The Sun. — London, England, 1840-05-25 00:00:00

EVENING EDITION. HAYMARKET THEATRE. The new tragedy of Glencoe, which was brought out at this theatre on Saturday night, will greatly extend its author's (Mr. Sergeant Talfourd's) repu tation. Though Macready, at the close of the play, formally announced it as the Learned Sergeant's Production, yet to those who attentively listened to it, and marked its car e ful construction, its rare feli cities of thought and expression, and the skilful manner in which each—even the most subordinate .of the characters is made to assist the progress of the plot, such notification was superflous, for the very first act must have satisfied them of the pa ternity of Glencoe. This striking drama, like its precessor, lon, affords ample evidence that Mr. ralfourd possesses the constructive faculty in a very high degree. There is nothing detached or irre gular about it—no , 4 passages that lead to no thing," or that serve to encumber the story—no atceropt made to produce effect by the epigram- Matic point and energy of particular isolated scenes the plot betrays, in its very simplicity, marks of patient thought and studious arrangement ; and the incidents are dovetailed, one into the other, with such critical nicety, as to form a compact, consistent, and harmonious whole. When once the action of Glencoe—which at first is some what languid, the earlier scenes being of a narra tive; rather than a dramatic character—begins to stir, it never afterwards flags or retrogrades, but moves steadily forward, while the attention and curiosity of the audience keep pace with its pro gress. This is true art, not suddenly to rouse ex pectation, and then as suddenly disappoint it by the introduction of some irrelevant scene which leads the mind astray from the one great point en Which it should be fixed—not prematurely to force up the interest, like a hot-house plant ; but to Maintain it throughout in a state of gradual and healthy growth. When we say that Mr. Talfourd excels in the constructive—perhaps We ought rather to call it. the inventive— faculty, we would. be understood as paying him °lie of the highest compliments that it is in the Power of criticism to bestow ; for if there be one faculty more rare than another among our modern dramatists and novelists, this is that one. Knowles and Dickens, each eminent in his own department, have not the slightest notion of it ; in deed it is one of those primary intellectual qualities Which, where nature has been churlish, is not to be acquired even by the longest practice, or the most unremitting study. The characters in Glencoe, equally with the plot, show marks of the nicest ob servance of propriety. The two brothers, in par ticular, Halbert and Henry Macdonald, are finely discriminated. The sunny and mercurial tempera ment of the one is exhibited in striking relief to the gloomy and imaginative nature of the other ; and !heir peculiar idiosvncracy is not lost sight of for an instant. Helen Campbell is also a beauti ful creation, but hardly in such perfect keeping as the two we have just describ2d. Sufficient motive is not assigned for her sudden pre ference of one brother to the other. She acts upon mere impulse—and this of the fancy, not the heart -- --which is at variance with what we are taught to believe is her real character. Surely the thoughts o f a devoted and high-souled woman—thoughts Which had grown with her growth, and strengthened With her strength—would not thus have been di verted from the deep channel in which they had run for years, at the first impassioned confession of love addressed to her by a man whom she had always regarded merely as a friend or brother ! To the language of the tragedy it is impossible to take t he slightest exception. It has all the high polish of ivory ; yet it is full of animation, and never de ncrent in vigour when vigour is necessary. Many of the descriptions—which, though luxuriant, are n ever permitted to interfere with the busi ness o f the play—are exqu i s i te l y charac teristic, and have, besides, a high moral beauty about them which reminds us of Words wort,h, in his happiest moments. Yet they are not servile imitations ; far from it ; they are merely evidences of a congenial spirit. We scarcely deem rt worth while to insist on the pure, elevated tone of thought and sentiment that characterises Glencoe, for this is one of the most obvious and .striking fea tures o f Mr. Talfourd's genius, and must be well known to all who are acquainted with his lon and 18 Athenian Captive. We cannot forbear, how- Zer, from the expression of a wish that others of l it dramatists would infuse something of this lofty uail . refined spirit into their productions ; and not klbstitute sentimental drivel—which is unintelligi ble beyond the p rec i nc t s o f t h e b ou d o i r an d draw ing-room—for sound, unaffected humanity. We have spoken of the vigour and luxuriance of our author's descriptions : we subjoin a few specimens. Here is an idea fully and forcibly brought before the reader's mind in one word ;-- " When the snow-storm burled Its icy arrows thro' the hills, the woes Of roofless desolation all would share, Shrieked at his heart." The following sketch has all the prec:sion and distinctness of sculpture : " So haply I may find the reverend chief Crouched in some narrow cave, his stately head In resignation bowed upon his staff, And waiting without struggle, the last chill Of slowly-Freezing death." An ordinary thought is thus gracefully ex pressed : " I feel no chill ; the ecstasy within me, Clothes all without with summer." Halbert Macdonald's character is skilfully pour trayed by his mother—so as to prepare us for the Part he takes in the play—in these terse, emphatic terms " You have mused, my son, In dismal solitudes, on our old tales, Till each wild pass is haunted, and the wind Struggling within a mountain gully, moans Or shrieks with prophecy." Here is another proof of the grace and beauty tth; .c.. our author can throw over a common-place: " Poor youth ! companionship in mirth, Ungraced by thought, makes shallow friends !" _ the foll ow i ng p assage i s a s p ure in sentiment 43 it is poetical in expression : Grief, Madam I 'Tis the pensiveness or joy, Too deep for language, too serene for mirth, Makes me seem sad. To meet in manhood's bloom The gentle playmate of my childhood ; propped On the same arm to tread the same wild paths ; And in sweet fellowship of memories, feel Hour after hour of long-forgotten pleasure Start forth in sunny vividness, to break The mist of heavy years—is joy so hearted, That it can find no colour in the range Of gladness to express it—so accepts A solemn hue from grief." Describing incidentally an aged Highland fe male, whom the superstition of her neighbours had invested with supernatural powers, John Mac donald is made to observe 'Tis said she gazed On that best piece of heavenly workmanship, Our Mary's beauty, when the shrivelled Queen Of England foully shattered it." We have two objections to make to the above passage. First, the epithet " shrivelled" is mean and prosaic ; and secondly, the word " shattered" does not convey the idea which the author means to express. To " shatter "is the work of an in stant ; but Mary's beauty was not destroyed at once ; it waned by degrees under the blighting influence of a protracted imprisonment. We quote on e more extract, which will show how completely Mr. Talfourd has caught the solemn and earnest tone of old Highland feeling, when called into play by superstition : " As I left Mac lan's door, and walked in mist, which clung Around me like a shroud, that voice shrieked forth Close at mine car The hour is nigh l' Each cliff, Pillar, and cavern, echoed back the words, Till they appeared to lilt the glen with sound, As floods from thousand streams might deluge it— It transfixed me, As with an arrow ; when it sunk, still .Night lietld its breath, waiting terrors." In the whole range of modern poetry, we know ()I* nothing more impressive than this ghastly im personation of Night. There is a shadowiness about the ima g e, which is yet quite distinct enoug h d ' r all purposes of effect, that takes a startling hold on the imagination. Havin g thus expressed our opinion of Glencoe as 4 liter ary production—the plot we need scarcely ana - YE; for the Sunday Journals must have already r ' n atle it familiar to the generality of our readers—it _Mains t o s p ea k o f th e ac ti n g. Macready, as the ro mantic, and impassioned Halbert Macdonald, dis played much spirit, and also his usual vices of de clamation. This gentleman seems to have an es pecial f on d ness f or di vorc i ng th e su b stant i ve f rom th e adje c ti ve , by making a solemn pause between t 'enl, which is exceedingly injudicious, for they are a - • Cungenlal couple, who never act apart, but to their mutual e m b arrass ment and perplexity. W e lik e d I Y- 1 , aeready best in the more level passages of th e P l ay ; for these he rarely failed to give with pro priety. We must not, however, omit to notice his interview with his brother by the lakeside, which combined tenderness with dignity, and produced a strong effect upon the audience. Mr. Howe as Henry Macdonald, was respectable ; and Mrs. Warner, as his mother, was as impressive as the part required her to be. She gave terrible emphasis to this striking passage : " I Let hint live. Glcnlyon, I pray you may have life stretched out beyond The common span of mortals, to endure The curse of Glencoe cleaving to your soul !" Miss Helen Faucitt's acting as Helen Campbell, was replete with true feminine grace and delicacy, and must have satisfied the most fastidious critic. This young lady is one of the most improving per formers of the day. We augur from her dawn a brilliant meridian. The tragedy was received throughout with triumphant shouts of approbation, by one of the most crowded houses we have wit nessed this season. We predict that it will have a long run, and that it will not be the last with which the author will favour us. Indeed he has every motive for exertion. The dramatic faculty is strong within hi n ; he conceives and devclopes character—as he has shown in lon and in Halbert Macdonald—with uncommon skill and subtlety ; and in sustained elegance of language, loftiness of purpose, and moral beauty of thought, there is no other dramatist of the day who can for an instant be compared to him. BIRMINGHAM. On Saturday, at the Birmingham Borough Ses/tions, be fore M. D. HILL, Eeq., Recorder, Frances Emanuel, aged 28, was indicted for uttering 107 counterfeit penny pieces, knowing them to be counterfeits. She was also indicted, together with Abraham Samuels, aged 70, and Esther Samuels, aged 21, for having in their possession 108 counterfeit penny pieces, knowing then, to be counter feits, and with intent to utter them. The parties, who ere related, are of the Jewish persua sion, and persons of respectability. It appeared that from information received relative to the extent of coining in Ireland, directions were given to examine every box of a suspicions nature arriving at the port of Liverpool. Information having been sent that a box, weighing about 3 cwt., directed to Mr. Emanuel, 98, Smallbrook-street, Birmingham, would arrive by the Grand Junction Railway, the police watched the arrival and de livery of it. It was found to contain base copper coin, the value of which was worth not more than 4d. or sd. per lb., of about 26. They have the appearance of old coin defaced, and wain out. Mr. Emanuel is a pawn broker and general dealer in an extensive way in Bir mingham. The parties, who had not been in custody, when ar raigned, stood in the grand jury box, but subsequently the RECORDER directed that they should stand in front of the dock. Mr. MELLOR and Mr. POWELL Solicitors to the Mint, conducted the prosecution, and Mr. DANIEL the defence. Inspector Hall then stated that having suspicion all was not right, he went to the Grand Junction station, where he saw a box addressed to Air. Emanuel, which he fol lowed to the shop of the female prisoner, and after search ing it, took them all into custody. He then produced a statement of the weight and number of the coins. He found some good coin among them. The pieces appeared to be cut off the tokens by shears. Those in the carpet bag were not tied up. There was not a pound's worth of good money. _ Superintendent Stephens corroborated Inspector Hall's statement up to the time he took Donaldson into custody, He stated that when he seized him Le resisted, and they had a scuffle. He told him he was an officer. He took him to the station-house, and found tied up in the handkerchief the coins produced. There was upwards of 3/. worth in nominal value. By Mr. Daniel—He could :net say whether, when he found it upon Donaldson, all of it was in five shilling packets. There were some loose. Samuel Donaldson examined—Was a German silver worker, and had done business with Mr. Emanuel for the last twelve months. Their terms were ready money gene rally. About the 24th February he delivered an account amounting to 141. 95., and had rece►ved 101. on account up to the 29th. Mrs. Emanuel told him to call again on that day for the balance, as she expected she should have a remittance in a few days from Mr. Emanuel, who he knew was in Ireland. He went on the 3d of March, when she said that she was sorry she was under the neces sity of troubling him with copper. He replied that it was of no consequence. Upon which she gave him twelve five shilling packets out of a box (similar to the one pro duced) which was standing on the other side of the coun ter. She paid them to him as ss. packets. He objected to three or four of the pieces which appeared defaced and worn out, and those she changed. The RECORDER here submitted to the Counsel for the prosecution, that these was no evidence showing a guilty knowledge on the part of Mrs. Emanuel. After a few observations from Mr. DANIELS, to the effect that it was never intended by Mr. Emanuel that they should be circulated, that he purchased Them in the way of business, for the purpose of melting, and disposing of them in another form. Tho RECORDER directed the Jury to give a verdict of " Not Guilty." The police, he said, had not exceeded their duty, and the Mint was justified in the proceedings they had taken. Mr. POWELL said, that under the circumstances he should not proceed with the other indictment, Upon application being made for the coin to be given up, he observed that ho thought the police bad better melt them, and give Mr. Emanuel the proceeds—upon which Mr. Powell said that he should claim them, in accordance with the Act of Parliament. In the course of the day, Ainsworth, the Liverpool officer, took Mr. Emanuel into custody on a similar charge, two boxes now at Liverpool having been traced to him. He will be taken before the Borough Magistrates at Liver pool on Monday (this day). SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. VISIT OF PRINCE ALBERT. On Thursday evening, in consequence of an announce ment that it was the intention of his Royal Highness to be present at this evening's meeting, there was a very full at tendance of the Fellows of this Society at the usual hour of meeting (eight o'clock). Lord Aberdeen, the Presi dent, in the Chair. The Prince, attended by his suite, arrived at half-past nine, and took his seat at the head of the table. The PRESIDENT thon addressed the meeting, and stated the gratifying intelligence of the fact of his Royal High ness being present for the purpose of enrolling himself as a Fellow of the Society. The Prince then, amidst much applause, rose and en tered his name in the book set apart for the signatures of Felloils on their admission, and which contains the auto graphs of several of the Royal Family, and of the Queen's predecessors. A paper was read by Sir H. Ennis, from John Gage Rokewood, Esq., giving a detailed account of further discoveries in the mysterious Tumuli on the Bartlovv-hilis, which have so long engaged the attention of the anti quary and topographer. The paper was illustrated by the exhibition of some beautiful specimens of Roman glass vessels, containing calcined human bones, a bronze patera and prefericulum, of elegant workmanship, sonic perfect cups of the Saurian ware, terracotta urns, &c. His Royal Highness took a lively interest in the pro ceedings, and minutely examined the various objects of ancient art which covered the table. The Royal Society was afterwards honoured with a visit from the Prince. THE VETERAN DOWTON. ( From the Sunday Times.) For seven-and-forty years has Dowton pursued his labour of love, and delighted the Metropolitan playgoer : " At eighteen years many their fortunes seek, But at four-score, it is too late a week." Whilst all have acknswledgcd the transcendent merits of this truly great actor, his profits have fallen far short of his deservings. It has been proverbial that Dowton could never make a benefit; in the provinces he has been appre ciated, but not followed ; fifty charlatans have been fos tered in Bath, Liverpool, Dublin, and Edinburgh, whilst this sterling comedian played to empty benches. We have neither space nor inclination to inquire into the cause of this—we merely state, and vouch for, the fact. It is not yet too late to make amends. A committee has been ap pointed, and subscriptions entered into. We trust the many supporters of the Italian Opera liouse, those who so ear nestly exerted themselves to insure the re-engagement of Tamburini, will not be insensible to the claims of one of the greatish arists that ever adorned the boards ofsan English theatre. " The little evening of the old man's life" is fast approaching night. The noble and the wealthy of the land should see that that evening be cheered by all the comforts that can bring calmness to declining years. How many hundreds has Dowton made happy? Is it too much to ask those hundreds to club their mites to render him so? The Queen and Queen Dowager have given him their patronage, and we have no doubt that the Ita lian Opera-house will, on the night of his benefit, be crowded with the aristocracy of the country. That the proceeds of a benefit, however great, will not suffice to provide for the veteran's remaining days must be obvious. To state that fact will, we trust, be sufficient, and re hope, as we believe, that the liberal donations of the friends of the drama, will insure the veteran a competence for the re mainder of his life. Cantwell should be his last, as it is his greatest performance. Could not Liston be prevailed on to give us one more touch of his quality as Illaworm —lie has not yet actually retired. And then how many farces could be named in which Dowton is " himself alone I" The subscription list will be published in a few da3s. We have often read widi great pleasure the list of Vice-Presidents to the Theatrical Fund dinners, and we only hope that those Noblemen and Gentlemen will give their patronage to :o good a cause as that of rendering happy one of the brightest ornaments the stage ever pos. sensed. THE ARCHIMEDES STEAMER.—In order to make known her qualities as much as possible, the Archimedes is to proceed to Plymouth, Bristol, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Dublin• Hampshire Telegraph. HOW TO COOK SALMON.—It is a mistake to cook salmon quite fresh. The fl..kes are hard—the oily matter which, by keeping, insinuates itvllinto the flesh and renders it tender, is curdy. Although fresh salmon is generally sought, and as generally esteemed, a day's hanging is a manifest im provement.— Sportsman in Ireland. Mr. Disney, Chelmsford, in his charge to the Grand Jury, at the Chelmsford Session, called attention to the practice of shopkeepers placing goods outside their doors for sale, and intimated that the police would have instructions to lay informations against them for so doing• THE SUN, EA➢NDoN, MONDAY, MAY 25, 1840. ARRIVAL OF THE GREAT WESTERN UNITED STATES AND SOUTH AMERICA. We received last night, from our Bristol Corres pondent, files of New York papers to the 9th instant inclusive, brought by the steam-ship Great Western, in fourteen days from port to port, she having ar rived at Bristol at seven o'clock on Saturday even ing. She brings 137 passengers, a list of whom is given below; and we understand that amongst them are seven experienced cotton planters, from the States of South Carolina, Georgia, and Missis sippi, who have been engaged by Captain Bayles, of the Madras army, to proceed to India, for the purpose of instructing the natives of that vast empire in the cultivation of cotton. The Great Western was seventeen days in making the out ward passage, having had violent head winds to contend with nearly the whole voyage. The news by this arrival is not of any great political import ance. We give such extracts as are of interest here. The Great Western has 500,000 dollars on board : LATEST FROM TEXAS AND MExico.—At present, Mexican affairs are in a very critical state. The re• cent arrivals from Vera Cruz bring letters representing the state of commercial affairs as very distressing. Trade and business was almost at an end. In the interior the long prevalence of civil war has paralyzed industry and agriculture, and spread poverty and desolation over the land. From Yucatan the accounts are flattering to the Federalists. In the province of Tabasco an in surrection had occurred in which adjacent states were expected to join. The disaffection to the Central Government is deep rooted and wide spread through the southern districts cf Mexico. If Yucatan succeeds, many states will follow in her wake and rally under the standard of federal union. The town of Cam. peachy still held out at the last advices, but was ex pected soon to surrender. It was besieged by an army of four thousand men by laud, and the port blockaded by three vessels of war. The Federalists in the North, however, have again been defeated at Moretos, a small town about fifteen leagues from the Presidie at the Rio Grande, by Gen. Arista in person, and Conales, with about 150 men who escaped, arc on their way to Bexar. Many Cherokees are among the Centralists. The affair at Campeachy appears to have been much more serious than was at first thought. An English brig of war stationed at Sacrificios has just left Vera Cruz for Campeachy, to exact reparation from the chief of the insurgents. It seems that the English ship which trans ported troops from Vera Cruz, has been fired into. An English schooner is on her way to Campeachy for the same purpose. It is possible that these hostile move ments between the English and Mexicans may lead to the capture of Yucatan by the former—a prize which they have long coveted. There is nothing new in the interior. At Mexico, fears were at one time entertained of a pro nuncistment o, but it was happily suppressed. Commerce is in an extreme languid state, in consequence of the law exacting between four and five per cent. additional duty on merchandise. The militia of Texas are called out to march to the frontier. The invading force of the Mexicans is num bered at 2,000, with eight cannon. General Ampudia, with 600 horse, has passed the Rio Grande, 30 miles below Loreno. The Federalists have sent a deputation to Austin for aid. A company is organizing in Galves ton to open the Santa Fe trade. The Sabine boundary line is not yet settled. Texas is a noble country, and is rapidly assuming a commanding position. The fertility of the soil and mild ness of the climate hold out great inducements to emi grants. Over 100,000 souls have this year adopted that country as their future residence. Although her independence has not yet been acknowledged officially by the Mexican Government, and there are war symp toms abroad, we learn from the highest authority that a negotiation between the Governments has been some time going on, and has so far progressed that but little doubt remains of such a consummation. The invasion of Texas is no more than the retreat of the defeated Federalists ; and the Centralist army, being in hot pursuit, is, according to the law of nations, allowed to follow them into a neutral country. There is, however, a Texan force on the spot sufficient to take them both into custody, if necessary. The cotton crop of Texas is not large this year, the tide of immigration being so immense as to make the culture of bread stuffs the most profitable. Arrangements are on foot, with every prospect of success for the negotiation of a loan that will give the Govern ment sufficient means, until her rapidly increasing reve nue shall have become sufficient for state purposes.— New York Morning Herald. CANADIAN NEWS.—Matters are tolerably tranquil in the Canadas. The destroyer of Brock's monument has not been discovered ; the Royals have left Montreal for the London district ; the 11th regiment is on the eve of leaving for England. The 56th has arrived at Halifax from the West Indies. Lieut.-Colonel Lyster, of the Grenadier Guards, was found dying in his bed on the morning of the first instant, at the Globe Hotel, Quebec. Before the medical gentlemen sent for could arrive, life was utterly extinct. Lieut.-Colonel Lyster had arrived the day before in command of the battalion, and rode at its head from the wharf to the citadel. Al though very weak he was able, on alighting at the hotel, to transact some regimental business. A special messenger is on his way from Quebec, bearing petitions to the British Parliament against the union of the provinces, Ile will embark in the Grcat IVestcriz. The 43d and 83d regiments of the British troops arc ordered to the London District, U. C.—New York Paper of May 8. Fnom THE PACIFIC.—We have Panama papers to March 15th, and a letter to the 21st. A revolution had broken out in the southern provinces of New Granada, particularly Patia and Pasto. No guera end Espana appear to havo been the first movers in the business, but they were afterwards joined by Ge neral Jose Maria Obando, who, if we mistake not, was but recently Minister of War, This General had at tacked Papayan with 400 men, but was repulsed by 600 who defended the city. Alfonso Morel, agent for the house of Salomon and Co., bad arrived at Panama from Guadaloupe, to make arrangements for the construction of a carriage road be tween Chagres and Panama—thus effecting a conve nient communication from one ocean to the other. The Panama " Friends of the Country" think that after so many ineffectual attempts, something will now be ac complished. PANAMA, MAttert 21, 1840.—Lima dates are to 13th February. Business was very dull, and several vessels had arrived from the United States, principally with flour, which had been sold at stitiq per barrel on board. Active preparations were being made to for ward troops to the South, destined, it was supposed, to invade Bolivia, although no declaration of war had yet been made. Chili continues to prosper, and perhaps Valparaiso, at this moment is the most active business place of South America. I send a file of newspapers from Valparaiso and here, and also from Lima.—Journal of Commerce, May 9. BUENOS AYBEs.—We have received the British Packet, published at Buenos Ayres, to the 21st March. It contains the account of the re-election of General Rosas by an unanimous vote of the House of Repre sentatives, to be Governor and Captain-General of the Province. It further contains an account of a conference held on board the British ship of war Actmon, between Don Felipe Arana, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Ar gentine Confederation, Mr. Mandeville, Minister Pleni potentiary of England, and the French Rear-Admiral Dupoutet. The conference lasted four hours ; its ob ject was no doubt the adjustment of the difference be tween the Argentine Republic and France. The re sult was of course not known, but it is added, that after wards Admiral Dupoutet sailed for Montevideo to confer with] his colleague there. This colleague M. Martigny, the French Minister, and though we have letters before us of the 25th March from Monte video, which say that it had been determined there not to accept the terms offered, we cannot abandon the hope that Admiral Dupoutet's mission, which was evi dently one of reconciliation, will still prove successful. The following is the commercial intelligence : " Montevideo, 25th March, 1840. " The high prices obtained for dry hides in the Con tinental markets of Europe, has caused an advance here, and no common parcel of country hides can be obtained under 36 rls., while fair lots of narrow staked produce, 38 rls. Matadero and Saladero bring 38 to 40 rls., and contracts have been made as high as 42 rls. " Exchange 48 to 48-, with a downward tendency." PONTIAC IN MICHIGAN IN FLAmEs.--"nis town has been nearly destroyed by fire. The fir e first caught on the cast side of Saginaw-street, in the building occu pied by Messrs. Marsh and Hendrickson. It soon com _ municated to those on each side. The flames, from both sides of Saginaw•street, now mingled into one. On the west side, every thing was swept clean d own to the buildi ng corner o f S a ginaw and Pike -stre e t s ; on tho cast, every thing to Pike-street—almut 25 buildings in all, besides barns and other outhouses !—and this in the very heart and business of the place. The property destroyed is immense.—New York. Herald. (Correspondence of the Courier and Enquirer.) PHILADELPHIA, MONDAY P.M. IMPORTANT DECISION. THE GREAT CLOTH SEIZURE CASE. The large room of the United States Districts Court was densely filled this morning, to listen to the charge of Judge H op ki nson , i n the above important case, in volving great legal principles, in the determination of which, hereafter, it will for ever furnish a " precedent," and involving, also, directly in this issue pecuniary con siderations of great amount. The goods seized num ber about 726 pieces of cloths, cassitnere3, &e., mostly fine, but of various grades of value ; the whole being estimated to be worth from eighty to one hundred thousand do►lars. The charge of his Honour has, I verily believe, seldom or never been excelled ; it was luminous in the extreme, and although occupying nearly two hours in the delivery, was listened to untiringly by the auditors ; something . exceedingly rare in legal proceedings. The Jury retired, taking with them a quantity of papers sufficient for a year's reading ; and the Court was listening to a conversation between some of the lawyers about referring another paper to the Jury which they had accidently left behind, when a tap was heard at the door of the Jury-room, it was opened by one of the Marshals, who announced to the Court that the Jury Karl "agrccd !"—There was perfect silence in an in stant ; and during the " telling" of the Jury. The ver dict is for the claimants on the two first counts, and for the United States on the remaining eleven. This for feits all to the Government, and would have done so had but one count been found for the United States. This case occupied more time than any cause ever before tried. To-day completed the ninth week. Counsel for the claimants :—Hon. John Sergeant, William M. Meredith, Esq , and Henry J. Williams, Esq. STEAM-BOAT DISASTER.—NINE LIVES LOST.—The Henderson (Kg.) Star states that, on the 22d ultimo, the steam-boat Green River, which plies on that stream, while ascending, the river, in attempting to pass lock and dam No. 4, the river being very high and the cur rent unusually strong, after crossing the lock struck an eddy and capsized. Nine persons were drowned, five females and four men. The names of those lost we have not learned. Four of the females were daughters of a widow lady, a passenger. (From the St. Louis Bulletin of April 27.) STEAM BOAT SUNK, AND Loss OF LIFE.—The steam boat Bedford, Captain Walker, in descending the Mis souri river, near the mouth, on Saturday evening, struck a snag, and sunk in IL.ss than five minutes. She first struck a snag in the bow, which knocked a bole in her bottom and careened her nearly over, but immediately struck another which bro'ight her up again. It was not precisely known how many were drowned ; but our informant states that Mr. Moore, an old revolutionary soldier, a negro woman and three children, a white in fant, whose mother was saved, and a gentleman wear ing a le,gborn hat. which was picked up yesterday, could not be found. Two or three gentlemen on board were sick, one of whom died yesterday morning, near the place of disaster. Another paper says that five bodies had been found. STATE OF THINGS IN MISSISSIPPI. Extract of a letter from a New York merchant now at the West, to his brother in this city, dated Vicks burg, (Miss.) April, 1840 : You can form no idea of the state of things here. By the creation of banks, and the unlimited issue of their paper, without any specie capital, or any regulator, they flooded the country with paper, set people crazy, raised prices of cotton, land, and negroes, so that every man was rich ; then came the reaction, debts accumu lated at high prices to be paid, while the means falling ,o a specie standard, are reduced to one-half and one- fourth ; the banks, having taken notes for stock, have nothing to redeem their circulation with, and the bills of the best bank in the State are now at 65 per cent. discount, and from that to 75, 80, 90, 95, 98, and the bills of several banks would not bring a dollar a bushel, and these banks have out from 200,000 to 4,000,000 dollars circulation. Such complete destruction of property, credit, reputation, and moral character, probably was never witnessed before ; there is scarcely a solvent man left here, and in some dozen places in the state which I have visited, utter ruin and desolation arc stamped on every thing, scarcely a store open, and houses and stores going to ruin on every side. A store, house, and lot, which, during the speculation was sold for 30,000 dollars, was sold a few days since for less than 1,000 dollars. All law is set at defiance ; mar shals and constables and sheriffs are in dang er of their lives, if they offer to sell property, except for the cur rency of the State. There have been sundry fights since I came here. A day or two since, two planters who owned their slaves in common, were running them off to Texas, but got to quarreling just below the city, and went at each other with knives, and fought till both were mortally wounded, and died in a few moments. A planter was put into jail here, since I came, for shooting the U. S. Deputy dead, who went to levy on his estate, or rather, not finding him, he swore he would kill the first one he could find, and the unfor tunate individual was a special deputy, who had never been near his place, or given him the least provocation. This week a sale was commenced of 40 negroes : the owner got up and offered to pay the debt in Mississippi money, and to allow 25 per cent, discount, and he trusted no man present, after such an offer. would bid for good funds ; and a Judge, who is also a preacher, made a speech, and said that any man who would bid ought to have a brick-bat sent at his head ! Well, as a matter of course, no bid was made ; and before this, I presume, the negroes are on their way to Texas, as 2,000 from that country have gone before this year, and most all under execution. As almost every one owes the banks, and in such sums as we at the North do not understand, say $2O, 30, 50, 75, $lOO,OOO common planters, and as the members of the Legislature, with the Governor at their head, are all in debt to the banks, they passed just such laws as suited their interests. Ist, Banks cannot part with their bills redeemable ; 2d, They must take their own bills in payment of debt. Well, now all hands cry, down with the banks, say they are good for nothing, and so get their bills so low that with $5,000 they can pay their note of $20,000. The way those notes got into the banks was this :—A would buy 1,000 acres land of B, at $2O per acre, give his note at 12 months ; B gets C to endorse it, say $20,000, and the Bank dis counts it ; A then buys of a Virginia negro trader twenty slaves, at $1,500, at 12, 18, and 24 months ; this is so,ooo—then he has a plantation, cost $50,000 —now he must have houses, hotses, corn, pork, &c. and be calculates in 18 months he will have 500 bales of cotton worth $25,000, the New Orleans commission merchant accepts his bill at 18 months for $lO,OOO to enable him to get under way —now he is a rich Missis sippi planter, with a property worth $lOO,OOO. This is about a fair sample of the way this State has been settled ; now for the result. The notes to the Batik come round and are renewe d ; t h e notes to the slaver arc paid in part, out of the 200 bales of cotton, which is the real amount raised instead of 500 ; and the N. 0, commission merchant has to renew the paper for twelve months, and to accept again for 85,000 more, to help buy more pork, &c., and has the pro mise of 600 bales next year. This has been kept up for three years, and now the N. 0. merchant hav ing failed, his assignees are suing the planter, the slaver is suing, the country merchant_ is suing, and last the banks are now suing, and this planter in debt some $60,000, is raving mad because his property is to be sold ; and the result is, that the first judgment, being in either case $lO,OOO to $20,000, takes all the property, provided they can get any one to bid ; but in most cases the man sells all his personal property, and with his negroes runs away to Texas, where the Legislature hare passed a law that as no treaty has been made with the United States o - s the subject of debts contracted in the United States, the man gets land as a bounty, and is soon in a fair way again, and ready to shoot any man who says he is not a gentleman. In short, not 20 cents on the dollars due in 1837 by this State, will ever be paid.—Hartford Courant. SALES ATTHE STOCK EXCHANGE, MAY 8. 14 shares Merchants' Bank at 110 100 do. Phenix Bank 77 265 do. Dry Dock 6Ol to 501 10 do. Leather Bank 45 do. American Exchange Bank 450 do. Delaware and Hudson .... 721 to 71 2,870 do. N. A. T. and Banking Company 40 to 421 306 do. United States Bank 724 to 73 105 do. Canton Company - , I )cl , 1- 230 do. Paterson Railroad.. 10 do. New Jersey Railroad 83 to 15-- 135 do. New York Prov. and Boston Rd. 15 1 725 do. Harlacm Railr oad 44;} to 45 The sales of Cotton were 600 bales, chiefly to th e h ome trade. Prices quite firm, if n ot a shade better. C o ff ee dull; 600 bags Rio so ld this morning at a shade of de cline from last week. Sugars drooping ; prices may b e quoted down /c. per lb. for Aluscovados : No flour coming down the Hudson ; in the meantime retail sales are making at S 4 94 a $5 12. EXCIIANGES —lncluding Certificates, Checks, and Bank Notes Philadelphia saa 5 Baltimore, .........5 Richmond, ......... 64a 61.1 ,3ia 4 Macon, 13 c_ Mobile, llla 12 New Orleans, Nashville, ......... 15 a— Charleston ......... 34... Savannah, ......... Sia 9 London, A 26 7 a5f a .30 1 Augusta, ......... 10 a 113 Paris, PHILADELPHIA SALE OF STOCKS—MA Y 8. $1,050 Wilmington R. R. Loan `1 .000 Lohigh 6's, 1845 - $650 do. s's, 1 845 85 shares United States Bank 7B 283 shares Girard Bank 39 to. .do Penn Township 53 2. .do Planters, T enn 50. .do Vicksburall 18 15. .do Phiisd, Wilmington, and Balt ......... 43 1 - ~ CHINA. (From the Nov York Papers of May 5.) The ship Levant, Captain M‘Dotvell, arrived this morning, bringing dates to the 15th of January, with a full cargo of teas, silks, and matting. I am enabled to afford you the slip enclosed, which has been issued only from the office of the United States Gazette. You will see that the news is of the most important and interesting description. The blockade of the port by the English—the proclamation of Lin, the High Commissioner, and the confirmation of all his official acts by the Emperor himself. LATEST FROM CANTON. (From the United Stales Gazette.) BLOCKADE OF THE POET—CORRESPONDENCE.— IMPERIAL EDICT.--13y the arrival at this port of the ship Levant, Captain D'Dowell, in one hundred and seven days from Canton, we have the Canton Press to the 11th of January, by which it will be seen that the British Admiral has declared his intention to blockade the port on and after the 18th of January. We copy also a part of the imperial reply to the joint address of Lin, Lang, and Kwan, by which it will be seen that the Emperor was acquainted with all the facts upon which the misunderstanding arose. OFFICIAL PUBLIC NOTICE. Whereas, a British subject, seized by the officers of the Chinese Government, on the 27th ultimo, has been detained in captivity, without cause, to this date, not withstanding formal demands for his release in her Ma jesty's name:—. Notice is hereby given, that it is my intention, at the requisition of the Chief Superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China to establish a blockade of the River and Port of Canton on the 15th instant. Given under my hand on board her Majesty's ship Iroiage, at anchor off Chumpee, this Bth day of Ja nuary, 1840. (Signed) H. SMITH, Captain and Senior Officer. Certified true copy. (Signed) CHAS. ELLIOT, Chief Superintendent, &c., of the Trade of British subjects in Chi na . _ _ A true copy. —MORRIS MEREDITH. Copy of a letter written in reply in one from Mr. Ritchie, of ship Valparaiso, outside the Bogue, January 10, 1840 : Her Majesty's ship Volage, Chumpee, Jan. 11, 1840. Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 10th inst., and beg to acquaint you that Captain Smith, of her Majesty's ship Volage, has communicated to 1112 your letter of the same date, and to the same effect. In reply to the question put, Captain Smith requests me to state that, according to the terms of his notice, a vessel must have actually passed in before the 15th instant, on which day the blockade will be cstabl:shed. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, (Signed) CHAs, ELLIOT, Chief Superintendent. To A. A. Ritelne, Esq., ship Valparaiso. A true copy--Mortars MEREDITH. Extracts from the imperial reply to the Joint Address of Lin, Lang, and Kwan, respecting the Battle of Chumpee, Nov. 3, 1839 : ___ .- - - On the evening of the 28th of the llth mo. (Jan. 8, 1840,) by the government posts (was received) at Canton, the Emperor's reply to a communication of Lin, Lang, and Kwan, sent up to the thron e , s t a ti ng 19 yr . como. 16 day (Dec. 13) in a joint communication, that at Chumpee and Hong Kong a thundering attack had been made upon the English men-of war. The Com mander received the reply of the Emperor on the 29th of the 11th mo. The Emperor's will had also been ex pressed on several other, topics embraced in their ad dress, via.:— " The admiral voluntarily, and in person, led on the battle, placing himself before the mark." The Emperor replies, this is commendable in the highest degree. " If the English repent, and awake to a sense of their situation, then shall they be perMitted to turn their words." The Emperor replies, this ought not to be allowed, lest good Gov't be cost. " Should we propose to establish a firm and durable army, and then desist from treating with them, also every officer of Government may fear to undertake." The Emperor replies, although they fear to under take, if duly considered, the stratagem is not one that will answer for a l on g ti me , (or it would beimpracti cable for a long period thus to hold out for years main taining such an army.) " If the English reverently receive the laws, let them come—if they resist, let them go." The Emperor replies, your theory is good, but in exe cution you do not avoid self-contradiction. " Shall we cause a clear investigation as to the re sidence of Captain Towns, and protect and guide him to Whampoa ?" The Emperor replies, although the reverently obe dient and the opposed are not the same (yet they arc of one nation and at heart the same), and you ought not thus to manage the affair. EXPRESS FROM THE EMPEROR. Lin, the High Commissioner, Lang Gor, and Kwan the Admiral—Taoukwan g 19 year, 11 mo. 8 day; re ceived the Emperor's Edict, stating th a t th e sa id Li n and others bad reported to the throne a thundering at tack upon the barbarian ship of war, for the Emperor to see and fully understand that the English nation men from the time of deliberating for the prohibition of opium and onwards had been treacherous in an unprecedented degree. Formerly they boldly dared to be the. first to open fire of all their great cannon, but after the publish ing of the Edict they were hypocritically obedient, while they collected their war ships and secretly schemed to retaliate. Then why did you not in an increased degree repress the evil ? Why did ou not immediately cut off the trade ? You did not show sufficient majesty, when the soldiers were like a swarm of bees in the junks. Again they dared to be the first to open fire of the can non, and Knang Chung they usurped and seized as a nest and lurking place, resorting to violence. But six times in succession my war junks gained the victory.— Also at Hongkong the foreign ships were all driven away. Then should they give a voluntary bond it would be difficult to secure, they would not again prove trea cherous, and since they had many times resisted the laws. Also, you permitted free trade. Surely this was not such treatment as the occasion demanded. The revenue is trifling, and is not to be mentioned. My dynasty soothes and tranquillizes the outside bar barians, and my favour flows most wide. The said foreigners do not know gratitude, but, on the contrary, are like the bird that ignorantly pecks the hand that feeds it. They are crooked ; lam straight ; this both Chinese and foreigners know ; these foreigners them selves have produced and completed this business—how then can they be pitied ? Take not their bonds. Where then is the murdered man and the murderer ? It is unnecessary to have the latter delivered over. Capt. 'Town, as to his residence it is not necessary to examine dearly (let him go). Also publish a clear and perspicuous edict to my ❑ation, and bold it out as a beacon, and promulgate it, that foreigners may know that the English have cut themselves off from the Ce lestial Dynasty ; but to you of my nation, who as usual reverently obey, free trade is permitted. But if they presume to harbour Englishmen, and smuggle them into the port, on being found out, they must be severely punished. People on the sea-board and in the estuaries ; also the opposite foreign ports which are not far distant, and every island, let the High Commissioner and others deliberate what is proper to be done respecting them ; appoint many officers and soldiers rigorously to guard them, and you cannot relax in the least. For this thundering attack on English ships by the Admiral Kwan, let him receive the title of Pa-too-100, and for standing forward in the battle he is deserving the highest commendation. Also, let the Board of War deliberate upon the reward due to such heroism ; those who on this occasion exerted themselves, whether officers or soldiers, examine clearly and secure, that the throne be informed, and then wait for the bestowment of the Imperial favour. Those who died in the rankg, and those who were wounded, let Lin and others ascer tain clearly, and manage the affair in a legal manner. Let the edict be made known, in obedience to Im perial Will. PROCLAMATION. Lin, Imperial High Comm!ssioner, Viceroy of the two Keang Provinces, &c. Tang, a President of the board of war, Viceroy of the two Kwan Provinces, &c. E, a Vice-president of the board of war, Lieutenant. Governor of Kwangse, &c. Hereby conjointly proclaim to all men that they may thoroughly know and understand : Whereas on the 19th year of Taouliwang, 11th moon, the 29th day (13th January), we received an Imperial Edict to the following effect : The foreigners of the English nation, from and after the time that it was agreed upon to prohibit Opium, have been continually shifting backwards and forwards. On a previous occasion (alluding perhaps to the battle of Kowloon) they had the hardihood to be the first to fire off great guns, and afterwards, under false pretences of respect and obedience, they leagu 'd themselves with ships of war, and clandestinely schemed after revenge and reprisals. At that time, although we awarded them the chas tisement (due to their rashness), yet did we not imme diately cut off their commercial intercourse, not deem ing (their faults hitherto) worthy of so stern a display of (Celestial) dignity. But this time the foreign .ship Smith (i.e. H.M.S. Volage) having again dared to he the first to fire off his great guns, and further having seized upon (?) a place called Khwan Chung (i. e. the neighbourhood of Hongkong) as a stronghold or fastness, this is quite enough to show that these said (English) foreigners cherish dark and unfathom able designs in their hearts! Thus, even granting that they were at this time to give the duly prepared bond, yet it is difficult to secure that they would not be turn ing and twisting again, and if then, having so oft,2n shown us opposition and defiance, we were still to per mit them to hold commercial intercourse with us, this would indeed be a very improper way of managing affairs. As to the little petty amount of duties, this is a subject not worthy a monarch's consideration. We of the Heavenly Dynasty cherished these fo reigners from afar with the utmost kindness and benevo lence, but these said foreigners know not to feel grateful ! They, on the other hand, act the part of the unfilial she bird, (which attacks and tries to eestroy its mother so soon as hatched)—that they are in the wrong and we in the right, is a fact known alike to those of the inner land and to those from beyond the seas ! Since then, these said (English) foreigners, by their own act, put themselves out of the pale of the laws, what occasion is there for us to feel any sorrow or regret about them Cause, therefore, that the trade of the English nation be immediately put a stop to, and let every one of the ships belonging to the said nation be forthwith driven out t Cause at the same time that it be clearly proclaimed and made known to all nations, and lct the crimes (of the English) be duly and specifically drawn up in order, and disseminated among the people of all countries, showing them how the English foreigners have cut themselves off from communion with the Celestial Dy nasty, and that this affair has no reference to you (the good) foreigners of other countries. Do you, then, oh ! all foreigners of all other nations be respectful and sub missive as hitherto, and you will be permitted to con tinue your commercial intercourse as of old. But if you dare to shelter or protect the English, or clandes tinely to convey them (or their property ?) into our harbours, as soon as found out, than shall your crime be visited with the most severe punishment, &c. &c. Re spect this. We, the Commissioner, Viceroy, and Fooyuen, hav ing with deep resp ec t rece i ve d t h e i mper i a l comman d s, fin that the English Superintendent Elliot has many times disobeyed and opposed the laws, and been con stantly shifting and changing. We (the aforesaid high officers) had already made our clear report to the great Emperor that from the first day of the 11th moon (6th December, 18:39) we had stopped the English trade, and now we have again respectfully received a fresh Impe rial Edict, commanding us to draw up a statement of the said (English) nation's crimes, and disseminate it among the foreigners of all other countries, and at the same time to drive out their ships, not permitting them to cast anchor in the China seas! We ought therefore, to give due compliance to the imperial commands, in summing up the crimes of the English, and laying them before all men, and forasmuch we now proclaim the following, that ye, the men of all foreign nations, may thoroughly know and understand : Elliot after having delivered up the opium (May, 1839) and gone down to Macao, earnestly entreated that a Weiyune (or specially appointed officer) might come to Macao for the purpose of deliberating upon, and fixing certain regulations so as to cut off the, opium (evil). Successively he begged that (Export) cargo might be sent down to Macao, and then forthwith opposed and broke with the said Weiy une, and at the same time prevented the whole of the ships of his nation from signing. the duly pre pared bond, and entering the port. These (the Eng lish ships) by remaining a long time anchored at Tseem-she-tsuy (Hongkong) on the high seas, led to a number of sailors going ashore and raising a riot, when, getting drunk, they committed an act of homicide. The said Elliot screened the murderer, and would not deliver him up, and day by day only grew more stupid and obstinate. At first he took up Douglas merchant vessel (late H.M.S. C'ambridgc) and falsely disguised her as a man of war; afterwards he leagued himself with the two cruisers Smith and Warren (H.M.S. rotagc and hyacinth) and got these to come to Can ton to give him assistance. Then these were so bold as to go to Kowlung, and there were the first to smear the altars with blood (i. e,, to commence the horrors of war.) Next they went to Chumpee, on the high seas, and fired off their great guns in direct opposition to the Imperial troops. With the same breath they received under their protection the boats of our native bandits ; these they placed in the middle of their fleet, and, if our government cruisers came near to examine or seize them, then (the English) forthwith fired off their guns and muskets. This most unprincipled procedure of theirs showed people who had no fear before their eyes, and plainly demonstrates that it is the said English who have put themselves out of the pale of the laws. At this present time, then, even were these said English to repent of their crimes, and beg for mercy, and be willing to give the duly prepared bond, yet even then, we, the Com missioner, Viceroy, and Fooyuen, could not upon any account memorialize the Emperor in their favour ! This, then, is all brought about by the said English themselves! They have outlawed themselves, and the case has no reference to any of the foreigners of other countries. Do ye then, oh ! all ye foreigners of other nations, look up with awe to the great E m p eror , an d as y ou re ceive his foolishly tende r an d un b oun d e d goo d ness i n permitting you to continue your commercial intercourse as of old, know that, in order to preserve in safety your persons and properties, ye must reverently observe the laws and prohibitions! if ye dare, however, clandes tinely to give ear to the insidious counsels of the Eng lish, or convey up the goods brought on in their ships. or dispose of the said goods (for them), the moment that such clandestine proceeding is discovered will your crime be visited with the severest punishment. We shall also duly memorialize the Emperor that the trade of the said offending nation be in like manner put a stop to. What then will your after repentance avail you? Let every one tremble and pbey. Do not oppose. A special proclamation. Taoukwang, 19th year, 12th moon, Ist day. Canton, sth January, 1840. LIST OF PASSENGERS BY GREAT WESTERN. Mr. Barclay and servant ; Mr. Alcock ; G. Stuart ; J. Martinez del Campo ; Jose Victor de Mord ; Agus tin de Narona ; M. Jose Aguero ; Mr. Cole ; Mr. Hyde, Mrs. Hyde, and servant ; Antonio Parejo ; Antonio Mora ; Mr. Hayward ; John Dean ; H. Kleaner ; J. Wolfe ; Mr. Mason ; Joseph Emerie ; Felix Col!omb ; A. Delawney ; Mrs. F. Palmer ; Miss Temple Palmer ; Mr. Russell ; Alfred Large ; Geo. Herst ; Mrs. Woodward ; Mr. J. F. Vies ; Mrs. Smith ; Miss Nicols ; Miss Nicols; Mr. James Robert son ; G. W. Hodges ; T. C. Kerr ; P. M. Laughlin ; Mr. Saeny ; Mr. Montagu ; Captain Brooke ; Mr. Money ; Mr. Hoyle ; Mr. Harris ; Mr. Dawson ; Gen. Hamilton ; Mr. L. Levingston ; J. W. 'Martins ; J. W. Kimball ; Vital Tetu ; A. M'Dowall ; Captain Nicholson and servant ; Mr. Pattison ; Mr. Walton ; C. A. Auffinortt ; Mr. Dance ; A. H. Wilie ; Jarvis Slade ; S. H. Pintard ; Leclerc Aine; J. A. Voisin ; Mr. Mathews ; Mr. Legrot ; M. Caffe ; Mr. Parish and servant ; J. P. Miller ; Mr. and Mrs. Connah ; Mr. Vogeler ; Adolphus Johns ; Dr. T. J. Crossman ; Mr. G. B. Blake ; Mr. and Mrs. Milltenberger; Mr. Mi chalet ; Mr. Blake ; Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth, two children, and two servants ; Mr. Remington ; Mr. Phipps ; W. S. Took ; Colonel Ellison and servant ; Capt. Shirley ; Mr. G. Wartelle ; Capt. Daniel, Mrs. Daniel, and servant ; Mr. S. Asbury ; Mr. Alley ; Charles Kean and servant ; Miss Clifton and servant ; Mr. Miller ; C. H. Todd ; Mr. Nash ; Major Mun day ; Mr. Haigh ; Mr. M'Call ; J. T. Norton ; F. A. Levering ; Mr. Kennard ; Mrs. and Miss Torrance ; C. P. Boodonare ; J. W. Bradley ; Mr. S. B. Dyer ; Edward and Dawson Coleman ; Mr. Redpath ; Mr. Fisher ; Mr. Pegg ; Robt. her ; F. and James Patti son ; Rev. E. Gallasha ; Rev. N. Colver ; Mr. Ni cholson ; Masters Sacny (three) ; Mr. Finie ; Mr. Mercer ; Mr. Hawley ; Mr. Sympson ; Mr. Terry ; Mr. Blunt ; Mr. Morris ; and Captain Bayles, Madras Army ; Master Olmsteadt. 137 passengers, with chil dren and servants. WEATHER AND WIND FROM NEW YORK TO BRISTOL. May 9.—At 1 p.m. left the wharf with fresh gales and thick hazy weather, with rain, wind easterly. 10.- , -Moderate gales, and cross breaking sea, wind north easterly. 11.—Moderating to strong breezes and cloudy, wind northerly, with showers. N.E. swell, wind N.N.W. I2.—Strong breezes and cloudy, short topping sea, wind north. U.—Moderate and cloudy, with passing showers, wind north easterly. 14.—Light variable winds, and fine weather. Smooth sea, wind variable. 15.—Light airs and fine weather, wind variable. M.—Light breezes and fine smooth water, wind south easterly. 17.—Moderate breezes and fine, increased to mode rate gales and squally, sea rising fast, wind S.S.E. 18.—Fresh gales and heavy squalls, and rain at times, wind southerly ; high cross breaking sea, wind S.S.W. 19.—Moderate and hazy, with confused sea, wind south westerly ; increased to strong breezes, at times rain, wind southerly. 20.—Strong breezes, at times a gale. Sea rising fast, wind S. 21.—Moderate and hazy, sea going down, wind S. W 22.—Light breezes and thick hazy weather, at times a fog, wind south westerly. 23.—Light breezes and foggy, wind westerly. Made fast in King's-road. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. May 11.—Exchanged colours with American ship standing to the westward, black cross in fore-topsail. Private signal red swallow-tailed flag, with black cross in centre ; cross jack set, lat. 40., long 68. 10. 15.—Spoke the bark Margaret, of Wexford, from Dublin to New York. All well. Lat. 41. 49., long. 48. 10. 16.—Spoke the brig Athens, of Sunderland, from London to Quebec, lat. 44,10ng. 42. 30. 'S.—Exchanged colours with the British brig Py renees, bound to the westward, lat. 47. 26., long 35. THUNDER STORM.—On Saturday last, in a field at Little Pennard, in the parish of East Pennard, the pro perty of E. B. Napier, Esq., and situate near the cross-road leading to Shepton Mallet, an oak tree, of two feet or more diameter, and considerable height, having a large shroud to it, was literally smashed to pieces by , the electric fluid. Pieces, of perhaps an hundred weight or more, were carried across the road opposite, and a considerable distance into the field. Num berless others, of smaller dimensions, were scattered about like feathers en every side to a great distance, and some were car ried from eighty to between one and two hundred yards. Only a small portion of the heart was left standing, riven into fibres. The shroud itself seems, for the most part, to have merely dropped down around, and there remained. Some persons visited the s p ec t ac l e on t h e day of its occurrence , an d some hu n on Sunday.—Sherborrx Journal. A BOY OF FOURTEEN EXECUTED !—Ex- TRACT OF A PRIVATE LETTER.—" when a youth, in the year 1780, my attention was powerfully attracted to the inflic tion of death punishment b 3. the following circumstance :—ln Lord George Gordon's riot a fineLspiritcd boy, of the age of fourteen, was found guilty of throwing a stone through a Roman Catholic chapel window, sentenced to death, and exe cuted ! I was then something more than seventeen years of age. This event occationed deep thought, the result of which was, that from Tory and High-church principles, I became a Liberal and a Dissenter, and an utter enemy to vindictive pu nishment."--[We are furnished with the name and address of the writer, a gentlaman in his 78th year. EVENING EDITION SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF SATURDAY. (From the Globe.) The exultation of the Tory Press on the result of the Cambridge election is as indecent as it is unbounded . ; and ought to excite disgust in the minds of all who have not lost the sense of shame by a familiarity with corruption. The following are the strains in which one of the Cam bridge oracles indulges on the occasion And now that Sir A. Grant, a gentleman wholly unknown to the electors of Cambridge till within the last three weeks, has carried his election by the nacre force of his political principles, against Professor Starkic, a townsman, a lawyer of great talent, and, what is a stronger recommendation with the hungry clique who take the lead in Liberalism here, a gentleman who is not without interest in Downing-street, and has gained the day, too, by such a noble majority, we uppose we shall hear no more of the foul calumny that dozens and score; of the electors of Cambridge were seduced at the last contest from their public duty, and in duced, by bribery and intimation forsooth, to give thci support to Mr. Manners Sutton!" A. Grant, although asiranger to the electors of Cambridge, was no stranger to its University. That ve nerable corporation is the Alma Mater of both the success ful and defeated candidate. On the former she conferred the distinction of pieching ; the latter she numbers among her most worthy sons, and hailed him senior wrangler of his year. The " political principles" of Sir A. Grant are of the ultra class—he avows the most uncompromising attach ment to the creed of the Eldons and Castlereaghs of olden time, when rotten boroughs flourished, and the hated name of I?cforni was heard only in assemblies within which " ears polite" seldom ventured, lest they should be shocked by the discordant sound. With such powerful recom mendations, the heads of houses, and other influential members of the University, were content to lose the re collection of Sir Alexander Grant's college disgrace ; indeed, they most probably selected him on account of the peculiar attractions which ignorance and bigotry discover in each other, and by sympathy induce them to embrace. They are members of the same family, and ought not to be disunited. In the present instance, the principle was active the love was in active Operation. Bigotry supported Ignorance by all the aids which Into lerance had placed at her command, and Corruption's aid was invoked to give substantial succour in the con test, having first obtained an assurance (hardly neces sary) that the obligation should be returned, if the ser vices rendered proved successful. (From the Courier.) It will be seen that the Conservative candidates at Ludlow and Cambridge have been returned by large ma jorities, a pleasant practical comment on the boast of the Ministerialists, that their unprincipled leaders possess the confidence of the country. It is mow undeniable that the cause of the most corrupt and incapable faction that ever attempted to wield the power of a nation is perfectly hope less. We attribute much of the reaction, however, to the disgust which the country generally entertains for adhe siveness to office for the sake of pelf, when all reasonable expectations of carrying any considerable measure must hare been extinguished long ago. The return of Sir Alexander Grant and Mr. Botfield at this juncture is an important event, as they will be enabled to repair the de fection of Lord Howiek and Mr. Charles Wood, who, it is understood, do not intend to vote on either side in the Committee on Lord Stanley's Bill. (From the Standard.) How does it happen that when no other interests are left to" the voluntary system," the interests of religion arc to be abandoned to the world's cold charity ? This was not the feeling of our ancestors. They reared edifices like St. Paul's, and built fifty churches at one time in London, when London did not number a fourth, probably not a fifth, of its present population ; but they lodged their Houses of Parliament and Ministers in convenient but by no means showy buildings, and even their princes in modest palaces. They felt with the Royal prophet, that while the king dwelt in cedar palaces, the worship of the King of Kings ought not to be left exposed to the inclemency of cli.nate, or the contempt of the scorner. What, then, is the difference between us, and our fathers ? They built for the interests of religion —we, for the vanity of man; and they excelled us almost as much in the magnificence of their works—for what can we show like St. Paul's and Wren's fiftychurches—as their object exceeds our object in dignity. FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY. ( From the Times-) Exactly as had been foreboded by the miserable ex- Ministers who must now be designated par excellence her Majesty's Opposition, the Conservative candidates for Cambridge and Ludlow have been triumphantly returned; and thus the Parliamentary Government, who, in con tradistinction to that of the Bedchamber, are carrying for ward Lord Stanley's Registration Reform Bill, have been worthily strengthened by two additional votes. The dirty finesse whereby the Whigs obstructed these elections for upwards of a week, though it really does some credit to their electioneering presentiments, has recoiled upon them with a just retributive vengeance. In the estimation of all impartial men, their conduct in regard to the Ludlow writ would be enough to blast the reputation of any Ministry that had a particle of reputation to lose. ( From the Morning Advertiser.) This day a preliminary meeting of the Metropolitan Anti-Corn-law Delegates, previous to Mr. Villiers's ap proaching motion, is to take place at Brown's Hotel. We are quite sure that the time is come when the English peo ple, and especially the mercantile classes (if they do not wish to see the foreign trade of this great commercial country daily elapsing from their hands) must unite heart and hand in agitating and carrying this great redeeming measure. The game of the Tories, in worthy alliance with the Chartists, is to disunite; and for this purpose they insidiously pretend that the working classes will suffer through the abolition by a more than commensurate fall of wages. Mr. Villiers, while arguing last year for a Com— mittee of the whole House on the agricultural question, laid down this especial proposition, namely, that low prices do not tend so much to the diminution of wages as to im part to the labouring classes a greater command over the necessaries of life. Nothing can be more true than this datum. The simple question is, are the manufacturers of this great manufacturing country, nourished, we may say created, by its former superiority in all foreign markets, to be sacrificed and starved down to the level of a Corn law limited demand ? ( From the Morning Herald.) Now let the Whig Ministers strain every nerve in obe dience to the commands of the tyrant demagogue of Ire. land, to uphold the flagrant system of fraud and perjury in that country, which Lord Stanley's Bill was framed to ex tirpate. Let them raise their feeble voices to second the " Irish howl" against that measure for purifying the rotten electoral system of Ireland—let them reveal more and more their servile subjection, to the will of the mendicant agitator—let them show themselves utterly abandoned to that bad man's service in everything, and utterly death. tute of a feeling of shame, or a sense of degradation. Such dishenourable sacrifices, induced by a base lust for the emoluments of office, will be as unavailing as they are pro fligate. Public opinion has pronounced their doom—the moral indignation of the country rises up again' t them—the rich, whom they have betrayed, and the poor, whom they have oppreised, equally loathe and despise them. Every where the unbiassed and independent sentiments of Eng. lishmen arc expressive of the hatred and scorn which their paltry policy and mean vices have excited. A short re spite of their sentence is all that they can expect, and then —ignominious extinction. (From the Morning Chronicle.) The Tories assert that the majority of the English people are converts to their principles. Do they mean to tell us that the majority of the English people are satislied of the possibility of ruling Ireland upon principles which not only the Irish people, but so large a section of the Irish nobility and gentry, riot merely reprobate and de nounce as destiuctive of Irish interests, but explicitly and peremptorily declare that they will resist to the utmost of their power? Are the people of England such common idiots as to think the Union maintainable by a party whose violent and destructive policy unites the Duke of Leinster with Mr. O'Connell in league against them ? The people of England mill pause before they engage in a crusade in volving them in war not orly with the Irish masses, but with an influential and potent section of the Irish aristo cracy, of whose strength we have a fair index in the seventy noble signatures to the Leinster and Charlemont address. They will hesitate before they assail a constitution so de. fended. If they failed to maintain the Orange ascendancy in Ireland from the moment that the Liberal Protestants took the field against it, they are surely not such fools as to expect to re-establish it, as long as the Liberal Protes tants remain in arms. A HO USE STOLEN ! Strange as it may sound in the ears of our readers, there was actually a house stolen from the neighbourhood of this city a few days ago. The tenement to which we refer stood at the west end of. Fountain Bridge, and consisted of two apartments. The former tenant left the premises on Thursday last. On Saturday the landlord sent a wright to make certain repairs in the interior, which he accordingly did, and left the place about one o'clock. On Mionday morning a mason was sent to repair some part of the fabric ; but, to his utter amazement, he found that the house had entirely disappeared, there being not one stone left upon another to mark the spot where it had stood! The very hearth stone was carried away. Information was immediately lodged at the Police-office, but no trace has yet been discovered of the thieves. It is perhaps unnecessary to add that the pawn brokers, to whise hands so many stolen articles find - their way, are unable in the present instance to furnish any information.— Scotsnian. The Dart made her first voyage for Dieppe on Saturday last, with thirty-six passengers, whom, owing to the boisterous state of the weather, she was compelled to embark at Shoreham ; and returned on Monday with about twenty, includ ing Mr. Baring and family. ANOTHER RAILWAY DEATH.—Last Sun day, a young man, named Athrell, was killed on ..he Brighton and Shoreham Railway. He fell from the tail-board of one of the luggage waggons, which had been temporarily fitted for the accommodation of passengers. On Monday a Coroner's jury returned the following verdict :—" Accidental death, with a deodand of 51. on the wheels of the last carriage." The jury also expressed an opinion " that the Company should, on no account, permit passengers to ride on the sides or ends of their carriages, nor convey passengers by the luggage -Tans." THOMAS CLARKSON, Esq.—The venerable Thomas Clarkson, in a letter to J. Sturge a few days ago, in s peaking of his intended presence in London at the approaching anti slavery conference, says " 111 v daughter also, the widow of m y late dear son, will come with me. She has a great desire to be at the meetings, and she takes with her her own son, about nine years old, my grandson and only representative, whom she wishes to attend the meetings , that he may be ini tiated there in the sacred cause, and ught up to succeed his grandfather in the same pursuit."—Anti- Slavery Reporter. CURIOUS FACT.—A Lew weeks ago a small landed proprietor in the parish of Kirkurd, Peehlesshire, Missed the not inconsiderable sum of 271., which he had deposited in the case of his eight-day clock, considering that to be a place of greater security than either his desk or drawer. The clock case having been regularly locked, and the key never having been out of his own possession, he was utterly unable to conjec ture who the thief could be, when one day lately he discovered, to his agreeable su r p r ise, th e m i ss i n g property slowly descend ing from the upper regions of the clock, attached to the hook of one of the weights l—Scotsman. ■