The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-02-16 00:00:00

he interests of the whole empire would be best promoted by fixing a limited period —say two years, when the equalization should be carried into effect. This would enable the West Indians to provide an increase of labour, which was abso lutely necessary to enable them to sustain competition with those engaged in the cultivation of sugar in the east. The struggle at present was an unequal one ; it was essentially fettered labour against free labour. Parliament had not yet devised measures which would allow a free immigration of labourers into the West India colonies without the risk of inhumanity ; and the price of labour being thus enhanced artificially by restrictions of our own, some reasonable space, if not positive encouragement, should at least be afforded to increase the supply." . LOCAL NEWS The garl of Sefton has recently added fifteen couples of harriers to his excellent pack of hounds. A course of lectures to young men has been delivering in Glasgow, by ministers of the established church of Scot land and the dissenting clergy—first in the Tron Church, and afterwards in that of the Rev. Dr. Wardlaw. A similar joint course has also been commenced in Edinburgh, ad dressed to the same important class. These facts speak well of the harmony with which the different denominations in the north combine in the great object of the ministry, not withstanding their contentions on the question of church establishments. The directors of the Glasgow and Greenock Railway, with the cordial concurrence of the shareholders, have resolved not only to convey neither passengers nor goods on the Sabbath, but also to refuse carrying the mails on that sacred day, ;cd the governmenthas acquiesced in the refusal. The Glasgow, Paisley, and Ayr Railway CorrmLyll'ayeeometO a similar resolution to decline Sunday traffic. The duties received at the Custom House of Liverpool, in the year 1840, amounted to no less than four million seven hundred thousand pounds sterling, and yet on the accounts being subjected to the usual rigid examination by the proper officers in London, the only error found was under twenty shillings. Considering the hundreds of thousands of calcu lations involved in these accounts, this circumstance de serves to be made known for the credit of the comptrol ling department of our Custom House. Miss WHITNALL'S CONCERT.—That very charming lady and accomplished' singer Miss Whitnall, has announced, we perceive, a concert to take place on Monday next. This lady stands at the top of the profession in Liverpool, and we doubt whether there is a voice better than her's in quality, or of more power, out of London. Miss Whitnall is a clever mu sician. and iiasby study placed herself in theposition she de servedly nrolda. We he a brilliant , atteudance will bear testimony .to her merits. We shall try and find room for the programme in our next. Tan DISPENSARIES.—The report of the committee of these valuable institutions for 1840 will shortly be in the hands of the subscribers. We learn from it that - 50,108 cases have been relieved during the year, being an increase of 4,466 upon the previous year. The funds are improved since the close of 1839, but it is principally owing to the benefactions, which have been much . more corisideraGle than usual. The debt which a few months ago seemed likely to destroy the beneficial influence of the dispensaries, has thus been liquidated ; but we agree with the committee that an institution so extensive cannot be efficiently maintained by casual legacies, donations, or collections. Though there are between sixty and seventy places of worship in the town, only four have lent their aid for the support of these chari. ties. The introduction of the new poOl law into Liverpool will probably cause a serious loss to the committee, as the parochial authorities have hitherto annually contributed the sum of 500 guineas, and under the new act this large amount of support will possibly be withheld. We therefore beg to recommend these useful institutions to the public, and can not too earnestly call upon them to befriend, by new sub scriptions and donations, a charity so exalted and so deser ving of support. PRESCOT.—The poor of this town have been partially re lieved from the distress which the severity of the weather has occasioned, by the timely distribution of coals, blankets, stockings, &c., through the kindness of a few individuals in the town. Donations have likewise been forwarded to the vicar for the same humane purpose, which, together with the rev. gentleman's own most liberal contribution (for he is always the foremost in administering relief to the poor and needy), will go far towards mitizatinF the present suffering. The young -gentlemen at the Boarding School have, in the most laudable manner, subscribed among themselves the means of supplying more than a hundred families with two hundredweight of coals each. We trust this worthy example will be followed by the thousands of, young persons in our populous town, who have " enough and to spare." THE LATE FRANK HALL STANDISH, ESQ.—We are re quested, by Messrs. Gorst and Birchall, to publish the fol lowing particulars relative to this gentleman :—The late Mr. Hall Standish was the son of Anthony Hall, Esq., of Flass, in the county of Durham. He died at Cadiz, on the 21st of December last. He was possessed of his extensive estates in fee-simple, having succeeded to those at Duxbury and else where in Lancashire as heir at law to the late Sir Frank Standish, Bart., upon which occassion he assumed the name of Standish in addition to that of Hall. His Durham and Yorkshire property was devised to him by his father. By his will, dated in July, 1838, Mr. Hall Standish devises his real estates to certain trustees, to uses for raising various legacies and annuities. Many incorrect reports have been circulated with respect to these bequests, but it is unnecessary to trespass upon your columns by enumerating them ; it is sufficient to state that, though very liberal, they have all been much exaggerated. Subject to these charges, the estates are devised to the testator's own right heirs for ever, and, by ♦irtue of this limitation, devolve upon the testator's secpnd cousin and heir at law, Wm. Standish Carr, Esq., of Cocken Hall, in the county of Durham, who, in obedience to a stipula tion contained in the will, has applied for Her Majesty's sanc tion to assume the sirname and arms of Standish of Duxbury. Mr. Hall Standish bequeaths his valuable collection of pic tures and library of books to his majesty the king of the French ; but, in justice to his memory, we feel called upon decidedly to contradict the assertion that he offered his pic tures to the government of this country, as an inducement for the revival, in his person, of the extinct baronetcy. Not only would his high sense of honour have prevented his en tertaining such a design, but the fact is. that the bequest to "asei king of the French was contained,-not only in the present, but in the previous will of Mr. Standish, made so long ago as the year 1831, and we have reason to know that he never contemplated its revocation. Neither is it correct that Mr. Hall Standish was descended on the mother's side from the Standishes of Duxbury. On the contrary, his mother is in no way related to, , or connected with, that family. And, lastly, it is equally untrue, that the family of the Halls has become extinct ; so far from that being the case, there are many members of it now in existence. POCKET - PICKING.—Bernard Callan was placed at the bar of the police-court, on Saturday last, charged with having picked the pocket of Mr. Alfred Bower of a silk handkerchief. It appears that, about twenty minutes past six o'clock, on Friday evening, Mr. Bower was walking, with a friend, in North John-street. He had a silk handkerchief in the right hand pocket of his coat. He had, when passing Towers's coach-office, felt something touch his pocket, which induced him to thrust his handkerchief further down. He had also passed the prisoner and another person. He had not pro ceeded fifty yards when he missed his handkerchief. He turned immediately and collared the prisoner, who dropped the silk handkerchief behind him. Mr. Bower picked up his handkerchief, and he and his friend conducted the prisoner into Castle-street, where they delivered him into the custody of police-officer Prescott, No. 3. The prisoner denied the charge, but was committed for trial. WARNING TO DISORDERLY CAR-DRIVERS.---TWO car drivers appeared before Mr. Rushton, on Saturday, one of whom (Harrison) charged the other (Gregory) with having assaulted him. Harrison stated, that he was on the stand, in Clayton-square, and stood the last in the line. The car immediately before him was driven out, and another was going in to take its place, when Gregory, who wished to bring his car into the line, rushed forward, seized Harrison's whip, and began to beat his (Harrison's) horse to force it forward. He (Harrison) tried to prevent this, upon which Gregory set upon him and beat him very severely, knocking hiin down and disfiguring his face. The magistrate desired Gregory to put any question to Harrison respecting the tes timony which he had given. Gregory asked Harrison if he did not call another person to fill up the vacant place, in order to deprive him of his turn. Mr. Charles Wilkins, bar rister, said he saw the whole transaction from a window of one of the hotels, and it appeared to him that Harrison cer tainly called to another car-driver to go and fill up the vacant place. Gregory immediately seized Harrison's whip, and began to flog his horse most unmercifully, in order to force it up into the place which another man was taking. As Har rison resisted this, Gregory struck him, knocked him down, and used him very severely. Gregory called Thomas Roome as a witness in his behalf, Roome stated that Harrison ought to have filled up the vacant place himself, and he would thus have left a space for Gregory's car. He, however, called to another person, upon which Gregory stepped forward to enforce his right. He was endeavouring to place Harrison's car in the proper situation, when the latter seized his whip, which was loaded with brass, and knocked him down with it. Mr. Wilkins said this witness (Roome) was one of the active instigators of the affray. He urged Gregory to proceed as he had done in abusing Harrison. Mr. Rushton said he was sorry the information had not been laid for cruelty to the horse. He had more trouble with the car-drivers of Liver pool than any class of persons whatever, except the thieves. He would try if it were not possible to get a better behaved class of men as car-drivers. From that day forth lie would order a record to be kept of their conduct, and, if lie found them repeating these offences, they should be deprived of their licenses. This was a very brutal assault, and the de fendant must pay a fine of 40s. and costs. Defendant—" I will 'appeal against 'Mr. Shuttleworth--" There is no appeal in this case." LIVERPOOL SHIPWRECK AND HUMANE SOCIETY.—At a meeting of the committee, held in the Underwriters'-room, on Wednesday, the following rewards, &e, were voted to the captain and £2 to each of the crew of the Point of Ayr life-boat, for rescuing the crew from the Ann of Whitehaven, wrecked on West Hoyle, 31st December, 1840 ; and a fur ther sum of £2 was also paid to the captain of the life-boat for expenses. The gold medal of the society was awarded to Capt. C. Symonds, of the brig Plumstead, a silver one to the mate, and £2 each to each sailor that manned the boat, and succeeded, after several attempts, in taking off the cap tain and crew of the French brig Tropique, from Bordeaux to Masatlan, from their vessel, which was fallen in with, in a disabled state, on the 15th Nov. 1839, o ff C ape H orn. Th e King of the r ench, on hearing of it, caused a gold medal to be transmitted to Captain Symonds. The silver medal of the society and ten guineas were voted to Edward Wilson, the young sailor who so gallantly exerted himself a short time since, in endeavouring to rescue three boys that fell through the ice into Wavertree lake. The gold medal of the society was also awarded to Mr. Charles Duncan, formerly an officer on board the steam-ships Liverpool and President, and now mate of the steam -ship Britannia, for his gallant conduct in July last, in jumping overboard from the President, and sav ing two men from being drowned in Kingston harbour, and also for a similar display of intrepidity, by which he suc ceeded in saving the life of a man that fell overboard from the Liverpool, during a gale of wind in the Atlantic. Twenty guineas were given to Captain Evans, R.N,, of Fishguard, towards defraying the present and future expenses of a life boat, which he built and supports almost entirely from his own funds. Several small sums were awarded for various services. --..... ••••••,100 PETITION FOR A SECOND PATENT THEATRE FOR LI VERPOOL.—We hear that there are already upwards of 2000 names—includin g many of the most resp ectable io town—at. tubed to this petition. We understand it will pray her ma icrey to grant a patent for a second theatre - r o y al in Liverpool, 31 trust to some leading gen tl e men, on behalf of the commu- IsitY, with power to transfer it to some deserving person, on condition of the payment of an annual,sum for the benefit elected fr om P , Ii the public charities of the town, such sum to be hereafter lazed upon between the parties. Should her majesty be grant the petition, Mr. Raymond will no doubt be well rom his strong claims upon the play-going public, as from in the . fact of most of the signatures having been will new theatre blend T)mpliment to him alone. This arrangement, which Mr, i a na charity with amusement, is, we believe, entirely Ra ymond's own suggestion. Should the erection of a capable of no t be Li ver i s altogether rendered great improvement, and no doubt may be worthy th street. The she ets of cognomen of Theatre-Royal, Church highly Expectable of the petition are filling up fast with by the Earl of Sef i t unies. ...... inbi : n !'riday evening, it was signed on, Lnd it ere is to the point, serva- tuous rig the m her ye his ; but tdvan- e acts knew, nd te d pro il and lucted re not bjects. ed at- )f that of the air R. worth ioura- 1 poli e reli- e all- he has ble to of the nciple Li- Lite- versial ecting t, and v well iappy, trans- m the louse .e also not in t false * dis- [at the a doc- ncy of ly the office, )rding •ength I pro intend Lich is I pre- t, and : same 1 doc- not in imons iely a* ,everal pert)', y sur ,—for V/ in- !eding corn- t rea-.. ) mid- e fact ediate asked mentS ate of o cul- negro rse of bour ; ly re trials jected :e has 8 was " free ey are ne lic at )11 the le ad- im- to the call uch a Endia, ke ge- ) the serve, stion, as if !rests CHRIST Cffuneur Solo°Ls.--Trvo most admirable ser mons were preached in Christ Church on Sunday last—in the morning by the Rev. F. Ould, and in the evening by the Rev. H. M'Neile—in aid of the funds for maintaining the very valuable and efficient schools in the district of that church. The amount of the united collections was .E 96 16s. THE RocK HARMONICON.—In consequence of the very numerous attendance at the Music Hall on Thursday last to hear this instrument, another performance will take place on Thursday. The performance was frequently honoured with applause. Mr. Davis's execution is really astonishing ;he has quite given a new feature to the instrument. STEAM Snip COLUMBIA.-It will be remembered that some little time since this steamer was reported as having sustained some slight damage in her machinery, but the in telligence was very vague and unsatisfactory. We are now, however, glad to allay all fears with respect to her, as it will be seen from our American intelligence that the Columbia has arrived at her destination; and, we are happy to add, with her machinery, and every thing else, all " right and tight." How the report originated it is difficult to conjec ture, unless upon the grounds suggested at the time, but we can state confidently that there never was the slightest foundation for such a rumour. TRADE OF SUNDERLAND.—The gross custom revenue for this port, for the year 1840, is nearly £120,000, being £BOOO over that of 1839. In the latter year the number of vessels belonging to Sunderland was 836, with a measurement of 170,057 tons ; at the close of 1840 the number was 927 ves sels measuring 190,129 tons. It may be interesting to some of our readers to know, that the tonnage of Sunderland is now exceeded by only three ports, namely, London, New castle, and this town. By a parliamentary document pub lished in 1828, it appears that the shipping then belonging to Newcastle included 928 vessels, or 194,712 tons ; and that Liverpool possessed 749 vessels, or 149,070 tons. It seems from this, that Sunderland is only abut 12 years " astern" of Newcastle in shipping, and considerably " ahead" of the Liverpool of 1828. MR. WEBBE'S CONCERT.—On Thursday evening last a concert was given, in Lassell's room, Great Richmond-street, as a tribute of respect to Mr. S. Webbe, upon which occa sion Miss Whitnall, Miss Leach, Miss Stott, Miss Ham mond, Miss Aldridge, Miss E. Hamilton, Mrs. St. Albin, Messrs. Dodd, Davies, Stott, &c, and many others, too nu merous to mention, contributed their services. Mr. Aldridge was leader, Mr. Herrmann having been called from Liver pool unexpectedly. The music selected was entirely En glish, chosen with good taste, and all parties, both vocal and instrumental, acquitted themselves well. Mrs. St. Albin's piano -forte performances were executed as usual, in the best style. The room was quite filled with a fashionable audience, who were highly pleased, if we may judge from the repeated encores--with which each piece was received. ALLEGED ROBBEEY OF A £lO NOTE.—At the police court yesterday, a female, named Catharine Holmes, was placed at the bar, charged with having sttenvted to pay a £lO note, suspected, to . be one of the antes receAfsiolen 'from - the person of a com - mercial gentleman ' in Gill-street. Mr. Joseph Shakesiraft, grocer, of Whitechapel and Para dise-street, stated that on Saturday afternoon, between three and four o'clock, the prisoner called at his shop and was served with groceries, to the amount of 2s. 3d. She pre sented a £lO note in payment, and at his request she put her name at the back of it, stating further, that she livecrwith her husband John Holmes, in Hanover-street. She was desired to wait a few moments, and in the mean time he went out to make some inquiries respecting the stolen notes. On his return he found the prisoner was gone, and had taken the note with her. In answer to Mr. Rushton the prisoner said that she picked up the note in Church-street, the previous night. She was remanded till this day (Tuesday), in order to produce the attendance of the gentleman on whom the robbery was committed. CLOSING OF THE AMPHITHEATRE UNDER MR. EGER TON'S MANAGEMENT.—The Amphitheatre closed on Friday night, under the management of Mr. Egerton, after a brief, but, we believe, highly successful season. Since Ducrow seceded from the management of this establishment, it has fallen into disfavour with the public, owing principally to the worthless or incompetent persons by whom it has been con ducted. Mr. Egerton, has, however, re-established its respectability by his spirited and judicious management. The performances on Friday night were for the benefit of Mr. W. J. Hammond, at the close of which that gentleman delivered the following farewell address :—" Ladies and Gentlemen : Having very unexpectedly received notice to quit, with heavy hearts and sorrowful faces we pack up our baggage and sound a retreat. The law bids us depart, like the Ghost in Ham let,' to a more removed ground.' The law is sometimes called the perfection of reason '—the offspring of justice! It must, however, be confessed, that for such a beautiful parent the law has sometimes very ugly features. Now the law, that has warned us from your presence, has a particu larly ugly look ; for it drives us from a scene of pleasurable profit, and prevents the exercise of our powers for your amusement, and our own support. It is, however, useless to complain of the acts of individuals : we must endeavour to amend the law that gives an unjust and useless monopoly to one theatre. We must petition parliament—not for ano ther patent—oh, no—that is a small kind of liberality, ad mitting only another party to a share in injustice, to a part and portion of the spoils. We must have a free tade in the drama: and in the determination to labour unceasingly until such justice shall be done for us, we bid you for the present a melancholy, although a grateful, farewell."--Mr. Cooke, it will be seen by the advertisement, keeps the Amphitheatre open with his capital equestrian company. DISTRESS IN THE TOWN TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SIR,—As every legitimate means should be used in endea vouring to raise funds towards the relief of the distressed poor at this time, would it not be well (in addition to other means) to get respectable tradesmen, in as many streets as possible in the town, to receive subscriptions, having a large placard on the outside of their shops, thus—" Subscriptions, however small, received here towards relieving the urgent wants of the distressed and perishing poor" ? I would say " however small," as I fear, were that not stated, many would be deterred walking in to put down their sixpence or shilling, while there are thousands, I hope, who would gladly avail themselves of such an opportunity of lending a helping hand. All our large collections are made up of small sums, and every facility should be given to parties willing to give, but who might not think of it if not brought prominently before them.—l beg to remain, sir, your obedient servant, JOSEPH CRISP. 38, Church-street, 11M February, 1841... ELECTRO MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. SIR,—I beg leave to correct two mistakes in your report of the Electro Magnetic Telegraph, exhibited at the Royal Insti tution, on Tuesday, the 9th instant. It states that the wire used in it was more than half a mile in length, and that Mr. Danson (should be Dancer) was the maker. It may perhaps be interesting to those that were present on that evening to know that the quantity of wire used in the construction of the model exceeded one mile and a quarter in length, all of which is covered with cotton, to prevent metallic contact, and that the voltaic electricity performed a circuit of half a mile each time a single letter was pointed at by the magnetic needles.—Yours, respectfully, J. B. DANCER, Optician. 21, Pleasant-street, Liverpool. BRITISH MACHINERY TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Stn,—lt is the indispensible duty of some intelligent mem ber of parliament to " move for a return of all articles of British machinery exported during the last seven years, also for a return of the annual amount of cotton and woollen goods exported during the same period." Such returns are called for in order that the legislature may arrive at a sound and correct conclusion as to the propriety and national policy of giving to other nations the immense advantage of our un rivalled inventions in machinery. Unto the almost incalcu lable aid afforded to manufactures by the superiority of our mechanism, we have hitherto been enabled to compete with foreigners, notwithstanding the vast advantages they possess in cheaper food, lower wages, and fewer taxes. It is that has maintained our commercial pre-eminence and the ship ping interest, so essential to the nursery for seamen, on whom mainly depends the protection of the honour and safety of the empire, and it is that alone that has supported our vast and increasing population. Unto the exportation of British machinery may be undeniably attributed the rapid ex tension of manufactories for cotton and woollen goods, iron woorks, &c., in the United States, France, Germany, Belgium, Swit zerland, and other countries ; and that is doubtless one great cause of the decrease of orders from the United States dur ing the last year. Many writers are loud and violent in their demand for free trade in corn. Let us inquire if Great Britain will derive the advantages so loudly asserted. Will Poland take our goods for their corn ? No ; they will continue to accept only our gold : the cheaper productions of Germany suffice their wants. Or will the Americans agree to receive the produce of our manufactories in exchange for their grain ? On the contrary, they are encouraging and supporting their own ris in& manufactures. Yet let us encourage the hope that the day is far distant when the foreign demand for our goods falls off, and when the rich manufacturer withdraws his capital from business no longer successful. Then will deep commiseration arise for the working classes, who will then, and only then, have real and substantial grievances to complain of in the want of employment,--Your's, &c., L. Newcastle-on-Tyne, 9th February, 1841. EAST SURREY ELECTION. The poll was opened on Thursday last, exactly at 9 o'clock, when Mr. Antrobus took the lead, which he maintained throughout the day, and at the close of the first day's polling the numbers were as follow : Antrobus (conservative). Alcock (radical) Majority for Antrobus, The poll was continued on Friday, when Mr. Antrobus was returned by a triumphant majority. At the close the following was the state of the poll : Antrobus 2652 Alcock. Majority for Antrobus 1214 At the nomination considerable disapprobation was mani fested with the decision of the under-sheriff, who gave the show of hands in favour of the radical candidate, though the majority were manifestly in favour of his opponent. A cor respondent of the Times suggests, however, th a t th e d ec i s i on was legally correct, and gives the following as his reason ; " The under-sheriff was bound to decide upon the show of hands; now the show of hands was decidedly in favour of the radical—if the question had turned upon a show of gloves, undoubtedly that was five to one in favour of the conservative." MURDER. NEARBIRTBY PARS. - (From a Correspondent.) —We have the melancholy task of recording another murder arising, we have too much reason to believe, from the unprincipled and lawless poachers. It appears from an investigation before magistrates and by the coro ner's inquest, that Henry Huskisson, Henry Eames, Robert Saley, and John Adey, four working colliers, on Thursday evening last left a place of rendezvous at Newhall about eleven o'clock at night, to shoot some hares upon the Earl of Chesterfield's estate near to his lordship's park at Birtby ; and that Robert Harvey, an assistant-keeper, with a night-man, came in view of these men. The four men separated, and so did Harvey and his companion, to meet them at certain points near to his lordship's preserves. The night-man came in contact with one of the party who had a gun, and he chased him some distance without taking him ; and it appears that Harvey chased two others, one of whom had a gun, and that near to a plantation he seized one, and had a struggle with him, and that during the conflict the man who had a gun ran up to him, and shot him dead upon the spot. The night-man having heard a gun fired and not having seen or heard anything of Harvey, went in search of him, and found him shot through the heart; and so near must the person have been who fired the gun, that the wadding set fire to the clothes of Harvey, which were burning upon his body at the time he was found. This hor rible affair has undergone the fullest investigation before Sir Oswald Mosley, Bart., and A. N. E. Mosley, Esq., two ma gistrates for the county of Derby ; and it is satisfactory to us to state, that the four men are fully committed to Derby gaol to take their trials for the milder of Harvey at the next assizes.—London Standard. Grand Total .. 11,503 6282 17,785 Miscellaneous Cases (in addition to the above) heard before the Magistrates during the year : Informations, for penalties Assaults, by summons .... For damage to property, by summons Against pawnbrokers, by summons .. Against apprentices, by summons .... By seamen, for wages, by summons .. Against benefit societies, by summons. For unlawfully pawning, by summons For detaining a stolen dog, by summons For threatening violence to the person, by summons Masters against handicraftsmen, by summons .... Complaints under ships passengers' act, by summons Detaining effects of seamen, by summons Detaining ships' registers, by summons Complaints to recover possession, under the small 100 tenement act Information, for Excise penalties 62 Ditto Ditto 20 Recruits attested 828 8,296 1,362 173 121 167 224 Applications (average 15 daily) The following is an account of business transacted for the Parish : Complaints by overseers against persons for re fusing to support their parents, whereby 2 they become chargeable By overseers, for non-payment of poor-rates.... 619 Ditto, for orders of Irernoval of paupers 1 109 to parishes in England Passes of Irish and Scotch paupers .. 3091 Orders in bastardy Complaints against parties for non-payment of } 1568 watch and sewerage rates - 5,471 39,240 An abstract of the accounts of Ellis and Shuttleworth, the clerks to the magistrates, with the Treasurer of the Bo rough Fund of the Borough of Liverpool, from Nov. 1, 1839, to October 31, 1840 : By cash received for fees, and paid over to 1 £2,383 1 6 3 the Borough Fund By amount of bills, for business done 1,357 4 6 Less salaries, selves and clerks, printing, stationery, law stationery, advertising, and all other expenses J 03,741 0 9 Balance in favour of the Borough Fund 2,068 14 6 £1,672 6 3 * This disparity with regard to the sexes, as compared with the offenders in other—and particularly Manufacturing —places, probably may arise from the general want of em ployment for females in a maritime town, and the allurements to which they are consequently exposed. A GLANCE AT THE POLITICS OF THE WEI3K. (From our London Correspondent.) The subjects which have this week occupied the attentiore of parliament, although productive of no decided results as regards the relative position of the two great contending parties, have yet not been unimportant. The ministerial measure for prolonging the existence of the poor law com mission, and increasing the already too extensive powers, by which the Somerset-house triumvirate are enabled to " grind the faces of the poor," may, I fear, be considered as already carried. Some alterations may perhaps be made in the bill when in committee ; but there is little hope that an important amelioration can be gained in the working of the law, by any thing short of the destruction of the absolutism at present vested in the commissioners, and which it is obvious that the ministry are resolved upon perpetuating. As an instance of the cold-blooded philosophy of its I ni nisterial advocates in the House of Commons, I cannot re frain from calling the attention of your readers to a few r marks which fell from Lord Howick, and which occupy a prominent position amidst the general mass of heartless sen timent, emanating from the whig party during the debate. It was urged upon the house by Sir Edward Knatchbull, as an. instance of the unfeeling principle upon which this malthu sian measure is at present worked by the Somerset-house trio, that the guardians of a parish in Kent had been refused the privilege of saving from utter starvation, by the admi- nistration of temporary out-door relief, a number of their in dustrious poor who, during the late severe weather, were un able to pursue their ordinary argricultural employments, and. consequently deprived of the means of providing for the pressing wants of themselves and their families. And what was, in substance, the reply of the utilitarian lordling ? Why, that the utter impenetrability of the poor law commission ers to any feeling resembling humanity constitutes the very essence of the system. The starving to death occeasionally of a few men, women, and children, will afford a useful les son to the labouring poor of the necessity of encouraging habits of provident saving, and of laying up n store for such emergencies as the one in question ! Upon the same princi ple the charity which has been so humanely administered in Liverpool during the last month should have been withheld, and its recipients lacerated into the acceptance of the corn- forts of the union &utile (not the Liverpoo 1 Workhouse), unless they should have preferred to die of starvation in a ditch, or to earn, by the commission of crime, the compara tively humane shelter of a prison. But enough upon this topic. One thing, however, I may as well remark. The people of Liverpool are about to expe rience the coil of the serpent round their necks, and the sys tem is threatened to be put in force in all its cold-bloodcd atrocity—damming up the sluices of that charity which 110`11 prompts the parochial authorities to minister to the tempo— rary wants of the poor, and rendering poverty a crime, pu nishable with perpetual imprisonment, and with the severing of every social tie, whenever the alternatives of starvation, suicide, or the gallows are not embraced in preference. The proposition of the Board of Trade to equalize the du ties upon East and West India rum will, there is little doubt, be carried into effect during the present session. It is grati fying, however, to notice the intimation which was afforded by Lord John Russell during the debate, that at length the government are ready to bring in a measure of immigration, to relieve the present difficulties of the West India planters. It is presumed that his lordship is in earnest. So far as the session has progressed, notwithstanding their defeats out of doors, the ministry have carried matters with a tolerably high hand. The conservative party in the House of Commons appear to be dispirited by the unaccountable apathy which hangs over the proceedings, and. is evident in the man►►er of their leader, Sir Robert Peel. Upon every question hitherto upon which he has addressed the house, his remarks have been full of the most biting—l may say bitter sarcasm ; yet, whilst thus lashing the imbecility and inconsistency of the ministerial policy, the spirits of the great leader are manifestly unprepared for a movement en avant, and his vote is ever ready to give the negative to his reason ing. It is probable that Sir Robert may be waiting his time; but it is not altogether certain that the conservative par ty may be always disposed to pursue the same course. Connected with this immovability of the right hon. baronet,. considerable interest has been excited by the able letters which have appeared in the Times, , under the signature " Catholicus." It is very improbable that the sentiments which the writer deduces from the language of his unfortu nate Tamworth speech, can be those ,- which Sir Robert in tended to convey to the world as his own ; yet the castiga tion which he has received will not be unproductive of bene fit, if it serve to convince the right bon . baronet how much it is beneath the dignity of a statesman And a moralist. such as he confessedly is, to clothe his real opinions, upon so im portant a subject, in a garb which, at the least, is susceptible of being mistaken. Sir Robert has no reputation for sin cerity to throw away; and the experience of the past ought to remind him how valueless is that species of popular ap plause which is gained by temporising with principle. The approaching trial of Lord Cardigan continues to ex cite considerable interest, which has been deepened by tlys publication of an admirable letter addressed to the membors ST. GEORGE'S HALL COMPANY Yesterday, a special general meeting of the shareholders in the St. George's Hall Company was held in the Cotton Sales Rooms, " to take into consideration a recent vote of the town council, adopting an arrangement suggested by the Law Courts' Committee, for undertaking the entire erection of the Law Courts and St. George's Hall united, at the ex pense of the funds of the corporation ; and the propriety of acceding to, and confirming, that arrangement; also, as to the disposal of the funds of the company." About forty gentlemen were present. The Rev. JONATHAN BROOKS, chairman of the company, having taken the chair, said, the committee appointed by the shareholders to carry into execution the project of building St. George's Hall had thought it necessary to call them to gether before they consented to a plan which had been sub mitted by the town council. On former occasions when he had the pleasure of meeting the shareholders, it had been for the purpose of suggesting the best mode of raising money ; but, on the contrary now, he should have to lay before them the expediency of receiving money. (Hear, hear.) The shareholders were aware that at their last meeting a project was unanimously adopted for joining the council in a plan then proposed of uniting the two objects of assize courts and St. George's Hall. The groundwork of that junction was, that the compauy should continue equally as independent of the council as they had previously been. Mr. Elmes brought his plans down for accomplishing that object ; and he (the chairman) had the pleasure to state—though he had not him self seen the plans—from what he could learn, not only from gentlemen who were perfectly master of the subject, and of great architectural taste, but also from professional men, who , spoke of them in the highest possible terms, that, when the ' building was erected it' would be a decided ornament to the town. The committee of the council, who had been ap pointed to consider the matter more fully, thought it would he better to relieve the subscribers altogether, and build a hall upon their own responsibility, and with their own means. (Hear, hear.) They made that proposition to the council, and it was carried in the council, with, he believed, very few dissentients. On its being so carried it was submitted to the committee; but the commit tee did not think themselves justified in acceding to it (for they had had the land granted to them, and that was some thing to give up) without calling the subscribers together, and obtaining their sanction. For his own part, he thought the council, as a public body, had done what nad met with the general approbation of the public. (Hear, hear.) There could be no doubt that the additional expenditure which . . would thus fall upon them would issue beneficially to the town, and that the building would not only be an ornament, but of great public utility. If they afforded the inhabitants a room wherein they might hold public meetings of all des criptions, that would not only be advantageous to the town, but to the public charities, because it would be the means of continuing the musical festivals, which had been so produc tive. In both points of view, therefore, the erection would be for the public benefit, and he could not help thinking that the Common Council had done themselves great credit by making the proposal. This company consequently would abandon the land which the Council had granted them in the first instance, and would be kind enough to allow the Council to erect the building themselves. (Hear and laughter.) Mr. HARVEY then read the report of the committee, which commenced by stating that there was a balance in the ban ker's hands of upwards of £12,000, and that it was desirable that the arrangements proposed by the Council should be adopted by the company, in which case the funds in hands would be raturned to the subscribers. The last instalment of £2O per share, the committee suggested should be return ed in full, and that the nett balance remaining, after paying the expenses, be divided. The CHAIRMAN, in continuation, said the whole sum re ceived by the bank was £12,842 19s. 6d., out of which £735 19s. sd. had been paid for premiums for plans, and other expenses, leaving £12,117 Os. Id. in the bank. The sum originally subscribed, and for which gentlemen put their names to the deed, amounted to £22,000 or £23,000, of which between £12,000 and £13,000 had been paid in full ; and there remained to be paid in full, to be added to those who had paid the £5 deposit, a sum of £9,000 ; so that, in point of fact, the committee had a sum which they might fairly look to for the means of erecting the hall, and upon which the deposit of £5 had been paid. They, therefore, were not driven to the necessity of giving up the building in conse quence of a want of funds, but they (lid so because they were of opinion there was no occasion for private individuals to carry into effect what properly belonged to a public body, and what that public body ought to do. There would be no difficulty in refunding the £2O call ; and, as many had paid only the £5 deposit, it was proposed to take the expenses out of that fund. He believed—though he did not wish to commit himself to the statement—that the expenses would not be more than £1 upon each. Mr. HARRISON then moved, and Mr. THOMPSON second ed a resolution, which was carried unanimously, to the effect that the committee be empowered to make the arrangements with the council contemplated in their report. Mr. CHARLES LAWRENCE proposed a vote of thanks to the town council, for the liberal offer made to the company. Mr. JAMES AsriNALL seconded the motion, and it was adopted unanimously. The CHAIRMAN believed that he might now, as chairman of the committee, in their name and his own take final leave of the shareholders. The committee had had great difficulty in doing their best to forward the views of the company with regard to building a public hall, and it had been a long time in hand, but the delay was owing to circumstances which they could not control. Having now given up the task to a public body, he had only, on the part of the committee, to express their thanks to the shareholders for the confidence reposed in them. On the motion of Mr. H. R. SANDBACH, seconded by Mr. HARRISON, a vote of thanks was unanimously presented to the rev. chairman, who briefly acknowledged the compli ment, and the meeting separated.—The whole proceedings occupied little more than quarter of an hour. THE THAMES STEAMER. We published, a few days since, a letter from. Sir H. I,Vheatly, enclosing thirty pounds, as the munificent contri bution of her Majesty towards the fund now raising to relieve the widows and orphans of the crew of the steamer Thames, and we have great gratification in now presenting to our read ers the following communications, enclosing donations from the Queen Dowage r an d Prince Albert. 'We hope our towns men will not be slow in assisting to swell the amount towards which these noble individuals have so generously and prompt ly contributed. " _Marlborough House, Pall-mall, London, 11th February, 1841. " Sin,—By command of the Queen Dowager, 1 have now the pleasure to send you a c h ec k o f t w e n ty - five pounds, as her :Majesty's contribution to the widows and orphans of the crew of the Thames.-1 have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, " CHAS. GOODWIN." " Buckingham Palace, February 6, 1811. " SIR,—I am commanded by his Royal Highness Prince Albert to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, and to for ward to you the sum of ten - pounds, which his royal highness requests may be applied to the relief of the widows and chil dren of the crews of the Thames steamer. I have to request you will have the goodness to acknowledge the receipt of the enclosed draft.-1 have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, " G. E. ANSON." [ADVERTISEMENT.] SQUINTING. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LlN , Enron STANDARD. am glad to find that many besides myself have been cured by Mr. R. Atkinson's skill. I would earnestly recommend those still labouring under this distressing defor mity of the eye to apply to him without delay, as 1 under stand he is likely to leave Liverpool about the end of the present month. He may be consulted daily, at Mrs. Craw ford's, 34, Bold-street, from eleven to three o'clock.—y ours, &e, R. WOODS, 11, Birkett-street Soho. OPERATIVE PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION. INTERESTING STATISTICS OF THE LIVERPOOL I of the House of Lords, and published in the Times, under POLICE OFFICE. the signature of " Lwlius."* The opportunity afforded to the peers of Great Britain by this trial, of discountenancing the absurd and barbarous practice of duelling, is pointed out in beautiful and impressive language ; and there are few—very few—upon whom its perusal would not force the conclusion to which the writer endeavours to lead them. There are amongst the peers of England, men sufficient, who might safely submit to the imputation of cowardice—which an absurd custom has rendered the alternative of a refusal to break the laws alike of God and man—rather than risk life by the pistol of a duellist, or to incur the doom of a mur derer ; and, although in the case of the most illustrious of Heat body, that course has not hitherto been followed, the opportunity now afforded ought surely to be embraced, of stamping with reprobation a custom at once so tyrannous, so barbarous, and so wicked. London, Saturday night, Feb. 13. * This letter will be found in another column. The following details exhibit the business transacted at the Police Office in Liverpool, from the Ist day of January, 1840, to the 31st day of December, inclusive. The table of prisoners shows that the greatest number of offences in the town of Liverpool are committed in the summer months, and that more than half of the offenders are females.* The informations for penalties include all the offences against the acts for regulating the town and harbour ;—cases of collision of vessels, and damage within the port, as well as all offences the punishment of which is by forfeiture under acts for regulating the respective trades of licensed victual lers, pawnbrokers, &c. It appears that a large regiment is-raised every year in the borough,—the number of recuits attested being (during the past year) no fewer than 828. The beneficial operation of these acts which enable seamen to recover their wages by summons, and landlords to recover possession of tenements under the annual value of £2O, by summary proceedings, in the nature of an action of ejectment is amply proved ;—the cases of applications for the recovery of seamen's wages, heard by the magistrates, being 224, and those for the recovery of small tenements being 100. It will be observed, that while the orders of removal of paupers to parishes in England are but 109, the passes of Irish and Scotch paupers amount to 3091. These returns, and particularly that of the prisoners, if carefully examined, and kept for a series of years, (which we hope to be enabled to do,) would afford valuable evidence of the effect of our system of prison discipline, and the means used for the prevention of crime by the activity of the police. We hope arrangements will speedily be made which will ad mit of further reformatory meliorations in the Borough Gaol,—in which, we understand, the average number of pri soners during the past year has greatly exceeded 500. It is highly gratifying to observe, that the expenses of the Police-office for the year are more than paid by the legal charges for business transacted : NUMBER OF PRISONERS BROUGHT BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES OF LIVERPOOL DURING THE YEAR 1840. MONTHS. MALE. FEMALE. TOTAL. January 897 477 1374 February March Almil May June 1124 652 1776 July August llOl 595. 1696 September - 1481 October 932 587 1519 Nov ember December BO7 451 1258 LIVERPOOL MARINE SOCIETY, On Saturday, the general annual meeting of this society was held at the Clarendon-rooms, for the transaction of the usual business, and to consider the propriety of making some alteration in the rules, with a view to increase the number of mercantile and—particularly of—maritime members ; there by extending the benefits of the institution commensurate with its undeniable merits, and with the hopes and intentions of the original founders. We may briefly state that this so ciety was instituted on the 13th February, 1789, and has for its objects the relief and benefit of masters of vessels, their wives, widows, and children. . Mr. T. M. GLADSTONE, president of the society, occupied the chair. He expressed much pleasure in meeting so re spectable an assemblage of the members, and trusted that from the result of their deliberations, the society would be come better known and receive a new impetus that would ere long extend the sphere of its influence and utility. He was happy to observe from the annual statement of the society that the funds were in a prosperous state, and that there was a large increase of honorary members, and—which.was not less gratifying —an increase in marine members. The society was still, however, capable of largely extending its beneficial influence, and he hoped and trusted that the merchants and shipowners of the port would come forward more nume rously in support of so admirable an institution. By the statement of accounts it would be found that there was a dis posable sum, independent of the original capital, of no less than five hundred and thlrty-five pounds in the hands of Messrs Leyland and Bullin, bankers, and it would be for their consideration whether from this source it would be advisable to make any increase tattle ,annuities. Four or five of the widows who were annuitants had died since the last yearly meeting, by which, also, the fund was to some extent relieved: - They might therefore, if they thought fit, increase the present annuities ; and he thought their doing so would form an ad ditional inducement to maratime individuals to join the so ciety,—inasmuch as parties who might not otherwise do so, might become members from motives of personal interest — the advantages being so obvious. It had for some time back been considered advisable to make some alterations in the rules of the society, which, without departing from the ori ginal principle laid down by the founders, would be highly beneficial. Some doubts were entert a i n ed as to the compe tency of the present meeting (though a general annual one) to make such alterations, without previous notice to the members generally that a motion or motions to that effect should be brought forward. Should this doubt be entertained by the majority of the meeting, the subject must stand over for final discussion and decision at the next general quarterly meeting of the society. The trust reposed in the committee was one of much responsibility, arid though it was highly de sirable that some of the rules should undergo revision and alteration, it became them not to proceed with any precipi tancy, which they might afterwards have to regret.—lie then read the principal items and balances in the annual statement of accounts, from which the following facts appeared : That the annuities paid to 22 widows, 1 superannuated captain, and 1 orphan, were £344 7s. 6d. ; that the capital stock of the society was £10,351 Ils. 7d. ; that the annual subscriptions for the year were £33 12s. ; and that an avail able balance remained of £535. The Chairman, in continuation, remarked that it was a prin ciple laid down by the society not to infringe on the capital or original fund. They had to consider in what manner they should dispose of the surplus of £535 in the bank. He then read the proceedings of the society, at their several meetings during the past year, giving satisfactory explanations as he proceeded. He remarked that by the rules it was required that 25 members should be present to constitute a number sufficient to make alterations in the rules. It had at a for mer meeting been deemed desirable to procure copies of the rules of other similar societies at the several seaports as a guidance, and inquiry bad consequently been made ; but it was found that the precise objects of the marine societies of other towns were so different from those of the Liverpool society that their rules were not available as regarded theirs. He concluded by some observations, showing that it had been found necessary in some instances to depart in some de gree from the resolutions of former meetings; but that this was in no case done but for the obvious advantage of the in stitution. _ _ The meeting then proceeded to nominate a committee for the ensuing year, and the following gentlemen were unani mously chosen :—Mr. W. Rowett and Mr. Alex. Smith, jun., out of the honorary members ; and Mr. Tyzard and six others from the list of marine members. Mr. Row Err expressed a doubt as to the definition " ma ritime members" required to be on the committee, and sug gested, as more comprehensive, that the words " nautical members" should be substituted. _ _ The chairman's explanation, however, removed the ob jection. A discussion of considerable length ensued as to the com petency of the meeting to make any alteration in the rules without certain previous notice to the members at large. Mr. Moss, solicitor, at the request of the meeting, gave his opinion. He referred to certain portions of the rules, and expressed his doubt of their competency. Mr. S. Moss, and afterwards Mr. DUNCAN followed, each arguing the competency of the meeting. The meeting finally adopted the recommendation of Mr. Moss and the Chairman, that the doubt entertained should be acted upon. It was consequently resolved, in effect, that it be a recommendation to the committee to take into consi deration the present rules and regulations, with It view of rendering the society more available to shipmasters, and submit their opinion on the same to the next general meeting (to be held in April next). The election of the principal officers for the year was then made, as follows : Mr. Thomas Murray Gladstone, President, (re-elected). Mr. William Potter, Vice-president, in the room of Mr. Radford, retired. Mr. Gibson, Treasurer, (re-elected). Mr. Samuel Moss, Secretary. This gentleman is also Se cretary to the Shipmasters' Association. The question of annuities was next considered, and it was agreed that these for the present should remain as before, namely, to widows £l2. per annum ; to superannuated cap tains £16.; and to orphans £6. The investment of the fund above the principal of £535. was left to the direction of the committee. Thanks were voted to the late Secretary and to the Chair man, and the meeting then separated. EXTENSIVE ROBBERY OF BANK NOTES, &c., BY A CLERK FROM HIS EMPLOYERS, AND EX TRAORDINARY DISCOVERY OF NEARLY THE WHOLE OF THE PROPERTY. On Friday last, at one o'clock, at the Police-court, a clerk, named John Denton Holt, was placed before Mr. Rushton, on a serious charge of having robbed his employ ers, highly respectable merchants of this town, in December last, of a large amount in cash. The case not having been anticipated, there were very few persons in the body of the court-room, but a considerable number of mercantile gentle men interested were present on and near the bench. Mr. Dowling, commissioner of police, stated, as introductory to the examination, that the prisoner stood charged with having robbed his employers, Messrs. Hall and Co., of the sum of a bout £l5 O O, in two sum s , n amely, £l2OO, received by him from Messrs. George Crossfield and Co., and upwards of £2OO received from Messrs. Buchanan and Browne, for which he had not accounted.—Thomas Medealf sworn, said I am a clerk to George Crossfield and Co., who were indebt ed to Messrs. Hall and Co. On the 3d December I paid over the amount of £l2OO, in Bank of England notes, to the prisoner, John Denton H o lt, i n li q uidation of the debt. The mone y consisted of one £5OO note, and the remainder was in notes of £lOO each.—John Young sworn : I am clerk and apprentice to Messrs. Buchanan and Browne. On the 3d December I paid to the prisoner, to be handed to Messrs. Hall and Co., the sum of £273 Os. 6d. £2OO of the money was in gold, and £3O of it in silver.—Mr. Benjamin Buchanan sworn : I atna partner i n th e h ouse o f H a ll an d C o . Th e prisoner was in our employment as a bookkeeper, but at the time of the defalcation of the money he had the care of the cash. He was empowered to receive money for the firm. He did not account for, or pay over to us, the two several sums state!' to have been paid to him by the two witnesses who have just spoken. He left the office on the 3d Decem ber, and has not been there since.—Mr. Dowling sworn : This morning the prisoner surrendered himself to me.—Mr. Rushton to the prisoner : Have you anything to say ?—The prisoner :—I have nothing to say.—Mr. Rushton : You are remanded. The prisoner was then put down, and the parties left the court. out of the money, and that he had paid £ll for it. He ap peared to be much gratified when the money was found. Lloyd, the prisoner, and I, afterwards proceeded to Wake field, and thence to London, where we arrived about half past 9on Saturday night. On Sunday morning we left Lon don for Mitcham Common, a distance of about 9 miles. The prisoner took us over by a mill, and thence to a spot which was indicated only by a few shreds of a woman's bonnet. They saw the white handles of two knives, which Lloyd took up and began to dig by the prisoner's direction. In a short time, he found a piece of a newspaper, which was found to contain XlOO in sovereigns and half-sovereigns. The prisoner then pointed to a rising piece of ground a short distance off, and requested Lloyd to dig there also, which he did. After turning up the ground about a foot deep, they found a cash-box, locked and carefully wrapped in two pieces of canvas. (The box, &c., were produced.) The prisoner said there was still some further property, and Lloyd continued to dig under his direction, and found this piece of linen (or diaper), produced, which contained four canvas bags and some gold besides, in two small papers. In one of the papers there were 30 louis d'ors, and five half-sovereigns. In another there were 100 sovereigns. In one of the bags there were 22 sovereigns and a gold ring, which last prisoner said was his own ; in another bag, 86 louis d'ors ; in the third, 60 louis d'ors; and in the fourth, 40 louis d'ors. The prisoner several times told me that he had one night gone to the cash box to take a ten-pound note out of it ; that he had taken one out, had put it into his hat, in which there were some pieces of brown paper, but in his agitation had somehow lost it on the common. This, he said, happened six weeks back on Saturday night, and that he could never find it. We looked for it on the common, over the track which he thought he had taken when he lost it, but with little or no hope of suc cess, when, to my great astonishment, Lloyd saw the £lO note at the root of some rushes, and about half a yard under some clear water. When we got to London we dried it, and it was now perfectly passable. The prisoner stated that he buried the money on the moor forty-eight hours after taking it from Liverpool, and ten weeks from the time it was found. He said he had gone on the following day to the common, and frequently afterwards, in hopes of finding the £3O note, but could not. He also informed them that he had lived at a small cottage at Oval Kennington, and we went to it, and found at his lodgings the key of the cash-box. On opening it in his presence, they found in it several neatly packed pa per parcels. In one there was 28 five pound Bank of Eng land notes ; in another 1 twenty pound note, 16 ten pound notes, and 10 five pound ditto. In a paper parcel were 100 sovereigns, in another 100 ditto, in another 100 ditto, in an other 96 sovereigns and 4 louis d'ors, in another 100 sove reigns, in another 100 sovereigns, all of which I consecutively numbered,. as now produced. The watch found near Hud dersfield (also produced) was not quite new ; but he must have bought it cheap, as I have since had it valued at £18: The amount found at Huddersfield was £175 and the watch ; at Mitcham, £l-140 2s, Gd., taking the louis d'ors at 16s. 2d. each. Altogether, valuing the watch at £ll, the value recovered was £1626 2s. Gd. It is proper to state, (continued Mr. Dowling,) that the prisoner said that amongst the money (the £175) was £2O -beioning to a niece of his, and £25 belonging to himself, both of which sums he had taken with him from Liverpool. The prisoner also said that the sum he took belonging to Messrs. Hall and Co. was £lBOO and odd. (He stated in court at this part of Mr. Dowling's evidence, that there was probably an error in the addition made by Messrs. Hall and Co. ; and that the amount was more likely £lBO2 than as stated by them £1702.) The prisoner, (continued Mr. Dowling) said that there was a de ficiency of £6O, which he could not account for. We re turned on the same night from London, and arrived here this morning._ _ - - -- - . - - Samuel Lloyd, police-officer, who had accompanied Mr. Dowling, corroborated the testimony given. He found the £lO note on Mitcham Common, about 100 yards from where the other money was found, about three yards frorrkthe side of the water, and half a yard deep. The prisoner here said—l calculated that the louis d'ors as worth 1200, and they are put down at only £230. Lloyd continued :—We found two boxes at the cottage where the prisoner lived at Kennington. One contained clothes, chiefly new, and the other books, also a writing desk, &c. No questions were asked of the prisoner when he pulled the handkerchief out of the hole at Huddersfield. This being all the evidence forthcoming, Mr. Rushton ad dressing the prisoner, said, " You are remanded." The case is sufficiently remarkable, and is not a little ro mantic, as here given in evidence; but we understand there were circumstances connected with the recovery of the pro perty, which do not legally bear on the case, but may transpire after the prisoner's trial, which render it still more extraordinary. The two remote spots in which the money was hidden, are, we learn, upwards of 200 miles apart. Mitcham Common contains 1,500 acres. DISCOVERY OF THE PROPERTY . Yesterday the pri soner was again brought up . at the Police Court before Mr. Rushton. Mr. Benjamin Buchanan, of the firm of Hall and Co., was again called. He stated that the prisoner had beenin his service for about three years. He had not seen the prisoner from the 3d of December, when the defalcation took place, until he saw him in custody in that court on Friday. The amount which Il all and Co. had lost was about £lOOO, as far as could be ascertained. The remainder of the witness's tes 6mony was a repetition of what he had stated on Friday. Thomas Medealf, clerk to Messrs. Buchanan and Co., re peated his former testimony, to the effect that he had paid the prisoner £l2OO, to be by him handed to Messrs. Hall and Co. John Young also repeated his former evidence—that he had paid the prisoner for the same firm the sum of £273 9s Gd. Mr. Buchanan stated that his office was in Harrington street. The prisoner had not accounted to him for the sums stated to have been received by him. The b a l ance aga i ns t the prisoner on the 3 d of Decemb er was 1700 and odd pounds. The prisoner said that if the precise balance were stated to him, and it agreed with his previous notions, he would, to save trouble, admit it. He stated that all the cash entries were made in a rough cash book, before they were entered fairly in the cash book. Mr. 'Rushton was of opinion that that would not affect his culpability, but as he expressed an anxiety to know the balance from the rough hook it was sent for, and Mr. Buchanan stated, on looking into it, that the amount there entered by the prisoner, on the 3d, as received, was £1702 5s Gd, and £lBO was credited to the prisoner's de posit account, the same being due to him as wages. Mr. Dowling, being sworn, said :—On Friday last I saw Mr. Frodsham' at t or ney, and from i n f ormat i on wh i ch he gave me I went to his office in King-street. I there saw the pri soner. Mr. Frodsham said this is Mr. Holt who wishes to surrender himself. I took an officer with me, and the pri soner walked up with me as far as the bridewell. On the way he told me he had buried part of the money he had taken from his employers at a lane near Huddersfield, in Yorkshire. That, however, he added, was but a small part of it. He said the great bulk of it I have buried in Mitcham Common, on the other side of London. lie was shortly afterwards brought up before you , (Mr. Ru s ht on, ) and after the exami nation, remanded. I have since gone to the places named, with the prisoner and police-officer Samuel Lloyd. On Sa turday night we reached a lane about three miles and a half or four miles from Huddersfield on the road to Elland (as we understood the witness). We there searched a partieu i'ar spot, at some distance from the la ne , po i n t e d ou t b y th e prisoner, and search ed for the portion of the property said to h ave beenthere deposited, but all in vain, owing to the dark ne..s of the night. On the following morning, at day break, we: returned to the spot, and after searc hi ng some t i me, the oft icer Lloyd pulled from a hole in a b an k , po i nted out by the , prisoner, a silk handkerchief. I took the handkerchief out . of his hand, and in his and the prisoner's pre sence proceeded to examine the contents. I found in it two parcels, which I numbered 15 and 16. One of them contained 26 louis d'ors, and the other 104 sove reigns ; and £45 in bank of England notes, and a gold w atch. The prisoner told me he had changed the English money for French coin, and that the rouis d'ors cost him about IGs 3d each. lie also said that he had bought the watch The quarterly meeting of the members and friends of 'tilt Liverpool Operative Protestant Association was held in: the Music-hall, last evening, for the purpose of petitioning - the legislature in favour of Lord Stanley's Irish registration bill. The room was filled in every part, and the enthusiasm of those present clearly manifested that the interest taken in the Protestant controversy instead of decreasing is spreadi og even in Liverpool. Shortly after seven o'clock the Rev. HUGH I\i`NEILE took the chair amidst loud cheers, and the proceedings commenced with the offering of prayer by the Rev. Mr. Brtows. The Rev. CHAIRMAN, after stating that owing to a severe cold he was unable to speak at any considerable length, ad dressed the meeting as followS :—As Protestants, it behoves us to be on our watch tower, and as operatives, not to stand idle there, but to be ready, whenever occasion calls, to work. (Hear, hear.) Occasion now calls. The legislative assem bly of the nation is again convened, and matters of vital importance to the well being of the country are again under consideration. The practice of morality in the country is the very source of national arrangements—l mean in the selection of the representatives of the nation in parliament—. the practise of national morality is at stake. (Hear, hear.) The interest of vital religion as a national establishment in this country is at stake. Our free institutions, and with them the personal liberties of our fellow-subjects are at stake. And this being so, it well becomes us as watchful members of that church, lovers of those institutions, privileged enjoyers of that liberty, to watch and to act. (Applause.) There is one point which calls for our immediate attention, and that is the bill for the improvement of the registration laws for Ireland, introduced into the House of Commons by Lord Stanley. (Cheers.) You are aware that he introduced it towards the close of last session, and it was read a first time and a second time ; but through the factious opposition offered to it in committee, availing itself of the forms of the house, he was baffled, and unable to carry the 3d reading of it before the session closed. He was opposed at every step by her Majesty's government; yet he succeeded at every step, upon divisions of the House of Commons. (Hear, hear.) immediately upon the opening of the present session he gave notice that he should bring it in again. He has done so (cheers), and the 24th of the present month (Wednesday in next week) is fixed for the second reading of that bill. In the meantime her Majesty's government have proclaimed to the country the justice of many of our complaints last year : they have pro claimed their sense of the existing mischiefs of the registra tion laws : they have acknowledged practically the excellence of many of the provisions of Lord Stanley's bill, which they so vehemently opposed last year, for they have themselves brought in a bill. They have introduced in the House of Commons, by her Majesty's chief secretary for Ireland, Lord Morpeth, a bill which proposes in words many of the same provisions that are found in Lord Stanley's bill, but which undoes the whole, by adding a rider to it which would throw open the whole question almost of universal suffrage. (Hear, hear.) Ido not say entirely—l think it would be an exag geration to - say it—but I will explain myself as I proceed. (Hear, hear.) I will Srst read to you one or two acknow ledgements made by Lord Morpeth respecting the evils of the present system. He says— " It would be sufficient on that point to admit, as he freely did, that great facilities for fraud existed in the present system of registration in Ireland, and it could not be denied by any who had seriously considered the subject, that many instances of such frauds had occurred." Lord Morpeth says further concerning these frauds— " Those frauds took place in the system of certificates, in personating dead or absent registered voters, and the reten tion on the registry of persons who, after they had been once placed on the list, were left there without any opportunity of subsequent revision during the whole period for which the registry continued, which was a period of eight years." These are precisely the evils which we pointed out to the country last year, and which it is the object of Lord Stanley's bill to remedy. Government opposed that bill; yet now they come with a bill of their own, and the chief secretary for Ireland, in introducing it, acknowledges the existence of those very evils. He acknowledges the personation of dead or absent voters. In order to put an end to the personation of dead voters, it was proposed by Lord Stanley that there should be an annual revision of the list—that the registration list instead of lasting eight years, should be revised every year, as it is in this country. That was opposed by the go vernment. Yet now this also is a proposal in Lord Nlor peth's bill, that there should be an annual revision of the list. (Hear, hear.) I shall find it, I apprehend, difficult to make you understand the nature of this bill of the govern ment, which I wish to oppose, because it professes in words to adopt many of the provisions of Lord Stanley's bill, whereas in point of fact, when more closely examined, they are not honestly, and cordially, and practically adopted. For instance, in this matter of the annual revision, hear Lord Morpeth's own words— " When a voter was once on the registry, he (Lord Mor peth) proposed that he should be entitled to have his claim reviewed for any change made in his tenure or in his fran chise : but if nothing occurred to disturb that—if it remained the same as when registered, he would not make his right to vote subject to any further disturbance." That is to say, the annual re v i s i on s hould extend to those cases only where a change in the tenure, or residence, or qualification of a person had taken place ; but if the proposed voter proposed to vote upon the same tenure or upon the same qualification as before, then there was to be no annual revision of his claim. Why this is to leave out the very par ties that voted fraudulently. The circumstance of a change of tenure in the course of a year should itself call attention ; but it is in the vast amount of cases where there is no change avowedly, where the same tenure is professed, the same qua lification set forth, but where the same person may not be found. There, as it were, it is desirable to avoid fraud, but that point is avoided by the provisions of the ministerial bill, so that whilst the name of an annual revision is kept, the value of an annual revision is lost. (Hear, hear.) There was another point to which we called special attention last year, because much was made of it by our opponents, in a meeting held in Clayton-square in this town. It was objected against Lord Stanley's bill that it threw difficulties in the way of the poor claimant of his rights. There are two clauses in the bill—the one for exacting costs from frivolous claim ants, and the other an enactment of costs against frivolous objectors to claimants. The one was zealously put forward by the opponents of the bill, which seemed to throw difficul ties in the way of the claimant, but the other which threw difficulties in the way of the objector was not put forward. (Hear.) It is called a " double appeal"—an appeal against frivolous claimants upon the one hand, and against frivolous objectors upon the other. Now hear the language of Lord Morpeth upon his proposed bill : " When the case had .been gone into at the registration, and when all the necessary deeds and documents bad been produced whether these documents could be produced at another tribunal or not, he did not think it fair to grant such an appeal or rehearing as to the matter of fact. He thought, however, that it was but fair to give an appeal both ways—that was for and against the franchise—on all matters relating to the legal merits of the case." A double appeal he allows upon matters referring to the legal merits of the case, but refuses it upon matters of fact.— (Hear, hear.) Why, it is upon matters of fact the appeal constantly arises : in ninety-nine cases out of one hundred the appeal would be upon matters of fact, and not the legal merits of the case ! Yet here, upon the double appeal, his lordship's explanation neutralizes the value of it. (Hear, hear.) There is a still more important feature in this bill. You have heard much of the clamours made about defining the franchise, sheaving what the ten pound franchise really meant. The reform bill allows a man who has a holding upon a fourteen years' lease, and has an interest in the hold ing of .1:20 a year, to vote ; but if he has a 21 years' lease, then an interest in his holding of £lO a year qualifies him to vote. The question was, " What was the meaning of an interest in £lO a year." " Define the franchise" cries Mr. O'Connell : he says, " if the noble lord's bill does not define the franchise, 1 will divide the house on the first reading." Surely, when his noble friend Lord Morpeth brought in his bill he might have expected a definition of the franchise. A definition is a telling of the latent meaning of some hard words. The hard words that speak of the £lO . . interest are set forth in a marvellous definitiim in Lord Mor peth's bill by plain words. But what are the plain words ? The plain words are, that every man who is rated at £5 to the poor law is to have the franchise. (Hear, hear.) There is a ministerial definition of the franchise for you! (Cheers.) But I have a particular reason for bringing this forward now. Not only does it form a portion of this proposed bill against which we should petition, but it forms a very important fea ture of another subject. (Hear, hear, hear.) We have all read and heard and talked a good deal about the settle ment of affairs in 1829, by what was called the emanci pation bill. I should inform those of you who are not acquainted with the fact, and remind those who are, that while, upon_ one side, by that bill of 1829 access to parlia ment was opened to members of the church of Rome ; upon the other side, for the preservation of our Protestant consti tution, the right of voting, or the franchise, was taken away from the 40s. freeholders in Ireland. (Hear.) It is a part of the emancipation bill of 1829 that the 40s. freeholders should no longer vote : the franchise was confined to a more select class, with a higher qualification. Lord Morpeth's _ _ proposal would lower the franchise to a class more than in clusive of the 40s. freeholders. Lcrd Morpeth's proposal is a proposal to repeal a part of the emancipation bill ; and he cannot in fairness object to us if we propose to repeal another part. (Tremendous cheers.) I deliberately charge her Ma jesty's government with reopening the discussion of the popish question. (Renewed cheers.) As to the matter of _ _ _ the poor law rating by Lord Morpeth proposes to test the qualification of the claimant, if fairly and honestly done, there can be no objection to it. (Hear.) It is a more objection able test than an oath, especially in Ireland. I have said "if truly and honestly done"—but here is a danger. We have heard how poor law valuers and poor law guardians have been appointed in some of the unions in Ireland, and we know how readily matters can be arranged among parties who understand one another. (Hear and laughter.) I have an instance, and rather a curious one, mentioned by a gen tleman learned in the law, in a late speech upon that sub ject. lie says— " A person sought to register out of some premises in Mary's-lane ; the shop was proved, as a matter of course, to be worth £lO a-year. He (Mr. H.) asked him what the next shop was worth, and he replied ten pounds a year. A poor-law valuator, who was in court, with more zeal than discretion, proved that both shops were each well worth £lO a year. May I ask you,' said he (Mr. Hayes), were you appointed a poor-law valuator ?" Yes,' said he, decidedly.' ' In the course of your duty had you occasion to value the premises in question?' Decidedly,' said he. At what value did you estimate them ?" I did not value those shops,' he replied, I valued the whole house." At what (lid you value it ?" At 1.:18 a year.' Why,' asked he (Mr. Hayes), ' is not the house with the two shops worth as much as the two shops ?' This was a staggerer; but he was not altogether put to the wall ;' for when asked to account for this gross ness, he said that he valued the premises at a certain rate, because there was an appeal from the decision. And this immaculate poor-law valuator—appointed for a purpose — thought proper to perjure himself, because the law had not left them without the redress which that infamous wretch would have taken from them." There are some other curious instances recorded of the way this matter works. One I cannot help telling you, because it took place in no lower or more insignificant hands than those of the then lord lieutenant of Ireland, our present neble home secretary. Lord Normanby. (Hear.) His course in Ireland is connected proverbially with the gaol. (Laughter.) He went to the gaol of Carrick-upon-Shannon, and a pretty black-eyed girl was overheard conversing with him. She was explaining to him why an Orange judge had committed her to prison. When she spoke of her brothers, that had been long before transported, she told him it was for having voted at the election. The distinguished person said, " How is it possible your brothers could have voted when they were transported before the election ?" " Oh," said the girl, " though the men are gone, the certificate answers better than if they were here." Whether the men were hung or transported, the certificate would always be good. I have taken the liberty of preparing according to my promise a petition upon Lord Stanley's bill. It is open for comment or examination, but being adopted eventually, it is for your determined and instant signature. (Hear.) The rev. gen tleman then read the following petition : "That your petitioners, deploring the present defective state, and demoralizing tendency of the existing registration laws for Ireland, desire to express their great satisfaction with the bill, which has been introduced in your honourable house a second time, for the supplying of the acknowledged defects, the removal of the proved abuses, and the remedy of the various evils of the said registration law. " Your petitioners rejoice in the testimony borne even by political opponents, to the excellency of many of the provi sions of that bill, seeing that they are, in name at least, adopted hi a bill having avowedly the same object in view, brought into your honourable house by her Majesty's chief secretary for Ireland. " Your petitioners feel no objection to have the qualifica tion of the claimant of the franchise,:tested by bis.rating to • the poor law, provided it be a rate actually paid infifitin years previous at the least ; but, considering how the poor law va luators and guardians have been in some places appointed, your petitioners have no confidence that fraudulent collision may not take place, and a scale of rati ng suc h as ought to be paid perhaps, but seldom is paid, or a scale inclusive of per sons who ought not to be rated, pass the guardians for elec tioneering pnrposes. " But Yo'ur'petitioners are compelled to dissent entire] from the alteration in the franchise proposed in the nob] secretary's bill. ` 8 Their dissent is grounded, not upon the assumption tha the proposed alteration amounts to universal sufli•age ; thi! they deem a needless exaggeration ; but upon a convictim that such a lowering of the qualification will open a fresi door for corrupt and fraudulent practices, such as other pro visions of a bill are designed to prevent ; changing the natur•t without diminishing the amount of the demoralising opera. tions of the present law. " Your petitioners therefore pray your honourable house to reject the principle of the bill proposed by the noble secretary for Ireland, and to read a second time and go into committee, with the bill proposed by the noble lord, the member for North Lancashire, and not to tolerate a repetition of the factious opposition made to it in committee last ses sion, but speedily to pass it to a third reading. " And your petitioners will ever pray." The rev, gentleman concluded by reminding the mer that Wednesday week was fixed for the second readi.._ Lord Stanley's bill ; " and," said he, "on that day let our noble representative, Lord Sandon, have such a petition sent to him as shall oblige him to do what he had to do last ses sion, that was to ask Mr. Cresswell to help him to carry it into the house." (Tremendous cheering.) The Rev. Mr. BROWNE then moved the first resolution, to the effect that the petition just read by the rev. chairman should be adopted and signed by the meeting. The Rev. B. MARSHALL, in a speech of considerable hu mour, seconded the motion ; and on its being put, the peti tion was unanimously adopted. The CHAIRMAN suggested that it would be advisable to hold an adjourned meeting at an early day in the course of the week, to send the petition for presentation in time for the second reading of Lord Morpeth's bill. He recom mended the adjourned meeting to be held in the Amphi theatre in the forenoon, as the Music Hall was obviously too small to accommodate the numbers whose interest in the question led them to seek admission. He then congratu lated the meeting on the success of Protestantism and Con servatism at Walsall, Canterbury, and East Surrey, and trusted that St. Albans would soon b e a dd e d t o the numbers: The Rev. Mr. FALLOON then addressed the meet'.-- The CHAIRMAN next addressed the meeting in eloquent manner, on the general question ; and at the con clusion of his speech the proceedings were adjourned till Wednesday, Thursday, or any day in the week when the Amphitheatre can be had. The meeting separated about ten o'clock. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE, STAFFORD AND RUGBY RALLWAY, LATE MANCHESTLR AND BIRMINGHAM EXTENSION The petition of the promoters of this bill was presented to the House of Commons on Friday (which was the last day for receiving petitions for private bills), the necessary docu ments having been previously lodged in the Private Bill Office. It may probably be within the knowledge of most of our readers, that a similar (although not identical) line was in agitation last session, under the title of " the Man( and Birmingham Extension Railway." This company, hov ever, was dissolved about three weeks ago ; and it is not a little creditable to the spirit and energy by which the pro inoters of the present measure have been actuated, to find that within that short interval the new company has been formed, the usual parliamentary deeds signed for upwards of three-fourths of the capital (as required by the standing or ders of the House of Commons), and the deposit of ten per cent. upon this amount paid down by the shareholders. We are given to understand that the undertaking will now come before parliament relieved from a great proportion of the opposition which was offered to the former company, and that there is every reason for the confidence entertained by its promoters, that it will receive the sanction of the legisla ture during the present session. By the formation of the line a considerable saving will be effected to the people of Manchester and of Liverpool, in the distance between these towns and the metropolis, by enabling them to proceed direct from the Grand Junction Railway, at Stafford, to join the London and Birmingham at Rugby, avoiding the present circuitous route by Birmingham ; and by a branch line pro posed, a considerable saving of distance will also be effected in the journey from Liverpool or Manchester to Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, &c. !hester PRESTON AND LANCASTER RAILWAY COMPANY.—OR Wednesday last a meeting of the above company was held in the Town-hall, Lancaster, being the first half-yearly meeting since the opening of the line. It is exactly a year ago, the 10th February, 1840, that the foundation-stone was laid ; and the grand ceremonial opening took place the 25th of June in the same year. George Barrow, Esq., the chairman, said the directors considered themselves in a situation to make a dividend of 2ry per cent. Much advantage would arise to Lancaster on the price of coals being rendered cheaper by transit on the railway. The company saved a considerable sum by working their locomotive power in conjunction with the North Union. One thing, however, had been proved by their half-year's traffic, that the expenditure in the first instance for good gradients was amply compensated for in the great saving is the expense of working the line. After some observations the chairman said, in answer to a question by a shareholder, that he doubted not but that, as he had said at their first meeting, the first year would pay 5 per cent., the second per cent., and the third 10 per cent. LONDON AND GREENWICH RAILWAY.—The accounts for the year show an increase in the total receipts of £1,858 is. Bd. over the yeat 1839, principally Arising from the toll paid by the Croyden Railway, which was not open in the early part of 1839 ; but though the traffic on this railway has produced a less gross receipt than in 1839, the expendi ture has been reduced to a greater - extent than this deficiency, and that in almost every department, except the rates and passenger charges. There being uow, however, a larger amount of preference shares than last year, the nett profit for the original shareholders is £6,942 17s, against £6,296 2d, in 1839. Adding this profit to the balance of the reserved fund, there remains a surplus of £7,744 7s. 2d., out of which a dividend of 7s. on each original share was recom mended, which will leave a reserved fund of £752 ls. 2d., applicable to the expenses of the current year. STOCKTON AND HARTLEPOOL BA I LWAY.—ThiS very use ful and important enterprise was opened on Tuesday last for the conveyance of passengers and merchandise. The event was celebrated by a grand procession on the line, and by a public entertainment at the Vane Arms, Stockton. Two trains, consisting of three coaches each, drawn by powerful and .splendid engines, conveyed the directors and a large party of their friends to Hartlepool, stopping for a short time at the viaduct at Greatham Valley, to allow the passengers an opportunity of inspecting this remarkably fine piece of masonry, consisting of ninety-two arches, built and finished in a very superior style. LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY .—The half-yearly , meeting of this company was held yesterday at Birmingham, and we have, without assistance from the company, made extraordinary exertions to give the report to our readers. The traffic is £61,130 more than for the same period last year, while the charge, according to the report, has not in creased in a corresponding degree. The gross charge on the traffic, exclusive of taxes and rates, is £3O ss. id per cent., instead of £34 16s. The dividend declared is £4 per £lOO share, and £1 per £25 share.—Railway Magazine, Saturday. BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY. --- WO have a budget of good tidings this week respecting the Bristol and Exeter Railway. First, all the forfeited shares have been disposed of at good prices ; secondly, upwards of £lBO,OOO. have been paid by the shareholders since last general meeting ; and, thirdly, the paid up capital now exceeds £700,000., which . . . . ?laces the Company in a position to avail themselves of the power given them by the Act to raise £500,000. by way of ban, which will obviate for some time the necessity of mak ing further calls on the shareholders, " With the security," says the Bristol Gazette, " they have to offer—(having the guarantee of the rental to be paid by the Great Western Company, besides their own responsibility) the Directors will be enabled to take a commanding position in the money market; so that, with this resource, with a large balance in hand, with about £30,000. or £60,000. on account of the al lottei shares, which will be forthcoming in a month from the present date, there will be no lack of means for prosecuting the works with vigour during the ensuing summer, while the probability is that the shareholders will not be again called upon until after the lapse of many months—perhaps a year or more. We understand that not the slightest doubt exists of the line being completed to Bridgewater by June next, it not before. The wooden bearers are now in course of being laid."—Railway Times. THEATRE ROYAL.--This theatre opened last night. The house was well filled. The new drama of " Mungo Park" went off admirably. The whole of the scenery is new and very beautiful—the dresses also are new. Van Amburgh's performances are extraordinary. We regret we must defer to our next publication a lengthened notice of this very attrac tive piece. The evening went off without interruption, ex cept from the loud applause frequently indulged in by the audience. THE BRINDAL LODGE PROPERTY.—Lord Abinger gave judgment in this case on Saturday. After stating the na- .•,. tire of the application, and taking a review of the arguments his lordship said, " He should, under all the circumstances, direct an issue to try the validity of the will, and the last co dicil. The issue to be tried at the next assizes at Liverpool. He was the more satisfied with this direction, because Dr. Sherburne, being a man of education (whatever his origin), must feel it was due to the other parties that the question should be tried before the expiration of the twelve months, within which their confirmation of the devise was limited by the last codicil. The plaintiffs in equity his lordship directed should be the plaintiffs at law." It will be remembered that the question arises out of a will of Mr. Heatley, who devised the bulk of his real estates to a Roman Catholic Priest. It is stated that the Prebendal Stall at Durham, vacated by the death of the late Dr. Smith, will yield to the Ecclsi astical Commissioners a revenue of nearly £3OOO. per annum. - - RUMOURED DISSOLUTION.—Rumours of an approaching dissolution of the parliament called together by Lord Melbourne's government in the year 1837, at the com mencement of a new reign, and with all the advantages which an unprecedented exercise of palace influence was likely to command, continue to be circulated. The ground for these ti.niours is the very general belief that the Ministry will be defeated upon the question of the registra tion of voters in Ireland, as that question has been raised upon the two bills of Lord Stanley and Lord Morpeth.— Times of yesterday. DARING BURGLARY NEAR CHESTER.—On Tuesday night, so early as ten o'clock, a most daring robbery was . committed and gros s ou t rage perpetrate d at t h e res id en ce of Mr. Tracy, clerk to the Birkenhead and Chester Railway. About the hour in question, Mrs. Tracy was sitting b the kitchen fire, waiting o Mr. Tracy at servant having gone to bed, when she heard somebody,_o was the back door. She opened it, in order to see h her, there, when she saw three men, two of whomseizednd tied her coming home, the pushed her back into the kitchen, pinioned her, a arms to the back of the chair. One of the before her with a knife, whilst the outrage was he would threatening that, if she stirred or made was ruttians going stood 0 0 0 n d , roceeded up took out a bunch of keys, and immediately Mr. murder her. The other then put 11isb Tracy was in the stairs, and unlocked a drai . ve . that andiiitop her pocket, c nd .a, in gold and silver. He in his bed-room, ar.d secured habit abbaigt containingo f keeping and money down stairs, when he took out brought the bag Ibiaistwmonne.ysina, in 1 the latter, and left the fc 4, r l in e e i r il a l n ai d as a t r e a a ll d in e e ca m m or p a e tyl w m i l t i b ll t r ie t was l't on the floor. as they had come in, leaving Mrs. money, the men were unknown to Mrs. Tracy ; Tracy bound to sa "' th e e chair,b Mr. i n T r which acy a bd a position frien s d ' he w b vi b 'as b f a o d u n a t e l : but ac companied Y s P l s' ia hn°i e er n dt t i Y e h r ia t m a ft i e n r : T t the impression, took the keys from her receiving money from Mr. Tracy, ay Ches(er Chronicle. fent of wage s t o t h e men engage d i n waking h i e t r e d the rau Payment -ately e say spect m of ay of little 'aese !ged Dive very e is the