The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-21 00:00:00

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The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said that he should defer his motion relating to the treaty of Bergara for a week, in consequence of the absence through illness of the Duke of Wellington. The noble marquis expressed a hope that his grace's health would be by that time restored. The Bishop of EXETER asked Lord Melbourne whether in July last he received a letter from the Rev. And. Irvine, of St. Margaret's, Leicester, stating that socialism was on the increase in Leicester, and expressing a hope that the noble viscount would take the subject into his serious considera tion. He should like to know from the noble viscount whe ther he had received the letter ? Lord MELBOURNE—I did receive the letter. The Bishop of EXETER—Did the noble viscount take any steps in consequence of that letter ? Lord MELBOURNE—No. The Bishop of EXETER—Did the noble viscount consider that any steps were or were not necessary to be taken ? Viscount MELBOURNE rejoined—Now you see this will lead to an argument on the whole subject, into which I am very unwilling to enter ; but c ertainly, in my opinion, it was not necessary to answer it. Indeed, I very much question the prudence of the course which this house has adopted with respect to that question. The Earl of ABERDEEN observed that the Marquis of Normanby had rebuked a clergyman for not sending him information, instead of favouring others with it. Lord MULBOURNI: declared that he was much obliged to the gentleman for his c ommunication, but he had not an swered it becaus , : . , he was desirous of avoiding a controversy upon it ; but he was afraid the right rev. prelate would frus trate his object. The Bishop Of EXETER afterwards presented a petition from Mile-end for the adoption of measures to put down " socialism." Lord SrmAsoFORD gave notice that on Thursday he would submit a motion regarding inland warehousing. His lord ship also directed attention to the wretched state of British com merce on the coast of Africa; and to the fact of there being 250 cargoes of British goods now rotting at Buenos Ayres, in consequence of the unjust blockade by the French. Lord DENMAN brought in a bill restricting, in cases of libel and trespass, where the verdict did 'not exceed •10s. , that the costs recoverable should not exceed such amount. It was read the first time. Their lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. Several petitions were presented by Mr.. Williams, Mr. Benjamin Wood, Mr. Mark Phillips, and Mr. Hume, from various places, for the abolition of church -rates, and the dis charge of John Thorogood. Mr. VILLIERS, in deference to the wishes of many who were interested in the question of the corn-trade, would not bring it on before the 20th March. He would give the usual notice for some early day after the 20th March. PRIVILEGE. LORD JOHN RUSSELL presented another petition from Messrs. Hansard, announcing that a fifth action had been brought against them in the court of Queen's Bench, by John Joseph Stockdale ; and that they had been served with a writ of summons for Thursday, the 20th February instant. Sir E. SUGDEN asked if it were true that Mr. Howard, the attorney for Stockdale, had brought an action against the son of the sergeant at arms ? His LORDSHIP answered that he had received no official information on the subject. He then proceeded to state that, in order to prevent judgment being signed against Messrs. Hansard, it became necessary for the house to say what course they would think proper to take, in order to maintain that privilege of publication which they had already so frequently supported. It appeared to him that the most proper course to follow in the present ease was to resolve that the action was a contempt of the house, and a breach of its privileges ; and that any person who should act in pursuance of the said action, would incur the displeasure of the house. He proposed to move that resolution with judicial reference to the officers who would have to act, in prosecution of the judgment in the case, namely, the sheriffs of London and Middlesex, the under-sheriffs,- officers, bailiffs, clerks, and others. He would first move that those parties would be guilty of a breach of the privileges of the house by aiding in the real action, and then, that care be taken to inform the sheriffs, under-sheriffs, and others, of the resolution. His lordship concluded with moving—" That John Joseph Stock dale, by commencing this action, in which service notice had been given to the defendant to attend a writ of inquiry on the 20th February, such action being brought for acts done by a servant of that house, pursuant to the orders and resolutions of that house, made in the exercise of the privileges of par liament, had been guilty of a contempt of that house, and of a breach of its privileges ; and that the sheriffs, under-she riffs, and others who should aid in the prosecution of the said action, would be guilty of a contempt of the house, and of a violation of its privileges, and subject themselves to the severe censure and displeasure of the house." If that reso lution w re carried, he would then move that a copy of the said resolution be served by the sergeant-at-arms on the sheriffs, and that copies of the same be served on the under sheriffs, bailiffs , clerks, and others. • The first resolution having been put, Sir EDWARD SUGDEN called on the house to pause before they agreed to this reso lution. Action upon action would follow, and they would still be, at last, obliged to have a legislative measure, and so to address themselves to something beyond the powers they at present possessed. He opposed the motion. 'ir CHARLES GREY expressed himself at a loss to under stand the course pursued by the members of the legal pro fession on the other side. With the highest legal authority on the other side in favour of the privilege of publication, he would ask them what they would do to put a stop to the • actions continually brought against the servants of the house, Ent decisions of the court being against them ? He would put tais question to the members of the legal profession in that house who acknowledged that they possessed that pri vilege of publication, but who would have the house stop i:nort in its proceedings, and allow an appearance to be en tered to those actions--what would you do if the decision of &stab the exchequer chamber and the House of Lords was against you ? bid they know whether the members of the hotise would support that honse in the vindication of :nib privilege; and would they then lend them aid in resist niv the decision of the lower courts ? If the house was not aware of this, was it possible to do less than to adhere to the steps that this nouse had taken, if they did not intend to abandon their privileges, and suffer the decision of the tribunals to govern their proceedings? On division, the resolution was carried by a majority of 116 to 75. On the next res lotion being put, that copies of the former be communicated :o the sheriffs, under-sheriffs of Middlesex, the clerks, officer:, bailiffs, and other parties taking part in theca proceedings, SIR EDWARD SUGDEN asked whether it was intended, under " other parties," to include the jury. Lord JOHN RUSSELL answered in the negative. Lord Howicxwished to remark that, although be entirely approved of the course hitherto pursued, the house should not stop here. He thought Stockdale and Howard should - be punished with increased severity. Mr. E. KNATCHBULL wished to know what the noble lord meant. His lord s hip answere d—placed in close custody, and not allowed to see their friends except under restriction. Mr. LAW inveighed strongly against the suggestion. M r. O'CO NNELL o b serve d, w ith re f er ence to the sugges tion__of the noble lo r d, that it was o bvious that he did not at all wish they should proceed vindictively against those persons, but that they should adopt such restrictions as would render it more difficult for them to continue to violate the privileges of the house. Sir EDWARD SUGDEN congratulated, ironically, the noble lord o n his suggestion, and observed, there had been instances of the tyrannic and it wa s a exerciser of power by parliament before now ; inatte of history, that in the reign of Charles I. a house of comn ns was f o u n d w hi c h or dered the torture to be administered in support of its privileges. Mr. I NGiiAm prison,contended, that when a party was sent to he was notdealt with according to the good pleasure of the house, but according t to the' ru l es f or th e government of gaols, an d d own Lord J o U N RL •ssy the law o f th e l an d. et I. vindicated the course pursued by the majority of the house, and observed, th a t an a tt em pt had been made to att ac h a meaning which they would not beitr, eanil to his noble friend's words s lordship proceeded to argue, from the judgement deliveredllif Saturday, by L or d D enman , " that the publication would a l held in all the courts to be protected, if the report was fairly given as a report of a political proceeding with which iit was importance that all men should be acquainted," that his of lrdship had admitted all that the majority of the house co" What that majority complained of in the cours e of for. t i, ese proceed ingsg that the s was, that the court of law took it for granted a i series of libels ranted house of commons was engaged in publishin g for the sake of selling — (hear , hea r ,)— the house having, at the time , n o interest bu t to make . o p f u r a im t o h n a s t which was for the public i nterest to know--(hear, hear)-- showing no private enmity against any individual; havinc, no wish to make gain or profit by the publication ; an d , ' under o these circumstances it was that the majority of that house held that a court of law was not entitled to look upon such' publications as other than privileged publications. (Hear.) Suppose that the House of Cominons were to assert that a judge had no right, in a court of law, to make any statement reflecting on the character of - an individual; but it was not to be permitted that in a public court, full of spectators, any thing which could be termed a slander should issue from a judge on the bench—(hear), --such an assertion as this would be equAly unfair and absurd. It was well known that the judg e s, c h ear i n a ft er “mg what had been. adcl4 0 before them, repeatedly, in their charges made stafenfents.rdectiag on the characte r of indi v id ua l s ; b u t thi s was done in the course of their judicial duty, and from no private desire to in j ure the individ ua l, or to indulge private malignity. If then, the judges were admittedihl'Y the .House of Commons to a right in what they did i united common s o f the some respect ought to be paid by the judges to that t & I court which was instituted by the taken it for grant e d, lieved, that it could be theeYol" they ; and the ou ght not to have ought not w y antonly to have be to publish private libels upon of the House of Commons p The resolution was then puotnanr individual. (Cheers.) reed to. Mr. James Hansard was afterw'arad4s examined, with a view to obtain the names of the parties by whom the writ was served ; alter which the ATTORNEY GENERAL moved that Mr ; Pierce a n d M r . Howard, jun. the clerk, and the son of 1% i tiered to attend at the bar to-morrow. . lloward , be or- Some discussion took place on the subject, and the 'notion was ultimately agreed to.—Adjourned. HOUSE OF LORDS.—TUESDAY. The Peers assembled this day chiefly for th e p urpose of arranging the procession for carrying the congratulatory ad dress to the Queen on her marriage. Previous to their quitting the House, Lord Crofton took his seat as a repre sentative peer for Ireland ; and the Transfer in Aids Bill and Prison Acts Amendment Bill each passed through a stage, and were ordered to be read a third time on Thursday, to which day the House adjourned. 110 USE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY. The Commons met shortly before two o'clock, and also proceeded to present a congratulatory address on her Ma jesty's marriage. The SPEMCER (the house having resumed at five o'clock) stated that her .7 , 4035ty h id been graciously pleased to return the following answer : " I thank you for this dutiful and affectionate address. It is with great satisfaction that I find an event in which my feelings are so deeply interested has been attended with so many manifestations of loyalty on the part of my people, and has called forth such sentiments of loyal attachment from my Parliament." . -- - Lord ASHLEY gave notice that, on the 3d of March, he should move the a ppo int ment of select o all pen s ions quire into the act regarding factories. committee to In quire Sir R. POrL raoi'ed for returns setting February, frth on the civil list gran t e d since 18th da y of the present time ; specifying t h e na me of the party to who m amount of 1834, to in each case a pension h as been granted, and the the pension granted ; an d the total amount of p e nsion grant ed in each year ending the 20th da y of June, 183& 1836, 1837, 1838, and 1839. Lord J. RUSSELL proposed as an amendment also like re -111 January 1; 1628, The returns, as mended, were ordered. -,, • Sir R. PEEL then moved for accounts of the number of marines now employed on shore or. Afloat on the coast of Spain, in any service connected with the execution of the quadruple treaty ; also of the total value of the, stores of all descriptions advanced to Spain under the provisions of the quadruple treaty ; and of the sum (if any) received frpm Spain on account of such advances, and of the arrangement made with Spain in respect to the ultimate repayment of such advances. The returns were ordered. The Earl of LINCOLN presented the answers of his Royal Highness Prince Albert and the Duchess of Kent, expressive of thanks for the messages voted. Mr. PENDAILVES presented a report connected with the trial of contested elections, fixing March 12 for the hearing of the Ludlow and Ipswich petitions ; and March 16 for for those reg,urding Totness'and Cambridge. Sir J. GILAHAM, referring to the state of our relations with China, observed that parliament had now been assembled for a month, and no information had yet been laid before the house, from which they might collect what was the real situa tion of affairs at Canton ; and the question which he had now to ask the noble lord was, whether he was prepared to say when he would lay on the table papers relating to affairs that were so interesting to this country? Lord PALMERSTON trusted that they would be ready early next week ; but they would not be ready before that time. Sir J. GRAHAM then, referring to our relations with Per sia, asked whether the Sovereign of Herat, Kamram Schah, had seceded from our alliance, and whether he was not in in timate connexion with the court of Teheran ? Lord PALMERSTON answered, that - heicaa not himself re ceived any information respecting the close connexion said to be established between Kamram Schah and the court of Per sia, but some late accounts seemed to show that some con nexion existed. These accounts, however, rested only on report. ___ Sir E. WILMOT begged the noble lord the Secretary of State for the Colonies to postpone the committee on the Colonial Passengers Bill till a later period than the day now fixed, Friday week, in order to give those gentlemen who took an interest in the subject time to consider the clauses which he proposed to introduce for regulating the emigration of Hill Coolies to the Mauritius. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, that if the clauses were not ready in time for members to have an opportunity of consi dering them, he would not bring on the discussion on the day for which it now stood. _ _ _ In answer to a question from Sir J. Graham, Lord J. RUSSELL said, that any information which could be given respecting the emigration of Hill Coolies, and the conition of those who had emigrated, would be given with the papers which his noble friend at the head of the Govern ment had promised in the House of Lords to lay before Parliament. Mr. LABOUCHERE, in answer to Mr. Luke White, said that he admitted the importance of some measure on the sub ject of " pihitage," but that after the failure of Mr. P. Thom son's efforts on that subject, he thought it would be a need— less waste of time of the house to bring forward, at present, any bill on the subject. On the motion of Lord J. RUSSELL, the question of " pri vilege" was then once more resumed. Thomas Howard (the son of Howard, Stockdale's attorney) was examined at the bar. The youth, very unceremoniously answered questions put to him, by declaring that he had served the writ for a further action (the fifth 3 on Messrs. Hansard; that he had done so " forming a tolerably near guess" at the nature of it; and that he was aware of his father's commitment, but that what he bad done was in obedience to his father's orders. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thereupon moved that such conduct was " a breach of privilege." Carried by 137 ayes, 37 noes; majority 100. The next question, that he be committed to the custody of the ser geant-at-arms, was also carried by 134 ayes, 41 noes ; ma jority 93. Pearce, the clerk, was next examined, and having admitted that he had served notices and writs in this matter, it was moved that he had been guilty of " breach of privilege." The house divided. The question was carried by 135 ayes, 53 noes ; majority 82, that there had been breach of privilege. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL then moved that Pearce be committed to the custody of the sergeant-at-arms. That was carried by 134 ayes, 54 noes ; majority 80, in favour of the motion for commitment. _ A petition was presented by Mr. France, the under-sheriff, praying for the protection of the house as far as he might be iffeCted by the actions now proceeding against Messrs Hansard. Mr. Fox MAVLE then moved for, and, after some con versation, obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the Constabulary Act of last session. Some returns relative to towns and boroughs which have petitioned to be incorporated were then ordered on the motion of Mr. Ingham ; on whose motion also a select committee was granted on the 4th and sth William IV., cap. 52 (the Merchant Seamen's Fund Act,) to consider the state of the funds, and how they cou d be most effectually main tained and administered for the benefit of the seamen. Mr. LEADER postponed till Monday his motion respecting the case of Frost, Williams, and Jones, with an understand ing, as it appears, that the prisoners should remain at Ports mouth till the question is disposed of. On the motion of Sir J. HOBHOUSE, the order of the house containing a vote of thanks to Major General Sir Willoughby Cotton, &c., was discharged, and a new order to the same effect made, including, besides the name of Sir W. Cotton, that of Major-General Willshire and other officers in command in the late operations in India. The house adjourned at a quarter past twelve. HOUSE OF LORDS.—WEDNESDAY. The House of Lords did not meet this day. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-WEDNESDAY. After the presentation of many petitions for church exten sion, for an address praying for the free pardon of Frost, &c. Mr. LIDDELL gave notice that on the 27th inst. he would bring forward a motion on the subject of the pension granted to. Sir J. Newport. Mr. PABINGTON moved the seonnd reading of the bill to alter and amend the laws relating to the Bare of beer. Mr. WARBURTON took an objection to the form of pro• ceeding, quoting the standing order, dated' April 9, 1;72, which provides that no bill relating to or concerning " trade," shall be introduced, except its introduction be previously sanctioned by the resolution of a committee of the whole house ; and he moved, as an amendment, that the bill in consequence be withdrawn. The SPEAKER held that the bill came within the meaning of such standing order; whereupon it was withdrawn for the purpose of being initiated by resolution of a committee of the whole house. _ _ .• Mr. Sergeant TA.LFOURD moved the second reading of his " Copyright" Bill. • Mr. WARBURTON took the like objection to this bill, but its applicability not being admitted by the Speaker, the hon. member then proposed as an amendment that the bill be read a second time that day six months. The house eventually divided. The numbers were—ayes -59, noes 29—majority 30. The house shortly afterwards adjourned. COURT CIRCULAR.-TUESDAY. Lord John Russell had an audience, yesterday, of the Queen, at Buckingham Palace, to receive her Majesty's com mands relative to the reception of the congratulatory address from the House of Commons on the auspicious occasion of her Majesty's marriage. Viscount Melbourne had an audience of her Majesty, yes terday. Prince Ernest of Saxe Coburg, attended by Lord Alfred Paget, left town, yesterday morning, in order to be present at the turn out of her Majesty's buck hounds. His Serene Highness, attended by Lord Alfred, returned to Buckingham Palace shortly before seven o'clock last evening. The royal dinner party at the palace, last evening, included the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne, the Marquis of Anglesey, Lady Adelaide Paget, and the Right Hon. G. S. Byng. The Coldstream band attended at Buckingham Palace during the evening. The Duke of Cambridge visited the Princess Augusta, yes terday, at Craven House, St. James's. The Duke of Cambridge had an interview with the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-street. The Commander of the Forces and Lord Arundel had in terviews with Viscount Melbourne, yesterday, in Downing street. - - Lord Fitzroy SOmerset and Sir Charles Douglas had in terviews with the Marquis of Normanby, yesterday, at the Home-office. The Brazilian Charge d'Affaires transacted business, yes terday, at the Foreign-office. COURT CIRCULAR.-NVEDNESDAY. The Queen will hold a Privy Council to-morrow afternoon at Buckingham Palace. We have authority to state that the report of his Royal Highness Prince Albert having composed the music of an opera to be brought out at Drury-lane Theatre is not cor rect. The Queen held a court yesterday afternoon at Bucking ham Palace, for the reception of the congratulatory addresses from the houses of Parliament on the auspicious occasion of her Majesty' marriage. Both addresses were very numerously attended by members of either house ; that from the House of Lords was presented by upwards of sixty peers. Their lordships arrived in pro cession at at the palace shortly after two o'clock, and all appear- His came in in uniforms or court dresses. The Lord Chancellor came in state. bearer,m his state coach, attended by his secretary and purse dpreceded by a sergeant at arms bearing the mace. as colonel o h f i t i Lordship wore his state robes. The Duke of Cambridge the RcooyiadlsHtriegahr:eßessgwimasenhtaboitfeFdoiont Guards,his uni formand wore ' the ruitaeneiasnd star of the most noble order of the uniform, with Garter ; the D the Bath, the stars came in state, and wore a mili tarythe Thistle, and stars of the orders of the Garter, wills the ribaact- of _the order of the The peers Garter. s Isere conducted on their arrival up the grand . ° 1 o fn t d steward; ors assembled, were conducted to and as soon as all were staircase to the green draw . gentlemen the presence of the Queen in n o u m ra b bl y e t e l o ie rps of gentlemen ent inen at arms, ushers in waiting, her, Majesty's e h - o r n o command ed by their Lieutenant the Hon. Edward Butler, lining the Highness Prince Albert was on the left of the Duchess of Sutherland, mistress of the Q sides ullei sno Queen,. a t o l ny i the da Royal room. th e e lord the robes, and the Duchess of Bedford, lady in waiting, Uxbridge, a o je f sti r . rol The K. Earl i, cohnamthbeerrliagihnt; otfheher EarlM Earl of Albemarle, G. C. H. master of the i First Lord of the T reasury, the Lord President, the ; the Lord 'Privy Seal , the three Principal Secretaries of State for the Horne, Foreign, and Colonial Departments, the Chief Com missioner of the Woods and Forests, and the principal officers of the household stood on either side of the throne. The peers advanced near the throne, when the Lord Chancellor read the Address of Congratulation, to which her Majesty was pleased to return a most gracious answer. The members of the House of Commons arrived at twenty . minutes past two o'clock at the palace, the Speaker in his state coach, and wearing his state official robes, and attended by his chaplain and other officers. The right hon. gentle man and the numerous body of members by whom he was ac companied were ushered into the library in the lower suite of rooms. On the retirement the royal presence, the of the peers from .._ members of the House of Com • MOM were immediately introduced with presence of the similar ceremony to the Queen on the throne. The Speaker read the on the auspicious the congratulatory the Queen address to Her Majesty of her Majesty's marriage. Her Majesty returned a and the deputation then nost gracious answer to the address, His Royal Highness pr r.etired. at Buckin.ham ce Albert received yesterday after noon,matique, who were Palace, severall the whole of the corps diplo by Viscount Pahnerston, G. yeliffsented to his royal highness cretary of state for foreign ado% the Queen's principal se- Robert Chester, master of the cerem onies. , and conducted by Sir The message of congratulation to Prin ce House of Lords, on the occasion of Owe Albert from the Majesty, was also presented to his ro s ya i r rn highness with her peers deputed by the house—viz., the Mar uis gpness by the li.G._,_lord president of the council, the arqui s li °Lansdowne, K.G., G.C.8., and the Earl of Ripon. of Angle sey,His royal highness was attended by General Sir Geor g e Anson, G.C.8., Capta in Se y mour, and Mr. G eorge Ed ward Anson, the gentlemen of his household. . The message from the House of Lords to her Royal High ness the Duchess of Kent, , congratulating her royal highness on the auspicious occasion of her Majesty's marriage, was presented, yesterday afternoon, at Buckingham Palace, by the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Marquis of Anglesey, and the Earl of Ripon. The Duchess of Kent also received the message of congra tulation from the House of Commons, on the same auspi cious event. The message was presented to the royal duchess by the following members deputed by the house : the Earl of Lincoln, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart., Sir Matthew Wood, Bart., Mr. Campbell, of Islay, and Mr. Villiers Stuart. WINDSOR.—MONDAY EVENING. (From the Correspondent of the Morning Herald.) The question of " precedence" with reference to Prince Albert, and the whole of the male branches of the royal family (which one would have supposed had been set at rest by the withdrawal by the Premier of a certain clause from the Prince's Naturalization Bill) is still a matter of extreme difficulty to be arranged by the Court and the Cabinet. Lord John Russell, when he stated, in reply to the question from Mr. W. Duncombe (in the House of Commons on Friday evening), if it were intended to insert the name of Prince Albert in the Liturgy, that " he had no intimation to give the honourable member on the subject," evidently shirked the question •, because I happen to know that more than one discussion has taken place at the castle, during the past week, as to whether the name of his royal highness should be inserted in the Liturgy before or after that of the Queen Dowager. However, as it is expected that the Arch bishop of Canterbury will cause the necessary instructions on the subject to be sent to the clergy throughout the king dom before Sunday next, the public will soon perceive how this point has been decided. But there is another matter, in connection with the sub ject of the prince's precedency, which (taking into considera tion the withdrawal of the clause to which I have alluded) is a source of very considerable embarrassment and anxiety to the court and her Majesty's advisers. I allude to the posi tion which the banner of the prince, as knight of the Garter. is destined to occupy in Saint George's Chapel—whether her Majesty as the Sovereign of the order, will command Sir William Woods, Garter Principal King of Arms, to displace the King of Hanover, and seat his royal highness in the stall now occupied by his Majesty; or whether the prince will have a stall appropriated to him next, in point of prece dency, to the last elected foreign prince, which chances to be the reigning Duke of Saxe Gotha, his royal highness's father. Should her Majesty decide upon the former course, it would cause the removal lower down (in the scale of rank of the royal family of England) of the King of Hanover and the Duke of Cambridge, whose stalls are now on the left of the Sovereign's, and on the right of the Duke of Sussex. Should the Duke of Sussex, however, be disposed to give way with out a murmur, (which is not at all improbable,) then the King of Prussia (who was elected twenty-six years ago) will be elbowed out of his stall, and thus, under any circum stances, (unless his royal highness takes his seat amongst the foreign princes of the order, according to seniority of elec tion) Sir William Woods will have his work cut out to ar range—or rather disarrange—the banners and bearings of many of the royal and illustrious knights of this most noble order. The Garter King of Arms is expected here on Thursday next, to affix in St. George's Chapel the banner of the reign ing Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, who was elected, in vested, and installed by dispensation, in July, IS3B, but whose fees have not yet been paid. It was announced that Prince Albert would hunt with her Majesty's stag hounds this morning, and that his royal high ness would be present at the meet, at Salt-hill, at eleven o'clock. About twelve o'clock, however, one of the royal carriages and four drove up to the Windmill Hotel, at Salt Hill, from which alighted Prince Ernest of Saxe Coburg, Lord Alfred Paget, and (as I am informed) Baron Alven slebon ; but Prince Albert was not of the party. The field, which was far more numerous than has ever been witnessed upon any former occasion, consisted of upwards of 200 horse men, and was composed of the principal gentry and inhabi tants of the neighbourhood. The Prince, &c., after par taking of a slight repast at Mr. Botham's. and offing their travelling for their hunting habiliments, proceeded with the hounds to a field near the residence of Colonel Vyse, at Stoke, when a fine deer was uncarted. The stag then pro ceeded along Stoke-lane to Stoke-green, back again to the lane ; then through to Langley, and from thence to Slough, when it was taken near the Dolphin. The Prince, who rode well, was in at the take. The run was about 20 miles over a most heavy country ; giving the horses a regular sweater for the time it lasted. There was a deal of what is termed back running ; the deer, at no one time, being more than three miles from the place at which it was uncarted. CHEAP MANAGEMENT OF THE POOR. (From the John Bull.) Office of the Poor-Commissioners, Feb. 12, 1840. Sir,—The commissioners desire me to acquaint you, that they have read with the most intense interest and lively satis faction the extracts contained in John Bull of last Sunday, from a work, entitled " The Camp of Runjeet Sing," by which, it appears, that an individual in the East Indies has discovered a process by which he can remain underground, without food or clothing, for several months. The process, so far as the commissioners can discover from the account, appears to be simply the closing of all the orifices of the body (excepting the mouth) with an elastic, but air-proof substance, and then forcing the tongue back so as to enter the " gullet." My principal object, however, is to inquire if you can furnish the commissioners with the address of the author of the work, as they would wish to obtain some further information from him before sending out (as they intend doing) some commissioners to inquire and report on the whole matter. The points on which information is required are as follows: — First—The expense of the process as compared with the cost per diem of supporting an adult (3d 34-5000th.) Second—The maximum of time which a body may be safely interred without very extensive mortality. Third—Whether there is the remotest danger of the body sprouting, and thus increasing the number of paupers. Fourth—Whether, when the necessary resuscitation takes place, the individual is found to consume an unusual quan tity of food.. Fifth—The minimum of tithe which must elapse before he can be again inhumed, Sixth-1N Nether crops of corn can be grown over the place of burial, and whether the presence of the body is found to produce additional fertility in the soil. Lastl)—Whether certain disgusting details of the process, alluded to but not described, are sufficiently disgusting to increase the present dislike of the lower classes to become chargeable to the parish. Any information on these several points will be thankfully received, addressed " to the Pour Law Commissioners, London" (pre-paid.) I may mention in conclusion, although not desired to do officially, that the commissioners were particularly delighted at part of the process which consists in forcing the tongue down the gullet, and they consider that the very cream of the operation, tending as it must do to silence those absurd and ceaseless murmurs of the paupers of Engiand. It was also hinted that it would be a capital thing could the tongues of Messrs. Oastler, Walter ant Co., be subjected to a similar process.—l am, sir, your most obedient servant, EDWIN CHICKWEED, SeC. P.S.—Since writing the foregoing, a gentleman from the country has called here, and on sounding him on the matter, he declares " that the people of England will never submit to have their tongues forced down their throats," A further inquiry will, therefore, have to made as to whether the operation can be successfully performed " nolens volens." ENGLAND AND THE CONTINENT. (From a letter to the Queen,..by " Papa Nicholas" in the Morning Herald.) - Whilst your Majesty is engaged in the arrangements and consequences of the step which you have just taken, shall I tell you what Europe is occupied about, what Europe is calculating upon ? Yes, ,I will. Europe is occupied with the decadence of Great Britain, with her fallen glory, with her bastard policy, and with her childish voice, that once roared thunder in the ears of all, but which now whistles in her sounds. Europe is comparing navies ! counting ships ! corresponding with O'Connell ! negotiating with him as to the probabilities of the result of landing on the shores of Ire land! calculating what would be the result of French, Spanish, and American squadrons, with Russia neuter, if directed to the coasts of England ! Discussing the difference which the introduction of steam boats and steam vessels must produce in the materiel, the physical difficulties of a landing on the strands of the country over which you govern. " How many steam boats would he necessary," asks a French libe ral print, " to enable France to effect a landing of 50,000 troops and the materiel on the Irish coast ; and in how many hours could it be effected ?" Does your Majesty think that such questions, such discussions, were put and mooted some twenty-five years ago, when Great Britain held out the olive branch to Europe, and conferred on her peace and liberty ? Does your Majesty think that such questions were abated when your royal father, yet later in life, occupied himself with the establishment of Lancasterian schools, and said, in one of his addresses, " This is the country of which we may be proud, which, after having secured peace to the world, and established her empire on the seas, now devotes herself to the moral and religious instruction of her own rising gene ration ?" Does your Majesty think that such questions were debated even when your late royal uncle and predecessor, William IV., wrote to Codrington his famous Navarino bulletin of "Go it, Ned?" You need not that I should answer these questions. You know quite enough of the modern history of Europe to be well aware, that not till within the last five years has this continent ever seriously thought of waging a real and permanent warfare against the British Navy. When Europe saw the flagitious and un principled economy of Joseph Hume adopted by the Ad miralty or by the government ; when Europe saw the wooden walls of old England discarded or neglected by the heads of the administration ; when Europe saw the vessels were broken up, the naval service neglected, and the old and brave officers of whom England was proud, wholly unnoticed by the mi nisters of the crown ; when Europe saw all the protests of the navy disregarded, all the petitions of the people treated with contempt, and all the efforts of the conservatives to fix the attention of the government to this subject actually fail; when Europe saw, that in proportion as other governments and other naval powers made immense efforts to strengthen and increase their fleets, that the British navy fell lower and lower in the scale ; then it was that Europe began those efforts which have ever since been continued, and which must end, unless a total change of system be adopted, in the overthrow of British naval pre-eminence. A STORM IN ORKNEY.—A gentleman resident in the island of Sunday writes us as follows :—" For the last three months we have had long-continued storms, almost without intermission. An Orkney storm is a striking object. If the tourist has the fortune to be in Orkney during such a visita tion, he will cease to regret the absence of some of the softer and more common beauties of landscape, in contemplation of the most sublime spectacle which he ever witnessed. by repairing at such a time to the weather shore, particularly if it be the west side, he will behold waves of the magnitude and force of which he could not have previously formed any adequate conception,' tumbling across the Atlantic like mon sters of the deep—their heads erect—their manes streaming in the wind, roaring and foaming as with rage, till each dis charges such a Niagara flood against the opposing precipices, as makes the rocks tremble to their foundations, while the sheets of water that i mme di a t e l y ascen d h un d re d s o f f ee t above their summits, deluge the surrounding country, and fall like showers on the opposite side of the islands.—lnver ness Paper. "A INIARTYR FOR FIVE SHILLINGS I—Step P ladies gemmen—step up, e re hi s to b e seen, hall haulive halive, caged d imprisoned f or h upwards of 12 months, a sufferer in hall aa kinds nn c tyranny churchvictim merseenary of the tyrannical 'al v ki i i f t e , r l o a u d s ies cry an o d f gemmen, and honly se e !" Such w . as the \ vociferous w Mr a . k T ie h y r of a a s f D or u e n s c a o id er:b w e, h o il f s F t Finsbury, partner of Mr. Thomas yt t i l l i ae g s t a h s u o t w i t i n t a u n r nteoaMo out !p h nan; although l orogo n o o d th m in a g Les a John marvellous T h orog o o d bad , c o speculationb l er, o n Tu:fsiodrra. John tiring ylbeyi—nFitigendlisuublislitu there can be little doubt that a capital thing of it. He gets his alvtolicleplEapsstone'snot%'orn PAVEMENTS.—Theout therec recently tion of timber for stone,- for the purpose of paving streets, has awakened a stron g interest in the north. The timber merchants and man ufacturers of the counties of Ross and Inverness deprecate the admission into this country of Norway timber at an ad valorem and almost nominal duty, to the detriment of the home trade, as well as that of the revenue and the humbler classes of the people. They have accordingly passed resolutions to this effect. The heritors of Rossshire have concurred with them, and directed the County member (Mr. Mackenzi e, of Applecross) to com municate on the subject with the Treas ur y , besides using his best endeavours to prevent the anticipated injury to the borne trade.--Inverness's Paper. BRITISH GUAYANA-,GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY JAN. 27.—G. B. Greenough, Esq. President, in the chair. The following paper was read : "Report of the third expedition into the interior of Guayana, comprising the journey from Port San Joaquim, on the Rio Branco, to Esmeralda,. on the Orinco, in the years 1838-9, by Mr. Schomburgek." Starting from George Town, Demerara, in September, 1837, Mr. Schom burgck explored the river Essequibo, to one of its sources in in 041 N. lat., and crossed the equator into the parallel of o I 5 S. ; returning thence to Pirara, he crossed the Brazilian frontier, and deicended the Rio Branco to examine the range of the Caruma mountains on its eastern bank ' • on coming back from which h e p asse d the rainy season of 1838 at Fort San fJoaquim, where he experienced every 'assistance from the commandant, Don Pedro Ayres. " tiuitting this fort 20th of September, 1828," says Mr. Schomburgck, "we ascended the rivers Takutu, and Mahu, in a north-easterly direction, about eighty miles to Pirara, a Macusi village on the southern shore of the Lake Amucu, whence, after a stay of a few days, we set out on the Bth of October on our jour ney to the far-famed mountain of Roraima, the wonder of the country. Traversing the savannah to the northward, we crossed the Maim and entered a mountainous country, through which we travelled for about 100 miles in a W.N.W. direction, crossing numerous streams, and the large river Cotinga, in 4 41 N. lat., where it was still ninety yards wide, with a depth of of about seven feet, and flowing to the S.S.E. Nearly twenty miles more to the westward, I measured the highest point of the Mairari mountains, which rose 2,820 feet above the savannah, or about 3,400 feet above the level of the sea. Our course now turned almost 'north, and travelling ninety miles in this direction, and gradually ascending through a very rocky and difficult country, inhabited by the Arecuna Indians, we reached the foot of the range of sandstone moun tains. of which Roraima is the highest, on the 27th of Octo ber, and took up our quarters at the Indian settlement of Arawayam. This remarkable mountain group extends twenty-five miles in a N.W. and S.E. direction, and rises to the height of 5,000 feet above the table land, fi•om which I measured it, or 7,500 feet above the sea—the upper 1,500 feet presenting a mural precipice more striking than I have ever seen elsewhere : down the face of these mountains rush numerous cascades,which eventually form tributaries to the three great rivers of the northern half of South America, namely, the Amazons, the Orinoco, and the Essequibo. Owing to its great height, the mountains were usually co vered with clouds, but for an hour before and after sunrise, on the 3rd of November, I had a glorious view of this mag nificent and picturesque group, which far surpasses any other to be met with in the region of Guayana. Near the foot of those mountains I found among other beautiful plants an Utricularia, a Sarracenia, a Cypripedium, and a Cleistes, with a deep scarlet flower and purple stem. Roraima lies in 5 10 N. lat., 60 48 E. long., a - geographical position of much importance towards clearly understanding the hydrography of this portion of South America. Retracing our steps to the southward, we continued in the same direction twenty miles farther, when we issued from the mountain chain, and crossing the Xurina, continued over the savannah as far as the Maruwa, flowing to the S.E., which we also crossed, and travelled more to the S.W. for about sixty miles. At twelve miles from the spot where we crossed the Maruwa, on the river, are some remarkable boulders of granite, piled up in a heap to the height of two hundred feet, on which are hiero glyphic figures similar to those that I had already found, both on the Essequibo and the Corentin, and which may be traced in an east and west direction for a distance of 600 miles, in this portion of South America. On the 4th of December, we reached the River Parima, flowing from the westward, in 61 45 W. long., and embarking the whole, party in two coo rials, we commenced the toilsome ascent of the stream against a series of rapids, making a progress of only a few miles a day. The river is here more than 300 yards wide. About ten miles to the northward of our point of embarkation, a group of picturesque mountains rise 3,000 feet above the savannah. Thirty miles beyond we reached Purumami, or the great cataract of the Parima, which here narrowed to fifty yards wide, precipitates itself over a ledge of rocks forty five feet high, into a basin only ten yards wide ; whence, at the time we visited it, the stream again escaped over a wall of rock twenty-five feet high, thus making a cataract of seventy feet. This, as may be imagined, was an insurmount able barrier to boat navigation, and we were obliged to un load our coorials, and transport them and our baggage over hills 350 feet high, and launch the boats again on the stream, which as we continued to ascend for a distance of many miles was impeded by rapids. Sixty miles • farther, in a westerly direction, our course turned to the N.W. and en tered a more mountainous tract. Here, in 63 20 W. long., all. existing maps place the source of the Parima, which we found to be a fine stream ,still 290 yards wide ; shortly after we quitted it, when it takes a S.W. turn, and ascending the Arkita for about twenty miles, we abandoned our coorials to cross some mountains which separate this stream from the Merewari, on which we embarked on the Ist of January, 1839, and continued our journey to the northward. Our new year's fare consisted of the cabbage palm and water — our bread was all expended, and little or no game was to be procured : to add to our ills, I was seized with a bilious fever, which confined me for several days. As we descended the river, we met with the Guinau tribe of Indians, who speak a different language from any others we had hitherto seen. January 15.—Quitting the Merewari for a western tributary, we ascended the latter to its source in the Sarisharinima mountains, a well wooded range of sandstone, extending east and west, in the parallel of 4 30 N., and rising nearly 4,000 feet above the plain. From this point we turned directly to the S.S.W., and again crossing the Merewari, (which here describes almost a circle of fifty miles diameter,) continued over a mountainous country inhabited by Mayong Kong and Macu Indians. The fatiguing nature of this tract I can hardly describe; no sooner had we ascended one mountain than another rose to• view, and carrying heavy loads, and short of provisions, for a distance of upwards of 100 miles, some idea may be formed of it. Jaduary 31.—We this day entered the basin of the Orinoco; all the streams we cross flow southward towards that river ; the parallel of 330 N. is in this part the line of separation of waters. I had now every hope of realizing one of my great objects in this journey, namely, to reach the sources of the Orinoco; but we found, on arriving at an Indian settlement on the following day, that the Kirishana, which inhabited that part of the coun try, were at war with the Mayong Kong, and it was in vain that I offered every bribe I could think of to induce them to accompany me : they would listen to nothing, and I was re luctantly obliged to turn my steps to the northward to con tinue the journey to Esmeralda. Yet I have been enabled so far, to ascertain the position of the sources without any material error, as all the Indians agreed in stating them to be at the foot of some mountains which they particularly pointed out to me, distant only fifteen miles. It is remark able, that the Kirishanas would appear lo be the same tribe, whose hostility prevented Baron Humboldt from attaining the sources of this river in 1800. Retracing our steps to the northward, as far as the parallel of 4 N., we turned direct to the west and crossing numerous streams and by a moun tainous country, reached the banks of the Parumu, a north ern tributary of the Orinoco. In the course of these last fifty miles we crossed the elevated table mountain of Warima, of syenite veined with quartz, which rises 3,000 feet above the valley, and abounds in beautiful plants : Orchidere, a Tillandsia, a splendid Utricularia, and thickets of the Mani. cola Palm. On descending from this .plateau, we heard at a short distance from our path the twittering noise peculiar to the splendid bird •known by the name of the Rock Mana kin, or Cock of the Rock, (Rupicola elegans,) and on ap proaching cautiously we saw assembled on a bare patch of ground, about twelve of these birds, strutting about and displaying their brilliant orange coloured plumage, in the light of the morning sun. Descending the Parumu, which we found full of rapids, and obliged us continually to unload our coorials, we at length, on the 21st of February, entered the long looked for Orinoco, and glided down its stream, here more than 500 yards in width ; on the following morn ing, we started at daylight, all expectation to reach Esme ralda—light fleecy clouds hung over the mountain of Duida, but they vanished as the sun rose, and for the first time we had a full view of its magnificent rocky cliffs, brought out in bright relief from the dark masses of shadow behind them. As we approached, a fine savannah extending to the foot of the mountains, a small village, and a few canoes at the land ing place, assured me that this was Esmeralda. With what feelings I hastened ashore I need not describe : my chief ob ject was accomplished, and our observations, begun on the shores of the Atlantic, at Demerara, were connected with. those of Humboldt, at Esmeralda. The Alcaide came for ward to receive us with every attention and offers of assist ance, which our emaciated forms and tattered dress expressed more strongly than words, how much we stood in need of it. Nine and thirty years had now elapsed since Alexander von Humboldt visited Esmeralda from the west, and found in the most solitary and remote Christian settlement on the Upper Orinoco, a population of eighty persons ; this number had now dwindled to a single family, a patriarch with his descend-• ants, and many of the houses were far advanced in decay— yet nature remained the same : Duida still raises its lofty summit to the clouds, and flat savannahs interspersed with tufts of trees, and the majestic Mauritia Palm, stretch from the banks of the Orinoco to the foot of the mountains, and give to the landscape that peculiar beauty which so delighted Humboldt, when first he viewed Esmeralda. A ridge of heaped up bOulders.of granite, presenting the most singular forms, occupies the foreground of the picture : some pious hand has planted a cross on its highest point ; its airy form stands out in bold relief from the blue sky as a background, and heightens the picturesque appearance of the surrounding scenery. It also reminds us, that though nature and man appear in a savage state, there are still some in this wilder ness who adore the. Deity, and acknowledge a crucified Sa viour. The highest point of the Cerro . Duida was found to be 7,155 feet above the savannah, or 8,286 feet above the level of the sea, which agrees so nearly with the measurements of Baron Humboldt, as to make it appear accidental. The lower part of the mountain, to the height of 3,000 feet, is of granite, but the whole of the upper part is of quartz and sandstone. The north point is distant about ten miles from the village, farther to the northward, and in the distance are the mountains of Wataba Siru, Ekui, and Marawacca, the lat ter being the highest among them, and probably reaching an elevation of 10,000 feet above the level of the sea." Mr. Schorriburgek's paper was illustrated by a large map; on the scale of four miles to an inch, showing his route throughout the whole of his journey, a circuit, including his return, of upwards of 2,000 miles by various sketches of sce nery, and a beautiful painting, the size of life, of his- chief botanical discovery, the Victoria Regia ; a large collection of geological specimens of the Wourali poison, the blow-pipe, and various native implements. Three Indians also were present, a Macusi, a Warrau, and a Paravilhana, faithful and intelligent guides, wird had accompanied Mr. Schombergck throughout his wanderings in South America. The Duke of Buccleuch has sent £2OO towards the fund for erecting the Wellington testimonial at Edinburgh. GREAT WESTERN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. — On Satur pay last the following members of the select committee of the House of Commons on railways, inspected, by appoint ment, the Electro-Galvanic Telegraph, at the Great Western Railway station, at Paddington, which extends from thence to West Drayton :—The - Earl of Lincoln, Viscount San don, Sir Harry Verney, Bart., Lord Granville Somerset, Mr. Hume, Mr. Lock, and Mr. Greene. There were also pre sent Sir E. H. Alderson,, Mr. Russell, the chairman of the company, Sir. J. Clark, and several gentlemen -connected with mechanical and scientific pursuits. Messrs. Cooke and Wheatstone (the inventors) were in attendance, and explained to the committee the principle of the working of the tele graph, and its application to the purposes of government was governmeenngtaagnedd commerce, as well as railways. The party upwards of two hours in inspecting its mechanism and work ing, and appeared to attach great importance to an invention which seems-destined to produce great changes in our internal communications, by its rapid and almost instantaneous agency. SINGULAR MEETINGS.—The following singular meetings took place in a village a few miles west from Perth. On the new year's night of 1780, 0.5., two young lads, inseparable and bosom friends to each other, parted, and, as was feared, for ever. One of them that night left his native country to push his fortune on the shores of the Pacific, and, on taking farewell of his friend, exclaimed, " who will shake hands with you twenty years after this ?" His friend could not re ply, and thus they parted. On the same night, twenty years after, the former again made his appearance in the house of his old companion. After the usual congratulations of such a meeting, the " home-keeping youth" repeated his friend's parting words, and the remembrance did not fail to draw tears from both their eves. After a short stay in his native village he went once more abroad, and as formerly, returned on the new year's night of 1820, O. S. A further residence of ten years abroad had enabled him to return with a hand some fortune to spend the remainder of his days in his native place, and on the commencement of the present year, 1840, the new old friends kept a hearty new year together, and did not fail to repeat, over and over again the memorable parting words of 1780, " who will shake hands with you twenty years after this ?" The united ages of the two friends amounted to 162 yetirs.—Pert4 Courier. THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. We have the highest gratification in stating, on the audio thority of his grace's medical attendant, that his noble patient was not only much better yesterday, but thatduring the day the improvement was progressive, and up to a late hour last evening, his early and complete restoration to health was confidently anticipated. The following bulletin was shown yesterday to the numerous inquirers :—" Apsley House, Tuesday morning. —The Duke of Wellington has had a good night, and : is going on well." Without signa tures. Lord and Lady Jersey, and other intimate personal friends of the noble duke, send regularly to Apsley House, twice a day, to inquire after his grace.—Morning Herald of Wednesday. We know from the best authority that there pervades through the whole metropolis, and' with little distinction of party, a sentiment of the deepest indignation at the ungene rous and heartless indifference betrayed in certain quarters towards his Grace the Duke of Wellington, on the occur rence of his late serious illness.—Times of Wednesday. We have the satisfaction to state that the health of the illustrious duke continues to improve. Tne bulletin exhibited at Apsley House yesterday, was simply to this effect :—"The Duke of 'Wellington is fast recovering." The medical gen tlemen in attendance on his grace are Sir Henry Halford, Sir Astley Cooper, Doctor Hume, and Dr. Chambers. Mr. Seymour, private secretary, we believe, to his Royal High ness the Prince Consort, called at Apsley House, on Tues day evening, with his Highness Prince Albert's compliments to inquire after his grace's health. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager has manifested the most anxious interest on the occasion of the duke's late serious illness, and has sent to inquire daily at Apsley House. Col. Cowper, from her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, called yesterday, and also vast numbers of the leading nobility and gentry.—Morn iny Herald of yesterday. • STATE OF TRADE MANCHESTER.—The improvement which manifests itself in this market on Thursday and Friday last (which was slighter and more partial than we were then led to believe), has since entirely died away ; and the market yesterday was quite as bad in every respect as on the preceding Tuesday. What little business was done, whether in goods or yarn, was in most cases at reduced rates ; and the accounts from the principal markets on the continent are represented as being very unfavourable, so that no very striking or rapid improve ment can be reasonably anticipated. ROCHDALE FLANNEL MARKET, MONDAY, FEB. 17. — There is a slight change in the tlanntl market to-day for the worse ; the demand for goods has been extremely limited, but prices are about the same as on last Monday. If some improvement do not speedily take place, it is feared that many hands will soon be unemployed. The wool market has been also dull; but the former urices have been obtained. HUDDERSFIELD MARKET, FEB, 18TH.—There was a.ge neral comparatively little business done to-day in this market, either in wools or manufactured goods. The late partial improvement was by no means sustained, there being few buyers and less disposition to purchase. Most that was done was in low fancy woollens for summer wear, and other goods of a light texture at former prices. Orders for waistcoatings and goods, generally in demand at this season, were seldom known to be fewer. Nor can we notice any improvement in the warehouses for a week or two ; a sort of incubus bangs over trade, which prevents that buoyancy which might be expected at this ,season.—Manchester Guardian. BLACKBURN.—Since our last report we have no improve ment to mention in any one branch of our cotton trade ; a deeper gloom and dissatisfaction pervades the minds of most men engaged in it, coupled with the suspicion that the year's business is not to do well.—Blackburn Standard. LIBERALITY OF THE LIBERALS.—Mr. Tufnell has com menced a system of persecution in this borough well worthy of himself, and illustrative of the system of which he is the supporter. Because Mr. Colman, printer, of this town, than whom a more respectable and honourable tradesman there is not in the borough, voted for Mr. Dawson, in opposition to the government nominee, all the work of the ordnance de partment, which he ?lifts executed for a series of years, has been taken from him, and transferred to an obscure trades man, whose only recommendation is his radicalism. We understand also that the highly-respectable firm of Foot and Son, solicitors, have paid the price for the possession of con scientious feelings. For upwards of half a century the legal business of the ordnance has been intrusted to that firm, and it is freely. acknowledged that it has been transacted in a manner perfectly satisfactory to the country. Messrs. Foot have.now, it is said, beeiv deprived of it because they enter tain conservative principles, and it has been conferred on Mr. Richard B. Oram, who, being merely a conveyancer, and not a solicitor, cannot himself legally perform it, and will be obliged to do it by deputy. Let us hear no more of the pro fligacy of toryism ; the tories in their most palmy days never perpetrated a job so corrupt. So an act is complete justifi cation to the charge of exclusive dealing which has been brought against the conservatives of this borough by certain parties whose pleasure and toil it is to throw filth at their honest neighbours.—West of England Conservative. REPRESENTATION OF STOKE-UPON-TRENT.—The elec tors of Stoke-upon-Trent have addressed a requisition, very numerously signed, to Mr. Alderman Copeland and the Hon. Frederick Dudley Ryder, son of the Earl of Harrowby, inviting them to become candidates for the representation of that borough, in the event of a dissolution of parliament. The worthy alderman returned an affirmative answer, which the constituency of Stoke, by whom he is held in high and just esteem, expected from their tried and faithful represen tative. Lord Sandon, on behalf of his brother, replied in the following terms :—" The requisition which, as chairman of the conservative committee of the borough of Stoke-upon- Trent, you have forwarded to me as my brother's represen tative, during his temporary absence on the continent, is so numerously and respectably signed, that I cannot do other wise than at once accept, on his behalf, the very flattering invitation which it contains, and in his name offer his ser vices to the electors of your loyal borough, to fight at the first opportunity, in conjunction with yopr excellent repre sentative, Mr. Alderman Copeland, the battle of our national Protestant church and constitution." One of the Ricardos has, we hear, been spending a good deal of money at 'Stoke, in the hope of establishing an interest among the electors. It has been spent in vain. Had the doughty squire possessed any of the homely wisdom of Sancho Panza, he would never have been led to afford what can now only be regarded as an illustration of " the principles of political" experience.— Courier. ' GOOD NEWS FDA SHERIFFS.—It is rumoured to be the intention of Mr. Stockdale and his attorney, Mr. Howard, to bring 52 actions against Messrs. Hansard, for libel, laying the venue in the 52 different counties. As the general in structions of the House of Commons are to let judgment go by default, no application will of course be made to change the venues ; and the house will be able, if it pleases, to amuse itself by gathering together and detaining all the sheriffs of England—an interesting exhibition to the lion-hunters of London.—Morning paper. SOCIALISM.—A petition in favour of socialism is in course of signature in Blackburn, and the most dishonourable means have been resorted to in order to increase the number of names. We are credibly informed that mere children at a writing-school have been induced to attach their signatures in support of Mr. Owen's social system. We state this fact on the authority of a father, whose children have been made to sign the petition at a night school. Our legislators should be made acquainted with such dishonest practices.—Black burn Standard. SIR JOHN OWEN, M.P., &c.—The arrangement proposed by a baronet in a neighbouring county for the liquidation of his engagements has met the entire concurrence of his cre ditors, who have expressed their readiness to acquiesce in any measures which will prevent a forced sale of any part of his estates. At the meetings held last week at Pembroke and Haverfordwest, the trustees declared their intention of effecting considerable sales at a very early period ; but the feeling of the creditors was unanimous that the sales should not be precipitate, and they cheerfully consented to allow five years to accomplish such as might be rendered neces sary.—Carmarthen Journal. THE INCENDIARY FIRES IN YORKSHIRE.-011 Monday notices were issued from the Secretary of State's office, of fering £lOO. reward for the discovery of the incendiaries by whom the stacks of corn and hay on different farms in the neighbourhood of Sheffield were wilfully destroyed by fire on Monday sennight under circumstances which have been al ready described. In addition to the rewards, the grant of a free pardon from Her Majesty is promised to any accomplice (excepting the person who actually set fire to the property) who shall give • such information as may be the means of •bringing the guilty wretches to justice. AWFUL DEATH Olr A CHARTIST.--A Chartist, named James Blake, went into the George arid Dragon, Greek street, Soho-square, on Friday last, and partook of a beef steak, Which he complained of as being exceedingly tough. He however ate about three-quarters of a pound, which he swallowed in lumps, without attempting to masticate them. After dinner he entered into conversation with others in the room upon the subject of chartistn ; during the course of which the deceased became dreadfully excited, and after hav ing bestowed the most horrible imprecations on the aristo cracy, he said he would forfeit his life that instant if he thought it would promote the interest of Chartism. He proceeded in a similar strain until he became very faint and sick, when he went into the open air. He soon returned into the room, apparently revived, but shortly afterwards suddenly expired. Mr. P. Marshall, surgeon, was called in, who was of opinion that intense mental excitement imme diately after a very hearty and imperfectly masticated meal, had produced apoplexy. A. coroner's inquest was held .on the body on Saturday, and a verdict returned of, Died by the visitation of God. NATIONAL EDUCATION.—A meeting of the members of the London Diocesan Board of Education was held yester day (on the 18th), at 50, Leicester-square. Among the gra tifying circumstances stated at this meeting is the fact that five of her Majesty's judges have consented to act as inspec tors of the schools in union with the board, upon the ap pointment of the Bishop of London ; and that, in company with the clergymen nominated by his lordship as their co adjutors, they devoted no inconsiderable portion of their brief leisure at Christmas to this interesting and important work. It is unnecessary to add that the judges could only undertake such a task as a provisional and temporary ar rangement, until some permanent and effectual system of inspection can be established. The board has already col lected a valuable mass of information on the subject of edu cation in the diocese, and is steadily proceeding in its labours, although it is matter of regret that the prosecution of some of its designs is impeded by the want of sufficient funds to carry them into full effect. —Morning Herald. PRINCE ALBERT.—It affords us great satisfaction to sup ply 'the information which the kindness of a friend has ena bled us to quote :—A clergyman of the established church, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, whose cure is situated within a few miles from Liverpool, and whose zeal in the cause of the established religion of the realm has exposed him to the unsparing abuse of the pro-Popery party, stated, in his own pulpit, on Sunday last, the annexed particulars : In the course of a tour which he last year made on the cons tinent, he resided at Brussels with a fellow collegian, who was at that time a private tutor to Prince Albert. The re port which the clergyman obtained from his guest, that the acquired attainments of the Prince were various—that his natural abilities were superior —that his disposition was amia ble—his conduct unexceptionable—and, above all, that his belief in, and his attachment to, the Protestant religion, which he is pledged to defend, was sincere, influential. and ardent. Ina word, Prince Albert is a worthy scion of a race, which boldly bearded rampant Popery at the time when the might and majesty of continental despotism were leagued to defend it by protecting, at imminent risk and personal loss, the redoubtable champion whose efforts the dexterity of an in censed priesthood and the ire of subservient potentates were allied to crush.— Standard. CURIOUS HUNTING INCIDENT.-011 Monday last, the Oakley hounds met at Cranfield ; they found and ran their fox over a fine piece of country towards Hardtnead, and on towards Stagsden. Between these villages, to the surprise of all who witnessed it, the Gratton hounds also came along in full cry, and ran their fox into the same field. So singular a circumstance has never been known before, for two foxes and two packs of hounds, to be running together in the same field. In a few minutes' after this, the Gratton hounds ran into their fox and killed him in the open, and one of the Oakley whips rode up and dismounted, but, to his astonish ment, found that the hounds were strangers to him, he not having seen the meeting between the two packs. The Oakley hounds went on at a rattling pace, and pressed their fox on to Stagsden, where he jumped upon the window sill of a house to make his escape, hut, in making another leap, he was so exhausted that he fell down amongst the hounds, who were eagerly waiting for him. It appears the more singular that the two packs should thus have come in contact, for their meets in the morning were at least 30 miles apart.—Herts Reformer. LIVER THEATRE, CHURCH,STREET. ADDITIONAL ATTRACTION. Mr. J. L. HATTON, for a Limited Period. in consequence of the numerous applications at the Box office for the repetition of JACK SHEPPARD, it will be performed every Evening during the Week, with two New Dramas. Mrs. RAYMOND NEW SONGS AND NEW DANCES. PHIS present FRIDAY EVENING, the 21st instant, and during the week, the Evening's Entertainments will commence with a new Drama, of powerful interest, (never acted here,) written by Mr. Higgie, of this Theatre, as acted with the most distinguished success in London, entitled THE ROYALIST; , OR, THE DAYS OF CHIVALRY. King Charles the First Mr. F. Gardner. Richard Ludlam .. Mr. Barton. Margoth (a Trooper) Mr. Higgie. Saucy Dabbs.. Mr. C. F. Mars all. Lasceline Hastings (the Rose of Newir Miss Baldie. Arnica Mrs. Bart An Admired Shawl Dance by Ma ioiselle Chevalier. To be followed by a laughable arce, entitled THE VALET DE SHAM. Mr. Tweezer (a headstrong old Gentleman) Mr. Tilbury. Captain Trivet (a prejudiced young Gentleman) Mr. Higgie. Clipper (a polished Lady's Lady) Mrs. Raymond. A Popular Pas de Deux, from the " Daughter of the Danube," by Misses Thoinassin and Lidia. To conclude with a new version of the celebrated Historical Drama of JACK SHEPPARD ; OR, THE HOUSEBREAKER ON 1703. Owen Wood Mr. Tilbury Joe Blueskin Mr. J. L. Hatton, __ In which character he will sing " The Jolly Noe," " Now Farewell my Rowry Towries," and the Chorus " Nix my Dolly, Pals, Fake Away " Jonathan Wild Mr. Barton. Jack Shepherd Mrs. Barton. Tickets and places for the Boxes may be had of Mr. BREZE, at the Box-office, from Eleven till Three o'Clock. Boxes, 35.; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, 6d. Second Price at Half-past Eight : Boxes, 2s, ; Pit Is. ; no Second Price to the Gallery. Doors to be open at Half-past Six o'Clock, performance to commence at Seven precisely. DUCRONWS ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE OF ARTS WILL SHORTLY CLOSE. LAST TWO NIGHTS OF THE GREAZEST SPECTACLE OF THE SEASON/ T 0-N IGH T, (FRIDAY,) and T 0-/ RRO W, (SATURDAY,) VICTORIES OF THE BLAC MINCE. THE SIEGE OF ACRE, AND TUE TOURNAMENT, Will be played on the same nights, with an entire new Ro tation of DUCROW'S SCENES IN THE CIRCLE. On MONDAY, a GRAND EQUESTRIAN FETE, for the BENEFIT of MADAME DUCROW, and her Last Night of Performing. THEATRE-ROYAL. A GRAND MISCELLANEOUS CONCERT ,will be 111. given on TUESDAY Evening next, the 25th instant, the profits of which will be wholly appropriated to the DISPEN SARIES, INFIRMARY, and NORTHERN HOSPITAL. The Orchestral Arrangement wil be on th same scale as the Subscription Concerts. LEADER Mr. HER • MANN. Principal Engagement VOCAL PERFORM RS. Miss MARIA B. HAWES, I M . DODD, and Miss WHITNALL, Mr. STRETTON. INSTRUMENTAL. PIANO-FORTE Miss CHRISTIANA WELLER. VIOLINCELLO Mr. LIDEL. A Plan of the Boxes will lie at Mr. Weis;Tkusic-saloon, on and after Monday, the 17th, when Places may be taken, and at the Theatre on the day of the Concert. The Prices of admission will he—Boxes, Gs; Upper Boxes. 4s ; Pit, 3s ; and Gallery, 2s. Tickets to be had at the Music-shops. The Doors will be opened at half-past-seven, and the Con cert commence at eight o'clock. Efir Eibtrpooi gstanbarTi. FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 21, 1840. CIRCULA PION OF THE LIVERPOOL NEWSPAPERS. We find that certain of our contemporaries have been putting forth pompous and vaunting statements respecting " their circulation." These inflated boasts, having been in one instance, repeated, we think it right, in justice to ourselves, to lay before our readers the following calculations, which have been derived from the Stamp Returns for the last year : A Return of the Number of Stamps, issued by the Stamp Office, for the Liverpool Papers, for the Half Year, from January to June, 1839, together with the Average Circulation of each Journal : Total. 204,000 Average. Mercury.. le rcu ry Albion.... Chronicle Courier Mail 7,846 77,433 . . 60,000 . . 55,197 . . 111,000 .. 35,900 30,900 27,500 .. 30,000 . . 24,000 , . 2,978 2,308 2,123 1,4'23 1,381 1,189 1,158 949 923 Gore's Advertiser ..... Journal Mercantile Gazette Standard Times This we believe to be a faithful statement of the average circulation of each of the journals published in Liverpool during the first half-year in 1839_ We now proceed to give A Return of the Number of Stamps, issued by the Stamp Office, for the Liverpool Papers, for the half year, from July to December, 1839, together with the Average Circulation of each Paper : Total. Mercury Albion 94,500 .. Courier . Chronicle Gore's Advertiser Mail 90,000 Mercantile Gazette.. . Standard Journal.. Times Average. 7,000 3,634 2,192 2,115 1,423 1,153 1,096 51,000 .. 24,100 . . 24,000 .. 980 926 923 From a comparison of these two returns, we derive the following statement of the increase or decrease in the average circulation of each journa during the latter half-year in 1839 : Increase. Decrease. 546 Mercury. Albion 656 65 Courier . Chronicle Gore's Advertiser . Mail 193 270 Mercantile Gazette Standard Journal. 263 Times . It may be necessary to state that there are only 38, instead of 52 publications allowed for the STANDARD, in the first half year in 1839—its publication having been resumed on the 18th of February. Taking all circumstances into consideration, we see no reason to be dissatisfied with the above returns, though the increase in our circulation has no been so considerable as that of some of our contemporaries. We should like to know how the Mercury can explain the great falling off in its circulation. A difference of 846 in the weekly issues of one half-year, as compared with the preceding, is rather a singular phenomenon in the statistical history of newspapers, Our contempo rary will, perhaps, be able to throw some light upon the subject. . In conclusion, we would merely remark, that, as an advertising medium the LIVERPOOL STANDARD possesses peculiar claims upon the support of the pub lic. It is now generally acknowledged that the quan tity of copies circulated by any newspaper is of much less importance than the quality of its circulation, In the latter respect we challenge a comparison with any of our contemporaries. For mercantile advertisements, especially, a mere pot-house circulation is of compara tively little value: yet such is the nature of the circula tion enjoyed by most of our radical contemporaries. Mr. Villiers has again announced his intention to move the abolition of the existing system of corn-laws. The House of Commons will be once more bored with the silly sophisms and childish arguments of the free trade agitators, and condemned to listen to the mon strous and anti-national proy)ositions of the crazy theo rists who are sedulously plotting the destruction of the agricultural interests of this country. In aid of this fresh movement on the subject of the corn-laws we find the Manchester Chamber of Commerce has issued ano ther lying manifesto in the shape of a report of the committee of that assemblage of ignorant but selfish quacks. These ineffable dolts have yet to learn that upon the maintenance of the present system of corn laws, or some equivalent kind of protection, depends the prosperity of every class in the community. They have yet to learn that the abolition of these laws would be pregnant with mischief of the most extensive char acter. They have yet to learn that the abrogation of these wise and salutary laws would entail lasting ruin and misery upon a very large majority of the people of Great Britain. These Manchester liberals have all this to learn. They are only competent to speak on the question of the corn-laws as far as their own interests seem to their muddy nnderstandings to be involved. They are utterly incapable of taking a comprehensive view of the subject as it affects the interests of the whole population. Like the " three Tailors of Tooley-street," immortalised by Canning, in one of his bitter philippics, they seem to think that they constitute the people of England. They forget entirely that the agricultural classes, and those im mediately dependent upon them, form at least three fourths of the whole population. Their ignorance of this fact will, at once, account for the strange hallucina tions into which they have been betrayed by their free trade fallacies. It is really amusing to witness these men, who can scarcely see further than the end of their noses, setting themselves up as public instructors, and uttering forth to the world as splendid discoveries the result of their molelike gropings in the dark. But it is still more amusing to find men who profess to have studied the science of political economy yielding them selves up as willing dupes to recommend the nostrums of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. The facility with which such men have allowed themselves to be deceived by the specious statements of the tyrannical cotton lords is anything but a credit to their judgments or their understandings. In spite, however, of the diligent agitation of the ANTI-CORN LAW LEAGUE and their itinerant lec turers, the grand humbug, which they have been ido lizing for the last two years, is becoming more and more unpopular. The people are beginning to find out that the outcry against the corn laws is a complete delusion. The presence of the arch-impostor O'Con nell at the " grand demonstration," recently made at Manchester, has contributed, more than any other cir cumstance, to bring the whole proceedings of the cot ton ibrds into contempt. The advocacy of such a man as O'Connell is sufficient to condemn any cause. His praise and commendation beget an instinctive suspicion that the objects of the Anti-Corn Law League are dis honest. It is still possible, however, that a few simple-mind ed, gullible, but honest individuals, may labour under wrong impressions on the subject of the corn laws. For the benefit of such persons, we will adduce a few arguments in opposition to the anti-corn law agitators. It will be an instructive comment upon the bluster ing vaunts of the enemies of the corn laws, to examine the relative amount of capital employed in manufac tures, and invested in land and agricultural property of every description. This examination will prove the utter insignificance of the manufacturing when com pared with the agricultural interest. The tabular state ments which we subjoin are derived from government and parliamentary documents, the authenticity of which cannot he impeached. We will first take the agricul tural property. In Great Britain and Ireland the land rental and value, at thirty years' purchase, is— In Gt. Britain Value at 30 years' and Ireland. purchase. £63,395,684 £1,901,870,52 0 5,000,000 150,000,000 3,000,000 90,000,000 1,203,578 36,107,34 0 4,841,053 145,231,590 Land Rental. Residences... Timber, yearly produce. Land Tax, 1834 Tithes, yearly value Poor Rates, perpetual charge, exclusive of rent 5,434,890 103,046,70 0 Mines, Minerals, and Fisheries 3,994,031 119,820,930 Property of Proprietors...... 85,665,658 2,604,077,03 0 The removal of protective duties on agricultural pro duce would, of necessity, inflict a loss upon the landed proprietors. The anti-corn-law agitators acknowledge that this would be the case. At what amount may we fairly estimate the amount of property which would be destroyed ? Shall we take it at 25 per cent ? Let us suppose it to be no more than this, and what would be the consequence ? The money arising to the land lord may be put down in round numbers, at £80,000,0 00 . A loss of 25 per cent. would reduce his income by' £20,000,000, and his capital by £615,000,000, which would be nearly sufficient to pay off the national debt. In other words, the landed interest would consume less by £80,000,000 yearly of articles imported into, or Ins nufactured in, this country. What corresponding ad vantage could be realised by the abolition of the corn laws ? Where are we to find an equivalent gain to counterbalance this enormous loss ? So much for the landed proprietors. We shall, in the next place, examine the quantity and value of the produce of agriculture. In doing so, we shall fix upon the scale price of 50s per quarter for wheat. The esti mate may be thus stated:— Grain of all sorts, Wheat at 50s 4 '134,000, 000 Potatoes Hay, Grasses, Turnips, Straw, &c. 183,802, 00° Cattle, Sheep, Poultry, G ame,Fisheries,&c. 94,783,7 0 Milk, Butter, Vegetables, &c. 48,500, 00 Allowed for consumption by farmers, and articles not enumerated . 2,500, 00° Wool 13,979, 166 Hops, Seeds, Flax, Mines, Coals, &c 41,470,2 76 Total produce.. £539,036,291 Taking wheat at 50s. per quarter—which is a veil: moderate estimate,—and allowing that the repeal 01 the corn-laws, would cause a reduction of 25 pet cent. in the price of grain, what would be the cote sequence ? It is acknowledged that the price of grain regulates the prices of other articles of agricultura l produce. The repeal of the corn-laws would cause reduction in the aggregate receipts from the sale 01 grain of £33,500,000 yearly, and in all the articles enumerated above a reduction of £135,000,000. CIO whom would this enormous loss ultimately fall' Would it not be felt by the mannfacturers an ti operatives of the country ? Where could they exp ect to find customers to compensate them for so large 3 reduction in the amount of the home trade ? We shall now take into consideration the amount 01 capital invested in manufactures in this country. Th at capital has been estimated at £205,773,870. Th e annual produce of this capital is said to be £259,412,7 09 ' or about 125 per cent., upon the whole amount' Surely, the manufacturing interest ought to be satin fled with such a large return. But how much of Oil large amount of manufactured produce is ex ported from this count r y ? I n 1834, the official value 0( goods exported was £73,495,535, and the declare' value was £41,286,594. After deducting the latte r amount from the gross produce of the manufactuil industry of this country,—ue have a residue ° £218,126,115 to be consumed at home. From th is statement it is quite evident that the best customers which the manufacturers possess are, the landed pr °• prietors and the agriculturalists of Great Britain' What would become of the manufacturers if they Wer e ( deprived of custom in the home market to the tune ° of £135,000,000. We may here mention another circumstance whir l ' is very little thought of by the manufacturers, in thei r clamour for an extension of the foreign trade, 01 ‘' rather, for the ruin of British interests. The expor ts to the Colonial and other possessions of Great Brits" amount to nearly one third of the total amount of ports. If the manufacturers really wish to extend the ir exports without inflicting any injury upon their ov e n d country—without se e ki ng th e d es t ruc ti on o f th e land and agricultural interests—and without giving foreign' ers the benefit of British capital to enable them t° compete with our own manufactures—let them cult i ; vate and extend the t r ade to the Colonies of Grea t Britain. Let them unite in raising the cry of Ships' Colonies, and Commerce." Let them petition the Legislature for the removal of all impediments to, an t restrictions upon, the Colonial trade of this county)'. Here they have a boundless field of enterprise lY ll4 t before them, and only waiting to be cultivated. l' e ; it be borne in mind that the addition of a single ind! i ; vidual to the population of any of our Colonies, s r i , give full employment to two additional mechanics ° to operatives at home, and a proportionate impulse I manufacturing prosperity. It is, therefore, an Al i of paramount importance that we should seek, by 3 , legitimate means, to increase the population and to e. the trade of our Colonies. Let the Manchester Clla rly ber of Commerce take this matter into their O rr sideration. The " tyrant majority" in the House of Comma, are involving themselves still more inextricably in the labyrinth of their folly, by their absurd and despot; pursuance of the vexatious question of privilege, ' ready have they wasted seventeen days—the better P a c of the present session, as far as it has gone—in tliej vain endeavour to set aside the laws of the coo ti We say vain, because it• is utterly impossible tha t self-assumed privileges of the House of Commons C I; be permanently recognised as superior to the SO. l II