The Sun. — London, England, 1847-02-22 00:00:00

rtirb lattion SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. AT a MEETING of the MEMBERS of the SE NATE of the UNIVERSITY of CAMBRIDGE, held this day, Neb. 22, at Two P.M., at the Union Hotel, Cockspur-street, the Most Noble the Marquis of YORTUAMPTON, in the Chair, It was moved by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of LONDON, and se ()waded by Viscount SYDNEY, That this meeting has heard with feelings of deep gratitude the terms on which lila Royal Highness Prince Albert has pleased to express the pride and pleasure he would have in filling the office of Chancellor of the University. It was moved by Lord EENEST Batcx, and seconded by Sir JOHN Cam 11011110IISE, Bart., That this meeting conpia most heartily in the desire which has been as strongly expressed by the resident members of the Senate fbr the election of his Royal Highness Prince Albert. It was moved by Lord MorrzeoLz, and seconded by Lord NOIREYS, That t hi s me eting pledge themselves to use every effort to secure a result so honourable to the University as the election of his Royal Highness, and that the following Noblemen and Gentlemen be re quested lb act as a Committee, with power to add to their numbers. The Marquis of NORTHAMPTON, Chairman. The 'Very Rev. the Dean of Ely H. W. Tanored, Esq., M.P. 11. T. Hope, IN. R. T. Kindersley, Esq., Q.C. G. Turner, Esq., Q C. T. Purvis, Esq., Q.C. R. P. Roupeil, Esq., Q.C. J. Wigram, Esq., Q.C. J. Romilly, Esq., Q.C. R. C. Hildyard, Esq., Q.C. I W. P. Ward, Esq., Q.C. J. Hildyard, Esq., Commissary of the University !F. Chambers, Esq., M.D. (Sergeant Thompson J. E. Blunt, Esq, Rev. Professor Mall E. Fitzherbert, Esq. ,Rev. W. Harness Rev. J. Brogden Dr. Paget Rev. James Cartmell Rev. W. G. Humphery. The Marquis of Lansdowne The Marquis of Douro Earl Grey Lord Jermyn Lord ernest Bruce Viscount Sydney The Lord Bishop of London The Lord Bishop of Norwich The Lord Bishop of St. David's The Lord Bishop of Lichfield The Lord Bishop of Ely Lord Norreys Lord Melgand Right Hon, Sir J. Hobhouse, Bart.' Right Hon. T. B. Macaulay Right Hon. SW E. Ryan Right Hon. Sir H. Jenner Fnst, Bart. "i Right Hen. E. Strutt Hos. Charles Howard The Hon. and Very Rev. the Mean, of Windsor The Very Rev. the Dean of Can- 1 terhary TATTERSALL'S-THIS EVENING. LIVERPOOL STEEPLE CHASE. 8 to 1 agst Brunette—taken freely 12 to 1 agst Red Lance METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. 20 to 1 agst Sheraton 2,000 GUINEAS STAKES. 6 to 1 agst Conyngham CHESTER CUP. 22 to 1 agst Mendicant 25 to 1 agst The Lamb 25 to 1 agst Antler 25 to 1 agst Camera Obscura 33 to 1 agst Mickey Free 40 to 1 agst Flitch 50 to 1 agst Bedlam 1000 to l a agst Golden Bee DEI:I3T. 7 to 1 agst Van Tromp 10 to 1 agst Epirote 12 to 1 agst Planet 20 to 1 agst Glentilt 25 to 1 agst Conyngham 30 to 1 agst Horn of Chase 35 to 1 apt Wanota 50 to 1 agst Will-o'-the-Wisp OAKS. 16 to 1 apt Nerlssa Six O'CLOCK. HOUSE OF LORDS.-(THIS DAY.) COLE V. SEWELL. The arguments in this part-heard appeal were then re sumed. The case came before their Lordships upon an appeal from the decision of the late Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Sir Edward Sugden, dismissing the appellant's bill. The following may be stated to be the short facts of the case :—By a deed dated in 1752, Peter Daly, then seised in fee of a large estate in Ireland, called the Quandary or Daly estate, vested the same in trustees to the use of him self for life, remainder to the use of his three daughters. Ho noria, wife of Viscount Kingsland, Margaret, wife of Lord Athenry, who was also Earl of Louth, and Anastatia, wife of the Earl of Kerry, in equal shares, as tenants in common, during their respective lives, with re mainders respectively to the use of their first and other sons, severally and successively, in tail male, with cross remainders between them, the daughters (as the respondent contended) with remainder to their respective daughters, share and share alike, as tenants in common in tail general, and, in case of the death of any of the said daughters of the settler, without issue of her or their bodies, then as to such daughter's share or shares, to the use of the daughters of the survivors or survivor, and the heirs of their bodies or body, and in case of the death of all three without issue, their over with ultimate remainder, t o th e r i g h t h e i rs o f t h e se ttl er . He died without disposing of the fee. Lady Kingsland and the Countess of Kerry died without issue. Lady Athenry, Countess of Louth, had four daughters only, the eldest of whose died unmarried . The secon d, married to the Earl of Louth, left four daughters, no eon. The third, Elizabeth, married to Thomas Beiley Heath S ewe ll , h ad by him two children, the respondent, and the mother of the appellant. The said Lady Elizabeth and her husband, M r. B e i ley, executed a postnuptial settlement in 1779, providing for their said son and daughter out of the estate (among others) comprised in the deed of 1752. The various complicated questions in the appeal arose upon the construction of th ese two deeds, namely, as to the validity or invalidity of the limi tations in the deed of 1752, and whether they were not void for remoteness—whether the estates comprised in that deed were all comprised in the deed of 1779, or brought within its operation by a subsequent deed. The respondent's title to the estate depended on the validity of the limitations and on the deeds. The appellant claimed against those deeds, contending that the limitations were void, and he made title under the will of his grandmother, the said Lady Elizabeth. The Lord Chancellor of Ireland held the disputed limitations to be valid, in which case the Lady Elizabeth had no estate to devise, and his Lordship dismissed the appellant's bill. The arguments had not concluded at four o'clock, at which hour the further consideration of the case was adjourned. LLYNVI VALLEY RAILWAY. (THIS DAY.) The usual half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of this company was held to-day, at their offices, 35, Broad-street buildings, City; Dr. Bowring,lll.P., in the chair. The CHAU:3IAS said that the object of calling the meeting was merely to obtain the sanction of the shareholders to the several resolutions that were agreed to at the meeting of the 10th of last December, in compliance with the terms of tlfe Act of Parliament. The SECRETARY then read the audited account, which stated that the deposits received amounted to 16,727/. 4s. 6d.„ the expenditure to 8,3831. 9s. Bd., and the balance in hand to 8,343/. 14s. 10d. This account was then adopted. The former directors were re-elected, and Mr. Cumming was elected auditor in the place of Mr. King, who had re signed. A resolution, confirming the resolutions of the meet ing of December last, was then agreed to unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said that there was no further business to be transacted. He was happy to inform them that some amicable arrangements had been effected with the Dufferyn and Llinvi Companies with whom they had been in treaty. The meeting then separated. PETITIONS ON PRIVATE BILLS. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THIS DAY). (Room 22, before Mr. Examiner Small.) UNOPPOSED LIST. In the following unopposed cases the customary formal proofs were completed : Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's Railway, No. 3 (Ex tension from Bury St. Edmond's to Thetford). Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway (Warwick and Stratford Line). Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway Amendment (Deviation of the line). Limerick - Docks and Harbour Improvement. Belfast Port and Harbour Acts Amendment, Further Im provement, and New Works and Amendment of Belfast and Cave-hill Railway and Belfast Acts Improvement. Wakefield Gaslight Act Amendment (Extension of works). Eastern Counties Railway (Maldon,Witham, and Braintree Railway purchase.) OPPOSED LIST. Eastern Counties Railway (Enlargement of London and Stratford Stations and Amendment Acts.) Eastern Counties Railway (Branch from Stratford to the Victoria Park). In those two opposed cases the opposition was not success ful. and the customary formal proofs were completed. (Room 23, before Mr. Examiner MAY.) UNOPPOSED LIST. In the following . unopposed cases the customary formal proofs were completed Midland Railway (Extension of the Nottingham and Lin coln Branch Railway at Lincoln, with Connexion Branch to the Lineoln Station). Bingley Improvement. Surrey and Kent Commission of Sewers' Act Amendment. Bognor Docks. Great Western of Bengal Railway Company, for the making and maintaining a Railway from Calcutta to Raja mahal, in the province of Bengal, with such Extensions and Branches as may be determined (Incorporation). Sovereign Life Assurance Company. Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley Railway Act (Stourbridge and West Bromwich line). OPPOSED LIST. MANCHESTER AND SOUTHAMPTON RAILWAY. This important case was opposed by several parties. It occupied the rest of the day, but the allegations sustained were not of a fatal or important character. It was adjourned till to-morrow. IMPERIAL PA RLIAMENT. (THIS EVENING.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack at Five o'clock. SUNDAY RAILWAY TRAINS. The Earl of ROSEBERY presented a petition from the inhabitants of Linlithgow, in favour of resuming the Sunday railway trains on the Glasgow and Edinburgh Railway. The ELECTORAL DIVISIONS. Marquis of CLANRICARDE presented a pe tition fro re , t presents at w° parishes near Drogheda, against the pra • fora e m of electoral divisions in Ireland, and Y la m to s re equitable arrangement. ERS OF BANKRUPTCY. Lord BliOuGT: wished to call the attention of their Lordships, andMescially of his Noble Friends the late and the present Lo rdLordships' to a return which had been laid on their table, in reference to the Commissioners of Bankruptcy in town and country, which was evidently incorruZTY' : 1 ' 1 1 9. 11 002e of its details. According. to one ealcul a a n ti d on blYnanojerreturn, there were 344 days in the year, days. In one part it IV a 3 sai n d , there were 354 Bristol Commission, that the c on l e rrning the 188 days in bankruptcy, 135 d ays in si i o n ners sat and 31 days in small debts. There was no dousalvaruY' what this must mean ; it was clear it was meant that the Commissioners sat 188 days in all, the 135 days and the 35 days being parts of that period. Again, it was said in reference to one of the Commissioners of Bristol, that he sat, dining the year, 238 dap, while his colleague only sat 174 days ; the first number, clearly ought to have been 158 days. His Lordship said there were here six functionaries capable of a great deal more work in point of time, or what came to the same thing, that that number might be diminished. They were employed at present altogether not more than six weeks in the year, and some fews days more in small debts, but altogether the time was something about a quarter, at least not a third, of a year. It would naturally be said that he (Lord Brougham) ought to take blame to himself. But, as his Noble Friend opposite well knew, he (Lord Brougham) was the only person out of eleven that examined the old system, and introduced the present alterations, and out of eleven persons he was the only one that did not think six Commissioners were enough. He recollected he had a struggle to keep the number so low as it was ; Sir Thomas Wilde, now Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Sir Frederick Pollock, now Chief Baron of the Exchequer, both opposed him, the one being for twelve and the other for fourteen Commissioners. He (Lord Brougham) was obliged to come to a compromise that the number should be seven ; but by a clerical error it was made six, which error ho (Lord Brougham) took advantage of, and would not allow it to be amended. He gave their Lordships notice that he would introduce a Bill making some necessary alterations in these matters. He moved that the present return should be amended. The motion was agreed to. DISTILLATION FROM CORN. Lord RODEN presented a petition from the mayor and corporation of Drogheda against distillation from corn for the next two years. RUM DUTIES. Lord RODEN presented a petition from the same body against the proposed introduction of the rum duties. The petition set forth that it would be injurious to the distillers of Ireland, who had invested largo sums of money in their distilleries, and that it would be ruinous to the labcurers employed in these distilleries as well as to other classes. POOR-LAW SETTLEMENT. Earl FORTESCUE presented a petition from the guardians of the Honiton union, in Nottinghamshire, praying for the abolition of the present law of settle ment. The Noble Earl said that he agreed to much of what had been stated in the petition. He was disposed to agree in what was stated as to the Act of last session, which, so far from being productive of advantage, had been a source of great hardship. He could not, how ever, go the length of admitting that the present law should be altogether dispensed with. Lord MELBOURNE presented a similar petition from the Guardians of the Basford Unien, in Lincoln shire. THE StTN, LONDON, MON DAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 22, 1847 SCOTCH BANKS BILL. The Earl of CLARENDON said he would wish the Noble Lord (Eglintoun) would postpone his motion with respect to the Scotch Banks Bill. The Earl of EGLIN TON said that at the request of the Noble Lord he would postpone his motion. BREWING FRbaSUGAR BILL. On the motion of the Earl of CLARENDON, this Bill was read a third time. POOR RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion for the third reading Of this Bill, Lord ELLENBOROUGH said that there was a pro vision in the Act that no warrants should be issued to levy a rate after the Ist of October next, but that on the last day of September warrants might be issued to levy a rate. He thought that this was likely to occasion con fusion, for under the new Act there would be two bodies collecting for a different purpose. He thought if there was a clause introduced to prevent this it would be of considerable advantage. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said. hat the last few words of the Noble Earl had given a precise intimation of this Bill, the object of which was, to give relief to the destitute poor during the period that shall elapse between the present and the coming of the next harvest. That was the particular object of the Bill. He apprehended that in the event of the harvest not being gathered, or the funds necessary for the relief of the poor now being collected under this Bill, that the Lord Lieutenant might issue his warrant for the Finance Committee to pay over to the Relief Committee the sums that might be necessary for the relief of the destitute poor; but, certainly, it was not intended to extend the actua operation of this Act beyond the first of October. Lord STANLEY said that the observations of his Noble Friend were well worthy of the attention of her Majesty's Government, and he did not think that the remarks of the Noble Marquis had fully met their point. It appeared that the Bill was to provide for the destitute poor, and that the Relief Committee was to pay over to the Finance Committee the sums collected after the Ist October. It did not appear that there was to be any restriction on the Relief Committee whatever for the relief committee might make a list of the destitute per sons entitled to relief under the Act, and that this list might then be transferred to the Lord-Lieutenant, who would have the power, after the first of October, on their report, to issue his warrant for the finance com mittee to pay over to the relief committee whatever they might deem to be necessary for the relief of the destitute poor in that district. But there was no limit in the terms of the Act, and the relief committee might therefore make out a list for twelve months. Now it would be better evidently to restrict this power, and not by an alteration of the 21st clause, but by an alteration of the spirit of the Act limit this power to issue the warrant, say for three months, that on the 29th of September the Lord Lieutenant might issue hi s warran t t o th e fi nance committee to pay over sufficient for the sustenance of the destitute poor during three months, October, November, and December. That would be sufficient. Lord CAMPBELL—The Noble Lord should recol.. lect that the very object of this Bill was to meet an ex traordinary case, and that, in order to do that it was con ceived adviseable to give as large a discretion as possible in the hands of the Lord-Lieutenant. Lord BROUGHAM.--No doubt, the spirit of the Act ought to be upheld, but they had no right to legislate in the dark when they were levying money to be expended thus without limit. Ho thought it would be much better to restrict the power of the warrant to three months, in stead of extending it to twelve. Lord ELLENBOROVGH then read over the 21st clause, as he wished it to be amended, so as to embody his suggestion. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had no objection to put off the third reading till to-morrow, to consider whe ther it would be better to insert an additional clause, or to adopt the 21st clause, as amended by the Noble Earl. The Earl of WICKLOW had not at first intended to make any observations on the vote till next day, when it would be read a third time, but this, perhaps, would be the most suitable time for him, and he trusted their Lordships would allow him to say a few words on the Bill itself, as he had not been in the House in its earlier stages. He admitted the Bill was called - for by the exigency which it was intended to meet, but there was one clause to which he wished to call their attention, namely, the twelfth clause, which regulates the rating, and which gave the relief commissioners the most extensive power in selecting whether the rating should be in elec toral divisions or in the unions. He objected to this enormous power, and he did not understand why the choice should be given to them. It was not, how ever, on the present measure he objected to it, so much as the account of the precedent which it was to establish. He was the more confirmed in his view of the danger of this from having understood that, in the permanent Poor-law Bill, which was to be brought forward, the rating in the union at large, instead of the present electoral division was proposed to be adopted. It this be the case a greater evil could not be inflicted on the coun try. In the first place it was at variance with the prin. ciples of the law as at present carried out in both countries. He knew there were reasons, and those strong reasons, which might be assigned for a general mode of relief, for otherwise there could he no question about it at all. But he was strongly convinced that the prin ciple of this Bill, if carried into effect, would throw one-half more recipients upon the rates than there would otherwise be. In every district in which provision was made for the poor by the landed proprietors, the rate became au encouragement to give the applicant work as well as relief, because it benefitted the district ; but in case all the poor were thrown on the union rates, why, every district would be contending with the rest, which district could send in the most ap plicants. He admitted there were difficulties attended the division of the towns from the pa rishes, because many would be driven into the towns, and the effect would be to bring a great hardship on the inhabitants. But it had been suggested that th a t di ulcu lty cou ld b e m e t by an electoral mode of adjustment. Suppose town of a sufficient numb er of inhabitants s h 0 uld a that be formed into a division, and that it should be decided that when the rate in that town exceeded a certain per centage the necessary help might be sought from the union district. But he angered that much evil would follow from the adoption of a system of general out-door relief; and he felt great difficulty in putting a proper interpretation on the words of the Bill, when they provided for the relief of the " aged and impotent poor ;" for in case of age, one man at 70 might be stronger than another at 50; but if a term were fixed injustice would thus be done, and much more if the word impotent were added, for many a young man was impotent, and utterly unable to help himself. He (Earl of Wicklow) would suggest that no one in possession of land should be entitled to poor relief. The exact time might be afterwards drawn when they came to arrange the details. If the Bill came up again with the alterations which he had suggested, he for one would not op pose it. Earl FITZWILLIAM concurred with the Noble Earl in the necessity which existed in Ireland for a poor law, and also in saying that great care ought to be taken in framing it. But what he was anxious about was, that there might be a properly-adjusted system of elec toral divisions and communities. (LEFT SPEAKING HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. RAILWAY BILLS. The following Railway Bilis were read a second time, and ordered to be committed : Airdrie and Bathgate Junction Railway Amendment and Deviation. Ayrshire and Galloway Railway (Smithstown to Dal mellington). Caledonian Railway (Branches to Canobie. &c.) Caledonian Railway (Lease of Part of Glasgow, Dum• fries, and Carlisle Railway). Caledonian Railway (Branch across Clyde and Glasgow Station). G Lynn N or th ern Railway (Branch to King's Lynn). L 3, g a n t i and o a nn)d E . Ely I Railw a y (L ynn an d W ormegay Navi y Railway (Deviation and Lynn Docks). Portadown and Dungannon Railway. Wishaw and Coltness Railw a y (Branche s to h Auchi heath Mineral Fi e ld and Canderside). El- Several private Bills were brought in, and read a first time. AMBERSGATE, NOTTINGHAM, AND BOSTON, AND EASTERN JUNCTION RAILWAY (AL TERATION OF LINE AND BRANCHES TO NOTTINGHAM.) On the motion that this Bill be read a second time, Lord MOTHAM opposed the motion, on the ground that a breach of faith had been committed by the pro moters, in notcarrying out an engag ement which they had entered into with Lord Manvers. In consequence of the opposition of the Noble Lord when the line was first projected, the promoters entered into an agreement to carry the line on a different side of the Trent from what they intended ; and now, after the lapse of six months, notwithstanding that solemn engage ment, they came forward with a Bill to carry out the plan they originally projected. The Hon. Gentleman, the Member for Sunderland, (Mr. Hudson), the Chairman of the Midland Company, had informed him that that company had not sought any onerous terms from the Ambergate Company. The Midland Company might, no doubt, have the use of that line on the usual terms. No doubt the Ambergate line held back, in order that they might get better terms from the Northern Company. He, there fore, considered it his duty to move an amendment, that the Bill be read that day six months. The question having been put, Mr. PLUMPTRE opposed the motion, and considered that the Committee was the proper tribunal to investi gate the matter. Sir JAMES DUKE said that he hoped that the Noble Lord would consent to the Bill going into Com mittee, and then if he could show the least objection to it, he would do all in his power to throw it out. The Bill contained three objects, and there was only one of those complained of, and it would be too bad to reject tho Bill altogether. The gallery was then cleared. On our return we un derstood that no division had taken place, but that the House were occupied in a discussion on the merits of the Blil. After a few words from Mr. REDHEAD YORKE and Sir JANES DUKE, the further consideration of the Bill was postponed till this day week. WESTMINSTER-BRIDGE. Sir DE LACY EVANS rose to put the question, of which he had given notice. He wished to ask the First Commissioner of Woods and Forests what decision the Gore; *meat has come to respecting the completion of the repairs of Westminster-bridge, which have been lately in progress, the widening of the roadway, &c. ; or as to the re-construction of the bridge on or immediately near its present site, as recommended by the Select Committee of last session, it being proper that the various interests concerned should be relieved from the injury of another year's suspense. Lord MORPETH said, that with respect to the re construction of the bridge at or near to its present site, the Government had had several communications with the Commissioners of Metropolitan Improvements, but they were not (considering the demands to be made on the Exchequer, and the fact that the bridge was now available for public traffic) prepared to submit any pro position to Parliament in the present session. ROYAL NAVAL ACADEMY. In answer to a question from an HON. MEMBER, Mr. F. MAULE replied that, towards the close of the last session, an inspector-general was appointed, for the purpose of reporting any information upon the subject of remodelling the school of the Royal Naval Academy. He had since received a report on the subject, but parts of it related to matters which had not been officially referred to the inspector. He should have no objection, however, to lay such parts before the House as imme diately related to the matter in question. FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Mr. MONCKTON MILNES wished to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs, whether he had sent to the President and Executive Council of Berne any notice respecting their replies to the menaced interference of the Austrian, Russian, and Prussian Governments, in the international affairs of the Confederation, which have been presented to Parliament by command of her Majesty. Lord PALMERSTON replied that her Majesty's Go vernment had not felt called upon to make any commu nication upon the subject. PORTUGUESE PRISONERS. Lord J. MANNERS wished to ask the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Govern ment were in possession of any authentic information respecting the destination of the officers who were taken prisoners by the Portuguese army at the capture of Torres Vedras. Lord PALMERSTON said, that in consequence of representations made to the Portuguese Government by the British, French, and Belgian, the Government had changed their intention of sending the prisoners to the coast of Africa. He believed that it was pro posed t• send them to Madeira, or some other island. He had not, however received_any official information upon the subject. CONSTITUTION OF PRUSSIA. Mr. P. HOWARD wished to know whether it was the intention of the Government to lay upon the table of the House copies of the new constitution of Prussia? Lord PALMERSTON said that it was not usual for the Government to lay before the House documents relating so entirely to the internal management of the affairs of other nations. If, however, the House wished to have those documents, he would not object to their pro duction. He would, however, advise the Hon. Member not to press for their production. The subject then dropped . PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND). Lord CLEMENTS wished, in the absence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to call the attention of the Honourable Gentleman the Secretary for Ire land to this circumstance. The House had been informed that Government abuses had taken place in con nexion with the public works in Ireland. Now, he wished to know, as he believed these abuses had been carried further, and had been committed by persons not exactly connected with these works, whether the Government had taken any steps in the matter, and whether the accounts of the different baronies would be audited ? Mr. LABOUCHERE said the convenience of the House would be greatly promoted if Hon. Gentlemen would give notice of their intention to put their questions.—(Hear, hear.) He had no doubt the accounts would be regularly audited. He would, however, con sult the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject. INTRODUCTION OF BRITISH MANUFAC- TURES INTO PRUSSIA. Mr. FINCH said, as they had been informed by a high authority that Prussia intended to offer facilities for the introduction of British menu factures into that country, he wished to ask the Vice- President of the Board of Trade, whether there was any immediate prospect of the free admission of British manufactures into the Prussian dominions, or into the states comprehended in the Zollverein? Mr. M. GIBSON stated, in reply, that he had not heard any one express a very sanguine hope that there was any prospect that British or the manufactures of any other country would be admitted free into the Zollverein.—(Hear, hear.) In fact, there had been an augmentation of duty.—(Hear, and laughter.) He was merely stating a fact.—(Hear.) With respect to the first part of the Hon. Gentleman's question, he begged to remind him that many other foreign countries had made material reductions in their tariffs, and ad mitted the manufactures of other countries at a lower duty.—(Hear.) EXPORTATION OF RUSSIAN CORN. In reply to a question from Mr. WAWN, Lord PALMERSTON said he had recently received information from St. Petersburgh which lcd him to be lieve that the Russian Government did intend to offer facilities for the exportation of corn into this country. (Hear.) Large quantities, he believed, had been ex ported. SEED FOR IRELAND. Mr. B. OSBORNE wi!hed to' know what arrange ments had been made for distributing seed to people in Ireland out of the 50,0001, voted by Parliament? Mr. LABOUCIIERE said the arrangements were still under the consideration of the Government. Seed, and not money, would be distributed. RAILWAY BILLS. Mr. STRUTT said tha►, in consequence of the wishes of several Members, and with a view to limit the discus sion in the House, he would postpone the second reading of the Railway Bills to Monday next. DISTRESS IN THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOT- LAND. On the motion of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, that the House do resolve itself into a Committee of Ways and Means, Mr. E. ELLICE begged to call the attention of the Government to a report of the sheriff-substitute of the county regarding the suffering and privation to which, t f he rom w t e h s e t extreme of Inverness-shire escareityof food, the i s now population on uytnnunwliellosisfrigdsoatoilmye re trespass on the attention o a c te c p ur sw n e c r e e i t n ake l n re , la t n h d e calamities l House ,t wh ich rem were would soon extend themselves to the Highlands. It was but fair to say that many of the Scotch proprietors had made great sacrifices in order to support the population on their estates. In fact, it would be invidious in him to allud e t o p art i cu l ar instances. Some had made greater, some smaller exertions, but still a large amount of the desti tute population had been supported by the landed proprietors without asking the House for assistance. At the same time there were many other proprietors who had not acted in the same way, and who had forgotten their duty and the manifestation of that sympathy which was due from them. It was regarding this class that he wished to draw the attention of her Majesty's Government to the facts which he held in his hand. He did not mean to say that the poor-law was efficient in every instance of distress, and on that he did not wish at pre sent to express an opinion, as the law had not as yet had a fair trail ; but he wished to press on the attention of the House the facts to which he was coming. Those facts were derived from a report of a gentleman of high character, holding an important o ffi c i a l s it ua ti on , and entitled to every consideration and credence. He was the sheriff•substitute of the county of Inverness, and the report was made at the instance of the Edin burgh Board of Belief, at whose request ho had mlde a journey into the distressed districts. In the districts which he traversed he found a great propor tion of the people in a state of starvation, and in a much worse condition than he expected. In the fi rst district he entered he found that out of 91 families 82 were utterly destitute, making 483 individuals. Of these 138 were under twelve years of age. The quantity of meal in the district was only suf fi cient to pro vide one pound weight a day for four days. The writer instanced cases where fever and disease, consequent upon famine, had already made considerable ravages. The next district he went to he found only thirty individuals in independent circum stances, and not requiring aid. The place contained 671 souls, and zimong,m, al! that number he found only ten chews of meal, which would only afford them sustenance for two days. One proprietor employed eighteen men there, but he had made no pro- vision to pay them, nor had he furnished them with any food. In the next instance given 650 people were in the same condition. Supplies had been sent by the Free Church Committee, but they had been ex hausted. In one place, containing 1,100 people, 950 of the number were in a state of destitution; and it was the unanimous opinion of a meeting called there, that in twenty-four hours many hundreds would be suffering the pangs of hunger and starvation. The writer said also, that nothing could be done by the people themselves, and the . proprietors did no t a pp ear t o be making any provision for them. The seed corn was being consumed, and in many instances had been wholly used. In a letter written by a lady in the Isle of Skye, it was stated that unless some means were taken to supply th e p eo pl e th e y must starve. He did not wish then to make any ques tion as to the necessity of assisting the proprietors, but the Government should take means to intro duce the poor-law as far as it could be made available. Some steps should be taken by her Majesty's Government to assist the people ; for, in some instances, the tenants and proprietors were selling their produce at a very low price, in order to relieve the people as much as possible. He felt that it was only necessary to call the attention of her Majesty's Government to'these circumstances, in order to induce them to do all that could be done for these poor people, and to save them from the misery o' want and starvation. Sir G. GREY said that he could assure his Hon. Friend that the attention of Government had been fully directed to this question. It was too true that the most extensive and severe dis tress existed in the west Highlands of Scotland in consequence of this visitation; it was tr ue th at t h e great majority of proprietors in that district had ma d e t h e g r e at e st sacrifices and exertions , in order to enable them to discharge the obligations resting on them to support the people in the present distress. There h a d b een ex ceptions to this noble feeling, but he believed that the exceptions were comparatively limited. The re port to which the Honourable Gentl e m an h a d adverted had been communicated by the sheriff substitute of Inverness. He undertook hi s m i ss i on throughout that district in which the di s t ress prin cipally prevailed, and his friend the Earl of Eglin ton had communicated some letters embodying the same facts as were contained in the report. Inquiry had been directed into all the circumstances connected with that distress, and the head of the Commissariat in Oban had been instructed to see that a supply was af forded to those places in danger of suffering from fa mine. A few days ago he had received a letter from Sir John M`Neill, chairman of the Board of Supervision in Scotland, and that gentleman had ordered that special inquiry should be made, with the view that the poor-law as it existed should he carried into effect. Captain Cowan had always received orders to supply food, with the view of relieving distress where it existed. Mr. BAILLIE said, that he could painfully cor roborate that the distress had greatly increased in the Western Highlands. He had seen a letter from M'Leod, of M'Leod, verifying the fact. Sir GEORGE GREY said there were two frigates constantly engaged in supplying the islands of Scotland with food. After a few words from Mr. GOULBURN, Mr. P. SCROPE said it was highly praisewor thy of those landlords who had taken care of their poor, and it was equally reprehensible of those landlords who did not support their poor. But what was still more reprehensible was, for Government to allow the poor to remain at the mercy of any landlord ; and there ought to be an efficient poor-law to obviate the evil.—(Elear, hear.) Major MACNAMARA said there was not a man in his part of the country who had not done his duty, and as for himself he was the largest contributor in the county of Clare.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. STUART said that he had received a letter from M'Leod, of M'Leod, detailing the distress of the persons on his estate, and concluding by stating that he had, up to the present period, supplied his tenants with oatmeal to the amount of 51. on an average, and that such was the fearful state of the distress, that it was quite impossible for him to bear up under it. The conversation then dropped. THE BUDGET. The House then resolved itself into a Committee of Ways and Means. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rose for the purpose of making the financial statement, and said —Mr. Greene: Although I have little doubt but that the importance of the subject upon which I am now about to address the Committee would ensure the attention of the Committee, yet I hope I shall not appeal to it in vain for its indulgence during the statement I am about to make. Though unwilling to shrink from the performance of that duty which persons holding my situation aro bound to perform, I am afraid that I am not very able properly to perform that task.—(Hear, hear.) I hope, at the same time, that my inability may be considered as my excuse if I make my statement as short as may be consistent with making my state ment as clear as possible, and confine my observa tions to that which is absolutely necessary, in order to place before the Committee the financial state and prospects of the country. Sir, I put this further claim to the indulgence of the House, that it is many years since a Chancellor of the Exchequer has had to make so heavy a demand on the Treasury, owing to the unfortunate state of the country, and I hope it will be several years before a similar calamity will render such demands necessary.—(Hear, hear.) The Committee, however, must be aware that the calamity which calls for this demand is one which no prudence, either on the part of her Majesty's Ministers, or of any Government, or of any Legislature, could possibly have pro vided against.—(Cries of " Hear, h ear .") I t has pleased Providence to inflict not only this country, but that ass i stanc e will be extended to them. —(H ear , hear.) Sir, a great part of western Europe, with great dearth, an d sympa and assistance that dearth has pressed peculiarly on that p ar t o f t h e United Kingdom least able to bear it. T housands of suffering and famishing peopl e c hi e fl y i n the west to of this House, appealfor know that sympath y if I were only to re fl e ct on the past, or even the pre sent' state of the finances of the country, I cer tainly should say that there never was a time in which the finances of the country were so well able to bear the demand which has been made upon them.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen have now had in their hands for some time the balance-sheet of the last quarter By it, it appears that the whole excess above the re payments, amounts to 916,0001., and that the entire balance is upwards of 9,000,0001. on the year.—(Hear.) This is the first time, I.believe I may say in the memory of those conversant with these matters, that a Chancel lor of the Exchequer has had to deal with so large a balance. If, in like manner, I refer to the produce of the great articles of consumption, it would show that the revenue derived from th em h as exceeded the most sanguine expectations even of th e Ri ght Honoura ble Gentleman opposite, who made his financial statement last year. If I refer to the Customs, I find that t he p roduce of every article for the nine months, from April to Decem ber inclusive, with one single exception, o f t h ose duties which were reduced, is considerably hi g h er than during the corresponding nine months of th e preceding if year. In like manner, I turn to the Excise revenue, I find that in the last year, w ith the single exception of soap, which, I b e li eve has, owing to some accidental circumstances at the beginning of the year, on every material article the duty has increased—even including that branch of it on which the Honourable and Gallant Member for Lincoln seemed to have some misgivings—namely, post-horses. By the return of the quarter up to the 13th of February last, I find that there is an increase in the ordinary re venue, as compared with the corresponding period of the preceding year, o f nearly half a million. We have, therefore, great reason to be thankful that such a demand came at such a time when we were not unprepared to meet it.—(Hear, hear.) At the same time, I think, we should bold out fallacious hopes if I said we were entitled to look for a continuance of such a season of prosperity. Sir, I think that no person looking at the signs o f the times, can doubt that there are circumstances existing which indicate that we may be approaching one of those periods when a revulsion in the prosperity of the country will occur. Such periods of calamity occur in com mercial enterprises as well as in the progress of the country. Such was the case in 1825, and again in 1836, after years of unexampled prosperity. I do not anticipate anything like the revulsion which took place on former occasions. I see no symptoms, and I do not think it right to cause an y fear in the minds of persons by the expression of such a belief. I think the experience o f former times has not been lost upon our merchants and traders, and I hear from every quarter that the trade and commerce Of the country is in a sound and healthy condition. And I am inclined to attribute such a fact to the effects of the measures regulating the currency introduced by the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth. I be lieve, but for the operation of that Bill, when the world was not quite in a sober mood, we might have seen great distress, consequent upon the mania existing for specula. tion, and I believe that many of those who were most adverse to the provisions of that Bill, have latterly be come converts to the system it contains. I attach not only these effects to that Bill, but I believe sounder principles and sounder notions of currency were brought into operation, and persons were induced to pursue a more prudent course than on former occasions. People invested their money in the con struction of railways instead of purchasing Mississippi stock and Mexican bonds. Great communicati ons, affording employment to the peoplo and calculated to promote the co.umercial prosperity of the country, were constructed, and I am, there fore, convinced, that no !such results ?fill now -..,: ~' . occur, as upon former occasions, but, neverthe less, it would be imprudent if we did not cn deavour to be prepared. The present high state of pi ()vision must necessarily diminish the comforts of the people and their power of purchasing luxuries. Sir, the high priced food tells on the existence of many, but it must tell upon the com forts of all classes of society. lam speaking now of this country, and am not alluding to the state of Ireland. The result of this state of things is to diminish, among all classes, the consumption of articles of luxury. I have looked through the articles of Customs and Excise, and I find that, throughout the whole, the main articles on which duty has been paid, are articles of consumption for food. I find that for the bygone year, ending January last, there has been paid in these departments 34,553,0001. for articles of food. Of this amount the article of sugar has cost 5,530,0001. The articles of wine, spirits, tea, and coffee, 21,785,0001. ; beer, 4,333,0001., making a total of 31,653,0001. This was the amount raised on these articles ; while, on the whole, the sum of 34,653,0001. had been raised. Contemporaneously with the high price of provisions, there has been a high price in the raw material of one of the great staple manufactures—l mean the article of cotton The result has been to produce a considerable diminu tion of the articles produced in this department of our manufacturing industry. I hold in my hand a state • ment of the mills employed, standing idle, or partially employed on the 9th of January, and the 3d of February last respectively. On the 9th of January last there to mills in Manchester standing idle on the 3d of Feb ruary, 13; on the 9th of January, 52 were working short time; on the 3d of February, 58; on the 9th of January there were fully employed, 133 ; on the 3rd of February, 124 ; on the 9th of January, 25,849 persons were fully employed ; on the 3rd of February, 22,945 ; on the 9th of January, there were working short time 11,851; on the 3d of February, 13,816; and on the 9th of January there were unem ployed 1,619; and on the 3d of February, 2,619. Such was the condition of this branch of industry. But the pressure occasioned by dear provisions was not alone confined to this country; it prevailed in France, Belgium. Germany and Poland ; and the effect, as might be ex pected, was to create a demand for bullion for foreign purposes, and therefore to create difficulties in the way of commercial transactions, and to limit the enterprise of the country.—(Hear, hear.) I find, on referring to the state of the Bank in February last year and February this year, there are only 1,200,0001. less thir year than during the corresponding period last year. On the 13th of February, 1846, there was in the Bank 13,476,0001., and on the 13th February this year there are 22,299,000. Indeed, Sir, I am almost surprised at this, considering the amount of bullion sent from this country, that the deficiency is not greater, and it is in this respect satisfactory) for there has been an enormous importation of corn which has contributed to the prosperity of the manufactures of this country, and has made an enormous demand for manufactured goods, which havd been sent to America and elsewhere in payment for food.—(Hear.) I am happy also to find that there is not that demand for the exportation of food which there was, and I am; also happy to find that a great establishment in a neighbouring country—l mean the Bank of France—is in a better situation than it was some time ago, because it is utterly impossible that any great circumstance affecting the commercial prosperity of that country, could avoid being felt by and reacting upon ourselves. I think that the circumstances I have stated are enough to show that the present time is, at least a, time for caution. We cannot con tintinually prosper to the extent we do, and we must be prepared for less prosperous times, and no one ought to be too sanguine. I will now turn which is more particularly my duty, namely, to make the financial statement. Sir, the Right Hon. Gentleman who preceded me in the office I have the honour to fill, made his financial statement in the month of May last year. He then said that he anticipated a surplus on the ordinary revenue of 76,000, and from the extra ordinary source of China, a surplus of 700,0001., making altogether 776,0001: By subsequent legislation, slave grown sugar has been rendered admissable, to this country, and the result has been that in the nine, months from April to December there has been an increase of revenue on the article of sugar to the extent of 304,0002 The Right Honourable Gentleman anticipated a probable surplus, and by bis nett calculation made it to be 1,500,0001. . [LEFT SPEAKING.] THE BUDGET. At ten minutes to six o'clock, the House of Commons resolved itself into a Committee of Ways and Means. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then rose to make the financial statement for the year, and claimed the indulgence of the House while he made the statement which he would make as short as was consistent with clearness. It was many years since a CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had to report such heavy demands upon the Exchequer, but those demands were occasioned by the dearth of food, which was a visitation of Providence. Thousands of starving persons in Ire land appealed to this country for sympathy and assis tance, and that he could not refuse. Never, however had the finances of the country being so able to bear their demands. For the first time their had been no deficiency bills, and the produce of the revenue had been sufficient to defray the expenses of the State. In the Customs, the produce of every article for the last nine months, had, with the exception of articles on which duties had been reduced, exceeded the estimate. In the Excise, with the exception of soap, the same had taken state of things would continue, and after the unexampled prosperity of the last two years he found they were on the verge of a check. He, however, saw no symptoms of a revulsion, but he merely feared :a check, for he thought commercial matters were on a sound basis, and he considered that the measures for regulating the currency which had been passed two years since by Sir R. PEEL, had tended to prevent such a revulsion, by placing the currency on a sounder basis, and by induc ing investments in works at home into Mississippi stock or Pennsylvanean Bonds. He thought, therefore, that no revulsion would follow, but still that high price of food would tell in the diminution of comforts and the diminution of the consumption of articles of luxury. which were subject to Excise duties. The whole pro duce of Customs and Excise for the last year was 34,500,0701., of this 5,530,000/ was contributed by articles of food, 21,781,0001., of drink 21,781,0101. and by tobacco 4,336,000/. making 31,653,000/. out of 34,500,070. This must have diminished in consequence of the diminution of employ ment in the manufacturing districts. On the 9th January, there were making full time 25,845 persons ; short time, 11,851 ; and without work, in consequence of the stop page of mills, 1,690. On the 9th February, there were working full time 22,949 persons ; short time, 15,862 ; and out of work, 2,613. The drain of bullion in the Bank had not been so great as might have been ex pected. The amount of bullion was only 1,200,000/. less than it was this time twelve months. The late CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had calculated upon a surplus of 776,0001., the actual surplus whs 2,846,000/. including 304,000/. paid as duty on the import of foreign sugar. He now would state what the probable income of the year, from sth April, 1846, to sth April, 1847, would be. Last year the duties on corn produced 793,000/. He could not calculate upon such an amount, but still he calculated in security. There had been an increase on the importation of butter, cheese, and silk last year, consequent upon the reduction of duty, and he calculated that this increase would con tinue, and he assumed that the probable revenue from Customs during the next year would be 20,000,0001. During the present quarter the increase of Customs duties had been 204,0001. Up to January the amount of Excise duties had been 13,988,0001, and he reckoned for the ensuing year an increase of 13,700,000/. The increase on the Excise from the beginning of the quarter had been 106,000/, and in Ireland, extending to January, there had been an increase. He contemplated from Stamps a revenue of 7,500 ; 0001., from Taxes 4,270,000/. from Property -tax 5,390,000., from the Post offices 845,0001., from Crown Lands, 120,0001 from miscellaneous sources of revenue 427,0001. -'making a total of ordinary revenue of 52,065,0001. The ex penses of the inerest of the debt and the Consolidated Fund would be 30,735,0001.; for the army, 6,840,0741.; The Navy vote would be 7,561,0001. ; the Ordnance vote would be 2,679,127/, being an increase of 135,5681. over the vote of last year, a great portion of which was due, as in the case of the Navy, to a deferred vote of last year. The residue ;was owing to an increase of 1,200 men and to putting the ports in a state of defence. The miscellaneous votes, exclusive of votes for Ireland, would be 3,750,0001., being en increase of 397,000/. Th e in crease was owing to the expenses of the poor-law and the prosecution of prisoners, and another portion to the increase of printing and stationery for the Houses of Parliament. The whole of the estimates would amount to 20,851,0771., making the whole ordinary expenditure 5i,576,00U1. He had purposely omitted in his statement all; allusion to grants for the relief of distreso in (LEFT MAKING.) THE PROSPECTS of the POTATO CROP.—GOVERNIIIENT INQUIRY. At the beginning of last month the Poor. law Com missioners announced to the Assistant Coinmissioners and others, that Government was anxious to receive infor mation from leading gentlemen of practical experience, on the following point connected with the failure of the potato crop during the last and present year, viz., " whether any sorts of that root have not been more or less than others injuriously affected ?" It was also stated that the object of Government in directing an in quiry into this branch of the subject appears to be to collect such information as may serve as a guide to farmers who are making choice of sorts for planting ; and looking to the probability of future failures, it is a question of paramount importance, and to which atten tion does not hitherto appear to have been sufficiently directed. In accordance with the wish above expressed, Mr. Hawley, the Assistant Poor-Jim Commissioner, ad dressed a letter fram Durham to Mr. Milburn, of Thorp field, Thirsk, to which he received the following reply : " Thorpfield, Thirsk, Jan. 26, 1847. " beg to inclose replies to your queries in re ference to potatoes. I have paid a great deal of attention to the matter, and am quite convinced that no causes, such as I infer are thought of by the tone of queries, are so far in operation as to account for the disease. Both the old and the new kinds were equally affected, and those which escaped most in 1845 suffered most in 1846. " I am aware how very little value opinions are of in the platter ; but I think the following statements arc justified by facts : " Ist. That in 1845 the white varieties and late va ritlies suffered most by the disease. 2d. That it mani fested itself most about the 12th of October, and pro gressed after they were removed from the ground most severely. 3rd. Th9..t all kinds were most free from dis ease which were taken up early, say, before the Ist of October. 4th. That the disease was most in wet and clay districts, and bast felt in dry and sand districts, as at Thirsli and, Doncaster. sth. That very diseased. sets still had vitality, and would produce plants, in some cases less tainted by disease than the sets free from dis ease would do. " While, 6th, in 1846, the red varieties were the worst diseased. 7th. That the disease manifested itself in one night, say, about the 23rd of August, all the tops being blackened as if by frost, though the night was thick and oppressively hot ; but no progress was made by the disease after the plants were removed from the soil. Bth. That the early kinds were the worst, and those the earliest removed from the ground suffered the most. I think it probable that.this year they improved by laying in the soil. 9th. The districts most free from the disease in 1845 were the most affected in 1846, to wit, Thirsk and Doncaster, arid sand districts. " My opinion on the whole is, that it is owing to that mysterious law of nature, that bounds shall be set to the great increase of any species of animals or plants, and thus the balance of creation shall be duly kept. . . . " My impression is, also, that the disease will be less severe in this year than last, and by and by it will wear out as the "curl" in potatoes. and the dry rot have done before, but not before there is much misery and ku f • fering " I trust her Majesty's Government, in carrying out their present judicious and merciful measures for Ire land, will provide seed corn, especially rye, which will grow on the poor soils of that country, and be a tran sition from a delicate exotic vegetable to a hardy one, less accustomed to suffer by variable influences. Better to pay the Irish for growing and tilling their own soil and find them seed, than have a nation of paupers.-1 have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, " MATTHEW MAR MADURIE MILBURN. " To W. IL T. Hawley, Esq."— Leeds Mercury. PASSAGE OF . THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN. (From the Liverpool Mercury.) IMPORTANT TO SHIPMASTERS. The following letter well deserves the attention of those of the nautical world interested in voyages to the west of South America : " TO THE EDITORS OF THE 'LIVERPOOL MERCURY.' " Gentlemen,-1 shad feel obliged if you will give in sertion to the annexed remarks on the passage of the barque Cape Horn, of Glasgow, under my command, through the Straits of Magellan, ou her last passage from Valparaiso to this port. " On Monday, November 16, 1846, at eight P.M., we made the Evangelists, bearing N.N.E. five miles, wind west, and tolerably clear ; at midnight Cape Pillar bore S.S.W. three miles, and by keeping the starboard shore on board, strangers will find no difficulty in finding Long Reach. On Tuesday, 17th, at noon, we entered Crooked Reach ; at ten were off Port Famine, which is a safe anchorage ground, and where there is a Chilian settlement, at which refreshments can be easily pro cured. On Wednesday, 18th, at 430 P.M., came to anchor in Gregory's Bay, in fifteen fathoms; good hold ing ground. On Thursday, the 19th, at 330 A.M., got under weigh; at 7 30 A.M., entered the First Narrows, with a strong flood tide against us, which we found no difficulty in stemming. At two P.M. we were clear of the Straits. At six P.M. we rounded Dungeness ; and, after the experience of four voyages round Cape Horn, in September, 1843, August, 1844, August, 1845, and the present voyage, I must say that the wear and tear, owing to the bad weather we encountered, with heavy cross sea so prevalent between the west entrance to the Straits and Cape Horn, contrasted with the passage through the Straits from the west caast is, in my opi nion, not to be compared; and had I another passage to make at the same season of the year, or in the winter season, with moonlight, I would take the Straits for my passage. The risk of life and property, and the wear and tear in the one, are not to be compared with the other.—Yours, &c., " JOHN LONGMIHER, Master. " Liverpool, 36, Upper Pitt-street, Feb. 11, 1847." FOREIGN RAILWAYS. The Journal des Chemins de Fer furnishes some fur ther interesting information relative to the progress of the railway system on the continent of Europe. The details in the present instance are chiefly confined to the undertakings opened or in course of construction in Belgium and Holland. The progress of railway construction in Belgium is thus described :—ln the year 1835 the line from Brussels to Malines was opened, being 20 kilometres in length. In the year 1836 the line from Malines to Antwerp was opened, being 26 kilometres in length. In the following year, 1837, the three lines, Maliues to Louvain, 20 kilometres; Termonde to Wetterin, 10 kilo metres; and Louvain to Tirlemont, 25 kilometres, were opened. In 1838 the Tirlemont to Ans, 45 kilometres; the Wetterin to Gand, 23 kilometres; the Gand to Bruges, 30 kilometres; and the Bruges to Ostend, 36 kilometres, were opened. The lines from Gand to Courtray, 44 kilometres, and from Landen to St. Troud, 10 kilometres, were opened in 1839. In 1840 the Brus sels to Jubise line, 25 kilometres, was opened. In 1841 the Jubise to Jurbise, 25 kilometres, and the Turbise to Mons, 10 kilometres, were opened. The Ans to Liege, 3 kilometres ; the Mons (French frontier), 27 kilometres; and the Courtray (French frontier) lines, 27 kilometres, were opened in 1842. The lines opened in 1843 were, Liege to Chaudfontain;', 12 kilometres ; Chaudfontaine to Verviers, 16 kilometres; and Verviers to the frontier of Prussia, 12 kilometres. The line opened in 1844 was that from Mouscron to Tour nay, in length 19 kilometres. In 1845, the Braine-le Comte 'to Charleroy, 23 kilometres ; the Godardville to Gosselies, 21 kilometres, and the Charleroy to Namur, 37 kilometres, were the three lines opened. The lines opened in 1846 were the Antwerp to' St. Nicholas, IS kilometres ; aed the Bruges to Thourout, 32 kilometres ; thus making the total length of railway up to the end of that year, including the interior branch of the Antwerp, 3 kilo metres, and the Junction Line of the Brussels, also 3 kilometres, 609 kilometres. Among the lines specified, only those from Antwerp to St. Nicholas, and from Bruges to Thourout were constructed by private enter prise, the whole of the others being carried out at the expense of the State. It, therefore, appears that the Government works include 559 kilometres, of which 362 kilometres are double rails, and 197 kilometres single rails. According , o official accounts, the sum expended by the Belgian Government in these under takings amounted to 159,174,827 E, which is at the rate of 1,339,1301. 85c. for the league of 5 kilometres. The lines in course of construction, and for which special concessions have been granted to particular companies, include the Liege and Namur, length 70 kilometres, estimated to cost 18,000,0001. ; the Ate to Termonde, length about 50 kilometres, estimated expense about 12,000,000 f. ; Manage to Mons, length 25 kilometres, estimated expense .5,000.0001. ; Lou vain to Jemmappes, length 55 kilometres, estimated cost 20,000,0001; Jurbise to Tourney, length 48 kilo metres, estimate:l cost 8,000,0001. ; St. Trond to Has selt, length 15 kilometres, estimated cost 4,000,0001. ; the lines of the Sambre-et-Meuse, length 94 kilometres, estimated cost 10,000,0001. These concessions, granted in 1845, show works undertaken to the extent of a 423 kilometres, which will requir e an outla y approach ing 101,000,000 1 . Independent of , railways mong already mentioned, othersende a n o ret projected, which should be noticed the Er q uelinnes and Char leroy, and the Great Luxembo ur g , both bein g re g ar ded as exhibiting features of importance connected with the routes proposed to be opened by them. It is mentioned with regret that up to the present moment the want of cordial feeling between the Belgian and Dutch authorities has prevented the continuation of the Belgian Northern line from Antwerp to Northern Bra bant, the result of which would be the connexion of the railway network of Holland with the Belgian and French lines, and the opening of a direct communication be tween Amsterdam, the Hague, Rotterdam, and the whole of the Pays Bus with Paris. In Holland the lines opened to the public to the end of the year 1846 were th ose o f Amsterdam to Haarlem (opened in 1839), 18 kilometres in length ; Haarlem to Leyde (opened in 1843), 28 kilometres in length ; Am sterdam to Utrecht (opened in 1843), 36 kilometres in length ; Ley de to the Hague (opened in 1844), 15 kilometres in length ; an d t h e Utrecht to Arnheiin (opened in 1845), 129 kilometres in length; making the complete extent of railway communication in active operation in the Netherland kingdom at that date 226 kilometres. The Government of the country are still occupied with arranging the necessary plans to perfect their system. At tlis moment the line from the Hague is being carried forward to Rotterdam, and from Arn heim to the frontier of Prussia; besides which the works between Rotterdam and Utrecht are in full activity. To sum up these arrangements two concesiims have been recently made, one for a line in Dutch Brabant and the other for a line in the Eastern ntherland provinces, bordering on Hanover and Rhenish Prussia. M INCHESTER, FEB. 20.--BOROUGH ELECTION. — At a met•;iug of Lord Lincoln's committee, held yesterday, it was resolved that a deputation should proceed to Loudon on Tuesday next, to present the requisition, asking his Lordship to offer himself as a candidate for the representation of the borough.—Manchester Guardian. THE WAR IN THE CAUCASUS. TIMBISOND, JAN. 12.—The storms of the month of The` cember had interrupted our relations with the Circa.ssiart coast. Yesterday the arrival of several vessels from Kertche and Suckur-Ealeh brought us positive sews of great im portance relative to events of which Circaesia has been thee theatre. The following details, which are derived from% the best source, are as well known at the Russian Consulate' as at the Palace of Halil Pacha. After two years of the most perfect tranquillity, which permitted the Russians to direct their entire efforts against Schamyl, the famous chief of the Tschetschenses and Lergians, war has again commenced on the banks of the Black Sea and of the liouban with the greatest ferocity. On the 7th of December the Governor o. the Fort Golowin, situate 30 leagues to the north of Suckum - Kaleh, was warned by his spies that the warlike tribe of the Übbikhs was planning a night attack against the fort, and that at the same time the Tschigetes , commanded by Hadj-Terike-Okow, one of the bravest chiefs amongst the Circassians, were collecting in the mountains, in order to surprise the fortress of Gagra. On the same day the Russian steam-boat, corning from Rectut- Kedah anz l proceede ing to Kertch touched at Fort Golowin. The GOVOIIDOT of e e the that fort immediately dispatched it to Gagra, to apps. garrison of the danger which threatened it. This circOlu' stance saved the Russians, for during the same night 4,`f mountaineers attacked the retrenchments of the Gagra wits the greatest fury. The fortress, which is surrounded on all sides by lofty rocks, would have been certhinly captured by' the Circassians, if the garrison, accustomed to peace duri n g two years, should have been taken unawares. But, notwithe stem ling the brave resistance of the garrison, 800 men strong, protected by artillery, the loss of the Russians was consider• able. The mountaineers, not being able to scale the walls, well defended by the Russian infantry, possessed themselves of a great rock to the north tef Gagra, upon which the Russians had established a post. Thence they directed a murderous fire against the interior of the fort , and their balls reached even the sleeping apartments of the ' officers. This position was held during two days, netwith standing several sorties made by the garrison, which :were repulsed. The want of ammunition at length compelled Tschigetes (the lost Circassian tribe to the south of the grot chain) to retire to the mountains. The attack upon Fore. Golowin took place two days afterwards. More than 5,000' mountaineers of the Übbikh territory had surrounded the, fortress. Although all their attacks were repulsed, the Rus sians themselves admit that the enemy showed more courager boldness, and fury than on any previous occasion, and that but for the information given by their spies, the fort would have incurred a great risk of being captured. With respect' to the movement on the Rouban we have no accurate in-° formation. We are assured, however, that 4,000 Schap soukhes, commanded by Chora Beg, had passed the river near Ladoschskaja. The cause of all this commotion, after an uninterrupted tranquillity of two years, is owing to' the following circumstances :—The Circassians are la want of corn and salt, which they are compelled to purchase from the Russians. In order to accustom them to pacific relations, Prince Woronzow had accorded them considerable advantages, and he carried his compfel sance towards the Circassian chiefs so far as to permit then* to trade with Turkey, and to send their female Circassiatu slaves for sale. But by degrees the Russian generals be came more exacting. They demanded of the Circassian chiefs to surrender the Russian and Polish deserters, of who'll several hundreds are dispersed through the mountains. They demanded hostages for their fidelity, and they required tbeZ the Circassians should deliver up Schamyl's emissaries- When the Circassian chiefs refused to consent to these con ditions, the Russians refused to supply the Übbikhs sod' other tribes with corn or salt. The Übbikhs were ever re markable for their antipathy to the Russians, and when at length the latter captured a Turkish vessel near Pitzounds , laden with 60 female Circassians, the mountaineers lost all patience and revolted on three different points, aided by the majority of the Works, the nobility of the country. ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB.—This first of our metropolitan aquatic clubs gave their anniversary ball on Thursday evening, the company mustering, with members and visitors, nearly four hundred. Dancing was kept DP with unflagging ardour, to the music of Adam's orchestra,. till an early hour of the morning, an elegant supper having been dove ample justice to soon after midnight. The Noble , Commodore, Lord Alfred Paget, in giving the health of her Majesty, which was enthusiastically received, alluded to the especial honour accorded in her graciously becoming the= patroness of the Royal Thames Yacht Club; and Mr. Jos Wilkinson, in a very neatly-turned speech, expressed the s t light which the club felt at the presence of so many of the' fair sex, to whom the flag of every yachtsman must striker and whose smiles were his best guerdon either on the deck or in the ball room. The admirable arrangements of the stewards were the topic of general comment, whilst their, courteous attention to theirguests, throughout the entireeve ir , , ing, was unremitting. Such was the demand for ticket" that the supply was wholly incompetent to meet it, end hoer' ever we may sympathise with the disappointed, yet the en joyment of the evening was greatly enhanced by the jeali; cious restriction as to numbers, and the great care exercised` in the distribution of the tickets of admission. SEIZURES OF ILLICIT DISTILLERIES.—OnFTWS II. appears to have been a busy day amongst the Excise offiner s r e as no less than four illicit stills were seized by them 11. the course of the day. From the observations of MOO * James and Frederick Pargeter, officers of Excis of P e r i: mises 27, St. Peter-street, Bethnal-green, and the e, deliereli there of certain suspicious articles, they were convilw * ; that something illegal was going on, and on obtainislg search-warrant they proceeded to the house, and be seer te gained admission, they soon found that those suspicions l ee . perfectly correct. On proceeding to the front kitchen , 1 " . .. found a large copper still in full work, running off gre'er, spirits. They then went to the back kitchen, when a! ethe t bii,„ still immediately met their view, also at work. In room two men were engaged, and so busy were thenyi that for some time they were unaware of the prese i nae a h funnel officers. One of them was holding a bladder wfrtoni a tub.• in it, while the other was filling it with spiri 3a . C O r n u e m g p a tu v u e , thebut protested at of James they wßerreowunniy servants. a large quantity of fermented w a sh a n d spirits, and t he usual , distillery apparatus, which they seized. The next case e! at 7, Scott-street, Beth na l- green , k e pt by a man namednamedtahnteto h r e b r er Alfred f wasre Joseph Adlington. The officers got over a gateway, 04 effected an entrance into the house, where they found a still at full work, running off spirits of wine, a quantity of spirit' 50 per cent. over proof, fermented wash (which was de stroyed), and all the usual apparatus, which were seized and conveyed to the Excise warehouses. The third case WO in Stoney-lane, Petticoat-lane. Messrs. Bayford and Lewins , the officers, from information received, went to a house in the above street, and after a good deal of trouble effected el entrance. In a back apartment they found a very large st in full work, and a man attending to it, with an immerg e quantity of fermented wash prepared for carrying on a l arge ' trade, with spirits ready for sending out. The apparatus W s of a complete description, the whole of which was seized. NARROW ESCAPE FROM ADDITIONAL CAL AMITI P.-. The mother of the unfortunate boy, George Beale, whose un timely end was recorded in our paper of the 4th inst., was herself on the point of perishing upon the Downs, betsyse Cherhill and Yatesbury, on the night of the severe sn out storm of Monday week last. It seems that on the. receipt of the melancholy intelligence, which was communittated to her by the Rev. Dr. Money Kyrie, she had starts id fr °r l London on a sudden impulse, " to see her child's g:rivi e " He was her favourite son. When near Yatesbury alhe e!!: countered the full force of the storm. Blinded by them drib she lost her track, and was overpowered by constantly - eirt^: ing in the snow, which in many places were several fe e ' deep. A man who accompanied her was in little better plight. She was brought to the rectory at Yatesbury in proper remedies, insensible state; but, by the administration of pro' remedies, was happily so far restored in eight-and-for t , hours as to be able to return by rail to London. We he n that a subscription, proposed to help her on her journey, readily responded to by all the principal farmers of the parish —Devizes Gazette. BURGLARY AND EXTENSIVE ROBBERY..—On Friday morning it was discovered that the premises of Mr. Mar shall, in the Edgeware-road, had been entered, and watches of different descriptions, to the amount of 1001., stolen froth the shop. THE ISLAND OF ASCENSION.—PORTSMOLTTII, 19.—Letters from the Island of Ascension, up to t he 29th o December, have been received. They furnish the ~.eratifYillig intelligehce that all the inhabitants were in good', health; that the turtle had re-appeared in abundance, and been takell and the ponds filled with them ; and that the water tan were also well supplied. Commodore Sir Charles troths-en, le the Devastation steamer, accompanied by her Majesty's ship Actaeon, Captain Mansell, had put to sea on the 26tb. of Me; cember, intending to be absent for three months, and -visit and inspect the different stations on the coast of Africa,. and the men-of-war cruising off them. Sir Charles Hothane left be; Majesty's steamer Hydra at Ascension, for her officers en" crew to obtain refreshments and rest, after a long ,cruise on the coast. Commander Morell had heard that he was ap pointed to the Hydra, vice Young, promoted, and oil the Si" rival of Captain Hutton, who was to take comman d of th e Tortoise and the Island of Ascension, will bring that steame r to England; she was to sail on the Ist of Februar.ve T he African squadron were all at sea, and, with the exception of her Majesty's brig Wanderer, had been tolerably hOal e ,th e Ye" She has lost about ten officers and men from fever. .".; Larne, 16, and Espoir, 10, are ordered home to be pale 0 '" having been nearly four years in commission, and th e greater part of the time employed on the coast of Africa- Letters from her Majesty's ship Fox, 36, Commodore Sir Henry Blackwood, Bart., dated the Ist of January, hivie arrived here, announcing her being about to sail for Trine comalee, and expected to leave the station for England during the month of May. The officers and crew of the For• were all well. TENURE OF LAND IN IRELAND.—A document possessing much interest at the present moment was on Fri day issued among the Parliamentary papers. It contains al! abstract of returns from the clerks of unions tlerougb oue Ireland relative to the number of persons holding land , parative size of the holdings, &c., and is reprinte d ,fie papers presented to the House in the session of 1845• census of 1841 is taken as the basis of the calculation. .r r°-- this return it appears—" T h at i n the year 1841, the to te ; ; population of the 130 u n i ons was 8,174,029 ; and the t e o , ta. area 19,146,502 stat u t e acres. Of this population the nnue ber of persons holding land was 883,097 (representing, with their familie s a gross number probably little s hort a four and a half millions). The number of persons holdhlit land, whose holdi ngs d o not excee d one acre of grounde,„ 124,407. Thos e h o ldi ngs b etween one an d tw o ats'd amounted to 50,233 ; between 2 and 3, 35,368 ; between 3 , "' 6, 4, 45,135; between 4 and 5, 52,071; between 5 an d „ i 36,468; betwe e n 6 an d 7, 40,374 ; b e t ween 7 an d 8, 3 5, n 9 ; between 8 and 9, 40,822 ; between 9 and 10, 34,792. 1 number of persons holding from 10 to 20 acres was 18 6, to from 20 to 50, 120,681 •, from 50 to 100, 42,772; from 10 0 e% 200, 15,458 ; from 200 to 500, 5,947; from 500 to 1,047; 1,127 ; from 1,000 to 2,000, 284 ; from 2,000 to 3, oo k oce from 3,000 to 4,000, 11; from 4,000 to 5,000, 3 ; and eu e i 5,000, 6. The acre sof land held in common or joint tenancy tenancy were 1,902,547 am cs ; the number of holders not included in the foregoing classes, 30,316. In the notes y e - , pended to the return, there is stated the amount of y r:l _ B w , bog, and otherwise unprofitable land, appertaining to 0:70{0 of the unions • but there is no estimate formed of the w the extent of such land, although it has been included iII return of the gross acres of land given above. Aral FIFESHIRE, Sr. MONAIcCE.—THE WEATEIBn FISHING.—The weather has been particularly fine the w hole of the week, and our fishermen have been diligent.. I _ l 7 herring fishing has been prosecuted with indefatigable.' untired earnestness. Many of our crews have slept during the week. The fishing being at the May - 1-ei tiime seven miles from our place, in moderate weather it req their a considerable portion of the fishermen's time in making passage to and from the fishing-ground ; that, combined e with day, other labours which they have to perform during b prevents them from getting regular rest. The turbottfisrhianngd, which has been backward for some time, looks bettuet,n.fi several of our crews have this week caught fourteen teen at one haul. The cod-fish have almost entirely disap peared main; several boats having short lines caught the north a very few. The wind has been prevailing frosenerine n very west, with keen frost, which bps pinched our fi eral. Se much. The herring-fishing has not been veryr,U st the wral ur our boats I , .tve been ~ingulerlL.• fortnn;flt_e:"" RevorZa. jot it v e barely ids wages.- only We understand that the ( r .i 'l tl i' e J en ci:' h L s e D d u e k ci a ci e ,7 l the Garter, vacant by the decease of the late the Duke of Nor thumberland, shall be conferred upon his Grace Bedford. tllat -.~,_ :, iZf -' _ t j ~~~. .:Y fa r It fir k the till ayi ilp]