknown ; damage to contents by fire and water, root slightly damaged, the doors and windows burned out. No. 7, Angel-court—Owen Owen, shoemaker; windows and doors burned out, some damage to contents by fire and water; uninsured. No. 5, Surrey- street . —Captain Swinton, insured in the Dissenters'-oM ,ce oot a r tr e, ae r t es_t m o r f a. bui bi ld . in La g w azi b co uil n di ten ng ts an y cid contents slightly a n t t e e r n .N i :cm insured i n Surrey-street—Mrs. the e y! floor damaged by fire, and contents by water. .No. e l d 73. Sun ; small roof over closet on secon d Strand—S. Morgan, glover, building and contents insur ed in the Plicenix ; slight damage by removal. FIRE IN YORK-ROAD, LAMBETH.—This morning, shortly after twelve o'clock, a lire, which at one period threatened very disastrous consequences, broke out upon the premises in the occupation of Mr. Collins, a stationer and bookseller, carrying on business at No. 49, York-road, Lam beth. The discovery was made by Mr. Crake, who lives in , the adjoining house, to whose exertions may be attributed the escape of the several persons oa the premises. The fire men succeeded in getting the flames extinguished, but not without considerable damage being done to the stock in trade and building. How the fire originated could not be ascer tained. -Mr. Collins is fortunately insured in the County Fire-office. The police, under Mr. Inspector Arnold, kept the doors of the building closed until the arrival of the firemen, or the damage would have been far more extensive. PUBLIC BATHS AND WASHHOIJSES ' ST. MARTIN'S .. IN-THE-FlRLDS.—Y es t er d ay a mee ti ng of the rate-payers i l this parish took place at the St. Martin's Vestrrn" m, vicar, Sir Henry Dukinfield in the chair, to rece ive r ho tne Baths re port of the commissioners appointed to carry c : .tst that they and Washhouses Act in that parish; who '— for their had obtained possession of the site prop? ro sed m the erec tion Com in Orange-street, Leicester-squT it i _ they th had entered sionera of Woods and Forests, an d to erect a building, into a contract with andthe containing 64 bathss4 Messrs. a sh K o g s b e y s for 6,8901. The con ' duct of the commissioners approved of', and Ole necessary ai m w e as diate formation. The m th eetin is g, business, passed a vote of , ri_n? rateafter some voted o f t o ha r ner t a h pn e ard i to the chairman I.ehiparated. NscESSITX THE MOTHER OFINVENTION.--'After the Snake, Levant packet, was wrecked on the reef near the coamoledo rocks, the crew nearly perished from thirst, when, fortunately, they met with an old iron pot and the barrel of a n old gun ; the former they converted into a boile r, which they filled with salt water? they then formed a steam pipe of the barrel of the gun, one end of which they introduced into the lid of the boiler, and the other end they fixed in the stump of a hollow tree, filled with cold water for condensa tion. Thus, in twenty-four hours, they distilled through tb4 nipple of the gun ten gallons of Nell watere..Deeeroi tors atesiatant. he. .