The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-22 00:00:00

ANOTHER PHASE IN THE RUGELEY POISONING CASE s C OURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. Y— _ ESTE RDAY lof the existence of the bill before that day. No application bad ever been made to her before this for the payment of the bill. She never gave any one authority to sign her name to it. About three years ago she accepted two bills for about 7001. far her son, but she had security for it. She ver accepted a bill for 1,0001. from him. Cross examined—She had accepted one drawn by a person _ _ xton ; that is one with my signature, not one like fiery ; that was accepted for his accommodation, she did not then think she would have to pay it. Bux ton's bill was accepted about seven or eight months ago. She had not a fresh security for that bill ; she had security r son on real property at Stafford to the amount of r 6,0001. It was for advances made at different The whole of the money, 5,0001. or 6,000/., she for her son William, came out of the Lichfield Palmer and Green, who had now failed. namal from I 5,0001. esgrs continued.—She might have paid £2OO s ago. Her son William was still in her rty as security. She could lot transact her business, but r knew or heard that a claim When she paid the of a bill drawn e could not say that she had not advanced The bill in her hand at that moment much as she d throu,;h a solicitor had been made upon her for £l,OOO £260 she did not know it was on accout was not in her handwriting. The learned counsel then placed some papers in the witness's hand, and she selected three as genuine signatures. Mr. G. Palmer, solicitor, son of the last witness, was then called, and examined by Mr. Grey. He was sure the bill 1 by his mother. need that the signature on the bill s not in her mother's hand-writing. liev. Thomas Palmer, brother of the accused, of Coulton ed that the signature to the bill in ther's handwriting. ager of the Rugeley Bank, deposed i , znature to the bill for £2,000 was not in defen lant's handwriting; he should not pay a cheque on that signature without confirmation. Mr_ Lander, solicitor, Rugeley, of the firm of Lander, Gardiner, and Co. deposed that he b e lie ve d th e s i gna t ure was not in the defendant's handwriting.. Mr. James Gardiner of the above firm gave similar evidence, as did Mr. Joseph Cope, clerk to Mr. George in questio❑ 3drah Palm q nestiir Darbvshire, Palmer, and Mr. William . Barnett, of Pames, near Bir mingham. Mr. Nethercliffe deposed he had compared genuine sig natures of the defendant's with the one in dispute, and said it was not Mrs. Palmer's handwriting. There was a simi larity about the capital letters to her writing, but the S was rather carefully and slowly done. The P was a little shakey. The' r" in " Sarah" and also the "r" in "Palmer" were not the running-hand " r" like Mrs. Palmer's but the round text schoolboy-hand. This was written slowly, with the pen frequently taken off in the word Palmer no less than five times, and not joined again ; in all the genuine ones the letters " almer" show no join between any of the letters It wanted also the freedom of a genuine signature. It was close, compact, and slowly done. This was the defendant's case. The plaintiff then called William Palmer, who, amidst much excitement, entered the court in custody of an officer. The prisoner is a person of ordinary height, and rather corpulent. Ho has round and rather expressive features, with a light complexion. He wears little whiskers, and hair which is of a very light aubnrn. His eyes are also of a light colour, but very ex pressive. He entered the witness box in a perfectly cool and collected manner, surveyed leisurely the crowded audience, to some of whom he nodded in a familiar manner, appeared to fix his attention on some person located near thee learned counsel who conducted the plaintiff's case. The prisoner was then sworn, and answered the following ques tions put to him by the learned counsel in a low, yet -firm and distinct voice, betraying not the least hesitation or trepidation, or at all moved by the gaz3 of the audience collected together to obtain a glimpse of an individual who has so lately obtained so much notoriety. Mr. Edwin James, to the witness, handing him the bill of exchange—ls the signature " William Palmer," as the chewer of that bill, in your handwriting ? Palmer—Yes. Mr. E. James—And you applied to Padwick to advance you money on it ? Prisoner—l did. Mr. E. James—Who wrote Sarah Palmer's acceptance on it ? Anne Palmer Mr. E. James—Who is she (88P°11 B MR. JUSTICE ERLE AND A SPECIAL JURY.) PADWICK V. PALMER T his was an action for the recovery of 20001. on a bill of eXehange, alleged to have of ilu geieY, mother of William Palmer, chargs_ Murder of his wife and Mr. J. P. Cook, but which she Pleaded was a forgery. In consequence of a rumour being Prevalent that the prisoner would be brought up by habeas corpu s from Stafford gaol to give evidence in the been accepted by Mrs. Palmer, ed with the case, the most intense interest and excitement prevailed, in A and for upwards of an hour and a half before the com ment of the trial, the avenues leading to the court were densely crowded by persons anxious to obtain a g l ance of the prisoner, who has become one of the celebri• ties of the day, in consequence of his former position in life, and the heinous nature of the offences with which he stands charged. The prisoner was brought up from the Rouse of Detention, in a cab, at an earlier hour yes terday morning than was expected, when many were deprived of gratifying their morbid curiosity by obtaining a glimpse of him. A body of the A division of the police Was in attendance, and preserved order at the doors and in the outer hall. The trial took place in the Lord Chancellor's court, a confined area, which was very speedily filled after the opening of the doors, and continued so throughout the trial. Mr. Edwin James, Q.C., and Mr. McNamara were co unsel for the plaintiff, and Mr. Sergeant Wilkins and Mr. Gray were for the defendant. The, witnesses on each side were ordered out of court. M , Namara opened the pleadings. Mr. James, in addressing the jury, said this bill was ' sl7 en to the plaintiff, a gentleman of considerable pro -1:117' by William Palmer, a person win had lately 'obtained an unfortuntte notoriety. Palmer being in want ! mo ney, was introduced to Mr. Padwick for an advance uu a bill of exchange, and the action was brought by the plaintiff against the defendant (the mother of W. Palmer), the acceptor of the bill in question. The bill was dated Rugeley, July 3, 1854, for three months. and was drawn by William Palmer on his mother, a lady of property, possessed of at least 50,000/., whose indorsement it pur- Ported to bear, payable at the London and Westminster Bank, Lothbury, London. The plaintiff, under all the circumstances attending the case, had brought this action before a jury for investigation, in order that the matter / night be strictly inquired into. Mr. Palmer was the owner of a considerable number of race-horses, and ( getting into embarra ssmen t s , ma d e an app li cat i on, as he the learned counsel) had stated; to plaintiff, for an advance of money, which was given him on the bill in question. On the 28th November last Palmer gave the plaintiff a check on tho National Provincial Bank for I,oooe which was dishonoured, and on Dec. 8, a second check on the same bank for 600 e, which was also disho noured. Padwick, hoeling a warrant of attorney against Palmer:as a collateral security, issued a writ of execution against him, and he was taken into custody on the 12th Dee., for the amount remaining due on the bill. During the time Palmer was in custody, the investigations occurred which h a d a tt racte d the attention not only of 'every person in England, but almost the whole of the world, and the plaintiff was anxious that it shonld be known that these proceedings had not been instituted since the investigation of the coroner's jury, but that Palmer was in his custody before that took place. When the coroner's jury returned a verdict of guilty, Palmer wan taken from the custody of the sheriff, and lodged in gaol on the criminal chaage. Mr. Sergeant Wilkins ,said at present it was not his intention to call William Palmer as a witness. Mr. James said that was a question which must rest with the discretion of the learned counsel, but it should be known the defendant applied for the habeas corpus to bring tip the prisoner Palmer as her witness. Mr. Padwick was anxious it should be known that iu this proceeding he was not oppressing a man abiding the fearful results of the charges now laid against him, but to ascertain whether or not this was a forgery, and that he had instituted pro ceedings against him before the coroner's inquests were held. If the defendant's case proved true, he' as afraid Palmer would be found to have added forgery to the other crimes with which he stood charged. After some further remarks the learned counsel called the following evi dence; Mr. Fred. Crabb, clerk to the magistrates at Rugeley, le l a rheu called, who stated that he had known Mrs. Pr !Tier twelve or thirteen years. She was a lady of be,.°P,sertY, residing at Rugeley. lie was acquainted with "andwriting, and he believed the bill he held in his and Was in her handwriting. On the 3rd of July some k e lairY relative to the bill was made o f him, and he;wrote it letter produced. Swear you ever saw her write ? Witnesse-1 cannot recollect. `Mr. Sergeant Wilkins—How acquainted with her handwriting ? Is Witness—l have seen it attached to deeds. nq Mr. Se rgeant Wilkins—l submit that this witness is co mpetent to spe a k t o handwriting. Me. E. J ames — H ave you acted upon the deed you have Seen_ the name of Mrs: Palmer attached to ?: Witness —Yes ; the money was paid and the deed handed Over ? Mr. Sergeant Wilkins—You spoke of some bills ; Liles' in the hands ofyour '1 Witness yes. atm y . Mr. Sergeant Wilkins —Do they not intend to sue their recovery ? Witness —Certainly. _ Mr. Joh n S argent, late:landlord of the King's and Key Tavern, in Fleet-street, was next examined, and stated that he knew William Palmer, and had had many money !eansactions with him. He introduced - Mr. Palmer to Mr. Padwick. In 1852 witness had a bill 'drawn by 'Palmer upon his mother f or 1000/. The bill was paid and u rn_ed to William Palmer. It was paid by a cheque from Mrs. Sarah Palmer. name i p tee r in B th y e t n h a e advanced the money to Palmer pick being his solicitoar awt.l4le and through him, Mr. Pad- By Mr. Sergeant Witaincisw—ic beelieved the cheque was drawn in favour of Mr. perfect certainty. The cheque• but he could not say with qltersstion paid the bill of £l,OOO. The bill was drawir y m Palmer. At the time the bill was due some questiona .aros upon it and Palmer said he would see it made all te e acqua rated with the handwriting of Mrs. Pgalmer, but he could not take upon himself to sitively swear that the name on the bill in question wasp n her handwriting, as three years had elapsed since the transaction which he had just raentioned had taken place. Mr. J ust i ce Erie said he thought that this' was valid .evidence, as M rs . P almer made no objection to the signa t3.rand he money was pa id i n t h e ord i nary courae. . Sergeant Wilkins —What makes you believe that the ting ? signature on th e bill i n question is Mrs. Palmer's hand wri Witness—By the imitation of the writing. The money has been paid on the one cheque, and he should think that money would also be paid on the other. _ Mr. Sergeant Wilkins -_I believe you h ive correctly designated the wr iti ng on thebill when you used th e wor d imitation. Mr. E. James said with this witness, who really thought that the signature was Mrs. Palmer's, his case would close. Mr. Sergeant 'Wilkins, in addressing the jury for the defence, said that but for the wicked and unconsti utional attempts that had been made by those who ought to be the guardians of their liberties and rights—that but for the most infamous accumulations of malignity that had been heaped, on the head of that man whose name appeared in this adverse action, the case would not have occupied ten minutes in investigation. When they had heard the defen dant's case, unless they had allowed their minds to be pre ludiced, and they had taken for granted that the reports 'ich had been circulated true pander to the worst appetites of t h e public.. were if their minds • were free suc h prejudice, he should be able to present to from them a clear case for the defendant, One observation his learned friend had made in concluding his remarks, which he (Mr. Sergeant Wilkins) might venture to say had unfortunately escaped his lips, because- he did n o t t hi nk him a man who would stab the helpless, and to w an t only and wilfully accumulate the difficulties that o th ers had thrown in that poor man's way. When his friend' c l osed his observations by saying that if the defence set up were true, that Palmer would have added to his catalogue of crimes that of forgery, he (Sergeant Wilkins) thought that was an inadvertent expression lie would not repeat, and as a man, a lawyer, and a gentlem an h e co uld not justify. lie should call before them Mrs. Palmer and different members of the family, who would tell them that the sig nature to this bill was not in the handwriting of the defend ant. The learned sergeant, after some other remarks called the following witnesses. Mr. Smith, an attorney, practising at Birmingham, was then called, and stated that he had acted for the defenda n t, f or some years , as h er solicitor. He was well acquainted with the handwriting of Mrs. PaLmer,_and he i felt certain th a t th e s i gna t ure was not n Mrs. Palmer's handwriting. Cross-examined by Mr. E. James—He had seen Mrs. Palmer write frequently in connection with matters relative to her son Walter's bankruptcy. Several documents were handed to witness which bore the name of Mrs. P a l mer . S ome o f th em h e id en tifi e d as having her signature, others he was doubtful of. Mrs. Sarah Palmer deposed she was a widow residing The Rugeley : Sh e was u p war d s o f 60 years o f age. -the accept ance of t h e bill i n question was not in her 'writing. On Saturday last was the first time she saw the bin. She first learned of the acceptance of such a bill on the 12th December. Mr. Sergeant Wilkins—The bill then would have been months old. h ba" l cmgativa catimigl—§lll Jaw Ucar_ vitness was James S could no Prisoner—She is now dead. Mr. E. James— Do you mean your late wife ? Prisoner— Y es. Mr. E. James—Did you see her write it ? Prisoner—Yes. Mr. E. James—Then there is an end of the case, my lord. havo you become I Mr. Justice Erie to the witness—Y o u ma y retire. removed in custody of the officer. in consequence of the evidence they had just heard, he retired from the case. He trusted his lordship and the jury would think that under all the circumstances the plaintiff had done right in having this investigation, and that he now honourably are I retired from the case. Mr. Sergeant Wilkins, as counsel for the defendant, said he must admit that the plaintiff had acted with the greatest propriety in bringing this action, and the defendant felt so strongly that the plaintiff had suffered from the improper conduct, probably, of a member of the family, and that, therefore, it would be dishonourable on their part to ask for costs from the plaintiff. That, of. course, was all they could do ; and, although they had obtained the verdict, they were bound to express their obligations to the plaintiff for the manner in which he had conducted his case. There were other actions of a similar nature pending, but he hoped that the result of this case would put an end to them. The learned Judge then directed the jury to return a verdict for the defendant, which they accordingly did, and the case. terminated. During the progress of the trial the numb er of p ersons congregated outside the building increased considerably, the roadway between Westminster Abbey and the private entrance to the court being blocked up by persons anxiously waiting to see Palmer enter the cab on his way back to prison. At the corners of Parliament-street and Gt, George street large numbers of persons were also collected. The prisoner was attired in mourning, and his general appearance was that of a man against whom :the suspicion of so foul an act as that with which he is charged would not rest. He appeared in excellent health and spirits, and not to have suffered from incarceration or mental excite ment. Mr. John Smith, of Birmingham, the solicitor engaged in the defence of William Palmer, proposes to take a course at the further inquiry before the coroner's jury, which, in all probability, will lead to further disclosures with respect to this most extraordinary case• He has given notice to the Crown that he will be in a position to prove that the very important evidence given by the witness Whyman, the assistant to Messrs Mander, Weaver, and Co, wholesale druggists, of Wolverhampton, is not to be relied upon. This witness, it may be remembered, deposed that, on the first or second day of the last Wolverhampton. races (the 13th or 14th of August last), he sold William Palmer three articles, one of which he positively swears was prussic acid, and that the price paid for the articles was Is 9d. Mr. Hatton, the chief constable of Stafford, has succeeded in obtaining some important evidence with reference to some of the bank notes known to have been in the pos session of Mr. Cook shortly before his death. In the course of his inquiries in London he gleaned a curious piece of evidence tending to show the description of influence which Palmer endeavoured to exercise over those who might be placed in a position to connect them, in any way, with the transactions in which he was involved. It seems that Palmer made repeated visits to London, and generally sojourned at a boarding-house at Beaufort buildings, Strand. Mr. Hatton shrewdly suspected that Palmer during his last visit to London, might have changed some bank note or notes at this house, and accordingly waited upon the landlady to make inquiries. Tbis lady informed him that Palmer had changed no bank note at her house on the occasion of his last visit, and added that he did not owe her anything for b oar d or lodging. S he added, however, that she had paid some money on account of Mr. Palmer, which he h a d not repaid her. This led t o S ome further explanation, in the course of which it cppearctdotbhuayt Palmer,hisom some things, leaving town, had requested this lady The articles which he said he wished to send into the country. oystererticles which he enume arded the thing ' some game, solicitor at Stoke, in Stafford- Prese;A cod These fish he directed rated included a barrel of and other things suitable for a s on as to dt w regted, but however, tha:lhetwheays he se T nt h t e o la a n g dl e a n d t y lem fo a r n w , once if she heard it. ^member the name of the pers She kno w t o li the Mr. n a H m a e tt Hatton, , sure e e she directed. would Mr. Hatton, knowing that the head office of the coroner was at Stoke, inquired whether the name was liVilliam Webb 'Ward ; and the landlady stated that she was positive that was the nann, the address upon the basket being—" To William Webb Ward, Esq., solicitor, Stoke, Staffordshire." Mr. Smith, the solicitor for Palmer, has not yet had an interview with his client, and he declines to have any com munication with him until he is allowed to speak with him in private. At present there are two attendants always in the cell with the prisoner, and his solicitor even will not be allowed to see him alone, until he has obtained an order from the LTome-offie n to that effect. The offer which Palmer's family have made, with . resp^ct to the settlement of his debts, is to pay 10s in the pound but on the condition that UN umugunat b 9 A9t QUIi9 olt 'Wog h 9 /n Acc NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1856. FRIGHTFUL MURDER YESTERDAY Between 6 and 7 o'clock yesterday morning, a most cold-blooded murder was committed in Prince William street, Toxteth-park, on the body of a female who is known in that locality by the name of Sally Drummond. The perpetrator of this dreadful crime is a notorious character, and known to the police as a most desperate villain, and who goes by the name of Fergu son, or, as he is commonly called, " Fagan," but who has an almost innumerable amount of aliases attached thereto. The locality in which the murder was com mitted is. perhaps, one of the worst in Liverpool, the street being inhabited principally by thieves and prostitutes. From diligent inquiry, we believe the following to be the circumstances of this melancholy affair : —The unfortu nate deceased had lived with her murderer for some time, but lately had left him and had cohabited with another man, who went by the cognomen of " Billy," (or William.) Yesterday morning the deceased and Billy were drinking at a public-house at the corner of Wolfe street, when Ferguson went in and asked the deceased for a jacket she had belonging to Tommy. She said she had sold it; and he then asked her to go out with him, when she replied that she would not go out with such a thing as he was. Some mare angry words ensued be tween them, but after a time they became more friendly, and she did accompany him to her mother's abode, a cellar in Prince William street. At the time they went in, the mother of the deceased was lying in one corner of the room. As soon as they got into the house the quarrel was renewed, and some very angry words passed between them, and the deceased was soon after heard by the mother to give a faint cry out, when Ferguson said, "God bless you; now I will take you to the hospital." He was, as is supposed, in the act of doing so, but had not got 100 yards, when she fell a lifeless corpse at his side. Information was then given to the police, who conveyed the body of the deceased to the dead house. After the deceased had expired Ferguson rushed into the public house where he had left Williams, and stated what he had done to the girl, and also threatened to serve•him (Williams) the same. The parties in the house, not believing his statement, permitted him to go away. The police, however, were soon after him, and upon his knowing that they were in the street he came out of a cellar and said to them, " I will not trouble you to search for me, here I am, I am the man who did the deed." Previous to this, however, he had made an attempt upon his own life. The knife with which the horrible deed was perpetrated is a common clasp knife, the blade being about three inches long, and made like the blade of a razor, tapering towards the closing point at the haft. The instrument was very sharp: It was found by Detective-officer M'Culloch, in the petty of the house, where the prisoner had thrown it after he committed the fatal act. The inquest will be held this day (Tuesday), before the borough coroner. EXAMIN ITION OF THE PRISONER, John Ferguson, alias John Williams,f,alias Fagan, was put to the bar at the police-court, on a charge of wilful murder, by killing and slaying ono Sarah Drummond, in Prince William-street, Park, by cutting her throat with a knife, at six o'clock in the morning. The prisoner is scarcely five feet high, and dimunitive in other respects also. He is a very ill-looking person, of about twenty-one years of age. He was born in the neighbourhood of the Park, and, according to the report of Inspector Horn, has been a thief from mere child hood. He has been in gaol upwards of thirty times, for having robbed ships, and for other thefts'about the docks. His throat, on the left side, was covered with sticking plaster, as he made an attempt to commit suicide, just at the moment he was arrested. The prisoner was in custody of officer John Pharo, No. 392, and M'Culloch (detective), who held him by the arms, to prevent him effecting any further injury to himself. He was ghastly pale, and this, added to his naturally ill-looking face, gave him a most repulsive appearance. Inspector Kehoe stated the charge against the prisoner, and said, as the case was to go before the coroner, ho requested a remand to this day, as the coroner was not able to proceed in the case at present. It was, he said, more than suspected that the murder arose out of the burglary case which his wor ship bad just before disposed ot. All he had to do was to ask for the remand. The prisoner was then, without further remark, remanded accordingly. He had al most to be carried out of the court, as he rolled to and fro, as if drunk ; but such was not the case, although ho had been drinking at an early hour in the morning. When he entered the next court, in which were several of his comrades prisoners, some of whom called out, "Jack, what did you get ?" he replied 'as follows, and in a brutal manner—" I will go for assizes to-morrow ; b—y end to them all, I have only once to die—so keep up your hearts, my pals" He was then re moved in close custody. BURGLARY BY " TICKET OF LEAVE" MEN ARREST OF A PORTION OF A GANG OF ROBBERS, Three desperate-looking fellows, named John M'Bride, Thomas Garnett, and Robert Roberts, the two first transports, who returned about eight weeks ago, were brought up yester day rnerninz before Mr. Maxwell, by detective officers Povey, Sullivan, M'Cullough, and Horn, on a charge of having broken into the shop of Mr. Robert Gilbert, jun., grocer and pro vision dealer, Mann-street, Park. It appeared that the prisoners belong to a desperate gang of town marauders, whose depredations for some time past have caused much alarm. The returned convicts, no sooner arrived in town, than they joined their old comrades, and commenced a new career of crime. The police said, the murder, we this day record, and which was perpetrated in the Park yesterday morning, had some connection with the case now before the court. It was stated, that the person now in custody on that charge, was concerned with the prisoners in this robbery, and that the dispute, which led to the tragedy, arose out of a feeling that the murdered woman was about to "Snitch"— that is, to inform on the gang. In the present case, from the evidence of the officers, taken collectively, it appeared that for some weeks past, a number of daring burglaries and robberies had been committed in the Park and neigh bourhood. The police were on the look-out, and on Saturday they received information, that a public-house in Sun-street, in the Park, was set—that is, marked out for robbery that night, by the prisoners and their gang. About twelve o'clock, the officers proceeded to Warwick -street, where they observed the prisoners. They watched them from 12 to 2 o'clock in the morning, when the prisoners proceeded to Mann-street, where the police still watched them. They lost sight of thorn for a short time, and as the officers imagined the prisoners had gone to rob the public house in Sun-street, they pro ceeded there. Not finding them, however, they again returned towards Mann-street. On their way they heard a whistle, and on proceeding to the shop of Mr. Gilbert they found the door open. Police-officer Sullivan entered, and found the prisoner Roberts in the custody of a Mr. Timothy Gill, who rents the house (the shop excepted). Mr. Gill stated that he was awoke on Saturday night, and on getting up he discovered some men in 'the back part of the premises. He seized the prisoner Roberts, but the others got away. Two coats had been removed, but they were subsequently found on the stairs. Sullivan, on a further search, discovered a pair of government (transport's) boots, and an odd boot, also, on the stairs of the house, and a key outside which opened the shop door. The officers, after securing Roberts, proceeded to the lodgings of the other prisoners, situate in Clive and Henderson streets, judging that they would make their appearance towards morning. In this they were not deceived, for the prisoners, Garnett and M'Bride came, one without his boots, and the other with one boot only ; the boots found in the house in Mann-street proved, on trial, ',to be the missing articles. This evidence was deemed conclusive, and do prisoners were fully committed for trial at the assizes. POLICE COUNT.-YESTERDAY. (BEFORE MR. G. MAXWELL.) BURGLARY.—John Woods, a labourer, about 26 years of age, was charged with having broken into the house of Samuel Greet', Harding-street, Windsor. Mrs. Green said she went to bed at ten o'clock on Saturday night, having fastened up the house as usual. About midnight she heard the grid of the area raised, and some one go into the cellar. She called a lodger in the house, who, having produced a light, went into the cellar, where he found the prisoner, 'whom he instantly seized. The prisoner coolly asked him if " John Green lived there ?" The inquiry was answered, and the prisoner handed over to the police. In reply to the magistrate. Mrs. Green said the grid was fastened when she retired. The prisoner had not taken any thing, for, in fact, he had not time. The prisoner now said, he went into the cellar out of the cold, as the night was very inclement. The magistrate cautioned the prisoner, as to his future conduct, and discharged him. THE HORSE TRlM—Charles Williams, who stood remanded on a charge of having swindled a farmer, named Woods, out of .£lO, for a horse, was again brought up. This case was fully reported in our paper of this day week. The prisoner was,again remanded. AN OLD Traci( REVlVED.—Patrick Boyle was charged with having swindled a Mrs. Mary Thomas, by per. striding her to purchase a valuable black silk handker chief for le. He had a really good handkerchief tied up nicely in paper, and he sold it to her for Is, but after the bargain had been concluded, he managed to change the package for one which was similar in form, bnt which proved to be some old paper. He was remanded. (BEFORE MESSRS• .BENN AND MAXWELL.) Mrs. Alcoek, of Lord Nelson-street, charged her hus band, John Alcoa, with having assaulted her. It appeared that the defendant bad already suffered three months' imprisonmeza for a like offence, and that he was in the habit of ill-treating his wife when he got drunk, which, it would seem, was frequently. The complain:. in the p resent case was prov ed by Mrs. Al coc k and her servant. The defendant asked for a postpone ment, on the ground that he was sorry for what he had done, but their worships round, and OCIlt 11 . 1411 V) g3Ol Fgtin fcir Ouse Uloaa WEST COAST AFRICAN MAIL, The Ethiope, African mail steamer, arrived in Ply mouth Sound on Sunday morning from the west coast of Africa, with mails, &c. She has since come into Mill bay to discharge her passengers and cargo, and is to proceed to . this port to repair and refit, she having experienced some heavy weather, and her boilers being leaky. She left Lagos, December 11th ; Accra, 14th ; Cape Coast, 15th ; Liberia, 20th ; Sierra Leone, 25th,; Bithurst, 29th ; Goree, 30th ; Teneriffe, January 6th'; and Madeira, 11th. She brings about 4,000 oz. gold dust, palm oil, &c. The weather experienced by the Ethiope between Goree and Madeira was very severe. She is the first vessel which has embarked gold dust at Sierra Leone, where she reports freights are advancing through the policy of the new government. The Candace, African mail steamer, has arrived at Plymouth. She will embark cargo and mails and leave on Thursday next. The cargo of the Ethiope consists of palm oil, bees' wax, arrowroot, ivory, &c., and she has about 4.000 ozs. of c,rold- dust. Among tha passengers are, from Lagos. Lieutenant the Hon. J. Lascelles, on promotion, and. Lieutenant H. T. Boger, invalided ; from Bathurst, Com missary J. M. Lindsey; from Goree. Captain Cote and Paymaster J. H. Harry, of Her Majesty's ship Myrmidon. Trade is improving at Millicourie, where there is a great influx of hides and ivory, but the high price of tobacco bus restricted the exchange. The differences with the chiefs of Sherbro have been settled, and the Governor of Sierra Leone has issued a notice to that effect, dated Dec. 12. The trade at the Cameroons is entirely stopped, in con sequence of a dispute between the natives in the interior. The screw steam gun-vessel Teazer, 3, Commander Walter Grubbe, which returned 'to Sierra Leone on the 12th of December, from a cruise between Cape Mount and the Sherbro, reports that a serious disturbance had occurred at Sinew, arising from a canoe having been taken from the British barque Ariel by one of the people there, and the supercargo, Mr. Harriett, applying to the autho rities for its restoration, the sheriff sent to demand it, when one of the native huts was set on fire, and in the affray which took place one of the sheriff's men was killed. Several of the surrounding towns were destroyed, and one with upwards of 100 houses entirely burnt, with the exception of a mission-house. President Roberts, with the British Consul, Mr. Newn ham, left - Monrovia on the 26th ult., and arrived at Sinow on the 27th, when they went on shore and found that several of the Liberia people had been murdered. The President and Consul returned the following day to Monrovia, with several European ladies, in the Teazar : and a voluntary corps was being raised to be dispatched immediately to Sinow by the American schooner George. An attack was expected at Cape Mount. The paddlewheel steam-vessel Myrmidon, 3, Comman der Edward E. Maunsell, from Sierra Leone, arrived at the Rio Pongas early in December, with the Rev. Mr. Leacock, Commander Buck, and other officers, Captain Fletcher, 3rd West India Regiment, &c., and, having an chored outside the bar, sent the deputation in boats up to Tintania, where they were received by Kennebac Ali, the Chief. The next day they were introduced to King Catty, and a number of Mandingo chief. After a palaver it was agreed that Mr. Leacock should reside among them, the King promising to send his children to be educated, and Kennebac Ali having given his residence until a suitable house was built for the missionary. From the Gambia our intelligence is satisfactory. Her Majesty's ship Penelope, 16, Sir Wm. Wiseman, Bart., arrived at Bathurst on the Ist of Dec., and left for Sierra Leone, Ascension, and the Cape of Good Hope on the 11th. Major Harry St.:George Ord, of the Royal Engineers, Commissioner to the Gold Coast, went out in the Penelope. the hearer of despatches from Lord Panmure, ordered by the Home Government on special service, to advise with the Governor of the Gambia respecting the military defence of that colony. _ _ The Governor and Major Ord inspected the whole of the boundary line of the ceded territory, and Major Ord having handed in his report on the 11th, they finally decided on works necessary for the defence of Her Majesty's settlements in the Gambia. Governor O'Connor held a full and important palaver with Demba Sunka, King of Barra, on the 7th of December. Sir William Wiseman, his officers, the brass band, and 100 picked Marines and sailors formed the guard of honour. The King of Barra, his Alcadis and chiefs, attended with eighty Sur ruwoolie cavalry, under their leader, Ansummama Taji, and 1,600 infantry, the largest force ever present at any palaver in Western Africa. His Majesty was greatly pleased with the appearance of the sailors and marines, but the brass band engrossed his principal attention. He expressed to " his friend," the Governor, " how much he felt gratified by the great respect paid to him, and that all his troops and the Sqrruwoolies' were ready to march against any enemy of his Excellency." The palaver lasted several hours, terminating without an accident, and in the most satisfactory manner. Governor O'Connor's medical attendants have decided that he must return to Europe in the spring, as his health has become so much impaired from long tropical service. The Emperor Napoleon has created Commander Duerest de Villeneuve an officer, and Lieutenants de Romeau, Fillan, and Morell, chevaliers of the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour, for distinguished service in the field, and at the storming and capture of Sabbagee on the 4th of August. The wounded soldiers, seven, received medals. THE MURDER IN BEDFORD-ROW, Yesterday morning, Mr. Wakley, the coroner, resumed, at the Workhouse, Little Gray's-inn-lane, the adjourned inquest on the body of Mr. Waugh, the solicitor, who was assassinated in Bedford-row on Wednesday last, the previous details of which have already appeared in the NORTHERN TIMES. It will be recollected that the adjournment took place on Friday last, immediately after the close of the medical evidence proving:the cause of the death, in order to have the prisoner present before the coroner's jury for the purpose of identification, as the Coroner stated that, without such appearance, he con sidered the inquiry would be only a mockery ; and he had written on the preVieus day to the Secretary of State upon the point, but had received no answer to the application. Mr. Wakley said, that he had had a communication with the Secretary of State since the last sitting, which resulted in a personal interview ; and the arrangement was that the Secretary of State had not the slightest objection to order the production of the prisoner before the coroner's jury, but there was some legal difficulty at present in the way, and he regretted that he should have to adjourn the inquest again until :Wednesday morning next at ten o'clock, when the person mentioned by the .witnesses as having fired the shot at Mr. Waugh would be present from the House of Detention. The authorities had told him (the coroner) that it was their desire to aid public justice in every possible way. Mr. Lewis, solicitor, of Ely-place, said that he appeared for the unfortunate man accused of this • offence, and he wished to state for public information that there was not the slightest cause for complaint on the part of his family, respecting the deceased gentleman ; but the accused, Westron, was a confirmed maniac, and that was well known, both by his own friends, and those who were acquarnted with him. The Coroner told Mr. Lewis that the statement must be reserved for the next sitting, as the proceedings were now adjourned until Wednesday morning. The proceedings then terminated. A SECOND " ALICE GREY." On the 29th December last (says the Bristol Mercury) a robbery was committed at Lambessow Farm, near Truro, Cornwall, occupied by a person named Thomas Williams. During the morning a servant girl, named Jane Allen, had placed four petticoats, 81 yards of calico, a chemise, and a piece of Irish linnen to dry on a hedge adjoining the farm yard. She occasionally went out to look after the articles, and between eleven and twelve o'clock she informed her mistress, that on going to the hedge to look after them, she found that they were stolen, and she also stated that she ha l seen a man looking over the hedge into the field where they were drying. Mr. Williams and the servants immediately proceeded in different directions, and on meeting a person called Edward Williams Drew, the son of Mr. Drew, innkeeper, of St. Clement Church Town, he informed them that he had seen a man jump over the hedge with a bag on his hack. Info7mation was given to Mr. Nash, superinten dent of police, Truro, with a description of the man, when William Conk, a collector of marine stores, was appre hended, that same night, about twelve o'clock, at a com mon lodging house, and immediately identified by Drew. On the following morning police-constable Prater, in company with Mr. Williams and several other persons, found that the accused's shoes corresponded with foot marks near where the clothes were placed to dry. On being taken before Dr. Carlyon, county magistrate, ho was committed to take his trial at the last quarter sessions, when he was found guilty and sentenced to six months' hard labour. On Friday last, the 11th inst.. the same servant, Jane Allen, again placed a number of articles, consisting of three bed-sheets, two chemises, three pairs of drawers, three caps, three collars, and a habit shirt, on the hedge to dry, and about mid day she informed her mis tress that the articles which she had placed on the hedge were stolen. Mr. Williams, his son, and several of the farm servants scoured the neighbourhood, but could find no one who was likely to have committed the theft. Subse quent inquiries caused suspicion to fall on Jane Allen her self, and at last some of the calico stolen on the 29th ult. was traced to the possession of a young woman named Amelia Williams, who proved that Allen had brought it to her to make into chemises. Superintendent Nash, of the Truro police, then took Allen into custody, and charged her with the theft. In the course of the evening she stated that those were the articles ;which Cook had been convicted of stealinc, and that she had taken them herself. On being asked what had become of the articles s'ae had taken the day before, she said they were buried near the quarry. 11Ir. Nash on going, in company with Police-constable Woolcock, one of the detectives, to a cartshed near the quarry, found underneath a quantity of loose straw, the property stolen the previous day; and about eleven o'clock the same night they found, on a wall adjoining the field, four petticoats and a chemise, which were hid behind the ivy which had overgrown the wall_ those articles were the remainder of the property stolen on the 29th ult. The prisoner was taken before Dr. Carlyon, who committed her to take her trial at the next assizes. Dr. Carlyon has taken the necessary steps for the remission of Cook's sentence. Great praise is due to the superintendent for the very able Inanglez in which h e traced the rel?Per7 t 9 the re4l 9gelacler,; PROTESTANT 'TEA PARTY. A grand Protestant tea party was held last night in the Concert'Hall, Lord Nelson-street. The hall was decorated with flags for the occasion, and the attendance was most numerous. The chair was occupied by the Rev. George Reed ; and among the gentlemen on the platform were Revs. V. M. White, - Sutton, J. Bardsley, Samp son ; Dr. Thorburn ; Messrs. G: Byford, Brownbill, J. Williams, Haigh, &c. Letters of apology were read from the Rev. Di. Hume and other gentlemen, who were prevented from attending by - indisposition, or prior engagements. - After prayer had been offered up, The Chairman briefly addressed the gratulated them that, ( He con- ,te of t night, they had assembled in such nt _A he felt assured that the speeches which would be delivered would be equal to the occasion, and truly Protestant in their character.. (Hear, hear.) The Rei. V. M. 'White then came forward. After a few introductory observations, he referred to the recent Bible-burning case in Ireland. Protestants, he said, did not burn Bibles. He had seen, however, a notice of a pamphlet speaking of the proceedings of Protestants in the recent remarkable Bible-burning case, as if an extraordi nary triumph had been effected there by the Church of Rome, and a most disastrous defeat effected on the cause of Protestantism. He should like to know what Protest antism had to do with the ease. They were not Protest ants who then burned the Bible ? (Hear, hear.) He was not a Protestant from whose house the Bible was brought, nor was it a Protestant churchyard in which it was burned; for that the Bible was burned no man living could deny. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) It was not a Pro testant attorney-general, nor a Protestant solicitor that prosecuted. No ! the government that prosecuted had not merely a Roman Catholic attorney-general, but they had a Roman Catholic solicitor•general, and a Roman Catholic law-adviser—they were all members of the Church of Rome together, and a pretty mess they made of the whole • eoncern. (Hear, hear.) The Bible was burned. (Hear, hear.) It was only necessary to read the judges' charge to know it ; and, if any little technicality prevented the law-officers f om fixing the crime beyond any doubt, on a particular party, they might ride off in triumph, —but that the Bible was burned in a Roman Catholic burial-place—that it was brought from the house of their priest, and that he was connected with, if not legally in some form, he did not believe that there was a Roman Catholic in Ireland doubted. (Cheers.) But if that case did not establish bible burning, he could. He had docu ments which would prove, that a Roman Catholic Priest, in the west of Ireland, did at one time burn four testa ments. Aryouth of fourteen years of age was present, add when he took one of them out of the fire, the priest took it from his hand and threw it ba3k again. The case was brought before the magistrate, and the informations of the lad taken, but when the case came on for trial, the boy so contradicted himself, that a bench of four magistrates unanimously committed him for perjury, declaring that they did not believe one word which he spoke on the second, and that they believed every word he had spoken on the first occasion. (Cheers.) He loved Protestantism, because it glorified and honoured God—because it was the friend of civil and religious liberty. But in propor tion a 3 they found Popery existing, they found the iron heel of despotism crushing. to the earth the rights, prerogatives, and liberties, civil and religious, of men. Popery could not prevent men from thinking, but so far as it could, it prevented men from acting. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) In conclusion, the Rev. Gentleman announced that he had taken the Hall in order that those persons who may be excluded this day from St. George's Hall, may be addressed at the other, and the same gentle men who are to take part in the meeting, for the preser vation of the Sabbath. .stration. A collection was then made to defray the expenses of the meeting, and to liquidate certain expenses incurred at St. Paul's Church, owing to the refusal of the parish oners to lay a Church rate. The Chairman, in stating the object of the collection, observed that Protestants must have been asleep at the last vestry, else the result which then took place would not have occurred. The Rev. J. Bardsley then addressed the meeting, and in an argumentative speech contended that the unity and oneness claimed for itself by the Church of Rome, was not an unitrof feeling and faith, but merely consisted in saying the same creed. It was the unity of faith, he said, of, which the poor man spoke, when he was brought to the gallows, after condemnation. He was a Romanist, and when he came to make his confession before death, fearing that if he did not believe enough he would be damned, he said, "I believe all that the Church of Rome has taught, all that she does teach, and all that she even hereafter shall teach." (Laughter.) The Rev. gentleman then addressed himself to the doctrine of the " Immacu late Conception," and showed the unity in faith of Catholics by declaring, from personal experience, that no two Catholics could be found agreeing on this point. He gave an instance which came under his own observation. He was conversing with a Romanist, and when he taxed him with a new doctrine in the " Immaculate Conception" being introduced into his church, h e d en i e d th at i t was a doctrine obligatory on him under pain of heresy to believe. and alleged that Catholics were allow to believe or reject it as they pleased. While they were arguing on the point, another Catholic came in, and when the question was stated to him, he at once declared that it was heresy not to believe it. (Laughter.) That was a specimen of the unity of faith among Catholics, and of the contradictions in which they involved themselves when pressed in fair argument. The rev. gentleman then applied himself to the infallibility of the Popes, and, in reviewing their history, narrated several instances where that infal libility had proved most fallible. In conclusion he briefly touched on the difficulties in which the chairman, as incumbent! of St. P au l' s c h urc h , had been involved, by the withdrawal of the Church-rate, and trusted that the Protestants of Liverpool would not permit him to be left to himself in a district which abounded with vice and poverty, but that they would come forward to his aid with a generous sympathy and cordial co-operation. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) The Rev. Mr. Sutton then addressed the meeting. Ho com.renced by declaring that Protestantism was an active principle. Protestantism was not satisfied with signing Petitions merely, with declaring what was error, but Protestantism was a practical and constant exhibition of that which was right, not only by word of the lip but by the action of the life. Protestantism was practically after all only another name for Christianity, and Christianity was a diffusive principle and must be. Christianity could not exist in a system or an individual without its being a diffusive principle, and so with Protestantism. It was not satisfied with the personal reception of truth, but it took its stand among men in the advocacy of truth. (Cheers.) The speaker then proceeded to consider the hopeful signs which the present times presented in con nection with Protestantism. He declared that never before were the forms of vice so malignant and dreadful as at present, but while that was the fact, one to be deplored by all men, there were yet great and powerful antidotes at hand, and if this spread of vice called on Protestants to be up and doing, they had yet the assurance that:it needed but zeal and exertion on their part to suc cessfully combat the great evil. Education and missionary labour were the chief antidotes to be relied on, and he congratulated the meeting on the great increase that had taken place within the last century in those means of social and religious refprmation. He then passed on to the Sabbath question, and declared that the Sunday news papers were the chief incentive to the desecration of the Lord's day. No one had a higher opinion of the English Press, taking it all for all, than he had. It advocated all that enlightened the mind, purified the heart, that saved the country from anarchy and confusion, and it led men to religion and to God. Bat for the Sunday papers, nothing brought more disorder, discomfort, and rain, into a family than they" did, and he besought every working man, as he valued his happiness, as he respected his con science, as he feared his God, to take in his paper, but never to allow his wife or children, or anybody in his household, to touch it on God's holy day. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) The sale of intoxicating drinks on the Sabbath conduced to the same deplorable end, and he urged that those evils could be rectified by a right and wise use of the elective franchise in sending religious men into the House of Commons. The reverend gentleman resumed his seat amid general applause, and rounds of the Kentish fire. Several hymns and anthems were sung by the choir during the evening, and the proceedings closed with the blessing. The funeral service of Mickiewicz, the Polish poet, was to be celebrated at the church of the Madeleine on Monday morning, at half-past ten, and the remains of the deceased were afterwards to be conveyed to Montmo rency, to be interred by the side of his friends General Kniaziewicz and the poet Niemcewicz. CRICKET ON THE la.— A novel and somewhat exciting game of cricket on the ice, came off on the field known as Aston's Eyte, Long Meadows, Oxford. The match, which was very evenly contested, was witnessed hundreds of spectators, who took great by some interest in the strange proceedings. The falls were not so numerous as was anticipated, which may be attributed to the fact that every player was expert in the art of skating. Dense fogs prevail in the British Channel. The Alma would have reached Southampton on Thursday if the weather had been clear, and would have made the pas sage home from Malta, including a stoppage at Gibraltar, in eight days—an unprecedented voyage. Just before the Alma arrived home, one of the seamen fell from the top-gallant mast on the deck--a height of 150 feet. Sin gular to say, he broke no bones, and he is doing well. He must have caught hold of something while falling, w hi c h broke his fall, for his h an d s are cut dreadfully. PHOTOGRAPHY AND CRIME. —The town council of Sun derland have sanctioned th e erection of a photographic apparatus, by means of which parties who are suspected of being " wanted elsewhere, can have their portraits sent off to the police officers of large towns, by which the labours of the detectives throughout the country will be much assisted. On Friday the portraits of a gang of seven were handed about the police court when the worthies were at the bar, and the unmistakeable identity of the parties was remarkably demonstrated.— Sunderland Times. Tne Toronto Colonist records a distressing accident 'in the theatre of that town. During the performance of a piece called the " Enchanted Isle," the youngest daughter of Mr. G. Cook, musical director and leader of the orchestra, was attired in a fairy costume, and having approached too near the stove which is placed behind the scenes, the light fabric forming the skirt of her dress caught fire, and instantly enveloped her in flames. She was conveyed to the ladies' dressing-room, and in great suffering lingered till morning. The doomed Was.. 4 comely little gill, ilA6i ( 14itic A favorite!, TRA.DE REPORT ,-MONDAY, COTTON : The Cotton market continues without change, with a fair demand, and a moderate supply, prices are very firm. The sales, including 50 Pernambuco, 6d to 6al ; 70 Bahia, bid 80 Maranham, 511 to 6kd ; 600 Egyptian, 54d to 8d ; 2,600 Surat, 31d to 41d—are reported 10,000 bales, of which 2,000 are on speculation and PIG IRON : Our market for warrar' buyers, cash ; 77s 6d sellers. No busin( - —4 for 71 p I at 77a ,m at on ; prices it about !int : £5 10a ref oa qd sold last week at £ at sor 1€ LOGWOOD : 70 tons St. D SICILY SHUMAC &STONE : 10 qx OTT .'• forward 104 s; t &RIC ACID: In OXALIC ACID: I BTCHROME : No PRUSSIATE ACETATE OF LIM E CONCENTRATED LEM pipes, but not named 35 pipes wer BERRIES : 8 bales of low, at 4 SPIRITS OF TURPENTINE ESSENCE OF LEMON ANNATTO offers at 1 NITRATE OF SODA : 100 be 17s 91 the price for 6 per cent ARGOI s continue firm and scar ROMAN ViTitror, steady at 375, • - • SAGO FLOUR : Sellers at 30s ; no buyers. FARINA : Firm at 235, blyers at anything under. RosiN : 1,000 brls of common American are reported, at 4s 3d—a decline of 3d. CUTCH BARK: to Ils 9d Asking Me. Baltimore much wanted ; Philadelphia, lls 6:1 Surma: An improved feeling prevails in our market, and both refiners and grocers, especially the former, hare evinced more disposition to do business, the sales since Friday comprising 300 hhds Demerara (be'ng a low cargo) at an average of 395. 300 hhds Antigua, 403 6d ; 300 bags Bengal, at 41s 61; 600 bags Ceara; at 38s to 40s 6d, and a small cargo of white Pernams, for the Mediterranean, at 33s per cwt. MOLASSES, RUM, AND COFFEE : Nothing doing. TEA : A good inquiry exists for most descriptions, at fully previous rates. Rim We have no sales to report on the spot, but 200 tons Bengal have been purchased for arrival, the price of which has not transpired. SALTPETRE : 300 bags have changed hands at 36s to 33s for 21 to 14 per cent refraction. PEARL SAGO: 150 boxes, at 26s to 27s per cwt. YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. REV. DR. VAUGHAN'S LECTURE The seventh lecture, in connection with the Young Men' Christian Association, was delivered in the Hope Hall, Hope-street, last night, by the Rev. Robert Vaughan, D.D., Manchester. The subject of the lecture was, " The Credit.- lities of Scepticism." The chair was taken, at a quarter before eight o'clock, by the Rev. J. B. Lowe, M.A., and the proceedings were opened with a prayer. The Chairman then, in a few words, introduced the lecture of the night, expressing his full sense of the utility of such an institution as the Young Mon's Christian Asso ciation, and the support and strength which it enabled young men to afford to each other. He expressed especial approval of it on the ground of its catholic spirit, not being confined to any one particular sect, but being opened to young men of all persuasions. After a few observations upon the scepticism which prevailed hi every community, and which was to be dealt with that, evening, the chairman concluded by introducing the Bev. Dr. Vaughan. The Rev. Dr. Vaughan then proceeded to deli ver hi s lecture. He declared i n th e opening, that one of his prin cipal objects was to show that modern scepticism lay . open censure, upon the ground that, to a large extent, it was the scepticism of men; who, were they only as much dis posed to bow to evidence in relation to Christianity, as they were disposed and prepared to believe ; and bow in relation to other things, they would be no longer sceptics, but firm believers. He did not deny that there were honest doubters, who were entitled to the sincerest and the deepest sympathy, but these were not the men who were likely to " wear their doubts upon their sleeve, for daws to peck at"—they were men who would be more disposed to shat them up in the sadness of their own hearts; than to babble them to every p asser -b y . He 'did not, however, come there to refute scepticism, but only to show how facile, in lending themselves to the most irrational belief, were those who declared that they believed nothing. In many, he, - showed, their scepticism was only another development and form of their vanity. He pointed out the incongruities of the higher class of sceptic„ the philosophic sceptic, and contended that, when pushed to an extreme, thi s disbelief was found to be nothing but a perverse form of thought, which no one would dare to act up to in the ordinary relations of life. It was felt by many intellects, in the beginning, to be a gratifying thing to reject the belief of the crowd, and live in a scepticism apart from them. Gradually, the mind, which did not, know how to respect the faith of others, was allowed to strip itself of all true faith. When a superior intellect became vicious, it was, nevertheless, no uncommon a thing to see it become the dupe of falsehoods, of the flimsiest description imaginable. The lecturer, as an instance of this, alluded to the well-known tale gravely narrated by Lord Herbert, of Cherbury, one of the very earliest of English deistical writers, of the sign which he received from Heaven, authorising him to publish his book, " De Veritate," in which he denied the existence of all external Revelation. The force of vanity and credulity, the lecturer observed, might go far; but help each other as; they might, they could scarcely surpass this singular in stance. So important was the life and the work of a courtly trifler, that an external revelation might be made from heaven to him, but the whole great heart and life of humanity everywhere, was not important enough to merit any such revelation ! Having generally sketched out tha principal incongruities in the scepticism of the age of Lord, Herbert, of Cherbury, the lecturer pasied on to the scepti cism of the present day: As a striking instance of the credulity of scepticism, he referred to the well-known his tory of Andrew,Jackson Davis the Poughkeepsie seer, pub lished some time since by Mr. John Chapman, Strand, Lon. don, and introduced with a preface by Mr. Chapman him self, from which the lecturer read several extracts. Many other instances of a similar character, connected with clairvoyance, spiritual manifestation, and other prevalent exemplifications of credulity in our own day, the lecturer adduced, as evidencing the fact that the severest scepticism, and the most extravagant credulity have frequently gone hand in hand. In a style of great 'vigour, with much occasional humour, the lecturer attacked the credulities of scepticism, and defended the faith of Chris tianity. The lecturer was listened to with the greatest attention, and frequently applauded by a crowed auditory. THE ALLEGED MURDER OF A WOMAN AND HER CHILD. 4.- The two men, Ford and Jackson, charged on. Suspicion of having wilfully murdered Mary Ann Peacock, a widow, and her infant child Eliza, by drowning them in the river Thames, were brought up for examination before the magistrates at Kingston on Saturday. The prisoner Jackson appeared a re spectable looking man, about 6 feet 6 or 8 inches in height, but Ford was considerably taller, and had a remarkable expression of countenance. The evidence taken was chiefly a recapitula tion of that adduced at the coroner's inquest, and which has been already reported. The only additional witness called was Joseph Hammerton, the man who taught the deceased woman to write, and who b Ford t leave Mrs. P eacoc k' s house on the night of ordered the allege y d mur der. Hammerton said that he resided at the waterside, and was a bargeman. On Monday, the 7th inst., ho was in the house belonging to Mrs. Peacock, when Ford came in and said that if witness did not go out he would fetch some one to make him go. To save him the trouble, ho went out, and proceeded to the Rose and Crown. Ho saw no more of them till Tuesday morning, about six o'clock, when he saw Ford come ashore in a boat at Kingston. lie heard the boat come along, and looked out of his window. Whilst Ford was proceeding, as he imagined, to call the prisoner Jackson, witness went on board the barge called the Charlotte, and therein he saw the female and her child, lying in the port bunk. She was then alive, and ho saw her and the child move. He could swear that the two persons were then alive, and he saw their faces. lie did not speak to Mrs. Peacock, and he went on purpose to See whether deceased was there, as he had heard that she was going on board. He did not go to see whether she was there because he was jealous. He used to go to deceased's house to teach the woman to write. He did not lose sight of the barge until Ford came on board again and started it. He had no ground for knowing that Jackson was at home, and he was not quite certain that Ford went to his house, although he went in that direction. He did not see Jackson on board again: The magistrates having consulted together, adjourned the ease until Saturday next. The inquiry appeared to excite great interest, and nearly 2,000 persons uero congregated round the grand jury room to witness the removal of the prisoners. The prospectus of the London Wine Company (limited), has just been issued, and the capital required Ls X 50.900, in shares of £lO each. The deposit is to be £2 lOs a share, and the promoters expect "to realise a dividend for the first year's operations of from ten to fifteen per cent, increasing in proportion &I the transactions are Mt 9444." lers under 101'd JUICE : W