The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-09-30 00:00:00

of this society is described by a tadius of forty miles, Liverpool being the centre, and the premiums given, with very few exceptions, are open to the competition of all parties residing within the limits of this circle, whether subscribers or not. It will, therefore, be a matter to be well considered by the future committee how far the altered circumstances alluded to call for a revision of the present rules and pre miums. " The inspectors of the society, for reasons of a private nature, have been induced to tender their resignations. The committee regret that any circumstances should have de prived them of the services of two officers who are so well acquainted with the rules and requirements of the society, and have been so long connected with it. The gentlemen appointed as their successors are Mr. William Longton, of Rainhill, and Mr. Henry White, of Warrington. " It will most probably be remembered that the Royal Agricultural Society, at their meeting held in this town last Year, offered a prize of thirty guineas for the best seed wheat. The prize was not then awarded, it being considered necessary first to make a trial of the seed. For this purpose four of the best kinds were selected, and intended to be sown in different parts of the kingdom ; and a member of your committee (Dr. Sillar) procured four bushels of each sort, which were sown in the same field, on his own farm, at Rain ford, and to which public inspection has been invited. Any persons wishing to see the produce may still do so by applying to Dr. Sillar, and thus form their own opinion of the relative merits of the new seeds, as compared with the old varieties usually sown in this neighbourhood. " The following is the substance of the report made to the committee by Messrs. Robinson and Pemberton, the inspec tors of farms and crops : " Having already reported to the committee and other members of the society who have attended this meeting, the various particulars required from us as to the crops and cul tivation of those farms, the occupiers of which are candidates for the society's prizes, it now remains for us to make a few remarks upon the state and progress of agriculture in the dis trict generally. In doing so, we would first acknowledge the goodness of Divine Providence, in graciously giving us a sea son so favourable for all the operations of the farmer, and such as we do not remember to have had for the last sixteen years. Corn has been better ripened than usual, and the gathering accomplished earlier, the harvest being, with few exceptions, completed by the second week in September. The prospect of having good bread must be a subject of thankfulness, not only to the farmer, but to every member of the community. " Your inspectors have pleasure in stating that the under draining of land continues on the increase, and although much has already been done, and is now doing, very much still remains to be done. The establishment of draining the manufactories in various parts of the districts, and the mode rate price of which tiles may now he purchased, are great in ducements both to landowners and occupiers to continue this system of improvement. Draining with broken stone, and with cinders, is also carried on to a great extent, more par ticularly in situations where these materials are easily ob tained, and answers remarkably well. The advantage of draining is felt in another way. Being generally done during the winter months, it affords employment for labourers at a time when the farmer would probably have nothing else for them to do, thereby rendering a great service to the poor man's family, and probably keeping them from the parish. Men of experience are engaged upon some estates solely for the purpose of superintending the draining. The landlord in these cases pays the whole expense, and charges the tenants what he considers a fair per tentage on the outlay. The practice is much to be commended. We believe the Noble Patron of this society was the first to begin it in this neigh bourhood. The new system of cutting the drains in a longi tudinal direction, as recommended by Mr. Smith, of Dean ston, in Scotland, seems to be obtaining favour. A portion of the work of excavating can be performed by the plough, and a consequent saving of expense effected. " The subsoil plough has been so little used in the district of this society, that your inspectors cannot report either fa vourably or otherwise of its effects at present. " The claimants upon large farms are more numerous this Year than usual, and the management and cultivation of the land is of a very superior order • very different, indeed, to what it was w h en t h e Liverpool Agricultural Society was first established. " The marling of land is less frequently met with than for merly, other manures of a lighter character being preferred. An objection has also been started in some places, and not without good ground, that the permanent damage done by making pits, is, in some instances, equal to the temporary benefit conferred on the soil by the application of the marl. In the laying down of land to grass we observe great improvement, both in the ploughing and preparation of the surface, and also in the description of the seeds sown. " Reservoirs for the reception of dung water are becom ing more general, and many of them are proving useful ad juncts to the farmer's other means of improvement. " In the planting of new hedges your inspectors regret to say little progress is making,—at the same time they are well aware there are many places in the district where they are much required, and would, if made, prove a great con venience, if not an ultimate saving. One great obstacle to tho farmer undertaking much of this work is, the expense of protecting the young quicksets, which require to be fenced with rails or hurdles for at least four or five years after planting. " The cutting and laying of hedges is not so much prac tised, nor so well done, as might be wished. The prize given 11 the Right Honourable Lord Lilford, to whom the society Is much indebted, has not always be claimed ; and when it has, the competitors have never been numerous. His lord ship's agent, Mr. Selby, of Atherton, having a desire to see the work performed more scientifically, h a s sen t for an ex perienced man from Northamptonshire, who has already cut and laid a considerable length of fencing in a first rate manner. " The crops of wheat have generally proved thin upon the ground this year, which is chiefly attributable to the un favorable weather in October and November last when the Seed was sown ' • the grain, however, is finer and better than usual, and we think, upon the whole, the yield will not be less than what is generally described as average crop. Oats are also a good sample, but we do not calculate on more than an average quantity. Barley we consider much better, al though but little is grown in this district. Beans are moderately well podded and a fair average crop. _ " The secon d crop o f c l over i s goo d , an d t h e weat h er h as , fort unately, proved fine for gathering it, which has rarely been the case of late years. It is hoped this crop will make up in some measure for the farmer's deficient hay crop. `Potatoes have grown very luxuriantly this year, and are likely to prove better in quality and greater in quantity and than usual ;—yet some little rot is perceptible. " From what your inspectors have seen this season mangel worsel is becoming less cultivated, and yet it must be ac knowledged there is no green crop socceeds better upon peat soils. " The growth of Swedish turnips is very much on the in crease; nearly all the early potato ground is now planted with this valuable root as a second crop, the greatest part of which have been transplanted from the seed bed. " An unusual quantity of land is also sown with this and other kinds of turuips, and we think the quantity produced in the district of this society is more than quadrupled since the establishment of the society in 1830. The mildew has, unfortunately, made its appearance, and the crops will, con sequently, be more or less deteriorated. " Having only met with the application of the new ma nure, Guano, in a few instances, and that only in this year, your inspectors are not able to speak decidedly of the per manent good which is likely to be effected by it. Appear ances are at present in its favour. It is doubtful. however, whether it will ever be extensively used, unless it can be ob tained at a more moderate price than what it has hitherto been sold at." Abstract of the Treasurer's Account for the year ending 31st July, 1842. RECEIPTS. £ s. d. Subscriptions received 4OO 5 0 Admission of non-subscriber► into the show-yard, 1842 Entry of live stock, implements, &c., 1841 l7 0 6 Balance due to the Treasurer l2l 8 2 £609 14 8 PAYMENTS. S. d. Balance due to the Treasurer 31st July, 1841.... 113 0 5 Premiums and cost of medals awarded at the an- nual meeting in 1841 Advertising, printing, &c. Salaries of secretary, treasurer, and inspectors Expenses of committee, rooms for annual meet- iiig, and - dinner ticket; for judges and others .. 48 18 0 Travelling expenses of judges Tent for show-yard Miscellaneous expenses, postage, &c. £609 14 8 The CHAIRMAN then rose and said,—His next toast which he had to propose was that of the chairman of this society, the Earl of Derby. Drunk with three times three. The next toast which he had to propose was the health of Lord Stanley, No one regretted more than himself the ab sence of his lordship, but the duties which he had to perform rendered that absence unavoidable. The toast was drunk with three times three, and one cheer more, The next toast which he had to propose was the health of the vice-presidents, of whom he himself was one. His col league, however, Mr. Sandbach, would reply to the toast. Mr. SANDBACH said it became necessary for him to re spond to the toast, and he begged leave, in behalf of himself and his colleagues to return thanks. For his own part he had been too long engaged in other pursuits to make much. progress in agriculture. He thought nothing conduced so ranch to the health of the body and the vigour of the mind as agriculture, and he should therefore pursue it as long as he lived. He had no doubt that many individuals present had tried the effects of guano manure, and that they could give the results of their experiments. For his own part he had tried a few experiments, and he would give the meeting the results so far as he had an opportunity of trying it. EXPERIMENTS IN GUANO. Peas.-1 lb. to a row of ten yards, very few vegetated. earrofs.—Three beds-1 lb., 2 lb., and 3 lb. applied ; the first did pretty well, the second not so well, the third, scarcely one came up. Onions.—The same as carrots. Field Turnips.—The first four drills 90 yards long—put 10 lbs. guano at the bottom of the drill without manure ; a very good crop. The second four drills without manure — Put 10 lbs. guano on the top of the drill with the seed ; very few came up. Third four drills-5 lbs guano with manure at the bottom of the drill ; did very well. Arancrel Wurzel.—The same experiments as with Swedish - p ; much the same result. P otatoes.—Put different quantities in different drills with the sets, some without, and some with manure ; where the the quantities of guano was most considerable, fewer pota toes came up, the blanks had to be filled with turnips. W heat—Eleven butts equal to one statute acre—sowed 21 lbs. guano on a butt, and harrowed it in with the seed, and 21 lbs. upon the next but, when it began grow. RESULTS: — One but of guano wheat thrashed out by itself produced, nearly b measures, or 313 lbs. The next but without guand, measures, or 324 lbs. The potatoes, turnips, and mangal wurzel, are not yet ; but, I observe the tops of potatoes with guano, are a very green in comparison with those without, the latter taring to ripen sooner. ve Pon the whole, I come to the conclusion that guano is a bet ter valuable manure, where the proper application of it is ee'rttter understood, but it requires great caution, as it will ai nlY destroy any seed that it is brought in immediate enntact with. sere is far as my experiments go, I think, 2 cwt. per statute 'L i la the proper quantity. GG a " l • NEILSON made some remarks upon the effect of the 0 , 4 no manure. If applied along with the seed, it destroyed in,wand the best effects were inchprodued when it was harrowed with- the soil. The Guano, is opinion, was a most valuable manure. PREMIUMS. Prizes from th e li s t we extract the following as adjudged to Parties connected with this town and neighbourhood : be T st o Robert Neilson, Esq., of Halewood, for making the reservoir, for the reception of dungwater, £3. For th e best bull of any b ree d, un d er fi ve y ear s old, belong 4, in any person within or beyond the limits of the society, to Mr. Richard Almond of Standish. ditto ditto, shorn two and under three years old, be ._ Or to any person within the limits of the society, .£l5, `" Alchard Pilkington, Esq., of Windle Hall. For ditto ditto, above one year and under two years old £lO, to Mr. Richard Eastwood, of Burnley. For the best bull of any breed, above two and under four years old, belonging to any person solely dependent upon farming, £lO, to Mr. Richard Percival, of Antrobus. For the best bull of any breed, above one and under two years old, belonging to any person solely dependent upon farming, £5, to Mr. Michael Ashcroft, Bank Hall. For the best cow or heifer of any breed, in milk or in calf, £7, to Mr. Richard Almond, Standish. For the second best ditto ditto, £4, to R. R. W. Barton, Esq., Caldy, Birkenhead. For the best two-year old stirk or heifer of any breed £5, to Mr. Richard Almond, Standish. For the second best ditto, £2, to Mr. Samuel Scotson Toxteth-park. For the ox of any breed showing the most symmetry, fat, and weight, £5, to Mr. Richard Almond. For the best stallion for the general purposes of agriculture, £lO, to Mr. Daniel Massey, of Bartington. For the best brood mare for ditto, ditto, £5, to Gilbert, Greenall, Esq., Walton Hall, Cheshire. For the best pen of three yearling long-wool ewes, £3, to C. Whitfield Harvey, Esq., Walton. For the second best pen of fat wethers, £l, to R. W. Barton, Esq., of Caldy. For the best pen of five fat ewes, £2, to R. W. Barton, Esq„ of Caldy. For the best boar of the large breed, not more than two years old, £4, to Mr. William Ancell, Manchester. For the best boar of the small breed, not more than two years old, £4, to Mr. Brazelin Martin, Salford. _ _ _ For the second best boar, ditto ditto, £2, to Mr. John Seddon, Salford. _ _ For the best breeding sow of the large breed, no more than three years old, £2 10s., to Mc. John Bebbingtton, Manchester. For the second best sow, ditto ditto, £1 10s., to Mr. Prue, Liverpool. A medal to Mr. Byford, of Liverpool, fora sow and pigs. For the best pair of draught horses employed in Liverpool, £5, to Messrs. Henry Jump and Son, Liverpool. To Mr. Robert Elliot, of Liverpool, for exhibiting an iron plough, the medal. To Mr. Cartmell, of Liverpool, for exhibiting a turnip cutter, the medal. ROYAL MAIL (WEST INDIA) STEAM-PACKET COMPANY. On Wednesday the adjourned meeting of the shareholders in this company took place at the London Tavern, to con sider the matters contained in the report presented at tile meeting on Wednesday week, and since put into general cir culation. The attendance was as numerous as on the last occasion. At one o'clock precisely Mr. J. Irving, M.P. the chair man, and Mr. Colville, the deputy-chairman, with the other directors, took their places. The Chairman opened the business of the day by observing that it was his intention, and had been his desire, to address some remarks to the shareholders now assembled on the proceedings which took place at their last meeting, but he regretted to say that a derangement of his health had totally incapacitated him from fulfilling so important a duty. Ile, therefore, trusted that the shareholders would excuse his inability on the present occasion, and he proposed to transfer the office of speaker to the deputy-chairman--a gentleman who, he might almost say, had devoted his sole unremitting attention to the affairs of the company. (Hear, hear.) The deputy chairman said that without being desirous to take credit for the praise bestowed upon him by the chair man, he wished at once to enter into the consideration of the question about to come before the meeting, and in doing so should feel it to be his duty to allude to one or two points necessary to its elucidation. In the first place he should state on the part of the directors, that they were quite ready to declare their willingness to be open to vacancies in she direction which could at the option of the shareholders be filled by parties who, from their experience in matters con nected with steam navigation, could assist in the better con duct of the business of the company. Anotherpoint was the accounts of the company annexed to the distributed repopt. These must not be looked upon as audited and acknowledged accounts for eight months ; it was impossible in an under taking of this magnitude to render those accounts complete for the period described till the whole business of the com pany had got into good organization . They were merely statements, and only as such might be dealt with, although it was believed by the directors that they closely approxima ted to actual results. When the accounts were made up to the 31st of December, they would be in regular course au dited, and put in a shape fit to be laid before the proprietors, who would then have the opporthnity of inspecting and de liberating upon their contents. (Hear.) The wish of the court was, that all their affairs should be thoroughly investi gated, and as far as this was indentified with the prnsent ac counts, he was ready to answer any questions which might be put to him, as he had details prepared for that porpose, The interests of the directors and shareholders were connec ted with each other, and it was far from the desire of the former to conceal anything connected with the e "fairs of the company. He was ready to go into the de of figures if the meeting thought such a course necessary. (" Hear," and cries of " Yes.") It being agreed that he should proeed with an examination of the accounts, for the purposes of elucidation, Ehe deputy chairman, in continuation, said, the estimate of the restricted service was £235,000, exclusive of insurance, and was made upon the calculation of the working of the eight months, and in the opinion of the directors they had made ample allowance for all required contingencies. The receipt of £240,000, under contract from the government, was, in the first place, beyond a doubt, a secure return, and then the conveyance of 50 passengers on the average by each steamer would, after deducting th cost of maintenance, &c., leave about £%,000. They founded this calculation on the prospect that already awaited them. By their packet of the Ist proximo, 74 passengers would proceed to the West In dies; and by the Teviot, 45 passengers had already departed. For the steamer of the Ist, they had been obliged to refuse many applications, inasmuch as that appeared to have been the more convenient period for parties who are now about to visit the West Indies to take their trips. The directors had every hope, that when the voyages were punctually made, all their branches of traffic would increase. For thefreightage of specie, they had, in the first instance, put down £56,000, but they now thought it would be prudent to reduce it to £30,000. For other other freightage and intereolonial trade, they estima ted the proceeds at £12,000; for the freightage of quicksilver, £12.000. with other smaller items. In the couass of the new scale of service, it would be found they came in contact with the island of St. Thomas, ane from this source, he and the other directors had no doubt a good trade for small packages would be made. The deputy chairman then ad duced a mass of figures, to show the prospects which in the opinion of the directors awaited the shareholders under the revised estimate, the general result of which, if we heard rightly, was a calculation of large profits. He now proceeded to address the shareholders on the mooted dissolution of the company, and said he thought it would be one of the most reckless courses ever adopted in a concern of the importance in which they were engaged. He asked them, who would buy their property without a depreciation was submitted to, or would be found to take their stores, &c., at anything like the value paid for them ? It was te their invested property they must look for a return, but that return would not be secured if they proposed to abandon the modified plan which government bad tried for the next six months. He should himself be sorry, if such a course was de termined on, of ever being connected himself with a body of men who would so treat an undertaking of the magnitude and importance in which they were now en gaged. He wished forcibly to impress upon their minds the great advantages which accrued to trade by the facilities afforded by steam navigation, and would also draw their attention to the manner in which no doubt (although he was not authorised to say so) the Government would be inclined to view their endeavours when it was seen that they were really sincere in carrying out the plan. If they persevered in the attempt they bad began, for the period of the six months proposed by themselves and the government, they might fairly look forward for increased support, and be in a situation to ask that favour at the hands of the contractors which otherwise they would not be entitled to. Should the shareholders propose the other course, he could characterize t as nothing less than s suicide, (hear, hear,) for here was the height of their season commencing, which would test the practicability of the new scale. The six months would end in March ; and the directors proposed, if it met with the concurrence of the meeting, to call the shareholders toge ther, and take their opinion what would be the best to be done or the results then developed. (Hear, hear.) In con clusion, he pressed upon the attention of the meeting the ne cessity of carrying out the plan at present proposed, Mr. Poynder said he was much gratified by the speech delivered by the deputy chairman, since it convinced him there was no real cause for the dismay which appeared to have filled the public mind on this subject. He was satisfied, from what he had now beard, that the shareholders need not continue the alarm they evinced at the first meeting, since, although unfortunately the company had had great difficulties to contend with, brighter prospects were in store for them. He had been disappointed as much as any person at the re sults which the undertaking for the present exhibited, but these were not what the undertaking, in his opinion, would ultimately yield ; and as he was pretty well convinced that success would attend it, if unanimity prevailed among the proprietary, he should propose a resolution which he had prepared to that effect. The resolution was as follows : " The paoprietors having taken into consideration the report of the directors laid before them at a general meeting specially convened for the purpose on Wednes day, the 21st instant, and having heard the chairman and deputy-chairman on various points brought under their no tice, beg to state that, whilst they deeply regret the losses hitherto sustained by the company, and the consequent dis appointment to the company; yet, confiding in the opinion expsessed by the directors in their report, ' that the receipts from passage-monies and freights, together with £210,000 which will continue to be received from Government, will be adequate for a dividend on tbekfuture operations of the com pany,' and which opinion was confirmed by the chairman in his address to the proprietors, they do not think it expedient to advert further at this time to their losses ; but being fully impressed with the absolute necessity and great na tional importance of maintaining and uphoidin,g a steam packet communication at this et isis with the British colonies in the West Indies, they deem it advisable to urge upon the Court of Directors to persevere in their endeavours to per fect and accomplish the great objects for which the company was established ; and they respectfully suggest to the court to avail itself of the further assistance of such profes s i ona l persons as are most experienced in the machinery and con struction of vessels navigated by steam. The proprietors also trust that in future the directors will cJuvene a public meeting of the company once in every six months, and lay before them a report of their proceedings and a statement of accounts made up to the latest period. And influenced by these considerations, the proprietors now beg to assure the directors of thefr earnest desire to co-operate with them in every laudable endeavour to advance the prosperity of the company, and the great national interests involved in its success." (Hear, bear.) Mr. D. Barclay, who coincided with the views expressed by Mr. Poynder, seconded the resolution. An amendment for the apointment of a committee of en quiry was moved by Mr. Liggins, and seconded by Sir F . Austin, but rejected by a considerable majority. The origi nal motion was carried by a majority of from 60 to 70. The result was hailed with loud applause. HIGH-PRESSURE POLITICS.—From a statement made in the United States House of Representatives recently, it appears that a man in the State of New York was appointed to the office of postmaster for the avowed and sole reason that he was " a steam-boat in politics," and of the high pressure order. - GREAT COURAGE.—A couple of heroes of Detroit, who were ready to split, lately went over to the Canada side to shoot each other. They exchanged five shots each, but could not hit ; so, having exhausted their ammunition, they ad journed sine die, but without any signs of dying. " PAT WAS LOVED BY ALL THE LADIES."—One Paddy M'Grath has recently been indicted in New York for marry ing seven wives! without waiting for even one of them to die, as the law directs. His only excuse was that they all like him so well that he couldn't help marrying them. THE PRICE OF BREAD.—Trvists have taken a turn ; and cottages have come down in some places, owing to the fall in bricks, which continue to give way rapidly. A baker near one of the bridges has not had a roll over, which is to be accounted for by his having come down in regular steps to a level with the lower class of consumers. Plaster of Paris is in some demand, and there have been some mysterious transactions in sawdust by the baker who liberally deals with the workhouse.—Punch. CHARGE OF ARSON. Patrick Doran, aged about 40, was on 'Wednesday placed at the bar of the Police Court, having been apprehended on the preceding day, on suspicion of having wilfully set tire to his premises in Crompton -street. A long preliminary exa mination had taken place on Tuesday afternoon, when the prisoner was remanded. The case excited extreme interest, and the Court was crowded to excess. On the bench were Mr. Rushton, Sir Joshua Walmsley, Messrs. Grant, Potter, David llodgson, Adam Hodgson, Charles Turner, and Wil liam Brown. Mr. James, barrister-at-law, with Mr. Davenport, appeared for the prisoner. Alexander Beazley stated, that he saw the prisoner Doran on Friday night last, at twelve o'clock, in the house of Mr. Bushell, carter, who lived next door to Doran, in Crompton street. Doran was about half drunk. Witness heard Doran say, that if his mistress were nut the master, he would have had his place on fire long since, for it was insured for £6OO. He said there was five tons of oakum in it, and it would make a capital fire. Witness told him that he deserved horse whipping for talking so. The witness was cross-examined at great length by Mr. James. He stated that he was a carter, and was also em ployed by a bailiff. There were other persons present as well as witness, but they were there at different periods. He had taken a walk to see the fire, and called there, and the prisoner was there about an hour and a half. Witness remained there till half-past six o'clock the following morning, having been induced to remain by what he heard the prisoner say. During the time he went outside to look at the progress of the fire, being fearful of what might occur from what Doran had said. The prisoner said it was a pity they were not all on fire at once, and they should be so before a week was over. Would have followed and watched him, but Mrs. Bushell said, " He's only in his nonsense." Roger Hale, a carter in the service of Mr. Bushell, the individual whose horses were destroyed at the fire in ques tion, stated, that Bushell's stable was near Doran's house. Witness was at Bushell's house on Friday night last, about tcn or eleven o'clock. Mr. Doran, Bushell, his wife, and the last witness were present. Doran had had a sup of drink, but not much. Witness said, " There's been a large fire, — and Doran replied, " Yes, there has: I don't care a d n if my place is on fire before morning." Witness said, " Mr. Doran, I suppose you are insured," and he laughed at that. John Dan was there, and Doran asked him if he could lay four or five tons of oakum on the top of his waggon, and he said he could. John Dan, a carter in the service of William Edwards, stated, that he was at Bushell's on Friday night, between half-past eight o'clock and nine, and was also in the yard some time afterwards. Bushell, Roger Hale, Mrs. Bushell, and Doran were there. Witness conversed with Doran, who asked him if he could put four tons of oakum on his wag gon, and he replied, that he could. There was some contro versy about the possibility of this, and Doran said, if he had the oakum out he did not care a d-n if all the premises were blazing with fire. He afterwards observed, that if he had said this before the other fire began he supposed people would have said it was he who set it on fire. Witness did not carry the oakum away. Alice Bushell, wife of John Bushell, testified that their house stood next door to that of Doran. It was of wood, one story high. She remembered Doran coming to their house on Friday night, about eight o'clock. There were other persons there, and he said he had five tons of oakum on his premises, which would make a d--d good bonfire, and he did not care if the place was burned to the ground. Beezley remained all the night ; he was sent for to stop and watch with their men, as they were afraid of fire. John Bushell stated that he was a cart-owner, resident in Crompton -street. He remembered Doran coming to his house on Friday night last, between nine and ten o'clock. He had had some drink. Witness went on to recapitulate the conversation touching the eartage of the oakum, without however, alluding to the saying attributed by the other wit nesses to the prisoner. On the following day, Saturday, witness had further conversation with the prisoner, who said he had £6OO worth of stuff lying there, (meaning in his store,) and he would soon have it only for his blackguard of a wife, for she would betray him. He repeated it two or three times over. He had then had a little drink. Witness never thought anything of it till on a sudden as he lay in bed on the preceding night (Tuesday), it came into his head to connect it with the insurance. Doran, after the first fire, removed two big loads of his goods. This was on Friday morning. On cross-examination by Mr. James, witness said other persons also moved goods ; could not say whether he brought any back. Mr. James pressed the witness at great length as to whether he had mentioned the saying of the prisoner on the subject of the burning of his property to Beezly or any other person. The witness thought be had not mentioned it to any other person, but he could not be sure. John Webster, cooper, Crompton-street, stated that Mr. Doran's store was a wooden structure, and his (Mr. Web ster's) cooperage joined up to a shed which was on fire in the great fire. From Doran's premises to the nearest part of the great fire was thirty yards. In consequence of the great fire he (Mr. W.) kept a continual look-out. On the night of Monday last witness went out into his yard to see if all was safe. He walked a few yards, when he saw a light Bushell's loft. At first he thought it was a candle, but in a few moments he observed that it grew stronger. It increased rapidly, and when he saw what it was he got on the top of a shed and gave the alarm. The light was close to the wooden partition which joined up to Bushell's stable. He did not know the thickness of that partition, but the rest of the build ing was of inch boards. His servant or charwoman, Alice Service, followed him out. Bushell's loft is north of the great fire. The wind was from the north, and would have carried the fire in a direction from the shed, It took but a very short time to consume the whole premises. It was a quarter to ten o'clock when be first observed the fire. Cross-examined by Mr. James.—l was greatly afraid of the fire taking my premises on Friday, Saturday, and Sun day, but on Monday it began to get lower, and after having consulted a locker, and found that there was no fear of an explosion, I ceased to be alarmed. There was no window in the stable where I saw the fire : I saw the light through the cracks in the boards. A long series of questions and answers here ensued as to the relative positions of the several sheds. Witness proceeded as follows :—When first I saw the light, I said to mysef, " Surely Bushell has not left a candle burning in his loft ?" In a moment I saw the fire rise, and I gave the alarm. The light did not appear on the floor, but on some straw which soon blazed up. I have known Doran four or five years. I had this spring a partnership transaction with him. He and another person asked me to go to a sale at Sligo with them to purchase a wreck. We had some difference, and I have not spoken to Doran since, nor he to me. I never expressed myself displeased with him, and said I would be revenged on him. I never said to Terry M‘Gee, nor to James Cusker, that I would be revenged on him. Witness proceeded to say that the last-named indi viduals had each spoken to him on the subject of the tran saction, asking him how it went on, and he told them very badly, as be lost money by it, and was not pleased, but he did not say so, nor did he ever say a word about being re venged. Roger Hale, the carter before examined, was recalled, and he stated that he was in the stable that evening, and . had a light, but lie put it out inside the lantern by wetting his fingers. He went back for his breakfast-can, and found all dark. Alice Service stated that she was in the habit of charing for Mr. Webster, and was there on Monday last, all day. She heard an alarm of fire from Mr. Webster about a quarter before ten o'clock. She went out and saw Mr. Bushell's stables on fire. She ran out of the house and went to Mr. Doran's door to alarm him that his house was on fire at the bock. She found his front door neither locked nor latched, but part open, but when she pushed against it, something prevented her from opening it. She pushed with all her strength against it, and then she saw Mr. Doran go from behind it. When she pushed the door open, Mr. Doran made a stagger against his parlour door. She shouted out, " Mr. Doran, Mr. Doran, your house is on fire." He cried out, " Oh, dear, oh, dear!" His niece's room, where she slept, was then all in flames.' Witness then went back to Mr. Webster's house and took the chiidren out of the fire and did not see Mr. Doran again. Had known Doran two years. Could see the flames in the room of the niece when she opened the front door. Knows Doran and knows his voice. " I have no doubt," said the witness, " that it was him, not the least; if I had I would not swear it." " Before that I heard no alarm of fire, save from Mr. Web ster." The witness was cross-examined at great length, but she wavered not from the testimony which she had given. She told the circumstance of having seen Doran to Mr. Webster, and also to a gentleman (Mr. John Clare,) whom she saw in Crompton -street. She told others also that she was posi tive it was Doran. She had heard Mr. Webster speak of a loss she believed of £l2O which he had sustained by Doran, in connexion with a transaction in Ireland, but she never heard him say he would be revenged on Doran, nor did she believe he would say such a thing. She could not tell who first asked her to give her evidence. She was in Crompton street looking at the remains of the fire on Tuesday, when she heard that two inspectors were there wanting her to go. Mr. Webster came to her, and asked her to come and speak to a man who was down the street. She had not then seen him before that morning, having gone home after she saw the chiidren safe. The man had a play-bill in his hand, to show that Mr. Doran was at the play. Witpess was taken there, to tell the man that she had seen Doran at the house, and the man said he could bring above forty people to show that he was at the play. Two gentlemen like inspectors then brought her up to the court. Mr. John Clare, clerk with Mr. Horsfall, who has sheds at the bottom of Crompton-street, proved that he attended the sheds during the progress of the first fire ; was alarmed on the occurrence of the second outbreak, and arrived at the spot at a quarter past eleven o'clock. Subsequently he saw the last witness talking to a woman about the fire, and he asked her how it occurred, when she told him all about it, stating how she had seen Doran within his house, when she pushed the door open. She expressed not the slightest doubt on the subject. Since the commencement of the large fire he had attended the sheds, and had anxiously watched the di rection of the wind. When the large fire occurred the wind was north-west. On Sunday it chopped round to the north east. That would blow the fire from Doran's place. At a quarter past eleven, when he arrived, Doran's place was al ready burned down. Inspector Bibby stated, that on Monday night he was on duty in Great Howard-street. Went on duty at half-past nine o'clock. Heard an alarm of fi►e, and ran to the spot, where he arrived about twenty-five or twenty minutes before ten. The fire was then burning a little at one side of Doran's house in the front, and ascending, but had not touched the middle. Saw the prisoner there very officious, urging the men to work. Had no doubt that it was him, as he made an observation which drew his (witness's) attention to him. He used an oath, and told witness to stand out of the road, and let those work who would work. It was very light, and he had a distinct opportunity of observing his face. Mr. James cross-examined the witness minutely and at some length, testing his accuracy in many ways, but without shaking his testimony. James Ainsworth, office constable, stated that on Monday night having heard that the fire had broken out again, he went down to the spot. He arrived about eleven o'clock, but the premises were already burnt down. He heard it rumoured about that they had been set on fire, and he there fore took notice of the wind, which carried the flame and smoke in a direction that would have blown the materials of the old fire away from the premises in question. He met Superintendent Leverett, and told him that the places must certainly have been set on fire. Inquiries were instituted, and witness was sent next morning to apprehend Doran. He and Kehoe were there about three hours. When he re turned to the office the prisoner called there with Henry Doran, and he introduced the prisoner to Mr. Dowling, who, having cautioned him, asked him what he knew about the fire. He said he knew nothing about it ; he and his wife went to the Amphitheatre ; they left home at half-past six o'clock, went into the boxes, and remained till half-past ten o'clock, when a gentleman tapped him on the shoulder, and told him his place was on fire. He said he went to the theatre because it was a benefit for his brother or brother in-law. Ann Woods, of Crompton-street, who resided next dooa to Bushell, stated that Mrs. Doran said, on Monday last, that she would give her two tickets to go to the Amphitheatre that night, but afterwards she gave her two shillings, saying, as she had not the tickets, witness must not be disappointed. She went to the boxes, and sat in front. She saw Mrs. Doran there, but not Mr. Doran. She knew Doran. When she got home she found the house destroyed. William Woods, husband to last witness, confirmed her testimony. Thomas Brailsworth, clerk to the agents for the Pheenix Insurance Company, proved that the prisoner Doran had in. sured in their office to the total amount of £5OO, in four sums, viz., £lOO for a building and wooden shed; £240 on stock in trade and fixtures; on another wooden shed, used as a dwelling-house, £100; and on household goods, £6O. The insurance was effected last Michaelmas, and was to take ffect on the 29th September last. John Whalley proved the finding of several pieces of oakum saturated with turpentine on some sheds and in a yard behind the public-house called Sixstnith's, at the corner of Crompton t reet. Mr. Rushton said, addressing Mr. James, so far as he knew, the case would terminate there. He would leave it to Mr. James as to whether he chose to enter upon any defence then or at a future period. Mr. James said he should much prefer hearing all the evidence first. Mr. Rushton said this was all the evidence at present, but any future evidence that might arise could not be excluded. Mr. James said he had a host of witnesses to call, but he would leave it to the magistrates to say whether that would be necessary. Mr. Rushton said, it was quite at Mr. James's discretion whether he would enter on the defence then or on the follow ing day. If Mr. James left the case where it was, he should undoubtedly commit the prisoner for trial. Mr. James, after a few minutes' conversation with the friends of the prisoner, said he would request that the case might stand adjourned to the following day. The case therefore stood adjourned till Thursday. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF PATRICK DORAN ON THE CHARGE OF INCENDIARISM. The examination was again resumed on Thursday, before Mr. Rushton. The court was, as on the proceeding days, exceedingly crowded. Mr. James wished to know whether Mr. Rushton intended to commit the prisoner at all events. Mr. Rushton said he should commit him if the case was left in its present state, but he was quite capable of receiving im pression in favour of the prisoner. Mr. James then entered into a very clever and able defence on behalf of the prisoner, contending that it was extremely improbable from the nature of the evidence produced against him, and from the circum stances which he should lay before them in the course of the defence, that he (the prisoner) had been guilty of the serious crime with which he stood charged. He then went over the evidence against the prisoner, remarking that unless they could produce some facts connecting the prisoner immedi ately with the fire, there could be no charge to send him be fore a jury ; and if they separated the testimony of Alice Service from the rest, (and in his opinion her testimony was inconsistent in many particulars,) there was no evidence at all on which to found the charge. He then called the wit nesses for the defence. John Magee, a labourer in Doran's employ, had been keeping watch since the great fire, and was at home on Mon day evening last. Darragan called about half-past five for Doran to go to the theatre. Doran went, and left witness and Mrs. Doran in the house. She afterwards followed them, and Magee remained in the house to take care of it. Witness went to bed, after putting out the fire, about eight o'clock. Laid down in Mrs. Doran's room and went to sleep. but was roused soon after by an alarm of fire, and made for the door in a state of confusion. As he was going along, the kitchen door was burst open (the front door of the premises). He pushed against the door in consequence of running against the parlour door, which is half covered by the front door. Heard a female scream out. She did not come in. He then went out of the house. By Mr. Rushton.—Did not take off his clothes when he went to bed. He was awoke by the screams. Fastened the door when he went to bed, and no one was in. Had been in Doran's employ six months. Was only a labourer. Ran out towards the engine, and screamed out, but did not see any one of them. Went afterwards to Terence Daragan's, and also to Mr. Camley's, as he knew them. Some persons were in the street when he came out, but did not know them. Saw the inspector when he came back. It might have taken him half an hour to go round to the places where he went. Saw the engine come, but did not know which way it came, was so much occupied in getting goods out of the fire. Got out a chest of drawers and a box from the kitchen. Was not in court on Wednesday. No relation to Doran, but second cousin to his wife. By Mr. Dowling.—Took his hat in bis hand when he went out, and had it on all the evening. Did call out " Dear me! dear me ?" when the door was thrust open, but did not re quest any one to open it. _ _ By Mr. Rushton.—Had a coat on when he spoke to the inspector, which he got from M'Camley—a dark frock coat, which he gave back to M'Camley. By Mr. Dowling. —Don't know who assisted him in get ting out the drawers which were lost in the street, and had not been seen since. Witness said his master exerted him self very much in trying to extinguish the fire and saving the property. . . • Edward Bandon, an apprentice to a pawnbroker, was at the Amphitheatre, on Monday night last, in the boxes, and saw prisoner there, about half an hour after he got in. His wife and he were together, in a seat behind him, with Larence, M'Gee, Davidson, M`Camley, and some orhers. Left the box about half an hour after first seeing him, and remained away about a quarter of an hour, and on returning, saw him again in the same box, and also some time after wards, from time to time. He could not have left the box while witness was there. When out the second time heard the clock strike ten, and on returning, went to the top of the stairs, and heard a rattle. Said to the check-taker " Halloo there is another fire," but the check-taker said it was the old fire broke out. Saw Mr. Ready there, and said to the check-taker there was a friend of his who lived near the fire, and he would go and tell him. Went to the box and told Doran, and went out wih him as far as Queen-square, and then left him on his way home. Prisoner said he thought it was only the ruins of the old fire, and if so, would come back. By Mr. Dowling.— Was aware that St. John's clock strikes the quarters. Itobert Davison, cotton dealer, was at the Amphitheatre on Monday night, and saw Doran there and spoke to him. Bannon came in and told prisoner about the fire, and they went out together. Prisoner did not leave the box before that time. _ _ Terence Magee, a cotton dealer, and an acqu a i n t ance o f p r isoner's, deposed to being at the theatre, and seeing Doran, who was in the same box with him. Witness left him about half-past nine, and on his return found him there. Bannon came to him about the fire. The prisoner did not go out at all except when he went out with Bannon, By Mr. Dowling.—Never was in partnership with pri soner, nor was he any relation to him. Terence Doragan called—Was an acquaintance of prisoner, and was at the Amphitheatre with him on the night in ques tion, the circumstances of which were the same as those given by other witnesses. Prisoner and his wife slept at witness's house that night. Magee was left at Doran's in charge of the house, and had orders to put out the fire, and see that all was safe. Witness's family did not go with him to the Amphitheatre. Terence Macauley called—Went to Daragan's house to go with them to the theatre. There were five of them. This witness also deposed to the circumstance of Doran being at the theatre, and going out with Bannon when told of the fire. By Mr. Rushton.—Had five or 6 coats such as they were. Had no coat like the one he bad on except itself. Mr. M'Avoy had never lent his clothes to his knowledge. Mr. M'Avoy said a man had been for his assistance while he was away at the theatre. _ Eliza Meany deposed to being at the Amphitheatre on Monday night, but did not see Doran, though she understood he was there. Joseph Heany, son of the last witness, stated that lie was at the theatre on Monday with his mother, and an alarm of fire being given, Doran left the box. Ellen Connor, who keeps a temperance hotel in Queen's square, saw the prisoner at the theatre on Monday night from time time for about an hour. It was after eight o'clock. Did not hear any alarm of fire, nor see Dorn go out. Thomas Heany, dealer in damaged cotton, gave the same evidence as the former witnesses as to Doran being at the Amphitheatre, and leaving about ten o'clock. William Ready took part in the affairs at the theatre on Monday night, and had occasion to go the refreshment room, when he heard the clock strike 10 while he was going round through the street. Came back to the lobby and was talking to a gentleman, when the checktaker said the fire had broke out again, and the witness Bannon went in and told Doran, who came out with him soon after, and they left theatre toge ther. _ These were all the witnesses for the defence. Several witnesses were then called by Mr. Dowling, but their evidence was merely corroborative of circumstances spoken to by other parties who had been called. Mr. Rushton said he had an inquiry to make which would prevent him closing the case that night, but he would do so on Friday (this day), as soon after two o'clock as possible. The examination occupied upwards of four hours. TRADESMEN'S ASSISTANTS. A meeting of this body, summoned by the committee of the Assistants' Association, was held at the Clarendon rooms, on Wednesday evening last ; Mr. FLOWER in the chair. The meeting, although not numerously attended, appeared to comprise many of the most respectable and in telligent men of that class. The chair was taken at nine o'clock. The CnAtumAN, in opening the proceedings, said that it was his painful task to inform the meeting that the affairs of the association had arrived at that crisis when it had become necessary either to dissolve the association, or at once, and by a vigorous effort, to renovate its funds. It would pain him deeply to witness the death of this association, for by its means alone had the claims of the suffering class to which he had the misfortune to belong been brought to the notice of the public. A large portion of the British public—that portion which was elevated above the rest by wealth, by rank, and above all by education—had responded to their cry for help in a manner that shed a lustrous honour on the name of man. The gratitude of the assistants was due to those truly noble persons who bad generously fought their battle, regardless of the stings and arrows of outrageous malice which assailed them from behind the shutters which enclose the ignorant and vulgar prejudices of a bygone age. Such gratitude. he said, would ill be shewn by the supine indifference of the men whose cause had been so benevolently espoused, and he exhorted them to throw off the stigma which, leech-like, stuck to them, and sucked the blood away which ought to flow through their hearts, with an honest, manly pride, which is the natural right of all who do their duty. The chairman then entered into a brief statement of the pecuniary embarrassments of the association, owing to the members not having renewed their subscriptions after the first year ; and concluded by entreating every person present to exert himself to the utmost to obtain subscrip tions. Mr. JACKSON then submitted a resolution to the meeting, to the effect that the duty and interest of every assistant de manded his best endeavours to support an association whose sole object is the moral and social elevation of the class to which he belongs.—This resolution was seconded with some very sensible and manly observations by Mr. DULIN, a gen tleman in the employ of Messrs. Promoli and Co., and was carried unanimously. Mr. SCHOLEFIELD, Mr. W. B. JONES, and two other gentlemen, then delivered very of spirited addresses ; and it was determined that a number the persons present should be appointed receivers of donations and subscriptions. The meeting separated at half-past ten. (See advertisement.) It is in contemplation to write over the door of Dover Gaol, " Hair cut on the shortest notice."—p unc h. VESTED INTEREST.—" I have a vested i n t eres t i n i t, " as the footman said of his master's waistcoat. ®BRIGHT. —" I say, my little son, where does that right hand-road go?" " Don't know, sir ; tain't been no where since we lived here." SWEET POTATOES.—An exchange paper says that an old bachelor having been laughed at by a bevy of pretty girls, he told them they were .. s mall potatoes," replied one of the girls, " but we are sweet ones ."' The old bachelor then felt as if he could e a t them up, and he said they ought to be all " roasted and dished." SHORT WAGES.—A man out west, by th e name o f W ages , who employs a g reat many bands on his farm, has accumulated an immense fortune. He is said to be the shortest man in the country. The usual reply to the common question of " Where do you work ?" is answered, " I am to work for ' short Wages.' "—American Paper. A lawyer, now deceased, a celebrated wag, was pleading before a Scotch j u dge, with whom he was upon the most intimate terms. Happening to have a client, a female of the name of Tickle, defendant in an action, he commenced his speech in the following humorous strain :—" Tickl e m y client, the defendant, my lord. The auditors, amused with the oddity of the speech, were almost driven into hysterics by the judge replying. " Tickle her yourself, H arr y, y ou are as able to do it as I." PARIS AND ROUEN RAILWAY. A meeting of the British shareholders in the Paris and Rouen Railway Company was held in the Clarendon-rooms yesterday, for the purpose of receiving the annual report of the directors. JoirN Moss, Esq., was called to the chair. The following is THE REPORT. Paris, 30th August, 1842. - - REPORT OF THE " CONSEIL D ' ADMINISTRATION" TO THE GENERAL MEETING. " Gentlemen,—At the period of the General Meeting last year, we were in a manner but preparing for our labours. " The first year had been employed in arranging the final plans, and accomplishing the formalities prescribed by the law, in letting a portion of the works, and in entering into contract for the engines, rails, and chairs. " Our plans and propositions have afforded general satis faction to the legitimate claims of the localities, and were subjected to very little alteration. "The purchase of the land, which one year ago was scarcely commenced, has been carried on with the greatest activity and now draws to a close. For this purpose the line was divided into two sections—the one containing nineteen com munes, and the other twenty-nine communes. The first section has all been purchased, excepting that part required for our Goods Station at the Batignolles, of which a few parcels remain to be expropriated* in order to complete this station. We are nevertheless in possession of a sufficient portion of the land to be enabled to commence the works. In the second section all the land required for the railway and the intermediate stations, with one exception in the communes of Sottevile and Rouen, is already purchased. The contemplated construction of the Havre Line required some alterations in our plans in these communes, or the land would also have been purchased by this time. The new plans have, however, passed the ordeal of the Committees of In quest, and we shall now proceed without loss of time to obtain the land. " Notwithstanding that the property required for the rail ' way is divided into 7500 parcels, the value of the land and houses, together with the difficulties attendant on passing through towns and villages, such as Poissy, Mantes, and Vernon, the result has been satisfactory. The greatest por tion of the purchases have been made by private contract. We have only had recourse to expropriation in a few cases, where the properties were of great value, and these were set tled by the jury in the most equitable manner. " Great care has been taken in drawing up the different con veyances. As soon as the few remaining purchases are com pleted, an exact account of this portion of our outlay will be made out. In the interim every thing is so settled as to place tha company in perfect security. " In the last accounts which we had the honour to lay be fore you, the expenditure for the works amounted but to 200,000 f. (X 8000) : on the 30th June last it reached the sum of 11,419,401 f. 36c. (X 456,776 35.) ; and at the present mo ment it is 14,338,460 f. 41c. (X 573,538 Bs.). This will show the activity which has prevailed in conducting the works. We now lay before you the report of the engineer in chief, which will give you a more complete account of the progress of our enterprise. [Then follows Mr. Locke's report upon the state of the works.] " To this report we beg leave to add that the advanced state of the works leaves us under no apprehension as to their early completion, nor have we any fear that the expenditure will exceed the capital. Our hopes and calculations on these two points have not been disappointed. The whole line will be finished two years earlier, at least, than the time allowed us by the bill. We shall thus be enabled to diminish the charge for interest payable during the construction of the line, and anticipate the period when the dividends will be paid from the profits of the railway. " The result will fully justify the manner of contracting for the works which we selected. We have taken advantage of the experience acquired in England in these matters. Every doubt which existed as to success on the application of this mode of proceeding, so new to France, has been completely removed by the energetic means which our contractors have employed—difficulties have been overcome, and new methods introduced with perfect success. " Upon this subject we feel called upon to contradict, in the most formal manner, the incorrect reports which have been circulated in respect to the want of harmony among the workmen of various nations employed on our works. We can safely affirm that, among the 8000 men now employed, nothing has ever occurred beyond slight disputes, which it is almost impossible to prevent among so vast a body of men. They have never been of such a nature as to compromise or even retard the execution of the works. " In respect to the nature and solidity of the works, every precaution has been taken in order that they may stand the test of the most scrutinizing examination. They have been adjudged according to specifications, drawn up after the most mature deliberation. An efficient staff of engineers has been placed on the different portions of the line to watch over the execution of the works in their most minute details. " We have never had occasion, in any matter of importance, as far as regards the works, to differ with the contractors; they have at all times, with the utmost promptitude, com plied with the orders of the engineer-in-chief. " The few accidents which have really occurred on the line have been greatly exaggerated ; they were perhaps inevitable on such a difficult and extensive line of works, requiring so much rapidity in their execution ; but they were most pronaptly attended to, and always at the charge of the con tractors. " If these works have been adjudged on terms not hitherto obtained here, be assured, gentlemen, th a t th e i r so lidi ty h as not been sacrificed to a false economy ; every means have been taken to secure their stability, and to afford, at: the same time, perfect security in the working of the line. A railway is of itself a great monument. Its splendour is to be found in its utility. " During the period which has intervened since our last meeting, we have completed our contracts for the supply of rails and chairs. The distance of the iron works is very great; and the extraordinary dryness of the season, together with accidents on the canals, have hitherto retarded the de liveries ; but we have taken every means to secure the strict execution of our contracts--and we have, besides, received the most positive assurances that the whole quantity will be delivered within the present year. " The construction of the engines, carriages, &c., for work ing the line has kept pace with the works, two months ago there was but one engine at work in the manufactory where our locomotives are in the course of construction, at this moment more than five hundred men are actively employed, together with the most complete machinery ever yet in ap plication here. " In fine every part of our enterprise is in the most satis factory position, which we are greatly indebted to the power ful resources you have confided to our care. " The calls have been paid up with remarkable punctuality. " At the period of the last general meeting, the recepits amounted to 12,602,086 f, 23c. (X 504,083 95.) ; on the 30th June last they reached 28,320,9911. 25e. (X 1,132,838) ; and at this present time they amount to 31,703,8721. 35c. (X 1,268,154 18s.) " We have not been obliged to have recourse to legal pro ceedings to get in any of the calls. Ninety-four shares only have been sold, and these sales have generally been caused by the death or absence of the party. " Your example will not fail to produce a beneficial influ ence in the execution of great public works. In France, complete justice was rendered to you in the chambers during the discussion of the law on railways. "Our monthly outlay has increased with the progress of our works; and in the last six months of the past year it has progressed from 1,200,0001. (X 48,000) to 2,600,0001. (X 94,000), and it now reaches 3,500,000 (X 110,000) each month. " The total amount of the expenditure is 27,428,591 fs. 31c. (X 1,097,143 12s). Although our resources are not yet exhausted, we, nevertheless, thought it expedient at the commencement of the year to make application to the minis ters for public works, for the return of our caution money, and at the same time to pave the way by complying with the various forms required, for claiming the loan of fourteen millions from the state. At this moment, even, we are press ing the ministers for return of the 3,600,000f5. (X 41,000) caution money, which must precede the loan of 14 millions (560,000) return of 4-sths of the same has just been granted, and it is perhaps owing to a greater respect for the letter rather than the spirit of the law, that the whole is returned, for it is impossible for the government not to perceive that our money would be much better employed in carrying on the works than it is in the coffers of the state, that a security is only of real use in guaranteeing the forma- Lion of an association ; but when a company has already executed works to the amount of twenty-eight millions (1,120,000), the guarantee of a few hundred thousand francs must be perfectly useless. " You may rest assured we do not lose sight of the period when the payment of the loan will commence, and we have too much reliance. in the interest which the government takes in our enterprise to have any fear or respect to useless delays. " As our works proceed we are better able to appreciate the future resources of this undertaking, and we have every reason to believe that our estimates of revenue will prove to be as correct as are those of the cost of construction. " The Havre line is the necessary consequence of the Rouen line. It promises a vast addition to the number of passen gers, and its construction will remove every doubt as to the extent of the transport of merchandise. " We have taken a prominent part with the Government and the Chambers in obtaining the assistance of the state for this line, and we may say that to the example of the Rouen Company may be mainly ascribed the favourable terms of this bill. The common interest which unites the two companies will continue to be the best guarantee for their mutual co-operation. " In conclusion, permit us, gentlemen, to refer back to the origin of our undertaking. You will bear in mind that the law of concession dates from 15th July, 1810, some days after we met in general assembly to examine the modifica tions made in the law and in the statutes, but a graver sub ject then occupied and kept public attention in suspense. In the presence of great political embarassment you did not hesitate to maintain the association. You had confidence in a better futurity. " You did not for a moment believe that one of the best creations of a time of peace could possibly be suspended by the mere rumour of war. By our energy and resolution, you gave us the first example how to overcome all difficulties. This confidence was nobly responded to by your associates on the other side of the water. If we allude to the circum stance of the shareholders being of two nations, it is only for the purpose of assuring you that only one feeling has always animated them, although the object to be attained was a great and national work, the advantage of which would exclusively belong to France. " On all occasions, under the critical circumstances which threatened our commencement, and in the progress to those better times which have now arrived, the English co-opra tion has never flagged, we have received all that we could hope for, the powerful assistance of its capital, and the be nefit of its great experience. " Thus, nothing has been able to shake the first basis of our association : upon it we have been permitted to found one of the most useful and beautiful monuments of human activity, and to consecrate the noble alliance of the industry of two great nations." The report was unan i mous l y approved of; an d a resolu tion was unanimously agreed to in favour of a continuation line from Rouen to Havre, thus affording a direct communi cation between Paris and the sea. * fly the word " expropriation" is meant the power to take the land required for the railway. LOSS OF LIFE ON THE LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.--On Monday evening, as the mail train which leaves London at half-past eight o'clock, was within about five miles of the Tring station (on the London side) the engine was suddenly backed for some distance, to the sur prise and apprehension of the passengers. The general belief was that there had been a " slip" of earth—one having oc curred on the road near the Wolverley station on Saturday. Presently, however, the engine stopped , . and the body of a man was discovered on the line of rails up to London, the head completely severed from the body, and lying about 30 yards from it. The writer of This paragraph saw the corpse at the moment it was found, and does not think the stroke of a sharp axe could have mo re completely perfo rme d th e act of decapitation. The effusion of blood was very consider able. The body was recognised by the m a il guar d as that of one of the labourers on the line, and it was added that lie was known to be a steady, respectable man. From the position in which the body lay it would seem as if the neck had lain acros s the rail, and thatthe head had b een swept off by the wheels of the engine. The body, having been reinove,l 11 the railroad was deposited by the way side until it could be conveyed to the nearest and most convenient place for the holding of the inquest.—Solopian Journal. i'OXTETH PARIS PROTESTANT OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of' the above association was held it, Toxteth-hall, Mill-street, on Monday evening last, and the building was not large enough to contain half the applicants for admission. We observed upon the platform the Rev. W. Butler, Rev. W. Falloon, Rev. W. Hughes, Rev. W. M. Bush, Rev. F. Parry, Rev. W. Hill, Rev. Joseph Baylee, David Hodgson, Esq., S. Lee Trotman, Esq., R. Harbord, Esq., H. G. Harbord, Esq., T. Inman, Esq., C. S. Middleton, Esq., John Callin, Esq., Messrs. Harbridge, Wagstaff, Harrison, and many other gentlemen of great respectability. The chair was taken by the Rev. T. NOLAN, who, after prayer by the Rev. W. BUTLER, addressed a few brief re marks, and called upon the Secretary to read the report. He also read a note, addressed to the secretary, from Alexander Smith, Jun., Esq., apologizing for his unavoidable absence. Mr. HUNTON read the report, which was very excellent, but too long to give in our paper. Handsome donations to wards the library of many books was announced from Lord Viscount Sandon, Mr. James Roberts, Mr. Harbord, and several other gentlemen. The Rev. JOSEPH BAYLEE then addressed the meeting. Mr. Baylee, in alluding to the pope's runaway chamberlain, Dr. Butler, explained his reason for believing that a May nooth educated priest could not undergo the scrutiny of an examination into his theological knowledge. The Rev. F. PARRY seconded the resolution, (the adoption of the report,) and made some very forcible remarks upon the great utility of Protestant associations, and the great and increasing want of them at the present time. It had been hinted that there was an apathy somewhere, and that some thought that our work was now done, and that we might now go to sleep, but he could hardly credit this, and those having such feelings could know very little of the proceedings of the Romanists in our town at this very time, with their convent for the sisters of charity, and their mass houses ra pidly rising up. The reverend speaker entered into the ob jects and mode of proceeding of the sisters of charity. DAVID HODGSON, Esq., moved the following resolution : • —" That this associ a ti on pledges itself to use every exertion to procure the return to the council-chamber of this town, at the approaching municipal election, those who will be guided in their deliberations and actions by the fixed princi ples of eternal truth, as contained in the written word of God, and adopted and set forth in the formularies of the church of England." In the course of his speech, Mr. H. dwelt upon the necessity of acting upon sound Scriptural principles iu the choice of a member to represent them in the town-council, and begged his friends before him, whom it was a real pleasure to him to meet, to act, under all circum stances and in all cases, upon this principle. He also gave a very good caution to those who might be elated by our victory in the council, that they might consider our work was done, instead of which there was much left for us now to do. It was true that we had gained much in getting rid of the nuisance., from the town-council; and if report spoke truly, we were even to lose the chief organ and frontispiece of liberalism from amongst them, who chose to retire rather than appear in the municipal gazette. ROBERT M'CLAY, an operative member of the committee, seconded the resolution, and, in a few very pointed remarks, impressed upon all present the very great importance of knowing the principles of the gentlemen for whom we were called upon to vote; and he could not see any impropriety, as we pledged ourselves to do everything in our power to support men of sound principle; that gentlemen coming forward to represent us whose principles were not publicly known, should also pledge themselve s t o ac t u p on such soun d principles. The remarks of the speaker were much applauded by all present. . . The CHAIRMAN entered into a few explanatory remarks respecting the observations of the last speaker, the justice and propriety of which cannot be denied; and he trusted that as they had so many friends present this evening, the valuable hints would not be lost sight of. The Rev. W. FALLOON moved the next resolution :-- "That this association renews its decided protest against the national sin and inconsistency of continuing in Ireland the national board of education, as at present constituted, and the royal college of St. Patrick, Maynooth, and regrets that the course of policy apprehended from our rulers, renders this renewed protest an imperative duty." The resolution was of such a comprehensive nature that he regretted so little time.was left him at that late hour of the night. The speaker then took a practical and running review of the two questions of Scriptural education and the Maynooth endowment. The resolution was seconded by R. HARBORD, Esq. The doxology having been sung, the meeting separated. Tll E CUSTOMS' DEPARTMENT.-ENORMOUS FRAUDS UPON THE REVENUE. (From the Morning Herald.) When it is remembered how well the country remunerates the chief officers of those departments of the state to whom is delegated the collection of duties, and more especially those appertaining to the receipt of imposts upon foreign and colonial produce and manufactures, the public are entitled to have as their servants the most intelligent, the most at tentive, and, without prejudice to any one, the most honest individuals. It will be for the public to express an opinion, when we shall have brought before its notice the many laxi ties, the frauds, the instances of favouritism, the attempt to screen really guilty parties, and the immolation of their dupes, whether the functions of the commissioners at the head de partment of her Majesty's customs have or have not been fully and satisfactoriiy administered. The enormous frauds now in progress of investigation are not in the aggregate con fined to tens of thousands, but directly and indirectly to hun dreds of thousands of pounds. Indeed it is said in some quarters that the revenue has suffered to the extent of nearly a million sterling. From the series of notices it may be necessary to devote to this important sub ject, names of parties high in commercial circles must, if deemed requisite, be given. The names of firms which are known to have connived at these frauds with the landing waiters are in our possession, with all the facts, and line of examination, in support of participation, as given in evidence before the court of inquiry now sitting upon the subject. But independently of the non-performance of their duties by the officials of the custom-house, in pro tecting, by due diligence and ample control, the revenues of the kingdom, there is another consideration, arising out of the long-continued practice of fraud, which involves the in terest and prosperity of the really honest merchant and trader. It must be clearly apparent that if five traders are carrying on businers in the same line, four of them paying their duties honestly and openly on foreign goods imported, while the fifth, by a connivance v. ith any officer of customs, gets his placed in his warehouse without the outlay of the duty, or by paying considerably less through the medium of false entries (hereafter to be fully illustrated), that the for mer cannot compete with the latter, and though they strug gle ever so hard to maintain their position, though they may make sacrifices to effect sales, in order to keep their cus tomers together for a time, still in the long run wholesale losses must be entailed upon them, by the ruinous and fruit less competition induced. Public morality then, indepen dently of other interests connected with the due resources of the kingdom, demands that the unfair system now under review should be probed to the core and exposed. There are, it is rumoured, reasons why the result of the investiga tion now going on and the evidence taken should be hushed up ; that the parties delinquent may not be publicly named ; that an exchequer process might be issued ; that thousands of pounds should be paid by the parties implicated ; and that they be left to re-commence their operations hereafter with renewed vigour—the fine imposed being uniformly less than the profits illegally made—and again render of no avail the exertions of the honest man to follow his trade. If such be the course intended, it is the duty of the press to state all the facts that have already transpired through private sources relative to the recently discovered and hitherto successful frauds upon the revenue. It is pretty well known that as respects the frauds now under investigation, some of the landing-waiters have bet* implicated in them. The duties of the landing-waiters are but little known to parties unconnected with trade, commerce and water-side business. It is, therefore, proposed to illus ti ate the facts and circumstances hereafter to be laid before the public by giving a description of their duties, their emo luments, &c. The principal business of these functionaries is personally to attend the landing of goods at the docks or legal quays. For this purpose he is furnished with a landing book, denominated under its respective class " red" or " blue ;" the issue of which is from the registrar's office, and which contains copies of entries previously passed by importers for merchandise about to be warehoused, or at once delivered. These entries are of three classes-Ist, the warehousing entries for goods intended to remain in bond ; 2d, the prime entry, which stipulates for the immediate de livery of the goods, the duty having been paid ; 3d, the sight entry, the object of which is to assist the merchant, in cases where goods arrive consigned to him without previous ad vice, when he is permitted to have the packages landed, upon declaring that their contents are unknown. It may be here necessary, with the view to carry the case out in all its bear ings, to observe on the opportunity these two latter descrip tions of entry afford to these officers, if they are not persons of strict and unimpeachable integrity, to deceive and falsify the returns, which, as employe's of the customs, they are ap pointed to make of the weight of and duty on merchandise landed at their respective stations, the interference of the landing-surveyor, their superior, being only required in the settlement of tare, or in the approval or otherwise of the value put upon goods at the ad valorem rate. Having succinctly stated the duty of a landing-waiter, it is necessary to add, that the body is divided into six classes, with proportionate salaries. The first class numbers 20 persons, with £4OO per annum each ; the second class 20 persons, with £350 per annum each ; the third class 20 per sons, with £3OO per annum each ; the fourth class 30 persons, With £250 per annum each ; the filth class 30 persons, with £2OO per annum each; and the sixth class 30 persons, with £l6O per annum each. As in the course of the investigation into the s e f rau d s i t has appeared that more thamone of the landing-waiters im plicated have also filled the office of searcher, the duty appertaining to that department must also be illustrated. The searcher, to use the technicality, " makes shipped " the packages delivered for shipment at his station. It is a part of his duty personally to examine such packages, noting their correspondence with the original description in the official papers, and should any such suspicion arise of any exchange or fraud connected with the shipment, they have the power of seizure and of bringing the matter before the board for inquiry and investigation. The separate duties of these officers being, as is trusted, clearly defined, the mode in which the irregular and falsified entries have been concocted, involving such loss to the reve nue, will no doubt be understood in the cases of fraud here after to be brought to the notice of the public. The first illustration we offer to the notice of the public, is in respect to the importation of silk, already had under the notice of the board of inquiry, but the charges of participa tion in fraud alleged against several parties, are so numerous that it would be difficult to define them in distinct order in the present notice. It is, however, sufficient to say that the one above alluded to will clesrly prove to the public how easily and successfully they have been carried on for a period said to extend over a series of eight or nine yesrs. The mode which is alleged to have been adopted in the wholesale smuggling of silks was for the parties connected to send to the legal quays a case of toys, books, or any other French import of low value, marked and numbered, say A, within a diamond, No. 1, for shipment coastwise, which, however, instead of forthwith being put on board, it was un derstood should be allowed to remain on the quay. When the French packets arrived, a " sight entry" was taken out for eases marked and numbered precisely the same as those prepared as before stated—the contents being declared to be " unknown." The packages were then landed at the same quay for examination by the landing-officer. Immediately this was the case, the former packag e was recalled by an yan packets, which to re-deliver, when the cases by th e F rench which really contained silk, wer e su b st i tuted to partiestly applying, and the packages of books, &e., examine and re turned for duty, in lieu of the cases of silk—the ship's mani fest merely describing the case brought over as merchandise, and thereby being no ch ec k upon the fraud. The investigation into these irregularitis in the customs de partments have already occupied many weeks. The results, we believe, will fully bear out the correctness of our intro ductory remarks, and in our next report facts and names will be stated in corroboration. (Coxrespondent of yesterday's Herald.) Before alluding more in extenso to the means by which the receipts of the customs have been so materially diminished by illegal and irregular transactions and connivances,it is a duty we owe to a great majority of landing waiters and other officers of the landing department, to say that for honour, probity, and integrity, they stand beyond syspicion. Far is it from our intention, because one delinquent be found among a a score of employee of the department alluded to, to say a word that would induce the belief that the general body was deficient in honesty. As the names of those discovered discovered to have been mixed up with i rregular and illegal ' Practices must be given in the course of the narrative, inno cent parties will be, as they ought of course to be; relieved from the slightest taint of suspicion in the public mind. The name of the party already dismissed the service is Mr. James Hastings, his participation in the f rau d s b e i ng fully established, an d hi s securiti es will, therefore, be called upon to mrke good his deficiency to the extent of their liability. The suspensions now in force are Mr. William Burnby, Mr. R. Flomersham, Mr. J. E. Foote, Mr. Lan g , Mr. P oo l e , and Mr. Rolls. It may be necessary to remark that some of these parties will, no doubt, be reinstated. As respects Mr. Burnby, the following facts and circum stances connected with the present and previous affair will tend forcibly to illustrate and prove the assertion made iu the former article upon this subject, of the favouritism ex hibited by the commissioners, and the readiness that has been shownt o l et scot free those who are in fa vour with the heads of the department. In the month of December, 1840, the drawback on a large quantity of wine was attempted to be received by a party who had employed an agent of known respectability and in tegrity to make i the necessary *. y entry. Su s pi c i on b e i ng ex c;- by a trifling irregularity u the papers about to be passed, an investigation was made, when it was discovered that the whole was an attempt at fraud. The name of Mr. Burnby, as the gauger of the imaginary wine, appeared in the pape rs . This officer was interrogated by the surveyor -general, Mr. Dowding, and the case was brought befo re th e commissioners, but the result of this transaction was not permitted to tran spire; and. aithough it was never doubted that Mr. Burnby had some knowk dge of the irregularity compl a i ne d of, still he was retainee, n his situation until the present discovery was made. It would appear from what has since escaped of the secret sittings of the board, that this Mr. Burnby has at last, to save himself (for there is every reason to believe that he has a promise of indemnity from ulterior steps), turned approver, and as such h as b een an d i s g i v i ng evidence against some of his colleagues. The first clue of suspicion of these frauds was afforded by the examination that took piace in the Court of Bankrupt c ysome six month s ago un d er t h e fi a t i ssue d against the now noted silk- manu f actur i ng fi rm o f Messrs. Williams and Mottram, as will be presently shown. The Government, it is imagined, have bad some facts laid before them tending to raise suspicions that frauds of the character now in course of description were of usual occurrence at the water-side, or the appointment of Mr. How to the new office of inspector general, to supervise the acting officers, would not have been made. In the discovery of frauds upon drawbacks on wine, three distinct instances are acknowledged to by Burnby, Homersham, and Hastings, a discharged servant of the Lon don Dock Company acting as merchant on their behalf, it being understood that a fair division of the profits of the ope ration should take place. The amou n t confessed to have been received by these parties upon this transaction is between £6OO and £7OO. As it often happens in cases of fraud, when the coadjutors fall out or are discovered, recrimination is the order of the day. Another mode of defeating the revenue of the country adopted by this officer, whose name and acts we have been commenting upon, is in the fabrication of what is called `• quakers" or " dummies," as a substitute for spices or other valuables about to be shipped for export. A. dis chared foreman from the F warehouse (spice floor) of the St. Katharine's Dock, named Quadling, was employed to make these " quaker" or " dummies" at the suggestion of Burnby, one of the landing-waiters, a relative of his, said to hold a commission in the royal navy, though professing to be a silk merchant carrying on an extensive trade, had promised a berth of £3 per week in the event of his (the " quaker maker") being discharged from his situation. Discharged he was, but whether the promised situation was provided we cannot assert. Connected with the silk, lace, and glove trade, it has long been a known fact among those connected with this branch of custom-house business that the favourable connection which junior partners or other confidential servants of such firms have made with the officers, have enabled them to su persede the licensed custom-house agent by the many ma noeuvres which they in concert couid practice, either to get the goods out at a duty trifling in the extreme, or without any duty at all. It is the knowledge of this connection which has led many of these agents to cease soliciting the business of many houses in the silk trade, being well aware of their ,inability to give srtisfaction to their principals, or compete with the partie s w h o i n th e i r b us i ness transact i ons were inti mate with the revenue officers. The case adduced in the last notice relative to the fraud practised by the exchange of packages, which there can be no doubt has been extensively carried on by these parties, must have been startling to those unacquainted with this depart ment of water-side practice. Another, equally simple in its process, will, however, satisfy the most sceptical that the modes by which the revenue can, and has been defrauded to a vast amount, are various, and are always al terable at the pleasure of those concerned in them so as not to arouse the suspicion of third parties by the oft-repeated practice of one deception. A case marked and numbered, say B 2, containing silk for drawback, is sent to the legal quays, is there examined and " mad e s h ippe d" by the searcher, alter which it is put on board a lighter for tra ns p or t to the vessel. In the same lighter is another case similarly marked and numbered, containing cotton or free goods, entered in a different exporter's name ; shortly afterwards the exporter of the last named package applies to have his case made " Short shipped" (that is, to be returned), where, by the understood change, the case of silks. is re-landed and delivered in the place of the case of cottons, which is in due course exported, while the drawback is received on the pack age of silk. This fraud could at any time be prosecuted without the aid of the officer, but by his connivance could be much more easily effected. It would be sufficient for present purposes to close here till further facts can be stated, were it not felt to be of promi nent importance to carry the narrative somewhat further, in order to prove the system of fraud to be one from which the revenue for a long time suffered. The course the investiga tion has taken, and the large number of witnesses called to support the charges already brought against the parties who figure as the principals in the violation of their duties already described, precludes, for the moment, giving the facts in de tail which will subsequently be elicited to establish, in the strongest possible light, the connection of many firms in this metropolis as the recipients, in due proportion with the re venue officers, of the profits of the frauds now underinves tigation. The public, by occasional paragraphs appearing within the last three weeks in the daily prints, were in some degree pre pared for disclosures which would effect interests identical with the mercantile world, but they were hardly, it is con sidered, prepared to meet the astounding statement, that, by the continued assistance of these frauds, parties have been enabled to carry on a system of business, which, while allow ing them to supply the retail dealer at " cutting " prices, also allowed them to be his superior in the ordinary walks of the trade at even a greater reduction than they had at first sub mitted to. Hereafter stronger truths will be furnished to prove the corruption existing in the management of the revenue, and among some of its dependents, and there can be no doubt that when these shall have been widely disseminated, legisla tive interferences will be called into action to prevent, in fu ture, the posibility of the recurrence of such abuses. The court of inquiry at present constituted, and under which the investigation is proceeding, consists of the Hon. G. R. Dawson, and Surveyors General Messrs. Dowding & Weston. It is generally believed that, in addition to the examina tion which these gentlemen may make, as the representa tives of the Board of Commissioners of Customs, the Go vernment will also direct the revenue commissioners, who have, till very lately, been engaged in an inquiry with a view of improving the Liverpool branch of Custom s , t o ta k e up the subject as a topic of discussion in the report which they may hereafter have to make upon the Lond on d epartment. How well the revenue commissioners would be able to grapple with this question may be fairly inferred from the consideration which . it appears they h ave given to the con nection of the landing officers and the merc h ants in their Li verpool report, not long issued from the House of Com mons. In that document they allude to the conference they had with the merchants on the scale of remuneration paid to the landing-waiters, searchers, &c., and it is th er e said, that " they (meaning the merchants, do not believe that this system would ever produce the for mer evils of fees paid by the merchants to the officers; nor do they admit that the work would be slurred over, or exe cuted with undue haste, and that thus facility to commit frauds and to occasion mistakes injurious to the revenue, would be the result," They reiterate Mr, Huskisson's as sertion, that the adoption of this system would be a saving of time in unloading v esse l s o f t h ree d a y s 'i n ten, an d stren uously maintain that either a greater " number of landing.. waiters must, be employed, or means be adopted for causing greater exertion to be put forth by the out-door department of the Customs. On the other hand, not only do commissio ners of customs repeat the arguments which they have former ly advanced in deprecation of the part salary and part fee system of payment of landing-waiters, but their practical officers in London and in Liverpool remonstrate in the strongest man ner against a recurrence to it. They say it perils the reve nue, and gives rise to neglect and inconvenience of all kinds ; that it turns the officer into the head clerk of the merchant, and induces him to act as such, and to take an improper share in the saperintendence of the unloading of vessels." It is understood that as the investigation proceeds, th ough tardily, fresh facts are brought to notice showing the laxity with which this important branch of revenue has been m a _ naged. A TOUGH J 01.3.-" My brethren , " said an Ame r i can preacher descanting on the difficulties of the sinner, " it is a very easy task to throw a skiff over Niagara Falls, but a tre mendous job to row it back again." " Oh, my dear sir," said a poor sufferer t o a dentist, " that is the second wrong tooth you have pulled out!" 4, very sorry, sir," said the blundering operator, " but as there were only three when I began , I'm sure to be right next time !" _ 1217.—TTENhrMeeEfiNr-s°t-Fr-a\lter,4 t lt hree S s it e l cl t i t d N - E ra s t s e, S an A d--• -- : s s s E t p o r 's . four third-rate men-of-war are ordered Tu C Zo l' A " l -1 ward at this yard , ready for commissioning.to be b roug ht for are reported as being the destination of lndia and China some of them. FATAL LEAP FROM SUNDERL AND-BRIDGE.—On evening, John Thompson, tailor Friday , of Sunderl an d, i n a d run ken freak, declared that he would that , by jumping off Sunderl nd- night rival Smith, the a bridge, which rash act he p e rformed. He was followed by a pers on w h o h a d heard him boast of his int ent i on to do so, at the same , who strove to p ersua de him not time considering that T homps on was not sincere, and th at he would not attempt it. In this , how ever, he was mistaken as Thompson pulled off his coat, and ascended the railing of the bridge, while his companion and adviser w as a short distance behind him. Assistance was called for, bu t • before it jumped down could be effective he He from the bridge • picked np b - into the river, upwards of 100 feet. was y the police boat, and taken to a neighbouring Public-house and a surgeon sent for. It was that he had received' such injuries from the fall as t o leave no hope of his re covery . He died the eame night. —Tyne Mercury. A STORM—CLOSING A PLEASURE EXCITRSION.—WeII, that is very extraordinary—R a i n —rain—rain ! All the eyes of heaven were bright as bright might be—the sky was blue as violets—that braided whiteness, that here and there floated like a veil on the brow of night, was all that recalled the' memory of clouds—and as for the moon, no faintest h a l o yellowed round her orb, that seemed indeed " one perfect chrysolite;"—yet while all the winds seemed laid as l eep till morn, and beauty to have chained all the elements into peace —overcast in a m oment is the firmament —an evanishing has g on left it blank as m ist—there is a fast, thick, pattering - i the •n —and woods—yes, rain—rain — rai ere we reach woo Bowness, the party will be wet through to their skins. Nay, matters getting still more serious—for was lightning —yea, h are ge there g tning—yea, lightning ! Ten seconds ! and hark, very respectable thun der ! With all our wisdom, we have not bee n —or we should hav e known, w hen we saw weather-wise it, su nset. Only look now towards the w e t an electrical s Noah's Ark — a magnificent spectacle; and . There flo a t s That far-off sullen sound proclaims now for the fl oo d. means that sighing and moaning and cataracts. And what cliffs? See—see how the sheet li htmuttering up among the shore all tumbling with foaming g ning shows the long lake there—but here there is not a sr breakers. A strong wind is ath. the lake are bowing their head But the woods across is in a tumult—the storm coin sto the blast. Windermere and now we are in the very es flying on wings all abroad-- and is hurrying h eart of the hurricane. See, in may be on the lake • a n d many a light—for the people fear . we , faithful Billy, ing his life-boat t o go to depend on't, i s launch venture. But soft—our assistance. Well, thi s i s an ad is in such darkness wh at th ails our argand lamp ! O ur s t u dy midst of a at we cannot see our pap er —i n t h e a flash of lightning , thunder -sto r m we conclude, and retire to b e d b y g. - --Reereations of Chridophfr North. I l !, r i ~ .. 7 17 z.,47,3agict,