The Sun. — London, England, 1847-12-29 00:00:00

MARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE—WEDNESDAY 1 very limited quantity of English Wboat was re ceived fresh up to our market this morning, and the stands were scantily fillrd with samples. Fine dry qualities commanded a steady sale, at fully Monday's quotations. In the middling and in• ferior parcels, comparatively little business was doing. Fine Foreign Wheat moved off readily, other kinds !slowly, at late rates. The supply of Barley being large, that article was heavy, and, in some instances, the prices bad a downward tendency. Malt was a slow sale, but not cheaper. Although the quantity of Oats on offer was good, the demand was firm, at previous quotations. In Beans and Peas next to nothing was doing. Indian Corn and Flour were in good request, at extreme currencies. ARRIVALS. Wheat. Barley. 11114615 h •••••• 1,370 qrs. 5,250 qrs. 'weigh •••• •• 14,040 Oata. I Flow. MO gm. 1 2,160 ski , . 6,100 I -- 1,100 Malt. 2.450 an. WRITECUILPEL. Each kind of Meat, though in full average supply, commanded a steady sale at our quotations. Beef, from as 4d to 4s 6d; Mutton, 3s 6d to 4s 8d; Veal, 3s 8d to 4s 8d; and Pork, 3s 8d to 5s 2d per 81bs, by tho carcase. SECONDARIES.—(THIS saISELTON, ADMOR, &C., V. TUN SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY. This was an action brought by the plaintiff as ad ministrator of Mary Thiselton, deceased, for damages for negligence on the part of the servants of the above company, whereby the death of the said Mary Thisel ton had been occasioned. The jury were empannelled, but an application was made for an adjournment of The case, the parties ot being prepared. The case was, therefore, post poned till Friday next. None f the facts were stated. CLERKENWE DAY). John Hawkins was charged with horse stealing. Mr. William Watson said he was a greengrocer, residing in Kingaland, and about a fortnight ago he put his horse out to grass, in the evening, in a field at the back of his house, and in the morning it was gone. Information having been given to the police the horse was eventually traced to the possession of a Mrs. White, a horse-slaughterer in Whitechapel, who gave such an accurate description of the prisoner that the police, who knew him, soon had him in cus tody. He was arrested at the Victoria Theatre, and seemed to be expending money very freely, and when taken to Mrs. White she fully identified him as the man who sold the horse to her. A certifieate of a former conviction for felony having been put in against him he was fully com mitted for trial. THAMES.—(THIS DAY.) __Cgmerry,- 7 —Ntr. YAttarenr announced that he luvi ---0 _ _ Te the Magistrate - of the Thames Police•office. Sir,—l send you the other half of the 51. note, No. 95,328, for the poor-box of your office, of which I sent one-half on the 25th, and the receipt of which has been acknowledged by the public press. I have honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, December 28th, 1847. J. E. T. WORSHIP-STREET.—(THIS DAY.) William Rowland, Rober't Rowland, and Henry Rowland, brothers, were charged with riotous and disorderly conduct, and the latter with violently as saulting an officer in the execution of his duty, at the Britannia Theatre, Hoxton Old-town. William Butler, a constable at the theatre, stated that his attention was last evening called to the pri soners, who had clambered from the gallery into the boxes. Witness expostulated with them, but they resolutely refused to go, and the prisoner Henry Rowland fastened upon him, kicked him, and at tempted to bite him. Assistance came, and the pri soners, with a great deal of difficulty, were ejected from the theatre and conveyed to the station-house. William Leman, one of the cheque takers, corrobo rated what the last witness said. The prisoners attempted to prove that they had paid the box prices, although they had by mistake got into the gallery, on finding which they certainly did make the best of their way to the boxes. Mr. HhadmiLL severely admonished William and Robert Rowland, and discharged them, but said he should fine the prisoner, Henry Rowland, in the sum of 205., for the assault upon the officer, or 10 days im prisonment. CHARITY..—." H. P." has sent one guinea for the poor-box of this office. _ COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, TIIRSDAY.—The Queen and Prince Albert took their usual early walk. The Royal Family took walking and pony exercise this morning in the slopes. His Excellency the Duke de Broglie left the Castle this forenoon. The Duke and Duchess of Victoria, and Colonel Wylde, are expected to arrive at the Castle this even ing, on a visit to her Majesty. The royal dinner party at the Castle this evening will include her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Victoria, the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn , the Lady in Waiting of the Duchess of Kent, the Baroness de Spetb, Vis count Palmerston, Viscount Canning, Lady Mary Howard, Colonel Wylde, and Dr. Meyer. The band of the Royal ' Horse Guards attend during dinner. The Queen's private band will afterwards attend in the Castle. The Duke de Broglie, French Ambassador, re turned to his residence of the Embassy, in Manche- ter-svare, yesterday morning, from a visit to her Majesty, in Windsor Castle. Mr. W. G. Hayter, Judge Advocate-General, had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday, at the Home Office. Dispatches from the Governors of the West India Colonies, and also from the Governors of Australia, Ceylon, and Malta were received yesterday at the Colonial Office. SPURTING INTELLIGENC E. BETTING AT MANCHESTER. —TUESDAY. CIIESTER CUP.—Offers to take 1,000 to 12 . about Magnet (Irish); 100 to 1 2 agst B ur g und y ; an. 1,000 to 12 *gat Cawroush. DERNY.—Offers to take 16 to 1 about Springy Jack 20 to 1 agst Assault ; and 30 to agst Loadstonc. FIELD GRAND NATIONAL STE EPLECHASES. The foraying appeared in our Third Edition of la: , evening WAK WAKEFIELD, MONDAY EVENING, This exciting event, which came off this day, has fully realised the anticipations of its active promoters, both as to the character of the sport and the interest manifested by the inhabitants of the locality. It is sup posed that there could not have been much less than fifty thousand persons on the course. The races were run over a fine country, in the vi cinity of the far-famed Sandal Castle Hill, whence the Parliamentary army under Oliver Cromwell bid de fiance to the Royalists, some two centuries ago. The sport was exceedingly good; the weather favourable for the time of the year; and the course not to be com plained of. The "knowing ones" have been grievously disappointed in the issue. The stewards were the Right Hon.the Earl of Strathmore and W. 11. De Rodes, Esq. The Handicap Steeplechase of 20 soya. each, 10 ft, with 150 added. ..(Mr. F. Wilson' (Oliver ...(Oliver; Mr. Madock's b g Proceed ... Mr. T. Mason, jun.'s c g Sailor Mr. Surtees' b in Langley Lass The following also started, but were not placed B g by Glaucus, Dubious, Matchless, Boxkceper, Fanny Grey, Shepherdess, The Clipper, Swallow. Fortune teller was withdrawn for the following match. An excellent race home, when Fanny Grey fell at the last fence, or must undoubtedly hare been the winner. Bet ting languid. Match for 1,0001., 3001. ft.; list each. The last three miles of the course. Mr. R. Clifton's Mahomet Captain Kennedy's Fortune-teller The Sweepstakes Steeplechase of 5 soya. each, with 25 added. Mr. Fernandes' o m Ashberry Lass ... Mr. Jarman na b m Crazy Jane Mr. R. Briggs, jun. The Pilot . . Leicester Joe, Norma, Jealousy (late Perambulator), Jerry, Gaman, also started, but were not placed. We mentioned yesterday, on the authority of a morning Contemporary, the reported death of Miss Emma Stanley, the actress. We are happy to say that the statement was untrue, but that the talented I,dy continues dangerously ill. Loss or LIFE IN TUE NoUTII.—The John o' Groat Journal, of Friday last, contains a melancholy catalogue of the loss of life on the northern coast during the last month, the total number being 36—namely, in the county of Caithness, 14 ; in Orkney, 14 ; and in Zet land, 8. Of these, 28 were drowned in consequence of the wreck of boats in which they were either hands or passengers. STAMPS ON BILLS OF EXCIIANGE.—Mr. Wyld, M.P., has just procured a return (printed on Friday) of the amount of duties received in the several years be tween 1810 and 1846, both inclusive, for stamps on bills of exchange, or promissory-notes, and bank-notes. The largest amount of duty was paid in the year 1818, when it amounted to 845,749/. 15s. ; and the smallest i❑ 1832, when it was 545,8011. 3s. id. In the last six years (from 1841 to 1646, inclusive) the duties amounted to 660,1531. 175., 589,394/. 17s. 6d., 564,4431. 95., 576,729/. Bs. 41, 558,5861.8 f. 9d., and in 1846, 571,842/. 106. Id. THE SUN, LONDON, IVEDNESDAV EVENING, DI4iICIOIBER 2 91 1847. 111••••••••=sr me. THE NEBULA OF ORION RESOLVED. The eighth annual meeting of the American Asso ciation of Geologists and Naturalists has been held at Boston, and been attended by a large number of scientific men from all parts of the Union. The fol lowing letter from Mr. Bond to President Everett, of Harvard University, announcing the resolution of the nebula of Orion by its means, and communicated to the association, is worth adding to the particulars which have already been given of this Transatlantic marvel :—" You will rejoice with me that the great nebula of Orion has yielded to the power of our incomparable telescope. This morn ing (the 22d of September) the atmo sphere being in a favourable condition at about three o'clock, the telescope was set upon the Trape zium in the great nebula of Orion. Under a power of 200, the fifth star was immediately conspicuous ; but our attention was immediately absorbed with the splendid revelations made in its immediate neigh bourhood This part of the nebula was resolved into bright points of light, The number of stars were too great to attempt counting them; many were, however, readily located and mapped. The double character of the brightest star in the Trapezium was readily recognised with a power of 600. This is Sturve's sixth star;' and certain of the stars composing the nebula ere seen as double stars under the power. It should be borne in mind that this nebula and that of Andro meda, have been the last stronghold of the nebular theory ; that is, of the idea first thrown out by the elder Herschel, of masses of nebulous matter in pro cess of condensation into systems. The nebula in Orion yielded not to the unrivalled skill of both the Herschela, armed with their excellent reflectors. It even defied the power of Lord Rosse's three-foot mirrors, giving not the slightest trace of resolv ability,' or separation into a number of single sparkling points. And even when, for the first time Lord Rosse's grand reflector, of six foot speculum, was directed to this object, not the veriest trace of a star was to be seen.' Subsequently his Lordship communicated the result of his further examination of Orion as follows: —' I think I may safely say that there can be little, if any, doubt as to the resolvability of the nebula. We could plainly see that all about the Trapezium is a mass of stars, the rest of the nebula a lso aboundin g in stars, and exhibiting the characteristics of re solvability strongly marked.' This has hitherto been considered as the greatest effort of thelargest re flecting telescope in the world, and this our own telescope has accomplished." THE ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL. PAINLESS OPERATIONS. We were yesterday invited to witness some opera tions at the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn-road, for the purpose of testing the comparative merits of chloroform and ether vapour. Considerable interest of one of the operations never having been performed before, namely, the removal of a diseased os calcis and astragulus, the bones which form the heel portion of the foot. Mr. Thomas Wakley, jun., was the opera tor in all the cases, and the ansesthetical agents were administered by Mr. Robinson, of Gower-street, with his newly-invented apparatus. The first case was one of strabismus, or squinting, in which the cure is effected by the division of cer tain muscles of the eye. The patient readily inhaled the chloroform, and after some spasmodic twitching of the limbs a state of coma was pro duced, and he remained perfectly passive and quies cent under the hands of the operator. The lower eye-lid was now drawn down, two or three slight cuts were made with the knife, and in half a minute the operation was over, the value of the chloroform in this case being shown by the complete insensibility of the eye, and the facility which it consequently afforded to the surgeon in making the necessary in cisions. A little cold water sprinkled over the patient's face revived him immediately, and - he walked away apparently doubtful if the operation had been performed. The next case in which the chloroform was also exhibited was the excision of a large fatty tumour from the shoulder-blade. In this case the patient, a female, was very much excited, and, after two or three inhalations, vehe mently protested against the operation being pro ceeded with. This was partly owing to nervous irritability, and partly to having a short time previ ously taken some brandy, which had been injudi ciously gives to her to sustain her courage. She then became sick, which appeared to relieve her, and Mr. Robinson having expl tined the object with which the ohloroform was administered, and what its effects would be, she expressed her willingness to try it again, and after inhaling for three or four minutes she became insensible. The tumour was now very dex terously and rapidly removed by Mr. Wakley, not more than half an ounce of blood having been lost, and the patient was then allowed to recover gradually. She was profuse in her expressions of gratitude, com plained of lassitude, expressed a wish to lie down, and was removed to one of the hospital beds. On question ing her shortly afterwards she appeared quite uncon scious that the tumour had been removed—she felt no pain, but complained of weakness and depression of spirits. She also stated that she was frigh s t u ene o d u a nde ttly number of gentlemen by whom she was surrounded, and felt no inconvenience from inhaling the chloro: ferm. The third and most interesting case was the removal of a portion of the foot. The patient, a man apparently 35 years old, and of a delicate scrofulous habit, had been attacked with caries of the bones forming the heel, and had strenuously resisted amputation of the leg, which had beena a dv l ise , da n s the only means of saving his life. Mr. wke3 the suggested the removal of the diseased bones, to which the patient assented. He exhibited great nerve and determination, and after shaking hands with Mr. Wakley, stretched himself upon the couch, and commenced inhaling with great vigour. He was soon in a state of insensiWity, and the ope ration commenced. It would be out of place in a non-medical publication to detail the difficult and complicated process by which the bones of the heel were laid bare, and detached from their articulation with the ancle joint; but when it is con sidered that the whole weight of the body is sustained by this single joint, which possesses at once great pli ancy and enormous strength, the operation will ap pear sufficiently formidable. Mr. Wakley was ably assisted by Mr. Erasmus Wilson, and after a portion of the tiba, the large bone of the leg had been re moved to make an even surface, the divided vessels were taken up, the flaps turned down, and secured with 15 sutures, and th e w h o l e o p era ti o n terminated in 2.5 minutes from the time the patient bad com menced inhaling. The l oss o f bl oo was between 4 and 5 ounces, and the patient, on recoveringappeared in again, hi shook hands with the surgeon, and spirits on finding that all was over. The last g case was an operation for fistula, in which the vapour of ether was administered, and the result in this instance was equally satisfactory. Nothing could exceed the coolness, precision, and dispatch with which Mr. Wakley performed the several operations we have detailed, and the medical gentlemen pre sent expressed themselves highly gratified and inte rested by what they had witnessed. The general impression appeared to be in favour of chloroform ; but it is evidently an agent of much greater power than ether, and requires considerable care and caution in its administration. Among the gentlemen present we observed Mr. Erasmus Wilson, Mr. Gay, Dr. Marsden, Dr. Bolton, Mr. Childs, Mr. Wakley, M.P., Mr. Churchill, Mr. Douglas Jerrold, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Elliott, &c.—Herald, Dec. 29. MYSTERIOUS DEATH.—Yesterday Mr. William Payne, the City Coroner, resumed, at the Bricklayers' Arms, Earl street, Blackfriars, the adjourned inquiry respecting the death of Mrs. Eupheme Scott, aged 72. Elizabeth Scott said that the deceased was her mother. She lived R ith her son, who kept the above house. On Christmas-eve the house was closed at twelve o'clock, and about two o'clock the deceased left for the purpose of [going up stairs to bed. Witness noticed her until she got upon the first landing. Shortly after that time witness went to bed, and she neither heard or saw anything of the deceased from that period until eight o'clock ou Christmas morning, when she found her lying on her right side in the prssage at the foot of th fit e stairs. She was dressed , and appearedbe in a . Witness tried to bring her round by sprinkling water upon her face, but she was unable. Informed her brother, who was in bed asleep, of the state her mother was in. He got up and sent for a surgeon. Robert Scott corro borated the above evidence. Mr. Hutchinson, surgeon, said that he was called in to see the deceased on Christ mas-day. The cause of death was concussion of the brain, which must have been caused by some external violence, inflicted with a flit surface. The Coroner, having summed up, the jury, after consulting, returned a verdict, "That the deceased died from concussion of the brain, caused by a blow on the right temple, but how occasioned there was not sufficient evidence to prove." A CHRISTMAS BARGAIN.—Last week a labourer, after his hard week's toil, entered a hostelry at Wood ham Mortimer, and, warmed by a pint of XX, began in the pride of his heart to exhibit his wealth, which con sisted of two half-sovereigns, snugly secured in a tobacco box. The host, and a brother boniface wbo was there quaffing a neighbourly glass, eyed the treasure, end having caught the complaint of joking—an epidemic that commits sad ravages about Christmas —bid him a sovereign for the lot, calculating upon the bird's-eye and box as their legal profit. The bid was at first refused, but pressed again' later in the evening. The bargain was struck, the money paid, and the box handed over ; but lo: in the interval the gold had been transmuted into silver. John, with an adroitness for which his cus tomers gave him not credit, had substituted a shilling and a sixpence; and it is needless to say he enjoys the j, , ke amazingly—for if there were returns in the box there were none in the bargain—while the merry laugh that goes round the vale is worth all the money in these dull times.---Esscx Herald. A STRANGE Fisu.—A fine specimen of the three bearded rookling (mostello vulgaris, Cuv.), a scarce and pretty-looking fish, was taken on our coast, near Cadur 'lock, on Tuesday last.—Carlisle Patriot. AUDIT OF RAILWAY ACCOUNTS. The following Bill, intituled " An Act to provide for a more effectual Audit of Railway Accounts in certain cases," has been introduced in the Hcuse of Lords by Lord Monteagle : I. Whereas it is expedient to afford to the share- ' holders of public companies which now are or which hereafter may be duly formed and constituted by law for the construction and management of railways ad ditional facilities for the due and effecting audit of their accounts : now be it enacted by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords spiritual and temporal, and Com mons, in this Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that at any ordinary general meeting which after the commencement of this Act shall be holden by the shareholders of any such railway company, it shall and may be lawful to and for any or greater num ber of shareholders of any such company holding in the aggregate not less than of the capital of such company, by writing under their hands, to call on and to require the directors of any such company to submit the balance-sheet of the said company, and all accounts and vouchers thereunto relating, for the examination and report of an auditor to be appointed as hereinafter provided; provided, nevertheless, that it shall not be competent to any shareholder to sign any requisition for the appointment of a special auditor under this Act unless he shall have acquired his shares or stock in right of bequest, inheritance, or marriage settlement, or shall have purchased or otherwise acquired the same, six calendar months at the least before the date of such requisition, nor unless all calls due in respect of such shares shall have been first duly paid in full. 11. And be it enacted, that whenever any such requisition in writing, duly subscribed as aforesaid, shall be presented to such ordinary general meeting, the directors of such company shall be required within days of the receipt thereof, to transmit a copy of the same, signed by the chairman or deputy chairman, or secretary, to her Majesty's Commis sioners for Railways, who shall thereupon proceed without delay to select, nominate, and appoint, by writing under their hands and seals, one fit and com petent person to examine, audit, and report upon the balance-sheet and accounts of such company as afore said ; and every such auditor so appointed shall forth with proceed in the execution of his duties under this Act. 111. And be it enacted, that the said auditor so appointed shall have full power and authority, and shall be and is hereby required, to inspect and examine the accounts kept by such company of all the sums received or expended on account of the company by the directors and all persons employed by or under them, and of the matters and things for which such sums of money shall have been received or disbursed and paid, and to call for and require the production of all vouchers and cataonsn such re. ,vain 3 Linn payments, and also to examine, as touching the balance-sheet of such company, into the capital stock, credits, and property of every description belonging to the company, and the debts due by the company at the date of making such balance-sheet, and to report his view of the profit or loss which shall have arisen on the transactions of the company in the course of the year, half-year, or other period to which such balance•sheet relates. IV. And be it enacted, that every such auditor so appointed shall prepare his report in duplicate, one copy to be forthwith lodged with the directors of the railway the accounts and balance-sheet of which he has examined, and another copy to be transmitted to her Majesty's Railway Commissioners. V. And be it enacted, that such report of the special auditor appointed under this Act shall be laid before the next ordinary meeting of the shareholders of such railway company, and shall be open for the inspection of the shareholders in the manner pre scribed to public companies under the provisions of an Act passed in the eighth year of her present Ma jesty's reign, intituled " An Act for consolidating in one Act certain Provisions usually inserted in Acts with respect to the Constitution of Companies in corporated for carrying on undertakings of a public nature." VI. And be it further enacted, that this Act shall commence and take effect from and after the day of next after the passing thereof. AN EXTRAORDINARY MISTAKE AT A WEDDING. It may appear to some of our readers as almost incredible that two persons so deeply interested in a marriage ceremony as the bride and bridegroom should have allowed such a serious mistake to occur as the one which we are about to relate. In a small town in the county of Suffolk, not fire-and twenty miles from the quiet and ancient town of Hadleigh, a wedding party, not many weeks since, repaired to their parish church to have the holy rite of matrimony solemnized. The bride and bridegroom, as is the custom, were accompanied by a bridemaid and " daddy," and others, as is generally the case on so interesting an occasion. The party, on the arrival of the officiating clergyman, proceeded to the altar to have the marriage ceremony com menced, gone through, and concluded. This having been done, the parties retired to the vestry for the purpose of recording their names on the register, but on the bride and bridegroom being asked to attach their names thereto, some of the parties whispered and stared at each other, and commenced laughing outright. The clergyman inquired the reason of such strange conduct, for the person who was to have officiated as "daddy" had been actually married to the bridemaid. The important truth having been made known, the wedding party again laughed very heartily, but the clergyman told there the mistake was one which required from them a rather different demeanour to that which they then manifested; and after explaining the extreme unplea santness not unlikely to ensue from such downright carelessness, if not ignorance, the rector was sent for, to whom was represented what had taken place. The party after a short time assumed a more becoming air, having come to the conclusion that the affair was one of a very serious character, and not to be laughed at. One thing was certain—the gentle man who was to have acted as " daddy," and the lady who should have acted as the bridemaid, had, to all intents and purposes, been made man and wife ; and, perhaps not unfortunately for each, the " daddy" had been previously married, and his wife was then alive, and in good health and spirits. The stupidity of the parties, however,had not af fected the marriage of the happy couple further than delaying its consummation, and they left the vestry, and went to the altar for the second time, not to be disappointed, for they w ere, after the second attempt, married without any mistake occurring. It may be wondered how such a mistake could have been made. The only cause that we can assign is, that the wed ding ring was placed under the strict charge of the " daddy, who, as has been seen, made a very im proper use of it, and, but for his having been pre viously married, might have repented of bis careless ness or folly.—lpswich Express. MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, DEC. 25, 1547. Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases .. Diseases of Uncertain Seat ... ••• ••• •• Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses... .. Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs o Respiration ••• .•• ... 39 Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 24 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion... ... ••• ••• Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. .•• ..• Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin, &c. ••• Old Age, sr Natural Decay Deaths by Violence, Privation, or Intemperaneo . Causes not specified ... ~ 389 ••• 62 BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS. The Anti-Bribery Society have presented the fol lowing petition to the House of Commons : To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland it Par liament assembled. _ The petition of the undersigned, on behalf of him self and others, the members of the Anti-Bribery Society, Humbly she weth,— That from personal knowledge, and from evidence given before Committees of your Honourable House and in the courts of law, your petitioners have heard with deep distress and alarm the vast amount of crime practised at elections of Members to serve in the Commons House of Parliament. That your petitioners, after mature deliberation, are firmly convinced that this vast amount of electoral crime is fostered and covered by the maintenance of the property qualification required of liniOlts of shires and burgesses, and by the subjection of candidates at elections to expenses on account of hustings, travel ling, registration, and other charges, all of which your petitioners believe are most unjust in principle, and give the unjust sanction of the law itself to the crimes, misdemeanours, and iniquities, which deface and de prave the representative constitution of our country. That your petitioners further believe that the ex isting tribunals for the trial and punishment of offences against the representative system, on account of the enormous expenses attending them, tend really and truly to protect the criminalities they are meant to suppress. Your petitioners therefore pray your Honourable House to take into early and retentive consideration, the nature, extent, and operation of the aforesaid pro perty qualification required of knights of shires and burgesses, and to repeal the same. And your peti tioners humbly pray your Honourable House to enact measures for the transference of the expenses now charged on candidates for election to your Ho nourable House from the candidates to the consti tuencies. Your petitioners further pray your Ho nourable House to consider, devise, and enact some kind of cheap and efficacious tribunal for the trial and punishment of offenders against the electoral system, instead of the present expensive and inefficient ones. Your petitioners finally pray your Honourable House to take into serious consideration whatever other measures may seem expedient and necessary as pre ventives to deter candidates, preventives to deter agents, and preventives to deter electors from com mitting the crimes which at present vitiate the repre presentative system of these kingdoms, and deprave the morality of all classes of the people. And your petitioners will ever pray. Signed by and on behalf of the Anti-Bribery Society, JOHN ROBERTSON, Chairman. MEETING AT MANCHESTER ON THE TEA DUTIES. MANCHESTER, TUESDAY, FIVE P.M.—This after noon a rather numerous and highly respectable meet ing of merchants, manufacturers, trader, and other persons directly interested in the reduction of the duty on tea, was held in the Council-room of the Town hall, in this city; Elkanah Armitage, Esq., in the chair. Among the gentlemen present we noticed J. Bright, Esq., M.P. ; J. Duncuft, Esq., M.P., Old ham ; T. Baggley, Esq. J. A. Turner, Esq.; the Mayor Uf Salford and the ex-Mayor ; and, in fact, most of the trading commercial men of the district. The room proving too small, the meeting adjourned into a larger room. W. RATHEONE, Esq., of Liverpool, moved the first resolution, and after adverting to the state of the trade with China, where the loss must have been, taking the trade in and out, from 35 to 40 per cent., he next adverted to the vastness of the population, and the immense market which was open to this country with the Chinese, when their duty on our goods going there was only 5 per cent., while we imposed a duty of 200 per cent. on the best teas, and of 400 on the lower teas.—(Hear.) T. BAGGLEY, Esq., Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, seconded the motion. Ile referred to the monstrously disproportionate rate of taxation between the two countries, and pointed out the operations of the taxation on the working class as cruelly unjust. China, too, contained nearly one-half of the world ; and, surely, such a population and such a market was worthy of some signal effort, J. A. TURNER, Esq., Chairman of the Commercial Association, rose to move the second resolution. He said that at that time great efforts were being made to supply the Chinese with our manufactures. Ile goods were made and sent there, and the consequences were that the goods were sold at a set ions loss. The only objection to the reduction of the tea duties WO the amount of the revenue which it yielded But he would ask, were they sure that the same amount of revenue would continue to be received ?—No ; it was not to be expected that merchants and manufacturers would continue to send to Chine, if their goods were to be sold at a loss.—(Cheers.) Mr. FIELDING, of Blackburn, seconded the resolu tion which was carried unanimously. R. GARDNER, Esq., moved the next resolution. reviewed the progress of the reduction of the duty on tea, and showed that by the reduction of the duty, the increase of consumption had risen from little more than 700,0001., when the duty was 3v 6d., to fifteen millions and a half sterling. The consumption of tea was now about 45 millions, but if the duty were reduced to Is. a pound, he had no doubt it would be 90 millions. He then pointed out the numerous evils of the tax on tea. The working classes had tea to supper as well as the other meals of the day, and they used it by grains. After dwelling on the sub ject for some time, he said to the Government, if you want money, let us have a property tax of 5,7 i, or 10 per cent., but don't ruin all in the trade. Mr. JEFFERIES 7 of Liverpool, seconded the resolu tion, which was passed unanimously. Mr. MALCOLM Ross then moved the fourth reso lution, and characterised the trade with China as having been most disastrous since the signing of the treaty with Sir H. Pottinger, and declared it to be his opinion that nothing but a large reduction of duty could enable them to continue the trade at all. Other resolutions were then passed; thanks were voted to the Chairman, and the meeting dissolved. SPEED, THE MURDERER. MANCHESTER, TUESDAY AFTERNOON.—The extra ordinary case of this unfortunate man, who was tried at the late Liverpool assizes, for the murder of his children, and the attempted murder of his wife, in this city, in the latter end of last summer, seems to have excited general attention and commiseration. His sentence, it seems, is to be commuted to transpor tation fur life. This morning Mr. E. Stanley Bent, the unfortunate man's unpaid solicitor, received a letter, of which the following is a copy, from Mr. S. M. Pkillipps, the Under Secretary of State, announc ing this very satisfactory intelligence : " Whitehall, Dec. 27, 1847. " Sir,—Secretary Sir George Grey, having care fully considered your application on behalf of Joseph Speed, I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that, under all the circumstances of the case, has felt war ranted in advising her Majesty to commute the pri soner's sentence to transportation for life. " I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, " S M. PIIILLIPPS. " M. E. Stanley Bent, 6, Brown -street, Manchester .' I LATEST PRICES OF SHARES, I LVINKS, ASSURANCE, AND OTHER COM PANIES' STOCK. From the Official List, PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENING. LONDON. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28. TOrNT-STOCE, BANKS. Dividend game of Company. per Annum J Amount of , Share. ustralasia • • • • 3 ritih orth American 51. per cent. Ceylon . • • • .. • • • • • • • • i 6/. p:r cent. lommercial of London 61. per cent. •••••• . • • • • 51. per cent. Gloucestershire ••• • • • 15/ per cent. lonian .. •• • .• •• • • 6/. per cent, Londn and Westnainstr 61. per cent Ditto . idendon Joint-Stock . • • Provincial of Ireland.. Ditto, New. • . • • . • • • National of Ireland • • Nat. Provncial of Enz. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. Ditto. New... • • • • • South Australia • • • • • • Union 01 Australia.. • • 61. per cent. U ion of London... .. 61. per cent Union of Madrid •• • • • X 2. d. 40 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 25 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 Price. INSURANCE COMPANIES. ' Dividend Amount Name of Company. I per of I Paid. Price. Annum. Share. £ e. d. £ s. d. Albion • • • • • • • • • • •• • • 3/. 10s. 500 0 0 50 0 0 75 . Alliance Brit. and For. 6 per cent. 100 0 0 11 0 0 17 . Ditto Marine.• • • • • • 6/. per cent, 100 0 0 5 0 0 5% 1 Atlas . • • • • • • • • British Commercial .. 7s.per share 50 0 0 5 0 0 6% 1 Clericl,Med.&Gen.Life 51. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 20% 1 3L 100 0 0 10 0 0 - Crown •• ............ 13s. 50 0 0 5 0 0 11 1 Eagle • • Eng.& Scot• Law .... 51. per cent. 50 0 0 2 12 6 - i European Life • • • • • • 5% per cent. 20 0 0 All paid. - , FamilyEndowmet Soc. 41. & be. 4 0 0 4 0 0 - i 'Freemasons' . - • 1 '41014 - 120 i ,iittardian .... • • • • • • • • 51. per cent. 100 0 0 36 10 0 44% !mperial Firo .... • • • • 12 per cent. 500 0 0 50 0 0 214 1 imperial Life • • • • • • • . 12s. 100 0 0 10 0 0 14% 1 indemnity Marine.... 11. sh.& bs. 100 0 0 5 13 1 - I Law Fire • • • • • • • • • • • • - 100 0 0 2 10 0 3 , LAW 1 Ife• • • • • • • • • • .. 11. Bs. 100 0 0 10 0 0 45 Legal and General Life - 50 0 0 2 0 0 - I 1., - .salcn Fire • • - • . • . 10s. 25 0 0 12 10 0 13% 1 London Ship • .• • • • • . 10s. 25 0 0 12 10 0 13% Marine . • • • • • • • • • • .. - 100 0 0 15 0 0 - Sled. luvlid& Gen. Life 4%1. per ct. 50 0 0 2 0 0 2% Satlonal Lean Fund.. 51. per cent. 20 0 0 2 10 0 - , ;ational Life• • • - Palladium Life 5l. per cent. 50 0 0 2 0 0 - PelLan - • • • • • • • • .. • - - - 37 Pticenix • • • ......... • • 3/. p. et. & bs. - - - Pi elector Life• • • • • - Pr,Aldent Life ll. ss. 100 0 0 10 0 0 - Cock Life .• • • • • • • • • • • 4s. 5 0 0 0 10 0 4% Royal Exchange 5l. per cent. Stock. - - Sun Fire .....• • • • • . - - - Ditto Life . 11. 6s. - - - Universal Life lO%l. pr cnt. 100 0 0 8 10 0 - Viacria Life . .. - - 4 0 0 3% LIST or SCOTTISH COMPANIES' PRICES. Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. --- X s. d. 1 X s. d Bank of Scotland British Linen Company 81. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 201 Caledonian Bank •• .• • 81. per sent. 10 0 0 I 2 10 0 4% City of Glasgow Zank . 6/. per cent. 10 0 0 , 10 0 0 11% Clydesdale Bank•• • • •• 6/. per cent. 20 0 0 I 10 0 0 1210 s Commercial Bank • • • • 71. per cent. 500 0 0 100 0 0 160 Eastern Bank • • • • - Edinh.&Glasigow Bank 61. per cent. 5 0 0 5 0 0 5118 s Exchange Bnk of Scot 6l. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 49 Isle of Man. Company 71. per cent. 10 0 0 7 0 0 8% National Bank 6/. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 13% Northof Scotiandßank 71. percent. 20 0 0 5 0 0 5% No"th BrLish Bank • • - 50 0 0 10 0 0 5 Itayal Bank of Scotland Cl. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 146 Union Bank of Scotland 8/. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 84% Western Bank. • • . • Aber 'een Fi-e and Life 12/.per cent. 12 10 0 2 0 0 ;815.6d. B. Accord. Life and Fi. e - 20 0 0 0 11 0 \ 98. British Guar,iitee Ins. - 10 0 0 1 0 0 12s. caledonian Fire Insur. 101. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 22% Church of En; and Ins. - 50 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 Cite of Glasgow Lite- 51. per cent. 25 0 0 2 0 0 21. 8s Edinburgh Lite Incur. 51. per cent. 100 0 0 12 10 0 I 171 i East of Selland Life.. - 10 0 0 0 15 0 ; 12e. Eng. t... - , Scot, Law Life 51. per cent. 50 0 0 2 17 6 I 2% Ilereules insurance Co. 71. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 I 11% incur. Co. of Seetln4• • 51. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 1 , I Life Issoe. of Scot'and 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 ' I/ 58 Mercantile Life .. • • .. - 10 0 0 0 10 0 ' 85, Notional Fire and Life 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 245. North British Incur. -5% /.pr cent. 200 0 0 20 0 0 , 23 North & West of Scot. - 10 0 0 1 0 0 11. is Scottish Life and , nar. - 20 0 0 0 11 0 % Scot. Ala, and Clen.Life 5!. per cent. 1 0 0 0 15 0 13e. 5,1 Scottish Union Insrnca. 6%!. pr cent. 20 0 0 1 0 0 I 11. 2e S' an aid • Ire . • • • United Pep. Assurance Si. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 12s. DOCHS. Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. -- - £ s. d. £ r. d. C anmercial .• •...... 41. per cent. Stock. - 70 East and West India... 61. pr cent. Stock. - 119 East Country • • .• • • .. 1/. per sh. 100 0 0 - 21 l L =don Si. pr cent. Stock. - 93 . I , ltto Bonds • • • • • ... 4/. per cent. - - - St. K atharine • • • • • ... 5 per cent. Stock. - 81% Ditto Bonds • . • • .. • • 141. pr cent. - - - Smithampton • • • • .... 21. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 i 25 been of a limited nature in all kinds, whilst the supply is plentiful, and the consumption small. There are sellers of Boiled from West India Molasses at 16s 6d to l7s 6d, Patent 18s to 20s, and of Gulden Syrup at 22s ;0 23s 6d. Bonded Crushed Sugar is wanted for ex- porta tion, but f or i mme di a t e aelievcry, however, not much is to be obtained, whilst the re finers evince firmness, and are getting 30s to 31s for first and 29s 6d for second sort, upon which terms several contracts were likewise concluded for forward delivery. Purchases to a fair extent were made in Wet Lumps at 28s to 295, and the stock is yet small. In Dutch Crushed Sugar several sales have been made, but at moderate rates. Belgian has been in demand to a fair extent from 255 6d to 29s for common to fine quality. The demand for loaves made here under bond has been good for exportation, and prices tend upwards, the supplies being small, whilst there are several orders unexecuted. MAURITIUS.—There is firmness on the part of holders, and they have refrained from submitting any to public competition. On the part of grocers and refiuers more disposition has been shown to do business, and they have taken several parcels by private treaty. Prices com pared with those of this day week show a small advance. There are, however, further arrivals of the new cr o p, and the stock is much larger than it was at this time in 1846; prices are, however, considerably under those of that period for every kind. ELL INDIA.—The low rates that prevail for Penang Sugar cause buyers to be more inclined to make pur chases, and on the part of holders less desire is shown to sell, whereas none has been submitted to public com petition. Privately the parcels sold were at prices rather above those previouslycurrent, brown :oiling at 25s to 30s, and yellow 30s to 38s. In Bengal the operations are upon a more extended scale., whilst the supply is less plentiful; prices are on the advance. For Madras the demand is more active, holders are less inclined to sell and offered none at public sale; privately several par ce l s , however, have been disposed of. FOREIGN . —There is no inclination on the part of holders of Foreign Sugar to submit to any further de cline in the value, and they have refraiL el from submitting any to public sale, whilst there is only a moderate quan tity on offer in the private market. The export orders concluded are, however, trifling, and the demand has) been limited from our refiners working under bond. The sales worth noticing are only 3,000 chests of Bahia at 15s 6d to 17s for low and middling brown, and at 19s for common white. The market is, however, not ex pected to continue long in its present quiet state. COFFEE.—The home trade are little inclined to operate in any kind of West India by private treaty, although holders are willing to accept lower rates. None has been offered at auction. Prices are lower than by 5s to 9s for inferior, and lOs to 20s for the better sorts. Although the quantity of East India on offer is small, yet a fall took place in the value of both home trade and shipping kinds, a further diminution having occurred in the demand for :all purposes. Native Ceylon is little required, and prices are further depressed. None has been brought to public sale. The sales made in Planta tion are trifling, notwithstanding the low rates which holders are willing to take for all kinds. Mocha is little required, and can be obtained upon lower terms. Buyers of East India kinds have been induced to operate rather more freely in consequence of holders submitting to easier rates privately. At auction 110 bags Singapore for cash on the 29th instant at 25s to 25s 6d for sound. Of Foreign Coffee none has been submitted to public sale, and pri vately the dealings have been of a limited nature, al though sellers are willing to make a slight concession in the value. TEA..—Holders of Black and Green sorts manifest more firmness, and offer a less quantity for sale. In Black the purchases made have been upon a more ex tended scale, and the rates obtained are rather above those previously quoted. Green is not risen in value; there is, however, a more active demand, and the quantity passing for sale is not so largo as of late, whereas merchants are less inclined to realise. In Scented Teas the operations are upon a more ex tended scale; prices cannot be quoted higher, and there is yet a plentiful supply. Orange Pekoe of low and middling buality is only worth 7d to Is, good to fine scented is 2d to is 6d, black leaf 9d to is Bd, and flowery is to 3s 6d per lb. There has been no arrival since this day week, whereas duty was paid on 510,9601bs at this port duriug the past week. None has been submitted to public competition. SPlCES.—Prices have suffered no further depression for Pimento ; and privately the sales made have been to a small extent only. Although holders of Nutmegs are willing to accept previous reduced rates, yet the sales which have been concluded by private treaty have been of a limited nature by exporters and the home trade ; the finest brown cannot be quoted above 3s 10d, limed ditto 3s. Macesells slowly upon previous reduced terms. On the part of holders of Black Pepper there ;is firmness, and they supply th e mar k et ' sparingly; all descriptions have been sought after by shippers, and the home trade, whilst previous rates are obtained for the parcels sold by private treaty. At auc tion 1,146 bags of Sumatra were sold, good clean black 2id to 20, grey 20 to 211 d; white is wanted, supply small and the parcels sold were at 4d to 4id for low and mid, and at 5d to lid for grod and fine quality. Pod is little required, and 170 bags of fine at auction were tak en _ . in at 51 per cwt for tine bright. In Ginger the sales made are small by exi orters as well as home consumers. Cassia Lignea is not much wanted, and the supply is small, still former rates are not to be obtained. SPIRITS.— Jamaica Rum is offered rather under pre vious rates, still the purchases made have been limited in all kinds by exporters and the home trade; there is a plentiful supply. Leeward Island is little wanted; holders are willing sellers, and accept is 63d to Is 7d for proof strength, whilst there is a lair quan tity on offer. Calcutta sells slowly at Is Gd to is 6id; Mauritius is 5d to is 6id, and Penang is 6d proof strength. Demerara met with little attention. Hum is much cheaper than last year, although the de liveries continue to be satisfactory, but the stock is heavier. Previous improved rates are well supported for Brandy, the deliveries are exceeding the arrivals. Holders evince firmness, and a good business has been concluded in all sorts. INDIGO.—For all descriptions of East India the home and export demand has been good, whilst further purchases have been made by speculators, and the rates paid ex hibit an advance on those of the last quarterly sale of 2d to 4d per lb, and the market is but scantily supplied. That the upward tendency will continue appears to be the general impression. OILS. —The arrivals of Fish Oils have been to a small extent only since this day week, whereas the deliveries are satisfactory, and are likely to continue so, as prices rule moderate. In Cod a good business has been conducted at 25/ to 251 103 per tun, at which holders are firm. Of Seal many parcels have been disposed of at — enhanced prices. For Southern the tendency of prices is upwards, the supply being small and demand active for all kinds. The market is in a tranquil state for Sperm, and there are willing sellers. For Linseed Oil reduced rates having been taken, occasicncd the home trade to pur chase largely, and caused the export demand to be good. For forward delivery several purchases have been made at 23s 6d to 24s ; the consumption is on the increase, and the supply is less plentiful. In Rapeseed Oil the deli veries are upon a more extended scale, and in consequence of the limited supply buyers are com pelled to pay stiffer rates. On the part of holders of Olive there is a desire shown to sell, although the consumption is better than of late, whereas there is not a large stock, and the arrivals that are expected for some weeks are of little moment. The market is in a quiet state for Palm; there is a desire on the part of the holders to sell, as the stock is on the increase, rnd 27s to 29s per cwt is the value of fine quality. Cocoa Nut is little required, and although the stock is small, yet holders are willing sellers. TALLOW.—The demand has increased for Russian on the spot, and reduced rates have been accepted. Soap makers and chandlers operated with reluctance, and 46s to 46s 6d are the prices taken for fine P. Y. Candle, and at which holders are desirous to sell, as arrivals are on 1 a more extended scale. For delivery in spring months the operations are to a small extent only. Home made met with a slow sale. FOUR CHILDREN BURNT TO DEATH.---Last even. ing, Mr. W. Payne held four inquests, in St. Bartho lomew's Hospital, on the bodies of four children whose deaths were caused under the following circumstances : —The first was respecting tho death of Louisa Ana Hughes, aged eight years, whose parents reside at No. 1, Thomas-street, Shoreditch. The deceased, on Christmas-eve, was engaged lighting a fire, when, in lifting something from the mantel piece, her clothes becameignited and she was speedily enveloped in, flames. The fire was extinguished as quickly as pos sible, and the deceased was removed to the above hos pital, where she expired on Saturday last.—Thes i e th cond inquest was concerning the death of Timothy Bowen, aged five years. On Monday afternoon the deceased fell off the fender into the fire, which set his clothes in a the blaze. In this state he ran out into the street. w flames mountingerehoevdeesrchehoairsst afterwardsly was d. rel'mhoev removed direed tothe above hospital, havinghe third boevae extingu ished, inquiry was ' the touching the death of Emma Groves, aged ten years. Ellen Jones said, that thed h eceased on Sun daysouugsaer, f a r t o N m o t . h 2 e , man mantel-piece, l week -pi e cewas her o n clothinga visit tookat a fi friend'srsome South-street, when, in reaching fully burnt over the whole of her beo, d a 3 n ,. s s h h e e w w as as d t r a e k a en d - to the hospital, where she expired on Saturday. The . father of the child said, that te .t deceased had . told him . since she had been in the aholsiphi lighted tshatiab,girl, under named Kitty Mitten, had placed am her clothing and thereby caused the g accident, u This was stoutly denied by the girl in question, and also by the other inmates of the house.—The fourth case was re specting the death of Georgians Poole, aged five years. The deceased, during the temporary absence of her parents, by some means set her clothes on fire, on Mon day last. She was taken to the above institution, where she expired almost immediately after her admission. — Verdict in each case—Accidental Death. THE CREAM OF TILE JORE.—On Sunday evening last a can of milk was stolen from the shop of a milk, egg, and butter dealer in St. Leonard's-street. The d w e n trc fo te r d 3 ; d a . s The also the circumstance of the milk being place d in pawn. The theft,buoty was we m s a u y bs m eq e u n e t i i l o t i l i y , v‘ p ,as lace q d uic in kly pa broker, on being questioned on the subject, stated that intimated that, woman who deposited t he milk in p awn that, being in want of 3d., she would leave the milk in pledge till the cream rose up on it. This is surely as curious a case of theft and pawning as has ever come under our notice.—Edinburgh .News. SUDDEN DEATEL—Yesterday afternoon, while one of Mr. Eyke's carmen was ascending a van in Milton street, Cripplegate, he lost his balance and fell, striking his head on the pavement. lie was immediately con veyed into the house of Mr. Chalmers, surgeon, who was prompt in applying restoratives, &c., but all was of no avail, ag death appeared to he iu6t&ntaleous. BIRMINGHAM AND OXFORD RAILWAY. FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.) An important, perhaps the most important meet ing that ever assembled, of the shareholders of this line took place yesterday at Dee's Royal Hotel, Bir mingham, in consequence of a requisition signed by no less than twenty-nine shareholders, possessing more than one-tenth part of the capital of the com pany, for the purpose of considering the subject of an action lately commenced against the company by Samuel Morton Pete and William Eastted ; and also the several actions which have been commenced in the name of the company against various shareholders therein, for enforcing payment of a call made, or purporting to have been made, on the 12th of June, 1847 ; and for the purpose of considering and deter mining upon and giving such directions as may be thought fit as to the course to be adopted by the said company with reference to such actions respectively and the subjects thereof respectively ; and of consi dering the propriety of appointing, and if so thought fit of appointing under the common seal of the said company or otherwise, and directing the employment of an attorney and solicitor, or attorneys and solicitors of the said company, to act on behalf of the said com pany generally, and in all matters or on such particular matters, and for such period, and either ex clusively or otherwise, as the said meeting shall think fit and resolve ; and also to consider the propriety of removing, and if thought proper to remove or discon tinue the employment of any person or persons who have or has acted as attorneys or solicitors, or as at torney or solicitor of the said company ; and giving such directions and making such orders as the said meeting may deem expedient in reference to or conse quential upon any such appointment, employment, or removal, or other the matters aforesaid or any of them ; and also to take into consideration and to determine whether any, and, if any, what measures shall be taken as to soliciting, prosecuting, supporting, or opposing any Bills or Bill, or other proceedings or proceeding before Parliament, on the behalf or in the name of the said company, and as to taking, prosecuting, discon tinuing, withdrawing, or abandoning any notices or other proceedings which have been or may be given or taken with reference to any such Bills or Bill or other proceedings in Parliament, and giving all such directions as to such meeting may seem proper in reference to any such matters. Among the directors and shareholders present we noticed Lord Hatherton, R. Spooner, Esq., M.P., and several other gentlemen. At half-past two o'clock P. H. Muntz, Esq., the chairman of the company, took the chair,i . and the re quisition calling the meeting having been read, The CHAIRMAN said that in compliance with the requisition the directors had convened an extraordi nary meeting, and he was prepared to hear any gentleman who wished to address them. Mr. PEYTON, in the absence of Mr. Mozley, had four or five resolutions to offer, but as it was intended that a great portion of the business for which the meeting was convened was to be deferred, he should not trouble them with any lengthened observations,he, therefore, begged leave at once to propose the follow ing resolution :—" That application to Parliament be made by this company, in pursuance of the notice inserted in the London Gazette of the 24th day of November last, signed by Mr. A Dobie and Messrs. Colemore and Beale, for a Bill to enable this com pany to make a deviation in the line of railway be tween Leamington, and Warwick, and to purchase the Stratford-on-Avon Canal." Mr. HUTCHINSON seconded the motion. The CHAIRMAN observed that the Bill under which the company was constituted required them to make an application to Parliament, and that application would be attended with expense, which could not be incurred without the consent of the Great Western Railway Company, in compliance with the agreement of the 12th November. That agreement expressly provided against such expenditure, and therefore he must refuse to put the resolution, although very much against his own will to pursue such a course. Mr. PEYTON requested that the resolution might be handed back to him, but the Chairman refused to return it, observing that he would give Mr. Peyton an exact copy. Mr. Peyton, Mr. Colemore, and 'others, said the Chairman ought to return the resolution. After a few remarks from Mr. SPOONER, M.P., and Mr. BEALE, Mr. PEYTON put the resolution to the meeting, and declared it carried. He then proposed the following resolution :—" That the seal now produced be affixed by Mr. Peyton, one of the directors of the company, as the common seal of the company, to the petition to Parliament, now also produced, for leave to introduce a Bill for the before-mentioned purpo3es, and to the declaration now produced, as to the means of defray ing the expense of the works to be authorised by such Bill." Mr. COLBMORE seconded the resolution. The CHAIRMAN Lclined putting it to the meeting. Mr. PEYTON then produced a seal, which he affixed to the petition, and also declared the second resolution carried. He then handed the chairman the next resolution, which was to the effect that all the ex penses to be incurred in soliciting the said Bill, or which have already been incurred, be paid and de frayed by the company. This resolution the Chairman also refused to put to the meeting, when it was proposed by Mr. Peyton, seconded, and carried. Mr. PEYTON then proposed a resolution of ad journment to the 14th of January next, upon which Mr. BURLEY, of Liverpool, rose, and in strong terms reflected upon the course which had been pursued by the directors in making calls during the monetary crisis, and the manner in which the writs had been served by the solicitor upon 50Q share holders. The CHAIRMAN and Mr. WHATLEY defended the course which had been pursued, after which The CHAIRMAN put the resolution of adjournment, and the proceedings terminated. BARBADOES RAILWAY. The first general meeting of the shareholders in the Barbadoes Railway Company was held yesterday after noon, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street ; Mr. James Heywood (in the absence, through ill ness, of Sir Robert Schoinb u r g h, president of the com pany), in the chair. The report stated that the company was established in June, 1845, when 8,682 shares were allotted in this country, and about 1,514 in Barbadoes. Upon 7,902 of the 8,682, a deposit of 11. per share was paid, and a similar deposit was paid upon 1,012 of the 1,514 shares distributed in Barbadoes. The total receipts amounted to 9,0391. 12s. 9d., and the expenditure t o 8,2161. 9s. 6d., of which was 1,585/. for engineering, 3731. for law expenses at home, and 3391. for law expenses in Barbadoes. The directors had every confidence in the value of the undertaking, which could be carried out for 200,000/., being 100,0001. less than the original estimate, but in the present state of the money mar k e t the directors thought it advisable to suspend their operations for a few months, which they were entitled to do under the provisions of their Act. It was, however, for the shareholders to decide what course should be adopted, and in order that the feeling of the general body might be ascertained, it was proposed to call in the scrip for registration immediately. Eventually a committee of inquiry was appointed, and the meeting adjourned until the 15th of February. WYNDHAM.—We are glad to observe tha, the charming novel of " Emilia Wyndham," the produc tion of decidedly one of the first novelists of the day, is to form the next volume of " Colburn's Standard No vels," to be published with tho Magazines on the Ist of January. BELL'S LIFE IN LONDON, PRICE GD.—Derby, Oaks, and Leger. On Sunday next, January 2, perfect Lists of the Nominations, Names of Trainers, Changes of Proprietors, Deaths &c. Steeple-chasing, Coursing. Chronological Table of the Ring during the past year. Persons desirous of preserving files of this Journal are recommended to be particular in giving early orders to their agents at the commencement of the new year. Office of " Bell's Life," 170, Strand. The average sale of " Bell's Life in London" during the year 1847 has exceeded 27,000 each publication. How TO BECOME A JUDGE OF PICTURES. —a Sposin' its pictures that's on the carpet, wait till you hear the name of the painter. If its Rubens, or any o' them old boys, praise, for its agin the law to doubt them; but if its a new man, and the company ain't most especial judges, criticise. A leetle out o' keeping, says you, be don't use his grays enough nor glaze down well; that shadder wants depth; general effsot is good, though parts ain't; those eyebrows are heavy enough for stucco, says you, and other unmeaning terms like those. It will pass, I tell you, your opinion will be thought great. Them that judged the cartoons fat Westminster .11all knew plaguy little more nor that. But if this is a por trait of the lady of the house hangin' up, or its at all like enough to make it out, stop—gaze on it—walk back — close your fingers like a spy glass, and look through 'em amazed like—enchanted--chained to the spot. Then utter, unconscious like, That's a most beautiful pictur, by heavens! that's a speakin' portrait. It's well painted too; but whoever the artist is he is an unprincipled man.' Good gracious!' she'll say, how so?' Cause, madam, he has not done you justice.' "—S am Slick. SHEFFIELD NEW BARRACKS.—We understand that the tender of Messrs. Harrison and Hoyle, of Chester, for the building of the new barracks in this town, has been accepted by the Board of Ordnance. It is rumoured that the amount of their tender was about 19,0001. We believe there were eleven tenders sent in, the lowest of which was about 17,0001, whilst the highest was about 24,0001. —only a difference of 7,oool.—Sheflichl Timm H ENRY FIELDING. —A correspondent of Douglas Jerrold's Newspaper says:—" It may not be generally known to the public that, in an humble lodging in the western suburbs of London, obscure and unknown, re sides the grandson and legitimate offspring of the author of " Tom Jones." His present descendant is about fifty years of age, and, albeit with the prestige of so great a name, and not without talent, is, I believe, wholly un known to the literary world. He is, happily, provided with a small independence." DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES ... Ponulation Enumerated, 1841. West Districts... 300,711 North Districts.. 375,971 Central Districts 373,653 East Districts ... 392,444 South Districts .. 501,190 Totals... ..... 1,948,425 Malea Females Avera,ge weekly Deaths Deaths, 1842-6. in the Five Autumns. Week. . 146 ... 188 . 184 ... 260 . 196 ... 195 . 232 ... 240 • 288 ... 364 ... 1,046 ... 1,24 -. 980 ... 966 BIRTHS IN THE WEEK. Males Females Total ... ••• 584 ••• 013 _1,197 EADTERTISHMENT.]-CARRIAGE residing in the country are supplied with Teas and Coffees at the lowest wholesale price, in quant i t i es not l es s than six pounds, delivered carriage free to any part of England. Orders must be accompanied by a remit tance, or if a reference be made in London, payment will suffice on receipt and approval of the good s . A li st of prices and sam p les free, on application to G. T. Man sell and Co., wholesale tea-dealers, 2, Buoklerabury, Cheapside. It is stated in the last papers from America that a new postal arrangement has been made in the British provinces, delegates have recently assembled for that purpose at Montreal, from Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The rate decided upon is threepence per half ounce for letters sent a distance of not more than three hundred miles, and beyond that distance sixpence. The celebrated sculptor, Luigi Pampolni, died at Florence on the 18th. Letters from Cork mention the failure of Messrs. Deaves Brothers, extensive shipowners and timber mer chants. The liabilities aro stated at 70,0001. BENEFICES.—It appears from an official document that in the several dioceses of England and Wales there &re 11,386 benefices, tuld 7,785 glebe-bowleg, THE BRAZILS. --- FALMOUTH, DEC. 27.—The Crane packet, Lieute- I nant Parsons commander, arrived from Rio de Janeiro this forenoon, with the Brazil mails of the' 13th November. Passengers—Viscount and Vis countess de Barrel, Mr. Freeland, and Stephen Rowe, miner; and a small freight of gold and silver. Bri tish ships of war at Rio de Janeiro—Eagle, Crescent, Modeste, and Griffin ; American line-of-battle ship Ohio; French brig Alsacienne, which latter vessel brought General Rivera from the River Plate. On the Bth of November, in consequence of the distress ing accounts from England received by her Majesty's steamer Fury, the money market was suddenly para lysed ; and though business had subsequently recom menced to a limited extent, and at a reduction in the rate of exchange on London, closed flat at 27k. The negotiations since the departure of the Swift packet were estimated at 260,0001. on London ; on Paris, at 340 to 345, about 850,000 f.; and on Hamburg, at 640r5., about 90,000 m. bco. In coffee considerable purchases had been made during the latter part of October and beginning of November. For superior washed and pulped, 3 dolls. 200 to 3 dolls. 800 per aroba ; superior, 2 dolls. 850 to 2 dolls. 900 ; first good, 2 dolls. 650 to 2 dolls. 700 ; first ordinary, 2 dolls. 500 to 2 dolls. 550 ; but on receipt of intelligence by the Fury all operations had stopped, and it was not unlikely prices would experience a further depression. Shipments in No vember, 71,360 bags. FESTIVITIES AT WOBURN ABBEY. - The gaieties of the festiye season have been kept up in the " good old English style" by the Duke and Duchess of Bed ford. His Serene Highness Prince Lowenstein, Vis count and Viscountess Palmerston, Lord and Lady Beauvale, the Marchioness of Clanricarde and Lady Emily de Burgh, and the Earl and Countess Granville closed their visit on Monday, and departed for town. Lord Forester and Lord Edward Howard left on Satur day, the former for Leicestershire, and Lord Edward for Arundel Castle. Baroness de Clifford and the Hon. Miss Russell went on Monday to the family seat in Lei cestershire. Viscount and Viscountess Jocelyn, on Monday, left for East Lodge, Brighton. His Excellency the Prussian Minister and Madame Bunsen arrived from town on Monday; and a large party assembled there this week. Lord and Lady John Russell intend to pro long their visit at the Abbey about ten days longer. Lord Glenelg and the other members of the family are remaining until the close of the week. The Right Hon. the Speaker of the House of Commons has appointed the [ion. George Waidegrave, youngest son of Earl Wahlegrave, assistant librarian of the House of Commons, in the room of ➢lr. T. Erskine May, who has accepted the office of taxing master of print, J3ills. 50 0 0 40 0 0 CANALS. . . t ~,,, Names of =, Dividend ) . Names of 'Dividend Companies. A , per 1,• Price . Companies. ti per Price. r. ,: 1 Annum.' Annum. an X 1 X Ashtn & Oldh 07 51.55. p e 70 Macclesfield. 100 - 15 Barnsley. • • •1160' 121. 180 Neath ••• • • • 100 201. 340 'irk uk&Abrg ;150' Si. 85 Oxford.. •• • • 100 201. 200 Birmingham) 35; 41. 80 Peak Forest. 78, 31. 40 Coventry .. • • 100, 251. - Aegent's •• • • 331 11. 4s. 18 Derby ••• • . 100 61. 63 Rochdale .. • • 85 ' 41. 54 Ells rre&Chs 133' 4/. 51 Somrset Coal 1 50 ' 71. 10s. 130 Ere A ash • • •11001 321. - Do.LkFdSt 121 8/ . , c. _ 14ra odJ unctn 100 51. 80 Stffrd &Wore 1401 281. 275 Grand Surrey 100 - 4 4 30 Shrewsbury.. 125 151. - .rand Unionlloo 1/. 10s. 2134 Stourbridgo.. 145 201. 305 Grantham .. i 150 1 121. - Sevens and Kennt & Anil 39 1 7s. 6d. 5U Wye Rail. j 26 1/. Bs. 30 Leeds& Livrp , 100 341. 505 Warwick&l . Leicester .. • • 1 140 101. 75 Birming. j 00 51. 65 Leicstr &Nth' 83 41. 36 W l arwick& 1 4 1 1 ,oughhorogh,142 70/. 530 Napton, . 3 - Monmouthshlloo 81. - Worcstr &/ 78 21. 39 Mntgemry sh , 100 51. - Birming. 1 MeltnAl w bry k 100 10!. - Wilts & Brks 67 11. 11 Vbirll Wbition DERBYSHIRE, STAFFORDSHIRE, AND WORCELTERSHIRE JUNCTION RAIL AY.—(THIS DAY.) The first general meeting of the proprietors of the Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire Junc tion Railway, was held this day, at the offices of the company in Cornhill ; Mr. J. Mee Mathew, chair man of the board of directors, in the chair. ' T The CHAIRMAN, in reply to questions, stated that the number of the shares of the company was 20,000 :it 201. each ; 11,500 of the shares were disposed of to 827 shareholders, whose names appeared on the re gi 11r. BaowN, M.P., wished to know whether the amount of 21. 2s. 6d. (the deposit) was paid upon all the shares held by the board. The SECRETARY stated that every one of the par ties who signed the original deed had paid the deposit, and that the majority of the board had paid up the call upon a portion of the shares which they held. Mr. BROWN, M.P., insisted upon knowing in what manner the call of 11 had been paid upon the shares by the directors, to qualify them for their office. A DIRECTOR said that the directors would not be excluded from sitting at the board in consequence of their not paying the call. Mr. WINTER lIARCIS said that by one of the clausses of the Act no persons who had not paid up his call was entitled to vote. He also wished to know from the secretary how many of the fifty original shares had been disposed of by the secretary, and by what means he had become possessed of the one share for which he was registered this morning, in order to use proxiec ? The common seal of the company was then affixed `.o the register. SALE OF RAILWAY SHARES BY AUCTION.—(THIS DAY.) The sale of railway shares to-day, by Messrs. La mond and Co., was quiet, with a fair business. We sub join a few of the quotations: — North British, Quarters London and York Extension London and Blackwall, No. 1 Great Northern ... 4 7 0 Buckinghamshire East Indian, Reg. 0 18 0 North Staffordshire Madrid and Valencia. 0 10 6 Great Luxembourg MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London New Price Current of Dec. 28.) SUGAR.—The arrivals of colonial this year have been 34,000, and of Foreign 29,000 tons more than in the previous one; of the former the stock is 23,700, and of the latter 6,500 greater. Of all kinds the quantity taken for home consumption exceeds that of 1846 up to this time by 11,700, whilst there is an excess in the export deliveries of 14,200 tons. Prices exhibit the following decline:—West India 9s to 10s, Bengal and Madras lOs to 12s, Mauritius 9s to 118, Foreign East India 3s to Bs, and Foreign 5s to 8s per cwt., whilst the losses that merchants are yet sustaining upon the importation are heavy. On Wed nesday and Thursday last a good demand was experi enced for West India, stiffer rates were paid fur the 950 hhds and tierces that found buyers; brown realised 33s to 34s 6d, yellow 35s to 455, and grey 34s to 393 per cwt. The market has been closed since Thursday, and will remain so until Tuesday next. REFINED.—The town and country demand has been active for all descriptions of Refined goods since we last wrote, and quotations may be considered fully equal to those previously current, and in some cases above. For Wet Lumps there is an extensive demand, prices aro Inn at 51s to 51s 6d for low and middling, and at 52s to 63s per cwt for good and fine quality. There is a difference of not more than 198 per cwt between the value of standard lumps and fair working sugars. Pieces have been much inquired after—corn mon at 35s to 375, middling 38s to 40 s , g ood 41s to 435, and fine at 44s to 475. There is, however, still a plen tifult supply. Bastards have not im p roved in value, but he are redadeomn,antdb.o Tdreeaaiwclev,is however a o y ff er e , re h d ay a e t any y further iri brisker reduction, raid. X s. d. 40 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 13 0 0 10 . 0 0 25 0 0 10 0 0 22 10 0 35 0 0 10 0 0 22 10 0 25 0 0 2 10 0 10 0 0 40 0 0