The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-21 00:00:00

Nr THE LIVERPOOL NEW GAS AND COKE C. nrHE ANNUAL. GENERAL MEETING of PRO PRIETORS in this Undertaking will be held at Eleven o'clock in the Forenoon, on THU RSDAY, the 23d instant, in the ClarendOn Rooms, South John-street, pursuant to Act of Parliament. By order of the Committee, HENRY STEEL, Manager. Gas-office, Queen -square, Jan. 9, 1840. WIGAN EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS, ENGRAV INGS, FOSSI LS, .MODELS, SCULPTURE, and other WORKS OF ART, _ Under the Management of the Society ' for the Diffusion of Magid Knowledge. THE Committee of Arrangement of the above intended 1 Exhibition are prepared to receive Contributions from those Ladies and Gentlemen who are disposed to further the views of this Society, which has for its object simply the diffusion of useful knowledge, and the improvement of the rising generation of Wigan and its neighbourhood. All expenses attending the packing and transmitting of Paintings, Plates, Models, and Sculpture, will be defrayed by the Committee, who will also guarantee their safe return, free of cost, and in the same condition as when received. The parties sending such Articles will please to give the descriptions of the Works, Quotations, 'Addresses, &c., by post, addressed to Mr. THOMAS ACTON, Secretary to the Society, Wigan. No contributions can be received after the ith of February next. MECHANICS' INSTITUTION. DANCING. ACLASS is NOW OPENE D, for Instruction in DAN CIN G, under the superintendnce of MR. ST. ALBIN. This Class, which will meet every SATURDAY, at Two p. m., will be open to all Pupils of the Institution.— TERMS, ONE. GUINEA p;R ANNUM. FRENCH.—A Glass for beginners meets on MONDAY and FRIDAY }EVENINGS, at Seven, under MONS. SULIOT. Terms, 10s. 6d. per Annum. *** During the continuance of Mr. TAYLOR'S Lectures on the EARLY ENGLISH OPERA, the -litiors will be opened at Half-past Six instead of Seven p. m. These Lec tures are open Only to Members of the Institution. E v eni n gs of Lecture, WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY. A Donation of Ten Guineas A l upwards constitutes the Contributor a Life Member. Annual Subscription, One Guinea ; Ladies, Half-a-Guinea ; Sons and Apprentices of Members, Five Shillings. W. B. HODGSON, Secretary. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. TURKEY. CONSTANTINOPLE, have received intelli gence this morning of a very tragical occurrence at Ergeroum, which, it it be confirmed, must excite the utmost abhorrence and indignation in all the nations of Europe. It is well known that a certain Hussein Khan, who gave himself out Its am bassador from the Shah of Persia, had engaged in France a number of officers for the purpose of instructing the Persian troops in European tactics.. I have already given you notice of the departure of the said Hussein Khan with his suite, from Constantinople, and it would appear that they had safely reached Trebisonde. On their arrival at Erivan, the wife of one of the principal French officers fell sick, and her husband refused to proceed in his journey to Terehan until she had recovered. His comrades apparently partici pating in his anxiety or not Wishing that their body should be divided, likewise expressed their determination to await the result. Hussein Khan assumed an authoritative tone, and wished to compel them to proceed malgre bongre; but his commands were ineffectual, which so provoked the vain and perfidious Persian, that he incited his followers to employ the most violent means to enforce the execution,of his disregarded orders. The French officers finding themselves exposed to he attacked by an armed force, took shelter along with their Dragomen in the house of the BritiSh consul. There, how ever, they found no security, for the Persians forcibly entered the house sword in hand, killing four of the French officers and three of the Dragomen. A respectable young man of the name of Baddington, born in Smyrna, of English parents, is among the number of the Dragomen killed. M. de Sarcy, on his way to the capital of Persia, will probably have to pass over the bodies of his massacred countrymen.—Corre sportdent of the Morning RUHerald. SSIA. GREAT FIRE AT ST. PETEILSI3I.79GII.—A letter dated the 4th instant contains the following particulars :—" In the night of the 31st of December, a dreadful fire broke out in the fine manufactory of Alexandrowsk, near the city, on the road to Schlufselburg, which has been for many years in a most flourishing condition. The most important portion of it, that containing th 6 machinery for cotton-spinning, and the whole dep6t, were destroyed. The fire raged with such fury, that even in.the following night the flakes of fire con tinued to fly about. The remaining portion of that great establishment was with difficulty saved by the great exertions of the local authorities and the population, encouraged by the presence of the Emperor and the Grand Duke Alexan der. The loss is, however, very great. This noble estab lishment was indebted for its foundation, admirable organi zation, and prosperous condition, to the late Empress Maria Feedorowas. The director, most of the superintendents, and master workmen, are Englishmen. A number of per sons owed their livelihood to this establishment, which for extent and population was like a little town." L I M A. We have accounts from Lima to the beginning of August. According to these advices the exportation of wool was again permitted at Arica; but the decision of the supreme govern ment, with regard to bark, .had not been received. The country continued quiet, and the fears of war with Bolivia bad subsided. General Bulnes was awaiting the return of the vessels from Chili to leave Peru with the remainder of his troops. It was expected that the meeting of the Con gress, which would take place at Ilhancingo, would be re tarded for a short time. BUENOS AYRES, By a letter from Monte Video, dated the Bth of Novem ber, it appears that at Buenos Ayres there had been a rising against Rosas in the south, and that great excitement pre vailed in the capital. This was confirmed by further intelli gence on the 9th of November, that men were assembling in different parts of the country, and announced an intention of marching upon Buenos Ayres to expel Roses and the " Anchorenas. It seems they were more inveterate against the latter than against Rosas himself, as they think he has been misled by them, and that their counsels have caused the duration of the blockade. The revolution, it is said, was effected by the Feder is themselves, who were fearful lest Lavalle should succeed in driving out Rosas ; fearful, also, that submission might produce the same result ; fearful of a civil war if they took Rosas's part ; and, besides all this, were tired of Rosas and his tyranny. The whole of the south of the province is said to have been in arms. , Chiefs were marching upon the town of Buenos Ayres, and upon the Guardia del Monte, where Rosas had formed a depot for arms. Don Gervaeio, brother of Rosas, has been taken pri soner ; General Pecheco is reported to have declared against Rosas in the north, and some even say that Rosas himself has taken refuge in her Majesty's ship Calliope. The Pigeon packet bas arrived, bringing dates from Mexico city to the 2.5 th, from Vera Cruz to the 29th, and fromTam pico to the 7th of December. The papers contain details of the defeat of the Mexican Colonel Pavon in an action with the federal insurgents at Guardado, not far from Matamoras, of which a partial notice has already appeared in the New York papers. It is stated that on the Ist of November Pavon attacked the rebels under Canales, with whom a body of 500 Texans had formed a junction, and, after a severe contest, defeated and drove them into such a position that they proposed to capitulate. Whilst the negotiations of sur render were going on, Pavon imprudently permitted his horse, which were greatly distressed with thirst and fatigue, to descend to the river at some distance for water. Advan tage was taken of this separation by the insurgents on the instant to attack Pavon in their turn. His troops were deci sively beaten and dispersed. It is mentioned that Anaya, chief of the new insurrection, had entered into a treaty of alliance with Texas, by which its independence was acknowledged, and the limits of its territory fixed to extend to the river San Antonio de Bejar, on condition of aiding the designs of the insurgents with 300 men. On his side Anaya proposed, it was said, to found an independent state out of the exten sive, territory lying between the river San Antonio, the limits of Texas, and the river De las Nueces. A committee had been appointed by Congress at Mexico to investigate the state, of affairs on the side of Texas, and to urge the Govern ment to a more active prosecution of the war. Santa Anna was lying dangerously ill at his country-house in the province of Vera Cruz. The command of the department had been taken from him, and conferred on General Guadalupe Vic toria, about which there was much angry matter of crimina tion in his letters of remonstrance to the President, and in the papers in his interest. Some disputes had taken place at Vera Cruz between the merchants and the Custom-house authorities, arising out of a misconstruction on one side or the other of one part of the tariff. It was asserted by the latter that the import of white or bleached cotton yarn was prohibited, and in consequence various parcels had been seized, and the importers cited before the competent tribunals for the penalties or formally to pronounce confiscation. The magistrates, however, read the tariff differently from the Custom-house people, and declared for the merchants. The packet brings no more than 200,000 dollars. More tea is consumed in Great Britain than in all Europe besides. • Accounts from Africa state that the Waterwitch has re cently taken a brig under the Portuguese flag with GOO slaves on board. WEST INDIAN FRUITS.---I do not think the fruits of the East are to be compaied with those of the West Indies. I doubt if the garden of the Hesperides could have boasted of such a profusion of golden tints, and such a variety of deli ciousi e s flavours. In the order of their exce llence, there is the imperial shaddock, " the grace and ornament ' j % oefh n: beur t t de in the W es t I n di es ; th e l usc i ou s-granadilla: w Creole hand's can duly prepare with sugar and Madeira ; the melting avocado pear, which it is forbidden to eat without salt and pepp er • the delicate anana, which must be tasted in the Istil that Ripley, the of the pine-apple to understand the ben e fit pley, the Jamaica planter, has conferred on the epi curean world ;- the mellifluous naisberry, which, like the medlar and some other fruits of precocious qualities in fashionable hotbed s , must be yellow at the core before it is mature. The full-grown pomegranate must not be forgotten, teeming with liquid rubies, and reminding the eastern epicu rean of the golden fruit extraordinary grows (on the authority of Mahomet) on that ex tree Tuba, which grows in Paradise close to the prophet's house, thed is continually bending down its branches to passers-by with grapes, dates, and pomegranates, " of size and taste unknown to mortals" ; and, lastly, the blooming mango, whose exqui site hue is like the blush on the bashful chee k O a ai of d en of fifteen ; and finally, indeed; the ayro dolce admixture f m the star-apple and oran g e, which stan ds not the proof of Seneca's test of wh olesomeness ; for th e eating of the same may be a pleasant th in g to-da y , but b y n o means agreeable e to-morrow.—,2lladden'B West Indies. ALLIGATORS.—Counted thirty-nine alligators, all of which were lying c l ose together in one extended line. Some of th em were very large. It is really horrible to witness them devour ing that large fish called the bagre, for which they lie in wait in the current and eddies of the river. They bring their huge jaws together upon their prey with a great noise and splash ing, and then raise their heads out of the water in order to devour them, which occupies more time than would be ex pected from such a monster. Should they happen to seize the fish crosswise, they have great trouble in placing it in a straight position that they may swallow it, the blood running all the time over their hideous jaws. They sleep a great deal in the sun, with their mouths wide extended. Our boat would frequently get within an oar's length of one, without waking it up ; and at this short distance once or twice I poure d a whole charge of duck s h o t directly in his throat ; but whether it survivedor not, I could not determine as it invariably got to the water again. Whe n we were about t half a league from Los dos Canos, we stopped for the night ; the bogas stretched their straw mats on a beautiful playa (sand_bar) of white sand. These mats, with their toldas o ver their heads, are the only beds they have. Movingaround a lar ge fire the n ight, cooking their supper , with the white toldas raised ar ou n they form an excellent tableau fora painter. Thes e fires are c a l s o essential fur . warding off the attack s o f the tigers o ther wild beasts, whose tracks are to be distinctly traced on every playa of the river. - All night long, the splashi ng of the caymans is to be heard, as they pounce upon the unlucky fish ; and it was with the greatest difficulty that I could pa; cif) , the women, aad convince them of the impossibility of these animals reaching their heads above the gunwale, and lugging them off.—Bittarfs Bogota. - • 4S Iniprrial parlianirm. HOUSE OF LORDS-THURSDAY, Her Majesty opened the Session of Parliament ta.,Glay with a Speech from the Throne. At an early hour the carriages of the nobility and those who had obtained orders of admission into the body of the House of Lords and the Painted Chamber began to arrive in rapid succession. The ladies were all in full court dress. Parliament-street and the whole line of road leading from Bncldngham Palace, presented the usual animated scene, and shortly before the Royal procession passed, the streets were much crowded. _ Shortly before two o'clock her Majesty entered her state carriage, accompanied by the great officers of state and the household, and proceeded to the House of Lords in the usual form. The road was lined with the First Regiment of the Guards. A discharge of cannon announced her Majesty's arrival, and a*few minutes afterwards the Queen, attended by all the great officers of state, entered the house, and took her seat on the throne. The house at this time presented a brilliant spectacle. Her Majesty having desired the Peers present to be seated, ordered the Usher of the Black Rod to summon the Com mons. In a few minutes the Members of the Commons, headed by the Speaker, appeared at the bar, when her Ma jesty delivered the following most gracious Speech : THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. " My Lords and Gentlemen, " Since you were last assembled, I have declared my in tention of allying myself in marriage with the Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg and Gotha. I humbly implore that the Di vine blessing may prosper the union, and render it conducive to the interests of my people, as well as to my own domestic happiness, and it will be to me a source of the most lively satisfaction to find the resolution I have taken approved by my parliament. " The constant proofs which I have.received of your at tachment to my person and 'family, persuade me that you will enable me to provide for such an establishment as may appear suitable to the rank of the Prince and the dignity of the Crown. " I continue to receive from foreign powers assurances of :heir unabated desire to maintain with me the most friendly relations. " I rejoice that the civil war which had so long disturbed and desolated the northern provinces of Spain, has been brought to an end by an arrangement satisfactory to the Spanish government, and to the people of those provinces ; and I trust that, ere long, peace and tranquillity will be re established throughout the whole of Spain. " The affairs of the Levant have continued to occupy my most anxious attention. The concord which has prevailed amongst the Five Powers has prevented n renewal of hosti lities in that quarter, and I hope that the same unanimity will bring these important and difficult matters to a final settlement in such a manner as to uphold the integrity and independence of the Ottoman Empire, and to give additional security to the peace of Europe. " I have not yet been enabled to re-establish my diploma tic relations with the Court of Teheran, but communications which I have lately received from the Persian government inspire me with the confident expectation that the differences which occasioned a suspension of those relations will soon be satisfactorily adjusted. " Events have happened in China which have occasioned an interruption of the commercial intercourse of my subjects with that country. I have given, and shall continue to •give, the most serious attention to a matter so deeply affect ing the interests of my subjects and the dignity of my Crown. " I have great satisfaction in acquainting you that the military operations undertaken by the Governor-general of India have been attended with complete success ; and that in the expedition to the westward of the Indus, the officers and troops, both European and native, have displayed the most distinguished skill and valour. " I have directed that further papers relating to the affairs of Canada should be laid before you, and I confide to your wisdom this important subject. " I recommend to your early attention the state of the municipal corporations of Ireland. " It is desirable that you should prosecute those measures relating to the Established Church which have been recom mended by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners of England. " Gentlemen of the House of Commons, , " I have directed the estimates for the services of the year to be laid before you. They have been framed with every attention to economy, and at the same time with a due re gard to the efficiency of those establishments which are ren dered necessary by the extent and circumstances of the • empire. " I have lost no time in carrying into effect the intentions of parliament by the reduction of the duties on postage, and I trust that the beneficial effects of this measure will be felt throughout all classes of the community. • " My Lords and Gentlemen, ' " I learn with great sorrow that the commercial em barrassments which have taken place in this and in other countries, are subjecting many of the manufacturing districts to severe distress. " I have to acquaint you, with deep concern, that the spi rit of insubordination has in some parts of the country broke out into open violence, which was speedily repressed by the firmness and energy of the magistrates, and by the steadiness and good conduct of my troops. " I confidently rely upon the power of the law, upon your loyalty and wisdom, and upon the good sense and right feel ing of my people, for the maintenance of order, the protec tion of property, and the promotion, as far as they can be promoted by human means, of the true interests of Europe." The house adjourned during pleasure, and resumed at five o'clock. THE ADDRESS. The speech from the throne having been read by the Lord Chancellor, . The Duke of SOMERSET rose, for the purpose of moving an address in answer to it. He believed that the speech em braced no topics that were likely to create a diversity of opi nion. Iler majesty had, in the first instance, announced her intention of allying herself in marriage with Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg. This was a matter of very deep interest; and he trusted, that, by taking this step, the individual happiness of the illustrious parties would be secured, and that the union would, at the same time, be beneficial to the country. (Hear, hear.) The uniformity of religion between the parties, the previous connexion of their families, and the preceding ac quaintance which had been cultivated between themselves, all tended to produce that desirable effect. (Hear, hear.) Being well assured that their lordships participated in these sentiments, he did not entertain the slightest doubt that their lordships would concur in any measure having for its object the providing of an establishment suitable to the dignity of the crown. The noble duke, in turn, glanced at the various subjects of the speech, and concluded by moving the address, which was, as usual, an echo of the speech. Lord SEAFORTH seconded the address. _ - On the question for the adoption of the address being for mally put from the woolsack. The Duke of WELLINGTON rose—My lords, there is no noble lord in this house who concurs more sincerely, than I do in the expression of congratulation to her Majesty upon her approaching marriage, which she has. been pleased to an nounce a second time to the public from the throne this day. I most sincerely wish that the event which has been thus promulgated may contribute to the comfort of her Majesty. (Hear, hear.) I agree with the noble lord who seconded the address that it is desirable that your lordships should concur with the other house of parliament in the provision for the prince whom her Majesty has selected. My lords, it ap pears to me that when this•house is called to a question of this description, the house ought to know, and the public ought to know, something beyond the mere act of council, or this announcement from the throne—something more than the mere name of the prince—(hear)—to whom her Majesty is about to be united. I had the honour of being • summoned to the privy council when her Majesty was gra ciously pleased to declare in council her intention to espouse that prince. On that occasion the precedent of the reign of George 111. was followed in all respects except one—that is, rily lords, declaring that the prince is a protestant. (Hear.) My lords, for my own part I entertain no doubt that he is one. I am sure he is a protestant. I know he is of a pro testant family. I have the honour of being known to some of his family, and lam sure that he is a Protestant. By the law of this country it is necessary that the prince must be a Protestant to be espoused to her Majesty. I say, my lords, that the precedent on the marriage of George HI. ought to have been followed throughout, and the public ought to have had the fact of the prince being a Protestant announced in the same manner as was then observed. I know the noble lords opposite too well to think that they are ignorant of the anxiety of the public mind, and I know well that they have it in their power to relieve that anxiety—(hear; hear), and gra tify the people by the declaration. Nay more, my lords, I am satisfied that her Majesty is as anxious for the Protestant ' character of the state as I can be, or any of your lordships. If so, why was riot there an announcement in conformity with the precedent of George 111. ? Is there any doubt as to the re ligious sentiments of the prince ? There is no doubt about it. He is a Protestant. He cannot be otherwise—(hear.) Why was it then not stated ?—(hear.) Why, I ask, was it not declared that the prince is a Protestant? My lords I have seen since what th e reason was f or th e course adopted. I read what was asserted with great attention. lam aware what a celebrated French author has asserted. He says that in France—" En plein jour, on ne conspire pas." I have been accustomed to look to those revolutionary discussions. I read the public speeches and letters—missive and declarations, that I may see what the danger is, that I may be prepared:accordingly. I see from what passed there a very sufficient reason why the word Protestant was not inserted in the communication made by the Privy Council, and why it has not been inserted in the speech. My lords, lam convinced that noble lords opposite are as much dispoSed as I am to preserve the Protestantism of the state but Ido say that this is the first time that the House of Lords has been called upon to act in this manner. The public ought to know —the house ought to know, that he is a Protestant prince, knowing that we are a Protestant state. I was the party to bring forward the measure with regard to the Test and Corporation Acts, and the measure to adniit the Roman Catholics into all the privileges of the con stitution, and to enable them to become part and parcel of the Protestant state ; but I never intended, nor did noble lords opposite who supported me in that measure which I had the honour to propose. intend that the country should cease to be a Protestant state. I say, then, that the House of Lords should on the first opportunity of expressing an opinion —your lordships having been called upon to concur in the address—to insist upon the removal of the doubt upon the public mind id re f ere nce to this subject. When your lordship s provided for the security of this Protestant state, you were willing to admit into it —notwithstanding all the objections that were strongly urged on the ground of former precedents and ancient laws, orders in council, declarations, oaths, and what not, you were prepared and did actu all y ad mit all those p ersons to thefullenoyment, benefits, and ad , avnarditoagtheesrosfetchuisriPtireostweshtiactiiit you state t , h o e u n the ground of those oaths of that state. But Ido entreat your lo b r:dsh d i public mind by declaring you b that the provisions diet of the law of this Protestant country course as I have ventured to suggest , eatsiesfycurtihtye andry require such a . p f s or to th s occasion—the that you believe the prince is a Protestant. On a former George lll.—it was declared bg)craesi°tllle—the marriage of privy es o c u o s unpl that the the princess to whom he was about to be Protestant princess. In the address proposed to both houses, it was not so announced certainly ; but in the House of Com mons, an amendment was made, in which the word Protest ant was inserted . That course, however, was not pursued 't was in' the House of Lords, but adopted in the address proposed in the H ouse of Commons.milr course. a I have now your lord s hi ps , to Propo s e that your lordships adopt a si `concur in this, I have no objection to the other parts of th e address. "N The Loan CHANCELLOR then proceeded to put the clues. ton on the amendment, which proceeded to insert the epithet " Protestant" before the word " priaoe," Some delay, however, having taken place in putting the question, Viscount MELBOURNE expressed his regret that, out of respect to her Majesty, their lordships had not, for that night at least, laid aside all party differences, even that shadow of a difference, if, indeed, difference it could be called, which the noble duke had raised, and , came to an unanimous vote in favour of the address. He maintained that the amend- went was unnecessary. The Earl of WINCIIELSEA supported the amendment. He asked whether, when the bill which relieved the Roman Catholics from their disabilities passed the legislature it was _ _ not considered essential to take security that this should remain a Protestant state, and to show that the sovereign was ' not to be relieved from those principles or disabilities which . had been imposed on the family when they were first called to the throne of these realms—viz., that no sovereign could rule who professed any other than the protestant religion, or who should marry any other than a Protestant spouse.: But it did not follow that because a prince had descended from a Protestant family, and from a long line of Protestant ances tors, that he himself should be a member of that religion. Were not their lordships aware that many of the connexions of that illustrious prince were at that moment members of the Roman Catholic faith ? He (Lord Winchelsea) would not say that those individuals to whom he referred had changed their religion except upon the conviction of their consciences ; but still he could not forget the fact that there were members of the family of which Prince Albert was a member who were no longer Protestants. Was there not a cousin of that illustri ous prince, the husband of the Queen 'of Portugal, an avowed Roman Catholic, and were there not other members of the family who hadbecome so ? He (Lord Winchelsea) maintained that it was not only proper, but absolutely essential, that the proposed words should be inserted, for the satisfaction and security of the country. Their lordships knew that there was a feeling on the part of certain individuals to subvert the Protestant religion, and to increase the power of the Roman Catholics, to the prejudice of the Protestants of the country. That feeling, he would maintain, did exist. But he could tell the persons who entertained if. that there was that spirit among the Protestant population of this country, that would make them rue the day on which such an object should be declared. He believed that the country was on the eve of one of the most awful convulsions that had ever taken place in a civilised state. He believed that there were certain parties, who, to forward their own political views, had raised up a storm which they felt themselves unable to meet or quell-:--a storm, which at this time was threatening to burst upon them with the greatest violence, and with the most la mentable results. He would support the amendment ; and he for one could not conceive that the adoption of it could possibly give offence either to her Majesty or the illustrious individual to whom she was about to be united, while, on the other hand, he was quite convinced that it was essential, and would, tend in a most material degree to satisfy the public mind on the subject. He conceived that if there was one thing more than another which was imperative upon the So, vereign of these kingdoms, it was to maintain inviolate the Protestant faith. Alluding to the reported presentation to her Majesty of a person who was the propounder of senti ments and principles which strike at the root of those reli gious and moral principles on which the government of this country ought to be conducted, his lordship said he should inquire into the rumour, and, if he found it correct, he would take an early opportunity of moving in that house a vote of censure upon the party by whom that individual had been presented to her Majesty. Earl FITZWILLIAM believed that if they carried their views beyond the walls of that house their lordships would find many persons who would be of opinion that whether the word Protestant should be inserted in, or omitted from the address, was a matter of very little moment. He bore testimony, to the severity of the present address, which he considered not to be beyond the power of legislation to remedy. Lord BROUGHAM said, the noble duke supposed that the omission of the word Protestant was made with the view of paying court to certain parties to whom he had alluded ; but he (Lord Brougham) must say, that his opinion of those parties must be considerably changed, before he could sup pose that they would be content with so small a concession, or that they would be diverted from their views, or rest satis fied with the insertion or omission of any mere word in that address. But the case had not, he thought, been correctly stated by his noble friend. The law did not prohibit the marriage of the sovereign with a Roman Catholic ; it only in flicted a penalty, should such a marriage' take place. That penalty was the forfeiture of the crown. (Hear, and laugh ter.) Was it supposed by noble lords opposite that her ma jesty would run the risk of. forfeiting the crown ? for that must be the ground on which the argument rested:7Refer ring to the state of Ireland, hersaid the remedywas a just and moderate provision, founded upon a well-considered princi ple and a well-contrived machinery, a due and proper provi sion for the clergy, who administer to the spiritual wants of the great majority of the Irish people. He should wait for the results of the recent contests in India, before he con gratulated the ministers upon their policy. The noble and learned lord then dilated on the distress which pervades nearly all ranks of the community —on the deeply-seated discontent that possesses the labourers—on the recent rebellion in Wales—oh the threatened disturbances in the north—on chartism, in its essence and tendencies—on the hostile feelings that diVide the working clasies frotn the order of proprietors-- -on the enfranchised and uneufranchised sections of the community—and finally, on the remedial measures which his learned lordship would suggest as suitable to the emergency.. The noble and learned lord was exceedingly happy in the contrast which he drew between the reward of sedition in Wales on the one hand. and in Ire. land on the other. He dePicted O'Connell to the life, as the foul, brutal slanderer of one day—as the crotichifig,. crawl ing, fulsome sycophant of the next. lie brought into relief, by implication, the co.,vardice,, the sordid meanness, the al together uninterable baseness, of the loathsome mendicant ; and then he expressed his astoniihment, that treason in Wales should be rewarded with the gibbet, while treason inlreland is rewarded, not indeed with the " crown, but at all events with the patronage of the crown." Earl STAN HOPE, agreeing with the noble lord's descrip tion of the country, begged to remind him that the members of the " reforming administration" of 1831 had pledged: themselves to pacify England by means of the reform bill and that, afterwards, the same men had pledged themselves to elevate the moral character of the labouring classes, by' means of the new poor law. The results of those measures and of the free trade system are now before' the. world—for the chartists are now only . practising, for;their own ends, the lessons which the reforming ministers .of 1 831 taught them.. He denied the accuracy of Lord Brougham's statement, that the labouring classes desired a repeal of the corn-laws. That the labouring classes are deeply discontented, the noble earl declared to be unfortunately too obvious. Nay, in his lord ship's opinion, a revolution is rapidly approaching—a revo lution which nothing can avert, save a repeal of the new poor law, and the abrogation of the currency act of 1819. The Duke of RICHMOND could not admit that the condi tion of the country was so deplorable, as the Earl of Winchel sea and Earl Stanhope had described it to be. As for the corn-laws—his Grace expressed a strong hope that parlia ment would, after the debates of last session refuse to enter tain any proposition tbr aii inquiry into their operation. Lord MELBOURNE then agreed to adopt the Duke of Wel ngton's amendment.—Adjournment. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-THURSDAY. The SPEAKER took the chair at a quarter before four o'clock. The attendance of members at the commencement of business was not very numerous, but the house was crowded before five o'clock. NEW MEMBERS. The following Members took the oaths and their seats : Mr. Manners Sutton, for the borough of Cambridge ; Lord Claude Hamilton, for Tyrone ; Mr. Greg, for Manchester; Mr. F. Baring (Chancellor of the Exchequer), for Ports mouth ; and Mr. Wyse, for Watpford.. NEW WRITS. New writs were ordered for the following places :—Daven port, in the room of Sir E. Codrington ; Birmingham, in the room of Mr. T. tttwood, who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds ; and Edinburgh, in the room of Mr. Macauley, appointed Secretary at War. On the writ being moved, Mr. DISRAELI rose and said, that on the day of the pro rogation of the last session of parliament, he asked upon what principles of the new Cabinet would be constructed, and he now begged to ask upon what principles it had been construct ed. (Hear, hear.) He thought the present a very proper oppdrtunity for giving the required explanations. Since the Reform Act passed 12 lnembers of the Cabinet had left it, and he was really at a loss to know who were her Majesty's ministers. (A laugh.) Perhaps the Cabinet ministers would hold up their hands. (Laughter.) He now repeated the question, and hoped ,he should get an answer. The SPEAKER then put the question that the writ be issued, which was agreed to without opposition. New writs were also ordered for Penryn, Newark, South wark, Meath, Denbigh, and Beverley. WANT OF CONFIDENCE IN MINISTERS. Sir J. Y. BULLER gave notice that on Tuesday, the 28th inst., he would move a resolution declaring the want of con fidence on the part of the house in the present administration. (Loud cheers.) BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.-STOCKDALE V. HANSARD. Lord J. RUSSELL felt great regret that it should be his duty to interpose between the Speaker reading her Majesty's Speech and the house taking it into consideration, but in the discharge of his duty as a Cabinet minister, and a member of that house, lie could not avoid it. A petition from Messrs. Hansards had been placed in his hands, which was of so im portant a character that, without at present going into other details, he should at once move that it be read. • The petition from Messrs. Hansards, setting forth the whole of the proceedings in the action brought by Mr. Stockdale against Messrs. Hansards for libel, was then read at length by the clerk ; and, on the motion of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, Mr. James Luke Hansard was called to the bar, and deli vered in certain papers connected with the proceedings. Lord J. RUSSELL then said it was incumbent on the house not to lose any time in coming to a decision on the impor tant question, the importance of which every member must be aware of. In whatever way the house treated the ques tion, one thing was • uite Blear, that the house could:npt re-_ main in its present position. They might proceed.in various ways; but the course which he apprehended would be the beSt was, that which had been taken on former occasions with great effect, viz. the committal of the parties who bad invaded the privileges of the house. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord, after some further observations, moved that to morrow the following persons be summoned to appear at the bar of the house :—Mr. John Joseph Stockdale—(hear, hear)—Mr. J. Burton Hayward, his attorney ; W. Evans, Esq., and J. Wheelton, Esq., Sheriffs of London and Mid dlesex (hear) ; Mr. T. Clarkson, and Mr. Burchell, Under Sheriffs (hear); and Mr. Kemp, the bailiff, who executed the writ of execution against the goods of Messrs. Hansards. Sir E. SUGDEN admitted the importance of the question, and the propriety of coming to a speedy decision on it ; but he could not concur in the course recommended by Lord J. Russell. Seeing the difficulties that had arisen by the house becoming booksellers, he recommended the rescinding of the resolution on the subject of the sale of Parliamentary papers. Sir R. INGLIS concurred in this recommendation, in con sequence of the difficulties that surrounded their attempts to carry it into effect. Mr. CRESSWELL said he could not abstain from saying a few words as to his reason for resisting the motion of the noble lord. If he understood the ground taken by the noble lord, for calling before the house the officers who were con cerned in executing the commands of the lawful office to which they belonged, it was this—that the judges had no ju risdiction, and that therefore they could not lawfully have given judgment in the case; and if so, that there was no law to justify the sheriff in the course he had pursued. In his opinion, if they took any step at all it ought to be that of Calling to the bar of the house the judge under whose orders the sheriff the certainly acted. The hon. member for Edinburgh was under a m i sta k e when he sa i d that they cou ld not ca ll upon judge because he had not received a notice of the proceedings i\ o , o f wthsauteliikov,u,saes, not o r resolutionsi t t h s e h e i x te a l c a t io p n o s si o t r ionof t he iti this case. mat ter, for the sheriff had act ua ll y praye d f or ti me t o b e ex tended to him under the circumstances, and it had been rt g h m e judgment upon refused by the judge. Th erefore, the act had been the act of astlicee. l judge,a e n juddhgee sh, therefore, proceededwe had to re give eall j y ud the concerned in the present case, and it would be the more manly course to call upon them, and not upon the officer, who merely executed their commands. But let them just see how that house could then call upon either the judges or the sheriff; or any other officers concerned in this transaction. They had had the statement that Hansard had been served with a notice of the origina l action ; and on th at occasion considerable blame had been cast u p on Mr. Justice Littledale for not having Itllowed the defendant to plead the privilege of that house. Now upon that occasion none of the hon. gentlemen on the opposite side, neither the Attorney - General nor Mr. Se r j ean t Wilde, *nor any of the others who had since made the discovery, had suggested that the Court of Queen's Bench had no power to entertain the question, not oue had then asserted that the judge had not power to try the issue before him. - Well, then, they had gone to trial—they had submitted to the jurisdiction of the court —they had in a manner admitted the power of the judge; but then, when they found that the opinion of the judge. was against them, they had found out, "for the first time, that the court had no jurisdiction. (Hear.) Was that a way, he (Mr. Cresswell) would ask, to elevate the authority of the House of Commons in this country ? Why it was just like a party consenting to submit a case to arbitration, and then, upon discovering that the award would be unfa vourable, refusing to abide by it. (Hear.) He would say, ..if there was a fault at all in this matter, it was the fault of theAttorney-General. _The . ouestion had. been solely, raised by the Attorney-General himself. He " (Mr. Creswell) Should - say that if Lord Denman had', nuclei theseiciredin- . stances, acted in any other manner than that in which' he had, he would have shrunk from the performance of his duty —he would not have discharged the functions of his post had he refrained from giving his opinion in a case submitted to him. There 'were two questions arising on the present matter. One was, whether the -publication was true or net, and another, whether it could be made the subject matter of an action. It might have been'quite right for the Attorney- General to have-said that the publication had not taken place with any malicious intention, and that, therefore, it was not libellous ; that it had been published on a lawful occasion. He might have acted so ; not indeed because such might have been the privilege of the house, but because it was the law of the land. (Hear.) If a person was aware of a friend of his being about to take into confidential employment an indi vidual of whose probity he entertained a doubt, and wrote to his friend a statement to that effect, even though he could not prove it, it was not likely a jury would give any damages in an action for libel. And again, a similar position might hold good in case the Secretary of State was about appointing any person of seditious or turbulent character to the rank of ma gistrate in the country, and any person who was aware of the fact apprising him of it to prevent such an appointment. (Hear and laughter.) But the Attorney-General had asserted that because the House of. Commons ordered the publication of the matter in question, it was perfectly legal ' • now that was a position from which he (Mr. C.) dissented. (Hear.) He denied that proposition:; and this was also the opinion which Lord Denman had expressed, and at which the House of Commons had taken offence, and which called forth the passing of certain resolutions which he (Mr. C.) did not re gret that he had not been in that house to sign • but which he would not, had he even been then there. Then another action had been brought by Stockdale, and although they had asserted that any judge who was to'entertain a case . of a similar kind would be guilty of contempt, yet the house had made an order- that the Attorney-General should plead for Hansard ; but they had not denied the jurisdiction of the court ; on the contrary; they had thrown themselves upon its judgment. Then, however, ,they said they did not give the court leave to' decide aptiast• thera. They asked for its opinion, but asserted that it should not be unfavourable to themselves. They, could not possibly, however, have the contempt more : complete than it was under those circum stances, and therefore if they did anything they should have the judges before them. Then there had been smother action, and they had .desired Hansard not to plead any excuse what ever, but to admit that the publication was true:- Nothing, then, remained to be done but to inquire into th&amount of damages to be awarded as a recomperice to the person against whom the libel had been published. Then, indeed, an order had been made by the House of Commons to stop the pro ceedings ; but he would say there had been no precedent upon an occasion where it could be shown that such had ever been done. But what would be the consequence now ? They might send for the sheriff, and tell. him they would commit him to Newgate if he levied such an execution, or handed over such and such moneys to such and such parties, and then the judges would send him to Newgate Vile did not. So that the poor sheriff was in a position somewhat similar to that of the unfortunate flying fish—turn which way lie might he had a hard lot to encounter—(laughter). These were briefly the grounds upon which he (Mr. C.) would re sist the present motion. There had been no instance in which Parliament had. interrupted the course of any action in any court of justice, if lie excepted perhaps only one which had occurred in the other lainsev-- This had been a case where an offieer, belonging to the hoiise had been en trusted with an umbrella to take care of, and it had been mislaid. Now this- had been a case which had occurred within the precincts of the house itself. An action had been taken against the officer in the Court of Requests, and the house had sent for the judge and the party concerned. The latter had finally agreed to forego his action and judgment upon payment of the sum of 7s. 6d., and if that important— (laughter);--case was relied upon in the present instance, he .would .put it as a set off against the £lOO, which had been paid by them to Stockdale. After having submitted to the juris diction of the court in two cases arising out of this transac tion, he contended for it that it was then too late for them to call upon any of the parties to that action. If they called upon any one, he conceived the more manly and straightfor ward course for them to pursue would be to call upon the judges, and not upon the officer, who was sworn to do the duty he undertook. • • Sir ROBERT PEEL took a short retrospect of the facts, and then enlarged upon the unreasonableness of leaving the officer of the house exposed to actions for obeying its orders. He thought the privilege an essential one, of publishing not only for the use of the members, but for the use of their constitu ents. There might be occasion, for instance, to address the, 'crown for the removal of a judge on the ground of miscon duct.- Surely the people ought -to be made. acquainted with that ground. It was true that the jurisdiction of the house -was inieifect—that it ceased with the session. Was not its cessation : with the . session a tolerably strong proof that it was intended only to obviate obstructions ? But, as at pre sent advised, he was ready to take the course - 'proposed by Lurd-John Russell. Mr. KELLY opposed the assertion of privilege, but wished to secure indemnity to the printer. If the law . cfficers were sincere in alleging that the Queen'i Bench ha.d.decided error neously, they might try the question, by a Ayrit, of _error. Lord J. RUSSELL cited from Lord Dent, - -an's jhdginent in "Stockdale Haniarcr. seine comments oriforiner da . c.i t sifins, which tended t.? show that the opinions even of the ) jittlgeA have not always' been uniform, and 'sometimes . hrivirbeen' give under the excitement of the time: r If this action were tolerated, questions might lie raised on the ad mission of strangers during any discussions Which invehted .iiighitations on individuals, as in the Duke of York's caie. The:House of Lords had asserted theprivilege, and so should the nouse of Coinmons. After extended diseussion;•the house divided oh the motion of ordering the parties to the bar. The members were—for the motion, 286, against, it 167—majority in favour of the motion'll9. • • The house then proceeded. at nearly ten o'clock, to con sider the address on her 'Majesty's; speech :—Mri CavENnisx moving, and Sir W. Somerville -seconding the address. Sir R. INGLis, complained of the omission of the assurance that Prince Albert was a `` Protestant," and thought that the word ought to be introduced. There was not, however, , any opposition to the address ;• on the contrary, after some Observations from Sir R. PEEL, and explanations from Lords PA LMERSTON and J. RUSSELL, the nietien was carried, and the ,house adjourned at half-past eleven o'clock. HOUSE OF LORDS—FRIDAY. The House of Lords met at one o'clock, and having been informed that her'Majesty would receive the address on the royal speech at two o'clock, their lordships adjourned the house until Monday, and •the peers in attendance proceeded in procession to preSent it. HOUSE OF COMMONS-FRIDAY. Mr. Shed retook the oaths and his seat. Several petitions were preSented for leave to bring in bills for railways, &c. They were severally referred to commit tees for considering petitions for private bills. On the motion of Sir G. GREY, a new writ was ordered for Rutlandshire, in the room of the Hon. W. Noel, who had accepted . the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds. Mr. T. DUNOONIUE having.presented a petition from Tho rogood, now imprisoned in Chelmsford gaol, on account of non-payinent of church-rates, gave notice that he should call attention to its prayer on the 30th instant. Sir R. INGLIS,. Oh 'presenting petitions from places in, Warwickshire, for int:teased church accommodation, inti-' mated that on an dtitly day he intended to direct attention to the. necessity of giving further and full means of religious instruction, in connection with the establishment, to " all" the people of this country—a notice which was greeted with considerable cheering. • - • Mr. LAnoticuErta; in answer to Mr. Hutton's inquiry, with regard to a' clause in the 9th Geo. IV., prohibiting the importation of dour intolreland, said that a bill for amend ing such' clause was tinder consideration. Sir J. C. HonttousE (among several notices that were afterwards given) stated that on Thursday next he should move thanks to the British army in India, for their recent servicesa notice that was loudly cheered. Mr. LAROUCHERE answer to an inquiry from Mr. Baines, Said that he believed there would be no objection to present, at an early period, the report of Dr. Bowring, on the subject of what has been termed the Germanic commer cial league. 'And in answer to a question from Mr. Ewart, regarding the itionopoly of the salt trade with Sicily enjoyed by France, stated that the government of this country was engaged in negotiating a commercial treaty with the govern ment of Naples, which would, he hoped, be satisfactory, doing away - with the duty on Neapolitan oil, &c. Lord J. RUSSELL, on some papers having been moved for, respecting the labours and expenses of the revising barris ters, and Mr. Hume having put a question on the subject, said that a bill for the amendment of the present system of registration was under consideration. The usual sessional standing orders were afterwards read. Mr. Fox MAULE, in answer to Mr. Mark Philips, said that the further 'report respecting the hand-loom weavers would be presented immediately ; but that the general report of the commissiners thereon, will not be ready till Easter. The CHANCELLOR of' the-ExciumbEß, in consequence of Sir R. Peel's inquiries, said that the experiments regarding stamped postage covers were-proceeding, and might be com pleted in six weeks aq,that, perhaps, they might be ap plied in the 'first instance, in the metropolitan districts only: With regard to the conveyance of parliamentary bills (about which Mr. Goulburn made inquiry,) he thought that was a subject for the house to deal with. He had fixed the price as low as possible: • • The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in reply to Mr. Hume,' said he intended-to move for a committee for bank • currency inquiry. Lord J. RUSSELL then resuming the question of privilege, as involved in 'the procedings, "Stockdale v. Hansard," moved that Stockdale' be called to the bar, which was done, and Stockdale was called in and examined. His lordship af terwards moved that Stockdale, in his proceedings against Hansard, had been guilty of a breach of the privileges of that house. • • _ . Mr. LAW, the Recorder, moved as an amendment, that Stockdale be discharged from further attendance. . An extended debate ensued ; Mr. Pemberton, Sir C. Grey, Sir E. Sugden, &c., taking, part in the discussion. The house eventually divided. There appeared, for , the motion . , 249 ; for the amendment, 100; majority in favour of the original motion, 149; that the proceeding was "a breach of privilege." Lord J. RUSSELL next moved that for such breach of pri vilege Stockdale be committed. Sfr E; KNATCHEULIT ....., as an amendment, that as in the Proceeding judgment had been allowed to go by default, the house was not in a condition to proceed further. Lord J. RUSSELL resisted this amendment, as calculated to nullify all their proceeedings. On the division, there appeared, for the motion, 239 ; for the amendment, 105 ; majority of 134 in favour of the motion for a commitment to the Serjeant-at-Arms. Lord J. RUSSELL proposed to defer the motion for calling the sheriff to the bar till Monday. Sir R. PEEL asked whether -Proceedings might not take place in the Queen's Bench before Monday that would alter the position of the parties ? The ATTORNEY-GENERAL declared that no proceedings would be . adopted that would alter their position ; buthe had no objection to the house meeting on Saturday to proceed with the business. _ _ It having been moved that the sheriff attend on Saturday, Mr. KELLY proposed, as an amendment, that the house, at its rising, do adjourn till Monday.". The house divided again. The numbers were—for the motion, 116 ; for the amendment, 36 ; majority in favour of the original motion, SO, that the sheriff, &c., do attend the house at twelve o'clock on Saturday. Mr.-KELLY gave notice that, on Monday, he would move resolutions to the effect that Messrs. Hansard, in consequence of the action brought against then) by Mr. Stockdale, be indemnified bythe house, :and that the Attorney-General,' if any other actions were brought against them, should be instructed to defend them.—Adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS—SATURDAY. The Commons assembled at 12 o'clock [the Lords had ad. journed from Friday till Monday] to proceed with the case of privilege arising put of the transactions in the case " Stock dale v. Hansard." On motion of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, the sheriffs' officer (Hemp) was called to the bar and examined. He proved the . levy and sale to the amount of £695, and the payment of £640 in-the sheriffs' office ' • adding that he had entered into cove nants with the - sheriffs to execute the duty they directed him to perform, but that if he had done what was wrong he hum bly-begged pardon of the house. • The sheriffs were, next called in and examined by the Attor ney-General, &c. They said the money had not been paid over to 'Stockdale ; they considered it t o be in the hands of the Under-Sheriff. They bad authorised Hemp to - sell the goods. The Under-Sheriff France was also examined : the money, he said, was now in the hands of Messrs. Burchell, under the control of the sheriffs. Mr. Sheriff Evans (after the close of the examinations, and on the sheriffs being asked whether they wished to make any further communications) said, if in the execution of a most painful duty they had done anything to incur the dis 'pleasure of the house they certainly deeply deplored it. Sir R. INGLIS thereupon moved that the sheriffs be dis charged from further attendance on the house. Lord JOHN RUSSELL proposed as an 'amendment that the sheriffs be ordered to attend the house on Monday. After some discussion the house divided. There were for the notion 64, for the amendment 166, majority in favour of the amendment 102. The sheriffs, a 4 well as the other parties, were then ordered to attend again on Monday. Mr. LAW moved that the evidence taken be printed " fbr the use of the members only." Lord JOHN RUSSELL moved that it be printed " and dis- tributed with the Votes." This amendment was carried without any division, so that as the evidence is distributed " with the votes," it is put.- chaseable by any body as heretofore. Lord J. RUSSELL gave notice, that on Wednesday next he should call the attention of the house to that part of the Queen's speech which recommends a provision to be made for Prince Albert. On the motion of Lord J. RUSSELL, the customary pre liminary resolution of the session, in considering the Queen's speech, was adopted—namely, "that a supply be granted to her Majesty." After some conversation, in consequence of a question put by Sir R. Peel, regarding letter-covers provided at the houSe for members only, the house adjourned till one o'clock on Monday. NORWICII UNION FIRE OFFICE On Tuesday last, the annual general meeting of the pro prietors of this great society was held in the Board-room of the Office, in Su-rev-street, Norwich, which was nearly filled by shareholders.—The chair was taken soon after I'2 o'clock by the president, E. T. Booth, Esq., who having shortly opened the business, the secretary, Samuel Bignold, Esq., read the advertisement which convened the meeting, and which stated its object to be "to receive the report of the Board of Directors." Mr: Bignold next read the items-of the cash account of the society's transactions for the year ending 28th September last ; also extracts from the quarterly returns to the Stamp-office of the society's aggregate busi ness. The PRESIDENT then rose and expressed himself as much gratified in again meeting the members of this important es tablishment with a favourable report. The directors, he said, had yesterday fully considered the present situation of the society, and had resolved to appropriate the sum of £30,000. profits for the past year, which gave £lB,OOO. to the In surance Fund, divisable amongst the policy holders, and £12,000. to the Proprietors. By the Rules of the Society, half the Proprietors profits were set apart and added to the Reserve Fund, and half became available for the Yearly Dividend. This sum, added to the Interest which accrued upon the Original Capital of £66,000. would enable the So ciety again to pay its Shareholders £3 15s. per share, or £l2l per cent. on their paid-up capital. (Hear, hear!) Whilst he cordially congratulated them on so successful a year, he felt it right, from past experience, to caution the Share holders, not to antic'pate the continuance of so high a Divi dend. Nevertheless the position of the Office was in all re spects most prosperous. First—there was the Reserve Fund, (which had accrued from past profits) now amounting to £45,434 wholly belonging to the Proprietors, and guarding their original Capital of £66,000. Secondly—there *as £36,000 in the Insurance Fund, applicable to future trien nial returns to the Insurers, and thirdly—there was a surplus balance of £12,800 to the credit of the. Society on its ac counts for the next year. It was also a feature deserving of notice,' that .the premiums of the year just closed, had in creased by £3099 and exceeded any former year since the in stitution of the Office. This increase of the revenues of the Society from Premiums on Insurances, had been steadily progressing at an average rate of £2OOO per annum for the • last ten years: As a proof of the vast extent of the Society's business, the President stated, that in making the return last year of 10 per cent. to the Insurers, there had been no less than 105,000 return receipts to prepare. He was not aware of any further remarks which the accounts called for, but he should be happy to answer the enquiries of any Shareholders. JOSEPH STANNARD, Esq. wished to know when the term of partnership by which the company was bound, would ex pire, and was answered that it would terminate in August, 1851, at which period the reserve fund, with all its additions, and accumulations, would be divisable, pro rata, amongst the holders of the shares, 2200 in number. SAML. BIGNOLD, Esq. (the Secretary) must request per ' Mission to congratulate the meeting upon the onward course of this noble Institution, which in its extent and the prosperous results of its business, was without parallel amongst provincial offices, and was scarcely exceeded by any office in London. Other cities and towns had their Insurance Offices, but they were in every instance far below ours. Two years ago he had• prepared an epitome of the then recent prOgress of the Society and the results of its business, and flattering as was the view thus exhibited, it had been greatly eclipsed by the - 6Vents'Of the interiening . period. The aggregaie business .nemi , stood at about 57. millions ; the yearly premiums . £77,.766; the profits of the two years had enabled the Direc -. 'fbitk't6'tipportion between the two bodies, the shareholders iiad the parties insured, no less than -X60,000 • the reserve fund.had been largely increased; the annual dividend (against the expectation held out last year by the worthy President) was kept up at 12i per cent : and upon the fifteen week§ which had already : passed of the current year, they stood considerably lighter in amount of loss, than they did as corn- Pared with the previous year, or with any year on record 1 (Hear, hear.) The Society he was proud to gay enjoyed, and justly so, a high reputation for honourable dealing. -- T "We have had no litigation or jar in any. direction; all is smooth and tranquil throughout our vast connexion." These • (Mr. B. added) are facts on which we may 'with exultation dwell, and challenge comparison with any other similar Society in the kingdom. As to the future, he considered their prospects most cheering. So great an Institution as this, effecting yearly, new insurances to the amount of between six and seven millions, could not be 'Carried on without heavy expenses; but he noticed with satisfaction, that, under one head, that of the postage of letters, there would be a great saving effected by the government measure of the penny postage. In the last three days he had received and attended to the contents of upwards . of 100 letters. The change would doubtless add much to his duties; both on this ground, and the great addition in the last few years to the business of the Office, he felt called upon, in justice to himself, to direct_ the attention of the Proprietors to the Clause.in the Deed of Settlement, which regulated the com pensation to him Self and big colleague. It was framed on a principle of augmentation with the rise of the Society, .up to 45 millions, but it, there stopped. Now what he must submit was,. that the Office having passed that limit, to the extent of :12' millions, some consideration was due to its officers for the additional duties thus cast upon them, and.whieh would as suredly have been provided for in the Original Deed, had it ;ever,been'contemplated that this Society would have grown to such a great Institution as it was now become. Mr. Big nold further stated, that, • in drawing the attention of the Shareholders to the subject, lie did not contemplate the adoption by them of any resolution, because it was a matter which devolved on the Board of Directors_; they had the Power, and all he sought at the hands of the Proprietors was, the expression of an opinion, that, it was a subject which inight fitly be entertained by the Board. Mr. Bignold de clarcl that he had never, most remotely, consulted with any one on the matter lie had• thus introduced ; and be the deci sion on it what it might, his most sedulous attention would, as in times past, be given to the promotion of the great in terests of this important Society. After some. discussion, in which Lieut.-Col. Harvey, T. Bignold; Esq., Edward Browne, Esq. and Adam Taylor, 'Esq.•(the colleague of Mr. S. Bignold) took part. • JOHN STRACEY, Esq. (one of the Society's Trustees) said, that conceiving this to be a matter which rested wholly with the Board of Directors—a fact Mr. Bignold himself allowed —he should move, that it be referred to that body, " to take into consideration the services of the Secretaries, with refer ence to the great increase of the Society's business, which is now nearly 57 millions, and has advanced 12 millions since any addition has been made to their remuneration." WILLIAM RACKH AM, Esq. entirely concurred in what had fallen from Mr. Stracey, and most willingly seconded the proposition. The President having put the same to the meet ing, declared it to be carried unanimously. The PRESIDENT then announced that the Dividend to the Shareholders would be payable at the Treasurers, Messrs. Gurneys, on and after the 27th inst. and quitted the chair, whereupon it was moved by EDWARD BROWNE, Esq. of Hethersett, and seconded by W. M. SEPPINGS, Esq. " that the warmest thanks of the proprietors be given to the Di rectors and Officers for their successful conduct of the affairs of the Society, and to the President for the ability with which he has discharged the duties of Chairman this day." (Hear, hear.) We need scarcely add, that this meeting separated in great good feeling at the auspicious state of the affairs of the So ciety, and we most sincerely congratulate our fellow-citizens at large, and the Managers of this noble Society in particular, on the highly honourable place which the Norwich Union Fire Office enjoys, as one of the best managed and most suc cessful Offices in the kingdom. RIVER RIBBLE NAVIGATION. — The excavation of the coffer dam is now completed, and has been executed to the most entire satisfaction of Mr. Stevenson and the directors. Every part of the work is progressing as favourably as possi ble, and is proceeding with great spirit and activity. Next week the annual meeting takes place.—Preston Chronicle. Last week a government commission was engaged in making inquiries at the different towns along this coast, rezarding the necessary protection that will be required to guard our fishermen against the incursions and annoyance of the French fishermen ; and from what we have heard we have no doubt the most efficient means will be adopted for this purpose.—Dover Chronicle. • MORECAMBE-BAY RAILWAY PROJECT. —On Saturday last a meeting of landowners, whose property lie in the line of the projected railway across the Bay of Morecambe, was held at the Royal Oak, in this town, for the purpose of con sidering measures in opposition to the scheme. Nothing definite was fixed upon, we understand, but we are informed that the owners of property generally on this side the bay are.decidedly hostile.—Lancaster Gazette. SAVAGE ATTEMPT AT HIGHWAY ROBBERY.---AS Mr. Varley, of St. Helen's, on his return home from Whiston, on Thursday evening last, approached the farm-house near to Mr. Taylor's lodge, he was waylaid by three ruffians, who knocked him down, kicked him, and attempted to rifle his pockets, containing £4. 10s. in money, and a valuable lever watch ;. by a sudden exertion, he raised himself on his knees, and threw them off him, at the same time lustily bawling out, which brought the honest inmate of the farm-house most opportunely to his aid. His appearance scared the villains for the moment, but they were distinctly heard in the is of the house for some time afterwards. It sto be lamented that the efficient police officer of St. Helen's, Mr. Storey, is confined by sickness at prese nt otherwise there might have been a good chance of the offenders being cap tured.—Preston paper. THE THAMES TUNNEL.—This stupendous undertaking progresses fast towards completion. The excavators reached low water mark on the Middlesex shore a month or two back. Since that time their progress h a s be en much more rapid, they having frequently acc omplished upwards o f 20 f ee t per week. They are now within a very short di s t ance o f t h e hank, and it is expected that in two months' ti me th e w h o l e of this ext raor dinary excavation will be completed, The ap -proaches to the tunnel on either side will th en h ave t o b e formed, and this will , it is expected, prove a task of no or dinary difficulty. The carriage way will be by a circular 'road, and the approach for foot passengers by fli g ht s of s tone gteps. Property in the , neighbourhood of the t unne l h as al ready, improved nearly 20 per cent. The tunnel will be 'opened for pedestrians at least , a year before it will be ready for :horses and carriages. —E vening paper. SENTENCE OF DEATH ON FROST, WILLIAMS; AND JONES. MONMOUTH, Thursday, January 16.—1 t being understood that sentence would be passed upon the prisoners this morning, the court was crowded as soon as the doors were opened. Pre viously to the judge coming into court s Frost came to the front of the bar, and entered into conversation with Mr. Stone, the counsel ; with his attorney, Mr. Geaoh ; and with Feargus O'Connor. _ _ _ At nine o'clock their lordships took their seats, and Frost, Zephaniah Williams, and William Jones'were ordered to be placed at the bar. Frost's countenance pourtrayerl the same calmness which characterised it during the trial: ; Williams appeared low and desponding ; and Jones had lost that air of levity and carelessness which-he had previously exhibited. Mr. BELLAMY then. addressed John Frost.—" You have been indicted for the crime of treason ; you were arraigned upon that indictment, and you pleaded not guilty, and for your trial you put yourself upon your country, which country pronounced you guilty. What have you to say why the Court should not pass judgment upon you to dieaccording to law ? " After an objection had been made on an alleged misde scription of a juror, andoverruled, Mr. Bellamy then addressed Zephaniah Williams and William Jones in the same manner, but neither of the prisoners made any reply. Proclamation was then made for all persons to kew silence while sentence of death was being passed upon theThrisoners at the bar. _ _ _ _ The three learned Judges having put on their black caps, The CHIEF JUSTICE addressed the prisoners in the follow ing terms :—" John Frost, Zephaniah Williams, and William Jones,—After the most anxious and careful investigation of your respective cases before juries of great intelligence and almost unexampled patience, you stand-at the bar of this court to receive the last sentence of the law for the commission of a crime which, beyond all others, is the most pernicious in ex ample, and the most injurious in its consequences to the peace and happiness of human society—that of high treason against your Sovereign. You can have no just ground of com plaint that your several cases have not met with .the most full consideration both from the jury and the court ; but as the jury have in each of them pronounced you guilty of the crime with which you have been charged, I should be wanting in justice to them if I did not openly declare that the verdicts which they have found meet with the entire concurrence of my learned brethren and myself. In the case of all ordinary breaches of the law the mischief of the offence does for the most part terminate with the immediate injury sustained by the individual against whom it is levelled. The man who plunders the property, or lifts his hands against the life of his neighbour, does by his guilty act inflict in that particular in stance, and to that extent, a loss or injury on the sufferer or his surviving friends. But they who by armed numbers, or violence, or terror, endeavour to put down established institu tions, and to introduce in their stead a new order of things, open wide the floodgates of rapine and bloodshed, destroy all se curity of property and life, and do their utmost .to involve a whole nation in anarchy and ruin. It has been proved in your case that you combined together to lead from the hills at the dead of night into the town of Newport many thousands of men, armed in many instances with weapons of a dangerous description, in order that they might take possession of the town, and supersede the lawful authority of the Qucen there in, as a preliminary step to a more general insurrection throughout the kingdom. It is owing to the interposition of Providence alone that your wicked designs were frustrated. Your followers arrived by daylight, and, after firing upon the civil power and the Queen's troops, were, by the firmness of the magistrates, and the cool and determined bravery of a small band of soldiers, defeated and dispersed. What would have been the fate of the peaceable and unoffending inhabi tants, if success had attended your rebellious designs, it is useless to conjecture : the invasion of a foreign foe would in all probability have been less destructive to property and life. It is for the crime of treason, committed under these circum stances; that you are now called upon yourselves to answer •, and by the penalty which you are about to suffer, you hold out a warning to all your fellow-subjects that the law of your country is strong enough to repress and to punish all at tempts to alter the established order of things by insurrection and armed force, and that those who are found guilty of such treasonable attempts, must expiate their crime by an igno minious death. I do, therefore, most earnestly exhort you to employ the little time that remains to you, in preparing for the great change that doth await you, by sincere peni tence and fervent prayer ; for,- although we do not fail to forward to the proper quarter that recommendation which the jury entrusted to us, we,:eannot hold out to you any mer cy-on this side the grave. And now nothing more cloth re main than that the court pronounce (to all of us a most pain ful duty)_ the last sentence of the law, which is, that each of you, J'bhn Frost, Zephaniah Williams, and William Jones, be taken hence to the place whence you came, and be thence drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution, and that each of you be there hanged by the neck until you be dead, and that afterwards the head of each of you shall be severed from his body, and the body of each, divided into four quarters, shall be disposed of as leer Majesty shall think fit; and may the Lord have mercy on your souls." Frost raised his eyes during the latter part of the sentence, but the other prisoners did not show any signs of emotion. They were then removed from the bar. Mr. Bellamy directed Charles Walters, John Lovell, Richard Benfield, John Rees, and Jenkin Morgan, to be placed at the bar, and he asked them severally whether they had any thing to say why the court should not give them judgment to die according to law ? These are the prisoners who yesterday pleaded " guilty." . . - Several attorneys who were concerned for them spoke to them, apparently explaining to them that the sentence wawa mere matter of form, and would not be carried into effect. The CHIEF JUSTICE then addressed them, and stated that her Majesty would be recommended to extend mercy to them. His lordship thus concluded :—" At the same time, looking to the active and prominent share which each of you has taken in the lawless proceedings at Newport, on the fatal 4th of . November, we cannot hold out to you the hope of any further mitigation than that you must be prepared to leave your native country, and probably for the remainder .of your lives. For, the present, and with the object of obtaining such mitigation of the execution of your sentence, it is our duty to paSs the sentence required by law." His lordship then passed upon the prisoners the same sentence as in the former case. PERRANZABULOE; A PARISH CHURCH BURIED IN THE SAND FOR 700 YEARS.-LATELY DIS COVERED. • tr. ,r-r 1 .• t': (From the Churchman) Of the many objects to which the attention of your readers is deawn, in thaVarious departments of your paper, there is 4ot one which can exceed in interest the following account of the churchof Perranzabuloe, or St. Peran, in the hundred , of'Pydar, in the county of Cornwall. For more than seven hundred-years, it had been imbedded in the sand, from which it was rescued, in the year 1835, by the persevering - exertions of a private gentleman, William Michell, Esq., of Compreg ney, near Truro ; and there are many considerations which render a description of the church, i n the state in which it was found:very 'opportune and seasonable at this moment; for its present state affords presumptive and internal evidence of, the fallacy of some of those pretensions in which the mem bers of the Ronaish communion indulge, as to the antiquity of their church, and the pomp and splendour of their services. It would be no difficult matter to prove, by authentic docu ments, that the first three centuries furnish not the slightest authority for those - pompous ceremonies, and those puerile observances which were introduced, and which still continue to outrage the simplicity of the primitive worship. With re spect to this particular church, the sand has been accumula ting for many hundred years, but when completely removed, the church was found in the most perfect state ; and it is a very singular circumstance. that the interior contained none • of the modern innovations and accompaniments of a Rornish place of worship, from which the evidence is clear and indis putable, that it must have been built at a period anterior to the introduction of the numerous corruptions, &c. of the Papistical communion, and gives sanction to the well-authenticated fact, that, in the first three or four centuries, none of those pue rilities and observances, borrowed either from Pagan idola tries, or the Jewish ritual, were known ; for the truth is, what we see in ROmish places of worship is nothing but a transfer of what we read from the synagogues of the Jews, or the temples of the Pagans ; and which outvie, in particular, in splendour and magnificence, the sacerdotal vestments with which those were apparelled who officiated either in the one or the other. The whole of their services is an appeal more to the external sense, than an address to the understanding and the affections. There was no rood left for the hanging of the host, nor the vain display of fabricated relics—no latticed confessional—no sacring bell (a bell rung before and at the elevation of the host)—no daubed and decorated images of the Virgin Mary or of saints—nothing which indi cated the unscriptural adoration of the wafer, or the no less unscriptural masses for the dead. The most diligent search was made for beads and rosaries—pyxes and Agni Dei— cen sers and crucifixes. Strange that this ancient church, in which it will be borne in mind, everything was found as perfect as at the time in which it was imbedded, should so belie the Papists' constant appeal to antiquity—to the faith of their forefathers—to the old religion, as it is falsely termed, as if that were . religion which has not a particle of the simplicity and purity of the primitive church, to sanctify and identify it as 'a branch from the true apostolical tree ! At the eastern end, in a plain, unornamental chancel, stands a very neat But simple stone altar, and in the nave of the church are stone seats, of the like simple construction, attached to the western, northern, and southern walls. With such humble accommodations were our fathers, who wor shipped God in simplicity and truth, content ! From the amiable and intelligent historian of the past and present condition of Perranzabuloe—the Rev. C. T. Collins Trelawny—a descendant, on the maternal side, of the good bishop Trelawny—a name of which he may well be proud— one of the seven of the glorious company who preferred the gloom of a prison before submission to the mandates of an arbitrary papistical tyrant, I have had an interesting letter, in which, in answer to my inquiry as to the present state of the parish church, he informs me that it is not in a condition to admit of its being used for any purpose whatsoever, as it is already again entombed in the sand! It was with extreme regret that I received, this communication • for so much had my interest been eicitedliy Mr. Trelawny's narrative, which is beautiful and will ,well repay many a perusal, that I was on the point of fulfilling arrangementS I had made for a sum mer visit to the venerated spot ; but I hope that the same enterprising spirit by which it was five years since resusci tated, as it were, and recalled into being, will be again inter posed to - rescue it from its present entombment, and be a temple yet appropriated to the service of the living God ! I know not the localities ; but who in such a wish does not join? and where is the man whose piety would not grow warm as he worshipped within the hallowed pile of Perran zabuloe, as much as it would within the mouldering ruins of lona ? It may not, perhaps, be unimportant and uninterest ing to add, that the tutelar saint of Cornwall was Peranus, or, St. Perran, after whom the imbedded church was named, and that the memory of this saint is still cherished with fond veneration by the people of Cornwall. His annual comme moration is celebrated on the sth of March. Christianity was first preached in Cornwall by Corantinus, by whom the whole of the population was rescued from Pagan idolatry, and converted to the Christian faith, at the end of the third and at the commencement of the fourth century. • JAMES RUDGE, D.D. Hawkchurch Rectory, 18th Dec. 1839. Mr. Hume, joint secretary to the Board of Trade, is about to retire. M. Hume will, we understand, be succeeded by Mr. Macgregor, whose successful discharge of the important commercial missions on which he has been employed during the last four years proves him to be thoroughly qualified for the duties of the appointment now conferred on him.—Globe. DUEL BETWEEN MR. BRADSHAW AND MR. HORSMAN, M.P., FOR COCKERMOUTH.—On Thursday morning, a duel took place between these gentlemen, in consequence of Mr. Horsman having reprobated, in severe terms, Mr. Brad shaw's disloyalty. Mr. Horsman having received Mr. B.'s fire, fired in the air, after which the parties withdrew. EXTRAORDINARY CAVERN NEAR BRISTOL.—A 3 the workmen were employed in blasting the rocks near the foun dation of one of the piers of the Clifton Suspension Bridge a day or two since, they discovered a small opening. On its being examined, it was found to lead to a cavern extending 57 feet below the surface of the ground, nearly in a perpen dicular direction. The exploration was made by 'Dr. Fair brother, with the assistance of one of the workmen. There are several chambers at intervals ; but the descent is: difficult, and can only be made with the assistance of ropes. The air is tolerably pure, so that the candle burned freely during the whole of the time (nearly two hours). At the bottom the air was found to be excessively hot, so that the perspiration flowed freely. In other respects the cavity presented nothing remarkable, beyond the ordinary appearance of fissures formed by the raising of the strata of limestone by some ex trordinary convulsion of nature. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. We proceed to notice the objections which are urged against the forfeiture of shares upon which calls are in ar rear. It is said that companies cannot afford to diininish their capital by releasing from their liabilities a considerable portion of their shareholders. We admit the fact. But we do not propose a permanent diminution of capital, or the releasing of solvent persons from engagements entered into with a full knowledge of their binding nature. But where there is any doubt of solvency, or where there is any entan _ glement as to ownership, we think that iraniediate forfeiture is preferable to the delay and uncertainty by which compul: sort' proceedings may be attended. It is important that companies should kr.ow the worst of tliei,• position, and sve should rather advise amputation of the unsound members than any attempt to patch up a body of shareholders by tear: . . porizing measures. The former . course would certainly limit the number of those upon whom directors have to call for support, but it would enable them to calculate upon that support with greater certainty as to the time of its being sup plied, and thus to ensure energy of action. The latter course —the retaining of useless and refractory partners, upon whose assistance they cannot rely, and whose struggles to free themselves are to drag upon their proceedings—could only tend to produce embarrassment and confusion. Let it be remembered, too, that the question is, after all► one of choice between two evils. Directors cannot make in solvent into solvent shareholders. They can only choose whether they are to persevere in the attempt to drag along with them these unfruitful Rortions of their body, or at once to abandon them. They cannot resuscitate the dead Wood► but only decide between the alternatives of cutting it down► in the hope of seeing fresh shoots spring up, or allowing it to disfigure and impede the growth of the parent tree. But it is again contended that directors cannot release from their engagements one body of shareholders without in justice towards another body—viz., those who have already paid up their calls. Now we must humbly suggest that the admission of such an objection is something very like an acknowledgment that the parties concerned are embarked in an undertaking the sterling value of which is doubtful ; or that it implies a fear of its ultimate reinstatement in the pub- is confidence. We apprehend that few persons contemplate the continu ance of the present depreciation of railway undertakings. On the contrary, it is generally conceived that the return of pros- writy to other branches of commerce will restore confidence :o the market for railway property, and that the shares of most undertakings will eventually advance in price. Upo o :his revival many speculative holders calculate, although un- _ . willing or unable to forward it by performing their own obli gations; and we think it would be quite as well for Com panics to divide amongst their bona fide shareholders the advantages of such revival as to allow a participation in them to individuals whose claim to consideration is of so negative a character. They cannot or will not forward the interests of the undertakings upon which they had fastened theniselves. Let them, then, be made to forfeit what they have already paid, for the benefit of those who have really embarked in it with a view to fulfil its liabilities. This would be nearer the justice of the case than allowing and even compelling parties, who have to their utmost impeded the progress of A useful undertaking, to remain and share its ultimate benefits• If, however, it is admitted that an undertaking is not likely to he profitable or useful, then we admit that our views are in error, and that the loss to arise should be equally shared. In such a case, however, it might also be advisable to paus e at once, and to let the present ascertained loss be the whole• But how then, it will be asked, can directors proceed in the execution of their various works, with the diminished resources arising from extensive forfeitures of shares ? Con tracts have been let, for Which funds must be supplied, an d the powers of their different acts of parliament will only allow the Calling up of a fixed amount yearly of the capital required. Those shareholders, whose liability still remains, cannot therefore be pressed (even were it advisable), beyond a certain point ; and at the present high rate of interest the borrowing clauses are almost a dead letter. Our answer must be, that they cannot proceed at once is the execution of - all their various works. Some portion must, of necessity, be suspended, in order to enable the' to proceed with greater activity with the remainder, so as t ° bring it as early as possible into profitable working ; an d although by so doing public convenience may appear for s time to suffer, yet in the end we firmly believe that it will be found not to have been materially postponed. We beliefs that economy will be consulted by directors of railway under' takings, confining their views within narrower limits, 0 1 restricting their endeavours, for the present at all events, t ° the performance of a task, the practicability of which au t be demonstrated without placing their dependence upon contingencies. Many lines, we are aware, will not realis e the anticipations of their projectors, unless completed so 0 to embrace and concentrate their entire strength under on e management. There are few lines of which detached pe r " tious will work to any great advantage. But where th e question becomes—and in many cases the question will be' shall we have a great good by instalments, or wait until ' ce can have it all at once ? We are certainly disposed to Pref er , the instalments. In nearly all railways, a certain portion 0' traffice has to be created; in those 'especially whose traffic'' expected to arise from minerals, time will be required in tlje creation of such traffic by the: gradual development of fre resources of the various districts through which they pits e ! and where the ultimate accomplishment of the entire object is ensured by the active progress of a portion, the enterrh'e of our countrymen will accept the guarantee, and at onc e proceed to act upon it. We may repeat, that although we must contemplate P'" probability, in some cases, of railways being partially p 0 poned, yet we do not think that such a necessity will, 0 matter of course, arise out of the measures which we ad , cate. We are, on the contrary, convinced that, by then moval from the share market of a portion of the dead sta y held by speculators and insolvents, and the'unravelling of 0 1 numerous entanglements by which individuals are held boo r to undertakings in whose progress they have no willing available interest, a better and more healthy feeling will aris e " and unemployed capital flow in for permanent investnie° To bring about such a result, other steps, as affecting par ti i cular undertakings, will no doubt be required. EconmaY management must be a little more studied in railway matters' Economy of construction, too, must not be neglected. W e must have fewer expensive ornamental constructions, where t solid usefulness is alone required. But, above all, we rau s a have no more managing the market. If the directors 813 officers of a company are in possession of any thing, the po i ' mulgation of which will raise their property in the publie estimation, let it be communicated at once directly to th e shareholders, for their advantage or satisfaction, and ppt through some favoured broker, for the advantage of spec' ? lators. Let us have openness, and we shall have less flue' tuation in the price of share property, to which we have 01 ; ready attributed the general disinclination, on the part °` steady and thinking men, to embark their surplus capital i s railway undertakings, and the consequent depreciation their value. MANCHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY' We noticed afew weeks ago the abandonment by this 0 01 ' pany of the line through the Potteries, and their determinsoi tion to proceed only to the execution of what, in the clays their bygone` magnificence" was termed the Crewe Branch' Perhaps, under all circumstances, it would have been better if their original views had been confined to the union with th e Grand Junction Line at Crewe ; but having once gone be' yond this, and received the sanction of parliament, a nd their shareholders, for a more enlarged object, we think 60 it is a duty on the part of the directors to give the fullest e% planation of their reasons for falling back from their pledge e of the last two years upon the comparatively insignificant ob' ject with which they stated. This explanation, we too l ' they will furnish at their next half-yearly meeting. We are led to allude to this subject now by a report 01 0 interview between the directors and a deputation from COD' gleton, accompanied by Sir P. Egerton and Mr. Wilbrahnlor ,at which some startling facts appear to have been advanced by the former as a reason for abandoning the Pottery hoe, The deputation were told that one reason for such abandon' meat was the groAs inaccuracy of the estimates given by Rastrick, their engineer, before parliament, that gentlenn° having stated - the cost at £21,000 per mile, whereas it ib now found to be £45,000. We really think there must b e some misapprehension here, and, at aßevents, should imagin e that, for the sake, of his professional character, Mr. Rastricic would explain how so enormous au increase can arise. i f ° the shareholders such a circumstance, if true, must be es' tremely disheartening, and to the railway public the e ntire proceedings of this company have been disgusting. ORK AND NORTH MIDLAND RAILWAY.—We are iud formed that thig line, although only partially opened, se deriving no advantage from either the Great North of En i g ; land or the North Midland, between which it lies,-Win 3 per cent. for the half-year, or at the rate of 6 per cent. 1?, e 1, annum. What will it do when completed, and united col the other two lines ? This is a specimen of cheap construes tion ; the cost was only about £l3-1,000 for 144 Railway Magazine. LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.—The w hole of the rails being now laid down between the temporary ter' minus at Northam and the terminus on the Marsh, the ell; gine has several times been along the whole line. l i l t building. on the Marsh is also completed, and rising, as does, higher than any of the adjacent edifices, forms a ve r ; conspicuous object, especially when viewed from the wzite r i Workmen are actively engaged on the yet unfinished part e h the line between Winchester and Basingstoke, and thoug; the late useasonable weather has impeded their progress In a great degree, little doubt is entertained of their complette i l it by the Ist of May, when the good folks of Southampt e , will be enabl e d to reach the metropolis in three hours.'" Southampton paper. LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAlLWAY.—Saturday ing a considerable subsidence took place at the Bliswor t e embankment, half way between the station and the loidga over the canal. The earth having become thorougly saturate, by the late rains, gave way at, the bottom, and the surface consequence gradually sunk, at one point several feet. Si e n t then it has continued to subside at the rate of about a fe" an hour, and one occasion between two and six in the 100 i: ing, when the men ceased to work, it sank eight feet. 0 large force of men were collected the moment the slip discovered, and employed day and night replacing the Su e that had given way with ballast, the trains in the mean tqy passing slowly over the spot. The gap is always filled UP the arrival of a train, and the precautions taken are sucb u t to do away with all idea of danger. The ballast is brot 1 8; partly from Eugbrook, but chiefly from iHillmortoo, 3bo 16 miles distant.—Northampton Mercury, Jan. 11. GREAT NORTH OF ENGLAND RAILWAY:-.--ThiS UD.,cer Darlington, will be opened in October next ; the engill