Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-16 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. By British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph. THE BRITISH EXPEDITION TO CHINA. ON BOARD TDB ADEN, MAY 21. To-morrow, we are told, we shall see the coast of China. By " we," I mean that portion Of the Chinese expedition which pursues its straightforward course to Hong Kong, for General Ashburnham and his suite left us at Suez, and go round by Bombay. The little sharp nosed Aden has made a passage like the flight of a bird. She is rather lively and sportive, and even now is play fully resenting the affront of a passing squall in a manner which makes writing a difficulty; but every one on board agrees that for speed and beauty she leaves nothing to be desired. When the north-east monsoon blows hard in our teeth, and passing squalls deluge us with rain and stifle us with spray, and drive us below, and when the ports are screwed tight, and we suffocate in the sultry night, and are rattled about in our cabins like pills in a pill-box, we groan heavily, and even " captains, and colonels, and knights at arms" are sad and miserable. But let us still, although longing to escape from her, speak well of the ship that bears us swiftly to the land, and let us speak well also of the careful and courteous sailor who com mands her, and watches her as a father watches the gam bols of his favouri'e child. And now the events of what is facetiously called the " Overland Journey" are nearly over. It is such a pleasant thing to have climbed the great pyramid under a noonday sun, and looked upon the Libyan desert with expectation of an impending sun stroke. It is well to have lain gasping on the deck as the ship glided through that breezeless Red Sea, and to have looked languidly on the range of Mount Sinai and the port of Mecca. It is a comfort to know that Aden looks like a mighty mass of coke, with huts and fortifications scattered about among its crevices ; and it is wonderful to have heard military men quartered there say they rather like it. The track, however, is so beaten, and the journey so common, that even your companions don't talk of the slimy wonders of the Nile. Their talk is of the relative accommodation of the different ships, and the mercy of Providence which preserves six stout men from suffoca tion through the journey in a fiery desert, close packed in a van whose utmost capacity appeared at first sight equal to holding four good-sized children. But there is no really pleasurable sensation until after that dreadful passage of the Red Sea between the calcined shores of " Araby the Blest " and Africa ; and after the hot pil grimage across the Indian Ocean, Ceylon appears clad in full tropical green, with her domes of broad plantain leaves, her far-sweeping forests of cocoas and mangoes, and her inland highlands, which promise streams and shadow. I should like to dwell in lenethened description upon Ceylon. All that we see of forest beauty at Windsor, or Richmond, or Blenheim, or B.eaudesert, or Cannock chase— all that we have of hill and valley, winding rivers' forest glades, and bright green turf rides is here. Added to all this, Ceylon has the mighty vegetation of the East ; and the savages stalking along in the sun, clad only in a scant girdle of some striking colour, are so swarth, so lusty, and an picturesque. But Ceylon has nothing to do with the (Thinese expedition, except to give its leaders a few hours' respite. So, off to shipboard in a canoe 16 , inches broad, which, despite its outrigs,,er of bambo o , SUICIDE OF A COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.—On Tuesday seems but a man-trap invented in the interest of the a traveller , named Henry Woodcock, about 36 years of age, sharks. Committed suicide at Barnsley, by taking a large quantity of opium. Th e d e ceased, who was in the employ of Mr. Our course is across the broad, unq u i e t B ay o f idoorhouse, draper, &c., of Pontefract, arrived at Barnsley Bengal. Again we lose sight of land, journeying day after On Monday afternoon, and, as usual, put up at the Devon- day without apparent p ogress in that eternal blue circle shire Arms Inn, ol)se to the railway station. He retired which seems to realise the mathematician's definition of to bed wparentiv in good health and spirits, having in- space as a circle whose centre is everywhere, and whose `formed the landlady that he was about to leave his circumference is nowhere, without an event throughout employer. Not coming down in the morning by 11 o'clock, the day, except that ever and anon a shoal of flyi ng fi s h the l an dl a d y f e l t rathr uneasy, and went and knocked at the:bed- room d oor. N o answer b e i ng retu rne d, ass i s t ance spring up from the smooth sea, and go off i n ra dii , d ott i ng was got, an d th e d oor f orce d o p e n, when the unfortunate and skimming their transparent wings glitt er i ng i n t h e Man was found in bed, apparently in great agony. Medical sun, and then splashing into the sea again at a safe dis aid was at once obtained, and the stomach pump brought tance from the dolphin which is prowling after them below. into requisition, but all was unavailing. In his pocket One of these poetical creatures fl- , w through my port, and was found a large quantity of opium, as well as some in came flop upon me in my sleep a few nights since; the his hand. The quantity, it was thought, had been taken coed, during the night, and b a d b een a b sor b e d i n th e bl oo d , so d ' wriggling, prickly, gaspin thing gave me a more that medical skill was i ne ff ectua l i n ra ll y i ng the deceased, horrible fright in the dark than 'I ever felt in my life. who lingered till nearly four o'clock in the afternoon. No The Straits of Malacca are not so narrow that we can reason has been assigned for the rash act. The deceased, often see the land, but on the morning of the 13th of May wh3 was very much respected, has a wife and one child. we enter a British possession, which I must say something He was under three months' notice to leave his situation) about. and his employer Mr. Moorhouse, came to Barnsley ia After long steaming in smooth water in the neighbour the morning for the purpose of becoming acquainted with hood of well-wooded islands, enjoying reputations for the customers in deceased's round, and was greatly shocked on his arrival to find him in the agonies of death, piracy, cannibalism, flying monkeys, g i gan ti c serpents, CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.—Dr. Fletcher, minister of and other amenities we at length en t er a narrow strait- Finsbury chapel, London, narrates the following case : On the left we have the lofty mainland of Siam rising from "" A considerable number of years ago, I was sent to visit, woody lowlands and stretching away peak over peak till on a Sabbath-day, Eliz t Fenning, ii prison, who was their outlines grow dimmer and more dim, an I the eye sentenced to be executed on the following Monday, in the can no more reflect them. On the right, about two miles front of Newgate, and who was f o u n d afterward s —al a s ! though too late !—innocent o f th e cr i me ! Sh e was ex - '- distant, lies an island covered with palms and thick under wood of spice trees, the huge cocoanut trees r i s i ng lik e ecuted for a deed which she never comm itt e d ! I n compan y with the Ordinary of Newgate, I unversed and prayed domes on the tops of hills, and bending over like the with her. She was dressed in white, an emblem of her margin of the sea. There are minature bays with a beach innocence. In the same garments she suffered death of shining sand, and white bungalows glitter through the as a criminal on the following day. I bad no opportunity foliage which shelters them from the fierce sun. ' Crown of judging as to her innocence. The expression of ing an upland, rising to an altitude of 2,500 feet, is a flag her count enance s h a ll never b e erase d f rom my re memberance. It is literally stereotyped up o n my heart. staff ; and our telescopes, aided by private infor ma ti on From what was communicated to me some years after from the captain, tell us that it is the British flag which the fatal and melancholy event, I can now explain lags lazily waiting for a breeze. As we steam rapidly the expression of her couutena'ire. It was the demon- along between the island and the mainland we enter a stration of injured innocence. When the event of her roadstead crowded with small vessels, and a town of low execution was almost forgotten, a baker, dying in a buildings, with a rude wooden pier, is on our right. Snc workhouse in the vicinity of Landon, said to the matron hours on shore, for this is Penang, heretofore celebrated of the ward, or same individual, to the following effect:— for its "lawyers," but destined perchance so be hereafter My mind is heavily burdened. I cannot die until I make better known as the sanitary station of the Chinese the following communication : —Eli za F enn i ng di e d i n- expedition. nocent of the crime for which she suff ere d. l am t h e Six hours on shore. Four sturdy M a l a y s ply th e i r paddles, and impel their cranky c anoe rap idl y t o t h e p i er . murderer of her mistress. I put the poisoa into th e morse l We are deposited among a population of Chinamen. At which effected her de a th. On the trial, the jury con- the entrance to the pier is a large supply of little eluded it must have been the cook who had administered carriages, called palanquins, but resembling tiny double the poison, at they had not the slightest clue to suspect seated broughams, with sides and backs formed of the baker. Yesterday, in the vestry of my own chapel, Venetian blinds, each drawn by a pony, so small and so one of my elders stated to me that the baker was a relative stout that the eyes of commissaries and purveyors were of the deceased. There is no doubt that he accomplished at once arrested, and such diligent inquiries are made as his murderous purpose to gratify some long cherished to n the o i t ar t be l r and value of u such tiseful looking quad passion of revenge for an offence given him, real or make hastet hireonefor the nonce, lest they r3 should all have the broad arrow put upon their imaginary, by the victim of his malevolence. Better that shoulders and be spirited away before we had had our a hundred murderers should escape than that one innocent jaunt. To dive . into one of these palanquins was indeed person should perish by circumstantial evidence.'—En- first necessity, for pith hats and turban cloths are no match ti field, Middlesex, July 6, 1857. for these sun rays. Tire LICENSE D V ICTUALLERS ' DEFENCE LEAGUE.—On Penang is not quite a metropolis. Its streets are not Tuesday afternoon there was a m ee ti ng o f d e l ega t es o f v e r y man y, an d its b e nd nes ar e no t among t h e l oftiest. several towns, in connection with the P rov i nc i a l Li cense d Square white pill a r s , eight feet high, support a roo f o f Victuallers' Defence League, held at the Engraver's Arms tiles or a thatch of dried plantain leaves. Under these the Inn, Cross-street, Manchester. Mr. Andrew Dobb'e, the Chinaman works at Ids trade or sells his mangoes, or chairman, real the circular convening the meeting, which pineapples, or plantains, or greate s t o f a ll, hi s man was chiefly to hear from M r. G eorge Candelet ar tof g ostems. Even the Parsee storekee per exhibits his bot tns his recent mission t o L on d on, as agent of the League.or in a place of similar architecture. Fortn um an d M ason ' s The chairman introduced Mr. Candelet, who said that there shop struggling with the exigencies of a barbar ous c oun t r y was a pretty g enera l i mpress i on amongst the licensed will describe our Parsee friend from whom we buy some curious old —very curious, and then proceed to victuallers, and also am ongs t th e p u b l i c, that Mr. Hardy's chaffer with the sherr Ch y inamen. Beer Bill would be thrown out. There was also an anti- It is our first meeting with the Chinese as a population, cipation in the public mind, that in the event of Mr. Her- and the impression they make is not favourable. It is dy's bill being rcjec'ed, either some private member of the not because they are universally naked to the waist, or government w ou ld b r i ng i n anot h er b ill next year. They because they outrage the comm on d ecenc i es o f ex t or tion Would be aware that M r . H ar d y ' s bill b e i ng t h rown out , by asking 3d. for a green orange, and as much for a Sir George Grey h a d mango; the Malay who runs with your palankin or rows Wedged himself to bring in a bill you ashore in his canoe is quite as naked, except on his next session. Had it not been for that pledge, he Dir. face, for he wears nothing more than two handkerchiefs, Candelet) believed Mr. Hardy'a bill would not have been one round his head and the other round his loins, and he d efeated. He saw m any members in the lobby of the House is rather more importunate. But we resent the literal of Commons, but found few in favour of the system re- matter-of-fact identity of these Chinamen with the other i naining as it is. But they lived i n th e system, an d passe d Chinamen whom we have seen carved in ivory or painted by its defects without observation, quieting themselves on fans and tea-caddies. After 8,000 miles of sea sickness Into the position of thinking that all was right. He and suffocation one expects to see something more than thought the licensed victuallers might derive much advan- the stupid, expressionless pigs' eyes and bald faces, and tage from the promised measure of Sir George I the same attitude of stolid, grave conceit, which we fancy Grey, if they watched its progress. The trade Itobe a caricature when we see' it on a willow pattern Was divided into too many sections, ; if they plate, but find to be true ve ge tating Chinese life when we could be cent ra li se d , an d one un if orm li cense a d opte d , see it at Penang. and the magistrates have a uniform method of Th ere is one lion at Penang—it is the waterfall. Thither granting every one goes who has not duties that lead him elsewhere. licences, it would free the country from a great. many evils which have an injurious influence upon The ride tbither is through the environs of the town, replete with smart bungalows in shady places, then along society, ant uponthose who are- embarked in the liquor . the coast, then up a beautiful valley where every spice trade itself. It woul d lace competition upon a fair basis, tree grows, and many a rare flower we prize in and ease the labours of the police, b • preventing much of England springs up a weed. 'I ne hills that close this the evasion which now takes place by Hardy's assump- valley in are clad with forest fruit trees. Occasionally lion. was, that beer-houses had place, rise to a lam we meet a palanquin like our own, and inside thereof amount of drunkenness in the country, and . that drunken-not are four naked Chinamen solemnly taking an airing. The road is as good as the Holyhead-road is, or was, nets was greatly on the inclrenase, the t : e ve t that . could_ _3l, but it ends abruptly at the wall of a nutmeg plantation. be sustained by statistics. 35,553 persons were taken into cuss ropolis,. in 18 4,379od w y er_e r being drunk The sun is high and the shade is scanty, but they and disorderly, of which number who would see the waterfall must climb the steep on convicted, and foot • I was one of those who adventured this. It 26 , 9 74 discharged. In 1855, there were taken 7 i 9 n l t ,, o custodyquite as much as could be 39,528 ; convicted, 4,734 ; and discharged, 4, h although we tried to lighten the toil bsyafely a e t tl n d - endured, drunkenness bad decreased in London to a large extent, Chinaro g stories of cobras in the long grass and eigers and the same could be said of other large towns in En- in the high jungle. gland, ai r. H ar dy' s assumption was, therefore, entirely Arrived at the foot of the principal fall, some of us - untrue ; and there was further hope of th e people makingro crawled in under the scant shadow of a " Penang lawyer." Pgress in society, if the legislature gave them. facilitie s others stripped, and sat in an eddy up to our noses, and ?nor ed ucation and recreation. They might look forward a the others stood under the edge of the We drank our pojed on hope that instead of further restrictions being sherry in this state, and the conversation became so lively that a yonug turtle rose from the bottom of the not very public houses, some existing restrictions .. would be remo dve , H e in Scotland Jahear aunt d e t c h k a e t d the restrictions imposed bri ght pool, flapping himself leisurely up to the surface, consumption, but the reverse, on, and why those white bodies were standing in the s pr ay br i ght out his long neck to ascertain what was he going of the descending water, lie had nearly enjoyed the TROOPS FOR INDIA. The Bengai army will be reinforced by 25,000 of the Queen's troop, The Globe of last evening contains the following —Six regiments of infantry w ill in all probability proceed to India as soon as transports for their conveyance can be procured, viz, the 20th, 34th, 42nd, 54th, 97th, and the Rifle Brigade (second battalion), with the reinforcement already embark ing, together with the troops on their passage to China, who will, in all likelihood, go to Calcutta instead, and three regiments from Persia and Ceylon.* FRANCE. PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING The refngeb question, to which I have already adverted, is becoming very serious. lam assured that France, making common cause with other despotic governments, intends to exercise a pressure upon the English Cabinet which is expected to be irresistable, The journals, prompted by Count Walewski, talk very big about the 'natter. BRAZILIAN MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday. 'The Medway steamer has arrived with the Brazilian mails. She brengs the following dates :—Buenos Ayres, June 10 ; Monte Video, sth Rio, 14th; Bahia, 19th ; Pernambuco, 22nd ; St. Vincent July 1; Teneriffe, 6th ; Medeira, Bth, and Lisbon 11th. The Medway spoke the Avon steamer on sth June, and Tamar 12th July. At Buenos Ayres the markets buoyant. Sugar and Brazilian produce showed a tendency to exceed late high prices. At Rio coffee lower. The stock of hides very low. Exchange on Lon don 271 to 28. Freights dull. No transactions of importance in imports at Bahia, and great dulness in exports generally. Sugar active; coffee and cotton neglected; rum and hides unaltered. Exchange 28 for 90 days, and 27/ for 60 days. At Pernambuco sugar higher, and the market activd. Hides in limited request. Exchange 28 for 60 days. No political news. The Medway brings specie value £6OO, and diamonds value £70,500. THE NORTHERLY TWEg.---LITVERPOOL, THURSDAY, JULY IG, 1857. honour of being the first captive made by the Chinese ex pedition, or rather, perhaps, by the civilians who are the fellow-pa3sengers thereof, but by a Masterly retreat he managed to save himself in some mysterious Cavity of the rocks. There we passed four of our six hours ashore. Return ng to Penang we filled our stomachs and our pockets, and some filled baskets, with pines and mangoes. Great wes the fruit debauch that night on board the Aden: I try to give some notion of Penang because it is very probable that it may soon become a spot of interest to English sympathies. There is at present a strong incline- Hen in high places to make Penang the sanitarium of this expedition. The proper authorities have been making inquiries as to its salubrity and its position with respect to supplies, and I am told that, so far as these inquiries have gone, the results have been favourable. Of course, I can individually have no opinion upon the subject. I can only say that upon a six-hour view the island is very delightful to look upon, that its acclivities enable you to choose your own climate, and that we who sat in a cold stream under a hot sun and then ate immoderately of fruit did so wide entire impunity. On the other Rand, Penang is only 5 degrees north of the Vile, and is nearly 2,000 miles from Hong Kong. Under the most favourable circumstances a steamer will take 10 days, and during the south-west monsoon, which will blow from June to October, a steam transport will take 12 days to pass from Hong Kong to Penang. The island is 15 miles long by eight broad. We steamed away from Penang, and on the morning of the 13th came in sight of the Bay of Islands. We run in among the seventy islets, and amone a crowd of shipping lying secure under their shelter. At the bottom of the bay lies Singapore. A town of low houses crowded together on the left hand side of a small creek, a long line of smart bungalows stretching along the margin or the shore on the other side of the creek, and with an " esplanade' in front of them; undulating hills in the back ground, covered with foliage, arnorg them and dominating the town the Governor's Hill, Whereon stands the governor's bungalow,—such is Singapore from the sea. To the extreme left is the new harbour, a costly and magnificent series of works, erected, I an, told, by the Peninsular and Oriental Company. We cannot see from the harbour how the creek pierces in a winding course far up into the country ; how it winds through mango groves and peddy fields : how it occasionally expands into a shallow lake, which at low water becomes a swamp; nor can we see that throughout its course it has wretched Chinese habitations rising from its surface, and resting upon piles driven into its oozy bottom. There is no special reason thy I should expend time and space upon a description of S import?, which, with my very imperfect opportunities of observation, must necessarily be very feeble, unless, indeed, it should happen to become a naval and military depot and a basis for future operations in this expedition. Every one knows that it is a pia?, s of great commerce. Every one, howeve does not know that it contains a population of 70,000 Chinamen and not above 300 Chinawomen, or that a hor rible demoralisation exis s among these wretches of the male sex, consequent, perhaps, upon this great disparity —a demoralisation which migrit call down fire from heaven. T o weak regiments or sepuys with scarcely any European officers on duty with them, a few guns on the Governor's Hill, with not even au earthwork to protect the gunners, are not very satisfactory defences against a migratory and frequeutuy insurgent population of 70,000, who for the most part have no interest in the place, but who come there for four or five years to accumulate gains. and go back to China carrying English silver, hatred of the English name, and their own horrible vices with them, and to be succeeded by others as evil as themselves. But the Singapore people eay, " What is to be done? The Malays will not work, and the Chinamen will. We must have our cargoes cleared, and we must get our repairs done." Others think that it is quite time this place was made a Crown colony and properly garrisoned. I talked much with the Malays, who do not love the Chinamen, but who ail declared that in case of a contest they would feel no confidence, notwithstanding the sepoys—" China men too many." During our stay on shore a party of Englishmen, properly introduced, paid a visit to one Ching Taing, the chief China merchant in the town, and the owner of a very prominently situate house just outside the Chinese quarter. The party was received by the Chinaman and his mother with great courtesy. His house was simple in its furniture, hut adorned with knicknacks that would fill mauy an Eageish fine lady with envy. Sweet meats and fruit were produced, and Ching Taing was so obliging as to say to one of the military that he wished us all success, for wa were going to defend his property. In the middle of the visit a silken package, with a sort of thatch over it, was brought in by two bearers and put down on the fl nrr—it loeked like an exaggerated handkerchief gathered up at the corners and, covered at the knotted corners by a wicker dist . ). cover. The guests thought it was probably a dish of meat or a new course of pre erves, where the thatch was removed, and at the bottom of the bundle was seen a small human figure squatted upon its haunches. The little thing gradually picked itself up, came out of its bundle, and fell upon its knees before the master of the house, putting up its hands in the posture of a suppliant. The Chinaman rose from his seat, waved his hand with dignity, and the little lady arose. As she did so he said to his European guests, "My wife." "My wife" made a slight salutation around, and often, retiring into her handker chief again, was covered up, and was borne from the room as she entered. The guests were a little surprised to hear afterwards that this magnificent husband was the chief of the recent Chinese insurrections, and that one of the guns upon the Governor's Hill had been laid down to command this particular house• MAY 22. After long looking out for the " Asses' Ears," our first promised landmark, the rock appears, at the very point where it had been reckoned upon. We steam on and on into a❑ archipelago of islet rocks, with a sort of green mildew upon them, but no mark of habitation or of animals. Oh ! where is the beautiful vegetation of Ceylon and Penang. Then an officer points out not far a-head the island of Hong Kong, with Victoria Peak. It appears to us a low, irregular line of broken, barren highlands. almost mixed up with the higher mountains of the main land, which have clouds skimming under their summits and a large pale sun setting behind them. A thin mist hangs around. An enthusiastic Seotehman says it is something like the western islands of Scotland, but not so fertile as the main land. Every one else, as the short twillight was vaniting and the mist deepened, asked his peighoour, " Is this what we have come 10,000 miles to see?" And then it bec.tme dark, and the ship steamed on, and changed her course, and wa became conscious of the lights of many ships and distant shore lights, such as we see from the train as we pass through Bath at night; and then, " Stand by to let go the anchor," and we were arrived at Hong Kong. MAY 24. Twenty four hours in British China have not enabled me to do much towards examining and correcting the ideas I have obtained from diligent perusal of Pastier, Bazin, Staunton, BEis, flue, Fortune, Davis, Montgomery Martin, 'Abbe Grosier, Stanislas Julien, and a host of others. Bear with me, therefore, if in the intervals of the study of the great problems before me I send you only a few scraps of news anlia few vague first impressions. My earliest impression undoubtedly is that our facetious European friends who advise us to " go to Hong Kong," have not an accurate knowledge of the spot. A gentleman who should "go to Hong Kong" in the present state of affairs, although ha may have his pocket full of dollars, is not unlikely to be obliged to sleep upon the pave ment of Queen-street, and will be indebted to the pro tection of the Malay Guard if his throat is not cut before the morning. I. is a town of beautiful houses, but its powers of accommodation are not capable of indefi nite expansion. The flight from Canton and other causes have filled it. General Garrett and his staff, who might reasonably have anticipated some preparations for their reception, found it convenient to sleep on board tho steam er, and were glad to shelter themselves where they might. The General, on the day after his arrival, with great difficulty, got a room at an inn, and his suite were happy to avail themselves of the hospitality of the Hongkong Club—an establishment to which we cannot be too grate ful ; and if 1 here is any gratitude in Pall. mall the military clubs should be open to every member when he visits Lon don, in requital of good offices rendered in utmost need. These soldiers, are old campaigners, who have reminiscen ces of the winter before Sebastopol, and wilt soon reduce matters here to their 'proper bearing. Their measures have already been taken with great promptitude, but unless the aspect of affairs is very rapidly changel General Ashburnham will have to take up his quarters in a half-built storehouse, and Lord Elgin will certainly be obliged to sleep in the harbour. For myself, I think I ought publicly to return my thanks to Mr. Walker, the agent of the Peninsular and Oriental Company, for it was by no common expenditure of time and interest that he obtained for me a single room at a price not much above what a lodging in Regent-street would cost in the London season. In other respects Hong Kong is a place where a turkey and a ham costs .t 5, and where a dollar, whose par value is 4s 21, costs 5s in English bills or gold. It has some other pecu liarities which strike a new corner. If you dine with a merchant here you notice that when your host takes leave of you at his outer door he has a Malay soldier studding sentinel in his hall with a loaded musket. He explainsito you, also, that the house is so arranged that all those long-tailed domestics who waited at dinner are or can be shut off from that part of the house in which the Europeans sleep. If your host should accompany you a few steps towards your own domicile he is careful to buckle Iris revolver round his waist, and—say it is nine o'clock—he is uncomfortable if he goes ten paces without being challenged by an armed patrol. _ ErAo NON COMMITTEKS.—The general committee of elections yesterday nominated the following committee for Queen's County :—Mr. James Wentworth Butler, Mr. J. Hope Johnstone, Mr. J. C. Leigh, and Sir John Ogiiby. Chairman, Lord Robert GrosveTior. A LUCKY Ct OK —ThQ prize of 100,000 f. at the last drawing of the obligations of the city of Paris has been gained by a cookmaid in the service of M. de Orouz is, tormerly principal cashier in the Bank of France. She leaves her place, to enjoy her good fortune as her own mistress ; she Nnkii 1 ` servants must be very troublesgo le t o ma s te rs; bat she says she will have no ser va n t, because IMPE DIAL PARLIAMENT. 17,1tish and Irish Magnetic Telegraph.) H GUSg OP COMMONS .-WEDNESDAY. EDNESDAY. 'he svea k e : took the chair at twelve o'clock. The committee:appointed to try the validity of the ate for o Ma r :don and Weymouth appeared at the ati4 n. FINSBVItY 'AaK (No. 2) BILL. Thl.3 bill *ag eo Ncl nsidei.),!-0 ordered to be read a third time to-morrow. SLIGO E:XOTIOX. Mr. Butt presented a petition from Mr. Sonterg, a member of this heuse, complaining of a breach of the privileges of the house in ,the institutidti of an action in the Court of Queen's Bench Ireland again - et the return big officer of the boreugh of Si iao, for rejecting a vote at the late election, while a petition complaining of the same matter, and of the return of petitioner, was pending in this house; and to call the attention of the house to the matter of this complaint- TIIE MAYO ELE:.: TIO N COMMITTEE. Mr. Scholefield moved that the evidence taken before the committee be printed, and gave notice that to-morrow he should move the suspension of the writ until the evidence should be in the hands of members• (Hear, hear.) JI7DGNIENTS, &C., EXECUTION BILL. The House went into committee on this bill. Mr. Ayrton inquired whether the promoter of the bill (Mr. Craufurd) had consulted the Attorney and Solicitor General. the Attorney General for Ireland, and the Lord Advocate, upon the provisions of the bill, and whether there had been any consultation on the subject. The Lord Advocate said there had been no conference. He thought the bill was satisfactory as it stood. Coigne! French thought it was useless to proceed with the bill, which the legal authorities of the country, on account of other duties, had been unable to consider. He thought it was unadvisable and useless, at this late time of the session, to waste another day in the discussion of the bill, more especially as all the Irish lawyers were away. He moved that the chairman do report progress, and ask leave to sit again. Mr. Headlam said that if there were any chance of carrying the bill through he would support it, but he did not think there was the slightest probability of passing it. The committee divided, and the numbers were— For the motion 33 Against it 53 Majority The motion was therefore lost. On clause 9 (to which point the committee arrived at a previous sitting), Mr. Maguire said, that if the hen. member (Mr Crau ford) showed pertinacity in persevering in the bill, the Irish members would show equal pertinacity, for they were determined that it should not pass this session (hear, hear, and laughter.) There was a strong feeling amongst the legal and commercial classes in Ireland against the bill, and he should move that the Chairman do leave the chair. 25 The Lord Advocate said he had never been able to see that Ireland was placed in a worse position by this bill than England or Scotland. He feared that in consequence of the pertinacity of the Irish members there would be no cbance of carrying the bill this session. Mr. Spooner hoped the Lord Advocate would not go away with the impression that the opposition to this bill erne from the Irish members exclusively, As an English member, he (Nlr. Spooner) had the strongest objection to tho bill on commercial ground;. _ . _ Mr. M'Cann said he — would give his most determined opposition to the bill, but he was willing to leave the whole matter to the law officers of the Crown. Mr: Watkin regretted that it should be in the power of any members of the House thus to defeat a bill by factious opposition. He believed this bill was a step in the right direction ; b ut at the same time advised the hon. gentle tn (Mr. Craufurd) to withdraw it under the moral coercion with which he was threat , ncd, with a promise. however, he hoped from the Government, that it should be introduced next session under their auspices. _ _ _ Mr. Craniumd said, that atter the remarks of the Lord Advocate, and the declarations of various hors. members, he thought he would be pursuing the right course in with irawing the bill for the present session. He should, however, next year, make an attempt to carry through his bill, which had received the support of all the law officers of the Crown, and of the commercial community generally. The bill, after some further discussion, was withdrawn, ➢MARRTED WOMEN'S BILL Sir E. Perry moved the second reading of this bill. Sir J. Y. Boller proposed as an amendment that the bill be read a second time that day three months. He thought it was likely to cause a great deal of discomfort and dis sension in families, for there was no evil so great in a family as a divided purse. Mr. Spooner seconded the amendment. Mr. M. Milnes said that difficulties concerning the pro perty of married women were constantly occurring, and nothing would meet them short of the provisions of this bill. Mr. Massey said ho understood that the law officers of the Crown were in favour of the general principle of the bill, but they were anxious to introduce some important alterations in the details. On looking to the bill ho thought there were some portions of it which could not be adopted without disturbing all the relations of married life, and revolutionising all the principles which applied to the possession of property. He thonght the hon. and learned gentleman would have secured his object by ventilating the question, and that he might with advantage postpone the consideration of his bill till next session. Mr. Hadfield concurred in this viaw, although he was of opinion that a speedy remedy should be found for the evils which the bill sought to remedy. Mr. Spooner thought the house would not he prepared to admit the principle of the bill, which at the very outset declared that, after the passing of the act, a married woman should be capable of holding and devising personal property, and of suing and being sued as though she were a femme sole. Mr. Bagwell did not understand how this bill could be confined to England without being made applicable to Ire land, when there were so many intermarriages between persons belonging, to the two countries. Sir E. Perry declined to withdraw the motion for the second reading. He intended in Committee to move to ex tend the bill to Ireland, he urged the House to assent to the principle of the bill, denied that it gave power to sue a wife for a husband's debts, and stated that if promised the appointment of a committee next session, he should not endeavour to press the measure this session. Mr. Miles suggested that the amendment should be withdrawn, and the principle of the bill assented to. The Attorney-General thought the bill dangerous in its details, and too wide in its principle, but would not oppose the motion before the House. Mr. Roebuck thought the present state of the law a dis grace to the country, and was sure the house would not refuse to assent to the principle of the bill. Mr. De Vere believed it to be essential to the preserva tion of domestic happiness, that the intimate union at present existing between husband and wife should con tinue. He could not consent to the withdrawal of the amendment. The House then divided, the numbers were— _ _ For the second reading l2O Against 65 Majority LITERARY SOCIETIES, 7 0 6 0 5 12 5 2 6 8 The Committee on the Scientific and Literary Societies' Bill was then resumed. Mr. Hutt explained that the object of the measure was to amend the act 6 and 7, Vic., which exempted Literary Societies from local rates. That act had operated for the benefit of fhe wealthier classes, who were able to pay rates, while poor societies, struggling to meet their liabili ties, had not come under the provisions. It was to remove this anomaly that he had, at the request of the Society of Arts, introduced the measure then under consideration. The consideration of the details of the measure was then proceeded with. 03 the clause exempting from taxation for the promotion of literature, science, and the arts, several divisions took place. Ultimately the word " fine" was prefixed to "arts," and the wcrd exclusively added. Thereupon Mr. Bouverie said the bill was rendered nugatory, and he moved that the chairman do leave the chair. MISCELLANEOUS BILLS. The Medical and Surgical Sciences (Queen's University, Ireland) Bill was withdrawn. Mr. Headlam withdrew the Medical Profession (Na. 1) Bill, on the ground that there was not time this session to consider it. The Chairman of the Lambeth Election Committee reported that Mr. Roupell was duly elected, and that the petition was frivolous and vexatious. The Speaker announced the abandonment of the petition against the return for the City of Peterboro and Borough of Totness. The House adjourned at six o'clock. OXFORD ELECTION.—The Mayor has appointed Monday, July 20th, for the day of nomination. Both candidates are well Supported. Mr. Cardwell has not yet appeared THE WEA TIIER AND TIIE CROPS.—Since Monday se'nnight, the weather has been all that one could wish both for the growing crops and for the haymakers, who have made great progress and cleared a large breadth, getting up the hay in capital condition. By this time, indeed, hay harvest must be fast drawing to a close. As regards the wheat, no weather could be more favourable for the " blooming" than that of the past week, and from all sides we learn that that process has been going forward under the most propitious circumstances. The ears are fast filling and the prospect is rich in promise. Indeed, there ws,uld seem, so far as any one may judge, to be every hope of an abundant harvest, and a correspon dent from the eastern part of Sussex pronounces the crops to be looking so " splendid" that he has "no doubt the I yield will be, in his district, much larger:lthan in any year since 1847."--2ussex Adypliser.ll SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. LIVERPOOL JULY MEETINCt. StawAmos—The Honourable Admiral Rota, His Grace the Duke of Beaufort, and the Earl of Wilton. CLERK OF THE Coußsz—Mr. W , E.. Topham. STARTER—Mr. Hibbard. JULOR—Mr. J. F. Cl.irk. CLERK Or THE ScAue.-7-_714. Horsley. WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 184. The CROETETEI STAKES of 10 sous. each, h ft, with 40sovs added. Three years old 63t 101 b, four 83t 21b, five Bst 10Ib, six and aged 9st. Mares and geldings allowed 21b. One mile awl a quarter.-8 subs. 8 2 Mr. T. Parr's br e Fishennan, 4yrs . 6 10 Mr. Saxon nas oh a Lord Nelson, 3yrs,.. ..... .• ••••••••Wells 1 Dales 2 3 to 1 on Fistrerinan.—Won easily by a length and a half. The MERSEY STARES of Issovs each, 5 ft, with 50sovs added, for two years old colts 83t 71b, and fillies 83t 41b. The second to receive 30sovs out of the stakes.—Winner of 1003ovs clear 31b extra. T. Y. C.-14 subs. Mr Mercy's b f Sunbeam . . ....—Aldcroft 1 Mr J. Noble's b f Proud Preston Pem 8 7 Mr Barber's cli f Pclly Peachnm (31b extra) .... Dales 3 8 10 Mr T. Parr'a b c York ..G. F. Fordham 0 7 Captain Christie's br c Orchehill . .......„, Wes 0 8. 4 Mr Copperthwaite's b f Terrific .......... .... Bates 0 8. 4 Lord Derby's ch f Bravura ..... .,..... Fldtman Ato 4 agst Polly Peachum, 3 to 1 agst Proud Preston Pegg, 4 to 1 agst Sunbeam, and 8 to 1 agst any other. Won by a head, a short head between second and third; Terrific was fourth, two lengths from the third ' • the othera close up. Atter passing the Judge's clink Polly Peachum threw her rider, but fortunately he was not hurt. _ The LA•NCASIHRE OAKS of lOsovs each, h ft, with 100sovs added, for three years old Shies, Bst 71b each. The winner of the Oaks at Epsom 71b, the second 51b, and the winner of the 1000 gs 51b, or of any other sweepstakes of the value of 30030 vs clear 31b extra, but in no case to exceed 711) ; maidens up to the time of starting, having been beaten twice allowed 31b, thrice or more 51b• The second to receive 30sovs out of the stakes, and the winner to pay 15sovs towards expenses of the course ; five to start or the money added will be withheld. Once round. —24 subs. 9 0 if7 - 1. - I'Anson rss•b•f Mink Bonny .. . Mr J. Osborne's ch• A u gury Mr J. Osborne's ro Lady Albert Mr F. Walker's hl All's-Well 5 to 1 on Blink Bonny.—Won very easily by two lengths; four lengths between second and third. All's Well did not pass the post. THE BENTINCK TESIIIMONIAL, a Handicap Stakes of 10sovs. each, h. ft., with a Piece of Plate of 100sovs. valve added, for three years old and upwards. A winner of any handicap after the publication of the weights, of 100sovs. clear 51b; two or 200sovs. clear 101 b extra, but not to be accumulative. Second to save his stake, and winner to pay 15sovs. towards expenses of the course. Mile and a haif.-31 subs. . Mr Jackson's bl c Saunterer, 3yrs Challoner 1 Mr J. 31erry's b e by Touchstone—Dipthong, 3yrs'.... Plumb 2 Mr T. Dawson's b c Commoner, 3yrs Mr. Saxon's ch f Chow, 3yrs . Lord Glasgow's ch c by Birdcatcher— Maid of Masham, 4yrs W ithington 5 , 8 4 Admiral Harcourt's b m Ellermire, syrs - 5t04 on Saunterer, and 4to 1 agst any other. Won in a canter by two lengths ; a bad third. A NousznY;PLATE of Slsovs for two years old. A winner of a handicap after the publication of the weights of the value of 50sovs clear to carry 31b, and 100 or more 61b extra. T.Y.C. The winner to pay 7sovs to the fund. 2sovs entrance.-27 subs. 6 12 Mr Smith's b c C0nduct0r........... . Wlthington 1 80Mr J. Merry's b f Sunbeam ....... ......... . 710 Mr G. Holmes' ch e Massscre Mildew 7 5 Admrl Hareonrt'sb f byTouchstone—Ellerdale's dam. Bullock 4 6 12 Mr J. Jackson's b c Spread Eagle 7 10 Mr Cot,reave's eh f by Faugh-a-Ballagh—Vanilla —Charlton 6 7 4 Mr Windsor's borro f Collodion by Birdeatcher Hall 7 7 12 Mr Barber's b c Physicial by Gameb,y I 1 to 8 agst Sunbeam, 3 to 1 agst Spread Eagle, 6 to 1 agst Massacre, and 10 to 1 agst any other. Won by half a length, a neck between second and third, and a head between third and fourth. MATCH of 300sovs h ft. Three quarters of a mile. 8 7 Lord Darby's b c Whitewall, 2 yrs... 8 7 Lord Glasgow's cby Melboarne—Clarissa 2yrs lderoft 0 5 to 4 on the Clarissa colt, who fell about a distance from homeAleaving Whitewall to canter in by himself. A HANDICAP SWEEPSTAKES of ssovs, with 30sovs added, for all actes. T.Y.C.-6 subs. 6 6 Mr G. Hotmes' oh c Massacre 2yrs . Withington 1 7 0 Mr Harvey's b g Chestrr. 3yrs ...... Snowcie n 2 7 0 Mr Jackson's br c Blackthorn, 2yrs 8 8 Mr J Osborne's bcDe Gt atm'. 4yrs . Osborne 4 7 10 Mr Bryne's b f t , torm ail, 3yrs 7 0 Mr Merry's br c Depute, 2yrs . • 6 to 4 agst. Massacre 2 to 1 agst De Ginkel, and 3 to agst Chester. Won by a length, at bad third. THUIVDXY, JULY 16, 1857. HER MAJESTY'S' PLATE of 100 gs. Three years old 7st 71b, four 9st, five 9st 61b, six and aged 9st 91b. Two Fisherman .. • •• • . . • ... Pantomime ...... • • ......... ...... .......... General Williams.... Brotver to Homily . . Commoner .. .. . Hamlet.... The LIVERPOOL CUP, in specie, value 200sovs, given by the Lessee, added to a Handicap Sweepstakes of 25sovs each, 1511. The winner of any sweepstakes, cup, cup stakes. or plate, of the clear valua of 500sovs after the weights appear, 51b; two of such races 101 b extra, but this in any case to be the extreme penalty. The winner of the Manchester Union or Trades' Cup, Ascot Stakes, Northumberland Plate, or Cumberland Plate, 101 b extra ; or of any other Handicap race of the value of 200sovs clear 31b, of 400, 51b ; or of any two of such last-mentioned Handicaps, 81b extra. The winner to pay 30sovs to the judge•, and 2030 vs towards expenses of the course. The second to receive 50sovs out of the stakes. Two miles.- 72 subs., 35 of whom declared a^d pay ssovs each. 8 i 2 Cap ain Vernon nas b c Lance, 4yrs 8 2 (in. 10 lb ex )Mr R. Bayley ass b g Pantomime, aged.. .. a 8 0 Mr J. Merry's b c Lundyfoot, 4yrs . • • 7 8 Sir T. Burke'. b h The Chicken. syrs a 7 8 Lord Enfield nas b c Rogerthorpe,4yrs.. 7 7 Mr Hind nas gr f Maid of Darwent, 4yrs. 7 2 Mr Rigby's t , r m I uogene, byre 6 13 Mr J. Merry's gr c Riseber, 3yrs . 6 13 (in. 51b gx.) Mr. ' , argent nas b c Mongol, 3yrs•.a 610 Mr Payne 's b h Syvagee, 6yrs 610 Mr Glbt•'s b c Tyne, 4yr. .••• . 6 8 Mr hrinkald's gr c Gtey Pyrrhus, 4yrs 6 7 Mr 1.. Keegan sch c Psizefighter, 3 y'rs (fhb.) ........ 6 7 )in 31b. ex.) Mr G. Taylor's b c Newton-IQ-Willows, 3yrs ....a 6 6 Lord Bath nas hr c Swyndel Dhyz,ga, 4yrs 6 6 Hon. Admiral Rous nas b f Rosati, 4yrs ........ ...... 6 6 Mr .1. Jackson'. b c Lord D rwentwater, 4yrs ..... 6 6 Hon. H. Curzon nas b c Commoner, 3yrs .................. a 66Mr W. Disney's ch c Highlander, 3yrs 6 4Mr Howard's b c Marti act, 3yrs•. . 6 4 Mr R. H. Jones' br c Bashi Bazouk, 3yrr..•. 6 0 Lord Chesterfield's . 3 c Setneider, :3yrs 6 0 Captain E. Burke's b c The Tattler, 3yrs 5 OMr J. Marry's b f Sunrise, 3yrs • • 5 12 Mr T. Dawwa's b J.net, 3 yrs 5 10 Captain White's b c Giliioer, 3yrs ..........................a 5 8 Mr T. Cunningham nas b e South-Western, 3yrs.„ 6 6 Lord Anuesley nas ch c Moose, 3yrs . 5 6Mr Windsor's br cS r Hum uhre 3yrs.. 5 2 Mr Barber's br c Hamlet, 3 yrs 5 2 Mr Buchanan nas rh c Kenerdy, 3yrs . 5 0 Mr Saxon's b f Qnren Bess, 3 yrs ........ Mr Morris' br c-Artillery, syrs. . . . .paid Mr Williams' b e Malacca, 4yrs.. Mr Lynn nas bl f Lima, 3yrs Mr J. Clark's ch c by Epirus—Elcot's dam, 3yrs.. paid Lord Glasow was b f Relapse, airs ..... The highest weight accepting beinz under fist 121 b, it has bean raised to that, and the others In proportion. A HANDICAP SWEEPSTAKES ot .SSOVS each, with 30sovs. added. Six subscribers or no race; if ten the second to save his stake ; if fifteen to receive 20sovs oat of the stokes. T.Y.C. To close and name at seven o'clock the night preceding. A SWEEPSTAKES of 15s0v8 each, sft with 80sovs added by the Earl of Derby. Two years old 4st 121 b, three 7st 91b, four Bst 111 b, five and upwards 9st 21b ; mares and geldings allowed 31b. Winners before starting (matches excepted) of 200sevs 31b; 590, 71b; 1000 and upwards, 141 b extra. Maidens at starting having run three times allowed if two or three years old 71b ; four and upwards (and never having received .£5O as second horse) 141 b. One mile.-19 subs. Lord Derby's b f by Melbourne—Meeanee. 2yrs .. • • Lord Lnridesborough's br h Flacrow, syra extra).— .......... Sir J. BOswell's b c Swale,2yrs Admiral Harconrt's b f by Touchstone—Ellerdale's dam, 2yr; a Mr E. R. Ciark's br c Vandermulin, 4yra • • •. . a Mr E. R. Clark's b h Swiftsure, aged Mr W. S. Halford's br f M dnstay, 2yrs (31b extra) Mr Hawkin's b e Gunboat. 3yr5...... . Mr J. Jacksoa's br e Terrific. 2yrs . . . Mr J. Jackson's b c Night Ranger, 2yra ...... .... . Mr J. Jackson' b c Sprig of Shillelagh, 3yrs •• . • .• , • • • • • •. . Mr J. Jackson's bl c Saunterer, syrs (31b extra) ' •... •.a Mr J. Jackson's bl f Sneeze, 3yrs .......• Mr T. Parr's gr c Childrey by Chanticleer, 2yra Mr T. Parr's b c York. 2yrs 131 b extra) Mr Saxon's ch m Mary, syrs (7 b extra) . Mr Saxon's b c P. Cooke, 2yrs . . Mr Saxon's b f FricicUsti 2yrs (31b extra , Mr Windsor's b or ro f Collodion by Birdeatcher, 2yra A SWEEPSTAKES of ssovs. each, with 30sovs. added. Two years old 6st 31b, three 7st 101 b, four Bst 101 b. five 9st 31b, six and aged 9st 51b; mares and geldings allowed 211). The winner to be sold for 100sovs. ; if entered to be sold for 80, allowed 41b ; 60, 71b ; 50, 101 b ; and 30, 18:b. To be sold by auction after the race, and any surplus to go to the Fund. T. Y.C. Wild Strawberry •• .. Repute •• • • .• • .. C0110di0n..•....... •. .... Chester.... Thornhill.— . Frodeham Squire ..... . • • • • Moose .....• Match of 300sovs., h. ft. 8 7 Sir J. Hawley's b c Mohawk, 3yrs 8 7 Lord Glasgow's ch cby Surplice—Clarissa, 3yrs.. „ „ LATEST CUP BETTING. ON TIIE Counsc, Wednesday.-4 to 1 agst Rogerthorpe, 5 ito 1 agst Bashi Bazouk, and 7 to 1 agst Grey Pyrrhus. ORDER OF RUNNING. Selling Sweepstakes 2 0 p.m. Lord Derby's Sweepstakes 2 30 p.m. - .. 3 15 p.m. Handicap Sweepstakes 4 0 p.m. Match . 4 30 p.m. Qaeen's rlate„„ 5 0 p.m. 110\V OUR CONVICTS ARE TO DE PUNISHED. On the first of the present month, an Act of Parliament came into operation, which at once defines the question that has been so frequently asked by the presiding authorities in courts . of justice—whether Chairman of Quarter Sessions for county districts, or Recorders of cities and boroughs—" What are we to do with our crimi nals This Act, which has become the law of th e j er i;_ l 7 was passed during the present Session, and has effeetfld a most important change in our criminal jurisprudence, as by its enactments the punishment of transportation .h abolished, and that of penal servitude is substituted, and, to prevent the various anomalies' that has existed in granting pardons or tickets-of‘leave, a regular scale of punishments .will be adopted in accord ance with the sentence awarded. At the Itirkdals Quarter Sessions held yesterday, the Chairman, the Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M.P., in hie charge to the grand jury, particularly alluded to this im portant measure, with a view of bringing it more, prominently before the public, and with' that view he made several extracts from a circular forwarded by Sir George Grey, to all Chair Men of Quarter Sessions, and Rec n . clers, througllont England. We subjoin a copy of the circular - in. exam. It is as'follows WuxiEntALL, Julys 27, 1857. Sir,—l have the honour to transmit to you the copy or an Act which received the Royal Assent on the 26th inst., and which will come into operation on the Ist of .T72ly, entitled "An Act ti amend the Aut of the 16ili and 17th years of her Majesty, to substitute, in certain cases, other punishment in lk tr of Transportation." The following are the principal alterations in the law made by this Act :—"lsf. It i , xtends the provisionsof the Act above mentioned of the 16th and 17th years of her Majesty, by substituting in all ceses the sentence of penal servitude for the sentence of transportation, ily. It extends the terms of perpil servitude so as to make then correspond in duration with the terms of transportation to which convicts might formerly have been sentenced. 3rdly. It gives a power to pass sentences of penal servi tude of a shorter duration than the - former minimum terra of transportation, but of not less than three years. 4thly. It attaches to the sentence of penal 'servitude the liability of the convict to be removed while under sentence from this country to a colony, th e r e t o b e d ea l t w i th in all respects as if he had been sentenced to transp3rtation." The second and third of these alterations have been made in accordance with the recommendation of a Com mit'ee of the lionse‘ of Commons appointed,. in 1856, to enquire into the provisions and operation of the Act 16th and 17:h Viet., cap. 99: • The last, and the mcst important of them will enable the Government to avail itself, to the fullest extent, of facilities which may from time to time exist for removing to a penal settlement abr ad convicts sentenced , to penal servitude. But although the sentence of penal servitude will hereafter subject the convict to the•liability to removal under such sentence to a penal Colony, the number of convicts who can be thus dealt with must depend on the facilities existing at any given perioa for their employment and absorption in a Colony; and on the willingness of the colonists to receive them. For this reason, and for the additional reason that those only can bc sent to a Colony who, from age, physical strength, and other eiream stonces, are fitted for the employment which can be there found for them, it is impressible to determine, at the time when the sentence is passed, whether a prisoner sentenced to penal servitude can be removed by virtue of such sen tence to a Colony. As a considerable discretion has therefore been left in the hands of the Executive Government as to the manner in which such sentences are to be carried into effect, I feel it right to inform you of the general rules which- it is proposed to adopt with regard to prisoners on whom the sentence of penal servitude wi'l hereafter be passed: In the earlier stages of their sentence, all convicts under sentence of penal servitude will, as .a general rule r be dealt with alike. They will be subjected to separate imprison ment for a period of, eight or nine months, after which they will be removed to one of the penal establishments created under 5 Geo. IV., cap. 84, there to be employed in hard labour upon public works. From among the prisoners so employed, a certain number will be selected, from time to time, for removal to a penal Colony ; such selection being made, as far as possible, from among those whose sen tences are for terms of not less than seven years. The Committee of the House of Commons in recom mending the extension of terms of penal servitude to a duration corresponding with former sentences of transpor tation, express d an opinion that every punishment by penal servitude should, besides a fixed period of imprison menr, or hard labour on public works, include a further period capable of being abridged by the good conduct of the convict himself. In accordance with this recommenda tion, which appeared to meet with the approval of Parlia ment, it is proposed that, while a certain fixed term of the sentence shall in all cases be inflicted, a remission of the remaining portion of it shall be granted to those convicts whose conduct in prison is such as not to deprive them of this indulgence. In carrying this into effect, it wilt be necessary to make a distinction between those who are removed to a penal Colony, and those who are retained in this country. In the case of the former, it is proposed that the period of imprisonment, and hard labour upon public works here, shall be considerably shorter than in the case of the latter. They will be removed to a Colony after having undergone about one-half of their original. sentence, and they will become eligible by good conduct, shortly after their arrival, to a ticket of-leave, followed, after a certain interval, if their conduct continues to be good, by a conditional pardon. Those who are retained in this country will be required to undergo a longer term of imprisonment, and hard labour upon public works, varying, according to the terms of the original sentence, from five-sixths to twc-thirds of such sentence. I suliiin a table, showing the proportion of the sentence to which it is proposed that in each case the remission should be limited. It will at the same time be clearly understood that the prisoner will he liable to undergo the whole of his sentence, and that the proposed remisoion will not be granted unless the general conduct of the prisoner while under sentence renders him a fit subject for such indulgence. As an illustration of the manner in which this rule will operate, the case may be taken of a man sentenced to ten years penal servitude. If removed to a colony, he will be so removed after undergoing about five years of his sentence in this country, when be may entitle himself at an early period to the qualified liberty of a ticket-of-leave, and subsequently to a conditional pardon ; while, if retained in this country, he will be required to undergo at least seven years and six months, or three-fourths of his sentence, in imprisonment with hard labour on pubrc works- The case of sentences for life requires to be dealt with seperately. They will have to be considered according to the special circumstances of each case. Some conl 4 .ets on whom a life sentence is passed have been guilty of crimes of such an aggravated character as to exempt them from the operation of ordinary rules, and it may be necessary to retain them under restraint during the wh , le of their sentence. When, however, circumstances may justify the ap?lication to them of the same rules which are applied to other convicts, it is proposed tbat in the event of their removal to a colony, such removal shall not tike place until after they have undergone at least eight yeas of im prisonment and labour on pub'ic works in this country; and that if nit removed to a colony, they shall obtain no remission until after they have undergone at least twelve years of their sentence. Although there may be cases in which it will be expe dient, in the exercise of the power created by section 9 of 16 and 17 Vic., c. 99, to qualify the remission of a portion of the sentence. by the grant of a licence to be at large in the United Kingdom, or any part thereof, revokeable at her Majesty's pleasure, it is not intended, generally, to exercise this power in the case of the remission of a por tion of the sentence to which I have referred. In stating the course which it is proposed to adopt i. ordinary cases in giving effect to sentences of penal serv.n• tude, I have thought it unnecessary to advert to those erke ceptional cases which must from time to time occur in_ which special circumstances may jusiify the exer c ise oithe royal prerogative of mercy. As there is not at thin moment any colony open to, the reception of female convicts, the course which I have indi c iced as to the removal to a colony of convicts under Fell tete?, of penal servitude is for the present, at least, applica ble only to male convicts.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, G. GREY. Proportion whit may bo remitted ix% case of Good Conduct. 3 veare...Fire-sixtbs, 2 years 6 mouths „Ono-sixth. 4 „ ..Fotn , fifths, = 3 ~ 3 „ .one•fiftb, 5 ~ ..Ditto, = 4 . , 6 .Three-fourths, = 4 „ 6 „ ~.Onc,four o 7 ~ 5 „ 3 11 8 „ ..Ditto, = 6 ~ 10 ~ ..Ditto, = 7 „ 6 12 „ a . n . d Ditto, 9 13 years upwards ..Two,thirds, The Chairman 0 1 0 Comity of Lir- Ssntence, penal Proportion to be undergone. FOI vitude. —Ditto. . Ditto. . Ditto. ..One-third. ~uarter Sessions, for the .caster, B ikdale, Liverpool.