The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-04 00:00:00

think that such were the effects of the system ; all punishment tended in some degree to impair the health of the prisoner, but even if the solitary or separate system did impair the health, still it should be borne in mind that there was none of the disastrous effects upon the morals of the prisoners, and none of those vicious habits contracted which invariably followed punishment upon those systems in which the p risoners were indis criminately mixed together. The Archbishop of Dublin proposed a plan by which convicts would be enabled to go to the colonies. The only colonies, however, which they could be sent to, were those which were too weak to refuse them, or who were willin g to receive them. He did not think, however, that New South Wales or any other convict colony, was the proper place to send liberated offenders as by going there, there would be a likelihood of their falling into the old habits—the consequence of which would be, that they would be only emptying their own jails to fill those of the colonies. The utmost the Legislature could do was to open up a way for the liberated offenders. The Right Hon. Baronet proposed to make another alteration, the Bishop of Dublin's plan, which would have a worse effect than making their transportation eompulsory—he meant the separating the convicts into a distinct class after they arrived in the colony. He maintained if the convicts were sent abroad to these colonies the Govern ment would have no control over them. He considered, moreover, that the inhabitants of New South Wales would not withhold consent to this compulsory transpor tation, and the petition presented from them recently gave ample evidence of this feeling. He thanked the House for the attention with vihkh they had heard him, and though he concurred generally in the scheme he hoped the Government would reconsider those parts of it to which he had objected. Mr. BANKES could not assent to the further pro gress of these two Bills. He considered it inexpedient and unconstitutional that the Royal prerogative should be exercised as far as this modification of the law rela tive to transportation, unless in the usual direct manner. He considered that the speech of the Right Hon. Gen tleman, though exceedingly luminous, had but little to do with the subject on which he professed to treat. The one Bill provided simply for the removal of Irish criminals into this country, and the other to give new powers to the commissioners of Pentonville, Parkhurst, and Millbank Prisons ; but it appeared to him, that it would mate rially alter the government of the prisons throughout whole country, and the hig h prerogative vested in the Home Seeretary, would be transferred to a com mission, when the magistracy, he humbly believed, had not abused the trust placed in them, and were quite capable of managing the prisons in their respective lo calities There were to be seven new commissioners ; some of the present offices would be abolished and remodelled ; but, in truth, the patronage of the Government wonld be increased by them, and this they were heartily prepared to meet with from those who, in opposition , were rather prone to cut down and abolish offices.—(Hear, hear.) It seemed to him, therefore, that the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Montrose had not been vigilant on this occasion, and allowed his friends on the opposite benches to induce him to give them his support, much aeainst his avowed principles of economy. It was true the Commissioners were liable to be removed by the Lords of the Treasury. The Government was empowered to "turn them all off." —(Laughter.) And surely this was patronage.—(Laugh ter.) If the Chief Commissioner, as it seemed, was to usurp the power of the Secretary of State—for he was to have the power of appointing the different officers of the prisons, he considered the ,salary of 800 k too small for the discharge of such important duties. If the object sought to be attained by the Bill was not a greater de gree of supervision over the convicts, he should like to know what other possible object could be attained ? The Right Hon. Baronet in his speech addressed him self partly to this point, that the present system had proved a failure.—(Hear. hear.) He thought that in endeavouring to amend that system, the Go vernment were trying a rash experiment. He could not but consider that if the Government had made up their minds to change the present syst, m, they should do it by a Bill more specific in its nature, than the present, they should remember that it was adverse to the highest opinions in the land. The House of Com mons should not be called upon to pass doubtful Acts of Parliament. Under these impressions, though perfectly impressed with the defective state of the present system of transportation, and thinking that the present session should not close without an amendment of them, yet he considered that it was their duty to oppose at an early stage the proposition of the Government.—(Hear.) Mr. EWART moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr. HOPE desired to know what would be the con dition of the convicts on their arrival to the colony ? Sir GEORGE GREY—They will be in the same position as if they had obtained tickets of leave. The motion for the adjournment was then agreed to. BURGH POLICE (SCOTLAND) BILL. The House went into Committee upon this Bill. The Bill went through Committee. HIGHWAY RATES BILL. On the motion for the order of the day for the second reading of this Bill, Sir W. JOLIFFE said that with the Turnpike Act-, which were annually renewed, they found great evils perpetually recurring. The functionaries employed under the Turnpike Acts were unable, from want of funds, to prosecute defaulters. He did think that a mass of evil existed under the present system, which was a disgrace to the Legislature and the executive, and he thought that the subject ought to be taken into consideration by the Government, with a view to its amendment. After a few words from Sir G. GREY, The Bill was read a second time in order to be com mitted this day. The following Bill: were then read a second time: — Stage Carriages, &e., Duties Bill. Soap Allowances Bill. TRUST MONEY INVESTMENT (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill went through Committee. PRINCE EDWARD'S ISLAND. Mr. HUME moved for copy of an Address from the House of Assembly of Prince Edward's Island to her Majesty, praying for a responsible Government in that colony. Copies of all applications and correspondence between the colonies and the British Government respecting the establishment of free ports in the colonies since 1840.- Agreed to. LIGHTHOUSES (BARBADOES). Mr. HUME moved for copies of the official corres pondence relative to the erecting a lighthouse at Bar badoes, alluded to in the Governor's speech in 1845 , of the dispatch of the Colonial Secretary to the Governor of Barbadoes, stating the readiness of her Majesty's Government to contribute half the expense of such erection. Of any documents in the Colonial-office, which explain the refusal of the Council at Barbadoes to appropriate the money depo sited in the Colonial Bank for their express purpose. Agreed to. The House adjourned at a Quarter to One o'clock. the 20th of January. Mr. Clay produced an instance of a man who asserted that he would not be redeemed from his career of vice if he were sent back to his old as sociates, and that he conceived to be a strong proof in support of the view which he was now advocating. Lord Denman and other hi g h judici , authorities who were supposed to be competent to juu...e on this ques tion, were opposed to the principle of this measure. The Committee of the House of Lords had not yet, he could understand, concluded their labours, but he thought sufficient information had been already ob tained to enable the House to judge of this question. He did not deny that evils existed under the system of transportation, but he denied that it was shown that these evils were inseparable from the system, or that under a better administration it might be made useful to the community and beneficial to the convict himself. Sir James Mackintosh was in favour of this system. But it might be said that he did not possess sufficient acquaintance with the subject to constitute him a sufficient judge; but Sir James Franlein, whose competency to judge on this question, could not be denied, had expressed himself favourable to the prin ciples of transportation, though he did not bind himself to any specific plan ; and in one of his dispatches he stated that ha considered transportation essen till to the welfare of society. The Reverend Mr. Fry had put forward a similar opinion. As regarded the inferior appointments of the colony, a great mischief had been committed by under-paying those who held them. He complaiaed, too, that there had been a discrimination of the differing circumstances of diffe rent colonies. But the circumstances of the penal colonies must be taken to explain the origin of those complaints, which bad arisen concerning the governor of the colony. It ought to be remembered that it was determined all at once to discontinue banishment to New South Wales, and the whole tide was necessarily poured in upon Van Diemen's Land. And, again, the system thereof had not been administered in accordance with the spirit. Why, it was found out that the officers, to save themselves more trouble, for the night used to lock up the prisoners from six o'clock in the evening till eight o'clock next morning. This was against their instructions. How then could they expect the system so worked to work well ? That item being remedied, he thought they must further ensure an effi cient service of the inferior officer by better payment. From long consideration and experience, _he had come to the result, th a t suc h a s y s t em of penal settlement in the colonies might be established with the advantage which was contemplated in the first establishment of these settlements. He concurred that Lord Grey had acted blameably in abandoning the settlement in South Australia. He acted on a sudden ; on a sudden he recalled the Governor and ordered the settle meat to be abandoned. He was to blame also for statin g that transportation would in no future tim e be resumed. That was a question which he ought to have left open, stating no more than that an intermission of a period of years would occur. The Legislature of Van Diemen's Land had exacted a pledge that transportation would not be again resumed, and they had bound the home Government by conditions. That was not the relative 'position which the colonies and the mother country ought to occupy. The colony of New South Wales was established especially for a penal settlement—(Hear, hear)—and he thought, so long as proper care was taken that a sufficient admixture should be gained of the popu lation, it ought to have been continued as such. On those two points, Lord Grey was to blame, and he (Lord Mahon) felt strongly that the change was improper, and he must protest against it. Sir WILLIAM MOLESWORTII could not agree to the conclusions which the Noble Lord had come to. This question had two aspects. One was, whether the system of transportation was necessary or desirable ; and if not, what would they substitute in its place ? They had to consider if the present system should be con tinued; and if they decided in the negative, what they would offer in its stead. In answer to the Noble Lord he was prepared to prove that in every form trans portation was a bad system of punishment, and that alteration of it—no improvement that could be made, would render the system effective. In doing so, he would have somewhat to trespass on their time, but he claimed their indulgence in doing so. On a former oc casion, some few years ago, he was a chairman of a Committee which investigated this subject, composed of several of the leading Members of the House ; and the report of that Committee, unanimously agreed to, recommended the abolition of the assignment system. The investigations they made into the whole question, led the Committee to the determination they had conic to regarding the assignment of convicts. (The Hon. Btu - omit here read an extract from the report in i Tl tte esti e cri, setting fo r th th e groun d s on w hi c h th e Coni had come to their d ecision. Such were the views wby th e which had be en taken T ra n sportation Committe e, which the Noble Lord Ma h on ) would fain revive. Last year Mr. Gladstone, the Colonial Secretary, took occasion to ask the opinion o f th e G overnor of the colony of New South Wales whether th e y were desiroUsitO have a renewal of transportation. The matter was re ferred to the Legislative Council for their consideration, and he referred the Noble Lord, and those who thought with him, to the report which the Select Committee, to which the matter was entrusted, made on the q ues ti on . That report was, that on no grounds could they give their assent to a renewal of transportation. They declared that no conceivable modification o f th e sys tem ought to be main introduced int o N ew South W a l es. (The lion. M read an extract f rom t h e report, to the . 'stated, setting forth, in d e t a il, th e reasons t h e effect Commit tee had come to the conclusions why no renewal of the system of transportation was advisable.) The Committee said that these persons were not to be assigned to place s that were crowded, but that they should be dispersed all over the country, not in gangs, but separately, and thus it was expected that they would be able to gt.t rid of hundreds and thousands of persons. Now they - should be armed in order to defend their huts and flocks, and what would be the result ? Why, they would be an armed banditti prowling about the country, and no man or woman would be safe from the most violent out rages.—(Hear, hear.) They would thus secure a perpe tual wilderness where they desired to colonize. He re gretted that the Noble Lord did not go one Step :fur .ther than he had done, and had shown in a statement to the House the evils of the system. The Noble Lord, however, had taken steps in the right direction, but unfortunately Lord Stanley succeeded to office, who completely undid the good already effected. Lord Stanley greatly increased the number of depots for transportation. Now the probation system was intended to improve the drove and chain gangs. Now, he desired the attention of the House to this part of his statement, as he intended to prove the utter failure of all attempts to improve the system. The probation system was this— in the first instance, the convict was transported to Nor folk Island, and after a year's good conduct, he was en titled to be sent to a private person and receive pay ment for his labour. For the second year's good conduct, 'he was entitled to a ticket of leave. How did the system work? that it should do so well, two thin zs were requisite proper inspection, and power to entbre 'la obedience. Lord Stanley frequently com plained o f the utter want of information which existed upon the subject, and, after three years, he declared that it was im possible to obtain any that was satisfactory. This was rather an evident proof that the in spection wits by no means efficient, otherwise the desired information could easily have been obtained. When Sir. Gladstone succeeded to office he desired information from the governor of Van Diemen's Land, and in accord„ - .1-2,e with that wish several reports were ;submitted to the Government, all of which plainly proved the position which he (Sir William Molesworth) endeavoured to demonstrate.—(Hear.) He would not trouble the House with any further au thorities on this part of the subject. He predicted the failure of the system at the time it was brought forward, but his warning was disregarded, and the consequences had been most distressing. With regard to Norfolk Island, the systems of punishment pursued !here were of three descriptions, namely, cruel, indulgent, arid relaxed. Only the two latter, however, had been attended with any success, and, of late, he understood the Governor of Kew South Wales had been instructed to adopt a :system of extreme indulgence. From the best evidences he could collect, it was clear that the extreme indtrigeca system was the best ; it produced bete •r order am angst the convicts, made them more moral and ration al in their conduct, and induced them to feel more deeply the degrading nature of their situations.—(Hear, he ar.) The extreme indulgent system had been successfullii tested under Captain Maconochie, who reported that .t. l :Le punishment of transportation, where that system lira s adopted, always produced the best results upon th e moral character of the convict, while wh ore the cruel system was resorted to, the cons det became hardened and brutal, instead of awake', d to a sense of his degradation. Major Child gave simi' La r `testimony ; and in his reports upon the operation of t e different systems under his supervision, he related a number of anecdotes, strongly contrasting the benefic is I effects resulting from the extreme indulge n t system with the cruelties and atrocities whi el I were always attendent upon the cruel syste . At the expiration of those two years the governor c f Van Diemen's Land thought proper to inquire into t. 7) a condition of the convict population, but no informatics ht:Atlia)een given to hi m d ur i ng t h at per i o d w i t h re f erence working of th e measure ; and it was not unt i l et the e a nClof that period Lord Stanley awoke as from e trance and wonde d how his new system worked. Hi charged him, therefore,re quences of that nesi with neglect, with the conses of ee t t ii. with the hideous, horrible, and disgusting state cause he had not ings which now existed, be , proper officers to sus perintend the convicts, and areequire them to ma k regular report s to him. Aiderrvould refer t o t h e opinion of Mr. B aron raion;sl Leawo er im . given in tho appendix to the report of the C st o s m er i ro i u s Ts limners. That opinion was deservingHoletemthber4r the evidencethen attention of the House. (The ceeded to read various extracts from pro which he attributed the failure of the t his. Lordship, in sysb - ,-La of transportation to the want of proper discipline prior to the convicts bring sent out of the country.) He thought that the only proper and efficient mode or checking crime wa. - by granting a general and. wido-spread system of efficient education for th e : youth of the lower orders cf the people, and separating them from their parents. But the questio n before the House was, which was the best substitute for the present mode of punishment. He thought the solitary system was the best that had been devised for a threefold ob ject—that of preventing crime, preventing the demorali zation of the persons by associations with others of a worse character, and it also tended to improve the moral condition of the prisoner, by affording ample time for reflection and improvement. Punishment could not be looked at in a pecuniary point of view , because a good system of punishment, even though i t might require a larger outlay than a bad system. stil 1 the benefits to be derived from the good system to th e public at large, were such as infinitely to counterbalanc, the consideration of the expense. It had been said that the solitary system was one likely to affect the healths, sad impair the intellects of the prisoners. He did not THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, RAIL , VA commiTTEES. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY.) GROUP 111. The Committee met this morning at twelve; Mr. Vernon in the chair. INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. JUNE I.—Sir John Rennie, President, in the chair. 'rile paper read was an account of the iron barque Josephine, of Liverpool, by Captain Masters, who commanded her in the voyages she has made. 'file subject of iron vessels is one of great importance, and the use of that material in naval architeettire has been steadily progr. ssing since it was introduced for seagoing vessels by Mr. Manby in the steamer named after him, in 1821, and which was the only vessel that ever conveyed a cargo direct betwein London and Paris without trans-shipment. Sangaene hopes had been entertained of introducing iron vessels of war, but it appears from the partial accounts that have been made public of the results of the experiments at Woolwich and elsewhere, that the effects of cannon shot on iron vessels is more destructive than upon tisaber. The paper read was a plain and somewhat dry specifi cation of the construction of the vessel, which will however, when printed in extenso in the minutes of pro ceedings, be extremely useful. The main dimensions of the barque Josephine are :—Length over all, 99 feet 6 inches ; extreme breadth, 24 feet 6 inches ; depth of hold, 9 feet 9 inches. Register tonnage, 168 tons ; by old measurement, 221 tons. She was of a pe culiar build, differing from almost any other mer chant ship, being intended for service in the Mexican trade, and calculated to cross the bar of Tampico, add other impediments. She was entirely of iron, even to the bulwarks; and as she lay low in the water, draw ing 9 feet aft, and eight feet 8 inches forward, her ports were hung on hinges forward, so that they should act as valves, and allow the water to escape from the deck, and yet shut of themselves when she heeled over deep on her side. Her general rate of sailing was from 1 to 12 knots per hour ; she was very buoyant and very dry ; rising well to the sea. There was great capacity for stowing the cargo, owing to the absence of large projecting timbers. She was somewhat damp forward and aft, but was very dry in the main hold. There was not found to be any difference in the health of the crew from that of wooden vessels ; she was a little cooler than other ships, owing to her being so deep in the water, and the thin material did not retain the heat like wood. Thesi ti lron o n s Josephinea shills ex phear was,vi m e e e h n o e l% r a . e l v l y e r been d f o w u d th t v o a g r o t u v s e r e y o m f oul po zits, that which succeeded best was 1 barrel of varnish, 21 cwts. of best tallow, 40 lbs. black lead, 7 lbs. brimstone, 70 lbs. arsenic. This being ap plied hot, the iron having been previously warmed and paid with boiled linseed oil, appeared to have prevented foulness, as after her voyages there was little weed or grass, and scarcely any barnacle; but very slight oxida tion took place, and that only where the composition had been rubbed off. They were as much annoyed by rats as in a timber ship, nor could they be destroyed by any of the means adopted. 'lnc principal feature of the paper was that which treated of the local attraction of the compasses, which can scarcely be in an abridged form. It appealed that as long as the ship was on an even keel and perfectly upright, the compasses acted correctly, but in proportion to the listing over so was the derange ment of the magnet, for the local attraction being changed by the side frames and el,ck beams falling irit ( , new positions, this caused great variati , n in the ship': course, and it led to a conjecture Whether this may net have been the cause of the loss of the Great Britain, tre if her compasses were acted upon as much as th se of the Josephine, a deviation of six mil's and a half from her course might easily have occurred. Captain Masters suggest , d the hanging the binnacles complete in gimbles like the compass, in order to teei: always remaining verticsl, and also in adjusting the eempiteses that they should to tri- d in every position, a table of variation being male our. for every deem-, ot listing over. Th-: paper was illustrated by drawings ot the vessel and of her rigt,ing, which pt sieNsed euli aritics, end also by several tables for the corrections 01 the compasses. Cie paper annoucced to be read at the next meeting was " Oe the Expansion of Steam," by J. M. Heppe; Grad. Inst. C.E. LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH CO 6.ST (LONDON BRIDGE STATION ENLARGE MENT AND ARRANGEMENTS). Mr. Hill, Q.C., opened the case on behalf of this Bill, which is one of several schemes before the Committee for the enlargement of the London-bridge station. In the course of his observations the Learned Gentleman intimated that an arrangement had been made with the rival company for a joint Bill fur the enlargements proposed. They were opposed by the directors of St. Thomas's Hospital and the authorities of the parish of Bermondsey. After an explanation of the nature of the enlargements, and the necessity for them, the examination of witnesses was proceeded with. The Committee was engaged up till four o'clock in hearing evidence in support of the alterations and extensions of the station, in order to accommodate the great and increasing traffic of the company. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at twelve. At the monthly ballot the following gertlemen were elected :—Messrs. J. B. Clacy, J. Phillips, W. Slyce, and Captain J. L. A. Simmons, associate. GROUP VI. WILTS, SOMERSET, AND WEYMOUTH AMENDMENT (NO. II). The Committee was occupied the whole of the day with the cross-examination and re-examination of Mr. Charles Russell, the chairman of the Grcat Western, and with the examination of Lord Falmouth, the former on the financial condition of the Great Western Company, and the latter with the proposed accommodation to be given by Ithe Great Western scheme, to the districts west of Exeter. The Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow. GROUP XVIII. IVIANGOTSrIELD AND BATH. The Committee assembled this morning, at twelve o'clock —the Earl of Lincoln in the chair—when they proceeded to take the evidence against the line. GROUP lOC. This Committee met at the usual hour this morning. BIRMINGHAM AND OXFORD JUNCTION (DEVIATION LINES). The whole of the clauses in this Bill were agreed to, and the Chairman was instructed to report the same to the House accordingly. This closed the labours of the Committee. GROUP XXI. The Committee met again this morning for the purpose of recommitting the lIRIVIINitHAM, DUDLEY, AND WOLVER— HAMPTON (WESTBROMWICH BRANCH). The clauses were agreed to, and the Committee adjourned. GROUP XXIV. C3ESTER AND HOLYHEAD EXTENSION. The Committee assembled this morning at twelve o'clock ; Lord Ftendlesham in the chair. Mr. TALBOT opened on behalf of the promoters, anticipat ing the objections of the landowners who have petitioned against the line, and called Mr. Ross, the engineer of the Chester and Holyhead line under Mr. Stephenson, and who is at present the acting en gineer of the line as far as Conway, and who stated that the alterations had been planned by him. The deviations pro posed would principally affect a street in Flint called Evans'- lane, but the gradient would not be more than 1 in 132, and a much better summit would be attained. The next altera tion was between Dowlas and Abergelly, where the company proposed to go about 200 yards more inland, where in order to avoid the sea they would have to surmount a summit requiring gradients of one in a hundred on each side, and there would be an increase of the tunnelling to the extent of 250 yards, but the line would be greatly improved by the alteration. There were no valid objections that he was aware of, and the total expense would be 50.000/. and fear com panies, who are now acting iii concert, would have to be ac commodated by the new station at Chester. Mr. WORDSWORTH appeared for Mr. Jones Bateman, a gentleman who conceives that his property is likely to be affected, and who complained that an agreement which had been settled and engrossed had not been completed by the directors, and he therefore proposed to introduce a clause, which would in effect embody the agreement. Mr. Hong contended in reply that Mr. Wordsworth had no locus standi, as the agreement though not completed was not destroyed, and therefore there was no right for the peti tioner to interfere. GROUP XLV. .A.ACD PERTH. The Committee met this day in Room 28, at twelve o'clock ; Sir Denis Le Marchant, chairman. Mr. AYDREW it opened the case for the promoters of the Bill. The line, he stated, was 3G miles long; the esti mated cost 650,0001. It would traverse one of the richest mineral fields in Scotland, and would be of the greatest national importance, as connecting Edinburgh with the North. The line would be of great advantage to the die. tricts traversed, as its effect would be to lower the price of coal and lime, both indispensable articles for domestic and agricultural purposes. He contended that in consequence of an agreement entered into with the Edinburgh and Northern Company in 1845, that company should be excluded from appearing before the Committee. Sir Charles Adams was examined to prove the agreement. A long and desultory argument followed, Mr. Andrews contending that the Edinburgh and Northern, and the Stir ling and Dunfermline bad no locus standi. Mr. Whately re plied for these companies, and The Committee decided that the Edinburgh and Northern ad a right to appear, and that the Stirling and Dunfermline had no locus standi. _ Sir Charles Adams was then examined as to the minerals n the district. He proved that this country abounded with -oal, lime, and freestone, which could be worked if this line were constructed. The manufacturing towns, of which there were several, would also be greatly benefited. The Earl of Minto and Sir John Hope gave similar evi- The Committee then adjourned till to -morrow. ( .;0111MITTEE on PRIVATE BILi_,S (YESTERDAY.) LIVERPOOL WATERWORKS. The Committee assembled this morning, Sir J. Johnstone, in the chair, and proceeded to a further consideration of the clauses, every one of which is battled fur from a variety ol quarters. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE HOUSE OP LORDS.—(YESTERDAY.) The Committee met this day, at the usual hour, for the dispatch of public business. GLASGOW, DUMFRIES, AND CARLILSE RAILWAY, AND GLASGOW, PAISLEY, KILMARNOCK, AND AYR RAILWAY. The Committee decided that the promoters of this Bill had complied with the standing orders of the House. Similar decisions were given in the following cases : South Wales Railway. Vale of Neath Railway. Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway (No. 1.) Southampton and Dorchester Railway (New Forest Devia tion and Branches). Southampton and Dorchester Railway (Weymouth"Branch). Herne Bay and Canterbury Junction Railway. Norfolk Railway. Eastern Union and the Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's Railways Amalgamation. Inverness Gas and Water Company. Newry and Enniskillen Railway Act Amendment. Duffryn Llynvi and Porth Cawl and Llynvi Valley Rail ways Amalgamation. Kingston-upon-Thames Small Tenements. Ewell Rates. The following cases were adj - Jurned from want of proofs : Belfast Port and Harbour. Boston, Stamford, and Birmingham Railway (Peterborough and Thorney Line ). HOUSE OF COMMONS. UNOPPOSED BILLS. The following Bills received the sanction of the Chairman (Mr. Greene) : East of Fife Railway (Markinch Deviation). York and Newcastle Railway (Pelaw Tyne Dock, &c. Branches). St. Ives (Iluntingdon) Improvement. Bingley Improvement. Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester Railway (Ossett Branch, &c.) York and Newcastle Railway (Wearmouth Dock Enlarge ment). Leeds and Thirsk Railway (Eaglescliffe and Stillington Ex. tension). Kilmarnock Police and Improvement. Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton Railway (Leith Extension). PROMISE OF EARLY HARVEST. On Tuesday a fine full shot ear of wheat of the current growth was exhi bited in the Leeds corn market by a corn and flour dealer, who had gathered it on a previous day at a short distance from Leeds. EARLY HERRINGS.—The Sovereign steamer brought a considerable quantity of early herrings from the north, last week, which were re-shipped to London for Ham burgh, by steam. We understand the returns for the first parcel of herrings sold in Hamburgh this season, netted about ten pounds a barrel. Since then, prices eve declined to a point which barely yield a profit.—Aberdeen Herald. The plan for the adoption of a uniform penny re ceipt stamp, although hitherto neglected by the Government, is still urged in the City, and a petition en the subject has just been presented to the House of Commons. The existing tax possesses the two great qualities which invariably tempt to evasion, since, from its complications, it is no less incon venient than burdensome. In 1783 the estimated produce of the receipt stamp tax, as then proposed to Parliament, at the rate of 2d. between 2/. and 201., and 4d. for all higher sums, was 250,000/. ayear, and notwithstanding the fact of the tax having since been increased to rates varying from 6d. up to 10s., the produce in 1843 was no more than 174,755/. Taking into account the extension of business between these periods, the evidence is plain of some unfitness in the system, at least on its present scale, with the prevailing habits of business, and there can be little doubt that if suffered to con tinue without modification, it will rapidly fall into total dis regard. PROGRESS Or FRYER IN GLASGOW. — It is indeed raging at a fearful rate, and no sufficient accommodation is vet provided. Up till Wednesday, the 26th ult., there were 417 cases un the lines of the district surgeons of the poor alone. On that day there were 38 cases of fresh lines ! 'Phis simple statement carries its own tale. Since the above was in type we regret to learn that four of die Catholic clergy. men in Great Clyde-street are now laid up with fever, and amongst them is the Kev. Mr. Gordon, whom we had the pleasure of seeing officiate as chaplain at the Sunday Sun:, Kitchen a few weeks ago. Their unremitting attention to the poor, the destitute, and the dying, is no doubt the cause of so many of these truly Christian clergymen being laid up with the dire malady now so prevalent in Glasgow.— i that s a ' Gazette. - LORD CASTLEREAGH'S ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY To DAMASCUS, is to appear, we understand, in a few days. The attention which his lat,ly been directed towards the East, it is expeeted, will be increased by the publication of these travels, as the author's high position must have enabled hi:n to command facilities for noting whatever was most worthy of observation in the various countries through which lie passed, seldom, if ever, accorded to travellers. POSTPONEMENT OF THE TRIM ASSIZES —The judges have it under consideration to postpone the assizes ri s e trldelect thatio until the last week in Sept , mber or the first week in Octo °.pirTecheepGtso‘l'veirini Government has left the the usual question tim e. to be decided by their Lordships, intimating no opinion on the subject, and It is the ßb t a eCr i f The spread of fever,lilit, ofth e consequent danger of contagion, and the proba bility the assizes will be post ned Saunders's News- Letter.nt h i e n iuti July, s all th 7 make sday ( i t t ec a i l d m e d os thcpeorh postponing the cir cu i ts Post of Tuesday. until October.--Dublin EV"i"g PARLIAMEN TARY DIVISIONS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Coounons.j WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2. JUVENILE OFFENDERS BILL. (IN THE COMMITTEE.) First Clause (Persons not exceeding fourteen years of age, committing certain offences, may be summarily convicted by two magistrates, who may order that such person, if a male, be once or twice privately whipped) :—Amendment pro posed, to leave out the words privately whipped :" Question put, " that the words privately whipped,' stand part of the Clause." The Committee divided : - MAJORITY—AYES, 55. Adderley, C. B. Forbes, W. Mundy, E. M. Baring, F. T. French, F. Palmer, R. Bell, Matthew Frewen, C. H. Prime, Richard Berkeley, Craven Fuller, A. E. Rendlesham, Lord Bodkin, William H. Grey, Sir G. Sandon,,Viscount Bowles, Admiral Hamilton, Lord C. Scrope, G. P. Broadley, Henry Harcourt, G. G. Snaollett, A. Carew, R. S. Parris: Captain Somerville, Sir W. Carnegie, Captain Heneage, G. H. W. Spooner, Richard Christie, W. D. Heathcote, Sir W. Stanton, W. H. Christopher, R. A. 1111dyard, T. B. Trevor, J. It. C:ive, R. H. Hodgson, Ri c hard Tufnell, H. Compton, H. C. Inglis, Sir R. Verner, Sir W. Dickinson, F. H. Jervis, Sir John Yvian, J. H. Divett, E. Jolliffe, Sir W G. H. Waddington, H. S. Drummond, U. H. Langston, J. II.; Duncan, George Lygon, General MUSS. East, Sir J. B. Marshall, W. Pakington, Sir J. Egerton, W. T. Martin, C. W. Dugdale, W. S. Estcourt, T. G. Monahan, J. H. MINORITY-NOES, 7. Butler, P. S." Morris, David Williams, W. Cartels, H. B. Trelawny, J. S. TELLYI2. Fielden, John Wawa, J T. Wakley, T. Escott, Bickham Same Clause :—Amendment proposed, to leave out the words" or in the discretion of such justices shall, instead of such imprisonment, forfeit and pay such sum, not exceeding three :pounds, as such justices shall adjadge :"—Question pat, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause." The Committee divided:— MAJORITY—AYES, 30. Adderley, C. B. Hamilton, G. ♦. Rendlesham, Lord Austen, Colonel Heneage, G. Stansficld, W. R. Baring, F. T. Hildyard, T. B. T. Stanton, W. 11. Berkeley, Craven Hodgson, F. Tancred, H. W. Carew, W. 11. Pole Inglis, Sir R. Trevor, G. Christopher, R. Langston, J. H Verner, Sir W. Clive, R. H. Lygon, Gen. Vivian, J. H. Curteis, H. B. Martin, C. W. Waddington, 11. S. East, Sir J. B. Mundy, E. Miller TELLERS. Forbes, Wm. Palmer, Robert Pakington, Sir J. S. Frewen, C. 11. Prime, Richard Heathcote, Sir W. MINORITY—NOES, 27. Bailey, Joseph Harcourt, G. Somers, J. P. Broadley, H. Harris, Hon. Capt. Somerville, Sir W. Cowper, W. F. Howard, C . W.G. Spooner, Richard Dalmeny, Lord Jervis, Sir John Trelawny, J. S. Dickinson, F. H. Jolliffs, Sir W. H. Tufnell, Ileary Duncan, George Marshall, William Wakiey, Thomas Escott, Bickhana Maule, Fox Wawn, J. T. Fielden, John Monahan, J. H. TELLERS. Fuller, A. E. Morris, David Bodkin, W. H. Grey, Sir G. Scrope, G. P. Egerton, W. T. REGISTRY of BIRTHS and DEATHS DURING THE WEEK ENDING MAY 29. Deaths registered lathe week. Births registered in the week. Males 503 M a l es 628 Females ... 457 Females • ... ... 645 Total . , —960 Total ... 1,273 1 extentaiaaila gardens_t c h o is ructive A GOOD 13 -----. fi , sted to a cao7s:d--.. The rity of the winter) with already commenced their . spring are in a(adossliudagiv!slog whichth sheavvee of this vice, among vario P u lan e t g . ra. Mr.Geo der foliv,e and vegeta el b r le dea' u r n the , ten• ,the evenint - r in his garden some experiments, gspererandmis, ra .tit after 'loewing), about one inch in thickness. remains ofn inianight he went to the spot and found the About ; and grains I . iterally covered with snails and slugs sifting slaked lime over them he destroyed the whol y e experiment has become in general u•e, and so siiee T e s he fully that garckns are cleansed of these insects in a few s his. Courier. WEATHER AND CROPS IN AYR. SHIRE. It is gratifying to state that the weather has at last become auspicious for the growing crops. Vegetation, from the peculiar nature of spring, was considerably re tarded ; the later sown seed found cold and ungenial soils generally throughout the west country, and, conse quently, no great hopes were inspired for much progress of growth. Thursday may be noted the precursor o; summer. The thermometer stood high in the shade, and potent heat breathed favourably on every vegetable thing. Friday was most auspicious ; but Saturday broke in lowering and gloomy—the atmosphere was charged with electricity, and thunder was heard at in tervals among the hills. Slight showers fell in course of the afternoon—most welcome on light soils for the young plants. The wheat crop on good soils, in this district, presents a most promising appearance, baying made considerable progress within the last few days. Genial sunshine by day, and dew by night, have had a most beneficial effect on the oat and barley crops, which are very luxuriant on the lighter soils. The hay crop promises to be abundant. This, in itself, ' is important, and shows the fruitfulness of the season. Potatoes, we rejoice to communicate, are everywhere doing well. The plant is vigorous and healthy ; and the utmost regularity is perceptible in those fields in the neighbourhood of Ayr. Our correspondents speak cheer fully of the progress of this valuable esculent, and cite no instances of its deficiency in their respective districts of the county.—Ayr Observer. ALLEGED MURDER of a WOMAN BY HER HUSBAND. BRISTOL, JUNE 2.—Yesterday evening, at about eight o'clock, the densely populated neighbourhood of Jacob's kV ells was thrown into a state of consternation and alarm by a report that an Irishman, named Skinner, who worked as a journeyman nailmaker, and who had but re isi.o,o,ni fur Ir. if ym 1 re cently come to occupy an apartment at No. 4, Limekiln • l a ne, bad killed his wife, by throwing her from a second ;tory window into the street, a depth of thirty or forty feet. It would seem that the parties had not lived very happily, end that the husband had, a d a y or two before, b e aten his wife, who was a fine young woman of abo u t twen ty-eight years Old. Last night, a t about half -past seven o'clock, a brother of deceased, named Irwin, called tt her lodgings to see her and her husband. The sister nad complained to him of suffering trom wounds and bruises, and the husband on its being mentioned, said he had beaten her, which was what sho wanted. The brother remonstrated with him about b eat i ng h er , ant i said they had better separate at once rather than do nothing else than fight and quarrel. Words ensued, and the husband ordered Irwin instantly to quit the which he was about to do, when she cau•zht hold ,t h and said—" You shan't go—'or God's sake don't do he will murder me at once." The hus aattd insistt don turning him out, and a scufil• ensued, in the course of which the husband ran to a dresser in the room, end got a table knife, which he brandishea in a very menacing manner. Ira in broke from his sister and got out of the room, and hail got a few stairs down, when he halted to listen, and in a moment heard a great crash as of something falling. He went down stairs into the street, and the first object that met his sight was the bony of his sister lying on the ground. She was quite senseless, and bleeding profusely from her mouth and ears. Assistance was procured as speedily as pos sible, and the was taken up and conveyed into the house, but she only breathed once or twice and then died. In formation of the dreadful occurrence was immediately forwarded to the Clifton police-station, and the husband was at once taken into custody upon a charge of killing his wife. DEFICIENCY BILLS AND EXCDEQUER-BILLS.—Some returns moved for by Mr. Hume relative to deficiency and Exchequer-bills, &c., exhibit the following results :—The total amount of deficiency bills issued to the Bank of Eng. land was, in the year 1842, 19,170,266/. ; in 1843, 26,266,9571.; in 1844,17,857,1 0 7 1 . ; in,1845, 9,816,152/. ; in 1846, 4,762,319/. ; and in the quarter ending January 5, 1847, 727,483/., at the rate of 14d. per diem interest. The aggregate amount of interest paid was—in 1842, 85,406/. ;in 1843, 82,762/. ;in 1844, 26,215/. ; in 1845, 3,952/. ; and, in 1846, 1,407/. The total amount of Exchequer-bills outstanding and unprovided for on the sth of January last was 18,310,700/., the premium being Bs. to 12s. EAST INDIA STOCK.—Wednesday the Transfer (Alice for India Stock, at the Company's house in Leadenhall street, closed till the 15th of July. The warrants for the dividends payable on the above stock, due the 6th of July, will be delivered on that day, in accordance with the 11th section of the 3d ancf 4th William IV., c. 85. A NOVEL GRIDIRON.--A short time since, the labourers in the district of Ardagh, not being altogether satisfied with the manner of the authorities in providing them food, resorted to a most ingenious and prompt method of securing the attention of the rich to their wants. Having filled a turf kish with fuel from the nearest bog, they yoked an ass to it, and having accidentally stumbled across a flock of fine wedders, about a hundred in number, belonging to Mr. Kellett, of Barley-hill, they very leisurely commenced driving them away, at the same time politely informing him that they would take the liberty of having the loan of one of his nice iron gates, to serve the p ur p ose of a g ridiron. The bar s b e i ng crossed in squares, it would have answered beautifully, and, no doubt, between the gridiron and the mutton and turf, they would have contrived to serve up2a dainty dish. As it was, it required a great deal of persua sion to dissuade them from their benevolent intentions; but such was the impression the gridion left behind, that they have now a capital soup kitchen, where they get boiled, if not roast, at least once a day. —Armagh Guardian. A LONG RACE.—A mare of the hackney breed, belonging to Mr. Baxter, o f Dalston, ventured , on Frida y night last, to try h er speed against a railway engine on the Maryport and Carlisle Railway, selecting for that purpose the " Sir Wihrid," which was laden with a rather heavy coal train Haying scaled the fence which separates the paddock in which she h a d b een grazing from the ra ilway, as soon as the engine came i n v i ew s he started, and dashed f o rward in the true Yankee " go a -h ea d " style, occasionally e xhibitin g a lit. le playfuln ess , as if in contempt for he r rival's p ower of loco:notion. :She made no attempt to lea ve the line at the Curthwaite cr the Wigton station, or even at As p atria, where the" Sir Wilf r id " required the refresnment of a little water, and where she had a good opportunity of leaving the line by turning into the station -yard; but, as if determined to prove to the m os t incredulous the su p eriorit y of a Dalston mare to a locomotive of the M a ryport and Car lisle Compa ny, rived at Ma r yp ort very little the worse by her exertions, and beating the Wilfridsh,,essitrarted again i n ga ll an t style and ar rived ~ many lengths."—Car lisle Patriot. A COMM ERCIAL NOVELTY It is said that the celebrate d 3auker, Rothschild, has two cargoes of American flour on their way to this country, which are to be unloaded in the Birkenhead Dock, and forwarded by rail to London. These will be the first cargoes of the kind for the Chester and Birkenhead R 1 .o convey. It is also the first case al way i of the kind either i n Birkenhead or Liverpool.—Liverpool Mercury. 3U N E 4, 1847. LA W IN TELLI GE N. CE. HOUSE OF LORDS, June 3. The House sat to-day to hear English appeals. The Peers present were the Lord Chancellor, Lord Brougham, Lord Campbell, the Earl of Galloway, and the Bishop of St. Asaph. RANGER V. THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY. The further arguments in this appeal occupied their Lord ships the whole morning. VIOE-CHANCELLORS' COURT, June 3. (Before the VICE-CHANCELLOR of ENGLAND.) His Honour the Vice-Chancellor of England heard mo tions to-day, but no case of any public interest came before the Court during the morning. ROLLS' COU it I; June 3. The Court was occupied all the morning with motions which were destitute of a particle of general interest. LEAKS v. LING. The arguments in this cause, which came on upon an ex ception to the Master's report, were resumed ana concluded to- day. His LORDSIIIP said that the present case differed from all the other cases that had been cited, and he would require time to consult the authorities on the question at issue before delivering his judgment. It appeared to him that the cir cumstances of the case were simply these :—An estate was devised to certain parties in trust for the testator's wife, and it was directed by the will of the testator that after her death it should be sold. Out of the estate it was directed that a sum of 6,0001. should be raised, and a moiety of interest arising therefrom should be paid to the widow during her life time, and the residue to be divided into three parts, between two nephews and a niece of the testator. During the life time of the tenant, Robert Shaw King, one of the nephews, was desirous of raising money from the Norwich Union Company, who were parties to the exception, and who, before they would advance any, required to see the will of the testator, and saw that the property was subject to the charge of 6,0001., a moiety of the interest of which belonged to Sarah King, who, in order to facilitate the execution of the mort gage which Robert S. King was desirous of executing, agreed to release the property from her charge upon it, but she did not by so doing transfer her claim to any other party. A notice of the deed to which the lady was a party was given to the trustees, which, it was contended, was insuffi c.ent, as it did not set forth the particulars of the arrange ment which had been entered into by Sarah King. These were all the facts of the case, as they appeared to him, and he would look more closely into the cases that bad been cited. :BAIL COURT, June 3. (Before Mr. Justice Wicarrsurr.) MISS ELIZA COOK-THE QUEEN V. THOMAS WHARTON SHER.. DEN- APPLICATION FOR A CRIMINAL INFORMATION. Mr. MARTIN, Q.C., said he had been instructed to apply to his Lordship, on behalf of Miss Eliza Cook, for a rule, calling upon Thomas Wharton Smerden, the printer and publisher of a paper bearing the title of the Daily Advertiser to show cause why a criminal information should not be filed against him for the publication of a gross and malicious libel, reflecting upon the conduct of the lady ou whose behalf he made the present application. Miss Cook was a young lady of about 25 years of age, and of consider able poetic genius. She had written a number of poetical pieces, and had published to a great extent, and her effusions had been much admired by those who were in the habit of reading poetry. The matter to which ha was calling the attention of the Court, was to Miss Cook of the most serious nature, as she had been charged with one of the most horrible crimes that could be perpetrated. In the copy .if the paper, published on the 29th of May, there appeared a paragraph, which stated that she had given birth to a child, and that she had murdered it. Mr. Juslee WiowrmAN—Murdered her own child? Mr. A.LARIIN replied that the statement in the paragraph WAS to that effect.; out there was not the slightest ground ' for the charge. He had a number of affidavits, which stated hat Miss Cook was a person whose character was wholly free from reproach, arid that she had never been suspected of any impropriety of conduct whatever. Of course the publi cation of such a charge had caused Miss Cook and her friensis much anxiety. It was in the following words:— " ELIZA COOK—Considerable anxiety has been excited on I, e part of the public, who d.. u,,t read the poetical contri ba ions of the Dispatch, to know what really can have io cla •wd its proprietors to present their subscribers with a por .4..it of a woman who has murdered her own child. Such is fame amongst the masses—a murderess is a heroine and a poetess unknown !" He was at a loss to divine the object which the publication of such a statement was intended to answer. He had the affidavits of all of Miss Cook's friends, who, on hearing the charge, immediately came forward and gave the most ex plicit denial to it; but he would not trouble his Lordship by reading them, as it would be sufficient for him to state that they concurred in saying that there was really not the slightest ground to suspect that Miss Cook at any period of her life had been guilty of anything which could entitle any one to cast an imputation upon her private cha racter ; and that, therefore, both she and her friends were most anxious that the most public and distinct denial should be at Once given to so foul a charge. He understood, how ever, that his Lordship after granting the rule would hear no more of the matter, as the paper complained of yesterday published a statement denying, in the most positive terms, that there was any truth in the accusation which it had put forward, and to-day he believed some communication had taken place, which would, no doubt, tend to the same result ; so that any future proceedings would, in all probability, be obviated. ----- Mr. Justice Wianrrnaw—lrou may take a rule. The affidavit of Miss Cook—after describing her abode; that she had contributed a great number of original poems to the Dispatch; and that its proprietors were about to present their subscribers with a portrait of her—concluded thus ; " And this deponent further saith that she is a spinster ; that she never had or gave birth to a child ; and that, on the contrary, she is a spinster of strict honour and perfect chastity; and she further saith that she has never murdered, or been concerned, or charged to have been concerned in the murder or death of any child whatever." The following is the retractation to which the Learned Counsel referred : • .b "Tit DISPATCH,' AND ELIZA COOK.—It is with great regret that we find that a paragraph, meant more as an appeal against the taste of the English people than an attack upon Miss Eliza Cook, has been interpreted into an aspersion upon that la,ty's character. The fact that one Eliza Cooke, or Cook, had recently been executed for murder, and that we had heard the question asked by a friend, who was not over well read in modern poetry—what could have induced the Dispatch to give such a portrait?—led to the publica tion of the paragraph ; and, if a libel, we considered it rather as a libel upon the taste which was better read in the criminal reports of the journal than in its poetical co umns, to which a pointed allusion was made. W e can only say, in addii,ion, that Miss Eliza Cook has no warmer ad mirers of her genius than ourselves; and that it is with un feigned, regret we find that a possibility for such a construc tion being put upon our paragraph did exist. It certainly was unimeuti 'nal upon our part. With regard to any action for libel with which the Dispatch threatens us, we have only the option of being at their service when and where they will. If any moral damage has been done, we have made moral reparation to the extent of our power, and so the mat ter must rest." lIUNDEN •. THE DUKE OF BRUNSWICK. Mr. LuaLE applied tor a rule nisi in this case, on the ground that jud,ment had been prematurely signed. The taus of the case have repeatedly appeared in The Sun. The Court acceded to the application. COURT OF EX4-11.6QUER, Juue3. (Sittings in Banco.) WAKLEY V. cotur.. The Court was occupie t during the greater part of the day in hearing cause shown by the Attorney-General (with whom was Mr. Bramwell) against a rule obtained by Mr. Cockburn, for a new trial in this case, on the ground °I misdirection. The particulars have already appeared so often before the public as not to require a report. MIDDLESEX SESSIONS. TILE CASE OF DE sOUZA AND OTHERS. Mr. DOANE said he appeared on the part of the Society for the protection of Young Females, in the prosecution against Madame De Souza and others. The Learned AsSISTAIT-JUDGE inquired whether any of the defendants were present ? Charles Smith and Mary Davis, alias Stevenson, answered, when, Air. DOANE said, that under all the circumstances, he was not instructed by the parties he represented to oiler any evidence. The LEARNED JUDIE said, he recollected that the case was allowed to stand over from the last session, the principal offender having pleaded guilty, and been held to bail, to appear for judgment when called upon, in the sum of 100/., and two sureties of 501. each, in order that the Court might have an opportunity of seeing if the nuisance had been abated. Charles Smith then pleaded Not Guilty, as did Mary Davis, when, The ASSISTANT-JUDGE informed the jury, that as no evi dence was offered on the part of the prosecution, it was their duty to acquit the prisoners. A verdict of Not Guilty was accordingly returned. In the case of Catherine Ham and Mary Ann Brickler, the Assistant-Judge ordered their recognisances to be dis charged. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. GUILDHALL. Edmund Dugyins, clerk to Mr. Watson, a conveyancer, of llyer's-building , , was charged by Mr. Charles Lemon Greaves, a solicitor, of Furnival's Inn, with enforcing payment of his fee as a barrister's clerk by unlawful means. Mr. Greaves laid his charge as either an assault, an extortion of half-a-crown, or the stealing of half-a crown. Mr. Ballantine supported the complaint, and Mr. Horry defended the prisoner. Mr. Ballantine stated that his client went to the con veyancer's chambers to speak to him on business, and upon entering the prisoner closed the door, and refused to let him leave until he paid him a shilling. There being no such recognised fee, the prisoner raised it to half-a-crown. Upon another person coming to Mr. Greaves's call for assistance, Mr. Greaves held out some cash, and told him that he might take what he demanded,. 'out he would have t o answ e r it. E i th er because he wanted the money, or did not care what he did, the prisoner actually took a sum of 2s. Gti., there being nothing due to him at the time. He W,AS not at liberty to press the case as one merely of assault, but would leave it to the magistrates to say what offence had been committed. Mr. tlurry remarked that hi s c li en t h a d b e en already charged with felony at the station, and it would be better co state whether that charg e was now made or nut. Mr. Ballantine w i s h e d only to place the fact before the aldermen, and leave them to say what the offence was. Mr. Greaves then stated that he had been in the habit of going to Mr. Watson's eliambrrs, but he did not owe tiim or his clerk any money. On Monday evening . he ca:led at the chnnbers and asked if he could speak with Mr. Watson ? Without answering the question, the prisoner put his back against the room door, and asked him for a shilling. Witness replied he did not owe him a shilling. The prisoner said, " be d—d if you shall go out till you give me the shilling, unless you go out at VILA wii,dow." Lea,vii.g by way ~f the window would have been inconvenient, as lie must have dropped a dis tance of 12 feet. Witness called out of the window to some children, offering them a penny to fetch a police man, and witness then said, " You blackguard, what are you detaining sue for ?" The prisoner then, in a menacing attitude, said. "If you call me that again, I will knock your head through the wall." Mr. Besant, a solicitor, came to witness's aid, and in his presence he held out some money in his hand to the prisoner, and told him to take what he demanded at his peril. The prisoner took 2s. 6d. Witness would have stayed in the cha cabers all night rather than have submitted to the extortion, if he had not engaged to go to a dinner, which engagement he incidentally mentioned to the prisoner when he inquired for Mr. Watson. Mr. Alderman WOOD said the facts, as stated, would support either a charge of assault or larceny. Mr. lorry asked the witness if he had not delivered to Mr. Watson instructions to draw a bill of foreclosure in the case of " Greaves v. Godfrey." _ The witness said he had. Mr. Horry asked if he left the clerk's fee along with the papers? The witness said he had not, because the fees were not due till the work was done. _ Mr. Alderman WOOD said, there was this reason for not paying the conveyancer's and clerk's fee at the time the papers were delivered,—the solicitor could not fore see the extent of the work to be done, and the proper charge for it. Mr. Horry asked the witness if the prisoner did not ask for a shilling on account? Witness replied he did not. Mr. Horry asked if the prisoner had not called on him for the fees in this case? The witness said, yes, but only for the purpose of an noyance. Mr. Horry inquired, what he meant by " for the pur pose of annoyance?" Was not the money due ? Witness said, he meant by annoyance that he tried to insinuate himself into witness's room. Mr. Alderman WOOD asked how the prisoner would be relieved from the charge of assault if the money were due. Suppose it were due, he could not enforce pay ment by assault. Mr. Alderman JOHNSON asked, what was the custom with regard to payment of fees to barristers' clerks? Mr. Greaves said, sometimes fees were delivered with the papers; but the usual mode was, to pay when the work was done; and it had not been completed in this case. Mr. Alderman WOOD added, that generally the fees were allowed to run to the end of the term, and then paid off. Mr.l3allantine, to show that nothing was due to Mr. Watson at the time, put in an I 0 U for 11. 7s. 6 t 1 ., which Mr. Watson had signed on Saturday last and given to Mt. Oreaves. Mr. Hurry expressed his readiness to meet the ease at the sessions either as a larceny or an assault. The Aldermen consulted, and Mr Alderman WOOD then said, they would deal with it summarily as an assault, which they had power to do. and they fined the prisoner 405., or, in default, to be im prisoned for one inenth; and further, to enter into his recognizance in 101. to keep the peace for six months. Mr. Horry expressed some disappointment, as he should have been prepared to go further into the matter at the sessions. He was ready to give bad to appear at the sessions. Mr. Alderman WOOD replied, be theught it was a proper case fir the exercise of suintuary jurisdiction. The defendant paid the fine and was discharged. MARLBOROUGH-STRhET. A selicitor and a gentleman (understood to be tic uncle of the Hon. Henry Arundel, who was lately fined 51. for an indecent assault on an Itaiiati boy, an;i in ad •lition sent to prison for a month tor ae assault on a police-constabn..) enteref the Court on Wetine clay a is mentioned to M. Hardwick that an application h b. ea made to Sir George Grey, the Seca airy for the Home Dapastment, for a commutation of the sentence of itn erisonment on the Hon. • enry Arundel, and that this op stieation was now under cotisideration. The solicitor its° vrished to know how it haopened that the circum stance of the apprehension of Mr Arundel becatns known to a certain individusl whe made hi:, appsarance .n court, and wha took au aclive part in attempting to urocure an alteration of the sentence on Mr. Arundel. Mr. ItataDwreK said he could give no information on that point. Tie! police must be appliad to. He also said, in the course of canversstion, that the public, yard indeed the persons connected with the law, who mighr be supposed to know better, exhibited remarkable igno rance with respect to the powers vested by law in ma gistrntes in cases of assault. In all cases of ts,mmon as sault, however outrageous in character, or however re spectable the station of the accused, a magistrate was prohibited from inflicting a penalty higher than 51. New, as this penalty was found to be totally inad. quate to re press the taste for sush outrages on police-constables, the law was altered, arid a magistrate had power given to him to substitute a limited imprisonment for a fine. The exercise of this power has been found to prodhce salutary results, and it was generally resorted to by ma- , , aistrates, and this was the reason why he had inflicted this punishment on Mr. Arundel. Magistrates were frequently abused and vilified, and had all sorts of im putations cast upon them, because they had not gone be yond the law in cases of outrage, and inflicted a punish ment that the law did not permit. The applicants, after some further conversation, left the court. A military-looking man, who gave the assumed name of John Butler, -- was fined 51. for an indecent assault upon a boy in a public-house in Green-street, Leicester square. Theresa Duffey, a little girl about eight years of age, was placed before Mr. Bingham, charged with uttering a counter feit half-crown. Mary Truelove, No. 1, Gilbert-street, Oxford-street, stated that on the previous afternoon the prisoner entered her shop and requested to be served with a pound of the best flour, in payment for which she tendered the counterfeit coin produced. Witness did not at first detect it as being bad, and gave the child 2s, 3 1 / 2 d. change. Directly the pri soner had left the shop witness observed that the coin ap peared to differ in colour to the other money in the till. She, therefore, examined it, and found it to be nothing more than a E iece of pewter. She went in pursuit of the prisoner, and on coming up with her, taxed her with uttering the bald halt crown. Tlie prisoner denied all knowledge of the coin being bad, and said she had received it from her mother, who was ill in bed. Witness then gave her into custody. Louisa , Duffey, the prisoner's mother, denied giving the child the counterfeit half- crown. . In reply to Mr. BINGHAM, the prisoner said she was play ing with some other children in Bird-street, when a man came up to tier, and gave her the half-crown, with a request that she would go and purchase a pound of flour, and bring the change back to him. He also told her that if she was questioned as to how she came by the money she was to to say that she received it from her mother, who was ill in bed. Catherine White, an intelligent little girl, nine years of age s said she was playing with the prisoner, and saw a man give her.a half-crowisto fetch a pound of fluur. SLe should know the into again if sfie him. Mr. BINGHAM said he must discharge the child, as she had evidently been made a tool of by seine villain. THAMES. A tall and powerful man, Henry Jones Harrison, was charged with assanking and ee omitting Anne Fox The case was brought before the magistrate by Police sergeant Nicholas, No. 1. K, in ciaiseqitence or a corn inunication made to thit officer by Mr. Cleland, a sur• residing in Itatelff; that a patient of his was rri a .1 ) mg state from the effects of injuries she had received truer h.r husband. Nicholas inanedia eiv - took?-the pri• ,oner into custody. Harrison is a lah - ourer, and was rorinerly a police constable of the K Sarah Lice stated, that on SA.turd,y fortnight the pri soner came home very tipsy, after the witiicss had hewn to market, and quarrelled with Anne Fox, a woman with whom he c ,habit.ed, and kicked her on the stairs Fox immediately afterwards exclaimed, " Oh, Harrison, you have murdered me !" He then kicked her after she was down, and the woman had been ill ever since, and was now dying. Nicholas then put in the following certificate:— "I hereby certify that Mrs. Fox, of Dunstan-place, has been under my care for the last fortnight, with an inflammatory affection of the bowels, the result, as she states, of violence offered to her by her husband, a kick on the stomach, and from which I believe her to be in imminent danger. " June 2. "A. CLELAND, jun., surgeon ,Ratcliff." Mr. Cleland gave evidence in confirmation of his cur tificate. The woman was in the moat imminent danger. Mr. BALLANTINE gave directions to Inspector Bilson, of the K division, to proceed to the house in Dunstan place, and take down in writing any statement which Anne Fox might have to make in the presence of the prisoner, arid bring the case before him in the afternoon. Some hours afterwards the prisoner was again ar raigned in the dock. He was in a very excited state, and was made fully aware of his perilous situation. Inspector Bilson said he found the woman very ill in deed, life was fast ebbing, and the doctor said he believed his patient was in a dying state. He took down the statement of Anne Fox in writing, in the presence of the prisoner, and she afterwards signed it. Mr. Symons, the chief clerk, read the statement, which was to the following effect:— " Anne Fox, residing at No. 6, Dunstan-alley, parish of Stepney, says—On last Satur da y ni g ht fortni g h t the 15th day of May, 1847, between ten and eleven o'clock, the prisoner Henry Jones Harrison, withwhom I have been living about eighteen months as man and wife, came home very tipsy. He sent for some gin, part of which I drank, and part the prisoner drank, about eleven o'clock. No quarrel took place at that time, but on my returning between eleven and twelve o'clock, h av ing been to market, the prisoner looked me out of my room. I kicked the panel of the door, which I pushed out, and, putting my hand inside, let myself into the room. The prisoner jumped up, and made use of the expression, I will scrag the b--,' and kicked me in the stomach. I fell down by the room door, in con. sequence of the kick. After I was upon the floor, the prisoner again kicked me in the side. I then called out Police, and I said, lam a murdered woman.' Sarah Ince came up stairs to my assi , tance, and I asked her to go for the police. She left for that purpose, and a police-constable came into the room in a few minutes. stomach, m ach, is occasioned que ,y I did not call o n the constable to take the prisoner into ins inprisoner the on cus tody. I firmly believe that the illness lam now labouring under, v ringiolneeeof t viz he pains stion, as I was previous to that in good health. night Taken on the 2d of June, 1847. "ANNE FOX." Mr. BALLANTINE (addressing the prisoner) said—This ie the declaration of the unfortunate woman, and the doctor says she is dying. _ The prisoner buried iiia face in his haAs, and sobbed aloud. Mr. BALLANTINE—You may hold down your head, but your sorrow comes too late. Y, u may have kicked the woman to death, if she dies, as I am afraid she w 11; and I - commit you to prison without bail for a week, when you will be brought up again, most probably to be committed for wilful murder. WE J . 7 MINSTE R. Mr. Somers,l4.P. for Sligo, accompanied by three or hi lour•friruds, w,,Ateu upon Mr. brouertp, auheited assistance under the followirg circumstances:- - Pe Mr. Somers said, that on the previous evening a p named O'Connor, the son of a highly respectable towns man of the borough he represented in Parliament, came up to him in the lobby of the House of Commons, and called him a privileged swindler, a robbe r . and other opprobrious epithets. He also shook a st ick which he had in his hand, and placed himself before him is s mena cing attitude, Mr. Gossett, the Assistant-Sergeant at-Armi, immediately had the person put out. On Bfr. Somers subsequently leaving the House, O'Connor came up to him in the street, and repeated t he same offensive conduct. Mr. Somers said that be could with difficulty keep his temper, and he felt that unless the man wal restrained by the law, a breach of the peace must be the consequence. The person of whom he complained had, without the slightest reason, annoyed him for a length of time past in various ways, and it was the great respect that he entertained for the offender's father alone that had made him hesitate to take proceedings against the son. Mr. BaonEntP said that Mr. Somers could avail him self of either of two courses. He could t ake a wa rr ant against the offender for the intimidating conduct in the lobby of the House of Commons; or he might proceed against him under the Police Act for t he abusive lan guage in the street. M. Somers gave the first-named course the prefer ence, and a warrant was accordingly iQsued. HAMMERSMITH. Amongst the names of persons charged on the spying olive charge-sheet laid before Mr. W. F. Beadon, the magistrate, appeared that of Lord Viscount Neville of th e k 2d Life Guards, Regent's Park Barracks , charged wit° having broken a window at the house of Mr. 13arh414 hatter, Brentford- end, Isleworth. in at- Mr. BEADON inquired if the noble offender was tendanee? P Inspector Morgan, T. division, said he was not }. had been bailed immediately that he was brought to too sta A and tion, but ha not attendd. gentlen d who stated e himself to be an officer in the same regiment said he had attended for his Lordshipt: and had satisfactorily arranged with th e complainant" who had no charge to prefer. Mr. Barber having confirmed that stateme nt, is The bail book was then handed up to the inagistrh to mark with the accased's discharge, but Mr. BEADON demurred at doing sot, on they round t of the noble defendant had not surrendered in schargeo; his bail, and eventually the book was marked that recognisance soud be estread. Theground h l of the charge, te Mr. Barber informed on! reporter, was, that about a quarter past eight o'cloe.k._t the previous evening, as the Noble Viscount was drivlT a four-in-hand, on which were four other gent legi ;4 along the Great Western Road from Asco t, on Pass' d the complainant's house they discharged a sh" le w r ore standing. Mr. Barber pursued them throng oranges against a window at which his wife and child ford, h Brent ttora and gave information of the outrage at the Bret - io . station-house, when Policeman Ambridge, T 16 ' to stantly jumped on a horse and galloped after them Turnhain-green ; where, notwithstanding the P art o o k s hit ut him, and two said they were magistrates, b e t Lordship into custody. _ . MARKET NEWS.—(YESTE RD.A/./ Syn - rximtl.D.—.M ir ea A do T w HrblayA,ll2tit'BsEtoler/ 143; Clove.T di ro d t" ; 3 h / ea s v s y t , o a 4 t l b l a B r s e ; iy a s n glt t 4: l ,soti : do it n r a a r w y , p l r i ie tto 1/ 103 per lead. in : Clov er CIIMBE,LAND.—Meadow Hay, 21 8s to 3 • -5 ,,,,• f toe& ditto,Sup ly 3l t( s )l s er t a o bly i ECHAPEL.— sie a aa n nd d do wt S ra t H r d a ae w vd C ove r W HIT TO11 3 • ditto, 3/ 5s to 4/ 17s; and Saran', 1/ Gs to 11 103 per - A full average supply, and a heavy demand. ranam 11/I.A.YOLETO. ,_ kind of fA t SOUTH ALL, JUNE 2.—The sup dies of litaCH kol. trade on sale this morning was iole i rably good. 00 the w o ll to u121111.8153t0t01311 1241537 J. • the trade was steady at our quotations. .Beef. from 4s INF 5s 2d , Mutton, 4s 8d to 5s 8d; Lamb, 6s Od to 6s Veal, 4s 4d to 4s 10d; and Pork, 4s to 4s Sd per soldBllo. RomFottp, JUNE 2.—Prime Beasts, Sheep, and s__ irT3ely at tull prices. In other kinds of stock very little6rto doing. Beef, from 3s 10d to 58 2d ; Mutton, 48 100 ; 43 5s 85 ; Lamb, 6s 01 to 6s 101 ; Veal, 4s 4d to ? to cog' 305; Pork, 4s to 4s 8d per Sibs. Suckling Calves , 1 ,.,,,,0h 305; Quarter-old Store Pigs, 17s to 22 5; and Milch v with their small Calt; 171 to 19/ each. vat/A LEWES, JUNE I. —Beef, from 4 s 4d to 5s 4d • --, t o 4s 6d to 5s 10d ,• Lamb, 6s to 6s 8:1; and Vestl,4s 4s 10d per Sibs. A short supply, and a steady trade. Ni z WOATIII 11.26 .10 mE.A.D EN a It-S.A.*. will We had rather a dull sale here to-day, yet Pr ices .,,,, 40 mostly supported. Beef, from 3s 8d to 4s 8d; Alu t w'o2d to 5;65 ; Lamb, 6s to 6s 10d; Veal, 4a 45 to 5s 45; Pork, 4s to 5s 2d per Sibs, by the carcase. CORN AVERAGES. GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISII CORg „ t o For the Week ended June 3, 1547, made up from the Ret an urns Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns in EsglAnd per Imperial Quarter. 014 I WHEAT. I SAELET.I OATS. I RTE. I NEMO. PRICE .. 102 s bd 56s 5d 36s 3d 73 5 10d b9s 10d 595 The Duties on Foreign Grain are n ew suspended. THE ARMY SERVICE BILL, PROTEST OF THE MARQUIS OF LONDONDERRY, O•c_lo',.. Dissentient-1. Because an attempt to intr°".. oo limited service was first .proposed in 1713. The 59' 1 ' 4 or plan lasted two years, and was abandoned from i 5, total failure. It was tried, however, again in 11 . 0 , and continued to the end of the war, but was nut,. cessful in its operations during the American- W in 1 7' In later periods—in 18 06 —it was resorted to $ another form of periods of limited service ; signally and completely disappointed the expects' tions that were formed of the measure to obtain mor e recruits and a better class of men ; and in the midst t"' the war in the Peninsula much inconvenience and dill . ; order might have arisen but for the foresight ow precaution of the Great Commander—the limited s e ; vice men being then his best troops, who had serleu: seven or eight years, and who had a right to th it discharge ; and had not very large bounties been gin: they might have been lost to the army, and their 140" would have been most fatal. 2. Because, while it is most desirable to adopt leg i possible measure for improving the comforts hig hly social and moral condition of our soldiers , it is .1 0 inju , licious and inexpedient to attempt ex p ernol o (which are avowed as such), and which experimentsisiti4 tend to shake the good feelings noVe existing, athich discipline hitherto prevailing in the British army' . its never at any. moment in history stood higher fo r warlike achievements and admirable conduct. 3. Becau s e, while it is admitted from the very wb„ife authority, that the old soldiers of the British army is to it all its perfection and matchless excellencesten'ts tt manliest that the present Army z,ervice Bill Pr e o w ho, risk, and offers an occasion of losing the yea 131 % v ela' after their service of ten years, become the 13 3 °:___ In 30 able, and who may still be in the prime of life( l 7 to 40) for all purposes of hard fatigue and railitel "i t i s vice. It is, therefore, highly impolitic to ha s .e sr..,, se ut experiment, and far more judicious to retain tn regulations, which callow all soldiers, under a o'l%. dig' rid plan and with good characters , t o receive 607:d toe charge by the recommendation of their officers, Du decision of the Commander-in-Chief. sor ob . 1 ): 4. Because, as has been clearly a nd untin _OlO,O shown, great inconvenience must result to our illy La service from the plan now proposed , a nd esPeejrf oat the minutim of every regimental arrangement. red out , h o a n s d i t r hsaehami4tg) among t 7 a 2 7 0 11 0 b m e e i a n g,e m ut o nah r e i s t nit h a. s ac t eT o h s tn e e r ig v a e hr , tm a oy n ce d i: w sti e ho r en e E o sa r s a dt e e!, gree ib i f discontentat b e en wheni eeligibili ty bly ti colonies), d u n : :ton u operatton, and one- e in th e (our fll aver ' ag . e force s er v i ng —tube Iv o brought home, to mak c e .requent reliefs of corps at g difficult and inconvenience. )ad' s ai d further ihta rwgi f bbsseitirc:U eu ti 11 0 0 : 59:11: Finally, because the Government must either WO& most extr • eel aordinary confidence in themselves, or exP an unlimited confidence from if 'magi°. others, they that a measure of such magnitude, sanctioning chanc r e so hazardous and on such fanciful theories, and, sb o/ 1 ; shal t: this elareensmet lent measure; presents all, against the opinion of nine-tenths of the Britisl army, can be carried into effect without stronger s ll _,l m ore cogent reasons than have hitherto been advanc e, ' by them for these new experiments, under their Artni Service Bill, on the British army. Dmix, JUNE I.—Wind S.S.E.—Arrd. Camilla, Rii St. John's, New:Brunswick. BIRTHS. is tibia On the 29th ult., in Torrington - sq uare, AIM .&61" Turner, of a son. .c• a of On the 29th ult., the lady of Francis Heathcote , daughter. hill, the WO On the 30th ult., at Norland-square, Notting-hili, of On he Rowlad Berkeley, Es., of a 3012. the 30th ult., at Upper Eaton-etreet, Willmott, Esq., of a son. tg O a On the 30th ult., at the Vicarage, Titchfield, 11411' lady of the Rev. W. M. Fitzroy of . - A s fig Oa the 31st • ult., in-square, the wife eL '— Gruner, Esq , of a daughter. il l y terA' On the 18th ult., at Padua, the lady of "or --- r Mal R.A., of a daughter. t rait* On the 28th ult., at Kwernalls, near Lymingtou, ' the lady of R. Brown, Esq., M.D., of a daughter. f tho On the 29th ult., at Cornwood Vicarage, the wife 0- Rev. Herbert George Adams, of a daughter. the lady of rr- On the 30th ult., Lady Knighton, of a daughter,still-lforbrli; On the 31st ult., in Hyde-park-place, the lady ef. l obe Laurie, Esq., of a son. resi• On the Ist inst., the lady of the Rev. Sydney Turner, ~. dent chaplain to the Philanthropi c Society, St. George fields, of a daughter. E s - of On the Ist inst., the lady of James Du Buisson, (1., Wandsworth-common ' of a daughte r. t nn. the wife of a • On the Ist inst., at Par k- s t re et, Wink - - Bryant, Esq., of a son -----' MARRIED. , On the 31st ult., at S t. George's, hanover-square , tl) ir 0 Chevalier Charles Santi , t o Caroline, second daughter of s 11, Ferguson Davie, Bart. On the Ist inst., at Trinity' Church, Lambeth, Mr. Keb er ! Adolph Farmar, of Westminster -road, Lambeth, to Catbaral' Sarah, daughter of the late Mr. I. Bartram, cf , to Leicestershire. DIED. On the 2d inst., in his 73d year, Thomas Hurst, Esq' `'"." merly of the emine nt firm of Messrs. Longman and Paternoster-row. rt Ot. the 31 st ul t., the Right Hon. Sir John Beckett, aorta On the 19 th ult., at Rome, Lady Dudley Stuart, sew n, daughter of Lucien Bona p arte, Prince of Canino. On the 24th of Jan uar y , at sea, on board the Arabia, Eig tenant Donald Tulloch, Madras Army. On the 2 6 th ul t., at Carriglea, \Vaterford, John Odell, On the 30th ult. , F rances, wife of the Rev. Anthony kleri of Oriel College , Oxford. On the 3 1 st ult. , at Mickleham, Colonel Milner, late of the 18th Dragoons. On the I st inst. , Lieutenant-Colonel Elton, l a te of th s let Dragoon Guards, aged 63. Lon4on: k'rinted anQ rublislied by SILIIWO YOUNG, of pa cs Strand, I•rlnter, at T he o. I I_, st: and, In the Jr of The Somoy, in the County e hilddloses. ` j