The Sun. — London, England, 1840-06-11 00:00:00

LONDON: THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1840. ATTEMPT TO MURDER THE QUEEN AND PRINCE ALBERT. LATEST PARTICULARS. (THIS AFTERNOON ) It was generally understood that the prisoner EDWARD OXFORD, who yesterday was guilty of the diabolical attempt upon the life of his Sove reign, would be brought up to the Home-office for examination, at ten o'clock this morning. At that hour, we found that the Marquis of NORMANBY, the Earl of UXBRIDGE, Lord R. GROSVENOR, Mr. Commissioner ROWAN, Mr. HALL, the Ma gistrate of Bow-Street, and Mr. BURNABY, his clerk, were all in attendance ; but we were given to understand that the prisoner would not be examined until two this afternoon, when a Privy Council will be assembled at the Home-office, before which the prisoner will be examined. It is expected that the examination will be merely a preliminary one, and that the prisoner will be remanded. Shortly after eleven o'clock Mr. Fox NIA ULE arrived at the Home-office. On being asked if reporters would be permitted to be present at the examination ? his reply was, " Most certainly not. It would be contrary to all rule." We understand that when be was seized by police-constabl e BROW N , the pri soner did not offer the slightest resistance, and ac knowledged at once that he was the party who had fired at her 'MAJESTY. He further stated that the pistols were loaded with ball. The bullets, we understand, have not yet been found. The pri soner was placed in a cell at the station, where two policemen were with him the whole night, to prevent any attempt at suicide, although it did not appear that he seemed to contem plate any attempt of the sort. He slept well, and this morning engaged in conversation with the officers who were attending him. On lea rcLing his lodgings, in addition to the bullets, the sword, and the mask, we understand there were found the rules and regulations of some secret society, written in a fairish hand, and also several letters addressed to the prisoner from respectable persons. We have seen the pistol s ; they are about the size and are rat h er showy. They of duelling pistols, are fitted with ramrods and percussion caps ; the barrels are twisted, and they bear what appears to be the mark of the Birmingham Proof-house ; but a gentleman connected with Birmin g _ ham declared the mark to be a forgery, and the pistols themselves to be of very inferior manufacture. They appear quite new. It appears that the prisoner occupied only a bed-room at his lodgings, and that the address which he gave last night ;.as a correct one. Buckingham Palace, Two o'Clock. We rejoice to say that her MAJESTY has not suffered in the least from the excitement, but that she is in the enjoyment of perfect health, and in excellent spirits, and intends taking her drive ear lier this evening than usual, in order to show her self to the people who are assembled in multitudes round the Paiace, and who are all anxious to have ocular demonstration of the well-being of their SOVEREIGN. From an early hour this morning, visitors have been continually arriving at the Palace, to pay their respects to her MA JESTY. Shortly after ten o'clock, her MAJESTY the QUEEN DOWAGER arrived at Buckingham Palace, and remained there for some time. His Royal Highness the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, ac companied by Prince GEORGE, arrived on foot, and was immediately followed by her Royal High ness the Duchess of CAMBRIDGE and the Princess AUGUSTA in the carriage. His Serene Highness the Prince of LEININGEN arrived at the Palace in the course of the morning. At a quarter to twelve o'clock the Marquis of NORM ANBY came up to the Palace from the Home-office at a very rapid rate on horseback. He remained at the Palace a considerable time. Immediately after the first shot was fired at her MAJESTY his Royal Highness Prince ALBERT placed his hand upon her 'MAJESTY'S bonnet, pressed her down into the carriage, and placed himself between her MAJESTY and the assassin, so that had the second shot taken effect, his Royal High nesss would have been the victim, and not her MAJESTY. On her return to the Palace, her MAJESTY immediately retired to her apartment, and burst into a flood of tears. Having relieved her excited feelings by this effort of nature, her MAJESTY resumed her usual calmness, and joined the company in the drawing-room, as if nothing unusual had occurred. It is a curious circumstance that her MAJESTY should have or dered her equerries last evening, instead of accom panying the carriage from the Palace as usual, to proceed up the private grounds, and join the caval cade at the top of Constitution Hill. Had they occupied their usual place they might perhaps have fallen victims. At a quarter past twelve the Marquis of NOR mANEY proceeded to the House of Lords, and was for some time in earnest conversation with the LORD CHANCELLOR. The Noble Marquis left shortly afterwards, and proceeded to Downing street. At two o'clock the LORD CHANCELLOR ad journed the hearing of appeals in the House of Lords, for the purpose of attending the sitting of the Privy Council at the Home Office. Lord BROUGHAM and Lord DEVON remained for some time afterwards in earnest conversation on the subject. Lord MELBOURNE and Earl HOWE arrived at the Home Office shortly after two o'clock. The clerks of the House of Lords have been busily engaged during the morn ing searching the journals of the House for prece dents as to the course to be pursued under the pre sent circumstances. It is generally understood that addresses of congratulation will be moved in both Houses to-night, and that a day of national thanks giving for her MAJESTY'S providential deliverance will be appointed. The Corporation of the City of London met to day, and unanimously agreed to an Address of congratulation to her MAJESTY, with which they will go up to Buckingham Palace in state to- ,!„ EVENING EDITION. - PASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY -JILLi OPENING from SHOREDITCH to BRENTWOOD. Tho,Public ate informed that the FURTHER OPENING of this RAILWAY. from the TERMINUS in HIGH STREET. SHOREDITCH, to BaEN FWOOD, r;ill take plate on WEDNi.SDAY. the Ist July neat; on and after which day the times of starting the Trains will he as follow : FROM LONDON. FROM BRENTWOOD. 9 o'clock, A.M. 9 o'Clock, A. as. 10 .., 10 ... 11 II ... 2 o'clock, ?.m. ... Y. Jl. S Further particulars, with tal flounced. Offices, High-street, Shore& 1 S ... Lble of fares, will be duly an- itch-11th June, 1840. HIPPODROME RACES, BAYS WATER The Public are informed, that in consequence of the incon ♦rnience experienced on Wednesday, from the immense num bers that crowded for admission from Two to Three, the Pro prietor will open Extra Gates I . O3IORRONV (FRIDAT ), for Admission. TTORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. _ _ EXHIBITIONS AT THE GARDEN. The NEXT EX HIBITION will take place on SATCR. DAY. the I3th of June. Fruit, Flowers, or other subjects intended far Exhibition must be delivered at this office, on FRIDAY, the 12th, or at the Society's Garden, at Turnham Green, before Half-past Nine o'clock on the morning of the 13th. _ _ . . Fellows may obtain any number of Tickets for the admission of their Friends at this Office, price ss. each. The gates will be opened at one o'clock on the day of Exhibition. All tickets Issued at the Garden will be charged 10s. each. 21, Regent-street. Now ready, the First Number of THE INDIAN NEWS, AND CHRONICLE OF EASTERN AFFAIRS. The INDIAN NEWS will for the present appear every month, price Is. ; or 10s. for the First Twelve Numbers, if paid in advance. Orders for the Paper may be addressed to 63, Cornhill, or to any Newsvender or Postmaster in Town or Country. DAViDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE. Iromoose Novelty for the Holidays—Now Pieces with New Scenery, Dresses, and Appointments. THIS EVENING, JUNE 11, WM be acted an entirely New Domestic Drama, by the Author of " The Life of a Woman," entitled THE FACTORY B DX' ; OR, THE LOVE SACRIFICE Supported by the entire strength of the Company. After which a New Comic• Drama, called JACK AN!) HIS NINE WIVES. Jack, Mr. Saville. To oonclude with, not acted here these Two Years, THE OLD OAK CHEST; OR, THE ROBBER'S DAUGHTER AND SMUG 'GLER'S SON GRAND FASHIONABLE PALACE OF NECROMANCY. (Late ST. JAMES'S BAZAAR, sT. JAMES'S-STREET.) Elegance, Fashion, extreme Splendour, intellectually inpro snei etive View of the World of Magic ! The Great WIZARD of the NORTH respectfully informs the Nubility and Gentry, that he has fitted up the above estab lishment in a style of splendour unprecedented, and on WED- N lESDAY, JuNE 10th, he will commence a series of MORN ING and EVENING EXHIBITIONS of Mechanical, Gal vanic, Magnetic, and Electric Necromantic spectacles of Won der, and he relies on their patronage for a continuance of that support that has hitherto distinguished his metropolitan career at the strand Theatre. trauil Faskionable MORNING PERFORMANCES EVERY DAY. Doors rpen it ualf-past One ; Commence at Two o'Clock precisely. Classically Elegant Fashionable EVENING ENTERTAIN MENTS on MONDAY and FRIDAY EVENINGS. - - Doors open at Half-past Seven ; Commence at Eight o'Clock precisely. Reserved seats, 7s. 6d. ; First Circle, 5t ; Second Circle, 21.6 d. The Wizard will be happy to attend the Private Parties of die Nobility and Gentry, or give Instructions in the art " 31a gique," on 'Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. WHIT MONDAY, TUESDAY, and THURSDAY. Siecond Week of the PROMENADES MUSICALES, and CARTER'S EXTRAORDINARY " LIME LIGHT." first Performance this Season of Handel's Sublime " Hailstone Chorus."—ERUPTION OF HECLA, with new effects and increased splendour !! On MONDAY, TUESDAY, and THURSDAY, June Bth, 9th, and I Ith, ' The unrivalled Band of this Establishment, composed en tirely of the most distinguished Instrumentalists in London, and eonducted by Mr. Godfrey, will g ive Three Grand Pro menade% Musicales et Champetres, inclu ding the new and much admired Melange from " Robert the Devil," and the celebrated Grand Chorus, " He gave them Hailstones," from " Israel in Egypt." During the day the unequalled Menagerie, and vast Pano rama al Fresco of the BURNING MOUNTAINS of ICE LAND, by Denson; between the Pars of the Concert, the new and intensely interesting Tableau d'Action of Perils and Adventures in the Frozen Seas; Mr. H. Carter's wonderful .6 Kesaiaphostic," brilliantly illuminating the whole Gardens, front One Minute Central Light! ! and at Dusk the ERUPTION OF MOUNT HECLA ! ! Admission, One Shilling. Feeding Hour of the Catnivora, Five o'Clock. HMI WATER. AT LONDON BRIDGE TOMORROW. minutes alter 0. I Evening 7 minutes atter 0. The Publioation of the Evening Edition of THE SUN COM silenced at 10 reroutes after Three. TO CORRESPONDENTS. We return grateful thanks to our numerous Cor respondents, who, list evening, spontaneously and with almost breathless haste communicated so many particulars of the atrocious attempt on her Majesty's life. I Ar , ! , ..”I\''; ' - 1 - , ,•• , isiwt.N o A % '% '- '!"•4 4 ,." - ''' ,; 411 ' -ii l le 11.11. morrow. We understand her MAJESTY'S absence from the German Opera last night did not arise from the treasonable attempt upon her life, for orders had been received by the Police-officers, who usually attend her MAJESTY to the theatres, an hour before her MAJEsTY's drive out from the Palace, that their attendance would not be required. The investigation is now proceeding before a Cabinet Council at the Home-office, and nothing of course s‘ ill transpire till the proceedings have terminated, which will not be till four or five o'clock. We shall give the result in our Second Edition. The atrocious attempt which was yesterday made on her MAJESTY'S life, has excited a most extraordinary sensation. The rumour that such an attempt had been made was so completely improbable, that at first persons would not believe it. Speedily, however, the publication of our Second Edition, and subsequently of a Third Edition, both of which were extensively circu lated, containing the authentic particulars, dissi pated all doubt, and carried conviction to the mind that no innocence, no popularity, no youth, nor beauty, can shield the possessor of a Throne from the attacks of villany or insanity. The world was slow to believe that so horrible an at tempt could be made on one so young and so un offending ; still less would it believe that such an attempt would be made on one so exalted and so deserving. It is, however, too true, that one youth, a thin, slender, decent-like looking youth, has been miscreant enough, or madman enough, to seek his Sovereign's life. Her MAJESTY had left Buckingham Palace for her usual afternoon's ride, and had not proceeded more than 150 yards up Constitution-hill when two pistols were fired in quick succession, in front of and across her MAJESTY'S carriage, but hap pily without either of them taking effect. The person who fired the pistols was immediately ap prehended and conveyed to the police station-house for examination. All that we have since learned concerning him is that his name is OXFORD, and that he has been a pot-boy. On such occasions even those who are them selves the coolest give different accounts, for they see things differently, an d we have accordingly been told by :more than one in formant that the would-be assassin was calm and collected, and by others that he was hag gar d, pale, and confused. In fact, it was said that he was in such a state after being taken to the station. house, that it was thought prudent to postpone all but the most necessary inquiry. The investigation • has accordingly been postponed till this day. What motive prompted the diabolical attempt, THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY. JUNE: 11, IA4O. whether the youth be smitten with any pAtical madness, whether he falsely regard her MAJESTY as the JEZABEL of the day, and the enemy of the Protestant Church, or as the enemy of liberty--whe ther his blood have been inflamed by the harangues of the Exeter Hall and the Canterbury fanatics, or by the harangues of any Chartist leaders, we cannot ' tell. But such kind of viliany or madness is generally the result of some doctrines, and whatever follies the Chartists may have been guilty of, they have never spoken disrespectfully of her MAJESTY per sonally. Time will, we hope, unravel the mystery. We shall content ourselves with remarking, that the monomania which attacks a youthful and a popular Sovereign's life, must be regarded as the most poisonous result of some virulent principles. E is report Ai that the youth is a foreigner, but we know not that there is any founlation for the statement. HALF-PAST SEVEN O'CLOCK Her Majesty and Prince Albert have just re turned to the Palace from their ride. Thousands were congregated in the Park and its neighbour hood to see them. Her Majesty and the Prince looked exceedingly pale but very cheerful, and returned the enthusiastic chee rings of the assem bled multitudes almost as if nothing had oc curred. Every one seemed anxious to express their loyalty to their Queen, and their detestation of the diabolical attempt that had been made to take away the life of their beloved Sovereign. Lord Melbourne and the Marchioness- of Normanby arrived at the Palace almost immediately after her Majesty entered it. It is really wonderful that the attempt of the miscreant was not attended with loss of life, as hundreds were assembled to see her Majesty, and some gentlemen were thrown from their horses, who were alarmed at the firing of the pistols. The pistols appear to have been fired in a slanting direction, as the carriage was approaching, from the appearance of the marks on the wall on the opposite side of the road. The e xcitement this diabolical attempt has occasioned appears unexampled; hundreds of all grades and conditions are now flocking into the Park, and making anxious inquiries as to the safety of their beloved Queen. If her MAJESTY were for the moment alarmed, and we do not know that she was, for the carriage drove on as if nothing had occurred, she must have experienced a high gratification from witness ing the subsequent overflowing loyalty of mul titudes of her people. Crowds of horsemen and footmen flocked round her carriage, and testified, in every possible respectful way their enthusiastic joy at her safety. Perhaps no art can always protect a life at which another aims, but the best rampart is the affections of a people. We shall now insert from our Second and Third Editions the particulars as they reached us. Just now (about half-past six), we happened to walk down near St. James's Park, and saw a great crowd of persons following a policeman in charge of a man, all in the greatest excitement, which we soon learnt was caused by a horrible attempt to murder her Majesty, by firing two pistols at her, one after the other. Happily neither of them took effect. We can learn no more at present. the Pig in the Pound, MarYlehonc-ane, facing Oxford- object it was intended to serve. The police have street, this was all the information which could at this I made a further search of the prisoner's lodgiugs, No. 6, period obtained from hint. The two Constables, West -street, West-qquare, but blee riot discoc.s.red Brown and Smith were then rsamined, and from their . anything luril.er iike!y to throw aii3 light- upon the sub stateu cuts, it a ppeared that they wer e on duty in the i.ct. It appears that he resided- with his sister, Mrs. Park, near to the Palace. Shoetiy after her Majesty Phelps, whose husband is a baker, but who made a and Prince Albert had left, they were alarmed by success f u l application to the Commissioners to be ad hearing the report of a pi sto l w hi c h was speedily milted into the police a few days ago, and who was to followed by the report of a second, Police Constable commence duty on Monday next. The prisoner's =- Smith instantly jumped over the pailings of St. James's ther is at present in Birminghem, staying with some Park, and, in so doing, cut his bands, and ran to the highly-respectable friends, and she has been there for spot, from whence the sound proceeded, when he found the last month. a female who was inside of the railings of the Green I He left home about three o'clock yesterday afternoon, P ar k, holding a young man by the skirt of his coat, but the officer has been unable to trace his steps until who was standing on the foot-path of the carriage road, the time he attempted to take the Queen and Prince and within eight yards of the spot where her Majesty Albert's lives ; and he maintains a sullen silence in re had passed, and from whom he took two pistols. Terence to his connections, and the manner in which he William Clayton, of No. 52, Prince's street, Lei has been engaged during the last mouth, when he cester-square, artist, stated that he was in the Green quitted the Ho g i n -th e -P oun d p u bli c -ho use . in Oxford- P4rk al out a quart e r p as t s ix o ' c l oc k last night, when street. his attention was drawn by hearing the report of a pis- 'lle letters referring to Hanover, and a Secret So tol, which was instantly succeeded by a second ; on turning round he sa w th e p r i soner , w ho a ppeared to cloy, advising the members to provide themselves with have taken the pistols from the inside of his coat, and at arms, is signed with the name of " Smith," .but they the time he appeared to be perfectly collected. bear no date, either as to time or place, which tends Albert Low, of Copthall-court, Throgmorton-street, to throw greater suspicion on them, and to confirm the ' City, spectacle-maker, stated that he was in the Park, opinion that I . x . sts, that the prisoner has been made the and upon hearing the report of the first pistol, he turned tool of some secret and unlawful society. round and saw the prisoner take a second one from the inside of his coat, and fire at her Maj , sty. Sir Augustus Murray, who was in attendance at the station-house, as well as Mr. Gregoric, the Magistrate, observed that Irom what he could collect it was evident that the pistols were aimed at her Majesty's head, and that it was only from the Prince altering his speed, that the bullets did not take the desired effact. We have given in another column an account of the dinner held yesterday at the Freemasons' Tavern, in aid of that excellent institution, the Greville Street Free Hospital. To Dr. MARS DEN great m?rit is due for his persevering exer tions to establish in a crowded neighbourhood, abounding with poverty and &stress, a hospital, for admittance into which (as Lord ROBERT GROS VENOR justly remarked) only two conditions are requisite—poverty and disease. Great success has blessed Dr. MARSDEN'S humane endeavours, and what with the liberal assistance of the Corporation of London, and of some influential Noblemen and Gentlemen, there is every reason to believe that the institution will he completely successful. Among the generous contributors to its support the name of the Marquis of WESTMINSTER stands emi nently conspicuous. He has supported it almost from the commencement, and, in addition to the sums already subscribed, his Lordship since the last anniversary has subscribed 100/., and last night sent one hundred guineas more. Alderman HA It- MER has also been of much service, and we trust he will render greater service still. From the position he holds in the Corporation of Lon don, he must have great influence, and it could not be better exerted than in recommending the city of London to contribute out of their vast funds still more liberally, and also to furnish a site for an hospital on a larger scale, in the street about to he formed in that populous district. He could not better celebrate his accession to the Mayoralty, and the large subscriptions from the city companies, announced last evening, prove that he would be supported. The most important statement was that of a Mr. Pecks, and was as follows :-1 have been in Landon about a week from Dorsetbhire, and having never seen the Queen, I was anxious to see her, and ac cordingly I went to the Park, and placed myseli near to the Palace. After being there for a few minutes 1 saw her ntjesty and Prince Albert come: out of the Palace, but not obtaining a good view, 1 ran on to the Green Park, turning round by the angle to the westward. I placed myself about 40 yards on the road towards Hyde Park. The prisoner was standing near me. He had his hands folded across, and in his coat. As the carriage came within a few yards of him I saw him take his right arm from the left side of his coat, and, pulling out a pistol, he fired it. He held it as if he was fighting a duel, or point blank. I thought it was an act of rejoicing, but instantly afterwards he drew a second pistol out from his breast. He then crossed his arms, and stooped as if he took aim, and then fired. The instant he did so Prince Albert looked flushed, but the Queen appeared to me not to change countenance, for she leant forward and spoke to Prince Albert, and he then drove tepidly towards Hyde Park. I became alar:ned, and not knowing what was meant. ran away ; on my reaching Covett•garden, I told a comtable what I had seen, who took me to his inspec tor, and came with me here. '',The House of Commons met again last night, after its short adjournment for the Whitsuntide holiday s . Mr. TOMLINE, the new Member for Sudbury, took Mr. Pecks afterwards said the Queen appeared to be by no means alarmed when the pistols were fired. The prisoner, who maintained as considerable degree of sullenness, inquired it the Queen was injured. The pistols were here produced; they arc rather larger than those in use by the police, but of Birmiq ham make. his scat. After the private business, and the presentation of numerous petitions, were over, Mr. PLEMPTRE gave no tice that, rn 23,1 inst., he will move that after this year no grant shall he made to Maynooth. Sir C. D. NOIMEYS 'gave notice that he would move on the Committee on the Irish Registration Bill that the qualification be in dependent of the beneficial interest. Mr. MACLEAN gave notice that he means this day to ask. a question relative to Buenos Ayres. Mr. MACKINNON asked a question about the duties on Foreign wines, which the President of the Board of Trade declined to answer, In answer to Sir R. PEEL, Mr. ELLts stated that he did not know whether he should divide on the dis trict council clauses of the Canada Bill. Ile hoped Lord JOIN RUSSELL would withdraw them. At a late hour last night we ascertained that the assassin is a native of Birmingham, which place he left when only nine years of age ; that he had left his last place during the last month. They at length as certained his residence, which was No. 6, \Vest -street, West-square. On searching his room they found a sword and a black crape cap, made to fit the face, be sides a list of names, which may lead to most important results. Ou his person was found a half-crown, a knife, and a key. There was also found at his lodgings a ball and powder flask, the bullet fitting the pistols. From the time of the horrid attempt, until eleven o'clock 4bout twenty of the police were engaged in sifting the earth before the wall against which the ball is supposed to have bounded, but at the above . hour no bullet was found. Ilnring the whole of the night, repeated mes sages came front the House of Commons, to ascertain if the assassin had ;?nado any statement ; he, however, remained silent, with the exception of inquiring whet thcr he had shot the Queen. This question he put several times during the course of the night. Mr. MILL's Seduction Bill was read a second time, after a short debate, by the narrow majority of one. The House was occupied during the who!e evening afterwards, with Mr. PAKINGTON'S Beer Bill in Com mittee, on the clauses of which there were several divisions. • Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD'S CApyright Bill, which was expected to come on last night, was postponed. Government is said to be established for the good of the whole community, and it is therefore surprising that so few should have part in it. The persons directly concerned in electing the House of Commons (To not amount to one-twentieth of the European community, and the distant colonies are governed for their advantage by persons who have never seen them, and know little or nothing of their wants. Of that twentieth part not a twentieth part, perhaps, occupies itself much with Government. Every one knows that the bulk of the elections are regulated and settled by some small junta or some single topping elector who undertakes to Select and think for the whole electoral body. Moreover, it is only at particular periods that this little party is called on to act ; so that, if we take the two ele ments of time and number into consideration, only a very small portion of society exercises any direct influence over, or has any part in, that Government which is for the good of the whole. This, however, is not all. We have hitherto considered only the electoral body----4he body they choose is a still smaller section of the whole. If we estimate the two Houses of Parliament at 1,000 persons, we shall find that they are about one twenty-five-thousandth part of the whole. If we assume that of them one-fifth take an ac tive part in the management of public affairs, we shall not. be far wrong, which will make about the one hundred and twenty-five-thousandth part of society, which give an impetus to the Govern ment. What a very small portion to regulate the whole I But it is well known that of this small number, only a small part is active, and governs and directs the rest. Ultimately, then, it comes to this, that public affairs arc really directed by a very small number of persons, who do not much exceed in number the celebrated Venice Council of Ten. Though we boast of our representative Go -1 vernment and our freedom, it would be difficult to point out in what our Government essentially differs from a despotism, for that is worked net by one man, but by about ten or a dozen active men— about the same number as work the British Go vernment and all that depends on it. It may be said that these few, by being respon sible to the whole, really do the bidding of the whole. We have already shown that the consti tuency is composed of a very small junta in every district. So far as the apprehension of the anger of the constituer.cy, or the wish to preserve their good will, may operate on the elected body, it ' may be said to be responsible to the electors ; but how little that realty amounts to with septennial elections, a very slight consideration will suffice to show. It is a responsibility after action, and that responsibility is practically very remote. Unless the sense of it happen to be present to the mind of the acting person at the time he is acting, which will only batmen in a few instances, it really can have no influence whatever on his actions. What he does cannot be undone, though he may be punished for having done it. Now, the examples of punishment of any Ministers, or any members of the governing body, are inconceiv ably rare in En&nd, and their influence must be proportionally small. Take for illustration the conduct of the Foreign Minister ; it is a principle that while negotiations are in progress they are not to be questioned. The Foreign Minister, there fore, in fact, acts without any control ; and we apprehend that no human being will suppose, tak ing experience for his guide, that any Foreign Mi nister can have the leaA apprehension of any kind of punishment, further than a mere loss of popula rity, for whatever he may do. In fact, therefore, FROM A CORRESPONDENT. An attempt has just been made to assassinate her Majesty and Prince Albert. They were, as usual, taking their ride up Constitution Hill, when, about midway, a young man fired a pistol, which not taking effect, he immediately discharged another, but happily without injury to either of the Royal parties. • He was immediately secured and taken to Queen-square. Prince Albert ordered the carriage to proceed as if nothing had occurred. FURTHER PARTICULARS. The man is taken. He was respectably dressed, and we are sorry to say there was no appearance of insanity about him. The act was too deliberately done, and repeated. Happily the Prince, who was with her Majesty in the carriage, bad the presence of mind, at the first shot, to order the coachman to dash on, which it will be at once perceived was the wisest thing that could have been done. The indignant by-standers instantly seized the miscreant, who is now in the station-house. Nothing can describe the state of excitement into which all persons in the neighbourhood of the Parks have been thrown by this truly dreadful act. With the rapidity of wild fire the news soon reached the House of Commons, where it created the greatest sensation. FROM OUR OWN REPORTER. Her Majesty, accompanied by Prince Albert, left Buckinghatn Palace in a photon-and-four, at about six o'clock this evening, for the purpose of taking their usual evening drive in Hyde-park. They had proceeded about half-way up Constitu tion-hill, when a young man, apparently not mom. than seventeen years old, who was standing in the Green-Park, close inside the iron railings which separate the Park from Constitution-hill, discharged two pistols in quick succession at the carriage in which were her Majesty and the Prince. Her Majesty, at this moment, was bowing to the crowd, and this most. likely deranged the aim of the assassin, and preserved the life of our most beloved Sovereign. The miscreant was im mediately seized, and two pistols found in his pos session, which, we understand, were taken from him by the Earl of Uxbridge. He was genteelly dressed, and appeared perfectly unmoved. He offered no resistance whatever, and was led away in custody. The balls from the pistols struck the wall of the gardens of Buckingham Palace immediately oppo site, in the brick-work of which they have produced a deep indentation. Her ,Majesty's presence of mind never deserted her for a single instant. Imme diately after the discharges had taken place, she rose for the purpose of showing she was unhurt, and the carriage was ordered to proceed. Her Majesty had not retur►►ed to the Palace at the time this account was despatched. Immense crowds were assembled round the Palace all anxious to testify their respect and sympathy for their Sovereign, and the assembled multitudes seemed all actuated by one feeling of the deepest horror at and indignation against the author of so atrocious an attempt, of sympathy with their Sovereign, of admiration at her heroic and courage ous conduct, and of heartfelt gratitude to Providence, which, by an almost sp,cial intervention, has pre served those lives so dear to every well-wisher to his country. We are informed by a gentleman who was on the spot that he had just passed her Majesty, as had also the Marchioness of Londonderry, who had bowed to her Majesty, and was smilingly an swered, when he heard a shot. He turned round, saw the smoke, and at the same time saw the flash of another pistol. The person who fired, a young man, about 17 years of age, who appeared to be very much frightened, was immediately secured and hurried off. One of the balls struck a wall, and the mark which it made is perceptible. After the lapse of an hour, her Majesty, who had continued her journey, returned to the Palace. The incident having become known, every horseman in the Park seemed to regard it as a duty to accompany her Majesty, Who was followed on her return by as glorious and numerous a cavalcade as ever attended a Sovereign. Her Majesty smiled repeatedly, and seemed much more delighted by the enthusiasm which the cir cumstance had called forth, than affected by the danger she had passed through. We understand that, contrary to the usual custom, her Majesty was sitting on the left hand of Prince Albert, which rendered the task the villain had undertaken more difficult to perform, as he had calculated on her occupying her usual seat and had taken his place accordingly. An im mense crow d h as congregate d i n the neigh bourhood, and the wall which was struck by the bullet has undergone a close examination, but as yet, we believe, without the bullet having been found. LATEST PARTICULARS. We have just returned from Constitution-hill, where we left several policemen actively engaged in searching for the bullets, which, however, had not been found up to the hour we left. The dust underneath the wall where the bullets struck has been swept into heaps and removed in a wheel barrow, and will be carefully sifted, under the superintendence of the police. The assassin, when seized, is reported to have said, " Well, I have done it I" It is also rumoured that he has stated the pistols were given to num by a gentle man for the purpose of being employed in this diabolical attempt. The trees in a line between the place where the assassin stood and the marks on the wall, appear to have been wounded. We understand Chat her Majesty, immediately after the occurrence, drove to Belgrave-square to call on her illustrious mother, the D uchess of Kent, and returned from thence to the Palace. The Park is crowded by persons anxious to ascertain the particulars of the horrible affair. The crowd on the spot where the diabolical attempt was made is so great, that it has been found necessary to station a body of police there, to preserve order. On her return from her ride, as the carriage approached the Palace, her Majesty gave orders to the postilions to proceed slowly, in order to afford her an opportunity of re ceiving and returning the enthusiastic greetings of the thousands of her loyal subjects, assembled there to congratulate their Sovereign on her provi dential escape. The prisoner is under the care of a Superin tendent and two Police Sergeants at the station in Duke -street, Westminster. He states his name to be Edward Oxford, and in answer to questions put to him by the Superintendent be said that he had been a pot-boy, and left his situation only two or three days ago, since which he has resided with his mother in West-square. He is a tall, slight lad, and rather decently dressed-- he evinces no signs of insanity whatever, and re plies to the questions put to him in the mos t rational manner. The pistols, which are of a superior description and quite new, are about five inches long in the barrel. From the position in which he was standing at the time he discharged them the muzzle must have been within ten feet of the carriage and on a line with her Majesty's head. The balls passed on the opposite side of the road along the wall in a slanting direction, and it would appear that he fired the shots as the carriage was approaching towards him. It was rumoured that one of the bails had penetrated her Majesty's bonnet, but this we have ascertained to be without foundation. When the prisoner was asked where he had purchased the pistols, he said, in a significant manner, " Don't you wish to know that very much ?" He has been repeatedly ques tioned as to his motives, but he is quite silent on that topic. It is supposed that he will be removed to the Home Office, and that the investigation will take place before the Marquis of Normanby to-night. The woman wl.o was standing near Oxford when he fired the shots was taken into custody, but on giving her name and address she was discharged. Vast crowds are still congregated round the station in Duke-street, and the greatest anxiety is manifested by all patties to learn the particulars of this diabo lical affair. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) The assasin, who had a pistol in each hand, was instantly seized by a gentleman, named Low, residing in Copth a ll- cour t, Throgmort on - s t ree t, and anoth er p erson name d Clayton, residing at N o . 52, Wi n d m ill- street , Golden-t,quare, who w ere standing t o see t h e loyal Cortege pass , and Mr. Beckham, one o f t h e P ag es of Honour to the Queen, who was accidentally passing at the time. Another young man who stood close by was also seized upon, the supposition being that he was an accomplice. Police constables Brown, 85, and Smith, 42 A, instantly came up, and took both into custody and conveyed them to the station house in Gardener's-lane. PROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT. The Royal couple left Buckingham Palace for a drive to Hyde Park ; but the carriage had not gone over more than from forty to fifty yards, when a pistol was fired at the Queen, or more probably at Prince Albert, which was instantly followed by a second. At this most eventful and momentous period in her Ma jesty's life, not above half a dozen persons were pre sent, am ongs t w h om was a female, who wa s the firs t to catch h o ld o f t h e assass i n , and Lord Ingrestrie. His Lordship instantly g a ve the alarm , and in a few se conds s e v era l o f t h e po li ce arr ived, and took the pri soner into custody, and conveyed h im down to the station-hous e o f t h e A division, in Gardiner'sdane. Through the kindness of Mr. Superintendent May, we obtained the following particulars, besides being present during the inquiry : The prisoner, who is genteely dressed, on being brought in to the Station-house by Police Constable, Charles Brown, No. 85, and Charles Smith, No. 42, of the A Division, stated his name to be Edward Oxford, and that he was seventeen years of age, that he was in the habit of obtaining his livelihood by living as a pot boy at the public-houses, and that his last place was at ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. The following is a more detailed account of the assassin's conduct after his arrest, together with the report of the Inspector of Police, who examined his I )dgings in West-street : Shortly after nine o'clock Inspector Hughes returned from the lodgings of the prisoner to the station-house in Gardeneet-lane, at which time the Earl of Uxbridge, the Honourable Augustus Murray, the Comptroller, and other members of her Majesty's household were present. He then communicated the following in formation :—On entering the apartment which Oxford occupied he commenced a search, and dis covered a sword, and, in a drawer, a quantity of powder and ball, the latter exactly corresponding with the size of the barrels of the pistols taken from the prisoner when seized. On making further search he discovered a black crape cap, having at tached to it three satin bows of a blood red colour, and a piece of paper containing a list of members of a secret society, which he had no doubt had plotted the present occurrence. The list contained from twenty to thirty fictitious names, such as " Oxonian, Hannibal, Ernest, Ste." The prisoner on being brought from his eft!, and being shown these things, did not deny that they belonged to him, and, it is stated, even admitted that he belonged to a society, but refused to give up where it was held, or the names of the persons who composed it. Mr. M'Cann, of Parliament -street, was sent for to the station-house (where the Hon. Mr. Fox Manic, More O'Ferrall, Lord Uxbridge, and Earl Cardigan had arrived), for the purpose of examining the state of tbe prisoner's mind, and that gentleman having closely queitioned the prisoner, expressed his unqualified belief of his perfect sanity. In the course of the examination the prisoner stated that he had never been ill a day in his life, excepting when he was " blown up by gunpowder." Upon being asked his object for committing the act, he turned round, and pointing to the police, replied, " These gentlemen wi!l tell sou my object." Mr. M'Cann rejoined that he should like it from the prisoner himself; and the latter cooly observed, " Oh, there are thousands by this time know my object ; the act shows it." In a.e.wer to further interrogatories the prisoner said he had drank only a pint and a half of beer during yes terday, and it appears on investigation he was not an intemperate young man. His mother, with whom he resided formerly, kept a coffee-shop in the Waterloo road, but has latterly resided in \Vest-street in private lodgings, having a small but competent income. The prisoner for three years lived as pot-boy at the Hog in-tile-Pound pubbe-house, in Oxford-street, nearly opposite Marylebone-lane, but he quitted that service about a month ago, and has since been out of employment. On Tuesday evening he called upon Mr. Linton, a butcher, in the Waterloo -road, %id] whom he is acquainted, and remained there for two hours, but upon that nor any other occasion has he be trayed any appearance of incoherency. The assassin, up to this time, bore a good character; he is only 18 y ears of age, of slim make, dark visogcd, with small but expressive eyes, and stands about five feet four inches high. He was well dressed in a brown frock coat and trousers, and light silk waistcoat. He has a sister, but no brother or father living. He has been carefully watched throughout the night. . _ the responsibility, as evolved from any direct con trol exercised over Ministers by the representa ___ TNE DIABOL!CAL ATTEMPT TO ASSASSI- I Lives or by the electors, is a mere matter of moon- NATE rIER MAJESTY AND PRINCE ALBERT. shine. (ADDITIONAL PA RTICULARS. ) There is, indeed, an indirect control. The Press This morning, a t day-light, the police re-commenced has some influence, though it is much less than is an active searc h f or the bullets fired out of the pistol s , generally supposed. The public opinion which it but thei r exert i ons were not successful. The g ar d en o f contributes to form has less power over the imme the palace has been examined, and there is very great i diate acts of statesmen than over their characters. doubt wh et h er t h ey w ill be discovered. Public opinion forms the sentiments of individuals, and moulds their characters, while they are unaware The prisoner throughout the night slept very soundly . and was f requent l y vi s ited by Inspector P whoartridge, w:„ . o f its operation, and they afterwards act in obe dience to its mandates, without thinking of it. lo was on (111:y. Mr. I‘l'Caon, the surgeon, had a con- fact, it may be said io model the moral nature of versation with him this morning-, but still " sti natelY statesmen, as well as of other person s, which is the ref uses t o give an ex planation of the motive that reason, and not from any reflection on responsibility, led to the comm itt a l o f so fi e ndish an act, or the • that statesmen generally act agreeably to public EVEN IN(-1 b,,ID IT lONI_ opinim, and refrain from committing any outrage against, Such help : , the amount of responsibility, both d ice,: and inchrect, of ;Am:Esti:en, and so few being the persons aho realty control and direct public affairs, it tOliows either that public affairs can have hut a very insignificant influence over public wel fare, or that the community is, in fact, at the mercy of a very few men. Weembiace the former part of die alternative, and it is a satisfaction to know that as public affairs come to exercise more influence on the welfare of the whole, the public at large, whether sharing in the re- , presentation or not, takes an interest in them, and moulds the characters of rulers to its wishes and its presumed interests. On the whole, it may, we think, be inferred that the early education of statesmen- - or that series of circumstances, whatever it may be, which forms their minds—is the real guide of their conduct, and not any sense of future responsibility' When Mr. DUNCOMBE brought the cruel im prisonment of JOHN THOROGOOD under the so t:ce of the House of Commons, an attempt was made to check the public sympathy which had been generally excited in favour of the martyr for con science -sake, by mis-representing the law of the . , case. It was confidently asserted by one who knew well the falsehood of the assertion, but whose authority was looked up to with deference, that the incarceration of THOROGOOD was the necessary consequence of is own act—that the Ecclesiasti c:l Court could pursue no other course than that which it had actually pursued—and that the whole blame of any suffering which the prisoner had been subjected to, was to be attributed to himself a lone. The effect of this ex cathedra declaration of the law was to create in the minds of many persons, not disinclined thereunto before, a prejudice against him. The whole pack of Tory elpers were up in a moment, and opened in full cry upon the helpless vie" tim of the Church's tyranny. Abuse, misrepresenta tion, calumny, and other weapons of the same kind familiar to the tribe of wretched scribblers who do the dirty work of the Priests, were employed against him in the usual unscrupulous manner, and with as much eagerness as if the salvation of the Chureh . depended upon his destruction. We do not expect that those who make the ut tering of falsehood a trade will be very anxious 10 convey the truth to the minds of those whom they, have ueceived, however they may be persuaded 01 it themselves ; but of this we are sure, that no one possessing a grain of impartiality or candour can have read the Correspondence which we have pub'. lished respecting this much-injured man, without the conviction that he is aemated by the purest and holiest motives, by a regard to the dictates of ea' science, and a firm belief that he is promoting the great cause of genuine Christianity. So far from entertaining those selfish views xhich the sordid minions of a worldly system of religion have imputed to him, he is proved by that Correspondence to be one of the most disinterested of men. But that whkh will perhaps excite the most general admiration in the character of DO' ROGOOD is the martyr-like firmness, or rather determination, with which he resists every attempt come from what quarter it may, to induce him t° let go his integrity. He will make no compromise with conscience. With im every deviation from its directions is a sin. He is told that he has it in his power to obtain his liberty by being merely Pas" sive, and allowing the rate and costs to be paid by his friends. Had he been the scheming hypocrite which the foulmouthed organs of the parsons le' present him to be, would he not have accepted this generous offer? Assu.,edlv he would. But how does he act in this emergency, in this moment of strong temptati on ? Does he flinc h: from the assertion of thos e l o f ty pr i nc iples vgh.ic ,'' " he has hitherto maintained ? Does his heart give way at the prospect of the prolon gat i on of his sever e suffering ? No, with a constancy uns haken by th e certainty of imprisonment for life, be locos the injudicious, though well-meant, proposal. acting from principle," replies this truly Prig a man ; I will never pay either rate or costs ; an. whether I pay by my own hand or by the hand of another man, is, in my mind, the same thing. - will be no party, either directly or indirectly, to a transaction which I do not approve."- There is :no news of the slightest importance in the Paris Journals of Tuesday. The Ministerial ordi nances nominating and changing Prefects are discussed with more gravity than their importance appears to de mand. M. TRIERS has acted towards his opponents in office with extraordinary forbearance. Tile whole Of the nominations ar e only f or t y - s i x . Of t h e se thirteen are changes from one Prefecture to an o ther. Nine el l appointments of Sub-Prefects to P r efectures ; and seventeen are translations of Sub-Prefects. Wer e N. TRIERS to consult his Alinisterial safety at the exp ense of every other consideration, it is not with such trifl in g and unimportant changes as these that he would be satisfied. On Monday night the Dukes of OnLEANs and AUMALE arrived in Paris from Marseilles. The discussion in the Chamber of Deputies on gen . day, on the Marine Budget, has called forth the follow ing observations on the French Navy, in the leading columns of the , National of Tuesday. They are pre7. faced with the opinions of RICHELIEU, COLllgitt TURGOT, the Members of the Committee of Public Safety, and NAPOLEON, in favour of a powerful navY and an enumeration of the magnificent ports with which France abounds, and of the terrors with which her naval commanders so often inspired England. 13 nc with all her advantages, it appears that the obstacles t o the formation of a ',rally efficient navy by Franca are not inconsiderable. They embrace most of the COW plaints heard of among ourselves : THE FRENCH NAVY. Before the Revolution we had not a sufficient navy, be cause the resources of the country were absorbed by the Court. We had not alw •ys capable and zealous office" , because the superior grades were accessible only to the nobles. In the present day the revenues of the reigning dynasty are almost equal to half the amount of the budg e, ' . of the Ministry of Marine. As to the personnel, evert body knows how the officers arc formed. With rare eI" ceptions, the common sailors can never rise to high grades; in order to fill these usefully a theoretical know' ledge is necessary, which practice does not teach, The staff of the navy therefore is only supplied from among the captains of merchantmen and the pupils of special schools. Now, to be captain of a merchantman it is not sufficient to he skilful and full of probity—one must also be rich and able to offer to the owners a sort of security, which is generally fixed at a third or fourth of the value of the cargo. We have self the special school, that is to say, the naval seh°l established on board the O r i on , i n t h e ro ads n, Brest. Originally the pupils Nho arriv e d a t t hat schoo l came with the grade of pupils of the second class, an d they had, consequently, all the advantag es attr ib ute d by t he ordinance of January, 1816, to the pupils of the saute rat' from the College of Angouleme—viz., pay and rations but the Minister of Marine perceiving that the set' s° l could be supplied without granting such rdvantages to pupils, began by suppressing the pay, then the rations. and. ended by demanding payment from th e p u pil s . The e e. 4 ° . nomy per pupil (says the report o f th e C omm i ttee ) is S 5 w francs per annum, independently o f th e mone y no . paid. But it will be seen that economy i s h ere a m et. pretext. Previously to this r e f orm , f am ili es w h o wer e not rich were able, with som e sacr ifi ces , to g i ve to the° r children an education which qualified them for O a ; didates for the sch oo l o f the Orion- this is IL longer the case. Th e nava l career , t h erefore, as rego r :i officers, is open only to th e r i c h. Th e poor are eaclucleh: f a r n o d ni p t e h i e y st s ce c hc ho hoon ol a schools se , a l s they also schoolsthe had b pyuhi already sraecm been received vmede from apnasy;.fo t Tr h a e hri milita r y oi f at t hese st the only vice of the system. The organization of the m" ritime lists is deplorable. It appears from the tables Pre ; sented to the Chamb er i n 18 38, t h at of 101,000 sa ilor s of all classes an d p ro f ess i ons enrolled on the na va l lists, 37,000 only h a d th e necessary qua lifi cat i o ns " ( age and validity for s e rvi ce; a nd we d o not fi n d that since 1838 any improvement has taken place. 14 4; niers stated lately that it was in contemplation to make 10,000 foreign seamen residing in France, and enjoyi n g all the benefits of nationality without its burdens, " 5 "„ - to service; . but we learn that, in consequence of the rern° - ; strances of Foreign Governments, this idea is n° t , t be carried into execution. This is not all ; the regn' s ; tiuns of the service, and the naval legislation, arc vicious, that they are calculated to inspire distaste for t he 0 a navy whose early habits would o th erwise i n d uce them . adopt it. Our materi e l is e xc e ll ent , w hil st mos t the * English ships arc very old ; but ate have not ships eriong"' and the report of the Committee states that of late sea r : redosupplies of timber and metal have undergone a g re . a t ction. There is another grave fault ; the coseims service of gardiennage is very badly p .rformed. Upon the good organisation of this service depends the preservik tioa of the materiel. In this re-poet the English are care ful even to rninut m. Tois, unfortunately, is so little the case with us, that at the end of twelve years, on an eve' rage, we are compelled either to rebuild or thoroughly refit all the vessels of war " Th. National omits an important item in the maim: Wining of a good navy, as we ll as i n t h e keeping "P ' 34 in any other ()Ejects of national glory—the expelloe• The Nationa/ has not. told the people of France with a standing army of from 300,000 to 400,000 meth they arc to defray the immense expense of such a fleet as will constitute Fr,ittee Queen of the Ocean. ".° sinTect the Na/iene/ is mote convers..int with the re' veries of aoriai eaitlQ-bui di,ig than with the dry, pocket se:innitig science rit political economy. rite Ro . yttlist parry in Spam is not dismayed by the fall of Morella ; b ut i t c h anges i ts p l an o f operat i ons . NV° have spok e n o f t h e i ncurs i ons of General athmiseda into 1 Prc Ac; d o the i P r Qt dal