The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-31 00:00:00

_ v, ~,,,,, ` ,l\s '. '~,,~ `ti ‘\Nk Empirial parilanunt. HOUSE OF LORDS.-MONDAY SOCIALISM. ~~ Lord Baotou/tat presented a petition from Owen, who stated himself to be " the discoverer of the rational system of religion," and praying for inquiry into the merits of his principles. The noble lord stated that he had also a petition from the same individual, complaining of his views having been misrepresented in the journals of Saturday last, pur porting to consist of remarks made upon them by a right rev. prelate and member of that house. The petitioner. therefore, hoped that inquiry might ha instituted into his plans and doctrines at the bar of their lordships' house. The noble lord was proceeding to observe upon the philanthropy and liberality of Owen, when The Bishop of EXETER rose and said that he had not expected this subject would be brought forward that night. He, however, hoped the noble lord would move for a com mittee to investigate the entire facts of the case. As to the liberality of Owen, mentioned by the noble and learned lord, fie had heard a very different statement of the affair. Lord Bnouonam believed the right rev. prelate had been furnished with incorrect representations. Re, however, should not adopt the suggestion given of moving for a com mittee, because he thought enough had passed to vindicate Owen, who had denied the charges against him, and chal lenged inquiry ; and because he should be sorry to promote an investigation which might propagate the knowledge of such extremely bad and, in his opinion , dangero us doctrines. He concluded by presenting another petition from " branch A" of Owen's association. The Bishop of EXETER explained his former statements on the subject, and presented a numerously-signed petition from Huddersfield, praying inquiry, and the adoption of such steps as would secure religion, morality, and the rights of property. The right rev. prelate ultimately (and after some conversation as to the day) gave notice that, on Mon day next, he would move an address to the Crown for the interposition of its authority in favour of religion and mora lity, against the doctrines of socialism. Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from a person named Broomfield, against the grant of £l,OOO a week pro posed for Prince Albert. BLOCKADE OF THE RIVER PLATA. . _ _ Lord STRAN"FORD reminded Lord Melbourne that in answer to a question which had beeni put to him on a former evening on the subject of an agent having arrived in Paris from the revolted provinces in South America, bearing a pro position to the King of the French, Lord Melbourne promised eolnake an inquiry, and to state the result. He' non wished to know what information the noble Viscount had obtained on the subject? 'Lord MELBOURNE was understood to reply that he was informed that an agent had arrived in Paris from those pro vinces, but what the object . of his mission was he had not Lord STRANGFORD, after expressing, h; Mil plioo that the ministers should know nothing at all respecting the object of the mission of this Monte Videan agent, asked Lord Mel bourne whether he was aware that, at this very time, Monte Video and its dependencies were actually in the military pos session of France? Lord MELBOURNE replied, I am aware of it. Lord ABERDEEN said, if ministers viewed these things with indifference, the country would look upon them in a different light. He would beg to call the noble Viscount's attention to one feature of the blockade of the Rio Plata, namely the irregular manner in which it was carried on, and the differ ence from all the usages of civilised nations. Indeed, the whole military science was thrown into confusion. (Hear, hear.) Now, the right of blockade was a strictly belligerent one, yet France was not at war with Buenos Ayres. The usual practice, as regarded blockade, was to resort to it for the enforcement of redress, or for the purpose of reprisal, and its effects should only fall on the offending party. The pre sent blockade was not for the purpose of reprisal, and the consequences of it seriously affected this country. Lord MELBOURNE was understood to deny that the minis ters were indifferent to the state of things in South America, but to concur in all the other observations which fell from Lord Aberdeen, and to assure the house, that as it was im possible not to feel the commercial evils of a blockade, so nothing would be left undone by Government to put an end to it. PRINCE ALBERT'S NATURALISATION BILL. The I:o — a — D .-- 6;;;; - ci.Con:moVed the second reading of Prince Albert's naturalisation bill, observing, that " one of the objects of the bill was, to give Prince Albert precedence next after the Queen. The, bill was framed on the precedent of Mary and Philip." The Duke of WELLINGTON observed, that he had supposed this bill a mere naturalisation bill, as the noble and learned lord had laid it on the table on Friday night, after the debate, under the title, " An Act for the Naturalisation of his Serene Highness Prince Albert of Sale Coburg and Gotha," and had not said a word about this very important clause, which em powered her Majesty " to give to the said Prince Albert, for and during the term of his natural life, such place, prece dence, and rank, after her Majesty, in Parliament and else where, as her Majesty shall deem fit and proper, any law, statute, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding." He had not been made aware of this clause till last night, and he must ask that the debate on the measure be adjourned till Friday, in order that be and other noble lords might have time to consider it. The noble duke alluded particularly to Lord Lyndhurst, who was not in town. The LORD CHANCELLOR and Li rd MELBOURNE said that although they had not expected the request for delay on any such ground, they would not present obstacles in the way, and thereby cause unnecessary division, although the seve ral branches of the royal family did not disapprove of such clause. Lord BROUGHAM said that he was not disposed to approve of such clause, especially as it not only compromised the rights of existing members of the royal family, but of branches of it not yet born. The second reading of the bill was eventually deferred till Friday, after which their lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-MONDAY. The sveleeted and - new tneinners for Edinburgh, Newark, &c., took the oaths and their seats. Mr. Vtuaugs on presenting a petition on the subject of the corn laws, gave notice that in the course of the session he should renew his motion on that subject. STOCKDALE V. HANSARD. Lord J. RUSSELL presented a petition from Messrs. Han sard, the parliamentary printers, stating that they had, on the 24th and 25th instant, been served with other notices by Mr. Howard on behalf of Stockdale, two fresh actions being commenced against them for alleged libels printed in Parlia mentary documents. His lordship moved that Mr. Howard, the attorney, be called to the bar forthwith. Sir E. SUGDEN doubted the advantage of adopting this premature step. It would be more advisable to learn from Messrs. Hansard what was the nature of these actions. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought that no delay should be allowed. The privileges of the house ought to be de fended, and he trusted the noble lord's motion would be adopted.. Sir R. INGLIS moved, as an amendment, that " it is not at present expedient to take any further steps ;" an amend ment which was lost by 67 to 181. The motion of Lord J. Russell having been thus carried, Lord TEIGNMOUTH explained expressions he had used on a former evening. lie had spoken of the judges with , the greatest respect, but he had held they were legally incompe tent to decide respecting the privileges of that house. DEBTS OF THE QUEEN. Lord J. RUSSELL stated, in answer to a question from Mr. G. Palmer, that the report that her Majesty had contracted considerable debts was totally without foundation. ALLOWANCE TO PRINCE ALBERT, Lord J. RtssELi having then moved the order of the day for a committee of the whole house, to resume the considera tion of the £50,000 allowance to Prince Albert, Mr. HOME moved, as an amendment on the ministerial ntOtion, that only £21,004 shoald be granted to Prince Al bert. The hon. member, in the course of a somewhat long and heavy speech on the subject, uttered some home truths On the inexpediency of allowing to a person in Prince Albert's position a larger sum than is enjoyed by the royal dukes of England. H e lik ew i se f urn i s h e d certain calculations, in his own peculiar fashion, as to the number of poor families who might be sustained on the difference between the sum pro posed by ministers, and the amount of income advocated by himself. The hon. member expressed himself, moreover, exceedingly anxious to guard the young prince from those temptations which must beset " a young man in London, wi th £ 5 0,000 a-year in his pocket." The house appeared to regard Mr. H tune's anxiety on this latter point as an ex celltat joke, and laughed accordingly. Mr. WILLIAms' of Coventry, echoed Mr. Hume's finan cial anxieties, and begged some dozen times, in the course of a short speech, to know how the Chancellor of the Exche quer proposed "to rise the money." The elocutionary pro prieties exhibited by Mr. Williams tended, like the moral scruples of Mr. Hume, to increase the merriment of the honourable house. _ Mr. BARING made alpeech, no less stupid than Mr. Ba ring's speeches are wont to be ;- -a speech l which, after a great deal of mystification, threw no t on the subject of Mr. Williams's anxiety—the mode, namely, of rising" the money. Mr. GOULBURN put it to the house whether, if the Queen had been married at her accession to the throne, they would given have given more to her and her consort thannthe to King William and his Queen. But Queen Victoria's list, with this £50,000, would exceed by £10,000"the"!il list of William and Adelaide, and the recent reduction of ]O,OOO in the salaries of the present household, coupled with that addition of £lO,OOO, made this civil list practically b e tt er by £20,000 than the civil list of the former reign. Therefore, even if the necessities of a prince, united to a female sove reign, were equal to those of a princess united to a sovereign, still an allowance of £20,000 less than in the last reign, would put the present Queen and her consort in as advantageous a situation as the late King and Queen. It was his intention very shortly to move for a still further reduction in the sala ries of her Majesty's household, by which her civil list would be made to go even further yet. Lord ELIOT, in a few sentences, express ed his intention of supporting Col. Sibthorp's amendment. The noble lord ex pressed himself most anxious' to do all that could be required of him to minister to the comforts of the Sovereign; but he felt that consisWntly with the discharge of his duty-ee . a re-- presentativ e of the people, he could not agree to the proposed vote of £50,000, Sir ROBERT IN G:iel - is maintained that the larger grant was that which it became House of Commons to agree to. The grounds on whi c h honourable baronet rested his opinion , are these. The crown, with the trliy a century ago, made a 'nog improvident bargai n s ubject of the hereditary revenues House of Commons, on the of the Monarch. Had the crown retained its hereditary revenues, the crown would, s ince the period of the bargain referred h un dred and sixteen millions of money. The crown had not, during that time, received more thansixtiyy : six millions. The c ountry, then, having gained so largely the transaction, Ought not, according to the honourable baronet, to exhibit a niggardly disposition , on au occasion like that under ' discus sion. After some discussion the house divided, when the numbers were—for the amendment 38, against it 305 ; i t was conse quently lost by a majority of 267. Col. SIBTHORP next moved that a sum of £30,000 be the annual grant. He thought the sum proposed by Government was preposterous and unnecessary. Lord J. RUSSELL rose to defend the ministerial grant; and under the sense of impending, defeat, contrived to lose his temper and his manners. He imputed broadly to the conser vatives who opposed the proposed grant of £50,000, a disloyal disposition towards the Sovereign ; and stated his belief, that but fur the occurrences in May last, no such opposition would have been manifested. After a word or two from Lord ELIOT in his own vindica tion, Sir JAMES GRADAII rose to express his astonishmet that a minister should insinuate what he dared not charge directly, that the conduct of those who voted for the smaller grant was inconsi s t en t w i t h the respect due to the Q ue en. After refuting some of th e f a ll ac i es o f m i n i sters on the subject of the precedents, he ob serve d , that Queen Ade l a id e ' s establish ment, including that of the stables, exhausted £35, 000 of her allowance, leaving only £ls,ooofor the admission of ministers her privy purse ; but by themselves_ s the establishment of Prince Albert would cost but 000 or £9,000, l eav ing for his privy purse not less than £21,000. This allowance was surely ample, it was liberal. Mr. LEADER would support the smallest as grant that could be carried. The moral effect of such proposals this of the ministers governm ent was most unfortunate. The were eco nomical for the purposes of the public, but est • • ravegant for those of the palace. Mr. O'CONNELL rose, and, in a vein of the tenderest'loy altv. supported the larger grant. His c onstituents , said, had instructed him to do so. Sir ROBERT PEEL said, that though he never would shrink, from openly vindicating any of his vot.ess he should not now ~,~ 4 N _;N• {\ ~ ~t~. have risen but for that insinuation, se contrary to aU parlia mentary rule and so unworthy of Lord John Russell's situa tion as a minister. Suppose the motive of a base subserviency to the crown had been imputed to the noble lord, would not that have been most irregular and unjust ? Yet it had been imputed to the conservatives that they were influenced by the events of last May in the opinions they expressed to-night. The notice of the motion to a reduction to £30,000 had been given without communication to him; nor had he made up his mind until after hearing Lord John Russell's statement on Friday. He thought 430,000 a just and liberal allowance for the joint lives of the. Queen and Prince, and for the Prince's possible survivorship, should there be no issue ; if an heir should be horn, then the £30,000 might properly be advanced to £50,000. Sir Robert Peel concluded by saying, that he was resolved not to enter into a party contest who should go furthest to please the.court—that he had no diffi culties to reconcile on the subject of his loyalty—that he had never made the sovereign's. political support a condition of his alle g iance — that he had never been g u ilty o f di srespec t either to the crown or any of the royal family -r-and, that he could afford to take his own straightforward course, without needless professions - of the.loyalty he.felt. The motion was ultimately carried, by 158 for the original motion, and 262 for the amendment. Majority for the amendment, 104. . On motion of Mr. LABOUCHERE, after some discussion, there was a committee of 'the whole house to consider so much of the 9th Geo. IV., c. 60, corn imports. as prohibited the importation into Ireland of wheat, weal, flour, and oat meal ; and his resolution, as regarded the importation of flour into Ireland, was adopted. On the motion of Sir M. Wool), the select committee on " Metropolis improvement" was reappointed. Lord MORPETH obtained leave to bring in a bill for " the regulation of municipal corporations in Ireland." There are several alterations in the bill of last year, as not necessary adjuncts to the measure. The LORD ADVOCATE obtained leave to bring in bills for the better regulation of the royal and other burghs of Scot land. On the motion of Captain Pomum., returns respecting the receipts of Prince Leopold were ordered, and the house ad journed at half-past twelve o'clock. HOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY . The Marquis of. LANSDOWNE laid before their lordships the minutes of the Privy Council relative to national educa tion.. Lord COLCHESTER gave notice that he should move, on the 4th Feb. for returns respecting.the state of the navy, in con tinuation of those of the last year. Their lordships, at their rising, adjourned till Friday. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TtiF,sna.r. Mr. Munti, for Birmingham, and Mr. Hutchins, for Fal mouth, took the oaths and thcir teats. THE CHARTISTS AT MONMOIJTH Mr. WARLEY presented a petition from 40 persons ap pointed at a public meeting to constitute a committee on the subject respecting the chartists of Wales, convicted of high treason—namely Frost, Williams, and ones, praying the house to adopt an address to her Majesty to give effect to the recommendations of the juries for mercy. The hon. member said that it was not his intention to found any motion on the petition ; he should leave the subject in the hands of the Go vernment. 'The petitioners represented that they urgently approached the house; because they had heard with some consternation, that preparations were making for the execu tion even during the time that arguments were proceeding be fore all the judges in Westminster Hall, on the point of law reserved by the judges of the special commission on the trial of the prisoners. Most of the notices that stood on the paper were then de ferred, in order to make way for the motion of the evening. Several questions, however, were then put. Mr. FECTOR asked whether Government had taken any part in the negotiations of Begara ; and also whether they had sanctioned in any way the detention of Don Carlos ? Lord PALMERSTON, in answer, said that any direct part had not been taken by her Majesty's agents there ; but that the British officers in the north of Spain had rendered assist ance in bringing about the communication that led to the convention referred to. He also stated that Government had undoubtedly expressed an opinion that Don Carlos ought not, for the general interests of the powers, to be left free to return to Spain, without some previous arrangements be tween him and thopSpanisb government. Mr. MACLEAN asked whether Captain Elliot, in China, had issued a notice demanding the delivery of opium into the hands of the British superintendent, &c. ? Lord PALMERSTON stated that he had, and that the papers relating to the subject would be produced—viz., those moved for by Mr. Crawford. In answer to another question from the same gentleman, Lord PALMERSTON said that it was not the intention of government to propose a vote for the payment of claims, and that he was sure the house would excuse further explanations of the course to be adopted, at least at present. Lord SANDON having asked a question respecting the Bri tish claimants on Portugal, Lord PALMERSTON stated that the Portuguese govern ment appeared desirous to satisfy them, and that her Ma jesty's Minister at Lisbon had received instructions upon the subject. Lord PALMERSTON was understood to say (in answer to .a question from Mr. Maclean) that no measures had been adopted to secure the payment of the debt due from Spainto this country. WANT OF . CONFIDENCE IN MINISTERS. Sir J. Y:iIJIYER, in proposing a resolution " That her M kjesty's Government, as at present constituted, does not possess the confidence of this house," stated the reasons that induced him to undertake that task, and said that none could fail to see that the present discontent and aspect of affairs originated in the system pursued by ministers during the last few years. Those ministers, he contended, had encroached more on the patronage of various departments of the govern ment than any who had preceded them. He referred to the misconduct of ministers at home, and concluded by saying, that he would leave to others the duty of entering into the administration's mismanagement and neglect abroad. Mr. Alderman THOMPSON' seconded the resolution, and affirmed that government did not possess (as it ought) moral influence over the country. This was shown in many ways, and in none, more strikingly than in the recent affairs at Newport, where the leader of the mob was one who had been appointed magistrate by Lord John Russell. Sir GEORGE GREY resisted the motion, in a speech of great eloquence and ability. He defended his colleagues and associates with infinite spirit—in a manner, in fact, which justified the exuberant gratitude with which the ministerial ranks received his clever declamation. The speech, how ever, was, after all, only a piece of ingenious special plead ing :—it was less a defence of whig policy, than a skilful attempt to inculpate the policy that must, according to his assumptions; be pursued by the conservative party. Sir George maintained, that the speeches of the mover and se conder contained. nothing new, with the exception of one single topic. That one topic was chartism. All the other matter might have been adduced at any period within thek last five years as affording grounds for withdrawing from ministers the confidence of the House of Commons. To the consideration of the causes of chartism, therefore, after some dallying with minor topics, Sir George Grey proceeded to address himself. He denied that chartism was caused by any tampering on the part of ministers with popular passions. When conservatives alleged that the reform bill was carried by agitation, he would have them recollect that the reform bill was not carried by the present ministers; and that, moreover, Lord Stanley and Sir James Graham were entitled to their full share of the praise or blame of that measure, and of the methods by which it was carried. The.real cause of chartism, according to Sir George Grey, is to be looked for in the agitation against the new poor law ; and that agi tation, in the right hon. baronet's opinion, was fomented exclusively by conservatives. The conservatives, therefbre, in conformity with the reasonings of Sir George, are the authors of chartism. The proof adduced was, that, in his late canvass for Southwark, Mr. Walter received " the aid of the incendiary, Oastler." This exquisite specimen of logic was hailed with delight• by the treasury benches. Sir George Grey dilated, moreover, on the vagueness of the motion before the house. Why, he asked, should Conserva tives shelter themselves in generalities as to the nature of the policy by which they would, if in office, govern the country ? The cause of the adoption of these generalities he declared to be, the• divisions. n the Conservative party—divisions proved, as he alleged, by the recent debate on the question of privi lege, and by the views expressed during his late canvass at Devonport by-Mr. Dawson on the subject . of the corn laws. Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET confined himself to the sub ject of the chartists. The rule said to have been acted on in Frost's case bad not been observed in others, •for instance, at Bristol, where Lord John had disregarded the recommenda tion of the town-council. The appointment of Frost to the magistracy had had great influence in encouraging the out break. His political character was the same both before and and after his appointment, being twice marked by the repro bation of the judges. The fact was notified to Lord John Russell, and the verification of it offered : yet the appoint ment went forward. The facts could be proved, if it were desired, at the bar of the house. Another great cause of mis chief was the circulation. of Vincent's newspaper in the dis turbed parts of Wales. Nothing had been done to suppress it; and even now the feeling caused by it had not been put down. An irritation prevailed which must mar the pros perity of those districts for years. Unless you put down se dition and blasphemy, you might appoint special commissions from time to time, but you would not obtain tranquillity. The people had seen agitation rewarded in Ireland, and they thought it would succeed in England. Mr. HAwEs entered into statistical and commercial state ments to show that the country was in a prosperous condi tion. They consisted chiefly of returns, exhibiting an aug cleated consumption of exciseable articles, but the augmenta tion did not appear to be greater than the mere increase of population would account for.' Mr. COLQL'HOUN met him upon his statistical and com mercial grounds, and then proceeded to general topics. In speaking of the removal of Mr. Boulton, the chief justice of Newfoundland; whom the governriaent Sacrificed on the,plea that he was too much of a politician, Mr. Colquhourr ob served that they had not been so cautious when they aired the chief barony of Ireland to Mr. O'Connell. He objeCted also to their appointment of Mr. Shiel, not, however, on the ground-of that gentleman's religionsdent_of his political sen timents. Sir G. Grey had talked about disunion among conservatives, but on what questions were the existing ca binet agreed ? On ballot? on corn laws ?on extension of suffrage ? They used to talk of referring everything to the people ; would they now give the people a chance by a disso lution ? Mr. GIEBORNE, who came next, attempted humour, but 'broke down and stick fast several times. He attempted likewise one of those broad panegYrics on Sir Robert Peel, w hich, for the last fortnight, haVe been the fashion with the liberals, as if they had the presumption to believe that he could be bought by their praises to endure their alliance. _ Mr. D'IrsEA4LI observed that ministers having last spring acknowledged, by their resignatiOn;that they had not then the confidence of the house, ought to explain what had hap pened to earn it for them since. The country wanted a strong government, but the whips admitted that they could not form s.yro were pathy not one, and even made it a merit t hat they constituted a middle severity,government strong the party. .Strong butStr oa the influential clases, and the support of tht people:, But the s u pp or t the Whigs obtained was only that of the new strong r on measures,, a s u res boroughs and the new corporations, created by themselves. Their allies in the house dealt with them as a late jury had done with its prisoners—found them guilty, but recommended them to mercy. Sir H. r-ERNEY, Mr. EWART, and Mr. WHITE, of Sun derland, all followed on the ministerial side ; and then the adjournment of the debate was moved by Mr. Litton. The remaining busines' was disposed of ; the report of the resolution for the grant of a sum not • exceeding £30,000 to was received and agreed Prince Albertto, and a bill ordered to be brotieit in accordingly, and the house adjourned. petition Rutland, HOUSE s ai, ---16 i — Tim The House of Lords -..,,:cDS.—IVEDNESDAY. did not assemble this day. would o think lit. Mr. took SE his Cl F seat C I‘ forl M - - S . —WEDNESDAY. from Lincoln, pray ingL for r d i n S t j A u ti i r D y l , O intoi n thepresented wl e t h progressear there of S would be no objection tion of such remedy as the house might Socialism, and the adop prointment objection Lord ASHLEY asked T report ? to lay before the house the factory corn ld i o b n e e a r n 3 Mr. F. MAULE answered that there to produce it when it was ready. Lord INGESTRIE wished to know whether the a of the magistrates, recommended by the majority of the town council of Lichfield, would be persevered in. Mr. F. MAME stated that, as yet, only one gentleman had been appointed. WANT OF CONFIDENCE IN MINISTERS. the adjourned debate was then resumed, on the resolution -4. -IL ~~~ proposed by Sir J. BULLER, declaratory of want of confi dence in the Ministers. Mr. LirroN commenced the discussion and entered, at smile length, into the conduct of the government respecting Ireland, which he contended encouraged sedition in the country. Mr.'DENNISTOUN followed, and declared that there would be no satisfaction until a larger number .(if the people were admitted within the pale of the constitution. Mr. PAR ER supported the resolution, and condemned the lax conduct of the government in allowing seditiOns meetings and speeches, and the circhlation of the most libel lous and flagitious. publications without making any efforts to check either. —*- . Lord H °WICK (Earl Grey's son) availed himself of the opportunity to explain why he no longer had " the honour of being a member of her Majesty's administration." He said that in May last he and his colleagues tendered their ' resignations, because they did not think they had such an amount of confidence in that house and with the public us would enable them to carry on the business of the country satisfactorily ; and that,-when called on to resume office, he overcame his reluctance (arising from national questions being se! injured by party warfare) with difficulty, and only in consequence of tine kindness of her Majesty. But it was then thought, and"avowed, that, at the end of the session, there Must be such changes in the administration as would give it, with the country, increased strength, power, and stability. He thought the changes ought to manifest to the country that, however ready to promote reforms in legislation, they would resolutely maintain the present constitution of the House of Commons. He heard of the proposed changes only two days before the end of the session, and, so far from carrying out his views, he thought they could only have the " opposite effect," as showing that the Government countenanced un defined expectations of further changes in the constitution." Not considering that a wise and safe course, he deemed it his duty to tender his resignation in consequence, and it was ac cepted. He repeated most earnestly that he was against pro pounding now any further alterations in the representation, and contended that any proceedings, as well as the changes in the administration, that led to the belief that the govern ment is not resolutely determined to maintain the present constitution of the house, cannot fail to encourage perpetual commotion, and, if the work be gone on with, " to the sub version of the constitution." Sir JAMES GRAHAM commented with consummate ability on the various self-contradictory positions assumed by Lord Howick. Rarely, indeed, has a more effective speech than that delivered by the right hon. baronet, been heard within the wails of Parliament. Sir James undertook to meet Sir George Grey's demand of the previous evening for matter of inculpation against the Government ; and most amply did he fulfil his undertaking. Sir James starting from the point assumed by Mr. Gisborne—that ministers are entitled to the confidence of the country for their conduct in reference to the tithe-question and the reform bill—proceeded to show, on the evidence. of - Ministers themselves, and of their firm adherents that in reference to the very questions adverted to by Mr. Gisborne, never bad public men so utterly disgraced themselves as the members .esent Cabinet have done. Sir James recited the :yen to the world by Ministers on the subject • propriation clause. He recited their contradictory pie. : • •n the sub ject of ballot, and of the corn laws. He ex ibited their abandonment of a 1 principle in connection with their legis lative plans for the government of Canada and of Jamaica. He exposed the utter baseness of their open-question policy. He pointed out the encouragement direct and indirect which Ministers have given to chartists and repealers. He showed how utterly they have prostituted the patronage of the country. Mr. MACAULEY undertook the task of replying to the right hon. member for Pembroke ; and if a worse speech than Mr. Macauley's ever was delivered on any subject whatever, we venture to express our unaffected pity for those who may have listened to it. Mr. Macauley's speech was curiously, elaborately, irredeemably, bad. It was not sim ply stupid ;—it was not simply inappropriate. It was con ceived in the vilest imaginary taste. It was poor, feeble, vilely affected in matter. It was a tissue of impertinence to the matter in hand, from beginning to end. To bring into full relief the peculiarities of this execrable composition, it was delivered in a style redolent of the conventicle. Lord POWERSCOURT rose and moved the adjournment of the debate until next day. After some other orders of the day had been disposed of, the house adjourned at one o'clock. COLONIAL INTELLIGENCE NEWFOUNDLAND. (Franz the Newfoundland Times.) The ungracious and unthankful task of recording the cere mony of opening another session of the colonial legislature, again devolves upon us—we say it is a most unthankful task, because, first, we are pretty certain that the session will be an unprofitable one to the colony, and one of utter disap pointment and embarrassment to the local government ; and secondly, because we had most devoutly hoped that the pre sent House of Assenibly would never have been suffered to meet again—and that the infliction of so great an evil would have been unnecessary :—the fates, however, have ordered it otherwise. •On Friday last, agreeable to proclamation, the Governor came down with the usual formalities to the council chamber, and•having taken his seat upon the throne, and the House of Assembly having been summoned to the bar, his Excel. lency delivered the following SPEEC.H. " Mr. President, andi-IWOraledentleinenqf the Council ; Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly " When I closed the last session in the month of October, it was not My intention so soon to have re-assembled the legislature, but the pressing•necessities of the utterly helpless poor have compelled. me to resort to this measure, and there are other subjects to be considered. andexperience (19 .. not seem to have proved the superior advantage of our meet ing in the summer, I shall bring ,under your , notice public business, both regular and incidental, trusting that the' whole may be completed before the . commencement of the seal fishery. " Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly, " The most urgent matter for your consideration is the present. condition of the sick and impotent poor, of orphans and idiots, combined with the just claims of thoSe benevolent and industrious individuals who have long watched over and protected the two last named classes of sufferers. Since April nothing has been paid on this account, and 1 shall place before you-afilidting statements of consequent want and wreteliedness. " I am well aware that in no part of the world should eleeniosynary aid be given with more caution than in New foundland, but the infirmities of nature and the misfortunes occasioned by the character of our occupations, are surely entitled to public cominisseration and relief. " I have transmitted on all occasions to the respective legislative bodies, copies of such despatches as regards my conduct in conjunction with their proceedings. " By regulations prescribed by her Majesty's government, the house must be sensible that it is my duty rigidly to abide ; and, it will consequeutly be pemeired, that had the poor bill, as sent up towards the conclusion of the late ses sion, been fully adopted by council, it could not possibly have received my assent. " I mention this to prevent misconception, and to obviate any future misunderstanding. " In an address from the. House of Assembly to her Ma jesty, passed at the close of that session, the subject of the Contingency bill is discussed at some length. As a consider able time must elapse before Any answer can be• received, I would venture to suggest, without at all anticipating what the answer may be, that a bill embracing such items as were originally undisputed, might, in consideration of the painful position of various claimants, be at once advantageously prepared. " I have formerly laid before you statements of the de fective condition of the building in which we are now assembled. I shall transmit to you the report of a survey thereupon, just made by my direction, to which I beg to call your particular attention. Mr. President, and Honourable Gentlemen of the Coun cil; Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly : " I shall - bave the pleasure of transmitting to you, as soon as printed, a report from the Geological Surveyor, containing much interesting information. He will be prepared to pur sus his arduous and important labour at the earliest practical period. " I have received a despatch from Lord John Russell announcing that it is no longer desired that measures for the alienation of the Crown Territory should be delayed. " I shall, therefore, supply you with copies of correspond ence on this head, which, with the documents already in your possession, and your own local knowledge, will, I hope, enable you to frame and act suited in every particular to the exigencies of the colony. " I invite your early attention to this, because as the Bill will probably require a suspending clause, procrastination may occasion the loss of the fine season to applicants for grants of land. " The subject of a Road Bill will, . I presume, occupy your deliberations. " The benefits arising from good roads are so well known that observations respecting them would be trite and uninte resting, but it appears to me that while pursuing so useful an object, we should carefully avoid the evils which would una voidably result from any heavy accumulation of public debt. " I have, therefore, recommended some points which I still believe to be worthy of your consideration. Upon them and others I shall always be happy to afford such information as I may possess, and to assist, as far as my humble means permit, your efforts for the general good." To His Excellency's speech on this occasion we think fewer exceptions can be taken than to any former one—not so the Patriot, who, being of opinion that " there are sins of omission as well as of commission" in it, will, we presume, favour the public with the model of what it aught to have been. We shall, therefore, patiently await the commentary which we are promised on Saturday, and we have no doubt that both the time and labour which His Excellency may hereafter occupy in speech making will in consequence be considerably lessened. The prinCiPal object which the Governor professes to have in view in thus again assembling the legislature, afterso short a recess, is that some provision might he made for the sick, infirm, and helpless poor :—other matters are also pointed out for consideration—that is (we presume) provided the Assembly evince any disposition to go into and get through with the legitimate business of the colony. But we have been informed within these few days that they entertain no such disposition, nor feel the least desire to second the laud able object of the government. For our own parts we won der how His Excellency could have. formed any such expec tation. Has he not already had abundant evidence to prove to him the futility of looking to that quarter for any co-operation in his " efforts for the general good ?" If he has not, we think the result of the present ses sion will amply furnish it. Personal rancour and the most vindictive private feeling against individual officers of the government are the ruling passions of those who falsely call themselves " the representatives of the people," but who no more represent the wishes or views of the people of Newfoundland than they do those of the inhabitants of Ota heite or ICamschatka. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. Cape of Good Hope papers' to the sth of December con tain intelligence of singular import from Port Natal, the new settlement of the emigrant Dutch farmers. A public meet ing had, been called, at which the commandant with other officers as well as the more respectable inhabitants were pre sent, to take into consideration a notice which had appeared and was read from the Graham's Town Journal, to the effect that part of the country comprised in the colony had been sold to a number of English emigrants, who might shortly be expected to take possession. This announcement created a great sensation, and the assembly came to strong resolu tions upon it. It was declared that emigrants, on arriving at Port Natal without previous consent, should be considered enemies to the state ; that if attended with military force sufficient to prevent resistance, the inhabitants would retire into the "forests, mountains, and kloofs," surrounding the bay, and there defend themselves in " separate small parties, as did the oppressed Spaniards, and, according to the princi ple of Don Carlos, neither take nor give quarter," until they should have recovered their own. The commandants and captains of the armed d o b f u t r h g e he fo rs re w es, erahetdo suppliesconsult of s • abouiatuistlbie. division and commit' d the B - t t e u re b d e fcuartntlies,boetdhaernpdrsotvoils.eiodn.sir: differentan. d. places ammunition fo were r t h forthwith autho rities independent o t o f a watchgguard ' the lie f bed by the chief auth'oi -4 0 movements men, to of fetmbeaftnatruatene.caffoirtes. These orca height, resoi tions were formally passed and subscribed the Dutch emigrants annouuced fact o f thist e colony. country, . i s a declared e c la indeedre d.. their determination it should entso t o h f a t t h i e ll C p a o p in e t a o n i d . be from the beginning. kS ~~. .~~~ DECISION OF THE JUDGES IN THE CASE OF FROST, 'WILLIAMS, AND JONES (From the Morning Herald of Yesterday ) In order to rightly understand the judicial result of the argument before the fifteen Judges in the cases' of Fro:4; Williams. and Jones, convicted of high treason, before the special commission at Monmouth, it is necessary to recollect that, although but one objection was taken by the prisoners' counsel, there were;in fact, two point,rxeserved.. The first, .whether the objection was in itself a good one: f—the other, if 'good, whkher it was taken. in lime: .0n this subject the evening papers are somewhat in error. The evening organ of the Government, says, very, truly, that; the learned judges were divided' in their opinions. It then' goes on, to say, " . but the majority, ilecided the.vointreserved. in their favour to be UNTENABLE, and held the indictnzent to be good." There was no question'as'th the validity of the_ indictment. • -If the counsel for the prisoners had any objee , - tion to the indictment they would have.either demurred to or called upon the court 'to quash it before trial;' or ntted' in arrest of judgment afterwards.... • .. We stated,very plainly what the points reserved were, the. other day, generating them from all teelmical verbiage, in order' to make'the matter clear, to the popular apprehension. - The -Standard says, " We have just learned that. the Judges have decided against the objection in behalf of Frost, by a majority of nine to six." The objection taken in behalf of Frost and his accomplices was, that the lists of- witnesses ,were not delivered AT THE SAME TIME with the indict;theht, as the statute of Anne requires. Now, we believe we are correct in saying, that with regard to the validity of that ob jection, the numbers above stated should be inverted, there being only six Judges against the objection, and NINE in favor of it. But then came the other point, viz.—whether the objection not having been taken until after plea pleaded was taken in time. In reference to that point, THREE of the Judges who held the objection to be a good one, also held that it had not been taken in time. The division of opinion among the Judges, then, stands thus—six Judges against the prisoners on both points — THREE Judges against the prisoners on one point, and for them on one—six Judges in favour of the prisoners upon both points. We understand the Judges, as to their respective opinions, may be classed as follows : In favor of the objection taken by Sir F. Pollock and Mr. Fitzroy Kelly, that the lists of witnesses were not delivered in compliance with the direCtions of the statute—Mr. Justice Littledale„ Mr. Justice Patteson, Mr. Baron Parke; Mr. Justice Williams, Mr. Justice Coleridge, Mr. Justice. Er skine, Mr. Baron Alderson, Mr. JUstice Coltman, and Mr. Baron Rolfe. Of the above learned judges, the st first mentioned hold also the affirmative of the second point, that the objection was taken in time : the last THREE, the negative, that it was not taken in time. The judges against the objection taken at the. trial, and. who, therefore, hold that the lietsof witnesses were delivered conformably with. the directions 'qf the statute, are Lord Denman, Lord Abinger, Chief Justice Tindal, Mr. Justice Bosanqiiet, Mr. Baron Gurney, and Mr. Baron Malik. These learned judges may be said to be. against both points ; for, on the negation of the first, the second falls to the ground. Such.being the divided state of judicial opinion upon this grave and important question—a question affecting the lives of three human beings, we ask CAN execution follow ? We hold it to be impossible. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE: MANCHESTER.-Tu ESDAY EVENING. Much excitement appears to exist as regards the probable acceptances and refusals of the Chester Trades' Cup, and every hour, as we approach the time when these must be de clared, will bring changes in the odds._ THE CHESTER CUP, P.P. 100 to 11 against Sir Thos. Stanley's Cowboy.--off 100 to 8 „ Lord Miltown's Cruiskeen.—t 14 to 1 Mr. 0. Fairlie's Abraham Newland 100 to 7 Mr. Copeland's' King Cole 800 to 46 „ Mr. Fowler's Gilbert Gurney.—t and re peated. 20 to 1 „ Mr. F. R. Price's Captain Pops.—t 100 to 6 „ Major Hay's Retriever.—t 20 The field against any ten, bar Sir Thomas's Cowboy ; 12 to 1 against Col. Peel's lot; take 500 to •5 on Melbourne; 500 to 10 against Stansty (offered.) It is said.sooo to 50 was laid against Aimwell, yesterday. We give this engagement as reported to us. His owner did not back him except in a fancy bet or two, this morning. TATTERSALL'S-7MoanAY., For nearly the whole of the afternoon Theon was a dead letter in the market, nor would it have been easy to make a quotation against him even at the close, had not an offer to lay 15 to 1 against him, and the same against the Angelica colt, in one bet, relieved us from the difficulty. This bet was taken eagerly twice and thus we are constrained to put them down as even favourites; it should be added, however, that 15 to 1 had previously been taken about the Angiica colt and several attempts made on the part of th : takers;to go on at the same price, and to back him against Theon. Launcelot rose to 16 to 1, with plenty of friends ; ditto, Con federate, who was backed at the opening at 1 8 to 1 in hun dreds. These odds were laid to the same amount against Bokhara, and a point above his former quotation offered against Muley Ishmael. Ottoman was backed rather freely at '24 to 1; and Wardan, first at 26 to 1, taken in good guar : . ters, : and -subsequently, at 28 to 1 ; the same odds were ac cepted three or four times about Gambia. Monops was backed freely at a fraction above 40 to 1, notwithstanding the blemish indicated by his name, and has a strongish party. The Oaks was confined to Japonica, and did not possess the slightest interest. THE DERBY. 15 to 1 against D. of Cleveland's Theon.—t 15 to 1 „ • Ld. Orford's Angelica colt.— t ,16 to 1 „ Lord Westminster's Launcelot. - 16 to 1 „ Mr. Houldsworth's Confederate. 18 td 1 „ Sir G. Heatlicote's Bbkhara.—t 19 to „ Ld. Jersey's Muley Ishmael. 24 to , . 1 „ .D,of Grafton's Ottoman.—t. 25 - to 1 „ Robinson's St. - Andrew. 'l2B' to 1 „ qtr. WrefortP.s Warden.,--t 28 -to 1 „ Lord Chesterfield's Gambia.--t . 30 to I „ Lord G. Bentinck's :'Grey Milton.— ' 40, to 1 „ Mr. Trenn's•Fitzroy.—t - • 40 to 1 Mr Ford's Chameau 2000 to 45 . Capt. Gardnor's Monops.--t 1000 to' 20 , .4...0rd Lichfield's Defendant:--t. Alto I.Muley Ishmael and Angelica colt (t), 1000 to 800:on Angelica colt agst. Confederate (t) ; 600 to 500 on Wardan agst. Grey Milton (t) ; 500 to 400 on Angelica 'colt- agst. Muley Ishmael (t); 500,even Monops agst. Chamau (t) ; 350 to 200 on Theon agst. Wardan. THE' OAKS. 4 to 1 against Lord G. Bentinek's Crucifix. 7 to 1 „ Mr. Fowler's Lalla Rookh. 25 to 1 ~ Col. Westenra's 'Welfare. ,30 to 1 „ . Mr. A Smith's Japonica.—t MOST EXTRAORDINARY CASE. • - (To the Editor of the Mayo Constittiticho. • Sut,—l am surprised that the extraordinary case I am about to mention has not, long ere now, attracted public at tention. If it occurred in England or Scotland, it would be cried up as a physical wonder (as indeed it is,) and all the woad be posting to witness it. The phenomenon, however, has created so little interest here hitherto , that, though it is known to many in this country, no one has yet stated the case through the press, and though it comes in a special manner within the province of the medical faculty, none of our phy sicians, that I am aware of, have made inquiry into it, or given any information respecting it either to their brethren abroid or to the scientific portion of the public at home. The case is-as follows : . At a little - flistance from the road leading from Swynford to Cuiltemagh, and about a mile and a half from the former ,town, resides Mr. James Kavanagh, an honest, industrious, and respectable villager. He has a son grown to man's estate, who has been confined to his bed for the last four years, and during that period he has not spoken.a word, nor has he been known to eat or drink anything whatever — nevertheless hii *colour is fresh, and his strength very • little, if at all, impaired.. He gets up daily to permit his bed to be dressed, and the moment it is ready he gets into it again without taking the slightest notice of anything said to or about him. He does not seem to sleep, at least .no one can enter his room uokuown to him, but he takes no farther no tice of persons, even threatening to maltreat him, than by fixing ins eyes sharply upon them. The only exception is when any person blasphemes or curses, and then be looks most fiercely, and turns away his head. Previous to his gettin into this strange state, he was fully in pos'ession of all his faculties of mind and body, and had the character of being a pious and ingenuous young man— an obedient son and a good neighbour. His present state is so extraordinary a deviation from the laws of nature, that it is eminently worthy of investigation, and I trust- that some of our Mayo physiologists will inquire into it, and favour the public with the result of their observations. At first view of so extraordinary a case, one might be led to suspect imposition ; but be assured there is none in this. Mr. Kavanagh's family never sought to give publicity to it, and the preseht notice is entirely without their knowledge or consent, and probably may not be. pleasing to them, though nothing can be farther from my intentions than to give them pain ; and I trust that even they, upon reflection, will see the propriety of calling the attention, not only of the medical faculty i but of the public at large, to as extraordinary a case as any upon record, and which it would be a sin against good taste and philosophy to permit to pass into oblivion without some effort to investigate the cause. I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, PATRICK LYDD. JOHNSON " CHARITABLE BEQUEST."--SHAMEFUL IMP& SITION. Many of our readers have no doubt been interested by an advertisement under the head of " Charitable Bequest, which appeared in the Mercury of Jan. 11th, and stated, that " a benevolent pious Christian has directed to be placed in trust £20,000, to be lent out to deserving persons who are in need, in sums from £5O to £250,. on their own personal bond. Honesty, sobriety, integrity, and frugality, are essential qua lifications. Applications, with references, made by letter only (post paid), will receive due attention. Address to J. B. Fielding, Esq. Metropolitan, opposite Chancery-lane, Holborn." In consequence of this offer, a gentleman in this town wrote to the address above given, and, in a day or two, received the following reply : No. 5, Carey-street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Sir,—We are directed by J. B. Fielding, Esq. to state, you will be accommodated with two hundred and fifty pounds for three years, at five per cent. interest, payable half-yearly. You must remit a post-office order for three pounds, to pur chase the bond. stamp. You will have the money on or about the 31st instant, when we shall call upon you to sign the same.—Remain yours, PRICE & WILSON. The demand of three pounds as a preliminary startled our informant, and he made inquiry of a solicitor as to the pro bable character of J. B. Fielding, Esq. and his agents; when he was informed, that another party had- already instructed the solicitor to- write to his London agent to make the very same inquiry ; that a messenger bad been sent to the Metro politan. which is a public-house, where the host and hostess informed him, that they knew nothing of Mr. Fielding, but that he sometimes called for letters addressed to him there ; and that no fewer than three hundred had already been banded over to other parties who bad •recently been there applying for his letters. Two individuals, who had travelled all the way from Birmingham to obtain a loan of part of the £20,000, arrived at the very time the- naessenger, was at the Metropolitan, and lost their expenses for -their- pains. The client of the legal gentleman who had corresponded with his agent in town, had addressed an application for £150; and had received a reply, in which £2 was asked for, "to pur chase the bond ; ' and the letter was signed Follett and Nephew, 37, Carey-street, Lincoln's Inn Fields ; so that this benevolent Mr. Fielding seems to need a good many lawyers to reply to applications for aid. Inquiries have been made as to the existence of any legal firm named Price and 'Wilson, and none can be found, either at 5, Carey-street, or in the law list; while the place • from which Follett and Ne phew date is a small coffee shop.--Leeds Mercury. THY QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.—COIIMITTAL of THE SIIERTFFS.-1 1 1 the Court of Queen's Bench, on Monday, Sir William Gossett, the Sergeant-at-Arms, produced the bodies of the - sheriff's, whom he held in custody under the warrant of the House of Commons, for a contempt of its authority. Sir William put in the warrant, which (after a long argument against its validity, by the counsel who, ap peared for the sheriffs,) the judges held to be sufficient, and the sheriffs were sent back to their old quttlint the cellis of the Hous e of COMMOUS. • . • SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL. A special meeting of the Council was held in the Town hall on Wednesday., for the consideration of several subjects enumerated in the notice. JOSHUA- WALMSLEY, Esq., the Mayor, presided. AMENDMENT OR THE LOCAL POLICE ACTS The MAYon said the first business for the consideration of the Council, Was the question of proceedir , to parliament for power to amend the pOlice acts, by introducing several clauses from the metropolitan police act. It would be recol lected that the Town-clerk had been requested to report as to the - advantage of certain clause in the metropolitan act being applied to.this borough. - The Council referred his re port to the WatOi Committee, and the Watch Committee were nnw..prepared with -their. re port. • The TOWN-CLERK then read the following report : " Mitt pursuant to the directions of the council, the com. mfttee considered the Subject of the addition to our local code of clauses from the metropolitan police act. i r That the fOllOWing clauses from that act have had their Most particular attention:— -- " ' And be it enacted, that no licensed victualler or other person shall open •his house within the metropolitan police district, - for the - sale of beer, or other fermented or distilled liquors on Sundays, Christmas day, and Good Friday, before the hour of one in the afternoon, except re fresinxtent for travellers: .`•'`. And be it enacted,, that every person licensed to deal in exciseable liquors within the said district, who shall know ingly suppli`any sort of distilled exciseable liquor to any boy or girl apparently under the age of sixteen years, to be drunk upon the premises, shall be liable to a penalty not more than twenty shillings ; and upon conviction of a second offence, shall be liable to a penalty not more than forty shillings ; and upon conviction of a third offence, shall be liable to a penalty not more than five pounds.' " Also the 44th clause, regulating other houses of public resort, so far as regards the concluding provision, against a licensed victualler, greater penalties than any other offender is made liable to. " That, after considering the memorials for and against the adoption of these clauses, and hearing a deputation from the licensed victuallers, the committee have come to the following opinion, viz. : " That while the Committee are impressed with the advan tage which would result to this town, from the adoption of the 42d and 43d clauses in the metropolitan police act, re lating to the better regulation of public houses, they are not prepared to recommend the council, to apply to parliament in the present session, to obtain a bill to carry such adoption into effect, feeling that such legislation should he of a general rather than a local character. "The committee, however, recommend to the council the propriety of memorialising . the government and petitioning parliament on this subject, in order that these provisions may, by public general bill, be enacted throughout the country. " That, with regard to other clauses in the metropolitan police act, including the 44th, except as already noticed, the committee have resolved, that -it • appears to the committee' that there are many of the clauses of the metropolitan police act which might, with great advantage, be added to our local code, and that therefore the committee strongly recommend that the notice now given for a bill to amend our local acts, and to add clauses from the metropolitan act, be followed up by a petition, which will not cost more than from £lO to .115, and will allow ample time for the committee to report fully to the council, on the proposed amendments, before any further expense is incurred. The time limited by the standing order of the House of Commons, for bringing in private bills, being limited to the 9th of March." Mr. Alderman THORNHILL begged to move the confirma tion of this report. The subject had received every attention from the Watch Committee; and the report had been carried by a large majority. Mr. JOHN SMITH seconded the motion. Mr. BOLTON said it appeared to him that this was a very important subject, and one that required consideration. The council had no knowledge that it would come before them, and had had no time for consideration ; it was, therefore, rather too much to ask for their concurrence to this report until they had had better means afforded of considering the matter. He did not mean to say it would be improper for the recommendations of the Watch Committee to be adopted; but as he had no knowledge upon the subject, nor time to weigh the bearings of the two clauses, it would be well to postpone the consideration of the subject. Mr. RATHEONE enquired whether it would be in time if the consideration were postponed till the monthly meeting next Wednesday ? The TOWN-CLERK said it should be observed that the Watch Committee decidedly recommended the council to go to Parliament for certain clauses in the metropolitan act ; but the petition would be general—just as general as the no tice ; and after the presentation of that petition, it would be quite in time for the council to come to a determination as to the adoption of certain clauses and the rejection of others. There would therefore be time if the consideration were postponed till the monthly meeting on the sth February next. Mr. RATIIB01!•IE wished, then, for the subject to be post poned, in order to afford time for consideration. What ob jection there was to preventing the opening of public houses until the hour of one.::on Sundays he was not aware, for he was sure it would be a public benefit. The MAYOR said methorials on both s'deS the question had been presented to the council, and the matter was re ferred to the Watch Committee. This was their report ; so that this was not the firsf time the subject had been before the council. Mr. SMITH observed, that the Watch Committee recom mended a general measure—not a particular measure. Mr. BRIGHT, in answeeto a remark from Mr. Alderman Thornhill, would state, that the committee were not unani mous in agreeing to the report. It was adopted by a ma jority of l against 4. The Tomrii-CLERK suggested that the motion should be altered :Is follows :—" That the recommendation in the report of the Watch Committee, so far as relates to the presentation of 4 petition, b'e, adopted ; but that the other parts of the report stand over till the next monthly council." 11. LAWRENCE said, it struck him that the measures proposed to be asked ought to be of a general nature, and not peculiarly applicable to Liverpool. If they were general they could not but be attended by beneficial consequences'; and he thought the course adopted by the Watch Committee the most prudent. •TtioßNinta, and Mr. SMITH altered their motion into the form suggested by the Town-clerk. Mr. H. - LAWRENCE rt:Teated that he should prefer the adoption of the - .motion altogether ; but he did not think it necessary to..divide the Council upon it. - , - The motion was then put, and carried. ; . AMENDMENT OF THE COURT OF REQUESTS' AC{`. The MayO;;;id, the nest question was, to consider the propriety of applying to plirliament for a bill to amend the Court of Requests' act. • - The TOWN-CLERK read the following report from,. the, committee upon this subject : " That in order to avail themselves of any opportunity which might in the present session be afforded for obtaining a bill to.amend the constitution of the Court of Requests by the addition of commissioners from the public at large, the committee directed the necessary notice to be given; and they would now propose to the council that they should be em powered to present a petition for leave to bring in a bill, a measure which will be attended witivan expense of from £lO to £l5, and will not require any further steps to be taken be fore the ninth of March, and would so far secure the present session for any private bill that might be deemed advisable. "But from the experience of the last session as to the course taken with private bills for Courts of Requests, the committee would recommend that the application made to the legislature in the last session for clauses in_the county courts bill, a public bill then proposed in the House of Com mons, should be renewed either upon the occasion of a county courts bill being again proposed (as is expected), or inde pendently of any such measuresuch application in the first instance being addressed to the government. That the ap plication to'the legislature in the last session was as follows : ' —The petition was then read. _On the motion of Mr. iNloancaorr, seconded by Mr. BRIGHT, it was unanimously resolved that the recommen dations of the Court of Requests committee be adopted. THE 'HARRINGTON DOCks COMPANY. - The TowN.CLERK read the following resolution, agreed to by the Dock Committee at their meeting on the 20th inst.:— Resolved,—That the chairman do request the concur rence and co-operation of the Town-council in opposing the attempts now being made by parties styling themselves the Harrington Dock Company, and the proprietors of the Her cubtneurn Dock Estate, to obtain legislative exemption for dock's which they propose to build from the dock-rates esta blished by. acts of parliament, and payable by all vessels which enter the port of Liverpool." Mr. Alderman "LEATHom,chairman of the Dock Committee, said the Dock. Committee had been induced to send that reso lution to the council in consequence of notices having been given by the Harrington Dock Company, and other parties, of their intention to apply for a bill to establish separate and distinct docks, and thereby to claim exemption from the cor poration dock rates. If these parties carried their bill, it would be found to prejudice, very materially, the property of the council, and to interfere with the buildings, docks, and other public establishments of the corporation. The Dock Committee, therefore, had thought it right to bring the sub ject before the council, in order that they'might support them in petitioning against, and otherwise opposing, the proposed bill. He begged leave to move, that the Finance Committee be authorized and instructed to use all the means in their power to oppose the unjust and unfounded pretensions of the parties acting under the name of the Harrington Dock Com pany, and the proprietors of the Herculaneum Dock Estate. Mr. W. W. CURRIE had great satisfaction in seconding the motion. Mr. YATES said, it was with great diffidence that he rose on this occasion, as he knew so little about docks ; but what he was going to say, had rather a tendency to promote the principle of free trade which, as most of them would agree, ;was very advantageous. The amendment he inteiuled to submit was, " That the docks belonging to the dock estate shall always have a preference, but whenever there shall not be room for a vessel to enter such docks on her arrival, or whenever a vessel cannot find ready accomodation for discharging or loading within forty-eight hours from the time of arrival, such vessel shall be at liberty to seek accommodation without paying any dues to the dock estate." He was aware, and in this he agreed with the Dock CoMmittee that there ought be great protection afforded to the dock estate seeing that it was a public benefit, that so large an amount of money had been expended on it, and that it was necessury to raise funds for making further dock accom modation. He thought also that some consideration was due to the holders of bonds, whose debt, he believed, amounted to not less than'a inillion and a half ; but it must further be borne in mind that a great deal of consideration was due to the public. He would ask gentlemen More conversant with the subject than himself, whether it did not often happen that vessels had to wait for a long time before they could get a quay birth or accommodation for discharging? Now, if a resolution of the kind he had read were to be acted upon it might produce beneficfal effects by removing the system of delay, which often happenedb vessels discharging and load ing. He was aware that such vessels were in the habit of discharging a single package or two per day in order to avoid breaking the regulations ; but, he thought, this regulation, under the resolution he proposed, might be made more strin gent. As an advocate for free trade he would contend that all vessels coming to this port were entitled to all the accom modation necessary for carrying on their business with the greatest convenience and despatch. He did not think the council would injure the dock estate to any material extent, by adopting such a resolution a§ this ; and he thought it due to that freedom of commerce oiA , hich he was an advocate, to move it. No one rising to second the proposition, it fell to the ground. . _ _ Mr. Alderman SIMI, asked whether there were any ob jections to strike the words " unjust and unfounded" out of the resolution? It was not 'necessary to insert such strong terms ; and if the mover and seconder did, not think it ad visable to withdraw them, he would move an amendment to that effect. Mr. Alderman'EAßLE concurred with Mr. Sheil. Mr. LEAiliom and'Mr. CURRIE immediately consented to withdraw the words, and they were struck out. Mr. Alderman EVANS thought it not proper to allow this subject to pass Without adverting to the real and permanent objections in. this case. It was impossible that any parties could compete with the dock estate of Liverpool in open docks. Three-fourths of them had been 'built out of the public funds, and paid no interest whatever. They were si tuate in the very heart of the town, and they were in the best position - possible; inasmuch as they were near all the great means of communication with the interior. They were con tignbus to the railway, to the canals, and to the very best 'outlets: In open docks, therefore, no body of men with common sense would ever dream of competing with the an cient dOcks of Liverpool, which were worked out purely for the public advantage. But the great evil would be, that if-the parties in question got exempted from dock rates, , they yiOald at pace owe 4x uponevery.other right that could b e - I long to property. . They would build docks, and surround them with warehouses, and the moment a dock was sur rounded with warehouses, that dock became a magnet to which commerce would be attracted ; and if they (the Coun cil) were to allow this, until the docks of Liverpool were pro vided with those necessary accompaniments—(for they could not have an idea of docks without cranes, warehouses, &c. ; they were as necessary to a dock as masts. sails, and hull were to a ship)—it would be destruction to the docks of Li verpool. He hoped, however, that they should one day be in a situation, with regard to dock warehouses, as to enable them to give an invitation to the.llarrington and other dock companies to compete With thetri (the dock estate) it' they dared. He had such a perfect conviction of the advantages of the ancient docks of Liverpool, that he did not know that he would raise his voice—probably he would not—against the. exemption of private docks from dock dues, if they (the Council or the Dock Committee) had once accomplished their objects : but to 'suppose that they would allow this measure .to go .forward unopposed before they had accom, plished their objects, and allow others to get this advantage before them, was preposteroui; there could - be no more sui cidal a proceeding than that. The MAYOR then put the resolution, and it was unani mously carried. THE QUEEN'S MARRIAGE The MAYOR said the next subject for the council's con sideration was the Queen's marriage, and whether any and what measures should be taken upon that occasion. The TOWN-CLERK, as a guide to the council, thought it would be better first to read over the course pursued by the council on former occasions, such as the coronation and marriage of George the Third, and the coronation of George the Fourth. The council acquiesced, and the TOWN-CLERK then pro ceeded to read, from an antique volume, the resolutions of the common council on the occasion of the coronation and marriage of George the Third. The following entry caused considerable amusement " 9th September, 1761.—1 t is ordered that the mayor'be authorised and empowered to entertain the gentlemen, mer chants, and tradesmen of this corporation with dinner, or otherwise—(hear, hear, and great laughter)—and to give the ladies a ball in the Exchange—(hear, hear)—on the day of his Majesty's coronation ' at the public expense ; and that the treasurer be authorised, and is hereby authorised, to pay the charges thereof, and that they be allowed in his account." After two or three entries prescribing what was to be done for " the more splendid and glorious celebration of that day," there came this—" And that the treasurer repay the mayor the two guineas given to the company of invalids to drink his majesty's health on his late birth -day." (Laughter.) On the occasion of George the Fourths coronation, a committee was appointed, consisting of the whole of the council to take into consideration the best public mode of celebrating that event, and, amongst other things, they came to a resolution to present the sum of £l5OO to the public charities of the town, to distribute which a com mittee was appointed, as well as to consider what further sum was necessary to entertain theiradesthen. At the coro nation of Queen Victoria, an extra allowance of £750 was made to the mayor, to enable him to defray the necessary expense which, with the advice of a committee appointed to assist him, he might he called upon to incur in the celebra tion of that occurrence. The usual custom of presenting addresses had of course been followed on all the occasions referred to. The MAYOR now inquired whether any gentleman had any observations to make. Mr. RATHBONE thought it desirable that a committee should be appointed. Mr. Alderman EVANS said that if a committee were ap pointed, there was always an endeavour to throw a kind of halo over its proceedings, which were not to be touched afterwards. He thought that some general idea must exist as to what was expected. He should like to know what would be the probable expense, and what the measures that would be recommended. Mr. BOLTON said, that as no one appeared to have taken the matter into consideration, as to what was best to be done, it would be better to have a committee. He should second Mr. Rathbone's proposal, and suggest that the com mittee consist of nine members, together with the mayor. They might report either on Saturday or Wednesday next. Mr. RATHBONE thought that on such an occasion as this the regularity of debate should he done away with, and every member be allowed to make such suggestions as he thought proper. Referring to the observation of Mr. Alderman Evans, Mr. Rathbone said, that there should neither be halo nor hallucination thrown over the committee on this occa sion. Mr. ISAAC HOLAIES said that, as this was a question of finance, he should move that it be referred to the 'Finance Committee. Mr. R. JONES seconded the motion. Mr. BLACKBURN thought that a special committee would be better. The habit of referring everything to the Finance Committee was not one to be recommended. He partici pated in the view of Mr. Evans, and thought it was very im portant that the committee should have some general idea of what was expected—whether a considerable sum of money was to be expended, and, if so, whether for the entertain ment of the rich or the poor. In his opinion, whatever was done ought to be done for• the substantial benefit of the poorer classes. If anything were done by the wealthier classes, let them be at the expense themselves : it would be a substantial benefit to the poor to relieve their wants through the means of a gift to the public charities. Mr. BOLTON suggested that the committee should consist of the chairman of the different committees, as representing the different interests of the town very properly. (Cries of " No, no," and " They are all of one side in politics.") Mr. Alderman EvAsts, like Mr. Blackburn, should like the committee to have something like an idea of what the council meant to do, and of the extent to which they would go. He himself looked upon most of these things as rem nants of the feudal and barbarous ages. What had been read about George the" Third's coronation was literally barbaric. He should like to see the day when such things would not be commemorated, because what did they do ? - They took money that might be expended in useful purposes, to lay out in a very questionable way. He claimed to have as much sympathy with the lower orders of the poor as any gentleman; but he was of opinion that by giving the public money to public charities, they gave the selfish and narrowminded an excuse for not supporting those charities. With regard to entertainments, of what use were they ? He would have nothing done for mere show—nothing but what was barely necessary to eke out the retiring shadows of such nonsense as coronations, and displays upon marriages, and all that. The idea that eating and drinking was to do public good, either amongst the higher or the lower ranks, was sufficiently curious, and he hoped that the committee would recommend very chastened measures indeed. Mr. ,CurtitiE said, that what had fallen from Mr. Black burn, met hii concurrence more than anything else. The season was unfitted for any out-door exhibition, such as fire works or a procession, and as to distributing provisions, so as to entertain the whole of the poor of the town, that was impossible. He thought that Mr. Blackburn's suggestion would best promote the views which influenced her majesty ; and he hoped that the marriage of the queen would not pass over without sortie measure of good,' and the council could not do better than promote the public 'rood. The committee, in his opinion, sho u ld b e i ns t ructe d to take into consideration which charities were most in want, and distribute amongst them such a sum as might be thought fit. The mayor, of course, would be sent up with an address. Mr. BUSHELL said, it appeared to him that if the council were to recommend the day to be observed as a general holi day, and masters to pay their workpeople their day's wages, that would be very desirable. With regard to the public charities, he also thought that in this town which abounded in wealth, loyalty, and charity, if a subscription list were opened, headed by a grant from the corporation of £5OO, hundreds of people would be found ready to contribute to it as their means allowed. He had no „doubt that, by these means, a fund would be obtained in amount far beyond their most sanguine expectations. As to, treating' the poor, that was out of the question, considering the extent of the popu lation ; and as to treating the rich, they were able to treat themselves. Mr. Alderman SHIEL was amazed to see what a variety of opinions were entertained on a subject like this, particu larly when, as in the present case, gentlemen came unpre pared. He agreed With his friend Mr. Bushell—if Mr. B. would allow him to use the term—that it would be a good thing to give the working classes a holiday, provided they would not abuse it by getting drunk. But was there the most distant probability of inducing the great mass of the employers to pay their workmen the day's wages ? He thought not ; and he wondered how any man could fancy that the recommendation of the council on such a subject could have any weight with those who were in the habit of employing people. His experience would lead him to say that a very small portion of masters would pay their work= men; and if this were the case, the men would not only, in case of a general holiday, lose their wages, but also the ad ditional sum which they might expend, and probably, by getting drunk, they would injure their health a great deal more than the outlay injured their. pocket. He agreed with his friend Alderman Evans (who he knew would allow him to use the term,) that if they, by contributing to the public charities, .could induce the selfish and narrow-minded to con tribute, it would be desirable to do so ; but as the opposite result would take place, they could not adopt either of those courses. Mr. 111USHELT, thought it was rather hard that, when gen tlemen had been called upon to express their opinions, and to offer any. sug estions, at a moment like that, Mr. Sheil should get up and throw ridicule upon what he (Mr. Bnshell) had advanced. Mr. Alderman Fo.,FmE said that the medical charities of the town were never in a worse condition than at present, and he thought that this was a most opporVdne period for re lieving them. The amendment of Mr. Isaac Holmes was then put. Only three gentlemen stood up for it, namely, Mr. I. Holmes, Mr. R. Jones, and Mr. Alderman Sheil. The original motion was then agreed to. The following gentlemen were appointed the committee, the number being extended to eleven instead of nine : Messrs. Rathbone, H. Lawrence, Bushell, Currie, Earle, Case, Mellor, Woolright, Gladstone, Bolton, and Sheil. THE SELECT VESTRY. The MAYOR intimated that he had that morning received a communication from the select vestry, on which the Town. clerk would be prepared to report at the next monthly coun cil (Wednesday next.) The communication was as follows : At a meeting of the select vestry, held in the Parish-office in Fenwick-street, on Tuesday, the 28th day of January, 1840. The Rev. JONATHAN BROOKS in the chair, The Vestry-clerk laid before the meeting the opinion of Sir Frederick Pollock and Sir William Follett, by which it ap pears that the bill proposed to be solicited by the Town council is wholly unnecessary ; as they already possess the discretionary powers sought to be acquired by their intended act. -- itesolved, therefore, that the case and a copy of the opinion be transmitted to the Mayor by the churchwardens. THE PAVING BOARD. The MAYOR then read the following letter : " Dear Sir,—An observation having been made at the last meeting of the council by Mr. Alderman Earle, who was de sirous of knowing what induced ' the Paving Board to mac adamize the road in one part of the town, for the purpose of trotting horses up and down,' and no reply having been made to that inquiry, 1 shall be obliged by having an opportunity afforded me, at the council to-day, of explaining the circum stances, under which the board of paving consented, in this instance, to the appli ca ti on w hi c h was made to them to Mac adamize a part of Wood -street, which I presume is what has been referred to. Should this, however, not be granted, I may mention that the inducement to the board was, that they received from one individual a payment towards defraying the expense, and which rendered no longer, as objectionable, a proposition which had been previously made, by several of the inhabitants of the street, and which at that time had been refused. " Not having been present at the council when the inquiry was made, and not anticipating it, as a member of the board, and as the party who introduced the motion for 'macadamizing Wood-street, I feel it to be my duty, in justice to the board, to make this statement, and to d en y th a t th e b oar d b a d anyin tention whatever of holding out an encouragement for the in fringement of the by-laws. " I am, dear sill,. yoUrs respectfully, " ROBERTSON GLADSTONE." _ _ " Liverpool, 29th January,TE34o7 ----- Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE having obtained the permis sion of the Council .(which was necessary from the fact of this not being a part of the special business), proceeded to state that Mr. Alderman Earle could not have been aware of the circumstances of the case, or he would not have made use of the expression referred to. The facts were these : The Paving Board was memorialized to macadamise Wood street ; but they refused on account of the expense. A. se-* cond memorial was afterwards sent in by one of the indivi duals who had signed the first, offering, if the street were tna cadarnized, to pay a considerable portion of the expense,. as well as an annual sum towards keeping it in repair. The hoard acceded to the terms, not to give an opportunity for violating the bye-laws, but merely to allow the individual that free and legitimate use of the street which every man had a right to possess; and although he (Mr. Gladstone) was one of the parties who urged the board to comply; he did so merely from a sense of duty. The individual in ques tion was entirely opposed to him (Mr. G.) in politics, and he therefore could have no political bias in his favour. In this instance the board had only done what they would, un-. der the circumstances, have,done for any one, If it had been the object of Mr. Earle to find fault with the board for the state.of the streets, he (Mr.. G.) should not have troubled the Council; for he tlionght that. the state. of the streets might be very much improVed,;:but he might mention, that a change of system was now organizing, which, .11e,.,h0pe0,. would lead to something not yet:seen iu Liverpool. Mr. Alderman-Emur, said, that as he had been trotted out, he supposed the same privilege would be granted to him as had been granted to Mr. Gladstone. He (Mr. Earle-) had certainly made some remarks; and in alluding to them Mr. Gladstone had introduced a touch of politics. He (the alderman) had his own suspicions about the macadamising of Wood-street. He should like to see Mr. Bretherton exer cise his rights freely; he (Mr. Earle) knew what side Mr. Bretherton voted on, or, at least what side he wished to vote upon. The street had been macadamised to give Mr. Bre therton the facility of trotting his horses, and there was a bye-law against trotting horses in the streets. The street in question was one which had no church or public building in it, and there was no necessity to macadamise it. He was sure that it had been done to enable horse-dealers to cheat the public. If he was about to purchase a horse, he would rather have it trotted on a rough street than on a soft pave ment, and he thought that Mr. Gladstone, who knew more of horseflesh than he (the speaker,) did, would coincide with him. Mr. Gladstone had said that he was opposed in poli tics to Mr. Bretherton ; " but did Mr. Bretherton," asked the alderman, " vote for us at the last election?" Mr. GLADSTONE. — He did not vote for me. Mr. EARLE.—NO, nor he did not vote for us. Mr. GLADSTONE denied that the street had been macadam - ized to give Mr. Bretherton a trotting ground. Mr. B.'s object was merely to gain a place to trot out sick horses. His own preMises, since they had been improved, were amply' sufficient to exhibit any horses. To gain his object, Mr. Bretherton bad agreed to pay a part of the expense, and an annual sum for repairs. He (Mr. G.) should like to know what Mr. Earle had paid for the macadamizing of Aber cromby-square. Mr. EARLE.—I paid nothing. As to Mr. Bretherton's yard being large enough to exhibit horses, you can't whip a cat in it. There is not room for more than that. Mr. BARCLAY thought that the principle adopted by the paving board, in this instance, was a bad one. The streets of Liverpool were not intended for the trotting of sick horses. Mr. WoomtionT mentioned that Mr. Bretherton had made such alterations in his premises as enabled him to show his horses in his yard. After one or two further remarks, the Mayor directed the attention of the council to the clauses in the) act of parliament rendering persons exhibiting or trying cattle in the streets liable to certain penalties. The subject then dropped, and the council separated. Another special council will be held to-morrow, to take into consideration the bill of the Dock Committee, drawn up in accordance with the resolutions of the Dock Committee approved of by the council on the 2d of October last. The usual monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday next. PRESENTATION OF A SILVER SNUFF-BOX - TO CAPT. CLEGG, OF THE SHIP HUDDERSFIELD. On Tuesday evening a number of gentlemen met at the house of Mr. Richmond, innkeeper, Lime-street, for the purpose of presenting a handsome large silver snuff-box to Captain Clegg, in testimony of their respect for his gallant conduct in rescuing ninety-three of the passengers and crew of the steamer William Huskisson from a watery grave. The box was purchased by the subscriptions of the gentlemen present—limited to half-a-crown each, all the parties being previously unknown to Captain Clegg. Other subscriptions are going ou for a similar purpose ; but this being the fist token of regard presented to Captain Clegg, the occasion ex cited considerable interest, and the room, which was circum scribed, was crowded to excess, there being about forty gentlemen present. Refreshments were served, succeeded by wines of an excellent quality. Mr.. JAMES CRELLIN was called to the chair, and Cap tain Forshaw, of the the Lady Stormount, occupied the vice-chair. On Captain Clegg entering the room, he was received with prolonged cheers. After the toasts of "The Queen," " The Queen Dowager and the rest of the Royal Family," and " Our National Bulwarks—the Army and Navy," had been drank suc cessively, with great applause, The CHAIRMAN said he should now propose a toast which would doubtless be drank with as much warmth of feeling as " The Army and Navy," to which it was somewhat allied; it was enough for him to say that it referred to the subject, of their meeting there that night, for the purpose of pre senting a token of respect to the gentleman who sat on his right. (Cheers.) He felt proud in being connected with an object of which the whole community must approve—the presentation of a tribute of respect to a generous individual, for his truly heroic and manly conduct in rescuing a large number of his fellow-creatures from impending destruction , at a time, too, and in a situation fraught with peril to himself, his crew, and his ship. It was scarcely twelve months since they had to present tokens of respect to two gallant indivi duals (one of whom was present), for rescuing many per sons from the vessels wrecked on our banks in January last. He was proud to be amongst such men. They all knew what Captain Clegg and his gallant crew had accomplished. They had rescued no fewer than ninety-three fellow-creatures, at the risk of their lives. (Cheers.) He had now the honour to present to that gentleman a snuff-box, in testimony of their esteem for him as a seaman and a man. (Cheers.) The chairman then read the appropriate inscription, and having handed the box to Captain Clegg, concluded by proposing that gentleman's good health. The toast was drunk with unbounded applause. Captain CLEod, who was deeply affected, rose and begged to return his most grateful thanks for the handsome and chaste token of esteem which they had presented to him. The gift , and the manner in which it was conveyed, were more than he merited by any exertions he had made ; for it was through, Divine Provide n c e , and the c o- o p era ti on o f hi s officers sog . , men, that he had been instrumental in saving s o many of fellow-creatures from the death that approached them. of fs had done nothing but his duty—nothing but what every -m/o'of humanity ought to do. He was unaccustomed to public speaking, and so much overPowered.by their kindness, that he could but again thank them, and wish them all health and prosperity through life. He proposed the health of their wor thy president, Mr. Crellin. The CHA IRMAN replied in a neat address, expressing his pride in being connected with au occasion that gave exercise to the best feelings of humanity. The VICE-CHAIRMAN proposed the health of Cuptaili Hughes, who had saved many lives, and had also received present of a snuff box for his gallant conduct in the dreadUli gale of January last. (Cheers.) Captain Hughes returned thanks-in a feeling address. • The health of the officers and crew of the Huddersfield was next drank with much enthusiasm, and was responded to 13)" Mr. TRAVERS. A brother of Captain Clegg's remarked, that had the box been set with diamonds and presented by the House of Lords, his brother could not have prized it more than from such kind friends ; nor would it have added a irreater stiiiiulas to hit future exertions. The health of Captain Forshaw was then drank and ably" responded to. _ _ " Liverpool Press " was responded to by a reporter present, who read some extempore verses he had written on the occasion, and which elicited great applause. After a variety of other toasts and sentiments, the companY , which was enthusiastic throughout, separated, highly delight ed with the enjoyments of the evening. ADDRESS OF CONDOLENCE. On Friday evening an address of condolence was presented by the Protestant Association of Warrington, to Mrs. Brooke , widow of the late Peter Langford Brooke, of Mere Hall, in the county of Chester, as a small tribute of respect to the memory of that gentleman, for his unequivocal attachment to the cause of protestantism, and his fearless opposition to the efforts of the church of Rome in this country. The deputation consisted of the president of the association , two-of the vice-presidents, and twenty gentlemen and clergY men,being members of the committee. _ A few minutes after the arrival at Mere Hall, they were admitted to an interview with Mrs. Brooke, who w as at tended by his grace the Duke of Argyle, Lord A r thur Lennox, and Mr. Campbell, of Islay, when the folloging address was read and presented to her : " Committee-room, Warrington, Jan. 22, 1510. " Madam,—The very melancholy event which has.so lately deprived you of your beloved husband, and the protestant cause in this neighbourhood of a warm and steady friend, calls upon us, the members of the Warrington Protestant Association, to sympathise with you, in this season of your sorrow, and, sacred as we hold the widow's tears, to " weep with her that weeps." " A deep sense of gratitude to the memory of your departed husband for having attended, and presided at public meet ings of our association, when others were unwilling to take so prominent a part, urges us to condole with you on his irreparable loss, and to mown, in common with the whole neighbourhood, his lamentable and premature death. " Of all reflections upon those whom we have loved, but whom the Lord has removed out of our sight, the most pleasing to a Christian mind is, that of knowing that the dear object of our affections walked, while in this world, in the path prescribed of God ; and when we look back, madam, upon the course pursued by your departed husband, in pub licly standing forward to contend for, and uphold " the faith once delivered unto the saints," we are afforded a most gra tifying opportunity, from his own words and conduct at pub lic meetings, invariably sanctioned by your presence, of testi fying for your conduct, under so heartrendering a bereave ment, and according to the extent of our acquaintance with him, that he lived reverencing the religion of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and fearlessly exposing the dr ea dful superstition with which it is degraded by the Church ot . Rome. " We have the honour to be, madam, "Your faithful, and very humble servants." Here follow the signatures of the gentlemen and clergymen who composed the deputation. Mrs. Brooke received the address with deep, but silent feeling, and having placed the following answer in the hands of the rev. gentleman who presented it, retired : " Gentlemen,—Anticipating my inability to speak my gra titude to you for the very gratifying tribute you have been so kindly pleased to render to the memory of my beloved hus band, I beg you will accept, with indulgence, the poor, but sincere thanks of, " Gentlemen, " Your faithful and obliged, "JULIA S. B. LANGFORD BROOKE. " Mere Hall, Jan. 24, 1840. " To the gentlemen composing the deputation of the Pro testant Association at Warrington." HER MAJESTY'S BRIDAL DRESS.—The lace intended for her Majesty's bridal dress, though popularly called Honiton lace, was really worked at the village of Beer, which is situated near the sea-coast, about ten miles from Honiton• It was executed under the direction of Miss Bidne,-, a na; tive of the village, who went from London, at the command of her Majesty, for the express purpose of superintending the work. More than 200 persons were constantly employed upon it from March to November during, the past year. These poor women derive a scanty subsistence from making lace; but the trade has latterly so declined, that, had it not been for the kind consideration of her Majesty in ordering this dress, they would have been destitute during the winter . No one can form an idea of the gratitude they express who' has not heard it from their lips. The lace which is to fora the flounce of the dress measures four yards, and is three . quarters of a yard in depth. The pattern is a rich and ex quisitely tasteful design, drawn expressly for the purpose, and surpasses any thing that has ever been executed e ither in England or in Brussels. So anxious has the manufac: turer been that her Majesty should have a dress perfectly' unique, that she has since the completion of the lace oe stroyed all the designs. The veil, which is of the same mai terial, and is made to correspond, has afforded" emplovine n to the poor lace workers for, more than six weeks. It 15 yard and a half square.-3forning Post. A courier charged with despatches for the Russian chorg e. d'affaires, and also with several costly presents for her jesty, from the Emperor of Russia, arrived D over s treet;' ,from Hamburg. The presents to he sovereign from the co' consist, it is understood, of zf milts, and likewise some dg c _ monds ofextraordinary size fowl lktj i gtad mine* Qt . & Emperor in New wilt. = " • 4