The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-04-14 00:00:00

. . Whether or not the %lir - with China has been precipi tated by the negligent or the mistaken policy of go vernment--but as regards a great portion of the minis terial faction upon the hacknied and convenient ques tion of confidence generally in the policy of the admi nistration, and on the part of another upon the neces sity which unhappily now exists, and which has scarcely been questioned, of carrying on that war, or those war like demonstrations which may possibly answer the Purpose-of war, with vigour and determination. The degree of wisdom or the want of it which has charac terised the past policy of ministers with respect to China has throughout the debate been studiously left out of consideration fiy the advocates of government, unless the weak and flippant oration of Lord Palmer ston can be said to have touched upon that part of the question ; and the barren majority which still keeps Lord Melbourne dangling in attendance upon the court and Lord Palmerston dribbling forth his shallow inani ties upon the foolscap of the Foreign-office, has been gained by a tricky address got up in the city at the mendacious representation of some ministerial man-of all-work. There are two positions which have been taken up and adhered to by the supporters of Ministers through out !the debate which demand our attention. The first is the argument that the impugners of ministerial po licy with respect to Chinese affairs ought to have laid before the house the precise nature of the policy which they themselves would have pursued ; and the other the impossibility, even supposing it were advisable, of putting an end to the illicit traffic in opium out of which confessedly the misunderstanding with the Chi nese authorities has originated. Now, it is extremely unfortunate for ministers that to both these arguments the printed correspondence of their own superintend entsfurnishes ample reply. In endeavouring to wriggle out of the charge of furnishing deficient instructions and power to the superintendents, we find it urged by that wiry consequential gentleman, the member for Edinburgh, that those superintendents themselves were the best judges of the policy to be pursued, in matters of detail at least. The conservative party complained that the representations transmitted from time to time by the local superintendents . were left unnoticed, and . that they were not furnished with powers to act even in matters of the propriety of which they were fully convinced. If Captain Elliot was duly qualified to perforM the duties of his situation, the policy which he advised was, on their own sheaving, entitled to the con sideration of government, and the powers which he required to carry out that policy ought to have been promptly yielded Government. If, on the other hand, he was not duly qualified, he ought to have been at once superseded. But neither of these courses were Pursued. Captain Elliot was neither-permitted to ad vise nor to act, and the only interpretation which the Chinese authorities could put upon his conduct and Position at Canton was, that the infraction upon their l aws, which were daily occurring before his eyes, and which he did not check, because he had not the power to do 803 were committed with the connivance if not with the express sanction of the government which he was delegated to represent. Here then is the reply, furnished by their own do- e n . Merits, to th e o bj ec ti on th a t Si r J ames G ra ham and h Party ought to have explained, whilst deprecating that of 'Ministe rs , w h at their own policy would have been. - The right honourable baronet's charge implies of itself the course which he and his party would have Pursued, and the arguments by which it is supported and Which hinge upon the inattention paid to the re- P re sentations of Captain Elliot and neglect of his con stant entreaties for powers to carry into effect his own s uggestio ns are conc l us i ve as to t h e po li c y w hi c h i n th eir Opinion ought to have been pursued. Ity The second obj e ction, with respect to the impossibi t 0 1 repressing the opium trade, we will very shortly dispose of, by quoting a letter contained in the copy of corr espondence laid upon the table of the House of n nimons, in which the British superintendent, Sir c; C e °rge Robinson, distinctly declares that " whenever et. Majesty's government direct vs to prevent British ve ssels engaging in the traffic, we can enforce any order 1° t hat e f fect !" It might not be possible to prevent the Opium traffic from being carried onto some extent an d Eby some other means, but it was undoubtedly pos sibl to prevent it being carried on in such d manner as d irectly to raise the presumption that the government of ' 4 .9landf auo U re d and- encouraged its growth. But we are told by the foreign secretary that the I n estion'hi,issue was' in substance whether or not the P r esent government possessed the confidence of the e ntintry. Let us weigh government by this standard, 411(1.examine. the - extent of confidence which they do P°ssess. • Froiii an analysis of the division we - find that a niajority of the. members for the whole of England an d Wales, amounting to 23, voted against ministers; that a majority of the members for England, Scotland, and Wales, amounting to 17, voted against ministers ; a nd that the paltry majority of nine in their favour is 001 y secured by the venal votes of the dependants of °Tunnel', which are thus allowed on every question affe cting the honour and the destinies of this mighty el nPire to overwhelm and to smother the opinions of the Peop B le of Great ritain. The government of Lord lelbourne has not, on a question affecting such im- Ine nseinterests, the confidence of England, Scotland, and. Wales ; but exists only upon - the suffrages -of ' ° Pish - Ireland. A war the extent of which no - man . e an foresee—a war to be carried on against a country In habited by a population of upwards of 300,000,000 Or People, an d s i tuate d a t a di s t ance of 15,000 miles fro m our shores—is pressed on in defiance of the °P i nions of the majority of the people of Great Britain, by the representatives of the priest-led slaves who e° Mpose the con s tituencies of Popish Ireland. How lo ng, We ask, will England submit to be trampled `c e neath the feet of this base and truculent faction ? 4 '°w long will England allow her energies to be e tushed and her very name defiled by this foul in- L ellll ns, which gloats and fattens upon the wreck of h er honour, her religion, and her prosperity ? The drawing-room of her Majesty on 'Wednesday / :' 4B honoured by the presence of her Grace the linehess of Inverness; and the public will no longer he at a loss to account for the peculiar favours show e;e'l upon the quondam widow of the attorney knight, the Lady C ec ili a L et i t i a B ugg i n U n d er w oo d. H er la dyship, wearied of the shades of Kensington, and tir e d L of the ennui of enacting the part of Chloe for t ne Sole gratifi ca ti on o f h er. se pt uagenar i an S trep h on , has become ambitious of a larger sphere of admira t"l; and the name of Buggin Underwood, although a good n ame " to go to church with," was not, even "hen accompanied with the delightful procnomeß of Cecilia Letitia, sufficiently euphonious for the atmo sphere of a royal drawing-room. Besides, her lady ship's moral status might possibly require a little extra gilding ; and legal deficiencies, which would be obvious enou g h in the relict of a City attorney and the grand daughter of a Dublin landing-waiter, might be over looked in the wearer of a ducal coronet, and the future mother of a race of male duchesses ! In sober seriousness, we are grieved beyond mea lore t o contemplate the degradation which this ill advised exercise of the royal prerogative is calculated to bring upon the Court of England's Queen, and the c haracter of E ng l an d' s no bility. H a d thi s am bi t i ous 4dy been i n rea lity th e l ega l w if e o f th e unc l e o f t h e , overei- n g then we should have granted the justice of ac cording t o h er th e ran k t o w hi c h s h e wou ld h ave l e en entitled. In that case the Lady C ec ili a L e titi a ill il ggin Underwood would, without any interference c 1 th e p rerogat i ve, h ave b een ent i t l e d to t h e name and 4 2 1 1014 s of a royal duchess. But, as she is not D uchess of Sussex, her title of Inverness can only !, e ll'e to b ran d w i t h ill eg iti mac y h er connex i on w i t h th e duke, and to drag into greater notoriety a scandal neeeh for the honour of the crown, had better ha ve n allowed to remain in obscurity. lVe are- t o ld. i n d ee d, th a t mora lly her lady s hip i s th e wife of the Duke of Susse x ; that she was mar r i e d b y l banns i n E ng l an d, an d h as a l wa y s been honou ra bly j e elVed by th a t p or ti on o f th e wor ld of fashi on i n i vil 'eh his grace ha s b een accus t ome d t o move. S o 1 "7,, how ever , as th e l aws o f E ng l an d d o no t allo w t o leer the name of wif e , we con t en d that the Sovereign, h o has sworn to dispense those laws equally and ii Partially t o a ll her su bj ects , s h ou ld h ave been ad vised I 'ed to pause before she gave her direct countenance 0 an infraction of those laWs. As Duchess of Inver ness; thi s l a d y, a l t h oug h not legally the wife of the Duke of Su ssex , t a kes precedence of the whole of our t 1 .114 18 nobility; and whatever opinions may be enter -4111"1 upon the subject by her Majesty's advisers, we must venture to doubt whether so unusual a stretch of the royal prerogative is not too distasteful to the feelings of the moral people of England, to be ventured upon, even to reward the political subserviency of an uncle of the Sovereign. It is urged, however, in further extenuation, by the government prints, that the Royal Marriage Act, 'by the operation of which the pseudo marriage of the duke with Lady Cecilia is rendered invalid, is objec tionable in principle, and unpopular. But, we ask, ought the Duke of Sussex, of all men in the world, to complain of the operation of that act, after availing himself of its provisions to repudiate the amiable and highborn victim of a former connexion ? Are the off spring of the Lady Augusta Murray to be branded with illegitimacy, whilst the male descendants of this Buggin Underwood are created duchesses, and their illustrious mother pitchforked over the heads of the female nobility of England ? If the Royal Marriage Act is unpopular and unwise, repeal it; but, until this is done, let the " social duchess" be, content to luxu riate in the bowers of Kensington, and not, by her indecent intrusions at court, outrage public morality, and drag more prominently before the memory of the people of England, the delinquencies of that impure old man, the vices of whose youth are only surpassed by the cupidity and grossness of his declining years. A disgusting placard has been posted on the walls of this town, announcing that the Socialist Hall of Science, in Lord Nelson Street, will be opened on Friday next, when Robert Owen is going to exhibit his " plans for ensuring to the upper and middle classes, far greater domestic comforts for £6O per annum than can be now obtained for £6OO per annum," and when a woman of the name of Chappelsmith is going to deliver a lecture on the " Education, Rights, and Condition of Woman." These proceedings are to be concluded by a public tea party in the evening, to be succeeded by public lectures on "Marriage," &c, on Easter Sunday, and a "Social Ball" on Monday. We can conceive of no greater insult to the feelings of a Christian community than the selection of these high festivals of the Church, for these abominable and obscene orgies. Surely it must be in the power of the magistrates to prevent such an outrage on public decency. If they have the power and lack the courage to exercise it, they will justly entitle themselves to the contempt of every one who has the least regard for religion or morality. CORRESPONDENCE. THE SHIPOWNERS' AND SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION. PROPOSED SHIP-BUILDING SOCIETY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Stu,—ln two recent numbers of your paper I observed two letters ; the first from a correspondent, signed " Nauticus," and the other from " A Friend to Humanity," recommend ing a Shipowners' and Shipmasters' Association, for the purpose of procuring the appointment of a surveyor by the government, for the inspection of vessels, so that no unsea worthy ships should be permitted to sail from this port; for the general protection and encouragement of the mercan tile shipping interests, and for other objects protective of, and beneficial to, that useful and respectable class of men, the commanders and officers of ships in particular. It must be gratifying to you and your correspondents td reflect that these suggestions have already been warmly, and, 1 may add, almost enthusiastically responded to by a number of highly respectable owners and captains, who met on Saturday fort night, at the Clarendon Rooms, and laid the foundation of an association having the objects alluded to in view, as well as others therewith connected, the primary step to attain them being the establishment of a Captains' Reading and Coffee-room, where they might combine the acquirement of useful information with amusement at leisure hours ; be en • abled to transact business with shipowners and merchants with greater facility than at present ; and also reform or su persede the present pernicious system too generally pursued by the shipping offices. Permit me to suggest, through your columns, to that As sociation that, in addition to a general News Room, the building they purpose to erect should also contain a library, chiefly of nautical or other scientific works relating to naval tactics, improvements in the construction of vessels and rig ging, and of marine engines, as well as a chart and model room, for the reception of models, drawings, corrected charts, &c., either purchased or collected by donations, which latter would doubtless be numerous, and of each of which an ac knowledgement should be made in a book kept for that pur pose—the contents to be published with the annual report. A book should also be kept, in which captains might enter, on their return from sea, anything worthy of record from their log-books, any discoveries they may have made of hitherto unknown shoals or rocks, or other " experiences," whether in ocean steam or sailing navigation, for the ge neral benefit of the whole. A registry might also he kept of the proved correctness or inaccuracy of chronometers, with a view to the encouragement of the best makers, and the consequent safety of vessels and crews on distant voy ages. The propriety of this proposition is confirmed in my mind by the recent intelligence of the loss of an East India man through the inaccuracy of her chronometers, on which too much reliance, had been placed, and which were found to be wrong by about 70 miles. I would also suggest that the building should contain an apartment to be appropriated as a museum of curiosities, the collection of which would, in all probability, soon be great, through the facilities enjoyed by captains of vessels in pro curing interesting specimens natural and artificial. "W hen this was once stocked, a fund of no inconsiderable amount might be raised for the benefit of the association, b admit ting the public at a small price. My principal object, however, in addressing you at present is to propose the formation of a society, either in conjunction with the above, or apart from it, to be called the Liverpool Ship-building Society. The beneficial operation of house building societies has long been acknowledged. Through them, parties who had never, before entering them, saved anything against a rainy day, have by regular small payments, been enabled to rise in the scale of society by becoming pos sessors of houses; and why might not ship captains and mates follow the example, and by saving a small sum monthly from their wages, become proprietors of shares in vessels, or whole ships, as means of present improvement in their condition, and as a provision for them and their families, when from age or infirmity they are, like the " battered old hulk" of the old Com modore, become "never more fit for sea." There are few captains who could not spare 10s. a month for such a purpose, and if a society were formed consisting of 1000 captains, and as many landsmen, each paying entrance money, (for I would admit of any respectable parties), ves sels might from time to time be built or purchased by the disposal of shares put up to the highest bidder, in the man ner of the several building societies, proper securities being taken for the redemption money bybottomry bonds, the de positing of the policy of insurance, or otherwise. I shall not, however, enter into the details, which others are more competent to point out than myself; but I throw out the suggestion, as one which I feel assured would be practicable and beneficial, in the hope that it may be taken up by par ties capable of carrying it out. Hoping you will excuse the length of this communication, I am, Sir, yours, &c., Liverpool, April 13th, 1840. W. TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD STANLEY, M.P. MY LORD,-I have just read, with feelings of the ex•. tremest indignation, a passage, in one of the local prints of this place, echoing in effect, the fiendish exclamation of Mr. O'Connell, in allusion to your Lordship's family afflictions, on a recent occasion. I am a very humble individual, my Lord, but think, never theless, that I am capable of appreciating_ the moral tone of the inhabitants of " the good old town ;" and I will most unhesitatingly take upon myself to declare, that if the Editor of the Chronicle assumes for one moment, that in the article in question, he speaks the sentiments of your Lordship's neighbours, he labours under a strange delusion, and in dulges in a palpable falsehood. No, my Lord, in the visitations of Divine Providence, the people of Liverpool most sincerely sympathise with you as a man; they glory in you as a statesman ; and they ardently pray that every member of the noble houses of Knowsley and Lathom may long be spared to witness the REVIVED GREATNESS of this country, brought about by the intellec tual attainments and patriotic exertions of that indomitable phalanx in the House of Commons, of which your Lordship is so distinguished, so excellent a member. I remain, with every feeling of respectful esteem, my Lord, your Lordship's humble servant, H. W. H. Myrtle-street South, 11th April, 1840. PENNY POSTAGE AND CHEAP BREAD. [We found the following in our letter-box. We presume that it has been forwarded for insertion on account of the home-truths which it contains.] New Broad-street, London. DEAR W * * I am sorry to be obliged to differ from you on the penny postage question, especially as I was at one time myself a very ardent supporter of the scheme ; but ex perience proves the folly of expecting that people will write more because they can send letters at a cheap rate. On the contrary, what we think we can do every day is often put off and eventually not done at all. In regard to myself, the new plan has not made one iota of difference : I have not under its operation written or received more letters than formerly, perhaps even not so many. M r . Hill's golden dreams about the revenue not suffering, must fast vanish away, and I calculate a loss of one million sterling for the first year, will be the result. The question then arises, how will the deficiency be made up ? for you know the exchequer of England is not now overflowing. A government disburs ing more than it receives, and heavily in debt, can ill afford to relinquish one million per annum. Well, how is the amount to be made up? why, says the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, by increasing the rate of taxation five per cent. England, than which no country under Heaven is more severely taxed, is now to be burdened with an increase of rive per cent., in addition to the 38s. per head already paid, and for what ? To benefit the large manufacturing houses, the merchants and opulent traders, who could well afford to pay the postage of letters, which generally was returned by a handsome profit. Long ago did I state that government would lay some tax which would fall heavily on the poor, to make up their loss, and now my words are rea lised. The necessaries of life are to be taxed five per cent. extra, to make up the loss on the superfluities of life ! To the working classes, the labour of letter-writing is immense, and even if they were paid for it, it would be irksome : besides, be it remembered that not above one-seventh of the population of Great Britain can read or write at all—six sevenths could not indite five words if their lives depended on it! The Duke of Wellington proved to us that soldiers who have had a penny postage, have always been indifferent to let - tar-writing. It is altogether an affair well worthy the deeds of the present incapables in office, whose foresight and judgment are about equal to their honesty ! I am sorry to hear such a bad account of trade with you, but I trust this spring will revive us all. On the subject of cheap bread (as you northerns emphatically call it), I must again differ with you, and fain would I devote a lengthy paper to the discussion of the subject, did time permit; but all the assertions in the world can never prove that wages will maintain their stand while bread falls—the two must go together, for better for worse. And surely, when the great manufacturers them selves candidly confess that they do not want cheap bread, but cheap labour, philanthropic beingi like yourself will rightly appreciate this class of repealers! Perhaps you con sider that the landed interest ought not to have the repre sentation of the people. To this I would answer, that the property which cannot be carried away is always most va luable. The landowners cannot put their land in their pockets and leave England, hut the manufacturers can shut up shop, and remove their skill to any other country. It is wise, therefore, that those who have the greatest interest at stake in this land should have the management of its affairs ; and so long as Parliament is composed of a majority of gentlemen having large estates, the attempt to upset the Corn-laws will and must end in smoke, as it always has done. Nothing appears more unjust than to endeavour to injure the landed interest, and leave the funded interest alone. Were you one of the former instead of the latter, your property having been bought subject to the Corn-laws, you would view the repeal in all its native hideousness and deformity. I cannot find space for further arguments, but I consider that no battery of the repeaters will ever stand the fire of the lovers of the good old times, when democracy was kept in its proper place, and radicalism was unheard of. Yours truly, A. W. P. THE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB The report of this excellent institution for the year 1839, (being the 13th), has just been printed, and is, we rejoice to say, of a very gratifying character. The committee, indeed, commence by stating that at no former period had they such strong grounds for congratulating its friends on the state and prospects of the school as at the present time. Subsequently to the munificent grants from the town-council in 1838, the appeal has been so responded to by a generous public, that they now announce, that the new building, of which the foundation stone was laid on the 24th of October last, is rapidly progressing towards completion, and will probably be ready for occupation before the close of the year. We have recently visited the building, and were much pleased with the neatness of the design, and the workmanship, which is of the best description. The committee are also in expectation of advantageously disposing of the present buildings in Wood street and Fleet-street. The donations receivedz up to this time amount to £2800., which, with the sum hoped to be procured by the sale in question, will defray the expense of the erection of the new buildings ; but as considerable out lay will be required for furniture, &c., the committee still hope to receive further donations. The income hitherto received in annual subscriptions has not been equal to the expenditure; but a gratifying increase is taking place, the receipts of the past year having exceeded the previous one by about £l3O. They have also to acknow ledge several additional subscriptions. The committee highly complimented Mr. Rhind's ability, as evidenced in the-great improvement of the pupils, and the admirable management of the institution. The number of visitors during the year has been about 750, —an increase on former years, and all have been impressed with a deep sense of the advantages of the institution. " In deed," to use the language of the report, " it is a charity, the impot tance and usefulness of which cannot be duly appreci ated without witnessing the method of teaching in the school, and the consequent effect of the expansion of mind in the manners and characters of the children. A child bereft of the organs of hearing and speech, whose mind must neces sarily be almost a blank, first enters the school almost in a state of idiotism ; but as the mind receives impressions, symp toms of thought become observable, and in time, the intellec tual smile betokening the reasoning creature, animates the child, and amply repays the toil and care of the preceptor." The committee, in conclusion, tender their thanks to the ladies' committee; to the medical gentleman who has at tended the children gratuitously ; and especially to the Rev. Rector Campbell, their late chairman, on his retirement through indisposition, for his valuable services for many years ; and finally to the donors who have contributed to the extension of the charity. The following are some particulars derived from the addenda to the report Number of children in the school at the 1 52 close of last year, 1838 Admitted during 1839 Left in 1839 ll Total at present under tuition 5l The total number admitted since the establishment of the school is 135 ; of whom 80, having participated in its instruc tion, are now usefully employed in various occupations. Of the whole present number, 45 being children of poor parents, are educated gratuitously—the others are boarders. Children are taken into the school from all parts of the kingdom. The balance in the hands of the treasurer, Mr. Dawson, on the 31st December last, was £521 9s 11d. The annual sub scriptions amounted to £4BB 14s 6d, and the donations to 1:71 8s lid. WYENISIVI ILLUSTRATED. According to the principles and practice of the rational religion developed and promulgated by Robert Owen in 1840, it is stated :—" That it is a law of our nature obvious to our senses, that the internal and external character of all that have life upon the earth, is formed for them, and NOT by them ; that, in accordance with this law, the internal and external character of man is formed for him, and NOT by him ; and, therefore, he cannot have merit or demerit, or deserve praise or blame, or reward or punishment." A few illustrations will prove the truth and beauty of this grand moral discovery—thus : MAN is not an animal, but a piece of animated machinery. 'As you wind up a clock only that it may keep time, you do not expect it to propel a boat, any more than you would feel disappointed that a marine steam-engine did not indicate the hour of the day. Their special characters are formed for them, NOT by them. MAN is in perpetual bondage to outward circumstances. Thus he is like the clock, which is doomed to count the hours, or like the steam-engine, which keeps hard at work as long as the steam is up. Otherwise he might form his own character, and NOT let it be formed for him. MAN is found varying considerably in his character.—So are engines some for honour, some for dishonour, as in duty bound. MAN is unchangeable.—Nor is it worth while changing, or rather attempting (for, as the doctrine of Owen plainly (!) proves, it is, after all, but a hopeless case with the old ones) to change his character. He cannot be better or worse off, his character being formed for him, and NOT by him ; and neither merit nor demerit, nor praise nor blame, nor reward nor punishment, attaching to him. OWENISM only for children.—ln the great moral asylum, penitentiary, hospital, or free workhouse, which it is pro posed to construct for the community, the elder inmates will mutually assist in endeavours to throw off their old-acquired habits with their outward garments, and put on a new life and conduct with the hospital dress. Meanwhile the infant Owenites will have their characters manufactured for them to order, according to the dogmas promulgated by Robert Owen. OWENITISH children.—The little, stout, sturdy infidels are to possess superior knowledge to their grandpapas, with far superior dispositions. They will become amazingly fond of contemplating nature in the gardens, rituseum, and work shops of the asylum, which will inevitably create in their minds " feelings of high adoration, too sublime and too pure [as Robert says] to be expressed in forms or words, for that Incomprehensible Power which acts in and through all na ture, everlastingly composing, decomposing, and recompo sing the material of the universe, producing the endless va riety of life, of mind, and of organised form." MAN iri married life.—Man being, as before shewn, sim ply a piece 'of semi-intelligent mechansm, with a character, like his coat, made for him and NOT by him, has much trou ble, toil, and difficulty in selecting, and especially in secu ring, a sleeping partner,—not having the sublime sense of an Owenite. The disciples of Owen manage these matters like the venders of nuts, whose maxim is, that you shall " Crack 'em and try 'em, and then buy 'em." If a partner does not please, mistress, your wife, may be turned adrift; " and the parties may, without diminution of public opinion, form new unions more suited to their dispositions."* Hem! Robert Owen. The character of this untiring infidel has been strangely formed by him and NOT for him. But just the reverse of this his great maxim holds good of the rest of the stultified race of mankind. He has for the last seventeen years been hammering and chiselling at his intellectual and moral character, till he has at length succeeded in getting entirely rid of the latter, and the former has now scarcely the weight of a rush. Arc you married? Go to Robert Owen—see him in the Paradisaical Asylum—follow the ad vice of the only sensible or rational man in the world—look upon thyself as a bigot, as one excessively prejudiced and narrow-minded—follow implicitly the laws and regulations of this great workhouse, nursery, and asylum—work thy three hours, live amidst plenty, music, dancing, lectures, and science—and in a few years thou mayst expect to see thy child a man, a sturdy infidel, a very Owenite, and live to see him take his sixth or twentieth wife, with (happily) a character pure, chaste, and untainted as Alpine snow ! * Robert Owen's Manifesto, 1840, p. 57, The ladies of the Rev. Dr. Raffles's congregation have presented the doctor with a handsome suit of robes, and a Bible and hymn-book for the pulpit. They have also pro vided a chaste service of plate for the communion table. DEATH BY FIRE.—On the .6th instant an inquest was held on view of the body of Ann Dobbins, a girl of 12 years of age. The clothes of the deceased, who lived with her pa rents, in Ellames' place, Canning-place, had caught fire on the Saturday previous, and she soon became enveloped in flames. She was so much burnt that she died on the follow ing day.—Verdict, " Accidental death." DEATH FROM THE FALL OF A BALE OF COTTON.—On Wednesday last an inquest was held before P. F. Currie, Esq., on view of the body of Maria Lawson, a girl of eleven years of age. The deceased was at the quay of the Man chester basin, when a carter was unloading a lorry, in the usual way, by tossing off the bales. She went close up, and one of the bales fell upon her. She was carried to the Northern Hospital, when she afterwards died from the inju ries she had received. No blame was attached to the carter, and a verdict of accidental death was returned. The de ceased was a daughter of one of Messrs. Fawcett and Co.'s men. We cannot too strongly recommend to the attention of our readers the advantage of adopting Robins's Filters. In many cases where sickness has long been an attendant on the inmates of a residence, it has disappeared after subjecting the water, used as a beverage and for culinary purposes, to one of these most admirable machines.—See advt. WESLEYAN METHODIST FOREIGN MISSIONS.—On Sun day sermons were preached in all the Wesleyan Methodist chapels in this town, and collections made in aid of the funds of the above society. The Rev. Dr. Raffles delivered, in the afternoon, in Brunswick Chapel, a sermon marked by his characteristic eloquence. The Rev. R. W. Hamilton, of Leeds, preached last evening, at seven o'clock, in the same place of worship. The twenty-third annual meeting of the auxiliary society will be held this evening, at six o'clock, in the same chapel, and, by adjournment, in Pitt-street Chapel, to-morrow evening, at the same hour. CHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION.—A meet ing of this board was held at the Legh Arms, at Newton, on Friday, the Rev. Rector Brooks, of Liverpool in the chair. Among the members present we noticed the Rev. Chancellor Raikes, the Hon. and Rev. Horace Powys, rector of Warring ton ; the Rev. J. Slade, vicar of Bolton ; the Revds. R. Parkinson, Fellow of Christ's College, Manchester, J. W. Richards, R. Durnford, T. V. Bayne, D. Girdlestone, T. Blackburne, Horton, &c. ; William Hulton, H. H. Birley, R. Orford, Esqs. &c.—The report of the sub-committee ap pointed to procure plans and estimates for the training school buildings at Chester, having been presented, and it appearing that considerable difficulty existed in obtaining a suitable site, sufficiently near the cathedral, which could be rendered immediately available for the purpose required, and also on a statement of the funds that only about £5,000 had been yet received, (£IO,COO being the lowest estimate for erecting a building in all respects worthy of the undertaking) it was resolved unanimously—" That the sub-committee be em powered to continue the present, or provide other accommo dation for the principal and scholars, of a temporary kind, till the increase of contributions justify the occupation of some site on which a permanent building may be erected in or near the cathedral city." The board then, after referring the draft of the rules of the society to the sub. committee appointed to prepare them, for the purpose of being ,re-arranged and amended, proceeded to the election of an inspector, when Mr. Slatter, B.A. of Lincoln College, Oxford, who has for some time acted as assistant secretary to the board, was ap pointed. We understand that this gentleman will forthwith apply for ordination to the Lord Bishop of Chester; it being one of the rules of the society that the inspector is to be in holy orders. After a strong appeal from several of the mem bers on the necessity of collecting additional funds for the training schools at Chester, throughout the diocese, and especially in those parts of it which have not yet contributed, the meeting separated. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. We beg to direct the attention of our readers to the reports of the proceedings at the half-yearly meetings of the Cheste r and Birkenhead and Chester and Crewe Railways. By the amalgamation of the latter company with the Grand Junc tion, and by the mutual agreement formed between that company and the Chester and Birkenhead, we may anticipate with certainty the transfer of a great portion of the passenger traffic between London and Liverpool to the route by Chester, and in that event we think little doubt may be enter tained by the proprietors of the profitable working of the two lines in question. It will be observed that the new half shares of the Chester -and Birkenhead line have been allotted at a discount of £5, or at £2O per share, and that it is only intended to call up £l5 per share, that amount being expected to be amply suffi cient to complete the entire railway. A reference to the transactions of our sharemarket of to-day will shew that at an advance upon the price at which they are issued they have been eagerly sought after by buyers, upwards of 400 having changed hands upon our Stock Exchange at au average of 41 premium. It is confidently expected that the line will be opened to the public in the course of the month of August. SHEFFIELD AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY. We understand that this important line of railway is at length about to be proceeded with in earnest. It is expected that the whole of the distance between Manchester and Glossop will be under contract during the present summer, and we think that if the directors are supported in their efforts by the shareholders, and supplied with funds to enable them to press forward the works with energy and spirit, they may succeed in completing and opening to the public that portion of the line in the course of the summer of 1841, and thus secure at once a large and profitable traffic between Manchester and the populous manufacturing , districts of Ashton, Staly Bridge, Mcttram, Glossop, &c., besides that which they will derive by shortening the difficult road journey between Manchester and Sheffield. We are seldom warranted in anticipating much benefit in the shape of profit from the partial opening of railways, but we have it proved by the experience of the working of Manchester and Leeds line, that in a manufacturing district a profit may be derived ; and in the case of the Sheffield and Manchester Railway it should be borne in mind that the great cost of forming an entrance into the town of Manchester is borne by another company, and that the purchase of a mass of expensive property, and the construction of expensive viaducts, bridges, and ether approaches which in most lines is sufficient to annihilate any prospect of advantage from a partial opening is not in this case incurred; the proprietors may reasonably anticipate a profit from the opening of the line to Mottram or Glossop, or even to Ashton-under-Lyne and Hyde. CHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY. The half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors of this company was held on Saturday, in the Clarendon Rooms, South John-st ree t, f or th e p ur p ose o f rece i v i ng the directors' and engineer's reports, a statement of the treasurer's accounts, and for the transaction of other business. William Dixon, Esq., Ch a i rman o f t h e B oar d o f Di rectors, too k t h e c h a i r. The CHAIRMAN, after having briefly announced the objects of the meeting, called upon Mr. Mallaby, Clerk to the Company, to read the half-yearly report of the directors. Mr. MALLABY then proceeded to read the report. It com menced by alluding to the flooding and continuous rains of the last winter, by which the progress of the works had been retarded at least three months. It was satisfactory, however, that this line has stood almost uninjured the severity of a season which elsewhere had caused great destruction. The report then stated that the principal subjects for the informa tion of the proprietary were, first, the act of parliament for raising £125,000, having been obtained pursuant to the wish of the last general meeting ; secondly, the conclusion of a satisfactory arrangement between this company and the Grand Junction Company, arising out of the purchase of the Chester and Crewe line by the latter, and finally, the pur chase by this company of the Monks Ferry Hotel, quay, and lands. With regard to the first point, 2,000 of the new half shares had already been appropriated. The directors had deemed it prudent to issue the new half shares at a discount of £5, permitting every proprietor to take one half share for every share held, provided that £l5 be paid by equal instal me is on May 1, June 15, and August 1 ; and in the event of all not being taken, the residue to be sold for the benefit of - the company. With regard to the terms made with the Grand Junction Company, the directors stated that they in volved delicate and knotty points, but they had been mutually settled, and were extremely favourable to this company. On the subject of the Monks Ferry purchase, the directors con sidered that it would be prejudicial to develope fully the plan by which they estimated the value of the purchase. Mr. 'WALLABY next read the terms of agreement with the Grand Junction Railway Company for the use of their lime as far as it might be necessary by the Chester and Birken head Railway Company. They appeared to be very favour able; and Mr. Mallaby said they put this company in the most favourable position with the Grand Junction Company of any company with whom they had dealings. The report of Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Dixon, the engi neers, was then read. It detailed the state of the works throughout the line, from which_they appeared to be pro gressing most favourably. Ninety per cent. of the works had been completed along the entire line, and the completion of the whole may be expected by the Ist of August next. Mr. MALLABY read a statement of the treasurer's accounts for the half year ending 29th February last. Including the sum of £7051 16s 6d, the balance remaining in hand at the close of the last half-year, the receipts had been £63,8713s sd, and the payments £54,560 3s id, leaving a balance to be towards the succeeding half year of £9311 Os 4tl. This statement was signed by Mr. James, the treasurer, and coun tersigned by Mr. Stanway, a public accountant at Manches ter. Mr. FoLmorr moved that the report of the directors, the statement of the terms of agreement with the directors of the Grand Junction Railway Company, and the treasurer's accounts be proved and circulated among the proprietors. Mr. SEAGAR seconded the motion. The CHAIRMAN put it, and it was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. JOHN JACKSON, seconded by Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE, the three retiring Directors, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Fosberry, and Mr. Bentham were unanimously re-elected. There being still a vacancy among the directors, Mr. 11BALEX moved, and Mr. SEAGER seconded a resolution that Mr. William Clackstone be appointed. The proposi tion was unanimously adopted. The CHAIRMAN then stated, that if any proprietor wished to ask for any information, the directors would be glad to give it. The engineers were also there, prepared to answer any question. A. PROPRIETOR asked what was to be the amount of each call upon the new shares? The CHAIRMAN replied, that there would be three calls of £5 each ; the first to be paid on the Ist May, the 2nd on the 16th June, and the third on the Ist August. The direc tors, of course, could not bind themselves, but they hoped that the £l5 thus called for, would enable them to complete the works. A SHAREHOLDER inquired whether the directors antici pated that these calls would be sufficient. The CHAIRMAN said that he could not tell. The new shares issued were for £2O. The directors called for only £l5, and if they thought it necessary to call for the remain ing £5, of course they would. Another Su AREHOLDER stated that from the present views of the directors, it was not probable that they would call for the remaining £5, because when the £l5 had been paid they would be in a legal position to borrow £44,000. The CHAIRMAN observed that the £l5, calls would pro duce £70,000, after which,.when paid, the directors had power to borrow £44,000. A PROPRIETOR wished to know whether the shareholders must subscribe to the new shares to-day, or until what period they might refuse to take them ? The CHAIRMAN answered that the shareholders must not subscribe to-day, but that they must send in their reply on or before the Ist of May. The first call would have to be paid, s well as the arrears on the original shares, on that day. : Another PRQPRIETOR said he was very desirous of ascer taining whether the sleepers on the railway had been kyan ized ? Mr. DIXON, the junior engineer, replied that the sleepers had been kyanized to a considerable extent, but not exclu sively, as a portion of the timber was of a quality not to re quire that process. A vote of thanks was then presented to the directors and to the chairman, and the meeting separated. MEETING Ole THE GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY COMPANY. On Saturday, a meeting of the Grand Junction Railway company was held at the cotton sales-room, Exchange -build ings, for the purpose of taking into . consideration the incor poration of the Chester and Crewe Railway with the Grand Junction Railway company. JOHN Moss, Esq. in the chair. The CHAIRMAN briefly explained the object of the meet ing, Mr. SWIFT, the company's law-clerk, then read the heads of the proposed bill, which vested the whole of the property of the Chester and Crewe line in the Grand Junction com pany, the latter undertaking to meet all the engagements of the former, and to complete the line. It was moved by Mr. TAYLECTR, and seconded by Mr. I-I mon, that application be made to p ar li ament for an act embracing the above objects, which was carried unanimously. THE CHAIRMAN directed the attention of the meeting to a statement put forth by Mr. Bury, the effect of which was to show that the expense of the locomotive power on the Grand Juntion line was greater than the expense of the same power on the London and Birmingham line. Mr: Locke, their en gineer, being present, would be glad to afford the meeting any explanation on the subject. Mr. LOCKE said that the statement alluded to made it ap pear that the expense of the locomotive power on their line exceeded by £17,000 a year the expense of the same power on the London and Birmingham. Nothing could be more fallacious than the data on which Mr. Bury based his calcula tions. The two lines were essentially different. In their gradients the London and Birmingham had an advantage over the Grand Junction; but then look at the cost of the respec tive lines. In proportion to the excellence•of the gradents would the cost of locomotion be diminished. But the Grand Junction was a longer line than the other, taking into ac count the traversing of the engines between Manchester and Warrington ; it had stationery engines at Warrington, Staf ford and other parts of the line, whereas there was not a single stationery engine on the London and Birmingham, so that if any accident occurred on the latter, an engine had to proceed 50 miles before it could be discovered. Mr. Locke proceeded to show that all these different circumstances in the relative position and workings of the two lines had been overlooked. If they (the company) contemplated a change in their locomotive power, he was prepared to show them that no reliance could safely be placed on the statement on whieh he had been commenting. Mr. Locke, at the con clusion of his address, was warmly applauded. The CHAIRMAN stated that the object of the Grand Junc tion Directors had always been to have the best loccmotive power, and they could not certainly be induced to change their system on the showing of Mr. Bury. A PROPRIETOR stated that the Directors of the London and Birmingham line were not to be held responsible for the statement of Mr. Bury. It was his own individual act, and three-fourths of the directors had never seen it. (Hear.) Thanks were voted to the chairman, and the meeting se parated. We learn that the day fixed on the opening of the Shoreham branch of the London and Brighton Railway is the 11th of next month. Meantime the works upon the main line are proceeding with their accustomed spirit. The success of the North Union Railway has recently been such that we understand a dividend at the rate of 61 or 6t per cent. is about to be declared. The Dundee and Arbroath Railway was formally opened to the public last week. The authorities of the termi na l t owns and the inhabitants generally took much interest in the pro c'edings. The line has been in partial operation for the, last eighteen months, and we. understand that th ere is every prospect of the most brill iant success. —Railway Times. WEEKLY RETURN OF TRAFFIC ON RAILWAYS, (From the Railway Magazine.) P.mileiP.mile P asseng . Pass en- ANI E I e -. Cash. gers. pr.wk.,p. day. per day. I , -- £. .Z. X. Birmingham — 12126 107+ 151 South Western — 2421 411 6 Great Western .. Newcast. & Carlisle 1632 27 4 Birmg. & Derby — 777 201 3 _____ Greenwich , 28084 982 2572 37 4012 Manchester &Leeds 12325 856 631 9 1760 Croydon 9134 • 560 53n 71 1305 York &N. Midland 2013 318 22 1 3 288 Midland Counties 2893 2624 17 21- 413 Glasgow & Ayr 1903 74 31 I I 1 317 Eastern Counties 4877 ' 697 POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-YESTERDAY. STEALING A WATCH. Two females and ;;;;ve;e placed Yihe bar on suspicion of having been concerned in robbing a sailor of his watch. The sailor, it appeared, had given notice at the police-office of his loss, and the usual caution was sent round to the pawn brokers. A pawnbroker in Whitechapel (we believe) re ceived one of these notices on Saturday, and about a quarter of an hour afterwards one of the female prisoners came in and offered the watch in pledge. The watch was detained; whereupon she fetched her husband, and both were given into custody. The other female was afterwards apprehended, because the prisoner who wished to pledge it said she had obtained it from her. The owner now appeared, and stated, that, on the evening of Tuesday last, being near the Waterloo Dock Gates, in liquor, he met one of the female prisoners, and treated her, but whether she took his watch, or whether he gave it to her, he could not tell. Mr. Rushton, under these circumstances, ordered all the prisoners to be dis charged, and the watch to be given up to the owner. ROBBING AN EMIGRANT. A young married female, named Mary Fitzsimmons, charged two men with having robbed her, at Greenock, of four Scotch notes and ten shillings'. It appeared that the complainant intended to emigrate to America, and had taken her passage from Greenock to Liverpool in the steam-packet the Royal Sovereign, on Saturday last. As she was going to the packet the two prisoners, she said, lifted up her cloak and rifled her pockets of the notes and money, which was all the property she had. The mate of the Royal Sovereign, at her request, detained them on board, but they were not searched until they had been given into custody at Liverpool, when, as might be expected, nothing was found upon them. A person, who seemed to take great interest in the case, said he thought the captain of the Royal Sovereign would be able to give evidence in proof of the robbery, but on his being sent for, it appeared he had merely heard of the transaction. Mr. Rushton said he had no jurisdiction in the case ; the prisoners, however, might be taken to Scotland, but not upon his responsibility, in which case there would be some difficulty in establishing the charge, as the complainant wished to pro ceed to America immediately. Eventually, the prisoners were remanded till to-morrow. THE SMOKER SMOKED. William Wood, a young man, respectably attired, was charged by Mr. Peter Robinson, tobacconist, of No. 11, South Castle-street, with riotous and disorderly conduct. Mr. Robinson stated that the defendant called at his shop on Saturday evening, and asked whether he might be permitted to smoke a pipe of tobacco during the rain. When he had finished one pipe he called for another, and so on till further supplies were positively refused, whereupon the young gen tleman set to and abused the shopkeeper in such a manner that the interference of a police-officer became necessary. The defendant did not deny the charge, and Mr. Rushton ordered him to pay a fine of ss, or in default to be impri soned three days. THEFT AND FELONIOUS RECEIVING. Mary Chantler and Ann Stephenson were placed at the bar, the latter charged with having stolen two brass taps, and the spout of a tea-kettle, of the same metal, the property of William Caton, and the former with having feloniously received them. Chantler was defended by Mr. Davenport. Thomas Burrows said he was a tinplate-worker, in Byrom street, and that he worked for Mr. Williams, who had a shop in the • Old Haymarket. On Saturday night about eight o'clock, he was in Mr. Williams's shop, when the prisoner Stephenson came in, and taking fro m h er a p ron t wo taps an d the spout of a teakettle, offered them for sale to Mr. Wil liams, who refused to buy them. Witness knew that she was in the habit of charring for John Alexander, his brother in-law, with whom a coppersmith, named John Caton, lodged. When the prisoner went out, therefore, he followed her, and saw her enter the shop of the prisoner Chantler, in Shaw's-brow, and heard her ask Chantler if she bought old brass, but he could not hear the reply. Stephenson then walked forward into the shop and produced the two taps and the spout, which Chantler looked at and gave her some money, with which Stephenson came out. Witness said to her, " What have you been selling here ?" She replied " nothing;" but afterwards she said, she had for a person down the street. Witness gave information to Caton, and they procured the assistance of police-officer Stevenson, No. 46, who went into Chantler 's shop, where they found the taps and spout, and Caton immediately identified them as his own. Chantler said she had bought them from a woman whose husband was a plumber. As the constable was taking her towards Bridewell, she said to witness, " I will give you five pounds if you will let me at liberty." Witness replied, that he had nothing to do with it. Stephenson was appre hended about ten o'clock on Sunday morning. William Caton, a coppersmith, said he lodged with John Alexander, and that he kept a number of brass taps and tea-kettle spouts in a leather apron under his bed. Those now produced were his property, and were worth 20s. They were - safe in the apron at eleven o'clock on Thursday night, but on Saturday night they had disappeared. The prisoner Stephenson had been charring in the house about six o'clock that night. As they were on their way to Bridewell, the prisoner Chantler said to witness that she would give him two sovereigns if he would not appear against her on Monday. He refused the offer. James Stevenson, policeman 46, deposed to the apprehen sion of the two prisoners ; and added that, on the way to Bridewell, Chantler said to him, " I will give you a sovereign if yOll will let me go, and say nothing about it." Witness told her the magistrate must settle that. Stephenson, fn defence, said some person had sent her to sell the property ; Chantler said nothing. Mr. Rushton told the prisoners they would both have to be tried at the next Sessions. Mr. Davenport enquired whether bail would not be ac cepted for the appearance of Mrs. Chantler ? Mr. Rushton replied in the affirmative, but he should re quire notico to be given of the parties. He should require the recognizances of her husband, and two sureties of £5O each. He thought it his duty to say that both the witnesses and the officer had behaved extremely well in refusing the money offered by the prisoner. ROBBING A SAIL WAREHOUSE. Eliza Robinson was brought up on a charge of having robbed the warehouse of Mr. Joseph Nickell, sail-maker, in Bath-street, under the following circumstances : Henry Wright, a tide-waiter in the Customs, said that about eight o'clock last (Sunday) night, as he was going on duty, when near Mr. Nickell's warehouse in Bath-street be saw the prisoner and a man go into it and close the door after them. He waited to see what would be done, and in a few minutes afterwards he saw the prisoner quit the ware house with something under her cloak. He followed her to the corner of Dutton-street, where he stopped her ; but be fore he had time to ask her any questions, she said, " I do not know the man." Witness then saw the man making his escape towards Bath•street. He opened the prisoner's cloak, and found two pieces of canvass concealed beneath. The warehouse door, on examination, he found to be locked. Thomas Hall, constable No. 401, said he went into the warehouse 'with Mr. Nickells, the door of which he found locked, and that in a door up stairs was a skeleton key. He afterwards went to the prisoner's house in Collingwood street, and found a piece of canvass, corresponding in quality with the two pieces produced. Mr. Nickells said he left the warehouse between three and four o'clock on Saturday afternoon. It was the duty of his son to lock up. On going into the warehouse last night he missed two pieces of canvass from one corner, and another piece from near the door. There were about fifty yards of canvass, the value of which was 455. He identified the pro perty. Moore, bridewell-keeper, stated that the prisoner first said that a man had given her 6d. to carry the canvass she did not know where ; and afterwards that no man was with her, but that she had found it upon the top step of the ware house. In her defence, the prisoner said she was the wife of Thos. Robinson ; that, as she was going along Bath-street, she stooped to tie her shoe, and found the canvass in the corner of the top step of the warehouse: She saw no person about, and therefore brought it away. No man was with her. Mr. Rushton committed her to take her trial at the next Sessions. DAD COMPANY. Joseph Murphy and John Jones were charged with having been drunk and disorderly in the public streets. One of the officers who took them into custody stated, that there was a young man present, a companion of theirs, named Salmon, who stated that Murphy had robbed him of six sovereigns, found upon him, part of a sum of money which it appeared Salmon had himself stolen from his father. Murphy asserted that the money was his own, and that he had won half of it by a bet respecting the coming on of a fight. The bridewell keeper, however, said that whe n M urp hy was brought i n h e cou ld not account for the manner in which he had become possessed of the money. Another account which he had given was, that it formed part of three months' wages which he had earned. It was stated that Murphy's father was a very respectable man. At Mr. Rushton's request he was called; but he did not answer. Murphy's brother, however, stepped forward, and said he believed the money belonged to Mr. Salmon, as his brother had none, and no means of obtaining any. lie further said that the prisoner Jones, whose proper name was Smith, was leading the others to ruin. He was in the habit of waylaying Murphy at breakfast and dinner times, to se duce him from his labour, and taunting him with being a fool for working. The young man Salmon was then asked what he had to say ? In a hesitating manner he answered, that on Saturday night he had been knocked down and robbed by two women of nineteen sovereigns, in Postoffice-place, and that he had given six sovereigns to Murphy when he was drunk. Mrs. Salmon then informed the magistrate that she had been robbed by her son, but to what extent she could not say. There were upwards of £4OO in the drawer, and her husband was in the habit of paying and receiving large sums almost daily ; so that she could not tell exactly what had been stolen. Her husband, she added, was not aware of her son having robbed him. Mr. Rtishton told her she was much to be blamed fo r wishing to conceal her son's misconduct from his father : he might commit a similar offence, and indeed nun him. Mrs. Salmon replied that that should not be, as she would take . care her son should not in future have access to the money. Mr. Rushton, however, thought it his duty to inform Mr. Salmon, and ordered the prisoners to be put down until that gentleman arrived. In the course of half an hour Mr. Sal mon entered the court, and Mr. Rushton explained the mat ter to him, and said unless he used more caution his son might ruin him. Mr. Salmon having suitably acknowledged these remarks, Mr. Rushton ordered each of the prisoners to pay 55., or, in default of payment, to he imprisoned three days, and the money found upon Murphy to be given up to Mr. Salmon, whose property it undoubtedly was. THE WEATHER. —After an unusually long drought, with chilly harsh winds from the given way thDorth-east, and north, b th re e at c h ol o d f has at le o n n g tl Sat g u i r v da w w a e y ha also fell at intervals on Sunday, y and dur' before the more genial i heavy showers, day. We,ofßathat need scarcely state that, yesterday being fine and sunny, this seasonable downfall has already effected a rapid and gratifying change on the face of the country. Ve-betation, long retarded, i s i n rap id progress, an d t h e fi e ld s an d gardens are putting on their garb of green. We do not remember a finer seeding time than during the last few weeks. The wheats in this neighbourhood, sown in autumn, look remark able fine and healthy, though not very forward. The show for fruit is, we learn, promisin,g ; and, so far as the year has gone, all betokens a bountiful return to the husbandman and horticulturist. ADJOURNMENT OF THE COMMONS.—On Wednesday next, Lord J. Russell will move that the house, " at its rising," do adjourn to Wednesday, 29th April. The ministers, of course, are-by no means desirous of breathing time. Ah ! how agreeably does a respite sometimes come, even to the strongest minds. LITERARY NOTICES. Doctrines and Duties; or Faith and Practice. Whittaker and Co. This work is from the pen of F. B. Ribbans, Esq., C. C. C., Cam., F. S. A. A more interesting manual we have not met with for some time. Attached to each doctrine and duty is a portion of sacred poetry, selected with excellent taste from the most popular and admired authors. The original matter is calculated to do the most good, and we found refreshed in perusing these pages. Under the head of the Sacrament we find the following passage—" If we are unfitted by our impurities for the spiritual presence of Christ at the table, are we not unfit to live, and ought we not to be afraid to die?" It is to be lainented that too many, even in the present day, are ignorant of these most important Doc trines and Duties. We heartily recommend this book, and sincerely desire that it may be exteniPely read. It may be well to notice, that the profits of this work will be devoted to the intended Asylum foraged and decayed Freemasons. Moral Contrast, a Tale, by F. Bolingbroke Ribbons, F. S. A. London : Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, and Co. This is an interesting and elegantly got up little work. The author, in a brief introduction, remarks that it was " composed during short intervals of rest which attendance on scholastic duties admits of ; and had, therefore, many disadvantages to struggle with. My only aim in writing it, was the improvement of youth : If I have succeeded in re calling one from the road of error, I shall deem my labours amply •rewarded ; if I entirely fail, the consciousness of having intended well, must, at least, still be left." The author assuredly deserves success, if he do not achieve it. The story is simple in construction, and breathes throughout a spirit of virtue and morality rarely to be found in works of fancy. It involves the history of two young gentlemen, closely attended by a mutual friend, on their first entering life in the arduous profession of the law. The industry of the one who was of but moderate abilities, is admirably con trasted with the "idleness indulged" of th e o the r , w h o was a youth of superior quickness and imagination. While the former rapidly rises in respectability and wealth, the latter, from indolence and evil communications, approaches to the very brink of degradation and ruin ; but .through the gene rous parental remonstrances of the father of his betrothed, he is finally reclaimed to virtue and happiness. " Shudder ing," concludes our author, " at the recollection of what he had suffered from idleness and imprudence, he never failed to hold himself forth to all the young people of his acquaint ance, as an unanswerable example that honour and in dustry, morality and religion, can alone lead us to that portion of happiness which we are capable of, in this sublunary sphere, and unerringly secure our succession to an eternity of bliss in that celestial Paradise which is to come." In fine, we have perused this little volume with much pleasure, and strongly recommend it to the attention of all young gentlemen entering the busy scenes of profe's sional life, as containing precepts of the highest value and importance. The Cry of the Poor. A Poem. London : H. Hughes, St. Martin's-le-Grand. This beautiful poem is from the pen of Mr. Howorth, whose more finished and recent work, " The Redeemer," we noticed a few weeks ago. " The Cry of the Poor" is full of tenderness and pathos, and eminently calculated to call into active operation feelings of compassion and sympathy. We shall hereafter transfer to our columns the affecting descrip tion of the horrors endured by the victims of " Factory slavery." COURT CIRCULAR. -MONDAY. The Queen and Prince Albert, the Queen Dowager, and the Princess Augusta, attended divine service, yesterday morning, in the Chapel Royal, St. James. The sermon was preached by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who took his text from St. Matthew, chap. 16, v. 16. The prayers were read by the Rey, Mr. Knapp, the lessons by the Rev. Dr. Wesley, and the communion service by the Bishop of Lon don, the Rev. Mr. Knapp, and the Rev. Dr. Wesley. The chant was the Rev. P. Henley's, the Te Deem and Jubilate Aldrich's in A, the Sanctus and responses Rogers. The an them, " Who is this that cometh from Edoin," (Arnold,) was sung by Messrs. W. Kuyvett, Hobbs, and J. B. Sale. Sir George Smart presided at the organ. The Bishop of Norwich, clerk of the closet, and the Rev. J. Vane, deputy clerk of the closet, were in waiting. The royal suite consisted of the MarChioness of Normanby, Hon. Miss Paget, Hon. Miss Anson, Earl of Listowel, Lord Geo. Lennox, Mr. Rich, Hon. Col. Cavendish, and Mr. Francis Seymour. Her Majesty and Prince Albert and suite returned to Buckingham Palace in four of the royal carriages. The Queen Dowager was attended by Lady Charles Somer set, Hon. Miss Hudson, and Earl Howe. And the Princess Augusta was attended by Lady Mary Pelham. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Here ditary Prince of Saxe Coburg Gotha, and attended by the I-lon. Colonel Cavendish and Colonel Bouverie, visited her Majesty the Queen Dowager and the Duchess Ida of Saxe Weimar, yesterday afternoon, at Marlborough House. Her Majesty and Prince Albert and the Hereditary Prince after wards took an airing in the parks in an open barouche and four. Viscount Melbourne had an audience of the Queen on Saturday. Her Majesty and Prince Albert drove in a pony phaeton on Saturday morning. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Here ditary Prince of Saxe Coburg Gotha, and attended by the Marchioness of Normanby, Earl of Listowel, Mr. Rich, Hon. Colonel Cavendish, Colonel Bouverie, and Mr. Francis Seymour, honoured -the Italian Opera with their presence, on Saturday evening. Her Serene Highness the Duchess Ida of Saxe Weimar arrived at Marlborough House, yesterday morning, from Rotterdam, on a visit to her Majesty the Queen Dowager. The Queen Dowager attended divine service yesterday afternoon in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The Duchess Of Kent walked in the gardens of Bucking ham Palace yesterday. The Princess Augusta dined with her Majesty the Queen Dowager, on Saturday, at M ar lb oroug h H ouse. Her Majestyf the Queen Dowager, attended by her suite, rode out on horseback on Saturday morning. Her Majesty paid a visit in the afternoon to the Duchess of Gloucester. The Duchess of Kent took an airing in a carriage on Sa turday, attended by Lady Anne Maria Dawson. The Duchess of 'Cambridge, Prince George, and the Prin cess Augusta of Cambridge, attended Divine serv i ce yester day morni ng , i n Grosvenor Chapel. Lady Augusta Somerset was in waiting on the royal duchess. The Princess Augusta visited the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday afternoon at the Foreign-office. It was attended by Viscount Melbourne, the Lord Chancellor, Marquis of Lansdowne, Earl of Cla rendon, Marquis of Normanby, Viscount Palmerston, Lord John Russell, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Minto, Sir John Hobhouse, Lord Holland, 'Viscount Dun cannon, Lord Morpeth, and Mr. Mucauley. The council sat two hours and a half. TILE ANATOMICAL Vrtxus:—We last night viewed this extraordinary and beautiful work of art, and though our visit was but cursory, we were, in common with all who were present, highly interested and gratified. The figure, as first seen, is that of a finely-formed young female, in a re cumbent position, on a couch, with a countenance after the manner of the Grecian beau ideal, in the bloom of health, and with long hair in massy plaits reaching to the middle. The slight costume with which she is covered is also Gre cian, and the colour of the " skin" and brilliance of the eye give the whole an appearance of a living subject. But the garments being removed, the exhibitor soon dispels this allusion, by lifting that portion of the face which re presents the flesh. The muscles, bones, nerves, &c., are then exposed, and the eye-balls being left prominent and ghastly, farewell to the beauty that before rivetted at tention ! The upper integuments of the arms, lower limbs, breast, and abdomen, are then successively removed, and the whole of the muscles, arteries, veins, nerves, and viscera displayed in their natural colours, the minutest and most delicate ramifications being all distinctly visible in their pre cise form, proportion, and position, as in life. The bosom is, as it were, dissected, and the lacteal system developed. The lungs, the heart, the liver, the stomach, and the other internal organs, with their exterior formation and interior structure, tthe whole being dissected or in sections,) are then shewn in succession. The brain is next taken from under the moveable skull, and its interior exhibited, its junction with the spinal marrow, &c. In the limbs, too, every muscle, sinew, artery, vein, and bone are distinctly visible, and the whole is calculated to impress the mind with wonder as well as with awe ; so complicated is the human frame, so minute and appropriate its numerous delicate parts, and so incontestably liable to derairement from disease or violence. Some idea may be formed of the complicated and minute nature of this work of art, when it is stated that the gentle man who produced it devoted to it the labour of fifteen years. The whole is of wax. The exhibition has been visited by many individuals ' • and some hours are set apart on Fridays for the v i s it s of ladies. TDB FARMER'S AND GENERAL FIRE AND LIFE INSU RANCE COMPANY.—The bill for establishing this company was read a second time on Tuesday last, on the motion of Mr. Handley, and was referred to the South Lincolnshire list. CHURCH OF ENGLAND LIFE AND FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY.—Oar readers will perceive, by an advertisement which app ears thi s d ay i u our columns, that a company under this title is now forming, the objects of which, as there de tailed, appear so desirable as to recommend it to the favour able attention of all members of our Established Church, and we have no doubt that both the clergy and laity will strenu ously unite in the support of an undertaking having such important and tr u ly Ch r i s ti an en d s i n v i ew. Th e importance of Life Assurance, and the duty of providing for surviving relatives, are now so well known and apprec iated, that no arguments are requisite in the prese n t day to prove its utility. This company embraces Fire as well as Life Insurance, and the management of Trusts, as detailed in the prospectus, and appears brought out under the highest patronage. The names of the committee will he considered a sufficient pledge that the objects which the promoters of the company have in view will be fully and faithfully carried out. An institution pf this kind .has long been wanted, and we cordially wish it th at success which it undoubtedly merits. Ttin L.t.w OF Ev l DENCE.—Aho a llg ti this may, to the and scarcely uninitiated, appear at tinsomewhat jugt, it is yet said to be . ia e s s u t beautiful t wiitisaetlefv,earnadytobe founded t upon very correct princip . s may be t upon their testimony, that of enemie.., when favourable, is invariably deemed authentic--Lbecause unsuspicious ! Who, therefore, can for one moment doubt the sincerity of the following recently published testimony respecting Atkinson's Infants' Preservat ive, by one who is anything but a friend to the present proprietor of that deservedly celebrated medi cine ?—" To all mothers and nurses," says he, " it is con fidently recommended, being entirely free from those narcotics an I pernicious drugs which are too commonly introduced into medicines for the use of children. It is a most safe, agreeable, and useful medicine, almost invariably giving instant relief in all those numerous disorders of the stomach and bowels which arise from a redundance of acidity, as well as from other causes which produce flatulency, griping pains, looseness, convulsions, internal fits, th e th rus h or f rog , diffi cult teething, th e rickets, worms, &c. It may be given with perfect saf e t y to the youngest and most delicate infant, and its use persevered in without the slightest fear of ill conse quences. In most cases it gives immediate relief by neutral ising the acidity and soothing the pain, and soon restores the little sufferer to perfect ease and health."—See advt. DEAF/I OF REAR-ADMIRAL STUART.—This gallant offi cer expired, at his mansion in Upper Brook-street, on Thursday, at the age . of 73. The admiral was collaterally , related to the Marquis of Bute's family, and received the rank of real-admiral of the red the 22d of July, 1830. UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD, APRIL 11.—This being the last day of term, a congregation was holden for granting degrees, &c., when the following were conferred : MASTERS OF ARTS.—The Hon. R. W. West of Balliol College ; W. Miller , New College. , BACHELOR OF ARTS.--Willi am Shillito, of University College. In a convocation holden on Thursday, it was unanimously agreed to petition both houses of Parliament against the Ca nada Clergy Reserves Act. The Archbishop of Canteibury has presented the Rev. J. F. Hodgson, of Christ Church, to the vicarage of Horsham, Sussex. The Rev. Thomas James, of Christ Church, has been ap pointed a chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Oxford. The Queen has been pleased to appoint the Rev. Thomas Gamier, late Fellow of All Souls' College, to be Dean of Winchester. The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells has instituted the Rev. F. B. Portman, Fellow of All Souls' College, to the rectory of Staple Fitzpaine-cum-Bickenhall, Sornersetshire. CAMBRIDGE, APRIL 10.—On Monday last the following gentlemen of St. John's were elected Foundation Fellows of that society :—C. Coolson, 8.A., G. F. Reyner, 8.A., F. S. Bolton, 8.A., J. Woolley, 8.A., W. S. Wood, 8.A., F. and L. Lloyd, 8.A., and F. France, B.A. Also, E. Docker, 13. A., N. M. Manley, 8.A., and W. Parkinson, 8.A., were elected Fellows upon the foundation of Mr. Platt. On Wednesday last the Rev. J. 0. Routh, B.A. of Christ's, in this University, was elected a fellow of that society on the foundation of Sir John Finch, and Sir Thomas Baines. The examiners have given notice that the following will be the classical subjects of examination for the degree of B.A. in the year 1842 :—Dernosthenes adversus Leptinen ; Juvenal , satires x. xiii. xiv. SIR J. GRAHAM'S MOTION ON CHINA.—ANALY SIS BY COUNTIES, BOROUGHS, &c. FOR THE MOTION. Counties ... Boroughs... Universities Counties . Boroughs. Counties . Boroughs Counties ... Borough... University . ENGLAND. WALES. SCOTLAND. IRELAND. Totat for the motion AGAINST THE MOTION ENGLAND, - 211 Counties Boroughs - 21 - 262 WALES. Counties . Boroughs. SCOTLAND. Counties Boroughs, 35 152 - 187 10 IRELAND. Counties , Boroughs. - 47 Total against the motion 271 Majority -9 By the above statement it will be seen that England and Wales give a large majority confirmatory of the resolution. Letters from Vienna say that Duke Ferdinand of Saxe Coburg will leave that capital for Brussels on the sth of next month, and will proceed from thence to Paris, to be present at the marriage of the Princess Victoria. Prince Augustus, his son, who accompsnies him, will shortly, it is said, espouse the Princess Sidonie d'Aremberg, resident at Brussels.— Journai de Fraucfort. The death of Mr. Poyntz, late M.P. for Midhurst, at an advanced age, has placed several noble families in mourning. He was father of the Marchioness of Exeter, of Lady Clinton, and of the Hon. MN. Fred. Spencer. He sat for Ashbur ton in the parliament of 1831. - From 1823 to 1826 he sat for Chichester, on the Whig interest. He was patron of six livings, and his large estates in Sussex and Berkshire de volve to his daughters. The English Agricultural Society, which last year held its great meeting in Queen's College, Oxford, has received an invitation to hold its next anniversary at Downing College, in this university. Her Majesty has just granted a charter of incorporation to the society, and has been pleased to ap point the Duke of Richmond the first president. The Queen has become the patron of the society, upon the salutary con dition that all political questions, or subjects about to be agitated in either House of Parliament, should be for ever banished from discussion by the society, to which the mem bers immediately acceded.—Cambridge Advertiser. BROOMSTICKISM AT A DISCOUNT.—The " independent" meeting-house at Market Harborough was duly licensed for the " solemnisation of marriages" very soon after the passing of the whig-radical concubinage act ; yet, strange to say, that although many of the congregation have entered into the holy bands of matrimony since that period, in every case the parties have all had the , good sense to be married at that place which does away with all doubt as to the legality of the union —viz., our good old parish church ; at once re jecting the "in es ti ma bl e benefit" gratuitously bestowed upon them by the whigs, and showing how highly they appreciate that " boon" obtained from a weak and vaecillating govern ment through the means of the political dissenters of Great Britain. A monthly meeting of the Committee of the Church Pas toral-Aid Society was held on the 2d of April, when seven additional grants were voted. The society now aids 2G5 in cumbents, having an aggregate population of 1,982,353 souls, or each on an average 7,480 souls, while the average amount of their incomes is only .1163. 128 of these incumbents are without parsonage-houses. Previous to the aid of the society only 300 clergymen were engaged in the pastoral care of the above-stated population. The grants are to provide stipends for 279 clergymen, and 38 lay assistants, at a charge to the society, when all the appointments shall be made by the in cumbents, of £24,724 per annum. 188 clergymen and 32 lay assistants are now at their important labours, supported by the society at a charge of £16,594 per annum. • - HINT TO TILTERS. — During the progress to perfection of mail armour, it is interesting to observe the different forms assumed by the head armour in the successive attempts that were made to improve it, for the helmet, even to the last, afforded but little protection to the countenance, and from this inefficiency arose the circumstance which, in a great measure, put an end to tournaments. This was the death of Henry 11. of France, who, on the occasion of a tournament got up in celebration of the marriage of his daughter with the son of the king of Spain, insisted upon breaking a lance with the Comte de Montgomeri, one of the most skilful titters of his time. Montgomeri's lance broke against the king's helmet, but a splinter entered between the bars of the vizer, which penetrated the eye, and pierced hint to the brain. —Polytechnic Journal for April. Article, " Martial Cos tumes of the Ages of Chivalry." One thing we are told, which is curious. Certain ladies of good repute and high rank thought proper to call on the new Duchess at Kensington Palace, and congratulate her Grace upon her elevation ; but on presenting their visiting tickets, they were told by the Royal servants that her Grace (some say the words were her Royal Highness) would not receive cards, but that their ladyships might write their names down in her Grace's (or - Royal Highness's) book. The oddest part of the story is, that the noble ladies in question did as they were commanded.—John Bull. MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—The marriage between the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, President of the Board of Trade, and his cousin, Miss Fanny Baring, was solemnised by special license in the drawing-room of Mr. Thomas Bar ing's mansion, in Devonshire-place, on Friday morning, in the presence of Lord and Lady Ashburton, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Hon. Major and Lady Aug. Baring, Mr. John Labouchere, and othcr relatives of the parties. The bride and bridegroom, after the ceremony, set off in a travelling chariot and four, for the delightful villa of the Right Hon. Ponlett Thomson, at Roehampton, where they will pass the honeymoon. It is currently reported in certain circles, likely to be well informed on the subject, that Lord Arbinger will shortly retire from the judicial bench, and that his place will he occu pied by Lord Brougham. Does not this arrangement in favour of the last named learned lord in some degree account for his long absence from the arena where his gladiatocial skill was exhibited so much to the annoyance of ministers !--- Morning Paper. There is no truth in this report. Minis ters have been trying indirectly to induce Lord Arbinger to retire, with a view, it is thought, not of serving Lord Brougham, but of elevating " plain John" of Edinburgh to the bench. But Lord Arbinger is, of course, too wise to take the hint.—Times. PORT DYNLLAEN RAILWAY.—The government commis ' sioners, Sir F. Smith. K.C.B. and Professor Barlow, ap pointed to report on the best line of railway between London and Dublin, have completed their survey from the seaboard terminus to Worcester, having been accompanied from Dynllaen to Newtown by Mr. Newman, and from thence to Worcester by Mr. Varden. The commissioners arrived in this city on Thursday, and, having surveyed particular poi n t s on the line in this neighbourhood, have set off to complete their inspection of the remaining portion—from hence to Didcot. Mr. Brunel, chief engineer,-and Mr. Hennett, sur veyor to the Great Western Railway, accompany the corn missioners along thisportion of the line. Thus there is e very id prospect although, of as a a co nn i sstitoenr of e rs speedily giving in their rep or t ; at course, nothing has yet tran spired, in reference to their opinion of the line, we are glad to be able to say, that neither has the existence of any insur mountable obstacle come to light, or any thing else occurred to alter the belief of its promoters, that the imperial line is the best that can be found between London and Dublin. Worcester Herald. Work papers, r A s, r t hi SWINDLING ADVERTISERS. — An advertisement has ap r_,eAarnedoninpasroamlleeled of the o rpkaannouncingehnatlaie annexedpubli to publication of it the name of C. Webster, 17, Angel-street, St. Martin-le grand. On inquiry at No. 17, Angel-street, it is found that the house is occupied by a tailor, who knows nothing of the advertiser, except that he requested letters might be taken in for him. This is become a common system of defrauding the credulous ; the plan to get remittances for some pretended book or map which is to be sent to the address of the party re mitting.—Stamford Mercury. TRAVELLING AT FIFTY-SIX MILES AN HOUR. — The 10- feet wheels attached to the locomotive engines employed on the Great Western Railway, not being found fully to answer the expectations of the directors, they have altered their plan. and in future wheels of 7 feet diameter only are to be em ployed. The result has been the attainment of the speed of 56 miles an hour. On Saturday, the 28th ult., the Fire Fly, a new engine on this principle, manufactured by Messrs. Jones and Company, of the Viaduct Foundry, at Newton ' made an experimental trip from Paddington to R ea di ng, an d the following is a correct statement of her performance : She left the station at Paddington at 13 minutes and 18 se conds past 11 a.m., and reached Reading at 59 minutes and 43 seconds past 11, having past the first mile post at 11 hours, 15 minutes, and 57 seconds, and the 35th at 11 hours, 58 mi nutes, and 41 seconds, which is equivalent to 1 mile in 1 mi nute and 151 seconds, or nearly 48 miles an hour. During the journey one of the tender springs broke, and caused some addi tional friction on the axles. The load was 2 carriages and 1 truck. At 3 hours, 19 minutes, and 9 seconds the party started on their return to London, with two carriages. They stopped to take in water at Twyford, which detained them 14 minutes and 44 seconds, and finally arrived at Paddington at 21 mi nutes mid 3 seconds past 4 o'clock. The 29th mile post from London was passed at 3 hours, 44 minutes and 50 seconds, and the second at 5 hours. 16 minutes, and 51 seconds. which is equal to the speed of 1 mile in one minute and II seconds, or an average of 501 per hour. The greatest speed attained was from the 26 to the 24th mile post, which was done at the rate of 56 miles an hour. This is tho greatest speed at present attained in the history of locomotive power —what will ultimately be the greatest, it is impossible . t o foretell. Messrs. Jones and Co, have since forwarded a second engine from their works to London, and they have four others in process of erection for the use of the Greet Western Railway Company.--Manchester Courier.