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

MAGAZINES—(CONTINUED.) BENTLEY. In the present number of Bentley, both " Brian CrLinn" and " Captain Spike" are co ntinued. The latter novel will most assuredly be one of thebest that has ever proceeded from Cooper's pen. The 6th chapter, which we have presented to us this month, is full of stirring incident. It will be recollected that we left the Swash alongside the Spanish schooner, which she had su ccee d e d i n weighing, and that the barrels of !gunpowder flour were ranged, some on the islet and more on the deck of the Swash. During the night the brig is boarded by a boat, from the frigate Poughskeepie, with our old friend Wallace on board, who expresses his surprise at find ing the Swash among the islets of the Gulph. Spike, however, explains that he has sold his flour to the Spaniard alongside, to be taken to the Havannah, and relates the circumstances attending the sinking and the reweighing of the schooner. Wallace, professing himself to be satisfied, returns to his frigate. Deter mined to get rid of his flour as soon as possible, he lands Mrs. Budd, Rose, and Biddy on the island, where he places them under the care of Jack Tier, and proceeds to work to get the schooner's cabin clear of water with all possible expedition, so as to enable him to get at the dollars in the state room, having secured which, it is his intention to sail at once out of the neighbourhood of the frigate, which has been gradually approaching him. The cabin being nearly free of water, he goes on board the schooner to secure the plunder, and at the same time orders Mulford " to loosen the sails and to sheet home, and hoist the fore-topsail. In a word to see all ready to cast off, and to make sail on the brig at the shortest notice." While groping in the cabin of the schooner after the treasure, one bag of which he secures, Spike is alarmed by the report of guns. The Poughskeepie, seeing the preparations on board the Swash for sailing, has opened a fire upon her. Spike mans his boat, and goes to the island, determined to take off Rose with him, even if he left the other woman. She finds, however, an unexpected champion in Jack Tier, who, while Spike is carrying Rose to the boat, pre sents a loaded pistol to the captain, and commands him to release her. At the same moment a Paixhans shell, fired from the Poughskeepie, bursts among the barrel& of flour on the island, which of course explode, each flour barrel having a kernel of gunpowder ; and Spike, alarmed for the safety of the Swash, whose deck is loaded with barrels of a similarly com bustible character, leaves Rose to her fate, and hastens on board, his first order being to tumble every one of the barrels into the sea. We must give the re mainder of this chapter in the words of Mr. Cooper himself, premising that it would be well that the Lords of the Admiralty should read and reflect upon the first sentence of the extract, and consider whether in the event of hostilities, our sloops of war could venture to attack the Paixhans armed sloops of Uncle Sam : " Great and important changes, as has been already mentioned, have been made in the armaments of all the smaller cruisers within the last few years. Half a generation since, a ship of the rate—we do not say of the size—of the vessel which was in chase of Spike and his craft, would not have had it in her power to molest an enemy at the distance these two vessels were now apart. But recent improvements have made ships of this nominal force formidable at nearly a league's distance; more especially by means of their Paixhans and their shells. " For some little time the range carried the shot .directly over the islet of the tent, Jack Tier and Rose, both of whom were watching all that passed with intense interest, standing in the open air the whole time, seem ingly with no concern for themselves, so absorbed was each, notwithstanding all that had passed, in the safety of the brig . As for Rose, she thought only of Har r y Mulford, ad of the danger he was in by those fearful explosions of the shells. Her quick intellect compre hended the peculiar nature of the risk that was incurred by having the flour-barrels on deck, and she could not but see the manner in which Spike and his men were tumbling them into the water, as the quickest manner of getting rid of them. After what had just passed between Jack Tier and his commander, it might not be so easy to account for his manifest, nay, intense interest in the escape of the Swash. This was apparent by his troubled countenance by his exclamations, and occa sionally by his openly-expressed wishes for her safety. Perhaps it was no more than the interest the seaman so apt to feel in the craft in which he has long sailed, and which to him has been a home, and of which Mulford 'exhibited so much, in his straggles between feeling arid conscience—between a true and a false duty. " As for Spike and his people, we have already men tioned their efforts to get rid of the powder. Shell after shell exploded though none very near the brig, the ship working guns as if in action. At length the officers of the sloop of war detected a source of error in their aim, that is of very common occurrence in sea-gunnery. Their shot had been thrown to ricochet, quartering a low, but very regular succession of little waves. Each shot striking the water at an acute angle to its agitated surface, was deflected from a straight line, and described at regular curve towards the end of its career; or, it might be truer to say, an irregular curvature, for te de flection increased as the momemtum of the missile di me nished. "No sooner did the commanding officer of the sloop of-war discover this fact —and it was easy to trace the serirse of the shots by the jets of water they cast into the air, and to see as well as to hear the explosions o the shell, than he ordered the guns to be pointed more to windward, as a means of counteracting the departure from the straight lines. This expedient succeeded in part, the solid shot falling much nearer to the brig the moms nt the practice was resorted to. No shell was fired :for some little time after the new order was issued, and Spike and his people began to hope these terrific missil'es had ceased their annoyance. The men cheered, findin g their voices for the first time since the danger had s eemed so imminent, and Spike was heard animat ing ti tern to their duty. As for Mulford, he was on the coach -house deck, working the brig, the captain having confided to him that delicate duty, the highest proof he could furnish of confidence in his seamanship. The handsome young mate bad just made a half-board, in the neatest manner, shoving the brig, by its means, through a most difficult part of the passage, and had got her handsomely filled again on the same tack, looking right out into open water, by a channel through which she could now stand on a very easy bowline. Every thing seemed so propitious, and the sloop-of-war's solid shot began to dop into the water a hundred yards short of the brig. In this state of things one of the Paixhans belched forth its angry flame and sullen roar again. 'There was no mistaking the gun. Then came its mass ssf iron—a globe that would have weighed just sixty /eight pounds, had not sufficient metal been left out of its interior to leave a cavity to contain a single pound of powder. Its course, as usual, was to be marked by its path along the sea, as it bounded, half a mile at a time, ;from wave to wave. Spike saw, by its undeviating -course, that this shell was booming terrifically towards his brig, and a cry to " look out for the shell 1" caused the work to be suspended. That shell struck the water for the last time within two hundred yards of the bri g , rose dark an d menac i ng i n i ts f ur i ous l eap; b u t exploded at the next instant. The fragments of the iron were scattered on each side, and ahead. Of the last, three or four fell into the water so near the vessel as to cast the spray on her decks. "` Overboard with the rest of the powder ! " shouted Spike. 'Keep the brig off a little, Mr. Mulford—keep her off, sir ; you luff too much, sir.' _ _ " Ay, ay, sir,' answered the mate. it is.' " There comes the other shell !' cried Ben ; but the men did not quit their toil to gaze this time. Each seaman worked as if life and death depended on his single exertions. Spike alone watched the course of the Missile. On it came, booming and hurtling through the air, tossing high the jets at each leap it made from the surface, striking the water for its last bound, seemingly in a line with the shell that had just preceded it. From that spot it made its final leap. Every hand in the brig was stayed, and every eye was ra ise d as t h e rus hi ng tempest was heard advancing. The m ass went mutter i ng directly between the masts of the Swash. It had scarcely seemed to go by when the fierce flash of fire and the sharp explosion followed. Happily for those in the brig, the projectile force given by the gun carried the fragments from them, as in the other instance it had brought them forward ; else would few have escaped mutilation or death among their crew. "The flashing of fire so near the barrels of powder that still remained on their deck, caused the frantic efforts to be renewed, and barrel after barrel was tum bled overboard, amid the shouts that were now raised to animate the people to their duty. " Luff, Mr. Mulford—luff you may, sir,' cried Spike. "No answer was given. "' 1)' ye hear, there, Mr. Mulford?—it is luff you may, sir.' " Mr. Mulford is not aft, sir,' called out the man at the helm; but luff it is, sir? " ' Mr. Mulford not aft ! Where's the mate, man? Tell him he is wanted.' "No Mulford was to be found. A called passed round the deck, was sent below, and echoed through the entire brig ; but no sign or tidings could be had of th e handsome mate. At that exciting moment the sloop of War seemed to cease her firing, and appeared to be se curing her guns." This extract has extended to such a length that we must be brief i n our not i ce o f th e remaining ar ti c l es. The first, entitled, " Jenny Lind's Letter Bag," which is illustrated by an exquisitely engraved por trait of the Swedish Nightingale, is a quiz on the mania for the publication of private correspondence. We have a l e tt er purport i ng to b e f rom L o l a M ontes, and another front Mr. Bunn, with a very facetious Imitation of the style in which the manager " does" . I . l_ libretto. Albert Smith's theft from the Percy liques, is the legend of the " Lady turned Serv ing Man," and the Gaol Chaplain contributes a highly wrought de scr i p ti on o f the miseries of Jacob Osbor ne t_ the miser the legatee of old James Wood, "tGlo'ster,under the title of " An Enviable Legatee." S pring Tide," by P au l Pi n d ar , is angling pastoral n ot unworthy the pen of old Isaac Walton. Anti quarians will on be pleased with Mrs. Thomson's paper Peetry_ Whitehallwill and its predecessors • and lovers of true find in the last article in the number a km; it is entitled "A D • Wife to her Husband." phis exquisite , Dying little poem is " one entire and perfect ellrYaolite." , Keep her off, 'S. t ekt its reduced pr DOLMAN ice, Dobruin continues to main- Its positio n as the English organ of the Roman Catholics. If any particular difference is perceptible in the periodical under its present management, it is that the magazine is more especially devoted to matters interesting to the class for whom it is in tended. The articles are more generally of a religious character than heretofore, though there are still con tributions of a miscellaneous kind, and possessing a popular interest. For example, we may mention, as among the latter class, the paper contained in the April number just published, headed " The Mystery Un folded," being a story of landlordism as it was and as it is. From Mr. Jerningham we have a clever article, entitled " The Pusillanimity of Error ;" and from the Reverend Editor a dissertation upon " Preachers and Preaching." Instead of the con tinuation of the editorial series about " The Last Days of the Penal Laws," a topographical and anti quarian account of the Taunton Convent is prefixed to Dolman. With an essay upon the " Real Origin of Gothic Architecture," by Mr. F. A. Paley, and a variety of minor contributions, the magazine sustains its reputation. DUBLIN UAIVEHSITY. At a time when the public attention is so strongly directed to the state of the Criminal Code, when it is so universally admitted that some extensive alterations and sweeping changes therein are urgently required, while a Committee of the House of Peers are investi gating the subject, under the auspices of that distin guished legal reformer Lord Brougham, who in fromutide r t t a h k e i n i g m t p o u c r l i e t i a e n s s e thatt he had Aug e a a c n e u s i le iztt e o d f t d h law u e rin g successive ages, took upon himself a task more ardu ous than any of the fabled labours of Hercules—it is in teresting in the highest degree to examine into the cri minal laws of a kingdom united to us by the closest ties, whose executive and legislative authorities are the same as our own, and whose children, by their orderly habits, moral characters, respectful obedience to the law, and freedom from crime, afford the strongest evidence of the good effects of the system that has led to such happy results. This duty the " Dublin Uni versity Magazine" has taken upon itself; and in its first article presents us with a pleasing and instructive sketch of the criminal jurisprudence of Scotland, and the several peculiarities in which it differs materially from that of England. In some respects we freely admit our decided preference for our own time honoured institutions; while in the greater facilities afforded to the accused party in preparing his defence ; the more simple, pre cise, and straightforward character of the accusa tion or indictment; but above all in the extraordinary precautions that arc adopted to avoid unfounded and trifling charges; to prevent an innocent person from being subjected to the punishment of guilt, by being taken from his home and friends and detained in prison an undue time pending the investigation of his case ; in providing, that if wrongfully suspected he shall labour under that suspicion for the shortest possible time; that if it be sufficiently strong to warrant a trial that trial shall take place with the least possible delay; and if otherwise that the accused should be forthwith set at liberty; and in obtaining his liberty, in all save capital offences, on giving fair and reasonable security, that he will be forthcoming to abide his trial, we must yield the palm to the Scottish practice. One of the most objectionable parts of the Scottish law is the power con ferred on the Supreme Criminal Court, not merely to expound the law as it is, but also to punish every act which it may de clare to be of a criminal nature, though it had never in times past been made the subject of prosecution, or even considered criminal before. It is due to the able and excellent men who have sat upon the Scottish bench to say that this extraordinary power has hitherto never been abused or perverted. It was first laid down by Baron Hume, in his admirable work, and although much diversity of opinion has existed on the point, it would appear to have been finally settled about ten years since in favour of the power• Now, although in ordinary times such a power might safely be intrusted to the Judges, a season might come when, by the aid of unjust and corrupt judges (and there have been such in times past, and we may again perchance see others of a similar description) it might be made a most formid able instrument of oppression, and in the highest degree injurious to the national liberties. Although many persons deserving of grave censure might there by be brought to justice, and made to receive a fitting retribution for their offences, who might otherwise possibly escape, it is far better that such should be the case, than that even one should sustain unde served punishment. Another practice is that, save in cases of high treason—which are in all respects con ducted according to the English law—there are no grand juries. The sole power of prosecuting criminal charges, and of liberating accused parties without prosecution, is placed in the hands of the Lord Advo cate and his deputies, who are the public prosecutors. We may to this apply the same observations as we hare done to that placed in the hands of the Court, viz., that although in ordinary times the force of public opinion,. and the exalted station of the respon sible party, who would have no private interest to serve, or revengeful feelings to gratify, whose sole object should be ad vindietant publicam, would prevent any undue exercise of the power, it might still be strained by an unconscientious or time-serving man, so as to be inimical to the general freedom. The jury, too, are not required to come to an unanimous decision—the opinions of the majority will be received as conclusive. And thus the great palladium of British liberty, that a man cannot be punished save on the unanimous verdict of twelve of his peers, is lost to our Scottish brethren. Guilty men have undoubtedly escaped by reason of the great strictness of our own law in this particular ; but while the humane principle is re cognised that it is better that ninety-nine guilty men should go free than that one innocent person should be convicted% it is better that it should be so. The refusal of even a single honest man to concur in the verdict is conclusive that such a degree of doubt exists as to entitle the accused to its benefit. In al most every other respect, however, we must admit the superiority of the Scottish practice, the differences are chiefly as regards the practice—the machinery by which the law is put into operation. In Scotland you will not see persons detained in custody for many months, subject to all the contaminations of a gaol, and the stringent regulations adopted for the punishment of crime, hut by no means neces sary for the safe custody of the prisoner, which should be the only object previous to con viction. If the offence is not capital, the ac cused is entitled to his liberation on giving moderate bail, suited to his condition in life—the maximum in every case is fixed by statute—it is 6001. for a landed proprietor, 3001. for a householder, and 601. for a private person, who is neither landowner or householder. Generally speaking, however, it is much lower in amount, and yet it has been found quite sufficient to insure the attendance of the pri soner. Far better this, than what is . of daily occur rence here. Magis4rates obstinately refusing sol vent and sufficient surety, as if the imprison ment of the party was a matter of the most trivial consequence. There are also local judges in every county. The sheriff-depute and the sheriff-substitute — who are perfectly independent men—holding office " ad vitam aut culpam"—whose duty it is to try minor cases, their power not extending to transportation; and also to investigate all crimes committed within their juris dictions. Cases must in the first instance be brought by the procurator fiscal, or local Crown prosecutor, before the sheriff, who, it he conceive the evidence sufficient, commits the party for trial. If the offence, however, should be of too serious a character for the summary jurisdiction, the extreme penalty under which, is limited to :sixty days imprisonment, or a fine of 101., the precognition is forwarded to the advocate depute for the circuit, who may stay proceedings. Before any party therefore can be brought to trial, there must be the concurrent opinions of the pro curator fiscal, the resident sheriff, and the Crown counsel, that the case is proper for investigation. We need not say how far superior this is to the loose manner in which a person is brought to trial here. The accused, too, is entitled to a copy of the indictment, together with a complete list of the witnesses to be adduced, and the panel from which the jurors are to be chosen, at least fifteen days before his trial ; and, by these means has every opportunity of preparing his defence. Here an indictment is mumbled over by a public officer, and the accused is called on to plead, when in nine cases out of ten he is unable to understand the charge against him. We have gone to such a length in noticing this article that we have left our selves little space for the other contents of the num ber. There is a spirited translation of the " Gamle Norge," the national song of Norway, from the pen of William Lander, and a pleasing article on the " Vita Nuova" of Dante. " O'Sullivan's Love" is brought to a conclusion. It possesses that thrilling interest, that exquisite feeling, which Carleton gene rally succeeds in infusing into all his nar ratives. Nothing can be more beautiful than the deep devotion, the heartfelt affection, of John Cassidy for his fair cousin, and the manner in which he concealed his secret, although it was destroying his health and consuming his very life, until the hour of his death, when he at length whispers his treasured love to its object, and implores her for giveness. The deep pain, the corroding grief of Rickard, too, when he thought his wife lost to him for ever, and the recovery of that wife even from tli very grave itself, are admirably depicted. This is th only tale in the number, save a metrical one, " The Foray of Con O'Donnell," taken from the annals of the four masters, telling of the indignation of an Irish chieftain, at hearing from his bard that M'Donnell, a Scot, possesses the fairest dame as wife, the fleetest steed, and the noblest hound ; he burns to deprive him of his treasures, surprises his castle,rand makes Ibl‘Donnell himself, his wife, horse, and dog, prisoners. After he has effected his retreat in safety, his conscience reproaches him, and he libe rates his captives, snaking amends for the injury he a nd one hoe ball ,010 but, p . ) Jut° 0o? 0 140 a St. : 4 f' BOP ri ) 15 '4e1 l f - 00 `) a TO 9. 0 5 la or in clic4 ro c . 1 10 1 1'; h ° l ,li to bo c a a frje w 05 , to / , ue r , „rf e clo t , t ya oo c/ De o e Low THE SUN, LOWDON, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 3, IM7. has done. The story is prettily told. Under the head of " Geologiml Speculations," a review is given of the " Kosmos" of Humboldt. " The System of the World," by Nichol, and the " Sequel to the Natural History of Creation." The latter is severely censured while the first is most de servedly applauded to the utmost. The portrait gallery gives an engraving of the Rev. Hugh M'Neile, which certainly by no means gives the idea of a gentleman in his fifty-second year; on the con trary, you could scarcely conceive the object to have attained his majority. It is accompanied by a flattering memoir of the leader of the Liverpool Tories. Much as we may differ from Mr. M'Neile in political sentiments, and although these feelings may have led him to too great lengths, we respect his private character, and the energy with which he endeavours to give effect to what we believe to be his conscientious conviction. A second, and concluding notice of the Life and Cor respondence of the First Lord Sidmouth is, of course, tinctured with the political feeling of the University. The most elaborate article, however, is, in every respect the most objectionable. " The Famine in the Land" extends to no less than forty pages ; and what has been well termed the " Anti-Russell mania" is apparent in every line. It would be impossible to go through its various parts. A history is given of the rise and progress of the potato disease. A just tribute of respect is paid to Sir Robert Peel for his conduct, but it is rather, we suspect, to form an attack on our present Government, than from any regard to the granter of free trade that this praise is owing. The writer condemns Lord J. Russell for not follow ing the example of his predecessor in office, forget ting how totally different the circumstances were, and the impossibility of repeating the experiment of the former year. We are compelled to express our dis sent from almost every view taken by the writer. If space permitted, it would be easy to expose their fallacy. 110WIT7"S JOURNAL. Another number of this hebdomadal and monthly publication developes yet more the capabilities of William and Mary Howitt to conduct a journal cal culated to aid in the diffusion of literature and the incitement of popular progress. We are pleased to observe less of promise and more of fulfilment— less parade of the names of intended contributors, and more of actually meritorious contributions. With the exception, again, of an unfortunate flaw in the copy of Charpentier's picture of " John Pounds, the Founder of the Ragged Schools," the engravings are singularly improved in neatness and finish. The portrait of George Sand, otherwise Madame Dude vant nee Aurore Dupin, and the companion portrait of the celebrated Swedish nightingale, Jenny Lind, are admirably executed. The latter is the very beau ideal of a beautiful and intellectual northern coun tenance ; and the miniature biographies of both these remarkable women are written with singular grace and liberality. Upon George Sand the writer dilates even to the extent of a flagrant panegyric. We say advisedly a flagrant panegyric, for the works of that fervid and passionate imagination are beyond all question marred by qualities that render eulogium upon the score of morality absolutely impossible. Even the biographist in Howites Journal acknow ledges that he is " not prepared to defend every work or every sentiment published by her." We should think not, indeed ! And he confesses still further. He says—" She herself has expressed a wish that some of even her i most brilliant writings were un written." That s significant ! In another portion of the memoir the panegyrist observes of George Sand—" She never makes vice beautiful"—(we ques tion that)—" she never rewards crime"—(what then ? Lewis decidedly does not reward crime in his in famous work " The Monk," and yet, we opine, " The Monk" is immoral: the hero of "Falkland" is de cidedly not rewarded, and yet "Falkland," we opine, is immoral : Don Giovanni is carried, in the end, to hell, and yet, we opine, that the story of "Don Giovanni" is immoral !)—" she never strews roses over corruption"—(adroitly put, that; but, word it differently, and we are nearer the truth—she pulls the roses asunder, and we catch glimpses of corrup tion underneath !) No ; George Sand has been tra duced as wholly and entirely a demoralising novelist —which she is not. But the biographer in Houltts Journal goes to the opposite extreme, and praises as immaculate an intellect, that is miserably tarnished. With a multitude of excellent contributions, which it is impossible just now even to enumerate, the Journal makes au admirable melange for April. THE TRAVELLER'S MISCELLANY. We commented last month upon the first appear ance of this little magazine of entertainment for travellers ; and especially noticed the appropriate ness of its size, the neatness and compactness of its arrangement, and its singular combination of cheap. ness and utility. The second number is an improve ment in every way upon its predecessor; for, while the paper and typography are much superior, the information is at once more copious and more condensed. To the millions who travel by railroad, coach, and steam-boat, the various tables of time, distances, fares, situations, and the peculiarities of the most conspicuous places in England and its de pendencies, will be invaluable. THE KNIGHT OF GW YNNE. No. XVL By Charles Lever. Mr. Paul Dempsey again assumes a prominent position in the narrative, and is the means of intro ducing Lady Eleanor and Helen Darcy, and conse quently the reader too, into some outrageous scenes at Mother Fum's. The Panther herself comes out in extraordinary style, in a yellow satin spotted with red, and becomes most endearing in her attentions to Mr. Dempsey. After a " shilaloo" among the board ers, and a general " skrimmage," described by Lever in his most rollicking vein, the wife and daughter of the ruined Knight take a hurried departure from the " establishment." The closing chapter of the number is little to our liking, presenting a most re pulsive picture of infirm and doting villany in the person of old Doctor Hickman. Lady Eleanor has just entered the chamber of the sick man, when the instalment for April terminates. The story is mar vellously uninteresting without Bagenal Daly or Maurice Darcy. SIMMONDS'S COLONIAL. In the contents of the Colonial for April, we ob serve an excellent and interesting paper upon " Dr. Leichardt's Late Discoveries in Australia." Except ing, of course, the apparently impenetrable core of Africa,•there is no spot upon the face of this globe which presents to the enterprising traveller so many allurements as the yet untrodden centre of the Aus tralian continent. Among the most enterprising must be regarded Dr. Leichardt, and to his industrious re searches are owing some of the most valuable stores of our most recent information as to the creatures and productions of New South Wales. Upon this and other attractive colonial matters the magazine con tains many valuable contributions. The boat from Boulogne, yesterday, brought over Madame Grisi, Madame Cosbari, Signor Lablache and son, Signor Nario, and also Monsieur Rhozevil, and Mademoiselli Rose Chit:i, who commence their perform ances next week at their several theatres. _ THE LACE TRADE.—The continued severity of the weather has an unfavourable effect upon business here. Buyers, however, appear and take off stock, though to a smaller extent than is usual at this period of the year. As the makers limit the supplies to the actual demand, prices are maintained. Yarns are more active in Manchester, so that there is no prospect of material reduction in prime cost of our goods this season. There seems to be some ground for anticipating a fair amount of business with America in a few weeks.—. No ttingham Review. A great redaction in the price of potatoes has taken place at Oxford. On Saturday last (market day), the dealers asked in the morning, 16s 6d. per sack, but be fore the market was closed, they were glad to sell them for I Is. per sack. A similar reduction has also taken place at `'Pitney, Abingdon, an' several other places in the neighbourhood, and it is quite expected that another reduction will immediately follow. In the corn markets, wheat was something like 4s. per quarter cheaper, and the contract for meat for the Oxford workhouse (com mencing on the Ist of April) is Id. per lb. less than the preceding quarter. ROBBEBY AT COACLIFORD. — On Sunday night last the dwelling of Mr. Ellard, Coachford, was broken into, and the contents of his wardrobe, a silver watch, value 111, and a quantity of miscellaneous articles abstracted therefrom. Mr. Ellard, having communicated the fact of the robbery on Monday at the police stations, Con stable O'Neill succeeded in arresting on the same day two of the party, on one of whom was found the watch and some wearing, apparel, which being identified by the owner, they were committed to gaol, there to await their trial at the next session to be holden for that dis trict. The same active constable arrested a woman named Mary Keatinge, at two o'clock this morning, who had picked a gentleman's pocket of a purse con taining 3/. and some silver, some few hours previously, as he was coming out of M`Dowell's Hotel. Informa tions were lodged against her before Captain White, this morning.—Cork Examiner. BRITISH POPULATION OF ST. liELlEß.—There are now 600 British families spending their private incomes within the parish and town-600 families of British trades-people and shopkeepers, 2,000 labouring poor and mechanics, and 600 aged, infirm, and sick. In the first class the average expenditure is 3001. per annum each; in the second, 85/.; in the third, 401. per annum; and in the fourth, 61. 10s.: therefore the expenditure of the British residents in Jersey per annum is, first class, 180,000/ ; second class, 51,000/.; third class, 80,000 L; and fourth class, 3,2 sol.—being a total outlay of 315,250/. per annum by the entire British residents in the town and parish of St. Helier. One very remarkable circumstance connected with the British population of St. Helier is the very small proportion in. class the first of males amongst the adults; there are, DUt of 2,4000 souls, only 400 men, while there are 1,300 unmarried females, 200 married females, and 400 widows; this is exclusive of children under 15 years of age, or About 20 females to four males. Thus 80 per cent. of thy` adult British residents tyre Of the upper eltioe ;Ault fematc.B.--- Jersey Times. COURT CIRCULAR, WINDSOR, GOOD FRIDAY.—The Queen and Prince Albert, the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court and the domestic Household, attended Divine Service this morn ing in the Private Chapel of the Castle. The Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay officiated. Her Majesty and Prince Albert took their usual morn ing walk. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, took walking and pony exercise this forenoon on the Eastern Terrace of the Castle, and the Slopes. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge left town, on Thursday, for his residence, at Kew. Count de St. Aulaire, the French Ambassador, trans acted business, yesterday, at the Foreign-office. - - - - THE CHANCELLORSHIP OF OXFORD (1659). Richard Cromwell was chosen Chancellor of the University of Oxford on the death of his father, but no sooner was there a prospect of the Restoration, than he intimated his willingness to resign that distinguished post, in a letter to the Convocation, and coon after actually resigned it by a second letter addressed to the same body. Wo believe these epistles seldom to have been printed ; and as they are highly characteristic of the writer, shall now present them to our readers. Richard Cromwell was a well-intentioned, respectable person, ill-calculated for the reins of government, and perfectly unambitious for their possession. It would appear, however, that he was favourable to literature, and would, probably, had things taken a different turn, have appeared to greater advantage as the Chancellor of Oxford than as the Protector of Great Britain—a dignity for which he had neither abilities nor strength of character. FOR THE VICE . CILLNCELLOITH AND THE CONVOCATION OF THE VNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, THESE Gentlemen,—The signall changes of the band of God towards mee have not sequestred my thoughts from the discharge of that office wherein I stand engaged vnto you. And whereas the revolution of time requireth that either your present Vice-Chancellour bee reinstated in his office, or another chosen to succeede him ; consi dering what abundant testimony your present Vice- Chancellour, Dr. Conant, bath given of his entire quali fication for soe great a trust, I do hereby nominate and recommend him to you, to beare the same office for this next years alsoe, promising to myselfe the chearfull concurrence of your unanimous votes in the reiterated conferring of this dignity upon a person, who by his labours and exemplary conversation amongst you, is a great ornament to your Vniveraity. Gentlemen, your ready complyance to this proposall will demonstrate the continuance of your respect towards mee, whose high esteeme of learning and learned men you might have more fully experimented, had not the most wise disposition of the Almighty hindred the more reall and fruitful! manifestations of the same vnto you. And I assure you, that lam soe affected to the flourishing of your estate, that as I accepted of the honour of your Chancellorshippe with earnest desires to become instrumental! towards your prosperity, soe I shall readily divest my selfe of that honour, when by soe doing I may, at least, occasionally, contribute any thing to the attaining of that great end. I rest, Gentlemen, Your affectionate friend and Chancellour, R. CROM WELL. Hursley, October 6, —59. For the Vice- Chancellour and Convocation of ye University of Oxford, These Gentlemen—l doe and allways shall retaine a hearty sence of my former obligations to you in your free election of me to the office of your Chancellour, and 'tis noe small trouble to my thoughts when 1 consider how little serviceable I have been to you in that relation. But since the all wise Providence of God (which I desire all wages to adore and bow downe unto) hath been pleased soe to change my condition, that I am not in a capacity to answer the ends of that office, I thought I should not be faithfull to you If I did not resign it up into your hands, that you might have opportunity to chuse some other person, whoe in the present state of things may be more fit and able to serve you. Ido hereupon most freely give up and resigne all my right and interest in that office. But shall allwayes retaine my affection and esteem for you, with my prayers for your continuall prosperity, that amidst the many ex amples of the instability and revolutions of humaine affeires you may still abide flourishing and fruitfull. I am, Gentlemen, Your affectionate friend and servant, R. CROMWELL. Hersley, May ye Bth, 1660. C. P. J. Westmoreland -street, March 29, 1847. STREET CLEANSING--PAUPER LABOUR. Experience has now amply proved that streets can be better, cheaper, more efficiently, and more conveniently cleansed by machine than by labour. In Manchester, the contractors sweep the streets three times as often by machine as they used to be swept by hand for the same cost, and everybody must be convinced that the work is incomparably better performed. Besides the greater cleanliness, the greater inconvenience is most remark able; there is now no splashing while throwing the mud into the carts, no obstruction by carts standing to be loaded, and no heaps of dirt, or collections of mud swept to the road sides to await removal. These advantages alone should secure the universal adoption of machine cleansing. Experience in the adjoining borough of Salford establishes the same points. There the streets are cleansed by the servants of the corporation, and there, as here, it is found that the streets may be cleansed three times as often by machine as by hand sweeping, though paupers are employed, some of them partially supported by the poor's-rate. It seems strange that in the face of such experience hand sweepers should still be retained at all, except, indeed, for sweeping footpaths and courts inaccessible to the machine, and yet they are employed in competi tion with the machine, and the expediency of employing them is strongly asserted. One argument pri nc i pa ll y re li ed upon by those who oppose street sweeping by machinery intro duction would thr ow men out of work. is, that its This is an old stock argument against all new machinery. In the pre sent instance, if the existing degree of cleanliness is to be preserved, (and to diminish that would be any l i - thing but economical l ), we must spend three times as much if the: machines are to be discontinued ; and that, it is asserted, would increase the demand for labour. Instead of, say 6,000/. for machines, we mast spend 18,000/. for hand-sweepers ; and, there fore, say our " labourers' friends," 12,0001. more will be sp en t i n paying for l a bour. But what would be th e real effect of the change? W h y , firs t , 12,0001. a-y ear more would be spent on sc avenging ex penses, and 12,0 00 / . l ess would be.spent b y the ratepayers. The demand f or l a b our i n supply i ng t h e private wants of individual ra t epayers would be d i min i s hed exactly as much as the demand for labour was increased by the in crease of scavenging expenses. The same amount would be expended, as at present, but 18.0001. would be spent in doing tliat which is better and more conveni ently done for 6,000/, and the ratepayers would be im poverished by the amount of the article of comfort or convenience which they might have obtained for the 12,0001. of which they would be uselessly deprived. With respect to the working classes, as receivers of wages, they would be in precisely their present condition, the increase of wages for scavenging being balanced by an equal decrease of wages paid for other em ployments ; as ratepayers, they would be injured by the bad economy of paying three times its value for the article, street cleansing. Any one will at once see the absurdity if a more familiar instance be taken; for example, weaving. No one, we presume, is now so simple as to suppose that the working classes would be benefited were we to employ three men to weave three pieces of cloth with hand-looms, instead of one man to weave three pieces with a power-loom. If the hand woven cloth were sold at the same price as power woven, only the same sum could be afforded for weaving which would have to be divided amongst three weavers instead of given to one; if the price were enhanced by suppressing the cheaper process, the consumer is de prived of the power of employing other labour by the amount of the artificial enhancement of price. The effect of suppressing the cheaper mode of street cleansing is just the same. But it will he said the sweepers employed are paupers, and if they • have not this employment, they must be maintained in idleness. We answer that, by asking, is there no other employment as suitable, the loss attend ing which does not exceed, as the loss attending street sweeping does, sixty-six per cent. ? It would not be easy to select any likely employment for paupers in which the proportion of loss would be greater, And it is not to be expected that, in any employment, loss will be altogether avoided ; for, if the men earned as much as maintained them, they would not be paupers. But even if street sweeping by hand were no t more wasteful than other employments, we should obje(!t to it as work for paupers upon other grounds. A large pro portion of these unfortun ate men are aged or wealdly; but scavenging peculiarly e x p oses the m to wet and cold, and is an unfit employm ent for an y not in strong 3 health. To set rheumatic old men or weakl y men, accustomed to in-door occupation, to such work, is positively cruel, as it cannot fail to be a sour ce o f pai n and danger. A still stronger objection to thus employing paupers, especially those reduced by temporary diffi culty, is, that by e xposing them to the p u bli c g' sue, it both lessens their self-respect, and de grades the m i n the eyes of others. Thi s is evidently involitic, a s it w(takens the feeling inducing them to stuug g le to escape from the pauper class, and ther e is a g reat, chance of their be coming paupers for life. We should strongly object to the employment of paupers even for that portion of cleansing for whic is the machine is inapplicable—namly, the footpaths and nar row courts. These, we contend, ought to be clef wised much mere efficiently than they now are, but by able bodied labourers. Such men, though they are of course paid more, do more than a proportionately grunter quantity of work, besides performing it better ; and there is nothing disgraceful in this sort of work, except what attaches to it by association. Let free labourers be alone employed, and the degradation vanishes. r. Che true economy with respect to street cleansing, which so closely affects our comfort, is to do it well. It is a gri at fallacy to suppose that low priced and cheap labour e ire synonymous. The dearest of all service is bad service: Manchester Guardian. INDISPOSITION OF THE DUKE OF PORTLAND;•OLI in Lond on , requ i r , ing Sunday evening a serva nt arrived at the Chesterfield station with a message , t o be conve yed, per electric to Ile gthraatphg,enttolemSan,s Benjaminir irain edßrodie,i ateatattendance don his Grace in consequence of sudden and ser ious indisposition. gOir Benjamin arrived at Chesterfield in consequence the fol lowing morning about eleven, proceeded to Welbeck, and departed again for London yesterday, tb e Noble Duke being much better.—Derhyshire Courier of yes./ Orday. , - IRELAND. CULTIVATION OF THE LAND. DUBLIN, APRIL 1.-It will be learned with gratifica tion that there is considerable improvement in the re ports respecting the progress of spring work. Many of the landlords are bestirring themselves, and taking active measures to procure supplies of the necessary seeds for their tenants; and if the conduct of Lords Kilmaine and Ormordo be but generally imitated, much of the danger which now menaces the country, in the shape of a deficient harvest, will undoubtedly be averted. Of the first-named nobleman the Ca.stlebar Telegraph says:— " It affords us much gratification to be enabled to state, on the authority of . the Rev. Thomas Costello, that Lord Kilmaine has ordered to be suppled to his tenantry suffi cient potato, and white Holland oats and barley, to crop all the lands capable of tillage on his extensive pro perty ; and has also ordered to be employed competent persons to assist in the tillage and shaking of the seed ; and his Lordship has further directed, that his te nantry, while employed in the tillage of their own land, shall be supplied with sufficient oatmeal to support them." With respect to the Marquis of Ormonde and some other landlords of Kilkenny, the Moderator observes:— "We had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Bradley's re port to the Board of Works for the week ending the 27th of March, by which it appears that several of the landlords in this neighbourhood have procured seed oats for such of their tenants as deserved encouragement. Lord ()monde supplied 500 barrels of oats, and 3361b5. of parsnip seed, together with a large quantity of peas and beans, to his numerous tenantry. His uncle, the Hon. Mr. Wandesforde, has acted in a similar manner. The report further states, that the farmers here were generally very busy, and much of that apathy which heretofore existed was removed, and that potatoes were in many, nstances planted, and that food of all kinds had fallen in price fully twenty per cent. This is cheer ing news indeed." GOOD FRIDAY IN THE SIERRA. Good Friday is solemnized in a manner the effect of which, to the unprejudiced foreigner, is partly burlesque and partly seriously impressive. From the early dawn of morning the church is thronged with Indians, who spend the day in fasting and prayer. At two in the afternoon a large image of the Saviour is brought from the sacristy and laid down in front of the altar. Imme diately all the persons in the church rush forward with pieces of cotton to touch the wounds. This gives rise to a struggle, in which angry words and blows are inter changed ; in short, there ensues a disgraceful scene of uproar, which is only checked by the interposition of one of the priests. Order being restored, the sacred image is fixed on the cross by three very large silver nails, and the head is encircled by a rich silver crown. On each side are the crosses of the two thieves. Having gaped at this spectacle to their hearts' content, the cholos retire from the church. At eight in the even ing they re• assemble to witness the solemn ceremony of taking down the Saviour from the cross. The church is then brilliantly lighted up. At the foot of the cross stand four white-robed priests, called " Los Santos Varones" (the holy men), whose office it is to take down the image. At a little distance from them, on a sort of stage or platform, stands a figure representing the Virgin Mary. This figure is dressed in black, with a white cap on its head. A priest, in a long dis course, explains the scene to the assembled people, and at the close of the address, turning to the Santos Varones, be says, "Ye holy men, ascend the ladders of the cross, and bring down the body of the Redeemer !" Two of the Santos Varones mount with hammers in their hands, and the priest then says, " Ye holy man, on the right of the Saviour, strike the first blow on the nail of the hand, and take it out !" The command is obeyed, and no sooner is the stroke of the hammer heard, than deep groans and sounds of anguish sound through the church ; whilst the cry of "Misericordia ! misericordia !" repeated by a thousand imploring voices, produces an indescribable sensation of awe and melan choly. The nail is handed to one of the priests stand ing at the foot of the altar, who transfers it to another, and this one in his turn presents it to the figure of the Virgin. To that figure the priest then turns and ad dresses himself, saying :—" Thou afflicted mother, ap proach and receive the nail which pierced the right hand of thy holy Son I" The priest steps forward a few paces, and the figure by some concealed mechanism, advances to meet him, receives the nail with both hands, lays it on a silver plate, dries its eyes, and then returns to its place in the middle of the platform. The same cere. mony is repeated when the two other nails are taken out. Throughout the whole performance, of these so lemnities, an uninterupted groaning and howling is kept up by the Indians, who at every stroke of the hammer raise their cries of Misericordia I These sounds reach their climax when the priest consigns the body of the Saviour to the charge of the Virgin. The image is laid in a coffin tastefully adorned with flowers, which, together with the figure of the Virgin Mary, is paraded through the streets. While this nocturnal procession, lighted by thousands of wax tapers, is making the circuit of the town, a party of Indians busy themselves in erecting be fore the church door twelve arches decorated with flowers. Between every two of the arches they lay flowers on the ground, arranging them in various figures and designs. These flower-carpets are singularly inge nious and pretty. Each one is the work of two cholos, neither of whom seem to bestow any attention to what his comrade is doing, and yet, with a wonderful harmony of operation, they create the most tasteful designs —ara besques, animals and landscapes, which grow as it were by magic, under their hands.—Travels in Peru. IMPRISONMENT EXTRA ORDINARY. Joseph Hayes, a man about 40 years of age, was on Monday placed at the bar of the Manchester Borough Court, on a rather singular charge. Mrs. Callender, whose husband keeps a small shop in Broughton-street, Red-bank, was sitting by the fire, about half-past ten on Saturday night week, when she heard in the house a strange noise, by which she was alarmed, and, her husband being out, she went to a neighbour, and . implored him to go in with her, as there was some thing making a noise so unearthly that it curdled tho blood in her veins. The stout-hearted neighbour went with the trembling woman, and, having pro cured a candle, he examined the place, but nothing could be see, either natural or supernatural, to account for the terror of Mrs. Callender. The mysterious sounds, however, continued ; but whence they came no one could say, and the search continued, without effect, until the clock struck the midnight hour. Still the voice was heard complaining of pain ; and its moaning and groaning were audible when Mr. and Mrs. Callender retired to rest. On the following morning they were surprised to hear a continuous repetition of the same noise, and, on listening attentively, they could distinguish the words " Murder," " Oh, dear," and others, indicative of suffering ; but still they were at a loss to tell from what quarter the voice ema nated. At last, a rigid search of the premises was made, and, after some time, the leg of a man was seen in the flue of the kitchen chimney. The owner of the dangling leg was subjected to an examination as to his identity, the period of his imprisonment, and other circumstances, before any attempt was made to liberate him. He re plied that his name was Joseph Hayes, and that he had been in the flue since Saturday night. The assistant, who knew Joseph, then attempted to set him free from his extraordinary prison ; but so firmly was his body wedged in the higher part of the flue, at which point there was an angle, that their labour was in vain. Mr. Callender then called in a bricksetter, who set to work to pull down part of the chimney, and when be had nearly pulled the whole to pieces, the soot-begrimed Joseph was extricated. He was so much exhatiated with his long imprisonment, the want of fresh air, and his vain struggles to ascend or descend the chimney, that he could not stand, and he had only strength to ask for a drink of water. This was given to him. The police were called in, and having got a pair of slings, they carried him to the infirmary, where he remained for eight days, or until his appearance before the magistrates yesterday.—Mr. Callender said that the prisoner was a wheeler in the market, and had been occasionally employed by him. He had never heard any good of the man, and had no doubt that bis intention was to rob the house. The Magistrate having told the prisoner that he had had a very narrow escape of his life, asked him what he had to say. His reply was that it was no use saying anything, as it was sure to be put down as false. The fact was, however, that he was on the housetop after some pigeons, and, a brick having given way, down he went, and shouted out ten thousand murders. Mr. Maude sent him to gaol for two months. Man chester Express. The following interesting anecdote is related of the deceased General Drouot, in a letter from Nancy:— About a month ago, during the severe cold, a person went to him to demand assistance. ' I have got nothing,' said the General, but after a pause he added, Ah, yes, I have still my grand uniform!' And, a few hours after, he sold his epaulettes of Waterloo and the gold embroidery of the imperial uniform to purchase bread for the poor of Nancy!" SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN Pe ItTS.—The annual report of this society has just been issued. It appears that the total amount of receipts from subscriptions, donations, and collections for the year 1846 was 55,2831. 10s. 2d., exceeding the total amount of the receipts from the same sources for the year 1845 by 6,5751. 19s. 9d., the increase in the general fund being 5,4961. 6s. 10d. ; in the appropriated funds, 1,0791. 12s. Ild. It appears also that the general expenditure of the society has been 65,5961. 9s. 5d., being a decrease of 3,9651. 1 ls. 11d., as compared with the similar expenditure during the preceding year. The total available balance which remains is invested in Ex chequer-bills, and amounts to little more than 17,0004, nearly, if not quite, all of which will be required for the service of the current year. The reductions alluded to have been effected without causing the withdrawal of any missionary on the society's list, partly by the cessation of grants, which had been made for a limited period, but chiefly by the discontinuance of the assistanse hitherto afforded to schools and schoolmasters in the West Indies. The first parochial association in aid of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was established in the year 1819. Up to the year 1838 the number was only 313 ; since that year they increased (at the average rate of 200 a year), and the total number of associations at the beginning of 1846 was 1,700, being still but one for every six parishes in England. In the beginning of 1836 the total number of missionaries on the society's list in seven dioceses was 54 ; in the beginnin? of 1846 it was 385 in 15 dioceses. The increase in ten years was 221. The Lord Bishop of Worcester has consented to preach before the society at its anniversary meeting at St. Paul's in June. THE ARMY.—We have much pleasure in stating that the venerable Field-Marshal Nugent, who was in disposed a short time since, is much better, an d h opes are entertained that he will be Once more restored to hVath. The gallant officer is now in his 90th year. WRESTLING AT HIGHBURY BARN. Each anniversary of yesterday brings with it through out the country displays of various sorts of athletic games. In some localities cricket, in others foot-ball, and in many wrestling bouts. Highbury Barn Tavern has for several years been chosen as the scene of wrestling matches between the most celebrated athleta of the northern counties—Cumberland and Westmore land ; and the large gathering there yesterday, both of competitors and spectators, proves that the taste for this species of manly amusement is still extant. The arena, was formed this year on the spacious lawn at the back of the tavern ; the building usually occupied having been found too small for the accommodation of the spec tators on past occasions. Every seat was occupied, and there must have been three thousand persons present. The mode of wrestling was by what is called the "back hold," which precludes kicking and all the sharp prac tice of Lancashire and the south. The trials, therefore, were feats of strength, tact, agility, and endurance, and were free from unmanly punisment. The names of the competitors for the light-weight prize were first handed in to the stewards, and all weighing not more than 11 stone were allowed to enter. Amongst other men who came up from the north on purpose to contest these prizes were the following :—Halliwell, a star of the lights, from Penrith, Cumberland ; and Longmire and Atkinson, heroes among the heavy weights, the one from Troutbeck, the other from Steggill, Westmoreland. These men were the favourites for their respective prizes. The light weights opened the ball, and compen sated by skill and energy for what they wanted in the number of former years. We shall proceed at once to the third time over, when Thompson "backheeled " Harris, Ackester " buttocked " Scott, W. Meekly " grassed " Wilson very cleverly, Halliwell " hipped " Clark, and Pearson " cross-buttocked" T. Matthews. Fourth time over : Pearson threw W. Meekly with a swing, Halliwell grassed W. Thompson, Ackester stood. Fifth time : Halliwell was now faced by Ackester, a powerful strongly-built man, and blighted his hopes in a second by cross-b u tt oc ki ng hi m i n t h at t i me. B y t h e rapid manner in which Halliwell had " polished off " all his opponents, he not only realised, but exceeded, the accounts given of him by his friends ; and hence he was backed at even against Pearson, who two years back won this prize, and last year was only precluded from similar success by being over the stipulated weight. The first fall was to Pearson, but it was seen that Halliwell was too strong for him ; this was clearly shown in the second and third bout, when Halliwell each time raised Pearson fairly in the air and threw him over his thigh— thus winning the belt and first prize. The contest for the championship of the heavy weights now came on, many of the light weights fearlessly en tering into the contest. Passing by the earlier bouts, in which many men gave their backs, we shall proceed to the third time over—when Dobinson threw Parker cleverly, Dixon floored Locke, Atkinson threw J. Wil son by a swing, and A. Dawson grassed J. Dixon; J. Martin backheeled R. Bousfield; Robertson fell before Longmire; Wilson succumbed to Scott; H. Towerson to W. Dobson, and Halliwell threw Martin with ease. The following aro most worthy of notice of the bout in the fourth time over:—A Dawson swung down Dixon; the gigantic Atkinson (17 stone) fell slowly upon W. Dobson; Longmire hurled down, by a swing, Dobiason. Fifth time:—Halliwell tossed down Scott; Dawson and Atkinson fell almost simultaneously—the fall, however, was given to Dawson. Sixth time:—Halliwell had now to face Longmire, and so extraordinary had been the feats of this little phenomenon, that many for a moment believed he had a chance. This notion Longmire soon dispelled by raising him in the air, whirling him round, and grassing him with ease. Longmire now tried con clusions with Dawson, and in about as many minutes gave him two clean cross-buttocks, throwing his heels towards heaven; thus winning the belt and first prize. Both the belts have engraved, on silver, appropriate mo ttoes commemorative of the event, and the winners receive V. each; the second, third, and fourth, appro priate sums. The stewards last year presented twenty guineas to the Cumberland and Westmoreland Bene volent Society, and expect this year to be enabled to advance as large a sum. The proceedings throughout were conducted most satisfactorily and equitably. DESTRUCTIVE FIRES ON GOOD FRlDAY.—Yester day afternoon, shortly before two o'clock, an alarming fire was discovered burning on the premises in the occu pation of Mr. Saunders, bonnet-shape manufacturer, situate No. 5, Old Gloucester-street, Hoxton Old Town. The flames when first perceived were raging in the upper floor, and so strong a hold had they obtained, that none of the inmates were able to enter the apart ments to render any assistance. Information of the dis aster was therefore sent to the fire stations, and forth- • with the engines of the London establishment, from hitecross-street and Jeffrey-square stations, arrived, followed by those of St, Leonard's-parish and the West of England office, in the Waterloo-road. An abundant supply of water having been obtained from the mains in the district, the firemen set to work most vigorously, but they were unable to get the flames extinguished until the whole of the stock in trade on the upper floor of the premises was consumed, the windows burned out, and the lower portion of the building and its contents severely injured, more especially by water. Fortu nately, Mr. Saunders was insured in the Sun Fire-office The same morning, at an early hour, a fire, attended with a considerable destruction of property, broke out upon an extensive range of premises, occupied as stablig, belonging to E. Reynolds, Esq., of York House, Canonbury Park, Islington. It was first discovered by a police-constable of the N division, who without a mo ment's loss of time raised the necessary alarm in the neighbourhood. Such a powerful ascendancy had the flames then obtained that it was with the greatest diffi culty the horses in the stables could be rescued. That having been done at great personal risk, an attempt was next made to extinguish the flames by the police and inhabitants, but without success, and in the course of a few minutes the whole of the building, between forty and fifty feet long by thirty feet wide, became enveloped in one immense she e t o f fl ame, which rushed through the roof and completely illuminated the whole of the district. This caused intelligence of the disaster to be very speedily communicated to the engine keepers. The parish engine quickly arrived, closely followed by the brigade engine from Whitecross-street, the West of England from Waterloo-road, and the one from Jeffrey square station. The machines having been called into operation, a powerful stream of water was thrown into the blazing buildings, in spite of which the fire conti nued to progress, and it was not until the entire range of premises and their contents were destroyed, that the firemen could get the conflagration extinguished. The origin of this and the preceding fire is unknown. The buildings were insured in the Pheenix-office. FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT BY FlRE.—Yesterday after• noon the following frightful accident occurred in Hart street, Grosvenor-square. Mrs. Laxton, a young mar ried woman, aged twenty-two years, dealer in confec tionary, at No. 10, in the above-named street, was stand ing in the parlour with her back to the fire-place, when her gown being drawn to the bars ignited, and in one moment she was enveloped in flames. Her husband was out at the time, and rushing into the street, screaming violently, thinking to extinguish the fire, she laid down in some sloppy gravel in the road, when some neigh• boors, being alarmed by her cries, she was rescued from her position, but not before nearly every article of cloth ing was consumed, and her person dreadfully injured and excoriated from head to foot. She was conveyed home, and promptly attended by Messrs. Bloxam and Farmer, surgeons, of Duke-street, who adopted the usual treat ment, but from the extent and severity of the burns she is not expected to recover. THE LARGEST MONOLITH IN THE WORLD.—The obelisk of Luxor, now in the Place de la Concorde, at Paris, weighs (according to M. Lebas, the engineer) 246 tons English. This, however, is greatly surpassed by the granite column of one single block, which has been raised by the French architect, M. Montverrand, at St. Petersburgh. It is about 96 feet high, and weighs three times as much as the obelisk of Luxor.—The Builder. FALL OF THE MAIN SEWER IN CHANCERY-LANE. —Last evening a considerable portion of the main sewer in Chancery-lane, opposite the entrance to Sergeant's Inn, fell in, together with the roadway. The thorough fare from Carey-street and Fleet-street was immediately closed against vehicles to prevent accidents. ACCIDENT ON THE SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. — Yesterday, shortly before six o'clock, John Glazier, a porter, employed by the South-Western Railway Company, in the goods department, proceeded some dis tanoe down that line between the rails, for the purpose of performing his usual duties, when several of the offi cers heard the approach of the three o'clock up-train from Southampton. The six o'clock down-train had just started from the Nine Elms terminus, and was progress ing very steadily from the station, when the engine driver gave the proper and necessary precaution with the whistle and by other means, and as they approached the man Glazier, he suddenly stepped on to the up-line. The engine-driver, stoker, and the whole of the guards in charge of the train, instantly shut off the steam, put on the breaks, and used every possible means of warning the unfortunate man, but in a few seconds the buffer of the up-train struck him with fearful violence, the force of which sent him forward under the down train, which happened to be passing at the same instant, and the wheels passed over his legs. As soon as possible, several per sons ran to the unfortunate man, and discovered him lying across the rails, most shockingly mutilated. His right foot was cut off near the ankle-joint, the left was dreadfully crushed, and seemed to be hanging by a piece of flesh. His head was lacerated at the base, the left arm fractured, and his body, in various parts, was se riously contused. He was removed to the station, ailer bleed ing most copiously from th e injured parts, and having been seen by a medical gentleman, who happened ened to be in the train, was taken to St. Thomas 's Hospital, where most prompt attention was given compli cated injuries of the wounded man. Last to the night at nine o'clock he was progressing as well as could_beexpected; but it is quite certain that one if not both limbs must of necessity be amputated. The man was quite sober, and has a wife and family. There seems but little chance of his life being saved. ROYAL MARlNES.—Lieutenants Hadfield and Sayer are ordered to Woolwich to do duty; Captain Holloway has been ordered to Londonderry on the recruiting ser vice; Lieutenant Stanhope Bayne has obtained leave of absence for one month, on a medical certificate. Major- General Lord Frederick Fitclarence, G.C.B. accompanied by Lady Augusta and Miss Fitzelarence, arrived at the George Hotel, Portsmouth, on Thursday, and assumed the command of the troops in the south-west district. Brevet Major Harvey, of the 87th (Royal Irish Fusi liers), has been appointed aide-de-camp to his Lordship. SOYER'S SOUP KITCHEN, LEICESTER-SQUARE. — From two to three hundred famishing creatures are now daily relieved with a meal of soup and bread on the pre mises of the Poor Man's Guardian Society, in Leicester square, by a committee of gentlemen who have sub scribed the necessary funds to administer this relief on the principle recommended by M. Soyer. So numerous have the applicants now become that the police are com pelled to be in attendance to preserve order. . UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE. PREFERMENTS. The Venerable William Hale Hale, M.A., Archdea con of London, has been appointed by the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's to the Vicarage of St. Giles, Crip plegate, vacant by the death of the Rev. F. W. Blom berg, D D. The Rev. Vicecsimus Knox Child, M.A., late Curate of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate, has been instituted by tte Lord Bishop of Rochester to the Vicarage of Takeley, Essex, vacant by the promotion of the Rev. Edward Chauncey Ellis, M.A., on the nomination of the Lord Bishop of London. The Lord Bishop of Durham has instituted the Rev. William Henry Elliott, M.A., of University College, Durham, to the Vicarage of Sockbourne, near Darling ton, on the nomination of the Rev. Dr. Faber, Master of Sherborne Hospital. The Rev. H. B. Longe, M.A., Curate of Easton, has been instituted by the Lord Bishop of Norwich to the Rectcry of Manewdon, Suffolk, vacant by the death of the Rev. G. T. Turner, on the nomination of A. Arch dechne, Esq. The Lord Bishop of Lichfield has instituted the Rev. J. Jenkinson, M.A., to the Rectory of Brailsford, Der byshire, vacant by the promotion of the Right Rev. Walter Shirley, D.D., to the Bishopric of Sodor and Man. The Lord Bishop of Chester has instituted the Rev. Joseph Eaton, M.A., Minor Canon of Chester Cathe dral, to the Vicarage of Easton, vacant by the death of the late Archdeacon of Chester; patrons, the Dean and Chapter. The Lord Bishop of Durham has instituted the Hon. and Rev. L. W. Denman, M.A., Curate of Bishops Auckland, to the vicarage of Haddon-on-the-Wall, vacant by the promotion of the Rev. J. A. Blackett to the rectory of Walsingh am ; patron, the Lord Chancellor. The Rev. T. Thompson, M.A., has been instituted by the Lord Bishop of Durham to the new rectory of Pen sher, erected out of that of Houghton-le-Spring. BENEFICES VACANT. The following benefices and appointments have become vacant:— The vicarage of Canewdon, near Rochford, Essex, diocese of Rochester, rendered vacant by the death of the Rev. William Atkinson, M.A., value 5051. per annum, with residence, in the gift of the Lord Bishop of London. The vicarage of Guestwick, near Reepham, Norfolk diocese of Norwich, rendered vacant by the death of the Rev. E. Bulmer, value 751. per annum, with residence; in the gift of the Rev. W. E. L. Blamer. The rectory of Sall, near Reepham, Norfolk, diocese of Norwich, rendered vacant by the death of the Rev. E. Bulmer, value 3901. per annum, with residence; in the gift of Pembroke College, Cambridge. The vicarage of Haslingfield, near Ely, Cambridge shire, diocese of Ely, rendered vacant by the death of the Rev. Stephen Allen, value 5501. per annum, with residence; in the gift of C. Mitchell, Esq. NEW BRUNSWICK. The following is a copy of a dispatch from Lieutenant- G overnor Sir W. M. G. Colebrooke to Earl Grey, dated Fredericton, New Brunswick, Feb. 26, 1347, enclosing bills for 1,250/. sterling, voted by the Legislature of New Brunswick for the relief of the destitute poor in Ireland and and Scotland (issued by order of the House of Lords) : Fredericton, New Brunswick, Feb. 26, 1847,__ " My Lord,—ln transmitting the first of a set of bills for 1,2501. sterling, being the amount of a grant made by the Assembly, in the present session, for the relief of their fellow-subjects who are exposed to the horrors of famine in Ireland and Scotland, it affords me great satis faction to inform your Lordship that the vote was passed with a promptitude and unanimity which reflects credit on the legislative bodies ; and I do not doubt that her Majesty's Government will appreciate the humane and loyal disposition which has actuated them in placing this sum at the disposal of her Majesty's Government for the relief of the suffering people of the United Kingdom, who have on all occasio ns so prompt l y come forward for the succour of the colonies when exposed to similar trials.—l have, &c., (Signed) " W. M. G. COLEBROOKE. " The Right lion. Earl Grey." BANK OF ENGLAND. (From last night's Gazette.) An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Victoria, cap. 32, for the Week ending on Saturday, the 27th day of March, 1847. 1821 IN DTPARTMENT. Notes issued.... •• •• 24,320,340 Government debt • • 11,015,100 Other securities •• • • Z 984,900 Gold coin and bullion 8,820,737 Silver bulliox ••• • • • 1,499,603 £24,320,340 24,320,340 L MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated the Ist day of April, 184' BANKING D, X. Proprietors' capital.. 14,553,000 Rest ' ...• ••• • • • 3,978,633 Public deposits (in cluding Exchequer, Commissioners of National Debt, Sav ings-banks, and Di- , EPIRTMENT. Government send ties (including Dead Weight Annuity).. 11,990,079 Other securities • • • • 17,824,355 Notes ...... • • • • .. 4,876,015 Gold and silver coin.. 695,243 vidend accounts).. 6,616,287 Dther deposits •—• •. 9,403,132 Seven day and other .... 834,640 X 35,385,692 435,385,692 M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated the Ist day of April, 1847 SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. (RECEIVED THIS DAY.) BETTING AT MANCHESTER. NEWMARKET HANDICAP.-4 to 1 agst Sting (taken)- 7to 1 agst Vanish (taken)-7 to 1 agst Euclid colt (taken, and afterwards offered) 7 -8 to 1 aget Footstool (taken)—. 13 to 1 agat Kesheng (taken)-13 to 1 agst Lynceus -15 to 1 agst Campanile (taken)-20 to 1 agat Queen of Tyne (taken)-20 to 1 agst Discontent (taken). Poar STAKr.s.-6 to 5 agst Sting-2 to 1 agst Sir T. Sykes. 2,000 CrUENTEAS STAKES.-2 to 1 agst Planet (offers to take)-6 to 1 agst Glentilt-6 to 1 agat Conyngham-7 to 1 agst The Liberator. CHESTER Cur.-18 to 1 agst Mendicant (t), and 40 to 1 agst Inheritress; these were the only horses backed. TIIR DERBY.--6 to 1 agst Van Tromp-9 to 1 agst Planet (taken)-33 to 1 agst M ar ti n (t a k en ) . N o ot h er change in the London prices. O t A h tcs e Fa .-2 r o m o er t ,s Do2saugaghstetr (taken )-11 ( to ta l ke a n gs t a2noyoto oth er.2s agst BATH RACES, 1847. Acceptances for the Cltaltuhmlbluasn,d4ic3a,m. 7st I Ilb p. My Mary, 5 yrs, Bst 71b Woodpecker, 4 yrs, Bst 51b Milliner, 4 yrs, 7st 51b New Forest Deer, 6 yrs, Bst 41b Wild Roe, 5 yrs, 7st 41b Sir Simon, 4 yrs, Bst llb The highest weight that accepted having been under Bst 71b it has been raised to Bst 71b, and the others in proportion. ARRIVALS AT NEWMARKET. Vanish, Epirote, Bingham, Lazarillo, Jack Musters, Lyn ceus c (by the Saddler, out of Marpessa), Discontent, Con spiracy, Lancer, and Sir Francis. CATTERICK BRIDGE-RACES, 1847. Acceptances for the Revival Handicap. Inglewood, 4 yrs, Bst 71b—The Magnet, 5 yrs, Bst—Alli ance, 4 yrs, Bst—Cossack Maid, 4 yrs, 7st 121b—Little Jack, 5 yrs, 7st 11lb—Shelforth, 4 yrs, ist 81b—Golden Bee, 4 vrs, 7st 81b—Wyvern, 4 yrs, 7st 51b—Spur, 4 yrs, 7st 31b-lint Whiffler, 3 yrs, Est 121b—Administrator, 3 yrs, 6st 121b— b f, by Inheritor, 3 yrs, sst 121b—Isabella Nowell, 3 yrs, sst 121 b. HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. Her Majesty's staghounds meet on Monday, at Stoke Com mon; Wed., Salt Hill; Sat., Maidenhead Thicket-14. Devon hds., Mon., Chudleigh Bridge. Essex and Suffolk hds., Tues., West Bergholt, White Hart; Fri., Tattlingstone, White Hart-10i. Holderness hds., Mon., Brandesburton ; Tues., North Dalton-4 to 11. Tiverton hds., Mon., Huntsbam Wood; Thurs., Winaford Village; Sat., Backswood near Tiverton-10%. Worcestershire hds., Mon., Hambridge ; Wed., Old Hills; Fri., Bradon Hill-10i. Brighton hrrs., Mon., Patch= ; Wed., Racecourse; Fri., Dyke- 1 4 to 11. Brookside hrrs., Mon., Newmarket Hill; Thurs., Tels combe-tye-10%. i seaosofnit much having been interfered with by frosts and heavy falls of snow it has an u d cK th ir e ou l N at p te s . r portio ns . —T he i n ER so M very A " short,srr's B been determined that the hunting with the royal pack in the neighbourhood of Windsor shall not be brought to a close until the 16th instant. It is expected that the buckhounds will the following week hunt in the New Forest, the head-quarters being at Lyndhurst, in Hamp shire. GOOD FRlDAY.—Yesterday being Good Friday, was held as a strict holiday at the Bank, Custom-house, and all public offices in London, except the Post-office. ATTACK BY A BULL AT LUDLOW.—On Sunday evening se'nnight, a bull, purchased by Mr. Waring, of Corfton, from Mr. Ridgley, of Richard's Castle, was being driven to the residence of his new proprietor, when at Ludford- bridge, near this town, he suddenly attack e d il the two men driving him, and tossed one into the air. The T wit : poor man fell upon the parapet of the bridge, p The bull then took his course through truly providential tha t . • ' his - after and attacking men, women, and c hildren in way, he escaped fa l li n g town, onthrue running and when he got to the bottom of Corve-street, he was an old man who was standing again s t a l y l a s everal tand k n o h c u k o e d d r e h d i s m o downer 0 p w e n r :o b n r s e . a The ki n gh i nfur i ated is b fu e l a lo st we ra d n b gar den wa . collar bone and otherwise severely injuring him. After much danger and difficulty, the bull was driven near to Corve t u rnpike-gate, where he brok e i nto a field, and some turnedyds kr o u r, n ot ger him 1 as e um n do , done wi ugnt i t t 3 suddenly beu m t ht o cr r rno e ouaw c gr o rdh u : w r atsl the em e thanso m e gate, scoafpe d wda i ,shncodr whom leaped o ele n enau , tpu w elh e lde n tio t t ehve t eru o ; walls, hedges, and ditches, and ran for their lives. After about five h ours h a d elapsed, the animal, which had been assailed during the time with pikes, staves, brick-bats, stones, and missiles of every description, was driven to the race-course, tossing everything that came in his way, and hurting several persons, but not dangerously. Hero he took up his stand, and would proceed no further, and it becoming dark, he was left there for the night. At five o'clock next morning two men went to drive him home, but the bull immediately attacked them, and they bad a very narrow chance for their lives by escaping into a tree, under which the bull stood from five o'clock till 1 eleven, keeping the men close prisoners in their retreat ; when some " knights of the clearer" came up and dis patched the animal.—Hereford Journal. KILKENNY SPRING FAIR.—The above fair was held on Monday last. There was as large a supply of horned cattle and sleep as we ever remember to have seen at any former fair in this city. The stock, however, met with but slow sale. There were few of the Meath buyers in attendance; and those w h o were i n town seeme d by no means inclned to come up to the expectations of the sellers. The fair, however, ruled rather dull; and very little stock, comparatively speaking, of any kind, changed hands.—Kilkenny Journal. Lord Glenelg and Mr. Montgomery have left town to join the circle to assemble on visits to Lord Broughams at Brougham Hall, for the holidays.