The Sun. — London, England, 1847-07-09 00:00:00

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. PORTSMOUTH, WEDNESDAY. By her Majesty's ship Conway, 26 Captain Kelly, whish arrived at Spithead this afternoon, we have intel ligence and papers to the 9th of May; from St. Helena, to the 27th; and from Ascension, to the 2d of June. The intelligence is still by no means conclusive. There were constant affrays between the settlers and the Caffres, without any decisive success on either side, and daily thefts and recaptures of cattle. One of these adventures is thus described in the Graham's Town Journal:— "On the morning of the 22d inst., 30 head of cattle belonging to the Commissariat Department, were taken off by a party of Caffres in the immediate vicinity of the camp. A patrol, consisting of one officer, one sergeant, and 11 rank and file of the 7th Dragoon Guards, was dis patched in pursuit about half-past 9 o'clock, under the command of Lieutenant Butler, 7th Dragoons. The party, taking an inland route, proceeded at a very rapid pace as far the Gualana stream, where they came on the spoor of the cattle, which led them towards the sea shore. Here the spoor became very visible. Increasing their pace, they followed the beach to the mouth of the Beka river. Here the spoor turned to the left, and the party proceeded to a height on the right of the river, where they came upon the cattle in charge of four Caffres. Three of these were forthwith shot by the patrol. The fourth being slightly grazed by a ball on the side, was cut down by Lieutenant Butler (whose sword was snapped asunder by the force of the blow). He then threw down his arms and begged for quarter, which was granted, and he was brought prisoner into the camp along with the captured cattle. The patrol cap tured two guns, two pouches with ammunition, and a number of assegais. Mr. Webb, who accompanied the party, had a hair-breadth escape, one of the Caffres hav ing discharged a shot at him, which 1-a ry nearly took effect, and while in the very act of throwing another as segai, was shot by one of the patrol. The alacrity and determination which characterised this affair throughout, reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Butler, the non-commissioned officer, and privates engaged in it. A few such smart affairs as this, and one we lately recorded of the Rifle Brigade, from Newtondale, would do much towards checking the reckless daring of the Caffres." Sir IL Pottinger was still at Fort Peddie, where he had had an interview with the Lieutenant-Governor, whose extreme activity excited general admiration. Sir H. Pottinger had determined to reinstate Sir A. Stocken strom in the command of the Burgher forces; and the appointment had given much satisfaction, as the Burghers were by no moans pleased with their military com manders. The Burghers were, however, heartily tired of the Commando service, and some difficulty in raising a fresh levy was anticipated. The following correspon dence is taken from the South African Commercial Adver tiser of May 5 : " Neighbourhood of Doonap River, April 22. "I beg leave to send you the following circular for insertion in your next number. You, as well as many of your readers, will, no doubt, be delighted to hear that Sir Andreas has responded to his Ecellency's desire that he should reassume the command of the Burgher Forces. I understand that the proposition was as hand somely made by his Excellency, as it was handsomely accepted by Sir Andreas. This gentleman is said to be severely indisposed by a rheumatic attack, but his patriotism and desire to serve his country and Govern• ment have made him, as usual, sink self in the general interests of the country. " I believe that his Excellency has not specified whether Sir Andreas is to be Commandant-General as before, but he is ready to serve the country and Govern ment either as Field-Cornet, Field-Commandant, or Field-Marshal, if you please—he does not care which. There is a nobleness of mind in this gentleman which the vulgar and malignant cannot see. "I trust that the Burgher Forces of all grades and colours will, with alacrity, respond to the circular." " Maastrom, April, 1847 "Sir,—His Excellency the Right Hon. the Governor and High Commissioner having expressed a wish that I should assist in bringing a fresh burgher force into the field, and take the command thereof, I beg leave to request our co•operation, on which I know I may rely. I need not repeat all my arguments ' on our duty to give the Government our must cor dial support under existing circumstances. It is very desirable to have the men well equipped at King William's Town by the 25th instant, at any rate to have them there as soon as possible. I see by the newspaper,. that we can congratulate ourselves on the appointment of a most efficient Lieutenant-Governor. As, therefore, the British Government shows itself disposed to serve us, let us not withhold our best services.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, "A. STOCKENSTROM." The Graham's Town Journal has the following ob servations upon the state of affairs in Kafir land:— " Some surprise has been occasioned that affairs should remain so quiet in Catl'reland ever since the assumption of the command of the troops by Sir George Berkeley. Little is heard of Caffres; and, with the exception of a few strag glers who show themselves here and there, the whole country to the Buffalo appears entirely abandoned by the enemy, our troops and burgher levies appearing to have no harder duty to perform than an occasional patrol and the disposal of their daily rations. This is an inglorious and irksome state of affairs ; and yet, perhaps, it has a stronger tendency to subdue the Caffres than more active operations would have. To accomplish effectually the subjugation of these people, Caffreland must be taken possession of and firmly held by the British authorities, for were it to be quitted by our forces it would be im mediately reoccupied by the same people who have hitherto proved themselves so intractable ; the hills, now so solitary, would be covered by their herds of cattle, and in the end a similar process to that which has en tailed upon the Government such an enormous expenditure would have to be repeated. If we are not to have any more Caffre wars, we must take this country into our own bands and lay down such a social system as shall afford ample security against any outbreak in time to come. This is, however, a work of time, a 3 well as expense, and hence no wonder that impatience is manifested, both hero and at home, at delay which appears to be so unnecessary, and at forbearance, the object of which none but those familiar with local circumstances are able fully to understand. From time immemorial it has been the custom, in all our hostile collisions with the Caffres, to march into Caffreland, force back the Caffres, secure a certain portion of their cattle, and then return, satisfied with having attained the object for which the campaign was undertaken. We have then talked very largely of having humbled the foe, of his deep contrition for past offences, and a great deal of moonshine of the same character. Six months, have, however, sufficed to show the flimsy nature of all these specious promises; the cattle cap.ured from the enemy have been speedily replaced by plunder from the herds of the colonists, and these thefts have gone on until con tinual aggressions have produced a repetition of the same course of procedure to check and punish the offen ders, and with the same hopeful results. To avert this in future Caffreland must be colonised either by whites or blacks, and such strong government exercised over it as shall render it morally impossible that such scenes as those in question can be reacted. The British Go vernment has the power, and, we trust, the will to ac• complish this ; and it may be depended on that ulti mately it will be found the best and cheapest policy in the future efficient government of this country. While it will secure peace, it will at the same time conduce to the civilization of the natives, to the extension of trade and to the general improvement of South Africa." A committee of gentlemen had been formed in Graham's Town, whose efforts will be directed to raise subscriptions for the relief of the hungry poor of Ireland and Scotland. The meeting, we are told, was distin guished by expressions of the most generous sympathy for their suffering countrymen, and the most anxious desire to mitigate, according to their means, the horrid calamity into which they have fallen. MILITARY FLOGGING.—We understand that on I Saturday last, private Delaney, of the depot of the 46th Regiment, received fitty lashes at Fort George, in virtue o f the sentence of a court martial. We have not heard e for what offence this punishment was inflicted. We cannot conceive that it was for the robbery he com mitted at Mr. Le Alessurier's, which has been reported in this paper, as that would have been a case for the cognisance of the civil power; nor, we imagine, can it have been for desertion, as it was admitted in court, when Hall was tried for having concealed Delaney, that the latter had not deserted, although he bad avowed his intention of doing so. We 'rite this from public rumour, and shall be glad to be corrected if we are in error. We must add that so much secrecy is observed in all that relates to military matters iythis i s l an d , t h at t h e pu bli c have seldom that informa tnnstreting them to whiph they have a ri g ht. We mu . furth er add th a t we s h ou ld gre atly regret to find that, when the flog g i ng system is so universally repro bated, it S h ou ld be - practised in this island, and in a regi ment so admirable f aly be Star. has Always been.—Guernsey its good conduct as the 46th N E w COIN AGE: issued from the Mint. wnnla probably It is Crown die. ab t ly be worth Piece has been elaborate a work of art, that the ss. issued from any other 10s. were it portrait of Queen Majesty's. On the obverse is a p mPer's shop than her roses, hair plaited and Vic toria, with a crown on her he a ad , shamrocks, and banded ; her robe worked with thistles, and other ornaments. The legendes re e reverse, the represented, not Del gratis Britanniar+reg:f: d." On t), 13 " Victoria arms of the Three kingdoms are quarterly, but on separate escocheons, ra4e r ci e in the form of a cross, an arrangement not ob set v "ase ' cur coin, we believe, since the Union or the time on William 111. In the intervals is an elaborate fretwork, with with rose, thistle, and shamrock. The legend is—"Tueat ur unita Deus+anno dom. mdcccxlvii." On the edg e we read—"decus ettutamen+anno regni undecimo ; a rose between each two words, a crown between the sentences. All these legends are in the old black letter, and the style of the ornaments medixval. From the separation of the coats of arms, this piece might be called the "repeal dollar." The execution is very beautiful, but too fine and minute for a coin. It is better suited to a medal, which is always kept in a drawer, in a leather case, or under glass. The embroidery of the robe, the legend at the edge, and the ornamental parts generally, will soon be rubbed down under the friction of g eneral circulation. Th e requisites of a coin are these:-1. Beauty of execution ; for that is the best of all checks . against imitative forgery ; and in this respect nothing can be said against any gery Of the coins that now emanate from the English Mint. Simplicity and distinctness of design; so that the coin retain its main charac teristics through all its rubist.llain37 the design as is con ducive to the utmost rapidity the coin; so that no hindrance arise at times of process of striking sudden pressure. 4. Perfect plainness may of value; in order „ r its name or to which it is best that the coin should Value legibly inscribed as " One Shilling," or kingdomthe like. In aH these respects Napoleon's coins of g t ' he Italy were models, model; which the present designer ° to t. our Mint has followed in a congenial and originalspirit. But, considered as a coin, the Crown piece before us is a falling off..— Spectator. TILE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 9, 1847. RAILWAY COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF LORDS.-(YESTERDAY.) Room B. COVENTRY, BANBURY, AND OXFORD. Mr. HILDYARD addressed the Committee on behalf o the London and North-Western Company, in opposition to the Bill. Room C. Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Improvement of the Ferry between Ferry-Port-on-Craig). Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Branch from Burnt island to Dunfermline Branch, &c., No. 2). Edinburgh and Northern and Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton Railways Amalgamation. The Committee declared the preambles of the above Bills to be proved. EDINBURGH AND NORTHERN RAILWAY, SAINT ANDREW'S AND 'NEWBURGH HARBOUR BRANCHES AND ROAD CROSSINGS (NEWPORT RAILWAY EXTENSION). The Committee then proceeded to hear evidence in support of the above Bill. Room D. SOUTH yorucsnxram (DONCASTER AND GOOL7I BIZANCH). Sergeant WRitiGll33l addressed the Committee for the promoters. EAST LANCASHIRE (SOUTHPORT 3:MANCH The Committee were occupied with passing the clauses of the above Bill. Room F. READING, GUILDFORD, AND REIGATE. Mr. Stevenson, C.E., and other witnesses, were exa. mined in support of the Bill. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY.) GROUP VI. SOUTHAMPTON AND DORCHESTER (WIN BORNE AND XILANDPORD BRANCH.) The Committee were occupied with the case of the opposition to this Bill. A. TIPPERARY LASS AND A BOLD DRAGOON! A gallant young cavalry officer, stationed not a hun dred miles from Clonmel, was returning to his quarters on escort duty, on a certain day, in the early part of last week. His party were proceeding quietly along the road, when the officer rode up to a remarkably fine, intelligent, well-dressed young woman, who was pro ceeding in the same direction as the military heroes. The officer engaged in conversation with the sprightly fair one, and he was 5) "taken," with her engaging manners and appearance that lie dismounted and walked by her side, until they reached the avenue gate, lead ing to the residence of the Rev. Mr. Heffernan, parish priest of Clerihan. "It is here my father lives," slyly said the lady, and as it is just dinner hour, you. will be welcome to join us; (she well know ing that the enamoured swain could not leave his troop). It would be impossible for me to accept your kind invitation, as I am on duty," replied the gallant son of Mars. Well, sir, said she, you will confer a high compliment on me, by accepting my invitation to dine with us on to. morrow evening, and as my father , who is advanced in years, is very particular, don't be later than five o'clock. May I bring a friend with me, inquired the officer ? Your friend shall be as welcome as your self, was the answer. The parties separated, and the next evening, about five o'clock, two martial looking youths, might be seen wend their way to wards the hospitlble residence of Father Ileffernan dressed in the most captivating style, their hyperion curls, and mustachios, shining brightly and scented odi ferously with " Rowlands Macassar." They arrive at the door, the double tantararara is answered—the visi tors walk into the parlour, and see before them, not the object of their fond wishes, but Father Ileffernan him self', with spectacles on nose, engaged reading a work on Dogmatic theology. " Well, gentlemen," said his Re veret.ce, can Ido anything for you ? " "We came to dinner," was the answer. "To dinner ! Who invited you," said the astonished priest—" I am done dinner this hour." "Your daughter," was the reply. "My daugh ter," said Father Heffernan, " why, I'm only a poor priest, and I never had a daughter, nor never will." An explanation took place—a full confession of the whole affair was made to his reverence—a description of the fair one was given—and, after an immoderate fit of laughter, the priest exclaimed, " Peggy Quinn, Peggy Quinn, you'll never be done with your tricks !" and then looking at the chief actor, he said, " Go home, you fool, and learn sense." The humbugged lothario, with his no less chop-fallen comrade, bade the poor priest a good evening, and wended their way home in no very agree able or comfortable mood.—Tipperary Constitution. THE MAYOR AND THE PUDDING.—A very fashion , able dish in London just now, and a most exquisite dish in the goodly line it is, is what is called an ice pudding. It is of the genus ice cream, but a most splendid species of the family. It comes on with the sweet course, and has the deceptive appearance of being a smoking hot plum pudding. The delusion is sometimes increased by a litttle chimney, with a flame proceeding from it, being placed in the centre, so as to make it wear a most " all hot, all hot " look in the eye of the unsuspecting gourmand who sees it for the first time. Not many months since a chief magistrate of Liverpool, not the present one, dined with the Lord Mayor of London. Spying the fiery chimney in the middle of the delicious looking pudding, he booked him self for a slice. When it was set before him, thinking how very hot it must be, he stirred it round and round upon his plate until he fancied that he had reduced it to the requisite coolness, the good citizens all the time watching his preceedings ' and anticipating what would come next. At last, all fears of burn ing his mouth being, as he fancied, over, in went a spoonful, which none but a whale or an alderman or a mayor would dream of bolting at once. And then came the scene. His worship mistook the icy coldness of the padding for scorching heat—puff— cough—hem--hem—splutter splutter —out it came, much more rapidly than elegantly, upon his plate again, to the horror of the exquisites present, but to the infinite glee and mirth of the cockney por tion of the company. It is still a standing joke at the Mansion-honse, where it is often heard, " Will you not taste a little of the Mayor of Liverpool's pudding?" It would, doubtless, be doubly cold to the poor sufferer, as he is a man rather of a fiery temperament himself. Nobody ever thought him a nice Mayor, but as an ice one, he comes nearer to it than ever he did before.— Liverpool Albion. DESPERATE BATTLE BETWEEN SMUGGLERS AND CUSTOM-HOUSE OFFICERS.—Last week a Custom-house officer of Hirson (Aisne), whilst on the watch, at about eleven o'clock in the evening, saw a band of twelve men, carrying packages, leave a wood. He fired his gun as a signal for help, and rushed on the smugglers ; but the gang, excited by their chief, surrounded the officer, and struck him on the head, inflicting large wounds. In the midst of the struggle several other Custom-house agents came up, and a severe battle took place between them and the smugglers. One of the latter wrested the gun of one of the officers from him, and beat him with the butt-end of it with such violence, that he broke it. At last the victory fell to the Custom-house men, and they succeeded in making four prisoners on the spot. The chief of the gang being well known, he was sub sequently arrested.—Galignani. AMERICAN ICE.—The vessel Virgilia, arrived at the port of Liverpool from Boston, United States of America, has brought, with articles of food and general merchandise, 291 tons weight of ice. This is tne first importation of the kind from the United States during the present season, although one or two arrivals of ice took place about three months since from the northern regions of Europe. It is well known (for particular mention was made of the circumstance in our columns on several occasions at the time) that the supplies of ice from America were during the past year of so exten sive a nature, and continued for so long a period of time, as to become quite an article of general commerce in the list of imports from that great supplying country, and now that they have once made a commencement, there is little doubt but that they will continue this year to an equal, if not, in consequence of the greater severity of the past winter, increased, extent. For the same reason (the intense cold of the past winter) there is, doubtless, a much more extensive stock of ice of home production in the metropolitan wells than was the case during the past summer, when the scarcity of it was notorious, and caused the foreign supplies to be bought up with avidity, which was increased by the exceedingly hot weather which then prevailed. There is, however, a peculiar solidity and firmness about the ice collected in the American lakes, which for various purposes is a great advantage, and the particular properties which it pos sesses will very likely cause it to maintain its acknow ledged favour with the public. DEATH FROM WANT.—Yesterday Mr. Carter con cluded an inquiry at the King's Head, W alworth-road, as to the death of Louisa Hatherway, aged six years, who, it was alleged, had died from starvation. Several witnesses proved that the child had been placed in the back yard from an early hour in the morning until night without food, and when she asked the neighbours for any the mother would beat her for doing so. The child was chiefly fed by persons residing on either side of the house, whose attention was attracted to the child, who was constantly begging for bread, and left in the cold and damp yard half naked and in a state of filth. The father had formerly been a draper in the Walworth-road, but being reduced to a state of extreme poverty, was not able to afford his family sufficient food, and had it nut been for the great kindness of a Mr. Ward, a gentleman who had known the father in his prosperity, they would have starved. The jury returned a verdict, " That the deceased died from bodily debility, arising from the want of sufficient nurture, resulting from want of means on the part of the parent, and not that it was withheld from her." WOOLLEN MANUFACTURES. — An account was is sued yesterday of the quantities and declared value of m anufactures exported from the United iti Kingdomßritish woollen i n th e year ye 1846, specifying also the countries to which they were s ent. of all sorts, 241,0 30 pie ces ; I n 'h e e pp q e u d a e n e t e it t i i e n s gs a , r d e u i ff i e C z, lo a t c h . s , ditto; flannel, 1,853,515 3 sort s, , 79 7 d 2 i 0 t , t 7 0 1 ; 7 k d e i t r t s e ey ; m s teurffess: and blanketing, w 2 ,0 3 0 ,0 11 3 e 6 n e d r i tt o ; worsted,ba z1e,57408f,4a3101 yards; blankets woollens mixed with cotton, 21,809,646 , 939,791 . ditto ; 2 ,269,830 ditto ; carpets and carpeting, Sundries, vie., rugs, coverlids, tapes, ditto • hosiery, cornApNetOenDtD, wAisDhVesEtßoTlfSoErrnMEaNcTl.a—ssA of vi z , stockings, woollen or worsted, 161,798 dozen pairs; publishes the following :—" A oung 152,5701. The total declared value is 6a,3n3d5,51m0a21/1. wares, m othe:e nurses, and to instruct them • in the art of talking to infants in such a manner as will intereot and please them." , per`ec•ly yN,oueNnylgarliyrork paper THE LATE THUNDER STORAL The destruction of property on the Surrey side of the I water and other places, by the thunder storm on Tuesday night last, has been :earful, and from inquiries made, it seems that several individuals have met with serious in juries. At the time the storm was raging most violently a man named George Watkins, residing in Vauxhall street, Lambeth, was proceeding along Broad-street, when he was struck to the ground by the lightning, the head and right arm being both dreadfully scorched and blackened. He was discovered by a policeman, who re moved the poor fellow to his home in a weak and de plorable condition. The landlord of the Rising Sun, Mr. J. Keene, Port land-street, Walworth, has been a great sufferer. The signboard in front of the house was shattered and scorched by the electric fluid. The window frames and glass in various parts of the house were destroyed, and even portions of brickwork may be seen broken to pieces by the ♦iolence of the storm, in fact there is scarcely a whole pane of glass in the street above-named. Various buildings 'around Kennington were much in jured. The district church of St. Mark, facing Ken nington-common, was considerably damaged by the fluid. The clock was shaken and stopped. Many ofthe florists at Battersea, Wandsworth, Mortlake, and Barnes were great losers by the destruction of some of their choicest plants. A large quantity of valuable pigeons were killed on the premises of Mr. James King, New-cross, Deptford, by the lightning, which struck the roof of a building, dislodging a portion of the tiling, which was hurled with great violence into the street. The feathers of the birds were scorched up, and presented a very remark able appearance. At Bermondsey, Rotherbithe, and other places the in habitants have suffered to a very serious extent. FEROCIOUS ATTACK. — On Friday night, as Mr. Ketcher, a respectable farmer of Ratsbro', near South minster, was returning home from the residence of Mr. Grice, as Asheldbarn, a few minutes beforo ten o'clock, on foot, when about fifty yards from Mr. Grice's house he saw a man in an oat field, near which there was no footpath. Observing that the fellow at tempted to conceal himself in the corn, Mr. Ketcher went up to him, and asked him what business ho had there. An impertinent reply was made, on which Mr. Ketcher took hold of him, and said, " If you are after nothing wrong you will not mind giving an account of yourself." The fellow then raised his hand, and with a wine bottle inflicted a blow on the left side of Mr. Ketcher's head, causing a wound three inches long, and penetrating to the bone. Mr. Ketcher was ren dered insensible; on becoming conscious, he found himself in a ditch with his antagonist on the top of him, beating him on the head and face with the bottle. Mr. Ketcher's eyes were so enveloped in blood from the wounds, that he was for a time completely blinded, and with great difficulty he got from under the man, who then ran off. Mr. Ketcher, greatly exhausted from the loss of blood, succeeded in getting back to Mr. Grice's, where he fainted. Mr. Rush, surgeon, was immediately sent for, and that gentleman having dressed the wounds, removed him home. On examination it ;was found that not fewer than five frightful gashes had been made upon Mr. Ketcher's head, a piece had been cut out of his ear, and there was a wound over the eye brow reaching to the bone. There were besides a tre mendous blow on the jaw-bone, and a triangular cut on the nose, with many deep scratches on the cheek, all on the left side, and Mr. Rush expressed his sur prise that so much injury could have been inflicted without immediately fatal consequences. The police were engaged the whole of the night with other parties in scouring the neighbourhood, and we are happy to and succeeded the same morning in discovering in a straw stack the guilty party, whose name it appears is Dace, a character well known in the locality. Ile was covered with the blood of the gentleman he so severely injured, add our correspondent adds that he has declared that he intended to have murdered Mr. Keteher, or any other roan who dared to interfere with him. Since writing the above we learn that Daco has been committed by Mr. J. Pattison, to the convict gaol, Springfield, for three months' hard labour, for lodging in the open air. —Esser Herald. TUE GREAT 13RITAIN.—Yesterday (Friday) we paid a visit to the Great Britain, for the purpose of witnessing personally the operations which are in progress to raise her, previous to being floated off. The arrangements are certainly very ingenious, but cannot be clearly described to those who have not seen them. On each side of the vessel are driven upon their ends into the sand, until they reach the solid rock, a number of large logs of timber, in an inclined position. Near the top of two of these logs is to be a box or case, filled with sand, weighing about fifty tons. Upon the top of each log is a sheave of iron, in a groove in which runs a rope which communicates with the boxes and with the vessel. The boxes are supported by large chain cables, and their object is to raise the vessel, for according to the principles of mechanism, as they sink the ship rises. There are to be 20 of these boxes, ten on each side of the vessel. Eight of them are at present in the position intended for them, and in process of being filled ; the rest will soon be completed. The greater number will bo placed towards the ship's bow, where she is deeper in the sand, nearly to the depth of four feet two inches, and lower towards the stern, where she is not so deep. The ship had been sunk seven feet, but by means of lightening, that is, pumping out water, and placing stones underneath, she has been raised to her present position. She is now perfectly water-tight. Mr. Bremner, the eminent engineer, is constantly on board, superintending the operations. AU is expected to be ready for the final eff,,rt by the end of the next month. A Government steamer is expected to be present on that occasion, lending her assistance. —Downpatrick Recorder. The Petites ilffiehes though containing nothing but advertisements, have been made instrumental to the com mission of several robberies by a clever rogue named Frandin. The fellow, it appeared, used to copy the addresses of persons advertising for places, end passing himself off as a house owner, engage the advertisers in his service, after which he would find means to get them out of the house, and then bolt with anything valuable that he could lay his hands on. A few days ago he called on a man named Martinet, living at 39, rue Ram buteau, who had advertised for a place as concierge. M. Frandin was very particular in inquiring into the man's qualities, and particularly scrupulous as to his character. The porter having satisfied him on those important points, M. Frandin consented to engage him and his wife as concierges of one of the immense mansions which he said he possessed in the best quarter of Paris. " But," said M. Frandin, "asl am very parti cular, we must draw up a contract of the engagement ;" h c o h c k t e o t d b r o a o w k , u a p n d t h e looked . among a mass of portentous-looking d ocum ents for a n long search, " I have got and he pulledstampeer id o e u d. pt he, p a e,eratoe giganticavi s“hßeeletsosf me," no stamped paper with me—here are seven sous—have the kindness to go and buy a sheet." Off went the porter, and a minute or two after his back was turned the methodical M. Frandin was seized with an idea. " Dear me !" exclaimed he, "how very stupid I am ! To make the contract binding, there must be two deeds —one for you—one for me. Run after your husband, madame, and tell him to bring two stamped sheets — here's the money." Madame Martinet unhesitatingly went to fulfil his mission, but on her and her husband's return, they found that M. Frandin had vanished, and with him some silver spoons. Luckily the fellow was captured before he could get clear off with his booty, and he was brought up for trial yesterday. Being an old offender, the tribunal condemned him to five years' im prisonment and five years surveillance of the police. LAMENTABLE AFFRAY AT BARRHEAD.—On Sa turday night last, being Barrhead fair, a party of labourers, at present employed on the railway in pro gress at Barrhead,i, a i ns ie o ay uu , t o i r ng xp t L o ca a n b:: , t ho ts w vo as hu ti n p d s :e a d : paraded the streets of the village, between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock. The mob was headed by an I th ri e sh t m im a e n , annadmerdather noisy and insulting in his demea nour towards the inhabitants; when within a few yards of two policeman, and without any previous quarrel or challenge, a man rushed into the crowd and stabbed M`Leay to the heart, who instantly fell dead. In the commotion that ensued James MsNally, a labourer, and another man, named Flannigan, were also seriously stabbed. The person who committed these acts of A nold violence, was so sudd en in his movements, and ma de man e h n a e h m a ed hasty retreat e tls e t , tt behfeersse.a whoses not d s e ec e u r r t e h d e . disturb ance took place, came out of his own house, and meet ing a person in the entry, he asked him what was the matter ? A dangerous wound was the reply. The ruf fian f orce d his way into 2,l'Nechnie a house. Msliech nie's wife, on hearing the people outside crying out to secure the murderer, became alarmed, and not know ing that her husband was injured, refused to open the door. The person made his escape by a back window. Another labourer, named Conally, who was passing through the crowd at the time, on his way home from his work, was also stabbed, but apparently by another hand than that which inflicted the wounds on the other persons, as his wounds does not appear to have been given by the e a s r e e a b p o e thser same instrument as the rest. The whole affair occupied no more time than 5 minutes, and the parties effected their aly, w n e d lliee hn i understand,e is able to walk about. yesterday (Monday) an exami nation was made into the case at Barrhead, by Sheriff and Dr. Jaa without i()e s l d y e t i e n c j tei injured. Fat e n e n e i n g l Glasgow, Mr. Rodger, procurator fiscal for Ran frew shire, along with Drs. INPKinlay and Wylie, of Paisley, sus picion rests on two parties as being guilty of perpetrating the horrid deed.—North British Mail. CAPTURE OF A SEAL.—A circumstances quite un usual in its character took place on our river on Sunday Hines, P, of Barrhead. We understand that - last. During the afternoon a waterman named Henry gentleman down the river, and in their passage saw a remarkably fine seal swimming away from the direction accompanied by a lad named Chenery, rowed a of the lock to the bathin Pla ce ' They instantly gave chase, and after it h a d re peatedly eluded them by diving, came up to it at Black Ooze, where Hines succeeded in striking it a violent blow on the head. The seal again dived, but on its again rising a similar fate awaited it, and at length the men had so stunned it as to be able to drag it into their boat. The parties then returned—the seal making a l ow moaning noise — a nd sold their prize to a fishmo nger named Chisna ll f o r 30s. The fish is now at the new fi s h -market on t h e q uay, and is likely to survive all it s ru d e treatment. I t i s a remarkably beau tiful specimen, and weighs between seven and ei g ht stone. The t a il fi n i s upwar d s o f 12 inches wide, when extended.—/p sw Expres s . Mr. E x p re . Mr. Palme r , th e Judge of the Small Debts Court at Bristol, who decided that separate bills might be made out for one account, so as to bring various actions for sums under 201., has further decided this last week that such division cannot be ma le at ter the bill has once been delivered in fall. Mr. Pease had an interview yesterday with Sir George Grey at the Home -office. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, July 8. The LORD CHANCELLoR. took his seat on the Wool sack at Five o'clock. MESSAGE FROM THE COMMONS. A message from the Commons brought up a great number of private Bills, in the course of which Lord BROUGHAM rose, and with some warmth, said ho would put it to their Lordships whether this nuisance of bringing up Bills from the Commons one by one ought to be continued? They were now at the most important period of the session, they had probably not more than a fortnight to sit, and he thought it was too much to have three-quarters of an hour of their valuable time wasted in bringing up Bills which might be brought up in five minutes. He thought if a Cum mittee was appointed to inquire into the subject the evil might be remedied. Lord REDESDALE said that such a Committee had been appointed. Lord BROUGHAM was sorry that he had not pressed his motion on the subject on the attention of the House. He should move that the messengers from the Commons should not be admitted. After some observations from the Marquis of LAI`.:S -DOWNE and the Earl of REDESDALE, Lord BROUGHAM withdrew his motion, and the Messengers from the Commons sent up a great number of Bills. WELLINGTON STATUE. Lord BROUGHAM said that on the 18th of June, 1837, a day for ever memorable in the history of the world, as being the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, a number of persons feeling grateful to the Noble Duke, and considering themselves bound to testify it, collected money to the amount of thirteen thousand pounds, for the purpose of making a testimonial to the illustrious Commander. What that testimonial should be was left open for discussion, and when the committee went to his late Majesty William IV., anti represented that there was no precedent for erecting a memorial to a private indi vidual upon the palace property, he answered that they should make one ; and her present Majesty, under the advice of Lord Melbourne, confirmed that decision, and was graciously pleased to authorise the erection of the statue upon the very arch which it now adorned. It was on the distinct and express statement that the statue should be placed upon the arch that the committee again appealed to the public, and 12.0001. more was subscribed ; and if it was removed there would be a direct breach of contract and faith with the public. He understood that the more persons of taste examined its situation, the more they were im pressed with the feeling that it was well placed in point of beauty and effect. His opinion on a matter of taste was valueless, and although he considered that the horse was not like one of the Elgin marbles, and was too real in its position, and not sufficiently ideal, yet he considered that the statue ought to remain where it was. And he was the more impressed with this opinion, when he was aware that it would give great and deep offence to the Noble Duke to remove it. The Noble Lord then went on to observe how justly such a compli ment was due, .and observed that the statue was not the property of the Government but of the subscribers ; and concluded by saying, " And now, remove it if you dare."—(Cheers.) Lord LANSDOWNE—Am I to understand that the Noble Lord makes a motion? Lord BROUGHAM—Yes; I move for all the papers and correspondence connected with the Wellington statue. Lord LANSDOWNE said that he had reason to com plain of the line of conduct adopted by the Noble and Learned Lord. He had not given notice of his motion, and while be agreed to the motion, he could not but take an opportunity of entering his protest against such a course. REWARD TO NAVAL OFFICERS. The Earl of II ARDWICKE moved that an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying her Ma jesty to be graciously pleased to direct that the order of the Admiralty, dated the Ist of June (directed to all persons serving on board any ships of war, engaged with the enemy, between the year 1793 and 1815, the captain of which ship shcill have received a medal for any action during that period), be directed to all persons serving on board any ship of war engaged with the enemy be tween the years 1793 and 1846, the captain of which ship shall have received a medal ; or where the fleet, or squadron, or ship shall have received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament ; or where the Commander-in- Chief shall have been created a Peer, or received a step in the peerage, for any action with the enemy during that period. He would not detain their Lordships by any arguments, because he rested his case on simple facts. In the order of the Admiralty, on the Ist of June, the medals are limited solely to those who have been previously decorated. The only reason why such a rule was insisted on, was, because it was done in the army. It was the misfortune of the navy to be governed by political men, each succeeding Government intro duced a change into the composition of the Board of the Admiralty, while the army was governed by a chief, who was essentially non-political. He would move the resolution pro forma in order to bring it under the notice of the House, and with the hope of directing the attention of the Admiralty to the injustice which had been committed towards a great number of brave men. He had not been urged on in making this motion by any party motives.—(Hear, hear.) Various expedients had been proposed to bring the subject properly before the Legislature—it had been proposed they should petition the Queen, but the men concerned felt indisposed to ask for honours which were not the free gift of the Queen, and they therefore unani mously refused adopting such a course. Lord AUCKLAND said that the Government were obliged to adopt some precise rule by which they would be enabled to guide their conduct, and it was in follow ing out such a course that the present motion had its origin. He was fully alive to the claims of those whose case had been so ably advocated, and it might be some satisfaction for him to know that their case would be re-considered.—(Hear, hear.) Lord COLCHESTER said that he was delighted to hear the statement of the Noble Lord opposite. Great injustice had certainly been done in passing over men who had so much distinguished themselves in 1815. He did not see why those men had been excluded from well earned honours. They had encountered serious damages in defence of their country, and should be proportionably , rewarded. In conclusion, he must express his gratifica tion at the statement of the Government.—(Hear, hear,) The Duke of RICHMOND said that although he dif fered so much from the Noble Lord, yet he was glad upon this occasion that he could coincide with him. Whence arose all these difficulties, it was because former Governments did not do their duty. He considered that those veterans who had served in Egypt ought to have been included, and they ought not to consider that the army would be satisfied at being passed over. He hoped the Government would do a further act of justice, and include them in any consideration which they gave to the question.—(Hear, hear.) The Earl of MALMESBURY thanked the Govern ment for the act of justice which they were about to perform, which wculd have a highly beneficial influence on both services. Earl GREY reminded the House that the value of these medals was enhanced by the great reserve and caution with which they were distributed, and they were never given but for distinguished services. He greatly feared that if they departed from the principle which had hitherto guided them that they would do a vast injury to the country. A serious question arose as to whether greater inconvenience did not arise from an attempt to alter former decisions, than by permitting them to rest as they were. The Duke of RICHMOND explained his allusion to the services of the veterans of Egypt ; ho did not think he would have been acting justly towards those gallant men if he did not mention the hardships to which they had been subjected. Lord ELLENBOROUGH said that, looking fairly at the services of officers who were subjected to very hard service, feeling poignantly some other officers being de corated for some particular service in which they had the good fortune to be engaged on some one particular occa sion, he considered a positive injury would be done to the service if rewards for personal bravery were not given where they were deserved. After a few words from the Earl of STRAFFORD, the motion was withdrawn. CLERGY OFFENCES BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. MILITIA BALLOTS SUSPENSION BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. Their Lordships then adjourned. ROUSE OF COMMONS. July 8. WITHDRAWAL OF THE HEALTH OF TOWNS BILL. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. HUDSON referred to the statement read by the Hon. Member for Finsbury the other night with respect to the condition of York. He said that city was as healthy as any other town in England, as the average longevity was 32 years, whilst it was considerably less in Liverpool, Birmingham, and other places. In Salford the average duration of human life was 26, in Sheffield 22, in Huddersfield 27, and in Dewsbury 23. If the Bill was necessary for York, it was equally necessary for London.—(Hear.) The statement he had read would show that White chapel and other districts of London were far more un healthy than York. Many rural districts were far more unhealthy than towns, and the Bill should apply to these districts as well as towns. Mr. MACKINNON asked the Noble Lord if he would give a pledge that he would bring forward the Bill in the next session. Mr. WAKLEY advised the Noble Lord to pay the greatest attention to the statements of the Learned Gentleman (Mr. Stuart). The Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Mackinnon) had urged the Noble Lord to bring in a similar Bill next session. He could not join him in that desire, as he wished the Noble Lord would bring in a more comprehensive measure than the one just withdrawn, in which the City of London would not be excluded.—(Hear, hear.) Before the Noble Lord brought in another Bill he advised him to institute a preliminary inquiry, and to consult the various paving, lighting, and watering boards, of which there were a great number in the metropolis, none of whom, he under stood, had been consulted. If he did this he was sure he would carry the public with him, and pass such a com prehensive measure into a law. He complained that the Judges put constructions upon Acts of Parliament which when they were passed were never dreamt of.—(Hear.) In this case they should not give the judges too much power. It was true, if parties felt aggrieved by the decision of the judges, they might carry an appeal to the Lord Chancellor, but he considered that a jury of twelve men were alone competent to settle the majori t y of questions which came before the courts, but espe cially in reference to sanatory regulations. .To obviate any dinvenecsa of r,piniou the= - 4 - should so simplify the Bill as to render misin terpretat i on impossible, so that a child might understand it. Mr. HUME urged that the new Dill should be brought in early next session, and that they should simplify it as much as possible. There was a great difference between statute and judge•made law; and thereloro they should take care that the statute law in this case was so clear, that the judges could not put a different construction upon it from that put upon it by the House. Mr. HENLEY deprecated the conduct of Government in bringing in a Bill with so raany clauses almost at the end of the session, and when the Noble Lord must have known that as he progressed with it at that late period, he would sink step by step as ha proceeded as if he were in a bog. The Noble Lord had failed because he had attempted too much—(Hear)—he would do far more good if he were to proceed at a slower pace.— (Hear, hear.) He advised him, then-fore, if he intended to bring forward the Bill next session to have his ma chinery well defined and arranged. He thanked the Noble Lord for his courteous conduct during a trouble- some opposition.—(Hear, hear.) Lord MORPETH said he had not consented to the withdrawal of the measure without great regret both on public and private grounds—(Bear, hear)—but the pro gress made during the last two days, and as but two clauses were passed on Monday and on Tuesday, he felt that it could not be passed through both Houses during the present session. No doubt, if they had con fined the Bill to the first clauses of the Bill—namely, those for inquiry—they would doubtless have disarmed much of the opposition which they had had to encounter. He denied that the Government were open to the charge of wishing to pass the Bill for the purpose of creating patronage. In reply to the Hon. Member (Mr. Mackinnon) he had to state that the Govern ment would feel it their duty to bring in a similar Bill next session.—(Hear.) He would give the utmost consideration to the suggestions which had been made, and that, they would admit, would be no easy task. —(Laughter.) He certainly had no wish to exclude the city of London, but as he felt that they could not properly include the city, from the vast machinery which would be required, and from the statements which had been made to the authorities ; but in the new measure he certainly should not omit the city of London.—(Hear.) He was told that he must consult all the local boards, and comprise all rural districts in the Bill, but that he must do this in a Bill of 10 clauses—(Laughter)—whilst the Hon. Member for Maldon had introduced a Bill somewhat similar, con taining 300 clauses. The utmost consideration would be given by him during the recess to the whole subject, which was one of vital and growing importance. Mr. NEWDEGATE and Sir DE LACY EVANS considered that there was a strong feeling in favour of a Health of Towns Bill, and trusted the Noble Lord would bring forward a comprehensive measure next session. Lord GEORGE BENTINCK said that he did not wish to disturb the good humour which appeared to prevail in the House, but he thought that the Noble Lord ought, in candour, to have acknowledged that the delay that had occurred was not owing to any opposition on the part of that side of the House ; but the House need not wonder at the delay when he informed them that the 21st clause of this Act proposed to incorporate the whole of six other existing Acts, containing alto gether 780 clauses, and each Act of which contained six separate, distinct, and contradictory; interpretative clauses. (Laughter.) How was it possible that the House should in a few days be able to master _ a mass of confusion like this? He trusted that the op position would not be characterised as a factious one, when it was considered that all the lawyers in the country would not be able to master the details of this Bill in a twelvemonth. Lord J. RUSSELL denied that any charge had been brought against the lion. Member's opposition ; all he had said was that Hon. Members might each for himself decide whether the opposition was vevatious or not ; and having said so much, he would have only hoped that the same forbearance had been exercised by Hon. Members opposite that had been by the members of the Government, and that they should not proceed to argue the merits of the Health of Towns Bill after it had been withdrawn. While he was upon his leg:; he might be allowed to state that he should propose that the Speaker take the chair at three o'clock to-morrow, when they might proceed with private business ; he trusted that the House would then be enabled to take public business at half-past three, and so get into Com mittee of Supply. ISLINGTON FEVER HOSPITAL. Mr. DUNCOMBE said, that as he had given notice of a clause in the Health of Towns Bill, having reference to the building of a fever hospital at Islington, and that Bill having been withdrawn, the only thing that remained for him was to give notice that he should introduce to-morrow a Bill for the purpose of obtain ing what the clause was intended to do, namely, to prevent the building of a fever hospital in so crowded a neighbourhood as Islington. DESTITUTE PERSONS (IRELAND) BILL. In answer to a question, Lord J. RUSSELL said that his Right Hon. Friend (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) would, at five o'clock, on the order of the day for going into Committee on this Bill, state what had been generally the result of the financial measures which had been adopted with regard to Ireland. THAMES CONSERVANCY BILL. Mr. WARD said that with respect to this Bill, owing to the arrangements of this day, he should be unable to bring it on till Monday next. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTORS BILL. In answer to a question from Mr. NEWDEGATE, Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that this Bill would not be pressed this session, as the Government thought that a longer time than could be now spared to it ought to be given to its consideration. SITTING ON SATURDAY. In answer to a question from Mr. WAKLEY, Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that he would to-morrow state what business he would proceed with on Saturday. COMPENSATION FOR: DAMAGES (IRELAND). The House then went into Committee upon the Com pensation for Damages (Ireland) Bill. Upon Clause 1 being read, Mr. HAMILTON objected to the operation of this clause, as insufficient for the purpose for which it was framed, and by no means calculated to stimulate the landed proprietors of Ireland to exertions beneficial to themselves and to the tenants under them. Mr. LABOUCHERE said that with regard to the objections which the Hon. Member had urged, the Chancellor of the Exchequer would, at five o'clock, make a statement to the House which would bring the whole question of Ireland under the notice of the House, and the objections stated could be urged then with more benefit than at that time. Mr. J. O'CONNELL hoped that the applications for damages under this Bill would be made public, so as to prevent any underhand jobbing, both on the part of the proprietors and the tenant. Clause 1, with some verbal amendments, was then agreed to. Clauses 2 to 6 were then agreed to. Clause 7, with a few verbal amendments, was agreed to and ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 8 was agreed to. The preamble of the Bill was alscoagreed to, and the report was ordered to be received to-morrow. POLLING AT ELECTIONS (IRELAND). The House then went into Committee on the Polling at Elections (Ireland) Bill. In answer to a question from Mr. HAMILTON, Mr. LABOUCHERE said that he was desirous of placing the University of Dublin in the same situation as the universities in England with respect to polling at elections. All the clauses in the Bill were agreed to, with a few verbal amendments; and, after a short discussion, the report was ordered to be received to-morrow. NEW ZEALAND BILL. On the motion of 11 7 ITHAVaS,tlie;der. of the day for the second reading - of the New Zealand Bill wai discharged, and a new Bill brought in, which was read a first, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow. CANAL COMPANIES BILL. This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed to-morrow, The House, at four, adjourned until Five o'clock. The House resumed at Five o'clock. BRITISH ARMY IN INDIA. Mr. EWART, seeing the Right Hon. Gentleman the President of the Board of Control in his place, wished to inquire if any change was contem p lated in the sys tem of furlough now adopted with respect to the British army in India. Sir J. C. HOBHOUSE said, since the period when the Hon. Gentleman put the same question to him some months ago, the subject had engaged the attention both of the Court of Directors and the Board of Control, and he had now the satisfaction of informing the Hon. Member that yesterday a dispatch was sent out to India by the Court of Directors, containing a plan for chang ing the system of furlough in thecivil service. The Governor-General, upon its arrival, would take it into his most serious consideration, and when it had been approved of by him, steps would be taken by the home authorities for carrying it out. It had been thought expedient not to mix the two subjects of the Civil and Military Board, but in he could contemplationinform his for Hon. Friend that they had a plan altering the system in the military service too.—(Hear.) LAW OF MARRIAGE. Sir R. H. INGLIS, in pursuance of notice given, wished to know from the President of the India Board whether it was true that a payment was made by the Government of India in support of the Hindoo temple of Juggernaut? Sir J. CAM 110BHOUSE said that the House should have every opportunity of inspecting the papers upon this subject ; they were very voluminous, but still they might serve every purpose which the Hon. Member had in view, and give him the information he required. Sir R. H. INGLIS then moved that an humble address be presented to her Majesty for a copy of any commis sion issued to inquire into the state of thelawrelating . to marriages in the Queen's dominio ns and in foreign countries. SOUTHWARK. Sir W. MOLESWORTH presented a petition, signed by many wharfingers of Southwark, complaining of the difference between the Customs dues levied on both sides of the river, and praying the appointment of a Com mittee to inquire into the subject. He should call the attention of the House to the subject next session. GRANTS TO ROMAN CATHOLICS FOR EDU REMARKABLE HAIL STORM IN SYDNEY. A correspondent of the Sydney (New South Wales) I Morning Herald, gives the following account of a thunder-storm which visited that district on the 4th , of February last, and pro ved one of the most remarkable ever witnessed in that colony:— " There was nothing in the appearance of the weather (says the narrative) to i ndicate such a visitation, the day having been fine and warm, but the thermometer did not rise higher than 80 deg., with a clear sky and light breeze. Soon after five P. 31., some remarkable clouds appeared in the south, which gradually increased in volume and height, with a good deal of sheet and forked lightning and distant thunder. About six o'clock I was in a house about two miles from home, and see ing th e appearance of the clouds, which were by this time literally as black as ink, I got upon my horse and started homewards at a sharp gallop. Before I was half-way the storm burst right overhead, and I found myself in a few seconds exposed to its terrific violence, without the least hope of reaching a place of shelter. The road runs along a lofty range, and being the highest ground in the immediate vicinity, the wind blew with great fury. The first hailstones which fell were about the size of a small fist, and their appear ance was so very remarkable that I thought at first that they were some substances that had fallen from the tree nearest me. I was soon undeceived, andimmediately drew my horse across a large tree close to the road, and endeavoured to shelter my body as well as I could. The storm now raged with awful fury, and the hail fell so thick, and of such an extraordinary size, that the ground was covered in a few minutes. Having a straw hat on, I tried to save my head with one:hand; but, in doing , o, my arms suffered dreadfully from the hail stones, and one in particular, which struck me midway between the elbow and the wrist, was so heavy that I thought my arm was broken. This hailstone fell at my horse's feet, and I am quite certain (judging from others which I saw weighed and measured afterwards) that the size was nearly that of an ordinary breakfast cup, while the weight could not be less than from six to eight ounces. Owing to the horse being exposed both in his head and hind quarters, I soon found him become unmanageable; and although I was in the utmost dread that my brains or eyes would be knocked out from the extreme violence of the blows, I was compelled to give my horse the rein, and he galloped back to the place I had left, instinct teaching the animal to turn his tail to the storm. " The tempest was now at its height, and the roaring of the wind, the noise of the hailstones amongst the trees, and the air darkened with falling leaves and branches, formed the most fearful scene I ever witnessed. The horse, maddened with the hailstones raining with such violence on all parts of his body, and startled by tue falling branches, shied and plunged in such a way that it was with very great difficulty I kept my seat, as I had to keep one hand up to save my head, and my arms were getting every minute more benumbed with the blows. I reached the slip-rails in four or five minutes, where I was detained in getting down the rails, my fingers being nearly powerless, and got into the clear ground; and just as I reached the house and got into the verandah, the hail-storm passed off, and the rain began to fall heavily. After a short stay to recover myself, I again started for home, and on the way was startled by a most awful vivid flash of lightning which seemed to stream down from the heavens, making the hailstones on the road appear for a second of time like a mass of blue crystal. This was succeeded by a stun ning peal of thunder, and the rain then fell in torrents. I got home soon afterwards, drenched to the skin, and, on stripping, found that I had been struck in about twenty places ; on my head were four lumps nearly as large as marbles, and the skin was broken on several spots where the hail had struck me. Even now (forty eight hours after) I am hardly able to lift my left arm to my head, and the pain in the hands and other parts is still considerable. " The form of the hailstones was exceeding various, most of them being round and others pyramidal, angu lar, thin, and fist, with irregular surfaces. A great many wary very much the size and shape of a common oval salt cellar. The weight also varied much, many of them being solid masses of ice, while others were opaque and light ; one which we measured was three inches thick. At seven o'clock, after they had thawed considerably, many measured ten inches round ; and I was credibly informed of one that measured fourteen inches in circumference, and another that weighed eight ounces ! The duration of the storm was about fifteen minutes, and its course seemed to be from S. by W. to N. by E." FOREIGN PRODUCE. The importations of grain and articles of food are now of unusual importance, and we subjoin the arrivals at the port of London on Wednesday and Thursday last, in ordor to show the extent to which they continue to take place, at the same time that it will clearly illus trate the particular states from which they more or less take place. The Two Sisters from Hamburgh brought 107 bales of seed, 17 packages of lard, and 14 bales of bacon ; the Ino, from Malta, 338 qrs. of wheat, and 543 of barley ; the Henricus, from Konigsberg, 170 quarters of wheat, and 370 quarters of oats ; the Catherine Louise, from Hamburgh, 50 bales of seed, 100 barrels of pork, and other productions ; the Flora, from Hanahurgh, 120 barrels and 60 tierces of pork, 66 casks and 251 bags of seed; the Emilie, from Memel, 136 tons weight of lin seed cake ; the Autumn, from Kiertemunde, 18,350 cheeses; the Dolphin, from Flushing, 191 sheep ; the Rhine, from Konigsberg, 650 qrs. of wheat; the Magnet, from Rotterdam, 113 oxen and cows, 12 lambs, and 429 sheep ; the Selby, from Antwerp, 700 barrels of flour ; the Napoleon, from Cherbourg, 2.21 cases of eggs ; the Virgo, from Riga, 1,050 quarters of wheat ; the Coun tess of Airlie, tram Riga, 1,550 quarters of oats ; the Hiram, from Memel, 990 quarters of oats, and 60 tons of linseed cake ; the Wave, from Medemblick, 25,415 cheeses; the Agenoria, from Riga, 1,790 quarters of oats; the Delphin, from Stettin, 977 quarters of oats, and 67 quarters of wheat ; the Mary, from Riga, 800 quarters of oats ; the Grace and James, from Riga, 889 quarters of oats; the Ocean, from Thisted, 400 quarters of oats ; the Ernest Augustus, from Riga, 1,150 quarters of oats ; the Fanny, from Dantzic, 1,398 quarters of wheat ; the Isis, from Dantziz, 1,260 quarters of wheat ; the Organ, from Thisted, 410 quarters of oats ; the Leo, from Riga, 964 quarters of wheat ; the Preciosa, from Griefswold, 1,300 quarters of wheat ; the Mary, from Amsterdam, 39 lasts and 7 maids of wheat ; the Garland, from Riga, 1,500 quarters of oats ; the Triton, from Ostend, 8 tubs of butter, 33 cases of eggs, 4 cases of plants, and 30 packages of poultry ; the John Fox, from Riga, 1,630 quarters of oats ; the Argo, from Dantzic, 1,050 quarters of wheat; the Fairy Queen, from Antwerp, 1,100 barrels of flour ; the Perseverance, from Leer (Hanover), 3,042 casks of butter, 750 hams. and 49 bales of bacon ; the Mary, from Alexandria, 3,000 quarters of beans ; the Aurora, from Schien, 1,000 quarters of barley ; the Julie, from Dantzic, 400 quarters of wheat ; the Orla, from Nakskow, 850 quarters of barley ; the Jessie, from Dantzic, 600 quarters of wheat; the Mary Anne, from Riga, 1,550 quarters of oats; the Prosperity, from Antwerp, 450 quarters of wheat; the Britannia, from Rotterdam, 132 casks of butter, 230 hogsheads of potatoes, 161 baskets of cherries, 50 baskets of yeast, 2 of melons, 9 of salmon, 62 oxen and cows, and 31 calves; the Emile, from Dantzic, 25 quarters of wheat; the Saragossa, from New Orleans, 10,742 sacks of wheat; the High lander, from Dantzic, 1,130 quarters of wheat; the Harrisons, from Pillau, 1,100 quarters of eats; the Henriette Christina, from Thisted, 500 quarters of oats ; the Rose from Dantzic, 795 quarters of wheat ; the Alida Sophia, from Amsterdam, 550 quarters of oats ; the Venus, from Nakskow, 850 quarters of barley ; the Vrouw Grietje, from Amsterdam, 355 quarters of wheat; the Gratitude, from Riga, 1,430 quarters of oats ; the Anne Hope, from Riga, 850 quarters of barley ; the Sostre, from Nerve, 640 quarters of oats ; the Dorothea Constantine, from Riga, 530 quarters of wheat ; the Ida, from Riga, 660 qrs. of wheat ; the Emma Maria, from Pillau, 550 qrs. of wheat ; the Catherine, from Dantzic, 380 quarters and 88 bags of wheat ; the Daniel Harris, from Riga, 800 quarters of oats. The whole of the foregoing arrival took place on the first of the days mentioned. On Thursday the Emilie, from Anclam, brought 880 quarters of wheat ; th e N ora C re in a , from Nieu Diep, 58 cows, 45 calves, 158 sheep, 2,500 cheeses, and the very large quantity of 52 h ogs h ea d s o f ger kins fur pickling purposes ; the Ranger, from Harlingen, 41 oxen and cows, seven calves, two pigs, 112 sheep, and 3,287 casks of butter ; the Sir Robert Peel, from Harlingen, 1,927 cas k s of butter, 32 sheep, three horses, nine calves, four lambs, and thirty-four cows ; the Ernest Brockleman n , f rom Riga, 2,360 quarters of oats; the Frederic Christian, free; Dantzic, 480 quarters of wheat ; the Daderien, from Fredericksvart, 300 quarters of oats ; the Serle, , from Aalborg, 440 quarters of oats ; the Economy, from Riga, 1,300 quarters of oats ; the Minerva, from Nerve, of Denmark, 850 quarters of oats; the Carl Johan, from Pillau, 600 quarters of oats; the Jonge Charles,from Flushing, 260 sheep ; the Fills, from Stralsund, 25 barrels of barley, 330 quarters of wheat, and 60 of oats; the Fame, from Alexandria, 2,600 quarters of wheat, and 64 of Indian corn; the Gorgon, fromDantzic, 87 lasts of wheat; the Rainbow, from Rotterdam, 119 casks of butter, 100 of 5O baskets of potatoes, 127 some packages of birds, melons, and cucum• en and cows, and 47 and some of fish, 30 ox of yeast, hers, 3hla2rnbsa'skets of cherries, Stettin, 445 k quarters wheat; the Jonge Prints, from . calves; the Oberon, from Stettin, 1,7 55 quarters of o o f aLt w s h ; e t a h t e ; N t ehwe Recovery, y , fr f o r o m in . 1,270 quarters of s"oquarters of wheat ; the Jane, from Cronstadt, 3,153 b a g s of flour im portance) the (a novelty from that place during the present season,. and, RDigaantzic, r on account of its extent, of mush interest and im the City of Rotterdam,from Rotterdam, 9,827 cheeses, from 292 casks of butter Rapid, Rigs, 1 015 qrs. of wheat ; 34 oxen and cows, and 50 baskets of potatoes; the ~/s:o sheep, 7 . lambs, , some packages of eggs and poultry, quarters of wheat; theneß berg, 510 quarters 900 quarters 1,620 quarters of w heat• Guthrie, from Dantzic, 6.5 . 0 Ranger, from St. PetersbUl:g l3 , and wheat; the o a , gs ( 2 4 heat ; the Nymph, .Magdalena, from Konigs from Rigs , 936 quarters of from Riga, oa-Ei ; w t he Martha Ellen, wheat ; the Mary and Ann, from Riga, 660 quarters o wheat ; the Nelson, from Dantzic, 760 quarters of wheat ; the Lively, from Cronstadt, 2,447 ba gs o f rye me teresting arrival from that particular place); ( a a st n h o lel t s he u r sse in x: from Riga, 1,927 quarters of oat s ; the It Riga, 1,060 quarters of wheat; and the Brave,ea' from Dantzic, 995 quarters of the same description ofgfrraT In directing the special attention of th e public thistol * interesting and important list of the arriv a l s i n two days of grain and food, we must particularly remark the great number from the Russian ports, and the large cargo es in which have been brought from that empire. CATION. Mr. V. SMITH presented a petition from the Roman Catholic clergy and Roman Catholic laity of Northamp ton, complaining that Roman Catholics had been ex cluded in the grants for the purposes of educa tion ; that Roman Catholics comprised a large pro portion of the inhabitants in every town of Great Britain; that; being poor, they were exposed to all the evils arising from ignorance, and therefore stood more in need of education at the hands of the State, and pray ing that they might participate in the grant for educa tion. THAMES CONSERVANCY. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition, signed by the principal brewers in the metropolis against this Bill, and praying the 1101180 110 to pass it into 3 13P? without giving them an opportunity of being heard against 'it ; also praying for an inquiry into the dues levied by 1 the Corpration on ships entering the port of London. He should, to-morrow, move the printing of the petition. GRANT TO ROMAN CAHOLICS. Sir R. PEEL presented a petition from tne Ron - , Catholic clergy and laymen of a town in Staff( it d, the prayer of which so agreed with that presented itty the Hon. Member for Northampton, that he should r trouble the House by reading it ; it was only necesst sry for him to lay it on the table. The Right Hon. Barr .net also presented a petition from Leicester to the same (.tl3 bet. Mr. V. SMITH wished to ask the Noble Lord wlte thcr he minutes of the Privy Council, with respect to :aJ low• ng Roman Catholics to participate in the gran is for education, were in so forward a state as to allow/ their presentation to the House this session? Lord JOHN RUSSELL, who spoke in an un - w malty low tone, was understood to say that .copies of the communications which he had bad with the heads of the Roman Catholics in this country- could not, he feared, be presented to the House befixre the conclusion of the session. Ho had had communi( rations some time ago with the Catholic Institute, vvivo had communicated on the subject with the different (latholie bodies throughout the country, whose answers w ere re- ceived about a week ago. He believed that they , agreed in most of the propositions which he had feitt it his duty to make to them; but there were two three points still under consideration, which wouli I come under the attention of the Privy Council :at their meeting on Saturday; but he might state that further communications with the Catholic Institute would be necessary. It was na )t the intention of the Government to prop() se a vote this session for the education oiF the children of Roman Catholics, but it was their intention to include the Roman Catholic& in any grant for the promotion of education which die Go- vernment might propose next year. Sir DE LACY EVANS inquired if the minutes, with respect to the Non-conformists would be laid on the table this session Lord JOIIN RUSSELL was understood to nay that they would. COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT KIRKLESS :HALL NEAR WIGAN. Mr. FORSTER wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he had received any information from the magistrates or coroner of the dis trict, tend . nz to confirm the charges made against the Kirkless Hall Colliery, near Wigan, in respect to the accident at that colliery, on Tuesday the 29th tilt. Sir G. GREY said that the Government had sent au officer down to make inquiries upon the spot, and an offer had been made on the part of the Government to the coroner of any assistance that lay in their , power both in investigating the cause of the accident, and re moving the bodies of the sufferers. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE thought that great blame was attribtrable to the masters and owners of this colliery. of grai The inauguration of the fine statue of the late la mented Duke of Orleans at St. Omer is expected to take place at the end of the present month. It is rumoured that an invitation is to be sent to the Duke of Mont pensier to be present on the occa sion, and that a ca mp will be established in that town.-13qylogne Spectator. . _ AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. Mr. NEWDEa-kPE wished to know from the Right Hon. the President of the Board of Trade. when the returns would be laid upon the table of the House, which he had moved for some time since, with respect to agri cultural statistics. Mr. M. GIBSON hoped to be able to inform the Hon. Member to-morrow when the returns would be ready. The Board of Trade had no control whatever over the preparation of the returns. GOVERNOR OF MALTA. In answer to a question from Mr. HORSMAN, Mr. HAWES stated that Sir Patrick Stewart had re signed his office of Governor of Malta in consequence of his having been refused leave of absence. Upona former occasion Sir Patrick Stewart had had leave of absence, and Government did not think it consistent with the public service to grant it a second time. CHARGE AGAINST MR. HUME. On the question that the order of the day be read for going into Committee on the Destitute Persons (Ireland) Bill, Mr. SPOONER said it had been his intention upon that occasion to bring a matter under the consideration of the House of which he had given notice, but he did not feel himself justified in doing so in the absence of the Hon. Member for Montrose. He begged therefore to give notice that upon the order of the day being read to morrow he should bring a subject under the attention of the House which would imperatively require the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Montrose to give some explanation upon it.—(Cries of " What is it ?") Mr. B. OSBORNE said the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Birmingham ought to state what the subject or charge was. He did not think it fair to bring forward a sort of shadowy charge like this, to which the Hon. Member for Montrose could not return a specific answer. Mr. SPOONER said he had taken care to specify in a note to Mr. Hume what the charge was. THE COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT WIGAN. Mr. HINDLEY would take that opportunity of urging upon the Government the necessity of instituting an inquiry into this lamentable occurrence. • Sir G. GREY said a coroner's inauest was now being held upon the bodies of the sufferers ; but should it ap pear, at the close of the inquiry, that any further inves tigation was necessary, Government would take care to institute it. Mr. T. S. DUNCOMBE said that ho had suggested to the Right Hon. Baronet that he should send an officer on the part of the Government to watch the pro ceedings, for he thought that great negligence bad caused the deaths of these persons, and that suggestion was not attended to. The subject then dropped. DESTITUTE PERSONS (IRELAND) BILL. The House then resolved itself into a Committee upon the Destitute Persons (Ireland) Bill. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the vote which he was about to put into the bands of the Chairman was for a further grant of 300,0001_, secured upon the payment of rates, for the relief of the people of Ireland, and as ho was about to propose fur ther grants in the course of the evening, he thought it desirable that the people of this country who had ad vanced their money should know how it had been spent" and that the people of Ireland should know how they had been benefited. The operations for the relief of Ireland commenced in the spring of 1846, and was at that time principally effected by giving employment to those who were in a destitute condition. That relief terminated in the month of August, and during the period over which that relief extended about 734,0004 were expended, about one-half being advanced as a loan, and the other half being by grant. At the commence ment of this year the mode of administering relief was changed—for very soon after the assembling of Parlia ment the universal failure of the potato crop became known, and universal alarm and despondency was felt throughout the country. The relief committees were in active employment all over the country, and many abuses crept into that mode of giving relief—partly from the want of proper management, and partly from a very strong and humane feeling on the part of the proprietors of Ireland. Intimidation had a good deal to do with these abuses, and in consequence of all these causes uniting together, the number of persons upon the public works increased to so great an extent that the most active exertions on the part of the Government were necessary to keep down this source of expense. In March of the present year, the number employed upon these pub" lie works was 730,000 persons. In the month of Marco the Government were compelled to order, peremptorilio the dismissal or a great number of these persons, in order to drive them to more necessary and more pro ductive exployment in th e till age o f the ground. 1° May a further reduction took place—and at the present time no greater number than 22,000 were employed ; In fact, no more than were absolutely necessary for the continuance of those works which had been began' From May the Government had fixed the amount of money to be expended in this manner, at 100,000/ per month. He wished to state at once to the Hon. Mem bers representing Ireland, that the Government bad emphatically declared that in no case would these publio works be continued beyond the termination of the ac tual pressure of the necessity, or at least beyoud the month of August ; for the Government had anticipated and, as it seemed, not altogether unjustly, that a de mand would be made upon them for the continuance and completion of these works. A letter bad been written by his (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) direction, which distinctly stated that these works were not coin; menced for themselves alone, but only for the relief of the people, and that the moment the necessity discon tinued, they would cease also. The whole amount which had been expended upon these relief works since the 15th of August last year, was 4,900,000/, un der 5,000,000/, and these works were being wound up as fast as possible. Besides this, large depots of corn were established in Ireland, some of which had been discon tinued upon the commencement of the operations of the relief committees ; but as many as thirty-four had been established in the county of Donegal this year. The Government, in doing this, had taken great care t° avoid any interference with the supply of corn which was furnished by private trade ; and, indeed, he might say, that no complaint of any such interference bad ever reached the ear of the Government. In the Trea sury minute, of August 31st, it was ordered that the corn depot should not be opened until the people were enabled to obtain proper supplies of corn from the private trade of ,the country, and that even when they were opened that the corn should be sold at such a price as to enable the private trader to sell without loss at the same. Besides these depots furnished by the Govern ment, a considerable number were established by private contributions, and a large supply of corn and provisions had been sent from the United States. The third mode of relief was that of establishing relief committees for the distribution of food to the people of Ireland. These duties were to distribute food and to raise subscriptions , and ho must say that this portion of their duties were discharged, upon the whole, in the most satisfactol manner. They raised last year the sum of 101,00 0 /0 and it was impossible that the money could have been expended to greater advantage. In the present year the relief committees had raised the sum of 199,000/., and to this sum was added 191,0001. by the Government as $ donation, making nearly 400,0001. expended this year for the relief and sustenance of the people of Ireland. There were in Ireland 2,049 electoral divisions, and in 1,386 of them relief committees were appointed, and to the greater part of these advances bad been made by the Government upon tho security . of their rates. These, operations had been conducted with so much success that he was enabled to state upon communication made to him from the best authorities, that in those parts of Ire' land which had been most afflicted with famine the sr - pears:lces of want of food had almost entirely disaP: p aced, and th It the markets were well attended auL; supplied. The mortality among the population Win greatly decreased, and under the Fever Act the operation of oleaming and white-washing had been itutilfeltcor! 41