The Sun. — London, England, 1847-02-19 00:00:00

01,00 0 per d the corir coures jounced imerous ritninsi it a fer he best e thvir o mak e persons e same He wa s culated lepart all the ings ie }'ear f been mato THE SUIS), _ LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 19, 1811 , dressed the House, that the subject was one of very great importance, and they would he satisfied to know, from two papers which he had just laid upon the table, that the subject had not escaped the attention of her Ma jesty's Government. They would find in them that the views which had been so ably put forward by the Noble Lord were concurred in by the Government, and that they intended to bring forward a measure bearing especially upon juvenile offenders. Accordingly a Bill would be brought in for the purpose of effecting a reform in the criminal law, which all seemed to admit was so much wanted. The great difficulty which attended the present system, and which prevented them from attaining such results as in France was, that the boys, if sent out of prison, must necessarily be par doned. Lord BROUGHAM observed that they were sent back to prison if they misconducted themselves. Earl GREY—Exactly so. If they misconducted themselves in France they were sent back to prison, but in this country there was no power of that kind —they had no other resource but to turn them out. That was a gr,at difficulty, which at present existed, and to remedy which the Bill pro posed was intended. Further, their Lordships would ob• serve, from the minutes of council on the subject of edecation, it was proposed to establish a penal school in London, to which were to be sent, not only juvenile offenders, but vagrants also. The whole subj e ct a l so o f transportation ha been under consideration, and in deed, he might say, that the measure proposed had extended us far almost as the abolition of that punish ment. The Bill of the Right Hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary, which was laid on the table, would fully explain the system, and the details which it gave of those transports who had been sent to Norfolk Island, were such as would make their Lordships shudder. He thought it right to make these observations in conse quence of what had fallen from the Noble and Learned Lord with respect to the reformation of the criminal law, The subject should continue to have the most serious attention of the Government. Lord BROUGHAM explained, that by the Ist and 2d of Victoria, the institutions alluded to by the Noble Earl were constituted in the way mentioned by him. Captain Maconochie who deserved much praise for his exertions, proposed that the nature of the punishment should not be by time, but by the conduct of the pri soner, that he should receive marks for good conduct, and that, after obtaining a certain number, he should be set at liberty. Mr. Hill's plan was not so efficient, but yet it was a very good one. After the conviction of a juvenile offender (Mr. Hill is the Recorder of Nor wich) he sent for the parents, guardians, or master of the boy, : an d after having obtained a pledge that they would watch over his future conduct, he set him free, after the imposition of a fine, or merely an admonition. He had adopted this plan for four or five years, with wonderful effect, as they had seldom been brought before him again, as appeared to have been the case at LiverpoDi. Of course he (111 r. Hill) could not tell whether or not they ha delsewhere and committed like offences. gone' The subject then dropped. DISTRESS IN IRELAND. Earl GREY laid a dispatch on the table from the Government of Nova Scotia, stating that the Assembly had voted 1,0001. for the relief of the destitute poor in Ireland and in the Highlands of Scotland. He (Earl Grey) was sure their Lordships would rejoice at this proof of the interest manifested by that Assembly in the welfare of their fellow-subjects at home.—(Hear, hear.) WAR. The NOBLE EARL KAFIR also laid papers on the table on this subject. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. There being only twenty-seven Members present at four o'clock, the House was adjourned. THE ~ NO HOUSE" LAST NIGHT. The following Members were present when the House was counted out (27) : Mr. Thornely Mr. Stansfield Sir A. Hay Mr. B. Escott Sir C. Napier Mr. Plumptre Sir R. Inglis Mr. Grimsditch Mr. Greene Mr. Spooner Major Macnamara Mr. S. Crawford Dr. Bowring Mr. W. Patten Captain Layard Captain Lindsay Mr. IL Currie Mr. Finch Mr. Brotherton Mr. M. Manes Mr. M. Forster Mr. IL Trevor Mr. Barnard Lord Sandon Mr. Mnntz Sir John Hope. Mr. C. O'Brien ----- PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of commons.) NOTICES GIVEN AT TILE PRIVATE BILL-OFFICE. THURSDAT, FXB. 18. second time:— The following; Railway Bills are appointed to be read a MONDAY, FEE. 22. Lynn and Ely (Lynn and Wormegay Navigation). Lynn and Ely (Deviation and Lynn Docks). Airdrie and Bathgate Junction Amendment and Deviation. Portadorrn and Dungannon. Sheffield, Rotherham, and Doncaster Junction (Maabrough to Doncaster). lIINDNFADAY, FEB. 24. Eastern Union and Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's Amal gamation. Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham (Branch to Wisbech Harbo ur and Wisbech Harbour Improvement). Eastern Counties (Hertford to Ilitchin). Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham (Witsbech to Sntten Bridge, &c Tit CR.SDAY, FED. 25. St. Helen's Canal and Railway (Warrington and Blackbrook Branches, &c.) Great Northern (Branches to Slsaford). Great Northern (Extension to Leeds and WakeEeld, Deviation of Methle)y Bran c h o f Wakefield, Pontefract, and Gook) Railway. Great Northern (Purchase of Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston and Eastern Junction, &c.) PROTEST AGAINST THE « BILL FOR THE TEMPORARY RELIEF OF DESTI TUTE PERSONS IN IRELAND." 1. Because this Bill is based on the principle, that it is the duty of a Government to provide food for the people, and I consider this principle false in theory, and as leading to injustice and disastrous consequences if attempted in practice. It is false in theory, as being, in the natural state of things, utterly impracticable; the Government having no store of food wherewith to supply the people, or funds for providing the same. In practice, it leads to injustice and disastrous consequences, because such funds can be obtained only by taxation; and if the taxes are levied (as they ought and profess to be) equally on all, the whole will be taxed, and supply the wants of a part: the consequence of which must be, that some persons on the verge of destitution will be thus reduced . to the same state as those whom they are taxed to relieve, and that those who by prudence and industry have raised them selves out of the reach of want will be taxed for the relief of the improvident and idle. 2. Because it is dangerous for a Government to take any step which is calculated to instil into the minds of the people the belief, that they need not rely on their own exertions for their well-being, and a hope that if they omit to take proper care of themselves, it will relieve their necessities and gratuitously support them. 3. Because the Irish people arc of a temperament pe culiarly likely to be misled. 4. Because experience, both in Ireland and in Eng land under the old administration of the poor-laws, proves that the attempt to provide gratuitously for the needy is in its result dangerous to property and to the independence and well-being of the people, and injurious to none more than to those very persons whose benefit is thereby sought; by superseding the necessity, and thus repressing the energy of their own exertions to keep themselves ; by diverting them from those resources which the pressure of want would disclose; and, above all, by teaching them to rely on external aid, which, as it cannot be efficient in extent, or permanent in duration, Will finally leave them disappointed and discontented, and more destitute and helpless than before. 5. Because I fear that if this measure be adopted it Will necessarily lead to other measures of a similar na ture, and that though some present relief may be given to existing misery and destitution, it will lead hereafter to an alarming increase of the evils thus temporarily mitigated; and that, therefore, though feeli ngs o f t h e most praiseworthy an d benevolent character prompt its adoption, prudence, reason, and true wisdom would re ject it. _ _ 6. Because charity is a proper motive for the private conduct of individuals, but justice the paramount duty of a Government; and because charity to some on the part of the latter work out present injustice to others, and ultimately evil to all. RADNOR. PARSNIP SEED. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sir..—Will you allow me to suggest to the holders of kitchen-gardens, or field-gardens, the advantage of sowing this year an increased quantity of parsnip seed. The plant is hardy, the root highly nutritious, and the culture inexpen sive, while as a crop the produce is greater than that from an equal breadth of potato ground. It would be well, also, to plant more than the usual number of roots for augmenting the supply of seed for the next year. As an edible, I feel sure the root will ere long be much more highly appreciated than it now is.—l am, Sir, yours, &c., London, Feb. 16, 1847. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. FOSTER V. IRELAND. Sir,—ln this case the plaintiff brought his action to recover the sum of 1011. 10i., for his services as an architect and surveyor, in and about his superintending the building of some houses at Walworth for the de fendant; to which the defendant pleaded a sett off to the amount of 681. 2s. 6d. for goods sold and delivered, and a tender of 15/. before the action was commenced, and I' l2o paid that 151. into Court. The jury gave a verdict for the defendant, and not as was stated, for the plaintiff. Yours, very obediently, EDWARD GOVETT, Defendant's Attorney. 7 , Red Lion-square, Feb. 18, 1847. - • CIT Y OF WESTMINSTER LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, ANY) MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.—A dramatic reading of °Maio was given at this In s tit u ti on l ast n i g h t, b y M r. J . Itu % . sell, the comedian. To delineate the fine, open, manly character of Othello, the very soul of honour, insidiously un dermined by a cunning fiend in human f orm , an d b y contrast rto displ ay the knave lago in such guise that he shall be l t eemed a bl u ff , h earty, jovial campaigner, and still render i ' v illany consistent, is a task requiring no ordinary his trionic skill. Mr. Russell, however, secured and held the attention of his audience to the mournful close of the tragedy, and his efforts to gratify them were warmly applauded. piaThe Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a eral illeeting yesterday, at their office, in Whitehall e. The Marquis and Marchioness of Queensberry hare arrived at Parrance's Hotel, Upper Belgrave-street, from their seat, liinmount Annan, N. B. r 1. SOYER'S SOUP FOR THE POOR. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—In returning my most sincere thanks for the benevolent intentions which prompt you to publish so speedily my letter of the 10th inst.. relating to my new kitchen and soup for the poor, in your valuable journal, I beg your insertion of the two following receipts, which, if closely followed. would confer an immediate benefit, not only on the poor, and various charitable in stitutions, but also to the labouring population of the United Kingdom. I much regret the delay that has taken place since the publication of my former letter, which has unavoidably occurred, the time being con sumed in experiments which I have made with various kinds of farinaceous ingredients, produced and imported into this country; and likewise with some of the im mense varieties of vegetables, cultivated with so much success in this favoured soil; but which, generally speak ing, are not sufficiently appreciated, or used to the greatest advantage by the industrious classes. My intention is, with your kind permission, not only to publish the receipt for one kind of soup, but for five or six ; thz whole, however, being made upon the same principle as the first, to save any confusion in the nak ing, hoping they may prove advantageous, by giving a change in food which acts as generously on the digestive organs as a change of air does on the c onvalescent, and likewise to prevent the rise in price of any particular articles; for, should the soup be approved of, and be come a chief article of consumption for a certain time, such a receipt would be quite useless in some parts of the c aintry, where the ingredients could not be obtained. My sincer e d evo ti on t o thi s i m portant cause being : to take every possible advantage of every kind of nutritious substances, animal and vegetable, and fish, and to con vert them, by study and judgment, into a wholesome and cheap aliment for the million. Several hundreds of letters I have already received upon the subject have induced me to give immediate pub licity to th e t wo f o ll ow i ng rece i pts, w hi c h I cons id er quite correct. H av i ng t h us state d my i m p ress i ons upon this all-important subject, I now give you the result of my first economical study to produce a cheap and whole some soup : - THE RECEIPT FOR SOUP No. 1. I first put one ounce of dripping into a saucepan (ca pable of holding two gallons of water), with a quarter of a pound of leg of beef without bones, cut into square pieces about half an inch, and two middling sized onions, peeled and sliced. I then set the saucepan over a coal fire, and stirred the contents round for a few minutes with a wooden (or iron) spoon until fried lightly brown. I had then ready washed the peeling of two turnips, fif teen green leaves or tops of celery, and the green part of two leeks (the whole of which, I must observe are always thrown away). Having cut the above vegetables into small pieces, I threw them into the saucepan with the other ingredients, stirring them occasionally over the fire for another ten minutes ; then added halt' a pound of common flour (any farinaceous substance would do), and half a pound of pearl barley, mixing all well together. I then added two gallons of water, seasoned with three ounces of salt, and a quarter of an ounce of brown sugar, stirred occasionally until boiling, and allowed it to simmer very gently for three hours, at the end of which time I found the barley perfectly tender. The above soup has been tasted by numerous noblemen, Members of Parliament, and several ladies, who have lately visited my kitchen department, and who have considered it ♦ery good and nourishing. The cost, at full price, was as follows : Quarter of a pound of leg of beef, at 4d. per lb ld Two ounces of dripping fat, at 4d. per lb Oi Two onions and other vegetables 1 Half a pound of flour, seconds, at 11d. per lb O4 Half a pound of pearl barley, at 3d. per lb Three ounces of salt and half an ounce of brown sugar Oi Fuel Two gallons of water Gi This soup will keep several days, when made as above described. The above expenses make it come to three farthings per quart in London ; but as almost everything can be had at much less cost in the country, the price of this soup will be still more reduced. In that case a little ad ditional meat might be used, and by giving away a small portion of bread or biscuit, better support would be given . to the poor at a trifling cost, and no one is to . be hoped, hereafter would hear of the dreadful calamity of starvation. This c T an li b E e ß m E a c d E fch T ea F p O e ß r and TilE i S n o l u es r s time. Proceed Proceed as Receipt No. 1 explains (as regards the fat, meat, onions, and the other vegetables), but add one quart of water upon the whole, which you let boil twenty minutes, stirring now and then to prevent burning ; or else, it convenient, set it by the: side of the fire, and add one pound of maize, mix well together, and fill the stew-pan with six quarts of water ; season as above ; let it simmer one hour, skim lightly, and it is then ready for use. If a large quantity is to be made, say 100 gallons, any kind of vessel now in use, such as copper or cast iron, will do, have ready a spatula, or a piece of board the shape of a cricket-bat, about six inches wide, tapering towards the top as a handle (which must be from one foot and a half to two feet above the surface of the ves sel), to stir with; the fire being well lighted, take twe l ve pounds of solid meat, or eighteen pounds with the bones (legs or clods of beef, with a portion of cow heels, is excellent for the purpose, but any kind of edible meat from beef to doe veni s on w ill d o ) , cut i t i n p i eces about one inch square, p u t th ree p oun d s an d a h alf of fat; in case there should be difficulties to procure the fat, put in one gallon of water instead; then you have ready twelve pounds of onions, lightly peeled and cut in slices, and 24lbs. of vegetables of any kind, mixed (such as carrots, parsnips, turnips, leeks, celery, cabbages. savoys, sore], spinach, mangold wurzel, swedes, and Jerusalem artichoke, all cut in a slanting direction, which facilitates greatly the cooking), with the meat into the copper left stewing about one hour, stirring the whole contents until the moisture is nearly gone, which will depend entirely on the fire; then add enough water to cover the whole, which you let boil ten minutes; then add 251bs. of flour, and mix it well together; then add thirty pounds of either barley or rice, season with nine pounds of salt and three pounds of brown sugar; after wards fill the copper with water, and boil the whole con tents for two hours or more, until the barley or rice is quite tender, the soup is then ready for use. In case either the barley or rice did not produce the thickness required (as those ingredients may differ in quality), then add, if too thin, a few pounds of flour or oatmeal, previously mixed with cold water, to make it in a liquid paste, and pour it in when boiling, about twenty minutes before serving it out. But the proper thickness is easily ascertained when the soup hangs lightly on the back of the spatula or ladle. One hundred gallons of this soup will cost under 1/. Respecting my plan of kitchens for the poor, I am happy to inform you, Mr. Editor, that my subscription, which is only of a few days' date, has met with the greatest encouragement by b enevo l ent contr ib u t ors , th e li s t of which will shortly be published. I have been able al ready to begin one of those kitchens on a small scale, where from forty to fifty gallons of soup can be easily made, and quickly distributed to 200 or 300 poor, in an ordinary sized London house. As soon as it is in practice, this simple plan will be marle public through the press; therefore, any private application becomes unnecessary, as it would prevent my carrying the plan into effect. A correct drawing of my large plan for making and supplying 20,000 persons, in four hours, is also in a very forward state. With high consideration, I have the honour to be, Sir, your very obliged and humble servant, A. SO ER. Reform Club, Feb. 17, 1847. REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN TRADE. (From the Mark-lane Express.) In our comments on the position of the wheat trade last week we expres se d a d ou bt w h e th er t h e depression which then prevailed would be of long continuance; but, though we were prepared to expect a rally, we scarcely thought it would come so soon as it has. The animated tone which business has again assumed has, no doubt, been partly occasioned by the extreme severity of the weather experienced during the last eight days; this, however, cannot be regarded as the primary cause. The periodical intervals of dulness and animation which have succeeded to each other at different times during the past four or five months have almost in every in stance been the re su lt o f a temporary lull and a subse quent revival of the Irish demand; and to the latter the sudden rise which prices have again undergone must be traced. As has been the case on all former occasions this season, the first impetus to the upward movement had its origin at Liverpool. Several Irish buyers visited that port on Monday, and purchases of American flour were then made privately at 40s. per barrel. On the following day the market was numerously attended, and large sales of the last-named i article were effected a t 41s. 6d. to 425. per barrel, whilst nferior Sorts of whe a t were taken for the same destination at prices 4d. to 6d. c p u er rr 7 e o n l t b o . corn, which had se'nnight. In . dian . to 3s. 6d. per quarter above . those ' n o r t h2ast. 4d. to previously been neglected, was likewise in much re quest, and from 68 s . to 71s. per 4801 b. was paid for cargoes clos e a t h an d. L a t e r in the week the excite ment increased, and on Friday a further advance was established on all articles ; wheat was then quoted 3 . d. to 4d. p er 701 b., fl our is. Gd. per b arre l , an d Indian corn Is. per 4801 b. higher than ou the preceding market day. The continued drain on oar stocks to supply the wants of the sister isle, and the unusually large con sumption of breadstuffs in all parts of the United King dom, have already caused wheat to become somewhat scarce, and though we diff er from some authorities, oa whosejudgment we generally place great reliance, we cannot come to any other conclusion than that the stocks raetsetn!lte c i o n rr th es e p c o o n u d n in tr g y p a e r r e io s d m . all s e v r i t t h h an th i i n s ordinary of heat years at r P s conviction, and with the prospect of having to ship largely to Ireland for several months to come, whilst no effective supplies from abroad can be looked for till April, we can discover nothing i n th e position of affairs to lead us to anticipate lo w , or even moderately low, prices ; on the contrary, a further rise appears to us far more probable. In giving this opinion, we wish our remarks to be understood as applying only to the next two months ; after that period new elements will come into play, of which nothing can at pre sent be known. The suppli es o f b arley, which a few weeks ago were liberal at the markets in those counties where this grain is most extensively grown, have all at once fallen off materially, and we think it will not be long before the discovery will be made that the crop of this grain has turned out quite as deficient as repre sented at harvest time. The maltsters, as a body, are certainly far from well-stocked ; and having during the week come forward more freely as buyers, the supplies have proved inadequate to the demand, and prices have advanced about 2A. per quarter all over the kingdom. Oats, on the other hand, have not as yet re covered any portion of the recent decline, which may be partly accounted for by the economy observed in their consumption. The comparatively low price of hay has caused that article to be used more extensively than usual ; other substitutes have also been largely em ployed. But notwithstanding all these shifts, oats are evidently becoming very scarce, and when the seed de mand commences their value will in all probability rise. By our advices from Scotland we learn that the wea ther had not been so severe there as with us. Wheat and barley advanced on Wednesday, both at Edinburgh and Glasgow, but oats were not dearer at either place. From Ireland the accounts are of precisely the same character as before. The want and misery prevailing are described as fearful ; and though a deficiency in the means for conveying supplies into the interior had caused an accumulation of stock at the sea-port towns, with there-opening of the inland navigation, which had been partially closed by ice, the stores at Dublin, Cork, and Limerick, would, it was expected, be speedily etnptied. The extreme severity of the frost experienced on this side of the Channel has also closed many of our watercourses, and prevented supplies of grain from the interior being sent down to the ports on the coast. It is, therefore, probable that the arrivals will, for a time at least, be short. During the week now about to terminate, the receirts of wheat coastwise into London have amounted to only 87° quarters, and the quantity brought forward at Mark lane by land carriage samples from the home counties has been equally small. On Wednesday the show on the Essex and Kent stands was quite trifling; there was scarcely anything fresh up, and the few parcels left over from previous supplies were easily placed at rates Is. to 2s. Fer quarter above those current in the com mencement of the week. On Friday the millers mani fested an increased desire to add to their stocks ; and factors having very little to offer, demanded, and suc ceeded in obtaining, a further advance of is. per quarter. Foreign wheat, which has for some time been compara tively neglected, has again excited attention this week. On Wednesday several parcels changed hands, on terms at least is. per quarter above those previously obtainable and since then holders have further raised their preten sions; good red Baltic, as well as the inferior sorts, such as Odessa, Danube, &c., being held about 2s. per quarter higher at the close than the commencement of the week. This rise has been mainly caused by a renewed demand for meal to ship to Ireland; and, had not the scarcity of vessels, and the high rate of freights, tended to throw difficulties in the way of business, the transactions would probably have been extensive. Town -manufactured flour has been taken rather slowly, the bakers still continuing to act on the reserve; the millers have, however, remained firm, and the bar gains closed have been at full terms. Ship flour being worth more in the northern markets than here, the supply into London has been small, and prices have rather tended upwards. For American the demand has undergone a decided improvement, and rather large pur chases have been made at a rise of is. to 2s. per barrel on the lowest rates of last week. Barley of home growth has come very sparingly to hand, nor have the receipts from foreign countries been of any importance. The maltsters, who have for some weeks held off, have been compelled by their pressing wants to purchase somewhat more freely of late; and, though business has not been brisk, sellers hare expe rienced no difficulty in realizing an enhancement of Is. to 2s. per quarter on the best, and Is. on secondary qualities. The panic produced in the barley trade by the admission of sugar into breweries and distilleries seems to have passed over; and, unless much larger sup plies reach us shortly, there is some chance of this grain rising again to pretty nearly the same from which it receded a fortnight or three weeks ago. The operations in malt have been of a retail character; the stocks of the article being, however, very short, and the supplies having been small. higher rates have been insisted on and obtained. _ _ The total quantity of oats which has entered the port of London during the week ending Saturday evening has amounted to only 11,144 quarters; whereof 3,103 quar ters are from our own coast, 101 quarters from Scotland, 7,039 quarters from Ireland, and 904 quarters from abroad. The usual consumption of the metropolis and its suburbs at this period of the year, when Parliament is sitting, and London is consequently full, is estimated at from 20,000 to 25,000 quarters per week; whereas the receipts from the beginning of the year, being rather over seven weeks, have amounted to only 45,254 quartere. It follows, therefore, that all parties are at the present. moment very bare of stocks ; and though there can be no doubt that the high value of the article has led to great economy in the consumption, still we believe that prices must undergo a further enhancement. On Wednesday business was very dull at Mark-lane, the factors generally asking somewhat enhanced terms, which buyers refused to pay ; since then the inquiry has not improved, and it has been impossible to realise over Monday's currency even for fine corn. The recent fall in the value of beans has not led to any increase in the inquiry, and sales have proceeded slowly at the reduced terms current in the commence ment of the week. Maple and hog peas have likewise moved off rather tardily at previous prices, but a rise of is. to 2s. has taken place in quotations of white boilers since Monday. Floating cargoes of Indian corn, particularly those close at hand, have been eagerly bought on Irish account, and nearly as high prices have been realised as at the period when the greatest extent of excitement prevailed. By the packet .ship Queen of the West we have New York advices of the 23d of January, and accounts from other parts of the United States of corresponding dates. The weather had been, and was then still severe, and the inland navigation was still closed by ice. The exports of flour had not been so large in January as the preceding month, owing partly to the high rate of freight to Europe; still upwards of 86,000 barrels of flour, 103,000 bushels of wheat, 242,000 bushels of Indian corn, 24,000 bushels of rye, 39,000 bushels of barley, and 16,000 bushels of oats, had been shipped from New York between the Ist and 19th of January. Freight to London was then 17d. to 18d. per bushel for wheat, and 4s. 6d. to ss. per barrel for flour. The price of flour had rather tended upwards during the preceding week, and good brands of Gennessee were then held at 5 dolls. 624 e. to 5 dolls. 69c. per barrel. The arrival of the Hibernia was anxiously looked for, and in the absence of news from Europe neither sellers nor buyers had manifested much disposition to enter into extensive operations. The return of severe weather threatens again to in terrupt the regular communication with the northern continental ports ; but the advices from Dantzig reach only to the 3d inst. A good deal of business has been done there during the week ; about 650 lasts had changed hands at high prices ; for fine high mixed 61s. to 655. had been paid, and other sorts had brought pro portionate prices : subsequently the trade had become somewhat dull, owing to the less encouraging tone of the English letters. The weather was then wet, and the damp state of the atmosphere had caused most of the wheat to come to hand in indifferent condition. A vessel had been chartered to load wheat to Liverpool at 4s. 6d. per quarter. At the Lower Baltic ports a little reaction appears to have taken place, in consequence of the fall which oc curred in the British markets towards the close of last month. From Rostock we learn, under date of February the 4th, that the demand for wheat had suddenly fallen off materially, but that holders had nevertheless remained firm, declining to sell below 655. per quarter free on board. The inquiry for barley had likewise become ! , low there, and 355. per quarter was then an extreme price. At Stettin stocks are stated to be very small, and little effect had consequently been produced by the somewhat dull tone of the English advices ; in the absence, how ever, of foreign orders the operations in both wheat and spring corn had been on a restricted scale. - At — Hamburg, on the 9th inst., wheat was decidedly dull of sale, and there were offers from outports at prices Is. to is. 6d. per quarter below the rates previoasly de- manded ; for parcels on the spot very nearly former terms had been insisted on. The accounts from the Mediterranean are interesting. A letter from Marseilles of the 6th inst. informs us that wheat, after having fallen some 6s. per quarter the pre ceding week, had again rallied, and that prices were then within about If. per hectolitre of the highest point. This reaction had been caused by a rumoured country demand. Marianopoli had brought equal to 695. per quarter, which was as high a price as that description of wheat had brought at any former period. _ _ _ From Genoa we learn, under date of February 2, that the Government had issued a decree levying four livres per cantar, or 38. Gd. per cwt. duty, on the export of rice the growth of Piedmont. DARINGROBBERYIN EDIN BURGH. It is with regret that we have to record another of those daring outrages which have of late been the dis grace of our city. On Thursday night, about twelve o'clock, a gentleman who resides in Broughton-place was knocked down on his way home, in the lane which branches off from the east side of Elder-street, and robbed of his watch and five pounds. He was felled to ruffiansconsiderablemo n y . searchedl e stilltime head received ea d hise i confined nnp fide a s ner state fesvodecnre several on o nsd f enbvcde eadrrh erawiinsensibility, with blowstnhooff recollectionh the ground at once by a violent blow with a bludgeon, or other instrument, and remained on the street for a fallen, his assailants being determined to make sure of contu sions on r eth iseisafterwatchw dreadfulh he lee hadat nh o de f anything that took place after receiving the blow. Within these four or five weeks no less than five rob beries, attended with personal violence, more or less dangerous, have occurred, while not more than two of the guilty persons have been apprehended, and these only on suspicion. It is extremely doubtful if one conviction will follow. There cannot be a more lamentable proof of the insecurity of our streets, and of the inadequacy of the police, from whatever cause, for the protection of the inhabitants. It was only about a month since a gen tleman in Broughton-place was robbed while opening his own door, about half-past ten o'clock, and nearly choked by the violent g ri p e of the ruffians on hi s s is ha b r y dly no ab na le ean t o speak. Another robbery of t he same k ind was s b m e , e e h un f d o e r rs s t o a m n d e , d h a e y man was, nearlyabout the robbed in the Lo thian-road, between com mitted same time, knocked tdown and twelve o'clock, w hil e recovered,throat, i f a r E nih l m awv - h r i ni o cg w h ~ A young at t that it is not safe to venture into th e It thus appears the robbery in St. J o h e n l - e s y t h r ' e e n e t t i o n c ie cu e rr r e o d w a d b e o d ut ,N t i e t n h o'clock, paole. the Canongate being streets at night. These robberies and outrages were perpetrated, not at any untimely hour , but mostly before twelve o'clock, when it never was before thought unsafe to walk the streets. But a great change has taken place ; ruffianism is on the increase, and thieves ap pear to b e cons t an tly prowling about Th watching it th i e s streets on th e ou tl oo k for plunder. e undetected clear, a ff or d no secur i ty, w hil e f r om the robberies the guilty derive security and encouragement of to commit f res h cr i mes. Th e frequency police, these out rages calls f or i ncrease d v i g il ance, an d a mo re efficient _ body o f n i g h t watchmen ; and they ought to b e o b ta ined at what ever expense ; for protection, like everyt hi ng else, m us t b e pa i d for. It is needless to grudge t h e price, for we cannot h ave the article without rt .—Edinbur g h C ouran t, paying for tained considerable misapprehension on the subject, and the consequence was, that their stock was unnaturally depreciated. His proposal gave rise to a very lengthened discus sion ; but the matter was eventually set at rest by The CHAIRMAN stating that the information demanded would be found in his last half-yearly speech. Mr. SAUNDERS (the secretary) declared that if such a statement were to be put forward, it would only lead to misapprehension, for while they could state positively, and were freely prepared to disclose their liabilities, they must, in justice to themselves, place on the other side of the accounts what they considered would be the probable returns of their engagements. The report was then adopted. The dividend having been declared, the retiring directors were re-elected. A vote of confidence in the directors, and approving of their proceedings in the matter of the Birmingham and Oxford line, was proposed and carried unanimously. The meeting terminated, after the customary vote of thanks to the Chairman. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, Feb. 18. (Sittings at Nisi Prius, before the LORD CHIEF JUSTICE and a Special Jury). HOPWOOD V. THORN. Mr. Cockburn, Q.C., Mr. Edwin James, and Mr. Lush, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Sergeant Talfourd and Mr. Atherton for the defendant. In this case both the plaintiff and the defendant were Independent ministers, the plaintiff being the minister of the Independent chapel at Thatcham, and the de fendant an Independent minister residing at Winchester. The action was a joint action for slander and libel, the declaration containing counts for bath. The slanders complained of were ♦arious statements mado by the de fendant, to persons of his congregation and others, at Thatcham, that the plaintiff having, before his entry into the ministry, carried on business as a draper at Southampton, in partnership with a person named Pinhorn, had, on his withdrawal from the partnership, taken out large sums from the concern, more than he was entitled to do; and upon this statement used the words that the plaintiff was " unworthy the name of a gentleman, a minister, or an honest man," and that " no person would let him get into a pulpit anywhere, so bad was bis character." There were other words declared on, that the defendant " had called the plaintiff a rogue, and he could prove it by the books at Southampton that he had cheated Mr. Pinhorn of 2,000 L" The libels complained of were contained in a series of letters, one of which was to a Mr. Hunt, and two to the Rev. Mr. Ainslie, Dissenting minister, and secretary to the Con gregational Board of Edueation, residing in London, which stated "that Mr. Hunt had been to Southampton and found all true;" there were other statements similar to the above. This correspondence was of great length.' To prove the libels and slanders, Mr. Edward Hunt, surveyor, residing at Thatcham, was called. He stated that the plaintiff called upon him on Janury 7, 1845, and made a statement of something which a Mrs. Burfield had told him. On the following Su nday the plaintiff made a statement from the pulpit, re ferring to the accusations made against him, demanding an investigation, and defying proof of the charges made. The plaintiff also asked for an appointment of mutual friends to consider the matter. The witness was the friend alluded to to be appointed. He afterwards met the defendant at Mrs. Burfield's house, where a conver sation about the matter took place, and there were sub sequent meetings of the parties at Mrs. Burfield's house, and the defendant expressed himself anxious to have a public meeting, and there was a public meeting subse quently held, on the 18th of March; that meeting was held at the Independent chapel at Thatcham, both plaintiff and defendant being present. Statements were there made by the defendant, which he had before heard him make at Mrs. Burfield's house. The defendant read a long statement of accounts between Pinhorn and the plaintiff, theresult being that the plaintiff had taken'6,ooo/. out of the concern, and had only put into it 1,2651.; and that the plaintiff had drawn out 2,0004 more than he ought to have done, which equity would compel him to repay, and that these accounts were taken from the books of the business. The defendant afterwards told witness that the plaintiff's name " stunk in South ampton ;" that he had looked into the law of libel, and could not be made liable for what he said. Edward Pinnock, a member of the plaintiff's congre gation, deposed that the defendant and two Misses Bur field called upon him and made similar statements to the above, and said that " Mr. Hopwood would not be able to hold up his head in Thatcham pulpit or in any other." It appeared, from the evidence of another witness (Mrs. Arnold), that great excitement existed in the village about this gossip, and that the plaintiff had put it to the vote to expel Mrs. Barfield from the congrega tion till the statements against him were withdrawn. John Carter, jun., deposed to being present at the meeting at Thatcham chapel on the 18th of March, when Mr. Hopwood said,—" Where are my accusers ?" To which Mr. Thorn replied,—" I am your ac cuser." Mr. Hopwood said,—" I hear that you have been calling me a rogue in the village." To which Mr. Thorn replied,—" Stay a while and I will prove you one." Mr. Thorn then read many letters and a long statement of figures. After this, Mr. Hopwood said, " Now you have made my character look so black, if you can prove what you have stated I will be 1001. to any charity ; and, if not, you shall be 1001." Mr. Thorn refused ; as also to go to Southampton to examine the books, "as it had taken him a week to examine them already." At this period of the meeting some one said, "We want our dinners ; look at the time I" and the meeting broke up. The Rev. Mr. Ainslie, a Dissenting minister, residing near the Regent's Park, was then called—He had known the plaintiff and his character for many years. He knew of his being in business at Southampton. He had heard of an d th c e a s ll e ed rep o o n rt t s h , e and went t do w w i n th te a T v h i a e t w eh o a f m in i ci n u t ir B i 4 n s g , into the matter. He entered into a correspondence with Mr. Thorn. [Various letters were then put in, and proved by the witness, some of th em containing the libellous matter complained of.] On his cross-examination, it appeared that he had gone to see Mr. Pinhorn, and that Mr. Pinhorn said, "He had no charge to make against Mr. Hopwood ;" but he admitted that he had made statements of com plaint to Mr. Thorn against Mr. Hopwood. The Learned JUDGE thought statements made regard ing the plaintiff, relating to his former trade, and not re lating to his present calling as a minister, not actionable. Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD then addressed the jury for the defendant. He regretted that the present charge should have been brought. He regretted that those whose profession it was to compose differences should have resorted to such a course. He thought it a cir cumstance to be regretted when persons were brought up in trade, and lived to man's estate before entering a profession, and had a background of life to look upon which unfitted them for th e i r pro f ess i on. There might be exceptions in instances of great ta l ent or enthusiasm; but the plaintiff was not such an instance. The results of the present trial, if against his client, must be lamentable, and he could not, therefore, but regret that a more private tribunal h a d not b een resorted to for settling this difference. The Learned Sergeant then went at great length, and with much eloquence, through the evidence. His LORDSHIP summed up, and the jury found a ver dict for the plaintiff—Damages, 2501. The cause occupied the whole day, and was not over until nearly 7 o'clock in the evening. COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Feb. 18. (Sittings at Nisi Prius, before Sir F. POLLOCK, Chief Baron.) PELL V. JONES. Mr. Humfrey and Mr. Mellor were counsel for the plaintiff; Mr. Sergeant Allen and Mr. Gray appeared for the defendant. This was an action brought to recover damages from the defendant for the breach of a contract alleged to have been entered into by him to transfer his interest in certain shares in the Leicester and Bedford Railway Company, which had not been ratified by any legisla tive enactment. It appears that 40 shares having been allotted to the defendant in the above company, he was not able to pay the deposit thereon, and being about to quit England, he authorised Mr. George Pell, the nephew of the plaintiff, who had advanced the money to pay the deposit, to sell the shares when he could realise a small sum by them. The shares were after wards sold to the plaintiff at a premium of U.; but when the defendant was called on to ratify the transaction by handing over the scrip certificates, he repudiated the transaction, the shares being then at a premium of 41. The action was afterwards brought by the plaintiff, who contended now that he was entitled to re cover the highest value of the shares after the sale and before the action was brought. On the part of the de fendant it was argued that the action could not be sus tained, as the authority ought to have been in writing, and no shares had ever issued, but only scrip; and by the Joint-Stock Companies Act no legal transfer could be made of any interest in any such scheme till after the act of incorporation h a d b een obtained, which had not been done. The CHIEF BARON reserved the points raised by the Learned Sergeant on the part of the defendant, and left the question of damages contingently to the jury, by whom they were assessed at 50/. ARCHES' COURT. Feb. 18. (Before Sir 11. J. FAST.) THE OFFICE OF ' THE .TUDGE PROMOTED BY TROWER V. HURST, CLERK. This was originally a cause of office, promoted under the directions of the Lord Bishop of Chichester, against the Rev. Mr. Hurst, rector of Thackham, Sussex, for highly immoral conduct. The usual proceedings hating been taken, the Court pronounced the articles brought in against the reverend gentleman proved, and sus pended him ab officio et bcneficio for the space of three years, condemned him in the costs, and directed that the suspension should continue until the customary certificate of good conduct was lodged in the court. That decree was duly . transmitted to the Consistory Court of Chichester, to impound the profits of the bene ifincteo. n S e a g r u r e a s n t g r a o o e n n t issued s t i o r r ß s t u , t b l e y r, , whichv o e h n o t e w r e n d s allowed to continue in possession of the glebe land, on condition that he paid a rent-charge. The rev. gentle man also occupied other land, on which there was a sum of 79/. due for tithes under the Commutation Act. Repeated applications had been made to him for the payment of the moneys due, but he had failed to comply with them. Dr. HAGGARD (with whom soht w o au a sl s dr D engo r a . tr ß dbe a ed y p f r o toh r n d eo ) pur c no o efied n t - s tended that the non- p a y ment of these sums, inasmuch as they constitut ed a p art of the emoluments of the livin g , was a disobedien ce of the sentence of the Court, and ha now prayed the Court t o issue a monition a gainst Mr. H in contempt. In other cases where there had been a urs t to disobediencesho o w f the causewh sentence, he not of the living, but in contiguing to discharge ministerial duties, that had been the 011160 pursued. The Learned JUDGE observed, that this was certainly a very novel proceeding in this court. When a sentence was pronounced, it was sent to the bishop of the diocese in which the benefice was situated, who took means to enforce obedience to the decree, and was, in point of fact, the ecclesiastical sheriff. On him devolved the duty of levying the sequestration, and taking care that the divine offices were performed. A spquestrator was appointed, whose duty it was to make a return to the registrar of what had been done, thus assimilating the practice to that pursued in courts of common law. If a sheriff could not make a levy, he must make a return to the Court, and resort would then bo had to other means. If the Bishop of Chichester had certified that he had appointed a se questrator, that Mr. Hurst had refused to pay, and that he (the bishop) was unable to enforce the sentence, the monition now prayed for might have been granted; but the Court could not direct it to issue on the present ap plication. This was a case of non-payment rather than of receiving the profits of the living. He must, there fore, refuse the motion. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S—TnunsDAY. A very flat afternoon, and no change of any moment in either of the races now in betting. The Chester Cup transactions were few in number, and without the slight est public interest. The same remark may be applied to the other handicaps, while on the Derby the only horse backed for any money was Epirote, on whom several hundreds were laid out at 9 and 10 to 1. The Horn of Chase was backed at 28 to 1 in hundreds, and afterwards at 25 to 1 ; Bedlam once at 2,000 to 30, and frequently at 1,000 to 20. Will-o'-the Wisp for about 1001. at 1,000 to 15, and 2,000 to 35 ; and Bingham fur 401. at 50 to 1. 800 to 100 was laid asst Van Tromp, the taker giving six sovereigns fur the bet. Closing prices. NEWMARKET HANDICAP. 10 to 1 agst Lord Orford's Footstool—taken 20 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Devil-me-care—taken 100 even on the field agst ten It was for this race, not the Metropolitan, in which he is not engaged, that Brocardo was scratched on Monday. METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. Nothing done. TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES. 6 to 1 aget Sir R. Pigot's Conyngham—taken 300 even on the field aget Planet, Glentilt, and Conyug ham CHESTER CUP. 20 to 1 agst Mr. Gully's Mendicant 25 to 1 agst Mr. B. Green's The Lamb 28 to 1 agst Mr. Herbert's Antler 30 to 1 agst Mr. Wilson's Punch 2000 to 60 agst Mr. Mostyn's Camera Obscura—taken 1000 to 25 agst Mr. Minor's Duke of Richmond—taken 40 to 1 agst Mr. Gratwicke's Fletch 1000 to 20 agst Mr. Skerrett's Intrepid—taken 50 to 1 agst Mr. W. Scott's Sir Tatton Sykes—taken and afterwards offered 50 to 1 agst Mr. Hesseltine's Fitzallen 1000 to 15 agst Captain Pettat's Newcourt 1000 to 15 agst Lord Eglinton's Doleful—taken 1000 to 15 agst Mr. Gregory's Euclid colt—t. and aft. off. 4000 to 40 agst Mr. R. G. lifostyn's Premier (4 yrs)—taken 4000 to 50 agst Mr. Gratwicke's Doleful—taken 2000 to 25 agst Mr. A. W. Hill's Sweatmeat—taken 800 to 100 agst the three-year-olds—taken GREAT 'WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY. Yesterday the usual half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of the Great Western Railway, was held at the station in Paddington, Charles Russell, Esq., M.P., in the chair. After the usual formalities had been gone through, The CHAIRMAN rose and said, that it was impossible for the directors to give the proprietors so much infor mation at a February meeting, as they could at one in August, for now they were entering upon their Parliamentary campaign, while in August they had usually arrived at its close. He was in hopes that their Parliamentary course in the present session might have been rendered somewhat easy by an amicable arrangement with the London and North Western Company. At their last meeting, in the month of December, he stated fully the nature of the negotiation which had been going on with that company, but, subse quent l y, certain statements and observations imposed upon the directors the necessity of issuing a full and detailed report upon the subject. To that repot t the only reply that was made was a short note, from Mr. Creed addressed to the editor of the Times. In that note, Mr. Creed declared that he was instructed to state, that the London and North Western Company were still as desirous as ever that some arrangement should be CORN to with the Great Western Company. He ( Mr. Russell) was at Brighton on the 26th December, the day upon which that letter appeared in the Times, but so anxious was he to construe it into an invitation to renew the negociation, that he wrote a note to Mr. Glyn, proposing that Mr. Saunders and Mr. Swift should take up the matter where it began, with a view of establishing peace between the two companies. The result of that note was an agree ment between Mr. Glyn and himself, to the effect that Mr. Saunders and Mr. Swift should have full power to conclude such arrangements between the two companies, as should be considered beneficial to the interests of the company they respectively represented. He was sorry to say, however, that the arrangement never reached to the extent of a meeting between Mr. Swift and Mr. ,Saunders ; for Mr. Swift, in the first instance, insisted upon preliminary concessions which the directors of the Great Western Company could not consistently make. It was not his intention to go fully into the correspondence which had taken place on the subject, but the real substantial and insuperable obstacle to the arrangement was the possession by the London and North-Western Company of the Birmingham and Oxford, and Birmingham and Wolverhampton lines. Notwithstanding the triumph of the Great Western Company last Session, the London and North Western company appeared determined to at• tempt to exclude the Great Western and the broad gauge from Birmingham. They wished to hold the Oxford line jointly with its proprietors, or, failing in that, to purchase it altogether. It was im possible for the Great Western Company to accede to Joint possession, because that would be in direct viola tion of their pledges to the public and their promises to Parliament. He then alluded to the singular offer the London and North Western had made for the Oxford line. At the meeting of the Oxford proprietary, deputations t negotiate a tions of t h vi e i t h t w the which took pl ace i n Bi rm i ngham on the 30th of October, th e di rectors of that line were au thorised Ganresst, and d es a te ft rn r for the sale o f th e i r li ne ; the consequence was, meetingse between companies, the preliminaries had been agreed upon, the bargain was made and the line agreed to be conceded, as was well known to the Great Western Company. The terms were considered just, yet at a meeting of the Bir mingham and Oxford proprietors on the 4th of De I cember, Mr. Mozley, as the mouthpiece of the London and North Western Company, and what he then said had been confirmed by the acts of the London and North Western Company, said he saw no reasoa why the London and North Western Company should, in the face of all the facts, make an offer for that which they had already pur chased.—(Cheers.) Under influences, about which he would not stop to inquire, a new set of proprietors were invited to combine to set aside that which had been done by a previous proprietary, who were fully com petent to do what they had done. A new set of directors were to be forced on the management, in order to repudiatela solemn ;agreement, and, in the event of failing in that purpose, to embarrass and prevent its accomplishment.—(Cheers.) Those attempts would recoil on the authors.—(A cry of "So they ought I") The agreement required no further act of the proprietors, no further sanction of Parliament.— (Cheers.) The agreement with the Birmingham, Dud ley, and Wolverhampton, was also completed, with the single exception that it required the sanction of Parlia ment.—(Hear, hear, and applause.) He regretted that their efforts to effect an amicable arrangement with the London and North Western Railway Company had thus failed. What that company had to give them, except peaceable possession of their purchase, he was at a loss to understand. What they had to give the London and North Western Railway Company was an assurance that they would not extend the broad guage beyond certain limits to be defined between the two companies. It was for the London and North Western Company to determine the value of this concession. It was for them to consider the wisdom of seeking to recover the loss they had practically sustained in the last session Of Parliament, or whether they would be content with speculating upon the future.—(Hear, hear.) They had chosen the former alternative as the more wise and ad vantageous for themselves ; but he was far from being sure that they had not chosen the alternative most advantageous to the Great Western Company.—(Cheers.) The Great Western Company were prepared to make sacrifices for the sake of peace, but he knew an opinion was entertained by many of their proprietors, men possessing large stakes in the company, that it would be much better for them to remain as they were, and extend the broad guage into every available direction.— (Cheers.) He readily turned from that subject to take a glance at their internal position. It was highly gra tifying for him to perceive that their receipts were increasing, while their expenditure was diminishing.— (Cheers.) The number of miles run by their engines in 1845 was 240,000, while in 1846 the number was 346,000.—(Hear, hear.) Yet with this increase of mileage there bad been no increase of expenditure. that —(Cheers.) He was glad to say too , they had reduced the number of their assistant engi F , and thus had they not only attained economy, but they had attain e d addi:ional security. It would be remem bered that a t th e i r l as t meet i ng t wo auditors were ap pointed to in ves ti ga t e th e acco unts. Those auditors i were t, Mr. W. Croawaith e , o f Li verpoo l, a nd Mr. Wee: .t of London, t wo gen tl emen of t h e highest respectability e t s and experi ence , an d h e was g l a d to say tho gentlemen had reported that the accounts were highly satisfactory, and therefore upon a very improved,suffi. clear, and si m pl e principle—(Cheers)—that was a cient answer to all t h e newspaper calumnies, not to men tion the imp u t at i ons o f fraud which had been wantonl y thrown out. In conclusion, he thanked the proprietors, and awarded th a t mee d of pra i se to t h e officers of the company for th e dili gence and care t h e y had bestowed upon the affairs of the company. that Mr. SAUNDE RS th en read the re p o rt. It s tated the financi a l accounts and tabular state ment, which had been published and circulated, would have already, in nsasto working known to the prop r i e t ors, t h e resu lt of the r enable igof their line du r i ng th e l ast h alf year, w hich would. end of them to declar e a t t hi s meet i ng t h e usual divid end four per cent f or th at t i me. With res p ec t to the traffic, of it might be observed, that in the corresponding period end 1845, precisely the same length of line was open ed that the worked over by this company as in 1846, so o d the ton comparison in the number of paSSengerSl 3 of the in nage of goods, was a perfectly fair criterion r ailway s and crease conveyed over identically the same indcated this review of the business of the company trade, most satisfactorily the features of progressive tof e n 1845, when it was remembered that the excitin with the numberless schemes and the travelling almost conse quent thereon, was thus contrasted with the en tire cessation of such speculative had been movementsat during the latter part of 1846. The i ncrea se in 1846 the rate of 503 passengers per diem. viz. 92, 528 for the 976 tons of goods. half-year, with an additional trade 0 f 2 3 ' The balance now disposable being 218,855 E 19s. 7d., the directors recommended that a dividend of four per cent. ' be declared for the half-year endi n g the 31st of Decem ber, 1846, payable on or after the Ist o f March, to the proprietors registered on the company's books when they were closed en the Sth instant, which dividend would amount to 211,0021. 4s. 9d., and leave a balance of 7,853/ 14s. 10d. to be carried t o the credit of the next half-year's account. Since the special general meetings of this company were held on the 6th November and pursuance of the 4th December last, the directors had, in 'etors, affixed t e common seal resolutions of the propri otherwise executed separate of the company, and repared to carry out the deeds, which had been p ßailway and the purchase of lease of the South Wales and Ox ford Railway, as well a s th a t o f the Birmingham Wolverhampton, and Dudley the Birmingham, Railway. The provisions o f the Act for i ncorporating the Bir mingham and vay, f 'powers on erred ,powers Oxford Rat, which on that company, with t he sanction o f a general meet ing, to sell their the Great line to Western Railway Company, requ ired that the rates and tolls of this company should be revised, to a scale n o t exceeding thatand Oxford that of the Birmingham Railway Act, b e f ore the purchase could finally take effect. Th e di rectors consequently, and in order to c arry into effect the pur chase of that line , bad entered into convenant by such deed, with the Birmingham .and Oxford Railway Com pany, revision made by Parliament, to have such for which purpose a now n Act was before the Legis lature, and as samelow the scale of m ax i mum rates which was submitted to by the London and North-Western Railway Company last year, in order to obtain the amalgamation of the Grand Junction with the London and Birmingham Railway Company was now offered by the Great Western Rail way Company, and was to be made applicable to all traffic over the Great Western line, whether from existing or new railways, there could be no doubt that the Act would pass into a law, on account of the public benefits to,be derived from that reduction of rates, upon which the purchase of the Birmingham and Oxford Railway by this Company, would have its entire and unqualified effect under the provisions of the existing Act. The directors, in conjunction with the Bristol and Exeter and the South Devon Railway Companies, bad entered into a conditional arrangement for affording some aid to the establishment ef docks at Plymouth, a measure which they considered would be very service able to the traffic of the line. The sum agreed to be subscribed by this company was 7,5001. A Bill for the consolidation and improvement of the Weymouth Harbour Trust was before Parliament, in which power was given to the Great Western, and the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Companies,to assist the Commissioners in raising funds by their guarantee, to an amount not d• excee mg 40,000/. The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, announced the intention of the company for the future to discon tinue the depreciation fund. The honourable proprietor thought a statement of their liabilities ought to be sent forth to the world for he believed the public enter- MERBY. 9 to 2 agst Kent's lot 15 to 2 agst LordEglinton'sVan Tromp 10 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Epirote—taken freely 12 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Planet 22 to 1 agst Mr. Mostyn's Glentilt—taken 25 to 1 agst Sir R. Pigot's Conyngliam 25 to 1 agst Mr. Irwin's Horn of Chase 40 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Lunedale 40 to 1 agst Mr. O'Brien's Liberator 50 to I agst Mr. Worley's Old Port 50 to 1 agst Mr. O'Brien's Bedlam—taken 50 to 1 agst Col. Anson's Bingham—taken 2000 to 35 agst Mr. A. W. Hill's Will o' the Wisp—taken Any odds against Christopher, who is reported to be amiss. OAKS. 15 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Miami 16 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Nerissa 20 to 1 agst Captain Harcourt's Ellerdale SALE AT TArrEasALL's.—The following horses were sold on Monday :—Buttress, 4 yrs, 250 guineas —Chamois. 4 yrs, 51 guineas —Wild Roe, 37 guineas —and Emmeline, 26 guineas—and the steeple chaser Vanguard, 110 guineas. Livinroot. STEEPLE CPIASE. _ _ The following scratchings are complete as regards town, but are only up to post time at Liverpool on Wed nesday evening : Switcher. Firefly. The Page. Sabine. Gazeley. Palmerston. Eagle. Gay (conditionally). Jack. Mameluke. Sparta. Tea-pot. Tamworth. Fanny Elssler. Jeu d'Esprit. Indian Prince. Terrier. Sacrifice. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert, Attended by the Mar. chioness of Douro, Hon. Miss Paget, Earl of Morton, Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, and Captain the Hon. A. IL Gordon, honoured the performance of the French Plays with their presence yesterday evening. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Fanny Howard, and Sir George Couper, also honoured the performance of the French Plays with their presence last evening. Count Alexander Mensdorff left Buckingham Palace at half-past ten o'clock yesterday morning for South ampton, en route, to Portugal. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the Queen yesterday morning. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice took their accustomed walks and rides yesterday, in the gar dens of Buckingham Palace. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday, at Gloucester House. Her Majesty's Commissioners for considering the state of the several Bishopricks in England and Wales, with reference to the Foundation of new Bishopricks, held their first meeting yesterday, at the official resi dence of the First Lord of the Treasury, in Downing street. Mr. Archibald Cuninghame had an interview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial-office. The Commissioners of Metropolitan Improvements, held a meeting yesterday at the Office of her Majesty's Woods and Forests, in Whitehall-place. There were present Viscount Morpeth, the Lord Mayor, the Right Hon. J. C. Herries, Sir Robert Inglis, Sir Charles Lemon, Lord Colborne, Mr. Hope, the Hon. C. A. Gore, and Mr. Milne. Mr. Gibson Craig, M.P., had an interview with the Right Hon. E. Strutt, yesterday, at the office of the Commissioners of Railways, in Great George street. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, FEBRUARY 18. STOCK EXCRANGE.—The sales arc—Great Western Quarters, 30 p. —Ditto, Fifths, 29—London and York, Registered, 3s. 9d. p.—Man chester and Southampton, % dis.—Midland, New, 35k—Ditto, New, 3 p.—Shropshire Union, 7 dis.—York and North Midland, Pre ference, 10 p. _ LIVERPOOL, FEBRUARY 18. STOOK Exertlxoc—The sales are —Chester and Birkenhead, 207. Shares, % dis. ex div.—East Lancashire, New, 2% p.—Ditto, New Scrip, 1% p.—London and North-Western, 190—Ditto, Quarters (Grand Junction), 204 p.—Manchester and Leeds, Fifths, 57 8 p.— Ditto, Halves, (late L. and B ), 5 p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lin colnshire (late Great Grimsby and Sheffield), 4N dis.—Midland, 122 ex div.—Ditto, 401. Shares, 554 ex div.—Ditto, New, 3% p.—New castle and Carlisle, 11214—North British, New, p.—Preston as i Wyre, Halves (A), 44 p.—York and North Midland, Preference, 10 p.--Iludderstiold Canal and Railway, 32—Ditto, 4, p.—Leeds and Thirsk, 214 dis.—Ditto, Preference, 1% p.—Scottish Central, 7 p.— Ambergate and Eastern Junction, Is. 3d. p.—Birkenhead, Lanca shire, and Cheshire Junction, 11s. 3d. p.—Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 9%—East Lincolnshire p.—Fleetwood, Preston, and West Riding, % p.—Great Northern (Nos. 1 to 109,000), t 4 p.— Ditto (Nos. 108,001 and upwards), ( p.—London and Tork, % p.—North Staffordshire, 3 4 ,1,i p.—Shropshire Union Railway and Canal, 13s. 9 dis.—Trent Valley, Midland, and Grand Junction, % p.—West Riding Union, 365. 3d. p.—Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 2% p.—North Staffordshire and Churnet Valley Junc tion, 31s. 3d. p.—South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and Goole, 6s. 3d. p. MANCHESTER, FEBRUARY 18. _ STOCK EXCEANOZ.—The sales are—Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston, 1 4 p.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction, p.—Birmingham and Oxford Junction, t) p.—East Lancashire, 2 c. p.—Ditto New (scrip), 1 7-16 p.—East Lincolnshire, 2 p.— Fleetwood, Preston, and West Riding, % p,—Great Northern (Direct Northern) Scrip, Regd., p.—Ditto (London and York) Scrip, Regd., 3-16 p.—liuddersfleld and Manchester Railway and Canal, 4y, p. —Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester, 8 1 ,i p. —Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 3i p.—Manchester and Leeds, 321. Shares (late Extensien), 2 p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire (Grimsby), 201. Shares, 1% dis.—Ditto (late Sheffield and Lincoln shire), 1 dis.—Manchester and Southampton, 3.(t dis.—Midland, 501. Shares, 4 1 4 c. p. —North Staffordshire, 7-16 P.—North Staffordshire and Churnet Valley Junction, 114 p.—Northern Counties Union, 1 1 % dis.—Oldham Alliance, IN, p.—West Riding Union, 1 3 / 4 ' p.—Whart dale, % dis. LEEDS, FEBRUARY IS. STocK EXCHANOZ.—The sales are —Arnhergate, Nottingham, and Boston, Is. Gd. c. p.—East Lancashire, 2 p.—Ditto, Blackburn and Preston, p.—Ditto, New, 21. 3s. 91. p.—Ditto, New Scrip, 275. p.—East and West Yorkshire, Is. p.—East Lincolnshire, 2% p. —Great Northern (late London and York), ss. p.—lludderstleld and Manchester, Thirds, 1% p.—Leeds and Thirsk, 2% dis.—Ditto, New, 13s. ed. clic —Ditto, Preference, 275. p.—Leeds, Wakefield, and Mid land, 10s. dia.—Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle Junction, 12s. 6d. dis.—.Balton and Driffield Junction, 235. p.—Manchester and Leeds, Halves (late Dud. and Shelf.), 4 p.—Ditto, 321. Shares (late Extensions), 2% p.—Ditto, Extension (late Wale. P. and G.), 5% c. p.—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 15s. p.--Midland, New, 5 p.—Ditto, Preference. 3% p.—North Brtish, Thirds, 545. p. —Ditto, Quarters (late Carlisle Branch), 435. Gd. p.—Ditto, Exten sion (scrip), 14s. 6d. p. —North tctaffordshire, n. p.—North- Western, 9s. 6d. p.—South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and Goole, 4s. p.—West Riding Union, 365. p.—Wharfdale Junction, 6s. c. die. HULL, FEBRUARY IS. SToca Excliarioa. —The sales are—North British, 35—Ditto• Quarters, 87s. 9d.—Ditto, Extensions (scrip), 15s. 6d. p.—Black burn, Clitheroe, &c., dis.—East Lancashire, New Scrip, 265. 3d. p.—Great Northern (London and York), 2S-3lalton and Drinield Junction, 1% p. SHEFFIELD, FEBAVAII r 18. STOCK Excimcox.-The sales are-Eastern Counties, York Ex tension, 14s. p.-Great Northern (late London and York), Beg., % p.-Malton and Driftleld Junction, 235. 6d. p.-Manchester, Shef field, and Lincolnshire (201 ,hares), 28s. dis.-Ditto (Sheffield and Lincoln), 21s. dis.-Midland (Sheffield and Rotherham), 33 4 - Leeds, Waksfleid, and Midland % dis.-South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and Goole, M p. NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, FERRVARY 18. STOCK Excgason.-The sales are-Leeds and Bradford, 45 p.- Newcastle and Carlisle, Now 13 p.-Northern Counties Union, 14 die.-North British, 1054 p.-Ditto, Thirds, 525. 9d. p.-Ditto, Quarters, 2% p.-Ditto, Extension, Iss. 6d. p.-York and Newcastle, Extensions, 6% p. EDINBURGH, FEBRUARY 17. Sroex EXCIIANGE.-The sales are-Ayr and Galloway, 465.- Direct Northern (scrip), 553.-Dundee and Arbroath, 461.-Ditto, New, No. 2, 30-Ditto, Now, No. 3, 51.-Dundee and Perth, 331,4 - Ditto, New, -East of Fife, 668.-East Lothian Central, 443. -Edinburgh and Batligate, 5 % -Eindburgh, Leith, and Grantor, Now Quarters, 163. 3d. p.-Edinburgh and Northern, New, 73 y. r so, cr -Ditto, Newport, 5%--Ditto, ditto, New, 505.-Great N orthern (late Direct Northern), 755. 6d.-North British, 351,4 -Dihalves, 16% -Ditto, Quarters, 87s. 6d.-Ditto, New, Quarter s -Ditto, Thirds, 75e.-Ditto, Fifths, 71.-Scottish Midland, -22 Y, 285.), Stirling and Dunfermline, 755.-Direct Bombay an d Madras, -East Indian, Bs. 6d. GLASGOW, FEBRUARY 17. STOCK Excnimus. —The sales are — Caledonian, New, 475. GI Direct Northern Scrip, 535. 6d.—Dundee and Arbroath, 44%—Ditto, New, No. 2, 321.—Ditto, New, No. 3, 51 . —Dundee and Perth, .33!‘ —Dunblane, Donne, and Callender, 30 s. —East of Fife, 62e. 6d.--East. Indian, 9s. —East Lothian Central, 425. 6d.—Edinburgh and Perth, New, 14s.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, Halves, No. 2,9/. 2s.— Glasgow and Garnkirk, 391.—Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct, 425. 6d. —Scottish Central, 21% —York and Newcastle, Preference, Si. 16s. 6d. PROVISIONS FROM TUE UNITED STATES. .-••• The Sheridan, from New York, and London, Salem, Peter Patrick, and Olinda, from New Orleans, which were reported at Li verpool on the 17th inst., bring 1,867 bushels and 421 bags of wheat, 3,763 barrels of flour, 18,902 bushels and 15,873 bags oflActiaa oorl3, and 890 packages 91 WWI core Ana ~~ DESTITUTION IN IRELAND. The following is a copy of a letter from Commander Caffin, R.N., commanding her Majesty's steam-sloop Scourge, dated Feb. 15, 1847: (PRIVATE.) " My dear Sir,—Having, in the course of my late duty (of discharging a cargo of meal, &c.) at Schull, been brought into direct contact with the distress that prevails there and in its neighbourhood, I venture to lay before you (feeling assured it would interest you in their behalf) that which I had occular demonstra tion of. " In the village of Schull three-fourths of the inhabi tants you meet carry the tale of woe in their features and persons, as they are reduced to mere skeletons, the men in particular, all their physical power wasted away; they have all become beggars. " In landing the meal, &c., they used all the cunning they possessed to avoid detection in cutting open the mouths of the bags, and purloining the contents, and it required great watchfulness to prevent it. " Having a great desire to see with mine own eyes some of the misery which was said to exist, Dr. Traill, the rector of Schull, offered to drive me to a portion of his parish. I found there was no need to take me beyond the village to show me the horrors of famine in its worst features. I had read in the papers letters and accounts of this state of things, but I thought they must be highly coloured, to attract sympathy ; but I there saw the reality of the whole—no exaggeration, for it does not admit of it—famine exists to a fearful degree, with all its horrors! F ever h as sprung up. consequent upon the wretchedness; and swellings of limbs and body, and diarrhcea, from the want of nourishment are everywhere to be found. Dr. Traill's parish is twenty-one miles in extent, containing about 18,000 souls, with not more than half a dozen gentlemen in the whole of it. He drove me about five or six miles; but we commenced our visits before leaving the village, and in no house that I entered was there not to be found the dead or dying; in particularising two or three, they may be taken as the picture of the whole—there was no picking or choosing, but we took them just as they came. " The first which I shall mention was a cabin rather above the ordinary ones in appearance and comfort ; in it were three young women, and one young man and three children, all crouched over a fire, and the pictur e s of misery. Dr. Traill a s k e d a ft er the father, upon which one of the girls opened a door leading into another cabin, and there were the father and mother in bed, the father the most wretched picture of starvation possible to con ceive, a skeleton with life, his power of speech gone the mother but a little better, her cries for mercy and food were heartrending ; it was sheer destitution which had brought them to this. They had been well to do in the world, with their cow and a few sheep, and potato ground ; their crops failed, and their cattle were stolen, although, anticipating this, they had taken their cow and sheep into the cabin with them every night, but they were stolen in the day time. The son had worked on the roads and earned his eil,htpence per day, but this could not keep the family, and he, from work and insuf ficiency of food, is laid up, and will soon be as bad as his father. They had nothing to eat in the house, and I could see no hope for any one of them. "In another cabin we went into, a mother and her daughter were there; the daughter emaciated, and lying against the wall; the mother naked, upon some straw on the ground, with a rug over her, a most distressing ob ject of misery; she writhed about and bared her limbs in order to show us her state of exhaustion. She had wasted away until nothing but the skin covered the bones; she cannot have survived to this time. " Another that I entered had, indeed, the appearance of wretchedness without, but its inside was misery. Dr. Traill, on putting his head inside the hole which an swered for a door, said, Well, Phillis, how is your mother to-day?' He having been with her the day be fore, was replied—' Oh, sir, is it you? mother is dead!' and there, fearful reality, was the daughter, a skeleton herself, crouched and crying over the lifeless body of her mother, which was on the floor, cramped up as she had died, with her rags and her cloak about her, by the side of a few embers of peat. "In the next cabin were three young children belong ing to the daughter, whose husb an d h a d run away from her, all pictures of death. The poor creature said she did not know what to do with the corpse, she had no means of getting it removed, and she was too exhausted to remove it herself. This cabin was about three miles from the rectory. "In another cabin, the door of which was stopped with dung, was a poor woman whom we had taken by sur prise, as she roused up evidently much astonished. She burst into tears upon seeing the doctor, and said she had not been able to sleep since the corpse of the woman had lain in her bed. This was a poor creature who was passing this miserable cabin, and asked the old woman to allow her to rest herself for a few moments. She had lain down, but never rose again. She died in an hour or so, from sheer exhaustion. The body had remained in this hovel of six feet square, with the poor old woman, for four days ; she could not get anybody to remove it. She said she trusted her sins were par doned. She had prayed earnestly for forgiveness. She had been a wicked sinner, but God was merciful, and her Saviour was all-sufficient. She thought she could die, and longed to depart and be at peace, and she had blocked up the door that she might not be disturbed. She had some money—a trifle—by her ; but living four or five miles from the village, she could not get any food. She had asked her neighbours' children to buy her some, but they were too much taken up with themselves. She could not rise up, and could just manage to kneel. She had nothing to eat in her miserable hole, and I should tear must be dead ere this. ..... "I could in this manner take you through the thirty or more cottages that we visited, but they, without ex ception, were alike— the dead and the (13 ing in each ; and I could tell you more of the truth of the heart rending scene were I to mention the lamentations and bitter cries of each of these poor creatures on the threshold of death. Never in my life have I seen such wholesale misery, nor could I have thought it so com plete. lam convinced in that district it is not in human power to stay the evil : it may be to alleviate it ; but this must be by a good organized system, and the supply chiefly gratuitous. I am of opinion a number of naval surgeons should be employed, having under their orders a number of men—who might be selected from the lists of pensioners (if they could be highly re commended)—to have charge of certain districts, not only dispensing medicine where it may be required, but also food, on an order of the relief committee, to any person in their district. The pensioner or two who might be under each surgeon would not only assist in visiting, but in conveying the food and medicines, &c., for the poor; and by being strangers to the localities, having no friends, would do this duty without par tiality. The surgeons should act with the relief commit tees, but independent of them. A board of health is also now wanted, as it cannot be expected but a pestilence will rage when the mass of these bodies decompose. They have ceased to put them into coffins, or to have the funeral service performed, and they merely lay them a few inches under the soil. " All that I have stated above I have seen with mine own eyes, and can vouch for the truth of. And I feel I cannot convey by words the impression left on my mind of this awful state of things. _ . . _ " I could tell you, also, - of that which I could vouch for the truth of, but which I did not see myself, such as bodies half eaten by the rats ; of two dogs last Wednes day being shot by Mr. O'Callaghan whilst tearing a body to pieces ; of his mother-in-law stopping a poor woman and asking her what she had on her back, and being replied it was her son, telling her she would smother it ; but the poor emaciated woman said it was dead already, and she was going to dig a hole in the churchyard for it. " These are things which are of every-day occurrence. " I trust you will pardon my having troubled you with this, and taken up so much of your time. I have given the counterpart of it to Sir Hugh Bigot ; but thinking you might like to have it, has induced me to send it to you. 1 enclose one of Dr. Traill's letters : every word I can answer for the truth of. " Pardon this hasty scrawl. " Believe me, my dear Sir, very faithfully yours, " J. CRAUFORD CAFFIN. " P.S. There have been two or three post-mortem examinations of these who have died, and they find that the inner membrane of the stomach turns into a white mucous, as if nature had supported herself upon herself, until exhaustion of all the humours of the system had taken place. POLYPHONY. Mr. Love, the celebrated Polyphonist, on Wednesday evening entertained a numerous and respectable audience at Crosby Hall, Bishopsgate-street, by the exhibition of his extraordinary feats of ventriloquism and polyphony. The pieces selected for the exhibition of his talents were " A Voyage to Hamburgh" and " A Christmas Party in the Olden Time." In the former piece the characters, selected from the miscellaneous group of deck and cabin passengers of the steamer, were of the most amusing description, and their colloquial peculiarities admirably hit off, In the latter piece the transformations were most rapid and successful, and called forth at each change the cheers and hearty laughter of the audience. The performer changed from "a military officer" to "a serving lad," from the serving lad to a " %Vest India gentleman," from that personage into a "fashionable and loquacious young lady." The yeting lady was trans muted into "an old lady," who in turn resolved herself into "a servant," the servant into " an old gentleman," and, finally, the old gentleman into the talented and m him self. The s curious off ventriloquis m was most ex cellentlyaui ilg lecturer power shown in a conversation between Mr. Love and an imaginary bricklayer, who was supposed to be on the roof of the building. The deception was most perfect, and perspectiv e " o f distance (as the l ec t urer styled most al o clearly defi ne d . Th performance is an- a th i e t or an nounced for repetition next Wednesday, and we cor dpileaallsyaut recommend evening t o a any t h e personm themselves 1 v eN s e ishi f ng the to epp s e p r e t n u d m ty a of witnessin g Love's ent e rtainments of polyphony. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —TEAS AT 'WHOLESALE PRICES, NO. 2, BUCKLERSBURY, CHEAPSIDE.—FamiIies whose consumption is large, and study economy, will derive considerable advantage at this establishment. One uni form price is affixed, by which the purchaser of a single pound can obtain it on the same terms as the trade. Black Tea 2s. Bd., 35., 3s. 4d, 3s. Bd., 45., 4s. 4d., 59. Green 3s. 4d., 3s. Bd., 45., 4s. 4d., 55., 6s. 7s. Coffee 9d., led., Is., Is. 2d., Is. ls. 6d., Is. Sd. One pound sent free to any part of town. Orders from the country forwarded the same day; and when the quantity is for Glb. weight (tea only), the carriage is paid to any part of England.—MANsELL and Co. wholesale tea dealers, 2, Bucklersbury, Cheapside. DREADFUL ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday last nine persons left Bideford in the omnibus for Torrington, most of them for the purpose of attending the market at the latter place. On passing the quay at Bideford the horse took fright and plunged into the sea, when, dreadful to relate, eight out of the nine were drowned, the tide being up at the time. Tim driver of the vehicle was saved. 600' to the ,nerst who loOk 4 Of . - ,52 7 were d to vice 2.0 sod hip; read able IreSS raY' Sing ,ord