The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-03-19 00:00:00

fittpqtai Vatliamtnt. • HOUSE OF LORDS.—THUgSDAY. An immense number of petitions were presented against the repeal of the corn-laws. The Duke of RUTLAND remarked as to one of them, that he had asked some agricultural labourers who had signed it why they had done so, and they replied that their object was to prevent revolution. He concurred in the soundness of this reason as much as in the prayer of the petition. The Earl of RADNOR.—Did the noble duke ask the la bourers why they supposed the repeal of the corn-laws would • produce revolution ? The Duke of RUTLAND said he had not asked that question. (" Hear, hear," from the Earl of Radnor.) But he had asked them at what price they considered wheat could be profitably grown in this country, and they answered £3 per quarter. The Earl of RANNOR.—I should like to know whether those labourers were aware that the present corn-law has never secured that price. Lord BROUGHAM thought the noble duke had done quite right to ask the questions of these agricultural labourers, deeply interested as they were in the question. But he also thought that the manufacturing labourers ought to be consulted, and not only on the subject of the corn-laws, but upon other questions on which they had a very strong opinion—reform of parliament for instance, which they knew at least as much about as the , corn-laws, and he should shortly have to pre sent petitions from that class, praying for a further extension of parliamentary representation, and he hoped their opinions would at least be as much attended to as those of the agri cultural labourers. The Duke of RICHMOND wished to know whether it was the intention of the noble viscount at the head of the govern ment to bring in a bill to alter the bill passed last session, regulating the duty on foreign fruit. Lord MELBOURNE said, if the statements of the fruit growers in this country were found to be correct, there would be several alterations made in the bill. THE CORN LAWS. Earl FITZWILLIAM then brought forward his resolution— " that the act 9, Geo. IV. had failed of securing that steadi ness in the price of grain which was essential to the best interests of the country." The noble lord, in a long speech, in which he quoted the state of the market at various periods, in order to show the fluctuations of the price of corn under the operation of the present law, concluded by observing that he felt warranted in saying that if any class suffered under it, it was the agriculturists. The Duke of BUCKINGHAM opposed the motion, and in the course of his speech quoted some observations made by the noble earl (Fitzwilliam) in 1815, in favour of affording effectual protection to the landed interest. Lord RIPON followed on the same side. They had been told that great improvement had also taken place in Saxony and Switzerland in certain branches of manufactures, and that that was to be ascribed to our corn laws. That could not possibly be the case from our corn law excluding the corn of Saxony, because Saxony grew no corn. It was the same in Switzerland ; no corn was grown there. It was the same in Bavaria : Bavaria exported no corn ; therefore our corn law could not cause Switzerland to send her manufactures there. Then Wurtemberg could not say she did not take our manufactures because we did not take her corn. The statement that this was the case must have been a ruse diplo matique. But the existence of the• corn laws was not the motive for the imposition of those duties, nor of the imposi tion of any other duties which might be levied by any other of the powers of Europe. All those powers were, and had been for many years, using every artificial means to encou rage the manufactures of their own subjects, and this they did by imposing high duties on the importation of the cor responding manufactures of other countries.—(Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he called upon their lordships to give a distinct negation to the motion. The Duke of WELLINGTON said the resolution proposed that night embraced but a very small part of this important question ; but let their lordships observe this, that if they adopted this resolution, they would be called upon to go for ward still further. With respect to the words of the resolu tion, he would say, that on comparing the alterations of prices under these laws in this country, with the variations of the prices of corn in other parts of the world, in which there hap pened to be no corn laws—(hear, hear)—taking, for instance, Dantzic, Hamburgh, and the United States of America, where there were no corn laws, it would be found that the variation of the prices of corn at Dantzic, at Hamburgh, and in the United States of America, have been frequently greater than in this country during the operation of the existing corn laws. Under the existing corn laws great encouragement had been given to agriculture. He believed that the produce of the country had been immensely increased, and particularly in • the valuable article of wheat, the annual produce of which L'l was now nearly equal to its greatest annual consumption. Such was the supply of wheat, that the very lowest order of the people subsisted upon it, which was not, he believed, the practice in any other country. The practice was not known any where else. (Hear, hear.) It was not known in France ; it was not known in Germany ; it was not known in the Ne therlands, nor was it the case anywhere else. (Hear.) In fact, the lowest orders lived upon wheaten bread in no coun try of the world except England. (Hear, hear.) In con clusion, the noble duke said—let them persevere in those measures which had been successful in raising the agriculture of this country, and increasing its produce—let them increase its produce to the utmost possible degree, and render all the articles of food as cheap as they could be, and then let them see what they would do with reference to commerce and its interests ; but let them, he entreated, begin by securing to her Majesty's subjects a supply of the best food from the pro duce of her Majesty's dominions. (Hear, hear.) Lord RADNOR supported the motion. The Duke of RICHMOND opposed it. Lord MELBOURNE, after explaining that Mr. Poulett Thomson, when he said that he rejoiced to see this question the subject of agitation, only meant that he was glad that it had been brought forward in public discussion. He, how ever, did not agree with him in opinion. He was sorry that the question had been brought forward, and that advantage had been taken of a temporary high price of corn to excite agitation on the subject. (Hear, hear.) He was unwilling ‘l,;'• to make any alteration in the present corn laws. He did not 3k , know how an alteration would affect contracts with respect to 3. land, and he was not ready to make any change unless it could be plainly shown him that the change would be for the a l better, and so much for the better as to make it worth while ..1. to introduce the alteration. He would certainly give his vote against the motion in any shape. Lord BROUGHAM supported the motion, which was opposed by Lord Lansdowne, Lord Westmeath, and Lord North- IA l iciF Lord FITZWILLIAM replied. -riro. The house then divided, when the numbers were— Contents, present - Proxies Total. Not content, present - _ Proxies Total. 143 -224 Majority against the motion.. On our. return to the gallery, we found Lord Brougham postponing his motion until next day, after which their lord ship* adjourned at a quarter to one o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY. Colonel Bruen took the oaths and his seat for Carlow. Mr. HOPE brought in a bill for extending the line of the Gloucester and Birmingham railway, which was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time. Mr. Loci( FIART brought in the Wishaw railway bill, which was read a first time. Sir H. FLEErwoon brought up the Preston and Wyre railway bill, which was read a first time. In reply to a question from Mr. HUME, Mr. LABOUCHERE said that it was not the intention of government to introduce any measure with regard to the settlement of the affairs of Canada before Easter. Petitions on various subjects were presented. Mr. WODEHOUSE gave notice of his intention to move for a copy of the memorandum entered by Mr. Huskisson at the Board of Trade, in reply to the correspondence with the Foreign-office, respecting the intercourse with Prussia in foreign timber and wheat. Also, for a copy of the return of the exports of wheat. Mr. E. J. STANLEY moved that a new writ be issued for the election of a member to serve for the borough of Leices ter, in the room of J. Duckworth, Esq., who, since his election, has accepted the office of one of the masters in Chancery. Captain BOLDER() gave notice that, on the navy estimates, he would move an address to the crown, for the production of the order issued to the Royal Marine Corps, directing them to provide themselves with great-coats. EXECUTIONS IN CANADA. Mr. O'CONNELL begged to ask the under-secretary for the colonies, whether her Majesty's government had received any account of 34 persons having been hanged in Canada recently ; and he wished also to know whether it was the in tention to have these executions continued ? Mt. LABOUCHERE said, no information had been reeeived at the Colonial office with regard to the accounts which had appeared in the newspapers of several persons having been executed in Upper and Lower Canada in addition to those which had already been stated to the house. From some circumstances, for which he was not able to account, the Great Western, steam ship, did not bring any despatches from the governors of Upper and Lower Canada, and. there fore no information had been received. With regard to the h o n. and learned member's second question, as to whether it was the intention of her Majesty's government to take steps to stop those executions, he begged to say that on every occasion when that most painful subject had ,been adverted to by Lord Normanby and himself, in their communication with the governors of these colonies, no opportunity had ' bcen lost of impressing upon their minds a strong feeling of the advisableness and propriety of confining the exercise of capital punishment witliin the narrowest possible limits, due regard being had to protection of the lives and properties of her Majesty's subjects. (Hear, hear.) He felt bound to state, in justice to the gallant officers, the governors of Up per and Lower Canada, who, under circumstances of no ordinary description had been charged with the conduct of the affairs of these provinces to state, that they themselves • felt precisely in the same manner as the queen's government upon the subject. (Hear.) He was satisfied that, from the high moral and professional character of Sir John Colborne and Sir George Arthur, that they would carry into effect the painful duty imposed upon them with a due regard to mercy, and from a conscientious conviction of what was due to the . , safety and protection of these provinces. (Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") The adjourned debate on the corn laws was then resumed. Lord 'Woast.Ey began it by supporting the present laws. Sir H. VIVIAN, who followed, was desirous of changing them. Mr. EMERSON TENNENT argued the question mainly with reference to Ireland, whose agriculture, he said, had made great progress under the existing system, and promised ere long to render England wholly independent of foreign countries for her supply of corn. Prosperity to Ireland would produce tranquility for England ; but a repeal of these laws would retard that blessing by checking the improve ments already in operation, and by preventing the reclama tion of the bogs and wastes. The question of repeal was important, indeed, to England, but to Ireland it was life or death. Sir H. PARNELL, who was hut imperfectly audible, re peated some arguments for a change in the law. Lord MAIDSTONE thought the present system gave no more than the protection necessary to obtain a growth of our own supplies within our own boundary, an independence which would be cheap at the cost of millions. He wished to know why a question so important had been left by ministers an open one—if open it could be called—when all of them were prepared to vote for the change? Mr. \% ARD thought the landlords were interested in the repeal, because it is foreign trade that produces rent, by its effect in sustaining the great towns, which are the chief con sumers. The labourers too would be gainers • for if the employers had better profits, they could a ff or d better remu neration to the workmen. The tenants had been deceived upon this question—intelligent men, no doubt, in their sphere, but that sphere a contracted one. This was a landlord's question ; yet in truth the landlords would suffer little from importation of corn ; the commodity was too bulky, and the producing countries too few, to allow any inundation. But those were selfish considerations; he would rather look at the moral ones. With your present poor law, your present corn law was inconsistency ; the poor law tells the labourer to rely upon his own exertions ; the corn law forbids him from rendering those exertions available. The hon. member then read an affecting statement of distress from a handloom weaver at Preston, and inferred that this misery was, in part at least, attributable to the selfishness of the aristocracy, whom he likened to the French nobility before the revolution, and to the oppressor who took the poor man's one lamb. Sir Jam ES GRAHAM observed, how critical a task it is to make a change in laws that regulate food—a change which can hardly he proposed without an excitement, vastly unfa- vourable to the deliberation required by the importance of the subject. The inflammatory strain of the last speaker, and his tone of intimidation, illustrated this. The land lords, men honourable, reasonable, open to argument, would not be found ready to submit to fear. The same menacing line had been taken by Mr. P. Thomson. It was the first duty of government to preserve tranquillity ; but here was the president of the board of trade inculcating agitation. That might he suitable for him as the member for Manches ter, but it ill became him as a minister of the crown. The arguments of the mover and his supporters operated as strongly against a fixed duty as against the existing scale. Their motives were plain enough for desiring a committee ; but were those of ministers for assenting to it? To fit such ministers, unprepared as they were with any system, he must alter a line of Pope, and say, " A mighty maze, but all without a plan." Lord JOHN RUSSELL wished to vindicate his alteration of opinion since the letter addressed by him to his Huntingdon shire constituents in 1822. He asked the same privilege of subsequent experience and reflection which Sir James Graham had claimed. A reduction had taken place in the burdens of the landed interest, especially by the relief produed through the poor law, and the time was now come when a change in the corn laws might be fairly taken into consideration. Those laws had disappointed the expectations entertained of them ; they had not' produced the anticipated steadiness of price, and this failure justified inquiry by a committee. They had been injurious to the manufacturer ; and if the full evil apprehended had not yet burst forth, that was a good reason for now interposing before it should be too late. You need not fear that foreign countries would take advantage of your dependence on them ; their own interests would prevent them from distressing you ; and your trade would settle into a regular interchange of commodities, instead of being, as now, a mere export of bullion at a sudden need. Your in dependence could not, at any rate, be a permanent one, for your population would soon outgrow your soil. • His own view was, that a moderate fixed duty would be the best arrangement. He then proceeded to defend the government against the blame east upon them for having suffered this question to be an open one. The same course, he said, had been taken on parliamentary reform, and on Catholic eman cipation ; and this very question of corn had been left an open one in the administration of Lord Grey, when no fewer than 16 of the members connected with government had voted for a change in the existing law. Mr. MILNES attempted to obtain a hearing, amidst an overwhelming clamour for a division. The SPEAKER rebuked. the disorder, and assured the tumultuous assembly that to terminate such a debate in such a manner, would only redound to the disgrace of the house. It being then apparent that no division would take piace till next night, Mr. MILNES was at last permitted to proceed, but was wholly inaudible in the general rush of members going out ; and when he concluded the debate was adjourned, as also was the house shortly afterwards. HOUSE OF LORDS.-FRIDAY. The royal assent was given by commission to the transfer in aids bill and the poor relief (Ireland) act amendment bill. Petitions were presented against the beer act, and for and against additional church accommodation in Scotland. Several petitions were presented in favour of the existing corn-laws. Lord BROUGHAM presented the Glasgow anti-corn-law petition, and took occasion to quote from a speech of Mr. Burke, not included in any of the published editions of his works, a passage ascribing to the corn-laws the fluctuations in the price of grain. The Earl of WICKLOW quoted a passage from the same eminent statement, in which he denounced the opinions of citizens, on the subject of agriculture, as entitled to the same deference that was paid to the dogmas of other ignorant and presumptuous men. There was some dispute upon the interpretation of Mr. Burke's expressions. Lord BROUGHAM then moved for a committee of the whole house on the act for regulating the importation of foreign corn, simply referring to his speech of the preceding night for the arguments in its favour. Lord MELBOURNE could recollect nothing that should alter their lordships' decision, and the house negatived the motion by a division of 61 to 7.—Adjourned, HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY, A number of petitions were presented, and amongst them were many in favour of the corn-laws. Lord DUNGANNON postponed his motion relative to the grant to Maynooth College until after Easter. Mr. O'CONNELL postponed his amendment for extending the inquiry to Trinity College, Dublin. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, in answer to Mr. M. Phillips, that he saw no chance of bringing on the factories bill on Monday next. He could not promise it before Easter. Lord PALMERSTON stated, in reply to Sir S. Canning, that he had received very little information from Washington rela tive to the negotiations on the disputed territory, but the most friendly feeling existed between the governments. Lord J. RUSSELL observed, in answer to Mr. Miles, that the county courts bill and the small debts bill were nearly ready for delivery. THE CORN LAWS. The adjourned debate on Mr. Villiers' motion respecting the corn law was again resumed, when Mr. HUME addressed the house in favour of the proposition. After extended debate, in the course of which Sir R. PEEL addressed the house with much force, ingenuity, and effect, very happily sketching Lord J. Russell's gallery of political portraits, at one o'clock there were loud calls of " divide, divide." Such was the interest in the house, that not only were the members' galleries and all the usual seats occupied, but there were members on the floor half-way towards the table. The scene was very unusual and very impressive, in asmuch as there was marked attention and order—total ab sence of the disorderly noises that usually accompany the anxieties and calls for division. Mr. FIELDEN then moved the adjornment of the debate. Lord J. RUSSELL thought that adjournment was hardly requisite; but, at all events, if the debate were adjourned, the resumption of it on Monday would be most inconvenient to other public business. The house, however, divided on it, and such motion for adjournment was negatived by ayes, 61, noes, 475—majority against it, 414. Mr. ATTWOOD then complained 'that he wanted to answer the personal attacks of Mr. Hume, especially as he could show that hon. member " to be the advocate of public plun der." Mr. HARVEY was also anxious for adjournment, especially as only fifteen members had spoken during the four nights' debate, occupying, on the average, an hour and a half each, most of them contending'for free trade, yet monopolising all the speaking. _ _ _ Mr. EWART said, that as he could not then expect a pro per hearing, he should move that the debate be adjourned— till Tuesday he was understood to propose. The house again divided, and the numbers were—ayes, 53 ; noes, 373—majority, 320. Mr. FIELDEN having proposed adjournment till Wednes day, Lord J. RUSSELL repeated that, if there were to be ad journment, he trusted it would be to any day rather than Monday, as that decision would be very inconvenient to business.pub liC Mr. KNox suggested that the better course would be to adjourn the debate " till that day six months." After some conversation as to the business on Monday, the proceedings regarding the mutiny bill, the army estimates, and an order that the house be called over on Monday, Mr. Ktiox withdrew his proposition, and the corn-law debate was once more adjourned. POSTPONEMENT OF THE TRIAL OF THE REV. J. R. STEPHENS. (From the Manchester Courier.) The trial of the Rev. J. R. Stephens has been postponed. The power and dignity of government have been exchanged for trembling cowardice and shuffling meanness. To preserve an indiscreet minister, the administration of the law has been delayed and fashioned to suit the exigencies' of his situation, The case stands thus. A minister of state took a pro vincial tour, and in a large and wealthy town was entertained at dinner by its municipal functionaries. After dinner, the said minister's health was proposed and duly honoured; whereupon he rose and delivered a speech, in the course of which he let slip certain ill-defined opinions as to the liberty of the subject, and as to the right of her Majesty's leiges to assemble together, and give free expression to their sentiments. Through the agency of the press these opinions of the minis ter were circulated from one end of the nation to the other. The minister returned to the scene of his official functions, and the assemblies of the people, which had been compara tively small and well ordered before the publication of his speech, all at once assumed great importance, both as regards numbers and the tone of the speeches delivered at them ; until at length, mistaking the limits prescribed by the minis ter of state, certain demagogues began to talk sedition, and encourage insubordination. These proceedings at length roused apprehensions for the safety of the commonwealth in the breasts of the minister and his colleagues, and a warrant was issued for the apprehension of a principal ringleader. The said ringleader was taken before two of her Majesty's justices of the peace ; and witnesses to his guilt were duly sworn, and gave evidence against him, which evidence was made the frame-work of an indictment. He was take his trial at the next court of assize ; but immediately before the circuit of the judges, the said minister's fears step in, and the administration of the law is suspended. We have stated the case of Mr. Stephens. If the govern ment felt assured that the charges preferred against him are just, and strictly within the spirit of the law, how happens it that they will not allow the law to take its course ? It has been stated to us that Mr. Stephens supcenaed Lord John Russell and several of his colleagues on his trial,—which he had a perfect right io do, in common with every subject of the realm. Is it the dread of being dragged into the light to face their victim, that has prompted ministers to postpone the trial ; or is it their intention to abandon the prosecution altogether, and so depend upon their cowardice for a protec tion that their firmness would seem to deny them ? We give them the benefit of the alternatives. There is no doubt in our minds that Mr. Stephens is guilty of the charges imputed to him; and we shall not so far forget our respect, as well for the laws as for the maintenance of peace and good order, as to undertake his defence. But if condemnation is to take place, let it be equally shared be tween the guilty parties. Perhaps we cannot directly charge Lord John Russell with subornation of sedition ; but it is clear, by his speech at Liverpool, he encouraged the com mission of excesses—whether wilfully or not, it is not for us to say—which, in his official capacity, he has since been called upon to put down by the strong arm of the law. If he had been an honest man and an upright minister, he would have fotegone all personal considerations in the determination to uphold the dignity of the laws. He has not done so ; Mr. Stephens will never be brought to trial ; and Lord John Russell has added cowardice to meanness, duplicity and want of principle. The magistrates of Hampshire have entered into a sub scription for placing a portrait of their lord lieutenant, his Grace the Duke of Wellington, in the grand jury -room of that county. BANKING PROJECT.—A project has been started in the city for a " Country Bankers' Agency," which, on account of its novelty of plan, in proposing to dispense with the aid of the bankers altogether, is occupying a considerable share of attention. The leading features are—that an establishment is to be formed in London solely for transacting the business of country bankers ; that each bank shall deposit a certain sum, moderate in amount, as its own separate productive capital ; that in order to insure the perfect safety of the fund thus created, the directors will be restricted from employing any part of it except in government securities, or those of the first class, contenting themselves with the most moderate return, and that they will account to each country bank for the profit of the investment: The advantages proposed are, that the business of country banks in London will be con ducted with much less expense, and attended with no risk ; that, being relieved from keeping so large a capital as here tofore in the metropolis, they will be protected against runs, and employ their capital more profitably, the rate of interest being generally higher in the country than in London, and that they will share with the general agency the profit of all transactions undertaken for them. These are the particular advantages aimed at, but the parties anticipate some public benefit from their plan of operation, in preventing the accu mulation of so much spare capital in London, as is done by the deposit funds of the country bankers, and in thus pre venting speculation as well as those abrupt changes in the circulation, which are the consequences of it. On the merit of such a project it would be difficult, and in this stage of it useless, to offer any opinion. There are said to be some very respectable names connected with it, and like all projectors, of course, sanguine as to the result. The rest is to be de cided as the experiment proceeds.—Times. NORTH DEVON ELECTION The Special County Court for the purpose of nominating a knight to serve in Parliament for the Northern Division of this county, in room of Viscount Ebrington, now Baron Fortescue, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, was held on Tuesday, at Southmolton. At a very early hour the town presented an appearance of'active preparation for a contest of no common nature. In every direction, branches of holly, with ribbons of " true blue," the emblem of Mr. Buck, and boughs of laurel, with orange and purple, the emblem of Mr. Buller, met the eye in every direction in the streets, as well as affixed to the fronts of the houses ; together with flags, placards, &c. The friends of the candidates accompanied them into the town between ten and eleven o'clock. The Hon. Newton Fellowes, with C. P. Hamlyn, headed the friends of Mr. Buller, being on the front of a carriage containing several of his family. The Hon. Mr. Fortescue, eldest son of Baron Fortescue, headed the horsemen of this division ; and in this procession were Sir H. P. Davie, Bart., Sir B. P. Wrey, Bart., J. Sillifant, jun., Esq., E. S. Drewe, of Grange, Es q ., &c. &c. With Mr. Buck's riends, were Sir Trevor Wheler, Bart., and it was understood Sir Arthur Chichester, Bart., G. Fursdon, Esq., Chairman of Mr. Buck's Central Com mittee, T. . Harding, Esq., H. S. Northcote, Esq., John Quicke, Esq„ R. Chichester, o f Hall, Esq., J. Whyte, of Pilton, Esq., George Acland Barber, Esq., Arthur Chiches ter, Esq., Major Harding, Captain Shute, Z. H. Drake, Esq., W. A. H. Arundell, E sq ., J o h n New, Esq. ' R. J. Marker, Esq., John Y ar d e , o f T ro b r i ge , E sq ., W. Oweu, Esq., John Barrie, Esq., Captain Adney, George Tanner, of Crediton, Esq., H. Dunsford, Esq., &c. &c. &c. On the hustings these were joined by Lord Courtney, who was re ceived with the heartiest cheering by the " true blues" ; Rev. Archdeacon Stevens, Rev. John Harding, &c. &c. There were upwards of 800 horsemen in Mr. Buck's in terests, who presented a mostformidable and influential band. Mr. Buller 's procession wasalso numerous. 'At about 25 minutes to 11 o'clock, the candidates came upon the hustings, which was erected in front of the market place, looking into a fine and spacious square. Mr. Buck took his station on the left, and Mr. Buller on the right. The space in front soon became completely filled by a dense mass, consisting of many thousand persons, The win dows also of the houses were crowded with the fair sex, dis playing the colours and emblems of the candidate whose cause they favoured. The excitement thai prevailed was very frequently displayed in the encounters (at one time assuming rather a serious form from the manner in which their stout cudgels were exercised on each others' crowns) that took place. Indeed, at one period to such an extent was this carried, that a posse of constables were marched into the square. We believe, however, that no serious mischief was done. The High Sheriff having opened the Court, The Hon. Newton Fel'owes, in a rambling unconnected speech, proposed Mr. Buller, who was seconded by John Sillifant, jun., Esq., a gentleman who was on a former occa sion an avowd Tory, and canvassed for Sir Thomas Acland and Mr. Bastard, a circumstance of which the electors fre quently reminded him. T. Wray Harding, Esq. proposed, and George Fursdon, Esq. secended the nomination of Mr. Buck. Mr. Buller then addressed the assembled multitude in a long, prosy speech, attempting to vindicate his vote when in Parliament, against the Corn Laws, by saying that he wished only for enquiry. He avowed himself to be a Liberal and a supporter of the present Government, but he believed there was scarcely a shade of difference between the political opin ions of his opponent and himself. Mr. Buck, in a most manly and straightforward address, declared that he was diametrically opposed to the political views of Mr. Buller ; he wished for no change whatever in the Corn Laws, nor did he think that under the specious term of " enquiry," there was any necessity for it. Their laws had worked well, and during the period of three years when the manufacturing classes were most deeply depressed, corn had averaged the lowest prices. Mr. Buller, he said, supported the present ministers ; he, Mr. Buck, would op pose them as the most mischievous administration that ever held the reins of Government. Their only object was place and patronage, which they retained at the will and pleasure of O'Connell, at whose dictation they were prostituting the best interests of the State and threatening the ark of our Protestant Faith. The show of hands for each of the candidates was as nearly equal as possible, counting amongst Mr. Buller's friends the gloveless and the unwashed. The Sheriff thought the pre ponderance was in favour of Mr. Buller, and decided accord ingly. Mr. Fursdon, on the part of Mr. Buck, demanded a poll, which was appointed to take place on Friday and Satur day. SOUTHMOULTON, Saturday night, 10 o'clock. The conservatives of this great and important district have nobly acquitted themselves. The utmost exertions have been made by the partisans of the ministeral candidate, but with out at all improving, I might say altering, his position on the poll ; for singularly enough, the majority remains precisely what it was yesterday. Verily, the return of Mr. Buck, under all the circumstances of the contest, must prove " a heavy blow andgreat discouragement" to whig-radicalism thoughout the country. The following is the final state of the poll in the different districts : Buck. Buller. 484 369 477 146 130 361 213 425 610 287 . 275 284 . 316 228 . ' 243 238 ▪ 225 398 453 358 294 146 Barnstaple Bideford Chulmleigh Crediton Collumpton Hatherleigh Holsworthy.. Ilfracombe... Southmoulton Tiverton... Torrington 3,720 3,240 3,240 Majority for Mr. Buck .. UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL INTELLIGENCE THE UNIVERSITY PETITION FOR CHURCH EXTENSION. (From the Oxford Herald.) " To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled " The humble Petition of the Chancellor, Masters; and Scholars of the University of Oxford, •" Sheweth, That the Church of England has been the in strument, under Divine Providence, of countless blessings to the people of this country. " That it belongs to the very essence of a National Church that her spiritual ministrations should be co-extensive with the spiritual wants of the whole community: offered freely to all men, though not enforced upon any one. " That it is at present notorious, and has been admitted in public and authentic documents, that the population of Eng land and Wales having of late increased with a vast and un wonted rapidity, has outgrown the resources of the National Church ; and a large proportion of the people are altogether excluded, without their consent or fault, from her public worship, religious instruction, and pastoral superintendence. " That this spiritual destitution, which is ever least re garded by those to whom it is most pernicious, has chiefly befallen districts the least capable, even if they felt the want, of supplying the remedy. That its immediate consequences, not to advert to future and higher interests, are ignorance, vice, and disunion ; and the partial and inadequate, however laudable. endeavours of other religious communities to sup ply the deficiencies of the Established Church, even whilst they restrain demoralization, tend to multiply and perpetuate our unhappy-divisions. " That the only effectual remedy for these evils is the ex tension of the National Church ; and nothing has hitherto been accomplished in order to this great end in any degree commensurate with its magnitude and importance. " That your Petitioners do not overlook the benevolent exertions of individuals and societies, who have laboured, even beyond their means, to supply the national want; and they are deeply grateful to the Legislature and to your Honourable House for the encouragement and facilities ex tended to these endeavours ; and more especially for that en lightened policy which dictated the Acts for Building and Enlarging Churches, and for the liberal grants in furtherance of these objects in the Sessions of 1818 and 1823. But these supplies, admitted at the time to be inadequate to the occa sion, have been exhausted ; private munificence and the public bounty have only palliated the evil ; and the spiritual destitution of the count.y, notwithstanding these exertions, has increased, and is still increasing. " That this deficiency of religious ordinances and instruc tion is a national evil ; and it ill becomes a great and wealthy people to rest for the supply of a national want either upon private liberality, or upon the voluntary efforts of those poorer districts in which the want especially prevails. That by no altered management or distribution can the remaining re sources of the National Church, a great proportion of whose original endowments have been long since diverted by the State into other channels, be rendered sufficient to meet the growing evil : the nation alone can counteract it permanently and effectually. Divine Providence has entrusted the nation with unexampled resources, and your Petitioners believe that it is the duty of the Government and the Legislature to di rect them to this end ; and the people at large, they do not doubt, will rejoice to see a portion of the national wealth de voted to the honour of HIM who gave it, and employed in relieving the spiritual necessities of those by whose industry it has been developed. " 'Your Petitioners, therefore, with the utmost earnest ness, implore your Honourable House to take the spiritual destitution of England and Wales into your most serious consideration, and to meet this great and acknowledged evil by such prompt and effective measures as to your wisdom shall seem most expedient, in order to arrest the progress of demoralization, prevent the increase and perpetuation of dis union, provide for the best interests of the community, civil, moral, and religious, and draw down upon a Christian people the blessing of Almighty God. " And your Petitioners will ever pray!' PROMOTIONS. Rev. John Allen, to the Perpetual Curacy of Knowle St. Giles's, Somerset; patron, the Rev. Canon Heberden. Rev. Samuel Briggs Ward,B.A. to the Rectory of Quinton, Northamptonshire, vacant by the death of the Rev. J. D. M. Mitchell, on the presentation of the Queen. Rev. J. F. Wray, to the Vicarage of Stixwold, Lincolnshire; patron, C. Turner, Esq. Rev. Henry Haddon Greene, M. A., to the Stipendiary Curacy of Oving. Rev. W. Bond, to the Rectory of Beauchamp Roding, Essex. ___ The Rev. William Thomas Parr Brymer, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambrdge, and F. A. S. Prebendary of Wells, and Rector of Charlton Mackrell, Somerset, has been collated by the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells to the Archdeaconry of Bath, void by the resignation of Charles Abel Moysey, D.D. Rev. Wllliam Edw. Scudamore, M.A. Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, to the Rectory of Ditchingham, Norfolk, vacant by the death of the Rev. J. Newling, B.D. Rev. John Nelson, late Perpetual Curate of St. John's, Fulham, to the Rectory of Gilston, Herts. Rev. William Gunning, B.C.L. to the Vicarage of Stowey, Somersetshire, vacant by the cession of the Rev. Reginald Pole. Rev. Jas. Fred. Todd, M.A of Trinity College, Cambridge, to the Vicarage of Lisceard, Cornwall, on his own petition, vacant by the death of the Rev. John Strode Foot. The Bishop of the Diocese is reviving the office of Rural Dean throughout the Archdeaconry of Leicester, and the fol lowing appointments have already been made :—The Rev. Mr. Marriott, of Cottesbach ; the Rev. Mr. Belgrave, of North Kilworth ; for the Deanery of Guthlaxton. The Rev. Mr. Echalaz, of Appleby ; the Rev. Mr. Gt eenway, of New bold Verdon ; for the Deanery of Sparkenhoe. The Rev. Mr. Apthorp, of Gumley ; The Rev. Mr,Humfrey, of Laughton; for the Deanery of Gartee. The Rev. Mr. Morgan, of Rearsby ; The'Rev. Mr. Beresford, of Hoby ; for the Deanery of Goscote. The Rev. Mr.-Selwyn, of Branston ; The Rev. Mr. Gillett, of Waltham ; for the Deanery of Framland. Dr. Mallett has for several years discharged the duties of Naval Chaplain on board the Tribune, Blanche, and Castor frigates, and the HerdOes, 74 ; and has been lately appointed by the Earl of Minto, First Lord of the Admiralty to the Chaplaincy of her Majesty's Dockyard at the Bermudas. Rev. G. Lewin, to be Chaplain to H.M. ship Ganges, vice Rev.—Moore, resigned. Very great activity prevails in the ordnance department at the present time. The gun business has not been so brisk since the battle of Waterloo, and good workmen are with dif ficulty obtained. Very extensive contracts (indeed the largest ever known) have been lately entered into, for the supply of military and naval stores of all descriptions. Large quanti ties of stores have been lately shipped off from the Tower for the colonies and various parts of the united kingdom. MR. SERGEANT TALFOURD'S COPYRIGHT BILL Mr. Thomas Tegg, bookseller, Cheapside, having been alluded to in the House of Commons as one of the oppo nents of the bill introduced by Mr. Sergeant Talfourd for the extension of copyright, and which was read a second time on the 27th ult., has addressed a letter on the subject to the editor of the Times, in which he gives thb following state ment : The object of the bill is the profit of authors by extension of their copyright monopoly, on the alleged ground of their present remuneration being insufficient, and the hon. mover of the bill, like a skilful lawyer encumbered with a weak case, has made eminent displays of eloquence in its favour, in stead of bringing forward proofs of its necessity or even ex pediency ; the representatives of the people have wept at his pathetic recital of the bygone distresses of Milton, Defoe, and Burns. I humbly beg to call their attention to the pre sent treatment of authors, which is not so heartrending, and to explain the cause I will call in the aid of Dr, Johnson, who observes in the life of Milton, that " the slow sale and tardy reputation of this poem (' Paradise Lost') have been always mentioned as evidences of neglected merit, and the uncertainty of literary fame, and inquiries have been made, and conjectures offered, about the cause§ of its long ob scurity and late reception." He afterwards says, " The call for books was not in Milton's age what it is in the present— to read was not then a general amusement, neither traders nor often gentlemen thought themselves disgraced by igno rance. The women had not then aspired to literature, nor was every house supplied with a closet of knowledge. Those, indeed, who professed learning were not less learned than at any other time, but of that middle race of students who read for pleasure or accomplishment, and who buy the numerous products of modern typography, the number was then com paratively small. To prove the paucity of readers, it may be sufficient ,to remark that the nation had been satisfied from 1623 to 1664, that is 41 years, with only two editions of the works of Shakspeare, which probably did not altogether make 1,000 copies." The change from the time of Milton to that of Johnson was not near so great as that from Johnson to the present. In the Augustan age of British literature Pope got £22 for the " Rape of the Lock t" £l5 f or th e " Essay on Criti cism ; £32 ss. sd. for " Windso r F ores t." Lintot paid him in cash and subscription copies for the " Homer's Iliad," with notes, the work of six years, with a great deal of assist ance, about £2,000, and his subscriptions made his total profit about £6,500. Johnson sold his " London" for ten guineas to Dodsley. " Vanity of Human Wishes," for 15 guineas. " Rambler," and Adventurer," for two guineas per paper. For editing the " Gentleman's Magazine," he received £lOO per annum. " English Dictionary," the work of eight years, with six amanuenses paid by himself, £1,575. Lives of the Poets," published in 1777, 200 guineas, "and 100 added afterwards by way of gratuity. Rasselas," £lOO, and for the second edition £25. Gold smith sold his " Vicar of Wakefield" for £6O, which Dr. Johnson thought a suffiCient price. " The Deserted Village" for 100 guineas, which the simple-minded doctor thought was more than the bookseller could afford or the piece was worth, and he actually returned the money to the publisher Reynolds, leaving it entirely to him to pay in proportion to the profits produced by the sale of the poem. There were no complaints of the remuneration of authors or the duration of copyright (then 14 years certain) in the days of Johnson and G o ld sm ith ; and I beg to illustrate, ?)37 a few facts, the grounds of complaint that exist at present, viz : PRODUCE OF COPYRIGHT-HISTORY. " Fragments of English History," by Charles James Fox, sold by Lord Holland for 5000 guineas. Ditto, by Sir James Macintosh, £5OOO. " Lingard's History of England," £4633. Sir Walter Scott's Buonaparte" was sold with the printed books for £lB,OOO ; the net receipt of copyright on the two first editions only must have been above £lO,OOO. 2.-BIOGRAPHY. " Life of Wilberforce," by his Sons, 4000 guineas. " Life of Byron," by Thomas Moore. £4OOO. " Life of Sheridan," by ditto, either £2OOO or £3OOO. " Life of Hannah More," £2OOO. " Life of Cowper," by Southey, £lOOO. " Life and Times of George IV. ;" by Lady C. Bury £lOOO. Life of Scott," by Lockhart ; I understand above 50,000 volumes have been already sold at 10s. 6d. per volume, and, by my calculation, a net publisher's profit of ss. must have been derived from it, equal to £12,500, in the first two years of copyright. 3.-POETRY " Byron!s Works," according to Mr. Murray's advertise ment, £20,000. Half-share of " Lord of the Isles," Scott, £l5OO. " Lana Rookh," by Moore, £3OOO. " Rejected Addresses," £lOOO. Republication of " Cmbbe's Works," by Mr. Murray, £3OOO. Ditto of " Wordsworth's Works," by Air. Moxon, 1000 guineas. 4.—NOVELS. Bulwer's, from £l2OO to £l5OO each. . " Rienzi," £l6OO. Marryat's, £lOOO to £2OOO each. Trollope's " Factory Boy," £lBOO. Sir Walter Scott's " Waverley" (see Lockhart's " Life," vol. iii., p. 296), 22,500 copi es so ld pre v io us ly t o th e sa l e o f th e current edition, which must have netted 7s. per copy, £7500, and this is one out of 22 novels by the same author ! The great collective edition of 48 volumes, with notes, called by Mr. Lockhart " The Magnum," is understood to have reached an average sale of 25,000 per volume. Mr. Lockhart says that the sale of " Waverleym in that edition has reached 40,000 ! The total number of ss. volumes sold must there fore be 1,200,000, and the publisher's profits of these being at least 2s. per volume, the gain on the edition must be already £120,000 over and above that on the former publications of each novel, and the copyright of the first of these novels does not expire for four years. I was at considerable pains to ascertain what Sir Walter Scott had gained by his writings, now comprised in 80 volumes, before I stated in my pamphlet, in answer to Sergeant Tal fourd's published speech, that it amouted to a quarter of a million sterling, and if the matter is properly inquired into by the House, that will be found below the mark. S.—EDITORIAL PAYMENT. Mr. Lockhart " Quarterly Review ;" Professor Wilson " Blackwood's Magazine ;" Professor Napier " Edinburgh Review ;" Theodore Hook . certainly not less than £lOOO. a-year each on the average. Mr. Macauley, Dr. Southey, Mr. Barrow, and other emi nent men, one hundred guineas for a single article in the Quarterly and Edinburgh Reviews. 6.-MISCELLANEOUS. Hannah More derived £3OOO. per annum from her copy. rights during many of the latter years of her life. Rundall's "Domestic Cookery," £2OOO. " Nicholas Nickleby," £3OOO. Eustace's " Classical Tour," 2100. " Heber's Journal."—l have understood that Sir R. In. glis obtained for the beautiful and interesting widow of Bishop Heber by the sale of this work £5OOO. " Murphy's Almanac," £3OOO. -- The copyright of " Marmion" expired in 1836, and since that time we " pioneers of literature," as the learned ser geant calls us, have disseminated much more than two hun dred thousand copies at a very low rate, viz., 25., ls. 6d., and 10d., among the humble classes of the public. The copyright of that beautiful poem " The Lady of the Lake" expired in 1838, since when different publishers have brought out editions and sold the poem at one-tenth of the price it had ever been sold at duri ng th e e x i s te n ce of the copyright. If the spirit of the author could look down upon this diffu sion of his pure and elegant writings, it would derive plea sure from this result, and rejoice in having contributed to the innocent gratification and to the improvement of the human race ; but this the House of Commons is called upon to prevent by the retrospective clauses in the bill of Sergeant Talfourd, which would operate also on the works of many other authors at present supplied at the lowest possible rate to the public by the competition of booksellers ; all these works have been long sold at these cheap rates on the conti nent and in America; is it reasonable, is it fair, to deny them to the British public after 28 years' copyright mono poly, because they are the countrymen of the author? What I have said hitherto entirely applies to the cause of the public, at least it is far more for their interest than mine that the market should be supplied with useful and entertain ing books at the lowest competition prices. I will now beg to say a few words as to the retrospective operation of the bill on my own property and that of other booksellers. I pur chased of the executors of Dr. Adam Clarke, his Bible and Commentary for £l9OO, there being at that time seven years of the copyright unexpired. I printed the work in the best style, and sold it at a much cheaper rate than it had been offered before, and by the expenditure of £2OOO in advertis ing and making it known I have established for it a regular sale. The copyright has now four years to run, but lam satisfied that the competition of other publishers would not deprive me of the subsequent' sale of this book, which is a work of magnitude, and I have not left them sufficient margin to undersell me and recover the expense of working the book by advertising, &c., I paid my £l9OO on the existing law, in the conviction that I was purchasing a small annuity, but now a new law is proposed to take this property away from me, and not only restore the book to the executors without my recovering any part of the £l9OO, but to give them also the benefit of my expenditure in advertising the work. Another sort of case is "Dr. Ure's Dictionary of Chymis try," which I purchased of the editor for £lO5. I paid him for the correction of the second edition £ll5, for the third. £2lO, for the fourth £2lO, and I must now obtain his assis tance, or that of some other eminent man who can better af ford time, to prepare the work firir the fifth edition by correct ing it according to the latest discoveries and improvements in the sciences. All sciences and arts are progressive ; books on astronomy, geography, botany, mathematics, medicine, architecture, even works on history (Dr. Lingard received £366 13s. 4d. per volume for correcting the second edition of his history) biography, education, and law, require the same sort of revision, and would become useless without it ; and, on the other hand, may be much improved by the application of it ; and my case with Dr. Ure is one instance among a thousand of the injustice and absurdity of the proposed law. I buy a book for 100 guineas, and during the term of the copyright must expend more than £lOOO upon it, either by payment to the author or any other person of equal reputa tion, with the effect of altering almost every page of the ori ginal work, and at the end of 30 years the representatives of the Doctor may claim the original work and title, and com pel me to buy it over again at a much higher price, or to lose all that I have subsequently expended on it. This is truly one way to " amend the law of copyright." I should like to see the learned sergeant propound such a scheme of " amendment " to the 12 judges, to those sophistry-proof persons who are habituated, as I may say, to the protection of property and the discrimination of truth. If this were called a private bill, which it is in fact, the learned sergeant would break down in his preamble, for it would be made to appear that the supply of literature is in every branch superabundant ; that owing to the copyright monopoly already established (but as I think justly and pro perly established) the price of English books is dearer in Britain than in any other country ; that the progress of edu cation has enormously increased, and will much further in crease the remuneration of authors, and that it ought to be accompanied with cheap literature, which this bill is calcula ted to prevent ; and further, that the proposed measure, which is so opposed to the public interest, is also a flagrant invasion of private rights and property, and uncalled for by that class whose interest it professes to promote. Cheapside, Feb. 50. THOMAS TEGG. EXECUTION.—The last sentence of the law was, on Wed nesday morning, carried into effect upon Thomas Taylor, who was convicted, at the late assizes at Hertford, of the murder of William Bennett, an old pensioner residing at Towen, Middlesex. The prisoner absconded immediately after the commission of the offence, and enlisted in the 15th regiment ; and he would probably have escaped detection but for the fact of his having written a letter to his mother in an assumed name, and the circumstance coming to the know ledge of the police at Hertford, an inquiry was instituted, and this led to his detection. Taylor's mother came to see him on Monday, but the interview was described as not being by any means of a painful character. She asked him whether he wanted any of his clothes washed, and he replied that the clothes he had been tried in would do Very well for him. Neither of them appeared at all concerned when the moment arrived for their separation. The convict's father, an aged man, went to him on Tuesday, and, after some little conver sation, the father told the convict " to die like a man, and go to the gallows with the same firmness he had borne his trial and sentence." The unhappy young man replied, " I will, father ;" and so they separated. Taylor walked up the scaffold without any'assistance. The bolt was then drawn, and, after struggling for about three minutes, he ceased to exist. The unfortunate convict was only twenty-two years old.—Sun. MISCELLANEOUS. Among the exports of the principality of Coburg we find enumerated " sausages and livers of geese." IRISH EXPORTS. — O'Normanby's plate was shipped from Dublin on Saturday week. His brass he imported himself. CARLOW ELECTlON.—Gisborne declares he finds Bruen so unbear-able that he dare not risk another hug. In Bavaria vaccination is performed at the expense of the state, and parents, however reluctant they may be, are obliged to submit their children to this operation. The long-pending dispute between the Duke of Beaufort and Mr. Horlock, relative to the Badminton Hunt, has been amicably adjusted. The net income of Mr. Wakley's office of Coronership for Middlesex is, we have heard, about £BOO a year. The Georgia legislature, under the free banking law, has provided that the capital stock may be paid in negroes. The London Dispatch advertises, that it is about to pre sent its readers with " the intended charter of England, beautifully printed in blood colour I" The Irish railway commission has already cost the country £26,ooo—viz., engraving the maps, £12,000; salaries, £14,000. It is an extraordinary fact, that when people come to what is commonly called high words, they generally use low lan guage. It is calculated that 10,000,000 of volumes are annually printed in Germany, and that there are upwards of 50,000 authors of one or more books. At a jeweller's shop on Ludgate-hill, a bill is exhibited in the window, on which is written, " Wedding-rings at this shop made out of lucky old guineas." The Archbishop of Posen, (Dunin) has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonme n t i n a fortress, for his opposition to the decrees of the Prussian government. Paganini has recently been fined in damages of 20,000 francs, for having broken his engagement with the directors of La Casino Paganini, Paris. Among the on dits of the week is a report that Mr. Mur phy has given a confident opinion that mild winters are solely to be attributed to the Society for the suppression of Vice (of ice). The Pennsylvania Bank of the United States has taken stock to the amount of 100,000 dollars in the Philadelphia and Liverpool Steam Navigation Company. The heart of a man is said to weigh about nine ounces ; that of a woman, eight. As age increases, man's heart grows heavier, and woman's lighter, after she is thirty. Last week, on Mr. Farquharson's hounds meeting at Frampton-house, the owner, on making his appearance, was received with a view halloo from a field of upwards of 300 sportsmen. Mr. Edward O'Connell, who was elected secretary to the poor law commissioners in Limerick, is also secretary to the precursor society for Limerick and liberties.—Limerick Chronicle. There seems to be a general suspicion that the " infernal machine" sent to the Olympic was little better than a trick to get up a little sensation in behalf of Madame Vestris and her theatre. The Richmond election has terminated in the return of the Whig candidate by a majority of 82. The following was the state of the poll at the close :—Sir R. Dundas, 162 ; Mr. Stapleton, 80.—Majority, 82. A return published in the Moniteur shows that - the impor tation of foreign grain into France has been nearly as much in the month of January in the present year as in the twelve months that preceded it. • A wealthy steam company of London have taken £15,000 in shares, in the intended steam communication between Limerick and London, and they will send a first class vessel of 700 tons very shortly on the line.—Limerick Chronicle. On Mr. Ward, M.P. for this borough, being requested by the Radical Associatio n t o suppor t th e people's charter, the hon. gentleman wrote to say he could not comply with their request, having made up his mind to give it his most strenu ous opposition.—Sheffield Iris. The committee of the " Birmingham Ten Churches Fund" have given notice, that they are prepared to receive designs for the first two churches proposed to be erected. The weather prophet, Murphy, has discovered to his no small profit, that gulls which used to be seen only in very cold or stormy weather, are now to be found in this country all the year through. It is generally reported in London, that Lord John Rus sell will retire at Easter. If this be the case, Lord Morpeth will succeed him as ministerial leader in the Commons—that is, if the Cabinet can survive his resignation. _ _ _ A Parisian doctor has discovered a remedy for gout, by making his patients scour the floors of their own houses, which operation is performed in France by skating furiously along the boards, mounted on brushes attached to the shoes. The doctor is of course making his fortune. A gentleman of Buffalo has just sold all his real estate there for 130,000 dollars, payable in instalments, without interest, at the rate of one d o ll ar an h our . The Buffalo Advertiser remarks :—" According to these terms; the pur chaser will have 14 years, 34 days, and 20 hours to pay in, at the rate of 8,760 dollars per annum." CooL.—A gentleman advertises in some of the papers, that he " wants to purchase some invention of general utility and entire novelty, for a trifling consideration." We should suppose that the answer of any person, having such a thing to dispose of, would be, "D on 't y ou w i s h you may ge t it ?" A gentleman goes to Drury-lane Theatre every night, in expectation of seeing Van Amburgh himself made a meal of, for he would not miss the sight for the world ; and that it will happen one of these spring evenings he confidently be lieves. In Bavaria 110 marriage can take place between humble persons not possessing some capital, unless by previous per mission of the institutions of the poor, which are appointed by law in each town and village. Sullivan, who is in Tullamore gaol for the murder of Lord Norbury, will not be tried this assizes. Messrs. Bailey, Stepney, and Flood, for the murder of Mr. Turpin, in a duel, were acquitted. Chief Justice Doherty said they ought to have been convicted, and in that event he would have re corded sentence of death.—Limerick Chronicle. REPRESENTATION OF ASIITON-UNDER-LYNE.—It is quite currently rumoured in that borough, that Mr. Hindley is about to retire from the representation of Ashton-under- Lyne, on the 'score of ill health ; and that Mr. Brotherton intends to offer himself to the notice of the constituency, considering it a safer speculation than Salford at the forth coming general election. RIVER DEE IMPROVEMENT.—We understand that, at a meeting of the committee formed for carrying forward the improvement of this river, held in the Town-hall, Chester, on Wednesday, it was resolved to request the Messrs. Ste venson, engineers, of Edinburgh, at their earliest conveni ence, to make a final survey, with sectional bearings, &c. of the river.—Chester Gazette. CONTRACT FOR STEAMERS TO HALIFAX.—The contract for conveying H. M. mails from this country to North Ame rica, has been taken by the " Mining Association" for seven years, at £55,000 per annum. The steamers are to start once a fortnight ; but it appears that Falmouth is not to be the port from whence they are to sail. This contract is to commence on the Ist of May.—Falmouth Express. GRAVE SECRETS.—In the course of an assault case heard at the Thames Police-office, on Friday, wherein a dissenting minister (who is also the lessee of a burying-ground) and an undertaker were concerned, some of the secrets of the trade came out. Among other things it was stated that it was customary to use the mould from graves as excellent mate rial for the growth of geraniums in flower-pots. OPERATION FOR THE STONE IN THE BLADDER.—This important operation was very recently performed, with com plete success, by Mr. Henry Wilson, surgeon. of Runcorn, on a boy nine years of age, son of Mr. John Tonk, painter, &c., of that place. The stone was a large one, measuring two inches in length, and three inches in circumference. We are happy to learn the boy is doing well. GERMAN MALTHUSIANS.—In Bavaria no marriage can take place between humble persons not possessing some capital, unless by previous permission of the institutions of the poor, which are appointed by law in each town and village. Shopkeepers and others, and more especially the fre quenters of fairs and markets, at which places the unsuspect ing are more liable to be " taken in,' are cautioned to be on their guard against what are termed " flash notes," which are now in extensive circulation. It is singular enough, and an unanswerable argument in their favour, that the corn laws should• be so vehemently assailed at the very moment when they are working that very good to the country which they were intended to effect —that of preventing even a deficient crop from bringing about high prices. BRITISH ASSOCIATION.—The period foi holding the ensu ing meeting, which was left * for the decision of the council, has now been fixed. The first meeting of the general com mitttee will be held at Birmingham on Saturday, Aug. 25th ; and the various sections for scientific business will meet on ........_ ..._ ......_.. the 27th, and through the week. The local council and com mittees are already busily engaged in making the preliminary arrangements. A young Irish lady of remarkable beauty, who, in conse luence of family losses, had entered a convent in the Rue de Picpus to perform her noviciate, with the intention of taking the veil, committed suicide a few days ago by throwing her self into a well in the garden of the establishment. Several days elapsed before the fatal event was accidentally ascertained by the gardener, whilst drawing water. No cause is assigned for this melancholy act.—Paris paper. CAUTION TO BANKRUPTS.—At the present Yorkshire assizes a bill of indictment for felony has been found by the grand jury against Richard Pullen, late of Selby, flax mer chant and seedsman, a bankrupt, for embezzlement, in ab sconding with monies belonging to his estate, instead of sur rendering the same to his assignees, for the benefit of his creditors. Another indictment for fanny has also been found by the grand jury for the city of York, against the same in dividual, for not surrendering to the commissioners under the fiat in bankruptcy issued against him, pursuant to the usual notice, and summons for that purpose.—Leeds Intelligencer. It is the practice of parliamentary orators, who have neither facts nor arguments to rely upon, to envelop their subject in such a mass of words as to leave it in a more obscure and unintelligible state than they found it. And then we hear the chief secretaries of Ireland and the admiralty wearying the House of Commons with interminable orations on the in teresting subjects of their respective departments, but instead bf throwing any light upon them, only in both instances ren dering the previous darkness more dense.—Morning Herald. CATASTROPHE AND PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE, AT EDMON STONE COLLIERY.—We have this day to record the most miraculous preservation of 13 human beings, after almost every hope of saving their lives had been extinguished. On Friday evening the sides of the shaft of one of the coal pits, of which the Messrs. Stenhouse are the lessees, gave way, and completely blocked up the communication with the pit. When this happened there were at work below nine men and four females, who were thus fast imprisoned in the bowels of the earth ; and as it seemed extremely improbable that any communication could be effected before Sunday night or Monday morning, there was reason to dread the worst. The pit where the accident took place communicated with an ad joining pit, the shaft of which is a few hundred yards from that of the former, and which serving as an air pump to it, there was, of course a lamp or fire kept continually burning in the shaft to purify the air. It being thought probable that the individuals in the pit would naturally struggle to make their way through this avenue of escape, about two o'clock on Saturday morning five men descended the old pit, in order if possible, to liberate the others. The foul air made the task insupportable. On the afternoon of Saturday a second at tempt was made, but was still more unfortunate than the first. All hopes of relief in this manner were now aban doned, and every energy directed to the clearing of the shaft. For this purpose it was necessary ta construct what is termed a crib—that is, a cylinder corresponding to the dimensions of the shaft. On Saturday evening a strong body of millwrights a-id other workmen strained every nerve in the construction of the machine, which was to be lowered by the crane. The crib was subsequently lowered, when the operation of renfbv ing the rubbish continued until they reached the bottom of the shaft and opened the communication. At about half-past seven o'clock yesterday (Sunday) morning, the men stationed at the mouth of the old pit heard the welcome sound of a voice. The alarm was immediately given, and one man descended to render aid. The first raised was the youngest girl, who was brought up in a helpless state. The remainder were rapidly raised in succession, all in a very exhausted state. They were placed on carts among straw and blankets, and conveyed to their homes, and are now doing well.—Caledonian Mercury. There are in the State of Pennsylvania 5000 common schools, 38 academies, and 7 female seminaries. The Nashville Banner gives an account of three bullocks, one of which weighed 3,4001b5., another 3,3861b5., and a third 3,1491b5. A new writ has been issued for the borough of Leicester, in the room of J. Duckworth, Esq., who has accepted the office of one of the Masters in Chancery. The agriculturist enforces his arguments by an appeal to experience —the manufacture relies on expectations which are little better than conjectural. A GOOD LEAP.—One day last week a horse got loose in the cavalry barrack yard, in this city, and amused himself by leaping over a Cart-horse, one of a team which was stand ing across the road.—Canterbury paper. MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT SIXTEEN LIVES LOST. — Yesterday morning a canoe, belonging to Mr. Chabot, in attempting to cross over from Point Levi, with twenty pas sengers, was upset by the floating ice in the river, by which sixteen out of the twenty were drowned.—Quebec Gazette, Feb. 13. THE MARCH.—At a shop No. 9, Queen-street, Seven Dials, a large canvas blind is exhibited, on which is painted, " One halfpeeny per pound is give hoer for any durty old rags.—N. B. Taillors shop boards cleared at 2d pet pound," What a close union and mutual respect mast exist among our Whig ministers, when the premier denounces the senti ments of several of his colleagues on the subject of the corn laws as " the wildest dream that ever entered the mind of man !" MORE AGITATION.—It is said that a general meeting of the money-lenders and bill-brokers of the metropolis, which will be attended by delegates from the great manufacturing towns, will shortly be held in London, for the purpose of taking measures to oppose and defeat that clause of Lord John Russell's forthcoming police bill, which authorises the policemen to take into custody, and carry to the station-house, any person or persons who may hencef o r w a r d a tt em pt t o " fly any kite.' , —Morning Herald. HUGE Ox.—The largest ox in the world is now in this city, and goes to England in the Liverpool. He weighs 4,0001b5, is five feet ten inches in height, eleven feet ten inches in length, of a dapple bay colour, was raised in New Hampshire, and is six years old. H e belongs to Mr. Swan ton, who goes to England with him.—New York paper. CHURCH RATE AT WAKEFIELD. —On Thursday week, a meeting was held for the purpose of laying a church-rate, and, and, notwithstanding the Dissenters mustered all their forces, the rate was carried by a triumphant majority, 24d in the pound for Wakefield, and .Is. 6d. for Stanley, Alver thorpe, and Thornes. It is understood intimation has been given by the London police, that a parcel of thieves have left the metropolis to try their hands on some of the Scotch banks in the way they were so successful.in Glasgow and Aberdeen some time since. Those concerned had as well, therefore, look after the security of their offices and safes.—Dundee paper. A barber in Fenchurcb-street has manufactured some wigs, which he styles " the acme of kallitrichoplashma." A baker up in a narrow court in Fleet-street, has prepared some vivificaceous biscuits ; and a hatter in Leicester-square has invented a nightcap which he designates by the classical name of a caputgereredormitor ! MIDDLETON.—On Sunday last a Stephenite preacher, named Preist, from Dukinfield, preached three radical ser mons in the chartists' chapel. In the course of his sermon in the afternoon he advised his hearers to get armed with long sharp knives, the length of his arm, t o wear th em i n th e i r bosoms, and to use them to cut their cheese and bread, and defend themselves from their enemies, who robbed them of their bread. The chapel was not so numerously attended as it was a few weeks ago. Manchester Courier. Though the slave-trade at the Brazils is, in pursuance of a convention with Great Britain, done away with, the situation of the negroes is in no respect ameliorated. "In Rio (says Major Scarlett) they lie about the streets by night and by day on heaps of dirt, without showing more inclination for cleanly habits than if they were mere swine • and, in their yet abused and degraded state, they are really little better." SWALLOWING NEEDLES.—There is a pauper in Farring don Union Workhouse, named Mary Stanby, aged 24 years, who has already had 132 needles extracted from her person, the greatest number of which have been taken from her breast. It is conjectured by the medical officer that she must have swallowed the needles, but she positively denies having any knowledge of the circumstance.—. Reading Mer cury. DEFINITION OF A BORE.—" What is a bore ?" asked one of my French female friends last night. "At Paris," con tinued she, " I have heard English people, when talking to each other, say, What a bore he or she is !' Now, pray give me your definition of a bore." " A person who tells you about himself, when you wish to hear only of yourself," was my simple explanation, which made them smile.—The Idler in Italy, by the Countess of Blessington. The late Mr. J. Griggs, of Messing, it is stated, left the whole of his property, estimated at £lOO,OOO, to the Rev. Robert Eden, lately curate of Peldon, and now rector of Leigh. About £lO,OOO had, by a former will, been left in legacies to various friends of the deceased ; and, although no mention was made of these in his last will, we understand Mr. Eden has, with the greatest liberality, paid them all. — Hull Times. A fine large ox, five years old, bred by Mr. Saml. Dickin son, Brompton, and fed by Mr. Hammond, Scarbro', was slaughtered on the 4th instant, by Mr. Sedman, butcher. Very different opinions were entertained as to the weight of this beast. He was measured for 122 stone, but his actual weight was—the four neat quarters, 134 st. 61b.; tallow, l6st. 31b.; hide, 9st.3lb. &c, He was one of the finest beasts beasts brought to these shambles for some time.—Hull Times. PTARMIGAN.—Two large cases, between three and four hundred brace, of these beautiful birds, from Norway direct, were received by Mr. Palframan, fruiterer, Briggate, and exposed for sale on Tuesday, in excellent condition, at the extremely low price of three shillings per brace. The birds are excellent, rather larger than the Scotch Ptarmigan, and much whiter : they were quickly disposed of. Further sup plies are expected.—Leeds lutelligencer. EGGS.—The vitellus, or yolk of the egg of birds, has been recently submitted to the observation of M. Pouchet. He states, that it is not a fluid, but an organized body, formed of subglobular vesicles, of a polyhedral appearance, in conse quence of the pressure which they receive, and which contain still smaller vesicles and minute drops of oil. In the interior of the latter vesicle is a fluid filled with little molecules, en dowed with a remarkable degree of motion. BOLD SMUGGLERS.—One of the most intrepid instances of smuggling on record occurred in the vicinity of Hastings, Sus sex, a few days since. 'lt appears that a party had for some months determined on an endeavour to run tubs at the most in accessible part of the cliffs to the eastward of the town, near Ecclesbourn, and directly under the nose of the coast guard men on duty. The cliffs at this spot are most appalling to look up at, being full of projections, and overhanging to a fearful extent. Still that was the spot selected for the enterpirse. The boat contained about 70 tubs. Information had been given to the officer on duty, but the apparent impossibility of the dar ing attempt caused it to be treated rather as a feint to divert attention from some more accessible spot. Still the officer visited the place about the time, when, from what has since transpired, the liquor was all but held to his nose, without his being able to smell it out. A dog that was with the man on duty on the cliff, was far more sagacious in detecting the presence of the plunderers of the revenue, for he kept barking at something under the cliff, which excited the attention of his master, who approached the edge to ascertain what it was, but was desired by his officer to retire, lest he should fall over. At length the tubs were all run without the knowledge of the look-out. When morning dawned, the fact was discovered, but scarcely believed. It appeared that the bold smugglers had contrived to hang up a ladder of rope, with wooden rods, from several projections on the cliff, which they climbed with the tubs, thereby avoiding the immense difficujty of ascend ing an overhanging precipice of at least 150 feet in height. The slightest fall, in any form, must have been instant death to the adventurers, who would inevitably have been dashed to atoms on the pointed rocks beneath. A bolder attempt, it is everywhere admitted, is not recorded in the annals of heroism. —Hants Advertiser. Our late representative, Sir Oswald Mosley, has, we are rejoiced to see, altogether forsaken politics, and, like a second Cincinnatus, is now devoting himself to more innocent pur suits. In the last number of the Transactions of the London Horticultural Society, we find much interesting information, supplied by the worthy baronet, touching the fate of divers trees and shrubs in his collection at Rolleston, during the very cold winter of 1837-8. Bilge I Sir o. —Staffordshire Gazette. PUBLIC EXPOSURE AND SALE OP PIKES, &C.—The ob ject contemplated by the infatuated chartists are no longer concealed. For some days back, and at the weeks' end more particularly, operatives have been observed in the manufac turing towns of Hyde, Staley Bridge, &c. to purch&se pikes and fire arms either from shops where such weapons are ex posed for sale, or from stalls in the public market place, where such instruments are openly sold at a cheap rate. At first we had some misgivings about the truth of a statement which developes a feeling and an action amongst the lower classes so repugnant to the peace and welfare of England; and even at variance with that law, by a narrow construction of which, the deluded chartists consider themselves justified —viz., in possessing warlike weapons, on the plea of their being necessary for the protection of the subject. Being un willing to believe in these aggressive forebodings, we caused a friend of ours to visit Hyde and Staley Bridge on Saturday evening ; and on reaching the former place, he perceived that a stall of hardware was laid out in the market-place, kept by' a cutler in a small way, named Edward Smith, and amongst the articles for sale were cutlasses, hand pikes and pike heads ; but with the precaution of having only three at a time exhibited. Some of the pikes are formed like a common halbert, others have a crescent at the bottom of the blade, pointing forward with a sharp edge, supposed to be designed for cutting the reins and girths of horses. They are of steel, with a hole in the shank for fastening it into the handle, and vary in price at 9d. ls. 3d. and 2s. 9d. Our informant pur chased one at the largest price. It is believed a great quan tity are manufactured and sold there ; and in Stayley Bridge such are exposed for sale in one or two shops without hesita tion. Surely if their be any truth in the proverb that " com ing events cast their shadows before them," there is matter for the serious consideration of government and other con servators of the public peace. It will be well if the conclave who, we have been informed, hold secret meetings in this borough, do not burst upon our local rulers, vigilant though they be, before they are aware o f it. Without saying any more on the subject at present, we shall wait to see what further steps attend the councils of an heterogenous commu nity who, uniting only to ignite, often become their own dupes in overreaching visionary and vicious objects.—Stock port Advertiser, BANK OF ENGLAND.—The half-yearly meeting of the board of directors and proprietors of the Bank of England, took place on Thursday, the governor, T. A. Curtis, Esq., in the chair. In accordance with the opinion of the court of direc tors, he moved that a dividend be declared of 34 per cent. in terest and profits for the current half-year. He stated that the amount of the rest would then be £2,799,000. The in crease was about £24,000. The profits of the bank had not amounted to what would enable them to declare their former dividend of eight per cent. per annum. If they had recom mended the former dividend of four per cent., it would have occasioned a diminution of £50,000 on the amount of the rest. After some other explanations, the motion was agreed to mem. con. TRIBUTE OF ESTEEM.—In consequence of ill health the respected Rector of Heswall, Cheshire, Dr. Penny, has been rendered unable to perform the onerous duties of his parish ; and with the most laudable feeling for the spiritual welfare of his parishioners, he has, on that account, resigned his bene fice. Dr. Penny has been rector of this parish thirty-two years ; and the parishioners, desirous of evincing their opinion of the rev. gentleman's merits, have presented him with a splendid silver salver, bearing the following inscription : " Presented to the Rev, Dr. Penny, Rector of Heswall, by his parishioners, as a memorial of their esteem and affection ate regard."—Chester Gazette. ASTOUNDING, IF TRUE !—We have heard of a project in contemplation so audacious that we can scarcely credit the report. It is said that Lord Plunkett being no longer able to hold the Irish seals, a bill is to be introduced, rendering Ro man Catholics eligible to the office of chancellor, in order that the seals may be conferred upon Mr. Daniel 0' Connell ! The enunciation of such a proposition is monstrous, but it is not to be disregarded on that account. We a r e a l mos t come to that state of paradoxical wickedness in government that one may say " credo quia impossibile"—the more incredibly atrocious any act, the more likely to be perpetrated by the present men. We pray of the country to attend to this mat ter c if men see any attempt to tamper w ith t h e f ew fee b le securities reserved in 1829, they will then know what to think.—Standard. PLEASANT EMPLOYMENT FOR DISSENTERS. — til l day last, the newly-elected assessors attended at the Trl% hall, and made the declaration, on their faith as Christi,.; that they would not use their offices to the injury Protestant church, and, most curious to observe, the de . ration was administered by two magistrates, one of Nc„t , was a Romanist and the other a Socinian.— Lancaster (IcPcisi HORRIBLE SUPERSTITION.—The Indicator, a semi-effi b:c h journal, published at Gotha, relates the following fact w _ .ot took place there, and would totally incredible, did it come from an eye-witness, and attended with strong ;18th, bation on the part of that journal :--" On February ot e d immediately after the decapitation of a criminal comic. tie to death for murder, several persons, subject to eallef„, fits, ascended the scaffold, with permission of the authoritfa4 and each, filling a glass with the blood of the victim, ei it on the spot. p rol t, SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT CHESTER.—Mr. Thomas -wd. corn-dealer, of Che s t er , w as mos t ser i ous l y i n j u red on " nesday morning, in hi s s t eam m ill. Th e wor k m en were em, ployed in hoisting flo ur i n t o an up p er room , when a hi ; slipped out of the chain, and fell upon Mr. T. F., cru' tb him severely ; he was at the time in close conversation 01 his brother.—Chester Gazette. Ag e CLERGY CHARlTY.—According to the report on th e o f of the institution for the re li e f o f th e w id ows an d orphans o f clergymen who have officiated within the archdeaeue l l Chester, it appears that the total amount of subscript; for the past year is £955 Os. 6d., and that the sum of , 13F2 has been distributed amongst thirty- se v en widows, and to twenty-five orphans. The society h as s till a balativ: 4 meet~ will 18s. in the Warrington bank. Th e ann ual ee'" will be held in Manchester, on the third Thursday in l w r it il Fans are become general : the mode of handling will in probability become a science, as it was in Addison's tin-ie.:et lady's feelings are often known by her manner of flirtingld, fan. Pocket-handkerchiefs are now embroidered with gel We saw one this week embroidered in the usual wayl ll4llc t cost £2O, and this price is often exceeded abroad. Ag such extravagance we have, however, nothing to say, for embroidery was a perfect picture.—Court Gazette. RAILWAY AND STAGE COACH TRAVEL L ING. —voll - able interest has been excited by the appearance of a °c o, ment just published by order of the House of Come, a return of the mileage and composition duties on 7 ) , way and stage carriages respectively, in the years ended Ai ; sth of January, 1837, 1838, and 1839. It appears from r bi , parliamentary paper, that 4,800;000 less persons travelled • stage coaches in 1838 than in 1836, and 14,400,000 more P er sons by railway in the same periods. LIVERPOOL AND MANCH ES TE R RAILWAY. -W e „ ra formed that a memorial having been presented to the 130 ,,,1 of directors of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway , t n , respectably signed by the inhabitants of Ne w ton, Ash l ',, e i and the neighbourhood, prayi ng f or a ll fi rs t- c l as s earc"7o to stop at Newton Bridge that the memorial has been O re , promptly attended to, and that John Whitley, Esq. he s 4l ceived a letter, conveying the intimation that Newton for the future be in all respects a first-class station on r line.— Wigan Gazette. The Countess of Albertsdorf, late Miss Graham, itl' a p few months ago, published a few months ago, publisheand interesting pamphlet on the myterions history of GasP , n g Hauser, is said, in a letter from Munich, to be prel o/ or , another for the press, which will expose some highll 4 9 o o tant facts, and give a clue to the discovery of the perpctra of his atrocious murder. INCREASE OF THE NATIONAL DEBT.—At the revo-- in 1689 it was £664,263 ; at the accession of Queen Ati'T,t, 1702, £16,394,702 ; at the accession of George the ri r 'd, 1714, £54,145,363 ; at the accession of George the See e . l3 o 1727, £52,092,238 ; at the commencement of the Arnet l e t e war, 1775, £128,583,635 ; at the commencement 0 1 • French war, 1792, £239,350,148; on the sth of JanuarY,7l' when the English and Irish Exchequers were consolidar £_848,282,477; in the:first of Victoria, 1838, £764,704,051` In the critical notice of a Boston (United States) rrvi the following improvement was suggested :—" The vol, M, contains six articles, and would have been improved, we if some half dozen of them bad been struck out." LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.—A corresil l t b ' dent in the Times says—" Some misconception prevails td, the public with respect to the amount of dividend deelt,, which is stated to be £3 lbs. per £lOO share for half a Y 7 41 and, therefore, at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum ; whe r `,, the dividend declared is for nearly eighteen more from the opening in July, 1837, to the 31st of Decemb e r 1838, so that the per centage is only £2 6s. Bd. per cent. P f e of annum. Besides, nothing has been carried to the charge bo maintenance and repairs of the line during the first is al{, months, within their stations respectively. Again, this 11 4 year will be chargeable, which the former has not been, half a year's i n t eres t on b orrowe d cap i ta l , w hi ch will arae";, to about £55,000, w hi c h i s a f orm id a bl e i tem ; w hil e item s pears, from the returns published in the Railway Times,r,d the number of passengers has diminished 147 per day the line has been wholly opened." ich o LORD STANLEY.—TITHES.—CASHEL March 5. -- he good and kind landlord, in additi on t o th e many benefits bm -, has conferred upon his nume rous an d h appy tenantry hill. county, has directed his resp ec t e d l an d agent , Thomas "'"0 ton, Esq., not to require payment of tithe rent-charge ft ° , them, and they have got receipts for their rents would without eluding that obnoxious impost. H a ppy lreland ge had the landlords taken Lord Stanley as their model. has built a residence on his estates, where he occasionally f : sides, and visits the farms of even hi s mos t remo t e tenan t '' by which means he is an eye-witness of their condition, No'', happiness, and the proper management of hi s princely estate!: one.would think has engrossed most of hi s a tt en tion. I t : not alone as a landlord that Lord Sta n ley h as s h ow n his nevolence, but he has even contributed £25 towprds coral: l . l % l r , ing the fine chapel of Cashel, which h as b een p a id to l a d Heney, the treasurer, by his lordship's agent.—Tipp o ' Free Press. IMPORTANT INVENTION.—SeveraI successful and s atisfy, tory experiments have lately been made of an ingenious ' 0 vention, having for its object the prevention o f acc id en ts fr° s , horses taking fright, starting or run n i ng away . The t a chinery, with but trifling expense, ca n b e app li e d to carriagli cabs, or any other description of vehicles. Its mode l $ operation is as follows :—On the nave of the wheel is fi:t e ,,,el small gun metal wheel ; i n front of the axle runs a spindle, with a small cog attached ; over the spindle ' s e a, cylinder, and to which th e p u ll ey or check string is affi l The moment it is put into ac ti on , th e sp i n dl e a d vance s, e d the cog revolves gradually roun d th e gun - meta l w h ee l, Wil l th e is fixed on the nave, carrying with it reins leading fron l be el horse's head, of catgut, or c o vere d p a t en t cor d. A s the w' is revolves, the cylinder, which is about an inch in diameter $ gathering up the reins, until the horses are brought ,10 stand-still ; when, by letting loose the check,.string, the horses immediately have their heads free. The securitl $ this invention may be imagined, when it is stated, tha t 'd child inside the carriage can with e ase s t o p th e most t and powerful cattle, supposing the reins to be broken, o f coachman's command over a vi c io us or unru ly t ea m O u , come. The above has been invented several years, by Li e, O Cooke, R.N., who has a patent, and it is surprising it not come into general use, particularly for gigs. r t ots EMBARKATION OF TWO ELEPHANTS AT BOMBAY.. - 41 Jis a Correspondent.]-3y the overland accounts from n ti o received in town on Tuesday last, we pe rce i ve th a t the i t elephants, which the.government of India i n t en d to p . res t e l he to the Pacha of Egypt, were embarked at Bombay, in , Colombo, on the 22nd of December last. At ten o'cloellere the morning these noble animals, male and female, ' c l , Li d walked out of the commissariat compound, where they ':,je been for some time kept, to the jetty opposite, a10ng 5 ,,, of which the Colombo had been hauled up to receive the 4,, The male elephant is of an extraordinary size, consider` above above ten feet, with very long tusks, good tempered and el w o , ning withal, for he could not be induced, by any persuasin t e to trust his foot on the jetty. The femal e i s no t m uch an i le nine feet in height, very good tempered, an d more trantter than her partner, for she made no hesit a ti on t o wa lk wf ee t ever she was commanded. Every preparation had tithe made on board the vessel to hoist the animals in from ou pier, the hatches had been widened and tackled alre 3 t ot when the obstinacy of the male elephant obliged CaP,, t ie Graham to adopt some other method of s hip p i ng hi s giga e , freight ; he determined, therefore, to sw i m t h em a10n55,1 o ff and then lift them ; for this purpose th e vesse l was h a ule' t he clear of the jetty, and the male was then marched i n to i.sc; water, with the slings on, rea d y f or an immediate Poi considerable time was occupied in getting him alongside' s c• fastening the tackle to the slings, which being at 1010 complished, he was hoisted away, and, with not half the Id ) , ble that was expected fro m hi s i mmense s i ze an d strelLici, fairly and snugly lodged in his berth, down in the main "" r e , wherelstalls had been fixed for them, similar to those P 515 pared for horses, only stronger and more secure. The f e ' to had all the while b een l oo ki ng on, and seemed not at allb, relish the treatment her partner received, for she becam e t er , streperous, and ref us i ng f or some ti me to go i nto the ° l ip id she was, however, compelled to do so, and soon was in the, air, flinging and kicking about with all her might.-- -1 ' neum. °lll r SINGULAR VERIFICATION OF A DREAM.—A letter f ,e Hamburgh con t a i ns th e following curious story relatiVs the verification of a dream. It appears that a locksin, de apprentice one morning lately informed hi s mas ter (C4 e et Soller) that on the previous night he dreamt that he had /301 0 assassinated on the road to Bergerdorff, a little town at 3 0 .1 1 6 1 two hours' distance from Hamburgh. • The master 13 , u1 ',40 at the young man's credulity, and, to prove that he 11 .'''' 01 ' had little faith in dreams, insisted upon sending him 'lid ) diately to Bergerdorff with 140 rix-dollars, (22 85.,) he owed to his brother-in-law, who resided in the town• e apprentice, after in vain implori ng hi s mas t er t o chaV o eV.' intention, was compelled to se t ou t a t a b ou t e l eve n 0 ci y• On arriving at the village of Billwaerder, about half waY,,ati tween Hamburgh and Bergerdo r ff, h e reco ll ec t e d his dr i Ve with terror, but perceiving the baili e o f th e v ill age at a distance, talking to some of his workmen, he accosted m o o and acquainted him with his si ngu l ar d ream , a t the same f requesting that, as he had money about hi s p erson , one ° c hoti workmen might be allowed to accompa n y hi m for.Prnte across a small wood which lay in his way. The bailie sn i f it# and, in obedience to his orders, one of his men set Ont iat ier the young apprentice. The next d a y th e cor p se o f the was conveyed by some peasants to the bailie, a long reaping-hook, which had been found by his side, and The which the throat of the murdered youth had been cut., hbe bailie immediately recognised the in s t rumen t as on e wi11 e ,. 1 , e 4 had on the previous day given to th e wor k man w h o had se' o oe as the apprentice's guide, for th e p urpose o f pruning eon' willows. The workman was apprehended, and, on being S ion fronted with the body of his victim, made a full conie s of • his crime, adding the rec it a l o f th e d ream ha 4 o .l l° prompted him to commit the horrible act. The assass'''' s to' is thirty-five years of age, is a native of Billwaerder' ho eoe previously to the perpetration of the mur de r h a d awn) * an irreproachable character. • UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE.—FORM OF A PETIT JO ro p "To the honorable the Lords Spiritual and Tempora l b led the Commons, as the case may be] in parliament assel; ct e d oP, -The humble petition of th e un d ers i gne d [t o be t with the name of place, co r p ora ti on , &c.,] shewett, por your petitioners earnestly de s i re an un if orm p en ny ‘ able in advance, as proposed by Rowland Hill, and re se o mended by the repo r t o f th e se l ec t comm it tee o f the 1 -1 1 fit tile Commons. That your petiti oners en t rea t you r hoO t i t ioo: house to give instant eff ec t t o thi s repor t. A n d your Pe t() hear t ers will ever pray."—Moth ers an d f a th ers t h a t wi,h from their absent children! Friends who are Par ted forg e t wish to write to each other ! Emigrants that do not he bes e their native homes ! F armers th a t w i s h t o know th e markets ! Merchants and tradesmen that wish to te a orders and money quickly an d c h ea ply ! :M e chanics ,a' vo gr, bourers that wish to learn w h ere goo d wor k and higfoa: are to be had ! support the report of the house of C" e 7y c ity with your petition for an u n if orm p enn y p os t. Let eY so" and town and village, every corporation, every religiou s h' ciety and congregation, petition, a n d l e t every one in, t tis is dom sign a petition with his name or hi s mark. question of party politics. Lord Ashburton, a c onse, the . and one of the richest nobl emen i n th e c o u ntry, sP °l ' e i t ter' impressive words before the House of Commons emir' t , "Postage is one of the worst of our taxes; it is, in fact' e 0 at ; in g the conversation of people who live at a distance from_, other. The communication of letters by persons li o v ‘ n' o ot,l; distance is the same as a communication by , word e l" ac e,, between persons living in the same town. ; if says Mr. Brewin, "is the:third of a poor man's in c° a d to pay f gentleman, who had £l,OOO a-year, or X 3 a-daY, one-third of his daily income, a sovereign, for a liettetrieoll°oo, often would he write letters of friendship ?' Let a gel l , t,i , put that to himself, and then he will be able to e se l e tter• o poor man cannot be able to pay sixpence for his _ he tO, Reader !if you can get any signatures to a petition, n° the y t hen; copies of the above on two half sheets of paper ; e g.,telY; signed as numerously as possible ; fold each up s d i r e ct 0 0 4 put a slip of paper round, leaving the ends open ; direct üb, to a member of the House of Lords, the other to a PIT: roP the House of Commons, London, and put them into tuo office. G+, more the the eause Will 4 , A, the East( nish us „ a , ent to de l of not re the name TUE