The Sun. — London, England, 1847-12-22 00:00:00

IirARR - 6 - i ';- STICIEW - IV . ORK. W AND THEN. By Samuel :Varren. Among the writers of fiction there are son- e Whose imaginations are as prolific as their language is voluble. Stories pour from their portfolios with a ra , pidity that ha s in it something ot the marvellous. they write a Christmas book while you are eating your breakfast ; and a romance in three volumes Octavo while you are taking your constitutional walk before dinner. They are as miraculous in supplying Copy to the printer, page after page, chapter after chapter, book after book, :as Theodon used to be in conjuring herbs, flowers, rabbits, fowls, gloves, and Jewellery out of a gentleman's hat. They are as in exhaustible as the purse of Fortunatus; they could with their own pens compose a circulating library ; they might, at a pinch, undertake to tell a succession of tales as prolonged as those which the Vizier's daughter related to the Sultan during One Thousand and One Nights. England has a novelist like this-- France has a novelist like this : George Prince Regent James is the one ; the other is Alexandre Dumas, the Marquis de Pailleterie. Men who write so much necessarily write a great deal that is frivo kus : upon the same principle that men who are given much to talking ate pretty sure to talk a great deal of nonsense. The consolation is, however, that this class, like every other, has its anti thesis. There are those who have acquired celebrity by penning only a single work. Such an one was Beckford, the Epicurean, whose solitary volume— " Vathek"—(originally composed by him in the French tongue)—has been called by Mr. Weber a " sublime tale," and has induced Lord Byron to re mark, that not only must " Rasselas" " bow before it," but that " for correctness of costume, beauty of description, and power of imagination, it far sur passes all European imitations." Boswell, again, wrote only one biography—but such a biography —the perfection of that kind of literature !—a book which, in spite of the reviewer's contempt for the author as the most egregious toadeater on record, has compelled even Mr. Macaulay to express his gratitude, and that, too, with all the emphasis of con scientious criticism. Gresset, if we mistake not, is in like manner known only by his " Parrot"—a conceit of inimitable drollery, and of exquisite originality. Mr. Warren, however, is neither a mere manufac turer of volumes like Dumas or James, nor an author of one isolated and attenuated effusion, like Gresset or Beckford. His intellect has as little affinity for the . shrub which throws out freshblossoms every hour, as it has for the American aloe—blooming but once in a hundred years. He has not frittered his genius away with the prodigality of a feuilltonist, nor has he stul tified the auguries of his youth by the barrenness of his invention. Whatever he has written, he has written well. Without in any manner deteriorating his reputation as a lawyer, he has acquired for him self a very wide fame in the world of imaginative composition. He has burnt the lamp of research in the labours of a very learned profession ; he has ob tained no little distinction in the discharge of his duties as a barrister of the Inner Temple ; he has ren dered himself more than noticeable as a student in jurisprudence, and has become a legal authority of no inconsiderable eminence. And yet, with all this, he has found leisure to distinguish himself in a re markable manner among his literary contemporaries. There are noble examples to be found in the career of our author, as well as noble precepts in his writings. As far as it is comprehensible through his public achievements, both as a legal writer and as a writer of fiction, his life constitutes a fine illustra tion to the preface of Sir Bulwer Lytton's " Lucretia"—that superb preface which inculcates the great truth that labour is happiness. Mr. Warren has evidently cultivated his abilities in literature out of a pure and spontaneous love for it. He has nar rated the imaginary vicissitudes and struggles of imaginary persons, not so much because of his ambition to figure in capital letters upon a title-page, as from a pleasure in embodying his ou n reveries and disseminating those loftier sentiments of morality which are felt by him to be the presiding principles of existence. This is sufficiently manifest in his two celebrated works, " The Diary of a Late Physician" and " Ten Thousand a Year." In the forn:er how many bewitching lessons of virtue are contained ! and how attractive the manner in which those lessons are imparted! Who can ever lose a recollection of that most touching, because most natural, portraiture of womanly fortitude given in the story of " The Cancer ?" Who, again, can ever forget the long suffering, and the resignation, and the longanimity, an I the moral valour of Charles Aubrey, the hero of " Ten Thousand a Year?" It is in this com bination of purpose and interest that the true merit of Mr. Warren's fictions, to our think ing, consists. They have all the dignity of homilies, and all the fascinations of romance. Without ever venturing into the labyrinth of po lemics, or presuming to meddle with the holier doc trines of theology, Mr. Warren, nevertheless, infuses more religion into a single chapter than the contro versial novelists could do into a score of volumes. Beyond this, Mr. Warren unites in himself many of the rarest qualifications of his art. Ile has a keen perception of the ludicrous ; witness his delineations of Tittlebat Titmous e an d th e T agrags an ex traordinary and, in many res p ec t s , unequalledn skill in the complication and unravelinent of a plot, as is shown in the different schemes undertaken for the acquisition of Yatton. lie has a singular capa city for sketching scenery—for literally painting it in language — as ma y be seen in his description of that same estate, tne prize of Titmouse and the pro perty of Aubrey, " dear old Yatton." In the delinea tions of character, moreover, Mr. Warren has a mar vellous ability. Oily Gammon is as complete, as substantial, as consistent, as minutely drawn, and as actual in identity as the Sir William Bran don of Sir Bulger Lytton, or as the Seth Pecksniff of Mr. Dickens. In addition to these numerous advantages, the two former productions of our author display with peculiar vividness both the excellences and the blemishes of his style and man ner. They evidence at once his rigidity, or rather his formality, in grammatical construction, and the strength and purity of his good old Saxon diction—a diction which, in character, seems, as Lord Morpeth said recently of the character of Caxton, to be " racy of the soil of the wolds of Kent." In manner, how ever, Mr. Warren has not merely proved himself to be capable of appreciating the grotesque and hu morous, he has evinced the utmost grace and refine ment of fancy (witness his Kate Aubrey, " beautiful Kate Aubrey"), the most powerful and passionate con ception of the horrible (witness his appalling tale of the "Man about Town"), and the subtlest knowledge of the sensibilities of the heart, even when on the verge of death and in the agonies of despair (witness the little incident which precedes the s suicide of Gammon, when the cat rubs against his boot). That Mr. Warren's writings are anything but devoid of pathos will be admitted by all those who have read and wept over his most simple and most traiching story of "Consumption," or who have even perused nothing of his beyond the paper entitled " A Slight Cold." That his heart can beat with emotions of ten derness, is certain, from his narrative of " The Mother and Son," and from that exu,uisite apostrophe in the moonlight at Yatton, closing with the words— " Sleep on, sweet Kate, sleep on, dreaming not of dark days before thee, oh, that thou could sleep on till the brightness returned !" If this sympathy for what is most gentle and affectionate in humanity were betrayed by nothing else in Mr. Warren's books it would be by the beautiful dedications of " Ten Thousand a Year," and of the work just published Now and Then"—to his children. There is s,.me thing attractive in the simplicity of the arrangements • of the volume now lying before us for consideration —a single volume, without preface, without any in troductory notice, without any table of contents whatever, divided into nine chapters, and yet extending over 527 pages ! The title-page is itself an evidence of this almost punctilious simplicity. " Now AND THEN.—Through a glass darkly." Without reading the book through, the meaning of this is enigmatical. But when read through, the sense of those few words becomes trans . , parent, and the very sound or them beautiful. " Now AND THEN —Through a glass darkly." And the interest of the work—beginning with the beginning, and only ending with " the end "—originates in a cir , cumstance as simple as the title-page. Adam Aylifle, the younger, a day-labourer in the village of • Milverstoke, is seized under circumstances of extra • ordinary suspicion, having been observed near the murdered body of Lord Alkmond in the wood of Milverstoke Castle, and chased to his cottage, where he is captured with a bloody stick in his possession, and one of his sleeves bedabbled with gore. He is - tried, convicted, and sentenced to death for the wilful murder of the nobteman, and the interest of the story arises from the consciousness on the mind of the reader that Ayliffe is altogether innocent of the crime imputed to him, although the facts are so black against him as to justify the verdict of k 4 the jury and the concurrence of the Lard Chief' Jus tice in the correctness of that verdict. The at tention is rivetted to the narrative from an awful uncertainty as to the fate of. Adam Ayliffe, and from a supreme solicitude for something or other to transpire which shall demonstrate beyond all doubt his guilt or innocence. In effect, the idea of the plot is merely the extension and elaboration of that coin . prised in a contribution written by the author 'three or four years ago in Blackwood's Magazine, and en titled, "Who was the Murderer ?" It is a notion, however, so admirably calculated to display the pecu liar abilities of Mr. Warren—his ingenuity and sa gacity as a lawyer, and his dramatic powers as a • novelist—that we are scarcely surprised to find him a second time employing the same materials and the same machinery, though, this time, be it observed, in a more daring manner, and with a loftier intention. At all times we are indisposed to mar the effect of a story by giving a dry epitome of its incidents, and thereby dissipating its influence over the imagination of ty IA3N'DON WEDN'ZID A I?' the reader ; but we are especially disinclined to dissect the plan of a work like the present•—seeing that the original will, to a dead certainty, be perused by thousands, and that a single fact divulged, and a single syllable prematurely uttered, would destroy the mystery of the tale—and the mystery of a tale is the talisman of its attaction. If " Now and Then" has r o other merit whatever, it has the merit of en thralling interest, an interest that is supreme, that is present throughout, that inflames the attention, and renders it breathless with curiosity. This is, in truth, the paramount characteristic of the volume, and by giving a naked analysis of the story we should con sequently be forestalling its revelations. What we Nhiit 1 say, therefore, in reference to some of the occur- rences recounted in the work will be less in allusion to the plot than to the moral, arid the characters. The inci dents are described as having taken place " some where about a hundred years ago," in a village called Milverstoke, situated in one of the seacoast counties of England. The history opens with a picture of the cottage of the Ayliffes and a portrait of old Adam Ayliffe, the father of the convict. This description is, to our mind, one of the most gracefully- written portions of the book, it is a noble sketch of a Saxon yeoman and his dwelling-house—suggested in general t , me, we fancy, by a somewhat similar delineation in the " Doctor" of Southey. Adam Ayliffe is, how ever, peculiarly and distinctly, the creation of Mr. Warren : and it is a creation of which he may, in some measure, be proud. He is depicted as— " A reduced yeoman well stricken in years, being, at the time now spoken of, not far from his sixty•eighth year. The crown of his head was bald, and very finely formed ; and the little hair that he had left was of a silvery colour, verging on white. His countenance and figure were very striking to an observant beholder, who would have said at once, That man is a firm and up. right character, and has seen trouble'—all which was, indeed, distinctly written in his open Saxon features. flis eye was of a clear blue, and steadfast in its gaze ; and when he spoke it was with a certain quaintness, which seemed in keeping with his simple and stern character. All who had ever known Ayliffe, enter tained for him a deep respect. He was of a very inde pendent spirit, somewhat taciturn, and of a retiring, contemplative humour. His life was utterly blameless, regulated throughout by the purifying and elevating in fluence of Christianity, Sueh is the first outline of this noble and admirable creation. Adam becomes in the end, however, rather too austere to be very bewitching. his reverence for the Holy Book is grandly conceived, but we do think that when the author depicts him with it on every occasion, bundling it under his arm, sitting down with it on a milestone, and so forth, it is carrying the idea rather to an extravagance. Adam Aylitfe, the son—who is thought afterwards to be the murderer— is first introduced to us as a handsome young fellow whom everybody liked : "he had a laugh and a good word for all whom he met, would do anything to oblige anybody, and seemed not to know there was such a thing in the world to be looked after as—self." Adam the younger marries Sarah, and by her has a little crippled child. The fortunes of these constitute the theme of the volume. Of the other characters the foremost by rank is the Earl of Milverstoke, a proud and overbearing Peer, with " a heart in the right place," but walled row-,d with ice. Lord Mk mond—a favourite name with Mr. Warren, for it is with Lord Alkmond that Charles Aubrey is invited to spend the Christmas—(see " Ten Thousand a Year," 1. 224.)—is the son of Lord Milverstoke, and is the victim found murdered in the wood adjoining his father's castle. Briefly as he remains before the reader, his disposition and appearance are vividly im pressed upon the memory, from that faculty which our author possesses in such a remarkable degree — the faculty of dashing off a character with a few master-touches. Mr. Oxley, the Earl's local agent, proves to be one of the villains of the narrative, and tends considerably towards enhancing the igno minions treatment of the young yeoman. Lady Emily Amaranthe, the sister of Lord Alkmond, and afterwards the Duchess of Waverdale, is a lovely conception, a companion picture to that of Kate Aubrey. As an evidence of the dra matic energy of the dialogue and as a splendid development of the natures of Lady Emily Amaranthe and the Earl of Milverstoke, we will transcribe the close of a stormy scene between them, having refer ence to the guilt or innocence of Adam Ayliffe. After the father and daughter have been conversing in broken sentences, the one pleading and the other ex pressing wrath at her supplications, the Earl thus proceeds : " Does it not occur to you as possible that you are meddling? meddling with matters beyond your pro vince? Is it fitting, girl, he continued, unable to resist an instantaneous but most bitter emphasis on the word, that you should be here, talking to me at all, for one moment even, on a matter which I have never thought of naming to you—a child?' " I am a child, papa; but I am your child, and your only one; and love you more than the whole world." " Obey me, then, as a proof of that love: retire to your chamber, and there wonder at what you have yen- cared—presumed this morning to do.' "Lady Emily telt the glance of his eye upon her, as thou;.h it had lightened ; but she quailed not. " My dear, my only parent, I implore you to lend me not away ; let me— " Emily, I cannot be disobeyed ; I am not iit the habit of being disobeyed by any one ; it is very sad that I should see the attempt first made by a child.' " 6 Oh, papa, forgive me! forgive me!' " She arose, and, approaching him hastily, as she ob served him about to advance, sunk on one knee before him, clasping her hands together. Oh, hear me, but for a moment. Never knelt I before but to God, yet kneel I now to my father. Oh, have mercy ! Nay, be JUST !' " Why,Emily,verily I fear that long confinement and want of exercise, and change, and air, are preying upon your mind ; you are not speaking rationally. Rise, child, and do not pursue this folly—or I may think you mad.' He disengaged her hands gently from his knees, which they had the moment before clasped, and raised her from her kneeling posture, she weeping bitterly. " I am not mad, papa, nor is my sister; but we fear lest God's anger should fall upon you ; nay, upon us all, if you will not listen to the voice of compassion.' " Be seated, Emily,' said the Earl. 'Excited as you are at present,' he continued, with rapidly increasing sternness of manner, no words of mine will be able to satisfy you of the grievous impropriety, nay, the cruel absurdity of all this proceeding. You talk to me like a parrot, about mercy, and compassion, and God's anger, and so forth, as though you understood what you were saying, and I understood not what I am doing, what I ought to do, and what I have done. Child, you I orget yourself, me, and your duty to rne. how dared you to profane yonder Testament, and insult your father, by placing it before him as you did this morning? Did you do so ?' " I did,' she answered, weeping. " You presumptuous girl ! forgetful of the fifth com mandment ! ' " Oh, say not so I—say not so ! I love, I reverence you—and I FEAR you, now ! ' said Lady Emily, gazing at him with :tears running down her cheeks ; her dark hair partially deranged ; her hands clasped in a suppli catory manaer. I prayed to God, first, that I alight not be doing wrong ; that you might not be angry with me ; that if angry, you might forgive me ! ' " Angry with you ? Have I not cause ? Never dared daughter do such thing to father before ? You presume to rebuke and threaten me—rne —with the vengeance of Heaven, if I yield not to your sickly, dreaming, drivelling sentimentality. Silence!' he exclaimed, perceiving her about to speak earnestly; I have not had my eyes elosei, I tell you now, for days past—l have observed your changed manner—you have been deliberating long beforehand how to perpetrate this undutifulness! As though my heart had not been already struck as with a t‘und , rbt It from (leaven—you, forsooth, you idle, unthinking child! must strive to stab it—to wo .nd m , .! to insult me! This is not your own doing; you dared not have thought of it! you are the silly tool of others. Silence! hear me, undutiful girl!' " Papa, I cannot hear you say all this, in which you are so wrong. No tool am lof anybod) ! Twice have you said this thing!' Her figure, the Earl perceived, in voluntarly becoming erect as she spoke, and her e)e fixed with steadfast brightness upon his. Had he been sufficiently calm and observant he might have seen in his daughter at that moment a faint reflectio n of his own lofty spirit—iutolerant of injustice. And even you, papa, have no right whatever thus to talk to me. If I have done wrung, chide me becomingly ; but all that you have said to me only hurts me, and stings me, and I cannot submit to it — "'Lady Emily, to your chamber!' said the Earl, with a stately air, rising; so did his daughter. " My Lord!' she exclaimed magnificently; her tall figure drawn up to its full height, and her lustrous eyes fixed unwavering upon his own. " Neither spoke for a moment; and the Earl began,. he knew not why, to feel great inward agitation, as he gazed at the erect figure of his silent and indignant daughter. "My child,' said he, at length, faintly, with a quivering lip; and extending his arms, he moved a step towards her; on which she sprang forward into his arms, throwing h er own a b out h i s nec k, an d kissing his cheek passionately. His strong will for once had failed him; his full eyes overflowed, and a tear fell on his daughter's forehead. She wept bitterly; for a while he spoke not; but gently led her to a couch, and sat down beside her. " Oh, papa, papa!' she murmured, how I love you!' " For a moment he answered not, struggling, and with partial success, to overcome th e violence of his emotions. Then he spoke in a low deep tone— " • The voices of the dead are sounding in my ears, Emily! the tranquil dead! 'Tis said, my E m ily'—h e paused for some moments, and his agitation was pro digious—' that stern was I : 4:.0 your sweet moth er .' "' Oh, dear, dearest, bast beloved by daughter ' never!' she cried vehemently, struggling to escape from his grasp, for he held her rigidly while gazing r.t her with agonized eyes. "' And I now fearfully feel—l fear—that stern I was, as stern I have this day been to you. Forgive na , e, ye weak and blessed dead' — his q ui v erin g li p s were c . tosed for a moment, as were his eyes. Oh, Emily ! he is looking at rue through your eyes. Oh, how like !' he remarked, as if speaking to himself. Lady I ;mily covered her eyes, and buried her head in his b rsom. 1)o vou, my Emily, forgive me ?' papa? no, no; what have I to forgive? E very thing have 1 to love! my own, sweet papa! Mu,:di 1 fear that I may have done what a daughter ought n 0.4 to , have done! I have grieved and wounded a fuller that ten derly loved me.' " • Ay, my child, I do;' he vOliEpered tremuleull.y, gently drawing her slender form nearer Lis heart. Emily,' said he, after - awhile, go get me that Tfmts• merit which 3ou placed before me; oh, go, dear child!' She still hung her head, and made no motion of going. Go get it me; bring it to me!' " She rose, without a word, and brought it to him; and while he silently read the verse to which she had directed his attention, she sat beside him, her hands clasped together, and her eyes timidly fixed on the ground. " ' It was in love, and not presumption, my Emily, that you laid these awful words before me.' " Indeed, my papa, it was,' said she, bursting into tears. " He appeared about to speak to her, when words evidently failed him suddenly. At length—' And .• hen that sweet soul'—he paused—' this morninc, whispered in my ear, did she know of this that you had done?' Lady Emily could not speak. She bowed her head in acquiescence, and sobbed convulsively. Her father was fearfully agitated. " Wretch that lam ! I am not worthy of either of you !' Lab' Emily flung her arms round him fondly, and kissed him. I urn yielding to greet weakness, my love,' said he, after a while, with somewhat more of tom posue, yet never shall I—never can I— forget this morning • I have long Mt, and feared, that I was not made to be loved : I have seen it written in people's faces. Yet can I love !' • " I know you can ! I know you do, my own dear papa ! Do you not believe that I love you ? that Agnes loves you ?' "'1 do,,my Emily—l do ! Yet till this moment have I felt alone in life, In this vast pile, to me how gloomy and desolate ! with these woods, so horrible ; around me, I have been alone—utterly alone ! And )et were you with me—you, my only daughter—who, I suppose, dares not tell me how much you loved me !' " I Oh, do not say so, papa ! I know your grief and suffering. They were too s7fered to be touched—l wept for you. but in my own chamber !' " You stand beside me as an angel, Emily !' said the Earl fondly, ' as you have ever been ; yet I now feel as though my eyes had not really seen and known you " They were slowly walking to and fro, the Earl af fectionately supportini , her tall slim figure ; and as he gazed at her, though her eyes were heavy with weeping, and her features partly concealed beneath her dark dishevelled tresses he beheld in them a beauty which he had never fully seen before, and which no one know him familiarly enough even to have remarked to him. " 6 Papa,'; said she at length, evidently with timorous reluctance in her manner, ' shall I offend you if' She paused and glanced at him apprehensively. " No, Emily, sweet love ! you will not ; you cannot now offend me,' said he, sighing deeply, and speaking very gravely, but affectionately ; I know what is in your gentle heart—your earliest words this morning are still ringing in my ears. Can you believe and trust in me now, my dear Emily ?' " Inched, indeed, papa, I can ! ' " As you love me love, then, do not at present speak to me on this dreadful affair. I know all you would say, but—you do not, you cannot—you ought not to know as much of this matter as I do. Remembering the solemn and fearful passage of Holy Writ which you have showed me, Emily, I declare to you 1 believe in my conscience, that there is no shadow of doubt about the guilt of Aliffe ! So said the judge, an able and merciful judge ; so said the jury ; so said the whole world ! I could tell you of expressions of dreadful malice on his part against me and my family ; but why ? why, my love, should I distress you, or harass myself ? ' " Lady Emily was going to speak—but he added— " Suppose, before he suffer the sentence of the law, he were to acknowledge that he did this awful deed, what then, Emily ? ' " • What mean you, 'dear papa ? said she, faintly, should his life be even'then spared ?—or should he die ? ' " Oh I papa ! ' she murmured, after a pause, sighing heavily ; but,' she added, suppose he should not con fess it, but die, saying that he is innocent, and it should be found so afterwards, would that not be awful, dearest papa ? ' " My dear Emily, unfortunately, few criminals suffer their just sentence, without falsely protesting innocence ; were we to believe them, against all proof positive of guilt, how could law or justice l be administered ? ' But, forgive a word more, papa—suppose he should real:y die innocent ? ' " • My dear girl, that is, I own, a very shocking sup position ; but you may speak of this again to me. I hear the sound of footsteps coming along the corridor.' " Even when separated from the context this scene is singularly affecting, and is worthy of the hand that penned the pathetic passages contained in the "Diary of a Late Physician." Among the other personages of the story, good, honest, simpleminded, generous hearted Captain Lutteridge must not be forgotten ; but the Prince of all the characters in the work is Parson Hylton—the Rev. Henry Hylton ' Vicar of Milverstoke. He is a second Parson Yorick in gen- • -- tleness, and a second Parson Adams in goodness, without the simplicity of the one or the eccentricities of the other. His nobility of spirit is divulged, per haps, the most brightly in his interview with the Lord chief Justice—an interview admirably re counted. Oi the more comical portions of the fiction, the conversation between the villagers in the parlour of the Blind Hound is the drollest. Incidentally the writer throws out a sly sentence—an inuendo (nut - flour —a covert hint of fun. As, for example, when one of the passengers remarks that Mr. Hylton has been sleeping on the coach-top, "Ay, I reckon you have, indeed, quoth the coachman, with a respectful laugh, &I- he of course saw that Mr. Hylton was a clergy man, and was, besides, himself at that place surren dering the reins to his successor, and had gratuities in view !" In the same manner of indirect face- tiousness, he observes on one occasion, when Captain Lutteridge is riding along in great doubt and hesita- tion—" The Captain walked 'his horse very slowly indeed—slower and slower, and at length fairly stood still for some minutes, as did also his mechanical fol lower (a soldier), who would have stood so for a fortnight, or any longer given period, as a matter of course, without inward questioning or surprise, if so had done, or ordered, his commanding officer." In point of composition, " Now and Then" is written in the pure idiom of our Saxon forefathers ; but the habit which Mr. Warren has acquired of reversing the position of the verb and the nominative case im parts to several portions of the fiction an:air of for mality and precision as quaint as the mannerisms of old Adam Ayliffe himself. Otherwise the book is eminently worthy (both in plot and purpose) of the genius of Mr. Warren : it will be ranged henceforth on the same book-shelf with the "Diary of a Late Physician" and " Ten Thousand a Year," although of a nature and a class altogether different. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN SOHO.--A fire, attended with considerable damage, broke out at five o'clock last evening upon the extensive premises situate at No. 17, Phcenix- street, Crown-street, Soho. The flames were first noticed in the first-floor, in which a number of new carts, caravans, and chaises were deposited. The stock was of such an inflammable character, that before as sistance could be obtained the flames were pouring forth from the window so fiercely, as to threaten with de struction the entire building. Engines of the London Brigade, with the West of England engine, quickly attended, and the firemen by great perseverance suc ceeded in confining the flames almost exclusively to the occupied by Mr. Kinv,well. Mr. Rin gwe ll was insuredpremi es in the West of England Fi re-office. CHINESE " COURT CIRCULAR. —Such exact sac counts of the Emperor's doings were seldom before pub lished in the Pekin Gazette. His actions are daily recorded with extraordinary minuteness, even the gates he passes, the excursions he taken within the precincts of the:palace, and the individuals constituting the Coun cil of State, with whom he is in the habit of associating. I'hey are not always the same persons, but noblemen and high officers nominated for the occasion. The copious rains having suddenly ceased, the Emperor fasted a whole night in the palace expressly destined for this purpose, then began to pray most fervently to the azure Heaven, and atter having burnt some of the large Thi be tean incense ks, it commenced to rain, and con tinued for a considerable time, so that three inches fell. T,ukwang repaired also oil a previous day to a temple dedicated to the God of Thunder, and there performed the same rites, much to the delight of the Court. The Empress Dowager seems to stand in high favour, for her adopted son frequently goes to her palace, and receives tokens of her benign regard.—China Mail, Oct. 14. CASE OF MURDER.—We regret to learn, that the vicinity of Airdrie has been, within the last tew days, the scene of a cold blooded murder. On Sunday last a miner, named APBride ' residing in North Stanrigff, about three miles frcm Airdrie, was violently assaulted by another miner, an Irishman, of the name of APLusky, who stabbed him in the abdomen with a knife, or some other sharp instrument, so severely that death was the consequence. APLusky, after the tragic occurrence, immediately absconded, and has not since been heard of, though information has been sent by the Procurator- Fiscal to all the surrounding districts. HORRIBLE MURDER.—Mr. Copefrian, jun., son of Mr. Copeman, farmer, of Blyborough, was found on Sunday morning, about nine o'clock, on the road leading from Kirton to Blybprough, quite dead. His throat was cut, and the body was otherwise dreadfully mangled ; a piece of flesh was knocked or cut off his face, and was lying on the ground near the body. The young man had a dog with him, whi c h h a d a l so been very muc h cut aad bruised, but it was not qu ite killed. Mr. C o p eman let the Red Lion Inn, Kirton, about twelve o'clo c k on Saturday night, to go home to Blyberougb, and i t 'T pea.t's that he had not gone far before he met with his assinisins. The police are on the look-out, and it is to be hoped that they will soon succeed in capturing the perpetrators of this awful murder. FIRE rtf HouNsprren, AND ROBBERY.--La s t even ing, about four o'clock, a fire of rather an alarming nature broke out upon the premises in the occupation of Messrs. Abrahams and I)anzezer, Birmin g h am l an d Sheffield dealers, carrying on business at No. 105, Hounsditch. It was caused by the cock of the main gas pipe coming out whilst one of the workmen was turning it on, having a light in his baud at the time. As soon as the flames were extinguished, it was ascer tained that some one who had entered the house, under the pretence of getting the fire out, had stolen a box Irora behind the counter Containing trinkets and other property of the value of 4001. MR. WARRENNE, THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER.— This new work, by the author of " Constance D'Oylev," " Margaret Capel," &c., will, we are requested to inform the public, be published on the 24th instant, in 3 vols. post Bvo. LA VEST PRICES OF SliAti., T. 13.ANKS, ASSURANCE, AND 0TT:114.13,, /JAMES' STOCK. From the Gfficial List, IXIILISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENING. LONDON. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21. JOINT-STOCK BANS. Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Pricy. • Annum. Share. s. d. L s. d. ustralasia 40 0 0 40 0 0 Aritah North American ' 51. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 Ceylon ••••..•• • • • • • • i ...............6!. 25 0 0 25 0 0 ..tonntercial 01 London j 61. per cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 • 151. per cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 Gloucestershire .. •• • • 15/per cent. lonian ••• • • ..... •• • • 6i. per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 Londn and Westminstr 61. per cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 23 Ditto ...... 13 0 0 London Joint-Stock 61. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 o Provincial of Ireland.. 81. per cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 New......... 8/, per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 National of Ireland .. 51. per cent. 50 0 0 22 10 0 Nat. Provncial of Eng. 6/. per cent. 100 0 0 35 0 0 Dittc,, New. South Australia ....., 22 10 0 Ca.°, of 61. per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 Ditto •• • • .... •• • ... 2 10 0 Union of London 6l. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 Union of Madrid 40 0 0 40 0 0 Names of Companies. CANALS. i Dividend per IV: • Annum. qvidend Price Names of Companies. A thtn & Oldh tiarnsley • • ricn k&A hrg Birmingham Coventry .... ip...rtiv ••• •• Ells rreScChs :tilt • • • tirandJunctn Grand Surrey urand Union' ..;ranthain •• Keunt & Avu Leeds&Livrp Leicester ..•• Leicstr &Nall :.oughborogh Motunouthsh 11Intgomrysh DieltuMwbry 57 5/.55. pc 160 1 , 121, 1501 si. 35 41. 100' 25/. 100 6/. I 133 4/. 100 32/. 100 5/ • 100 100' 1/. 10s. 150 12/. 39 7s. 6d. 100 341. 140 10/. 83 41. 142 701. 100' SI. 100 51. 100 10/. Albion .• • • • • • • • • • • • • Alliance Brit. and For. t)itt Marine.•• •• •• Nt • • British Commercial • • Clericl,Med.& Gen.l.lfe Cmrity • • • • • • C:Jwn ...... • • • • • • •• ILagle ...... Eng.Bc Scot. Law •• • • European Life ••• • • • Family Endowmnt Soc. F;•eemasons' . • • • • • • • • GinLe Guardian .... • • • • • • • • !mperi al Fire • • • • • • • • imperial Life • • •• • • • • indemnity Marine .• • • Law Fire .• • • • • • • • • • • Law I ife • • •• • • ••• • • • Legal and General Life I,:nalcn Fire •••• • • • • London Ship •••• • • • • Marine.. • • • • • • • •• •• Med. Inylid&Gen. Lite N ational Lean Fund. • National Life• • . • Palladium Lile ...... • • Pelican .• • • • • .• • • .. • . Keaix .. Pi otector Life •• •• •• • Provident Life . • • • • • • • Rock Life • • • • • • • • • • • • IZoy al Exchange -un Fire • . • ..... .• I;itto Life . . • • Universal Life.... • • • • Victoria Life • • • • • • .•• 'LIST OF SCOT' Name of Company. Bank of Scotland British Linen Company Caledonian Bank .. City of Glasgow rank . Clydesdale Bank • • • • • • Commercial Bank • • • • Eastern Bank.. • • . • • • Edinb.dt Glasgow Bank Exchange Bnk of Scot Isle of Nan. Company National Bank North of Scotland Bank North British Bank • • Royal Bank of Scotland Macclesfield . Neath • • • • • • Oxford .. • • • • Peak Forest. 4egent's • • • • Rochdale.. • • Somrsct Coal Do.Lk Fd St Stffrd &IVorc Shrewsbury.. Stourbrldge Severn and/ Wyc Rail. Warwick& / Birming. Wanvick& Napton...s Worcstr & Birming. Wilts & Brks, 5 505 3/. 10s. 6 per cent. 6/. per cent, 13s. 6d. pr sh. 7s. per share 51. per cent. 31. 13s. Gs. 5/. per cent. 5% per cent. d. & be. 51. per cent. 61. per cent. 51. per cent. 12 per ccnt. 12s. 11. sh. bs. 11. 4s. 44/. per ct. 51. per cent. 81. per cent. 51. per cent. 3/. p. et. it bs. 51. per cent. 11. 53. 43. 51. per cent. 6!. 103. 11. Gs. 10%1. pr cnt. 4 0. d. 500 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 40 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 4 0 0 20 0 0 tinfoil Bank of Scotland Western Bank • . . . • • • • Aber 'een Fl and Life B. Accord. Life and Fire British Guar.tntee Ins. t 'aledonian Fire Insur. Church of Eng and Ins. City of Glasgow Life.. 71. per cent. 81. per cent. 81. per sent. 61. per cent. 61. per cent. 71. per cent. 61. per cent. 61. per cent. 6/. per cent. 71. per cent. 61. per cent. 71. per cent. 61. per cent. 81. per cent. 81. per cent. 121. per cant. 101. per cent. 51. per cent. 51. per cent. kminhurgh Life Insur. East of Scotland Life.. Eng. & Scot, Law Life aercules Insurance Co. Inmir. Co. of Scetin4.. Life kFsoc. of Scotland Mercantile Life National Fire and Life North itrit'sli Incur. North & West of Scot. Scottish Life and .uar. Scot. M a , . and (;en. Life Scottish Union Darnel. Stan +ant ife ...• .. United Dep. Assurance Stock. 100 0 0 500 0 0 1100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 5 0 0 Stock. 100 0 0 X s. d. 100 0 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 500 0 0 25 u 0 5 0 0 100 0 0 10 8 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 12 10 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 50 0 0 'OO 0 0 'OO 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 200 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 1 0 0 20 0 0 50 0 0 10 0 0 5/. per cent. 71. per cent. 51. per cent. 5/. per cent. st. per cent. 154 1. pr cent, 57. per cent. 6MI. pr cent. 51. per cent. 51. per cent. li Prim. DOCIII3. Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. ---- --- ------ X s. d. £ s. d. C Anmerelal ••••• • • • • 41. per cent. Stock. I 70 East and West India... 61. pr cent. Stock. 119 East Country ••.•• • • . 11. per sh. 100 0 0 20 [ antic:: ............. ht. pr cent. Stock. 98 i , ltto Bonds ••••• • • • 41. per cent. St. K atlutrine Ditto Bonds...— • . IAI. pr cent. C mthampton •• .. •• .. 2/. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 i 25 WAIT ER.-V7O I Z 7 XS • Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. ..------ £ s. d. £ s. d. Birmingham. •••• • • • • IBs. 25 0 0 '25 0 0 East L0nd0n...... •• •• 81. 100 0 0 170 Grand Junction .• •• •• 2/. 10s. 41 13 4 82 31. 100 0 0 84 New Inv! . Lndu Brdge 21. 10s. 55 Vauxhall ••••••• • • . •• 100 0 0 104 Neat Middlesex • . • 51.15s.prent.; 43 12 9 lIR 151.15s.prent. GAS-MIGHT AND COKE COMPANIES. Dividend Amount Name of Company, per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. ------. x. s, d. X. s. d. British • • • • • • • • • • • • .. 1/. '4O 0 0 l 6 00 I 1711 Ditto Provintinl...• it. Ss. 20 0 0 19 0 0 24 Bristol • • .• ••••• • • • • • 101. per cent. 20 0 0 Brighton .••• • • • ..... 51 . per cent. 120 0 e 19 0 100 0 0 190 City of London ...... 101. ilOO 0 eontinentalConsolidat. 925. pr share 5 50 0 0 39 5 0 .4 Ditto, New • • ...... ss s . p r s h a rel 50 0 0 37 10 0 51 Equitlmperial . . able ........ • ... Indenewlent .........Cl.per cent. 40 0 0 40 0 0 64 London .• .. •• • • • • .... 40 210. pr cent. 50 0 0 00_ 0 48 Ditto ••••••• • • • • • • • 6/ , per cent. 50 0 ° s° , u 455. pr share 50 0 0 50 0 0_ 78 PIICCIIiX . • ... •••• • • • • 5/. per cent. 50 0• 0 4a 0 0 36 , (, Itatclitf ...• • ..... 5/ • and bns. 100 0 0 90 0 0 60 United General ...... 4 1. pr cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 17 Westminster Chartered 5O 0 0 58 Ditto, New ••.. • ... 1 3 / 2s. 50 0 010 0 0 . 111- i BRIDGES. _ _ Dividend Amount Name of Company, per of Pald. Price. Annum. Share. --- . --- _________—• ------_ £. s. it. '.£. .f. it. _ Ilungerford .......... . r ditto S u b o . of 71. 11. 2s. 2d. Ditto Nw of 754 p. c. 532 12 6 —2 .', 35 5. per cent. 50 0 ° 16 Waterloo .... • ....... 100 0 0 54;„i Sot i t o t i h: o 7 s k, , N , Ditto Old Ann. of 8/. 11. ss. 4d. 60 0 0 30 40 0 0 24 Vauxhall •• .. •• • Av. 11. ti;s. 70 10 0 27!:, MISCELLANEOUS. , , Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. ;Mare. • ---__—__ --- X. s. d. X. s. d. Australian Avriculturl ___, 100 0 0 1 30 0 0 20 Auglo-llexican Mint., 11. 48. 10 0 0i 10 0 0 17 Ditto, Half Shares.. 1 210 0 Canada ... ••••• • • • • • 6/. per cent. 100 0 0i32 10 0 30 Uppr Canada Bonds 51. per cent. _ , _ . r e City Bonds.. •••••• • •• • 3 ,1.( / P -eta. -_ 1 _ comp.Cppr3fursEng. 54. per cent. 100 0 0 70 0 0 Gen. Revers. Si. Invest. —es • u & , • '•bS, 21 100 0 o', 100 0 0 100 4 Equ i ta bl e Reversionry V. pr cent. 100 0 0, 95 0 0 90 Gea.Steatn Navigation 11. 84• Is 0 0 l4 0 0 2 . 3! . London Institution .• • 9 Pen i ns l r &Orient.Stm ,)1 . ..:; per cent . 60 0 0 50 0 0 59 Reversionary Int. Soc. . 1 3 ‘ ;/% • •pr cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 97 Royal Mail Steam .• • • ..i.? Pr cent. 60 0 0 Sou th Australian ..... 6/. Per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 Van Dieman's Land.. 100 00230 0 k 4 Universal Salvaze• •• • 25 0 0 5 0 0 INSURANCE COMPANIES. Name of Company. Dividend per Amount of Share. Annum. rata. X s. d. 50 0 0 11 0 0 5 0 0 5 6 8 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 2 12 6 All paid. 4 0 0 3 0 0 36 10 0 50 0 0 10 0 0 5 13 1 2 10 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 12 10 0 12 10 0 15 0 0 2 0 0 2 10 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 0 0 10 0 8 10 0 4 0 0 'ISE COMPANIES' PRICES. Dividend per Annum. Amount of Share. Paid. 2 0 0 0 11 0 MARKET INTELLIGENCE (From the London New Price Clirre;;;fDec.2.l.) SUGAR.—To -day the market exhibited a firmer ap pearance for raw Sugar, and there was a less quantity on offer. There was more inclination manifested to operate, and in some cases merchants were enabled to obtain better prices. In West India Muscovado sales to a fair extent were concluded, both for the scale a , th s, e c r ., above. The quan paid are equal to those a toi n ft y d Fsr t oi h di e da yap amounted and whilst ot to 450 h 4e e seoa r sh a eh t s e d s rs including a public sale of 152 hbds Barbadoes, which went at the former value—very fine yellow 46s 6d, fine 41s 6d to 445, good 39s Gd to 40s 6d, middling 383 to 395, and low 36s Gd to 37s per cwt. REFINED.—To -day refined goods were much sought after for home consumption, but few parcels to be ob tained, standard lumps realised 53s 6d to 545., and brown grocery 528 6d to 53s per cwt. The market is firm for bonded crushed Sugar, and a good demand exists at 303 to 31s for first sort. For Loaves the demand is exten sive, and prices tend upwards. MAURITIUS.---ThiS afternoon there was snore activity cases 6d per c wt above former r a t es; f ine ye ll ow fetched Sugar, and 2,687 bags , 6 public sale, w ere s old in some 435, good e i in s t k h s e , l o o f a tr3ik:estiltefoow3r 9c 11 :0 1 6 a p( r ai middling and good middling 35s to 37s 6(1, washed and syrupy 28s 6d to 413 6d per cwt. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon Bengal Sugar a ttracted more a ttention, and 685 b ags at public sale were sold at fine grainy yellow went at 43s Gd to 46s 6d, f g l u i o e l o l n a n d a r 41s to 560 oo baskets, 2 m s i 2 d middling 37s 6d to 39s 6d ; of s tiff e r rates ; fine yellow fe tched and 19 cases went at 37s 6d, middling and good 31s to 323 6d, low 30s to 30s 6d, good brown 28s BVEN - ING, DECEMBER gg, isry, per Aimuul 11. 4s. 71. Ns. 61. p. c. 28/. lA/. 201. 11.88. X s. d 100 0 0 100 0 0 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Price. o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 IN 5% IN 6% 20% 120 44% 214 14% Price. 121i1; 12 10 0 0 15 0 5/ l's 2 17 6 10 o 0 10 0 0 1 0 0 51% Is.6'd. 9s. 2 21. 80 I/ 5s fl 10 0 Ss. 1 0 0 245. 20 0 0 23 1 0 0 1/. 0 11 0 % 0 15 0 135.6 d 1 0 0 1 1/. 3s 4 5 0 93( 1 0 0 i 12s. to 295; 4,439 bags of Siam sold at fully the former value, and in some eases rather above. FOREIGN.—Since our last report ItAlers of For.:in Sugar have not been so wil:ii , g to rea'ize, and there is a falling off in the suppiy at, tzt,tket. Prices have suf fered no further depression; the market, however, has been in an inactive state; from exporters the demand hav ing been limited for all sorts, whilst our refiners working under bond have been purchasers to a moderate ,xtent only, although there are many orders on hand for loaves and crushed sugar: the grocers have been cautions in their proceedings. By private contract the principal sales are 600 chests of Bahia. COFFEE.—This afternoon Plantation Ceylon was dealt in with caution, and of 798 bags 10 casks at auction, a small part only found buyers, at rather lower rates; fine bold colory went at 70s, good 56s to 58s, middling 48s to 545, fine fine ordinary 43s 6d to 445, fine ordinary 38s, good ordinary 365, ordinary 345, damaged 14s 6d to 43s 6d. The market is in an inactive state for native, and 681 bees went at 33s 6d fur good ordinary, and at 28s 6d to 32s for damaged, which are rather lower rates ; 91 bags of Mauritius sold at 9 7s for good ordinary yellowish heaLed, and at 25s 6tl damaged, being moderate prices. TEA —A more favourable Opinion is entertained to wards CJngota, and during the last few days purchases to a fair extent have been made; prices, however, do not improve, as the market is 3.4 plentifully supplied, and holders showing a desire to sell. The purchases made in Souchong are tri fling, although low and middling can be obtained at 8d to Is, and good to line is 2d to 2s. Pouchong is neglected, and can be obtained at 3d to Bd, according to quality. There is not the kast improvement in the value of green, us there is an abundant supply. The operations are upon a more extended scale. Mex.—To-day there was little passing privately in East India Rice, and 2,582 bags of Bombay at auction sold at a reduction on former rates of ed to is per cwt — fine white went at 12s to 12s 6d, low and middling dusty, small 9s to 10s, good greyish white large pearl, but rather broken 9s 6d to 10s, middling ditto 9. to Os 6d, and damaged 8s to 9s per cwt. SAGO.—To•day at public sale 135 boxes of Pearl Sago sold at lower rates, and went at 17s to 18s 6d for tine small white pearl. SPICES.—To-day Pimento was only in limited demand, and 129 bags at auction sold at a decline of *d per lb— good went at 4d to 4*(l, good mid 34d, mid 30 to 3id, low ord 3d, good ord 3j d, and damaged 3d to 31d; 3 cases Cinnamon sold at Is 5d for Madras, and is 7d to is 9d for damaged Bombay ; 14 cases 2 bags of Penang Nut megs sold at full rates. COCOA.—For West India former rates are required ; the sales made privately are, however, to a small extent only, red at 40s to 495, and grey at 37s to 445. 127 bags of Bahia at auction sold at 36s for fine bright red, which is cheaper. Six bags of Caracca went at the high rate of 60s 6d for bold dark grey. SPIRITS.—To-day few purchases were made in any kind of Rum, and sellers offered to accept rather lower rates. We quote proof Leewards at is 6id to is 7d, East India Is 5d to is 6d, Jamaica 30 to 36 per cent over proof 3s 4d to 3s Bd, good and fine 3s 9d to 4s 6d per gallon. FRUIT.—To day at public sale 126 pkgs of damaged Patras Currants were nearly all taken in at 38s to 395; 41 do. of Zante 39s to 403; 72 do. of Old Patras 32s to 335, and 119 do. of Zante at 32s to 33s per cwt. SALTPETRE.—To day Rough met with little attention privately, and 432 bags Calcutta at auction sold at 31s 6d to 32s for good strong grey, 4d per cent. refraction, being rather lower rates. COCHINEAL.—This afternoon Cochineal met with at tention, 12 bags of Honduras black at auction sold at 5s 4d to 6s 9d, 85 bags of silvers 4s 5d to ss, and 12 bags of Teneriffe for exportation only, at 4s lld to ss, and which are all full prices. TALLOW.—Theye is no further advance to notice in the value of Russian, although the arrivals continue small, and the demand on the spot having been active from both the town and country trade. On the part of merchants there is firmness, and they are obtaining 46s 6d to 47s for P. Y. Candle. For delivery in the spring months a good business has been concluded at 45s 6d. Home made sells readily at 47s to 48s nett cash; the supply will be more plentiful ere long. For other kinds of Tallow prices have slightly given way, as the quantity brought to market was large, the demand, however, has been good. Ores.—There is more firmness on the part of holders of common Fish Oils, and the market has been less freely supplied, buyers also have operated with more freedom. and a rise in the value of all sorts is apparent. Seal met with a good sale. Cod has been in excellent request at 251 to 251 10s, and at which there are not generally sellers. Southern of all descriptions is wanted, the supply is however small. Sperm has declined in value, as an increased quantity has been brought to market, but a good demand pnwailed, and 120 tuns at public sale were all sold. The home trade are the chief buyers of Fish Oils ; only small parcels have arrived since our last report. Cocoa Nut is little re quired, and prices are on the decline, although the sup ply continues to be small. In Olive several purchases have been made, holders however are still willing sellers, although the stock does not increase. Lard Oil sells slowly at 48s to 58s. MURDER AT CASTLETOWN, NEAR, HEYWOOD, LANCASHIRE. sh ticking nlurder w. s coin in itted on Se to rdtp. evening, upon a labouring man named ,Jatn% Duck worth of this place, originating, it is beiieve(;, from revengeful feelings. It was cottind•ted upon the car riage-drive leading from a newly-erected hall, be longing to Mr. Richard Kay, cotton manufacturer, near Castletown. Duckworth was in the habit of sleeping at the hall. On Saturday evening, a few minutes after eight o'clock, as John Kay, a groom, who lives close to the entrance gates, was coming down from the hall to go home for the night, and was about;. one hundred and eighty yards from the gate, he distinctly heard four blows struck in the direction lead ing to them. Imagining that a cow had got upon the lawn, and that some person was heating down the turf, with the view of obliterating the traces of her hoofs, he determined to take the trespasser, if he could catch him, up to the house, and ran towards the spec from whence the sounds proceeded for that purpose. It had been raining a great deal during the day and evening, and though not a fine night, the moon shone a little, and he had not got far before he perceived something lying on the ground in the middle of the carriage-way. Le hastened to it, and the moment that he reached it heard the gate cloc l e with a " bang," hut neither heard nor saw any one. He ftaital Duckworth lying on th e g r, u n d, with his face down wards, and in a prof of blood. lie lifted up his head, but it fell again to tho ground, as if lifelet-s. lie ran home, told his father and brother, who were there, and also a next door neighbour, named John Leach, what he had seen, and then hastened to the hall to tell Mr. Kay. Meantime, a wheel barrow was procured, and the man taken to the Dog and Partridge public-house. This public-house is very little more than a hundred yards from where the body was found ; in fact, there intervenes between it and the gates a row of four houses and a large barn. A new landlord, named Thomas Fenton, had entered upon it that day, and this event caused it to be very full of company in the evening ; so many as forty, we are told, being there at one time. Amongst the company was Duckworth, a man named James Tet ler, a spademan, who was discharged from the hail four or five weeks since, another named Benjamin Garnett, who worked there twelve months since, and a third named George Wolstenholme, who was at work there till Monday, when he was apprehended on suspicion of being concerned in the murder. From what we have been at present able to learn, it appears that they had been there a considerable time; ever since dusk, when Duckworth said he must go home. Wolstenholme induced him to stay a little longer, and, it is said, went out himself. Duckworth, at length went out, and was immediatly followed by Tetler (it is not positively ascertained whether Gar nett went out at the time or not), who returned in a very short space of time ; and on his return made use of a very remarkable expression to a man named John Scott, who is also employed by Mr. Kay as fore man of the spademan—namely, " I'll gan you sum mat, he'll not goo up yon to-neet." Almost irnme diately afterwards the intelligence was brought of the finding of the body, which was brought into the house; all the company except Tetler, Garnett, and Wolstenholme, were anxious to see the body, and saw it ; and the two latter eventually " swore " that they would see it, and did accordingly, but Tetler did not see it, though he betrayed very great anxiety j about the man, and frequently asked how he was going on. Mr. Pickford, surgeon, was sent for and attended Duckworth, who was quite insensible and never rallied even so much as to open his eye 3, but died about eight o'clock on Sunday morning. A police officer was sent for, and on examining the spot where the body was found, several foot marks were found, as were also two pieces of oak about four inches thick, which had formed a cart leg used for propping up the shaft. Jt had originally been rather more than four feet long ; the shorter piece, about seven inches in length, was found just opposite the spot where the body was found, sticking in a perpendicular position in the soft soil to the left of the body, as if being broken by a violent blow, it had risen a considerable height, and fallen in the position in which it was found. The other and longer .piece was also found nearly close to it, but it had evidently been flung carelessly up the brow of the lawn, which outside forms a kind of sloping terrace, and had rolled down again. This cart-leg, it is positively ascertained, had been taken from a cart which stood in the yard of the public-house, and which having been the pro perty of Mr. James Beswick, the outgoing landlord, had been valued to the present one. We should have stated that when Duckworth was found his hands were in his trousers pockets, so that there is no doubt that he was felled to the ground by a sudden and violent blow, and that it was followed up by others, which occasioned the noise heard by Kay the groom, who it appears was on the spot, but just too late to sate the poor fellow's life. The murderer or murderers must have been close at Duckworth's heels after he had entered the gates, and were enabled to approach him witheut noise by means of the grass border on the sides of the road, escaping back again under cover of the raised lawn, for had they run down the carriage way. Kay must have heard them, and if they had gone down the opposite side of the lawn he must have seen them. In the meantime, and before the police-officer came, Tether and Garnett had left the public-house and gone to the Farewell Inn, at Castleton Moor, where they were found about ten minutes past twelve, by Ser geant Pridden and another officer, who, after exa mining their shoes, and seeing that the nails and make of Tetler's corresponded with those near the body, took them both to the police-station at Hey wood, and, in consequence of further information, the same officer apprehended Wolstenholme at the place where the murder was committed. On Monday an examination of the prisoners took place at the police station, Heywood. They were remanded till Wed nesday. The inquest on the body will be held at eleven o'clock to-day. The deceased, James Duck worth, has left a wife and five or six children. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, TUESDAY.—The Queen and Prince Al bert, with the Royal Family, arrived from Osborne at the Castle at twenty-five minutes before three o'clock this afternoon. Her Majesty and the Prince were attended by the Viscountess Canning, Lady in Waiting, Hon. Miss Kerr, Maid of Honour in Waiting, Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, Equerry in Waiting, Colonel Bouverie, Equerry in Waiting to his Royal Highness, and Major-General Bowles, Master of the Household. The august party was escorted by a party of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. The Queen and Prince Albert were received at the grand entrance to the Castle by Lord Wraterpark, Lord in Waiting, and Captain Hon. A. N. Hood. The Royal Commission fur inquiring into the Mer chant Seamen's Fund held a meeting at the Board of Trade, yesterday. The Commissioners present were the Earl of Ellenborough, Admiral Sir Edward Cod rington, Sir William Clay, M.P., and Mr. Enderby. The Board sat three hours and a half. The Right Hon. the Speaker cf the House of Commons had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday. Mr. Grace had also' an interview, yesterday, with the Right Hon. Baronet, at his official residence in Downing-street. Sir Henry Vere Huntley .had an interview with Earl Grey on Monday, at the Colonial-office. A deputation from the Committee of the Anti- Interment in Towns Association, composed of C. Lushington, Esq., M.P., Scott Alison, Esq., M.D., A. Barnett, Esq., M.D., J. Rogers, Esq., M.R.C.S., Joseph Child, Esq., churchwarden of St. Ann's, Mr. Joseph George, overseer of St. Ann's, and Mr. Hal lett, had an interview with Viscount Morpeth yester day, at the Office of the Woods and Forests. Lord and Lady John Russell left town yesterday on a visit to the Duke of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. The Marquis of Lansdowne left town yesterday, for his seat, Bowood Park, Wilts. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. BETTING AT MANCHESTER.-TUESDAY. THE DERBY.---12 to 1 agst Surplice (taken to 10/.) -18 to 1 agst Springy Jack (taken to 400. CHESTER CUP.-1,000 to 15 agst Jock o'Sot. NEWMARKET CRAVEN Mt.ETING, 1848. TUESDAY. Nominations for the Newmarket Handicap of 2; sovs. each, 10 ft, and only 5 ft if declared on the 24th of January, with 200 added. Clermont Course. Reflection, 3 yrs—Projectile, 4 yrs—Vampyre, 4 yrs —Prussic Acid, 5 yrs—Palma, 4 yrs—Paladin, 3 yrs— Marietta, 5 yrs—Ennui, 5 yrs—War Eagle, 4 yrs—Mar pessus, 4 yrs—Crozier, 4 yrs—Queen Mary, 4 yrs—Miss Sarah, 6 yrs—Miss Whip filly, 4 yrs—Minto, 3 yrs—Sir Peter Laurie, 4 yrs—Marquis of Conyngham, 5 yrs— Clementina, 4 yrs—Antler, aged—Clarendon, 4 . yrs— Reminiscence, 4 yrs—The Widow, aged—Magnet, 4 yrs —Vesta, 4 yrs —Pillage, 4 yrs—Bacchanalian, 3 yrs— Cracow, 3 yrs—Administrator, 4 yrs—Prior of St. Mar garet's, 5 yrs—Miss Barns, aged—The Conjuror, 5 yrs —lonia, 4 yrs—The Liberator, 4 yrs—Chewisette, 4 yrs—Sylvan, 3 yrs—Milliner, 5 yrs—Mathematician, 4 yrs—Rainbow, 3 yrs—Clermont, 4 yrs—Clumsy, 6 yrs —Kimblesworth, 4 yrs—Fergus, 4 yrs—Bingham, 4 yrs —Christopher, 4 yrs—Dulcet, 6 yrs—Deriades, 4 yrs— Practice, 3 yrs—King of Morven, 4 yrs—Good Boy, 3 yrs—Sam Hood, 3 yt s—Walengate• bar Without, 4 yrs —Trouncer, 4 yrs—Epirote, 4 yrs—Lady Lift, 4 yrs•— Montpensier, 4 yrs—Pantomime, 4 yrs—Pottinger, 4 yrs—Black Dwarf, 4 yrs—Widred, 5 yrs—Pic Nic, 6 vrs—Sir Martin, 4 yrs—Tarells, 4 yrs—Duc-an-Durras, 6 yrs—Lady Wildair, 6 yrs—Mendicant, 5 yrs—Miss Margrave, 3 yrs—Saddle,4 yrs—Sagacity, 4 yrs—Lady Lurewell, 4 yrs—Sutlej, 6 yrs—Embrace, 3 yrs—Alboni, 4 yrs—Millwood, 4 yrs—Passionate, 4 yrs—The Ques tionable, 4 yrs—Tuscan, 3 yrs—Mogador, 4 yrs—Doc trine, 4 yrs—Black Doe, 3 yrs—Duplicity, 3 yrs— Taffrail, 3 yrs—Tufthunter, 4 yrs—Watchdog, 4 yrs— Prospect. 5 yrs—St. Antonia di Padua, 3 yrs—Remem brance, 3 yrs—The . Prince, 3 yrs—West India Planter, 4 yrs—Vanish, 5 yrs—St. Demetri, 5 yrs—Hydrangea, 5 yrs—Cosachia, 4 yrs—Circassian Maid, 4 yrs—Rufus, 5 yrs—Rattrap, 5 yrs. THE BOR.LESALiNS, OR BUSH PEOTLB IN DUBLIN. —These very singular specimens of the human race— the African gypsy as they may be termed, whom we had so frequently occasion to notice, whilst in the metropolis, are now drawing crowded audiences of the scientific and curious of Dublin. Without doubt they are the most e xtraordinary of human beings that ever visited a civi lized country. [ADY ERTISEMENT.] —CARRIA GE ~U REE.—Families residing in the country are supplied with Teas and Coffees at the lowest wholesale price, in quantities not less than six pounds, delivered carriage free to any part of England. Orders must be accompanied by a remit tance, or if a reference be made in London, payment will suffice on receipt and approval of the goods. A list of prices and samples free, on application to G. T. Man sell and Co., wholesale tea-dealers, 2, Bucklersbury, Cheapside. WOMAN.-If woman was more thoughtful and opinionative than she is, she would only be more trouble some to man when he is yoked to her. If women were not fond of dress and dressing, who could clothe and deck the little children so neatly? Would man do it? And will literary and philosophical women do it? Not they; they suffer their children to go in rags, rather than mend or darn. It requires a large fortune to keep a philosophical wife. COMMISSION OF LUNACY. Yesterday a commission of lunacy was opened at the Swan Hotel, Walham-green, to inquire into the state of mind of Charles Richard Harrison, Esq., an inmate of Dr. Philp's establishment, Kensington House. Mr. Alexander with Mr. Bloxam attended as coun sel for the commission • T. W. Giffard to watch the proceedings on behalf of the alleged lunatic. Mr. ALEXANDER stated that Mr. Charles Richard Harrison was the son of a merchant, and was forty two years of age. Upon the death of his father he came into considerable property, and married his cousin. He was brought up as a timber-merchant, but instead of following up that vocation he became extravagant and gave himself up to farming pursuits and field sports ; he took two farms at Guildford, in Surrey, of 1,000 acres, and kept up his sporting stud at Hockton, Hull, and got a notion in his head that all his property could be disposed of to the Hull Dock Company. In the autumn of 1845 he became exceedingly wild ; he was placed in Moorcroft House Asylum, near Uxbridge, kept by Mr. Stilwell, and there he threatened the life of Mr. Taylor, a surgeon, and having been foiled in his object, he became morose and sullen, and it was necessary to administer food by the means of the stomach pump. In May, 1846, he effected his escape from Moorcroft House, and visited Guild ford, where Mr. Taylor, the surgeon, resided. He was again placed under the protection of friends, and continued in Osborne Wick House, in Yorkshire, which was kept by a member •f the Society of Friends. On the sth of February, 1847, he again made his escape, and was discovered at Leeds, armed with a brace of loaded pistols. By stratagem he was prevented from doing any mischief, and his person haying been secured, he was removed to Dr. Philp's establishment, Kensington House, where he had be come more composed, and it was to be hoped, for the sake of the unhappy gentleman himself, that the in fluence Dr. Philp exercised over him would continue. Dr. Philp, physician of St. Luke's Hospital, and superintendent of Kensington House asylum, stated Mr. Harrison was a suicidal patient, and that he frequently spoke of the Emperor of Russia, and talked of seeing angels and visions, and was decidedly of unsound mind. Sir Alexander Morrison having given similar tes timony, the unf or t una t e gen tl em an was introduced into the room. He is a flee man, and of military air, and wears a full moustache. The jury found Mr. Harrison insane from the 11th of January, 1846. The unfortunate gentleman's property was stated to be about 12,0001. ----- HE MURRAIN AMONG CATTLE. At the monthly meeting of the Highland and Ag ricultural Society of Scotland, held at Edinburgh, on Wednesday last, the secretary read a communica tion from the Board of Trade to the effect, that the E p i zo otic ' ', which was thought to he disappeari ng , had brolip : out with greater violence than ever among the horned cattle of Wallachia, and that three fourths of those which had been spared from last year's visitation were falling victims to it. The . secretary said, that though the communication th just e i p t i t d o ei b n e ic ad co r u e n fe t r r e y n , c t e he to di t r h e e cto s r ta s t e e oon f , i read distant h conceived duty to submit to the public all information their duty conveyed to them on so import ant a subject, in regard to which Professor Dick, who wa s present, had pr om i se d t o give to the me e ti ng the results of his experience. Protessor Dick then rose and made the following statement, which we give as of great interest to the public at present :—Professor Dick stated that um Pleuro-Pne o ' and v ma was still prevailing with great vio lencearied with the weather. It existed at pre sent to great extent in East Lothian, a s well as in Aber deenshire and thr oug h ou t the north. -He was informed yesterday by one of his pupils, who is in practice S N ' t- at Iklaybde, in Ayrshire, that g. ,, Ar''' * Aa,4. - Org . :, ' . o\ occ.sionally a solitary case for ififteen - ,iiiiles' R 7 Otte ..l e dur Pg the last twrive nicVOfS. -<.:---.02:7: ~.,: )f f. 4(t : k et4t, dered its origin and p...orag;ation \to be aftniWie Teal,:i it * and attributable to influences to 14ich'2.0-01a 7 jiit ..:' lower animals were equally exposd;...-in-4 1 11n4riMt. - of which the Professor referred tii r tifiel4i4tgAccOil.• dernic in the form of influenza, under which he him self was evidently labouring, and in conseqaence of which the public schools have been partially closed. The disease consisted of active inflammation in the lungs, and in the pleura which covers them and lines the chest. It was attended with great danger, particuarly when the pleura was principally affected; and such cases generally were fatal, unless the proper remedy was immediately applied ; because when that membrane is attacked by inflammation, being what is called a serous membrane, it very rapidly proceeds to pour out serum and lymph be tween the lungs and ribs; the chest fills with water, and the animal sinks and dies rapidly. Man, and all the domesticated animals, are liable to the disease, although they may not he equally affected at the same time. Horses, as well as dogs, during the pre sent Epizootic, have been less afloted than cattle. The disease is not, ,-4- , 21 - is,rall t y speaking, so fatal in bores as in cattle, Leause huses, being under con- tinuai notice, were better attended to the symp toms were at once noticed, and they were seldom lost. The same would he the case with cattle it pror,,erly looked after; but too little attention is paid by the breeders and rearers of cattle to the 'health and comfort of their stocks and the symptoms of their diseases ; they, at the same time, are not so much under the immediate observation .of their owners, and the symptons are not so distinctly marked as in the horse. Irdeed, the early symptoms very readily escape notice, because they are obscure. To illustrate the treatment required, the Professor referred to a case in Lanarkshire where he had been called on for advice ;—his instructions to the smith or furrier on the property were, that he should bleed whenever he observed any cough or alteration on the milk or feeding, clean out the bowels by laxative medicine—say 11b. of Epsom salts, nitre, tar tarate of antimony i n large and repeated doses ; repetition of the bleeding ; blistering the sides, and even firing, if necessary. After the inflammatory action has been subdued, tonics should be adminis tered. By following this course the smith has ac quired a local celebrity. It was sufficiently simple if adopted at an early stage of the disease ; but if it has made a certain progress, no reasonable hope of success can be entertained. THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. HAMPDEN. The following protest refers to a memorial which will be found below: We the undersigned clergy, resident within the archdeaconry of Coventry, having observed with pain that a petiti ni is about to be presented to her Ma jesty from certain of our brother clergyman of this arch deaconry against the appointment of Dr. Hampden to the bishopric of Hereford, desire to record our pro test against such petition as alike unjust to Dr. Hampden, interfering necessarily with her Majesty's selection, and likely to prove highly prejudicial to the best interests of the Church of England. Josiah Allport, M.A., perpetual curate of St. James's, Birmingham. C. T. Arnold, M.A., assistant master of Rugby Schoool. J. Casebow Barrett, M.A., incumbent of St. Mary's, Birmingham. H. J. Buckoll, M.A., assistant master of Rugby School. Carew Thomas Elers, vicar of Bickenhill. B. Congreve, M.A, assistant master of Rugby School, and fellow of Wadham College, Oxford. G. E. L. Cotton, M.A., assistant master of Rugby School, and late fellow of Trinity College, Cam bridge. Sydney Gedge, M.A., second master of King Ed ward's School, Birmingham. William Gower, MA., incumbent of St. Paul's, Bir mingham. Joshua Greaves, MA , incumbent of St. Peter's, mingnam. A. William Gregory, vicar of Corley. Henry Hake, vicar of Chilvers Coto n . __t H. Highton M.A., assistant master of R ug b y S c h oo l , and late fellow of Queen's College, Oxford. J. S. Hodgson, M.A., rector of Brinklow. „ . Arthur R. Kenney, rector of Bourton-on-Dunsmore. James M. Knott, vicar of Prior's Hardwick. W. Duncan Long, M.A., incumbent of St. Bartholo mew's, Birmingham. John C. Miller, M.A., rector of St. Martin's, Birming ham. Edward Miller, vicar of Radway. J. Moultrie, M.A., rector of Rugby. Thomas Page, M.A., incumbent of St. Matthew's, Rugby. _ _ U. Parker, vicar of .Bulkington. 3. Richings, vicar of Mancetter. John iieriry Smith, perpetual curate of Milverton. It. Strong, curate of Monk's Kirby. A. C. Tait, D.O L., head-master of Rugby School, and late fellow of Banjo' College, Oxt%ird. Richard Tawnev, vicar of Willoughby. 11'. Wakefield, M.A., vicar of Curdw•orth. Joshua G. Watson, vicar of St. Nicholas', Warwick. Isaac D. Winslow, vicar of Napton-on-the-Hill. J. Congreve, curate of Harborough Magna. TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD JOHN RUSSELL. We, the undersigned clergy exercising duties within the county of Bedford, beg leave to submit our opinion to your Lordship in the following particu lars : 1. That we have no share in those feelings of alarm attributed to the clergy, through the activity of a portion of them, upon the subject of Dr. Ha►npden's elevation to the episcopal bench. 2. That we have throughout this agitation of so grave a question looked for the affirmation and proof of some sufficient reason ; some unquestionable state ment of erroneous doctrine supported by Dr. Hamp den ; some palpable evidence of unsoundness in the faith. But none such have we found ; no proof or evidence of any " strange doctrine con trary to God's word," as held or favoured by Dr. Hampden. 3. On the contrary, we have seen charges advanced upon the faith either of extracts from his works, or of general statements of their constructive meaning, which an examination of the original writings shows to be entirely unfounded : such extracts, by their garbled form in some instances, by false connexions in others, quite revers ing the true meaning of the passages. And we have reason to think that many of the clergy have received their impression of Dr. Hampden's doctrinal views from these untrustworthy sources. 4. That having seen these modes of impugning Dr. Hampden's orthodoxy so largely adopted, and having seen no one proof of unsound faith extracted front any of his writings, we hold ourselves at liberty to conclude (even those among us who have not made a thorough search through all his works) that none such are to be found. h rt h ih a se v t i e at nn indeed iitoanl r a a w d nhdi c s m fi h wu o ee n nr s et igabalyr regard doc trines ian s me . sp d T oe h fn a t t uh pe : C , n e only as admirable expositions of the truth upon those points, but sufficient also to satisfy our minds that the faith of their author and his view of Christian doc trine is worthy of all approbation. 6. That consequently, the only objection to the elevation of Dr. Hamptien stands upon the authority of the vote of censure passed upon him by the Um versity of Oxford in convocation, in the year 1836. And that we do not, in the present day, regard that vote as of so much weight as properly to stand in the way of Dr. Hampden's elevation, for reasons which we think it unnecessary to mention. 7. That Dr. Hampden has since the time of his condemnation received a direct expression of confi dence, in the very article of previous censure, from the legitimate heads and governors of the university ; whose age, and station, and responsibility, and maturer judgment entitles their act, in our opinion, to more weight of consideration, as representing the sense of the university, than the act of a body composed in great part of younger and leas responsible persons 8. That under such circumst ances , an d reviewing the theological history of Oxford during the period that has intervened since the occurrence above alluded to, we consider the app o i n t ment to an episcopal station one holding and stating the great doctrin es o f Chris tianity in that vital integrity', er , s trength, and simplicity exhibited in Dr. m r h o u o m r n ch s a . The followi ng i s an extract ci rcu m s tan ce a sermons, f favourable to the h ea l t h of the C dated wyielsl ttearkdtake Hereford, yp,la 1c 17 is pri vate when l ette r, morning. Thefixed it a l arge majority of the Chapter. place, by th,a General Chapter met, in con sequence o f t h e D ean having summone d t h em , to lay b e f ore t h em the var i ous communi cations he h a d rece i ve d as t o D r . H amp d en , and also to consent to s i gn a p e titi on to the Crown which he had pr e p are d aga i ns t D r . H am pd en 's appointment. This was rejected by a majority of 7 to 3, and I know three or four of the preben daries who were absent, and would have swelled the majority had they been present." , arri v ed e tt election fi"ed The for co the ge 2 FOREIGN FUNDS. BELGIAN FUNDS.—BaussaLs. DEC. 20. Actual Debt, 2% per Cent .. •• • • • • .. Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent ........ Loan of Thirty Millions, Four per Cent -- Ditto Three per Cent • • ...... Ditto Thirty-seven ➢lillione, ditto ...... Ditto,ditto,lB4o. •• Ditto,dltto,lB42 . • • • • • • • • • •... Ditto, 1843.... •• • • • Ditto, 1836... • • • Ditto, 1838 .. • • . ............. 67 Ditto of the City, 1832 ....... ..... 99L ii Ditto, 1843 . • • • • • • ....... ' Bank ofltelgium.. • ' —Brussels Papers, Dec. 20, •••••'• • • • • • 8014 ... 913