The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-12-01 00:00:00

AN INCIDENT AT BARKER'S.

ICROOLROT ; WITS • MORAL.

Methinks I am about to tall you • story. I always
bogie my stories in the dormitory with • methinks"
—it sounds well. Sir Walter Scott always began his
stories with " ruethinks"—nt least Jiffkins says so, sod
es his father is a papermaker and impeller the Daily
Daybreak he ought to be no authority on literature.
This Wmy first attempt at anything like literate.'. I
have never written • story before though I've te:el a
great many. I mean in the dormitory of course, nettle
the sense of fibbing. I have written themes though,
bat I suppose they don't count for literature.
I'm going to do iny story all right and proper, like
they do in story hooka. I mean to pet a moral to it,
because they always do in books for the young, don't
you know? When three chaps go out on the sly of a
Sunday morning and get sliding, and all tumble down
in • heap on a piece of ice that is One thin to bear 'em
and tumble in arid get drowned, you know, the moral
is that it is because they went out on • Sunday unbe-
known to their parents; and verdict, serve 'ernliright.
I suppose, though the lee wee too thin to bear 'em, it
wouldn't base broken if it had been • week day, and
they'd asked their fathers and mothers. That's some-
thing like • moral, I say.
It was while I was at old Barker's that my story
happened. There were about a doyen chaps in the same
dormitory, and the window looked oat over old Barker's
gsrden. My eye ! hadn't be got • lot of jolly fruit trees.
We used On look out of • morning and wish we could get
at 'ant, but there was a high wall all round, and the
d me was never opened because old Barker kept the key.
To be sure there was a pear tree trained against the
wall on one side of the dormitory window, and a vine
on the other, and sometimes a peer or • bunch of grapes
grew within reach. But tome chap was always sore to
pick 'em before they were ripe. It wasn't till
Poppin came that we kit on a plan for getting • regular
supply.
He was an ingenious chap, vu Poppin. We didn't
like him at first because his father was • printer, and
we were all the loos of gentlemen. Ile got chaffed
about it a god deal at first, but he took it very quietly,
until one day in Latin Grammar class, when younie
Smart who was sitting nett to bun called him "printer."
You know the Eton Latin Grammar, with the leather
cover you sharpen knives ? Well, Poppin snatehed
up • very soft quill pen full of ink and scribbled • great
P bookeranis on the cover of his grammar, and dabbed
It straight in Smart's facie. Of course there was a rise,
and Barker looked round and there was Smart with •
great big P all down his face and on his collar.
"Who did that r said Barker. . _

"1 did," said Poppin, ea bold IA brass. "Be called
me printer, so I gave him • sample of my work."
Barker laughed, mid we all laughed, except Smart,
and from that day Poppin was one of es. He and Smart
fought in the bottom eloiskr after school, and Smart
got thrashed, which made 'em great friends always
afterwards. . .

Wien the fruit season came, we were lamenting as
usual about our inability to steal old Borker's pens and
grapes and plums. But Poppin • be was an in./edam
'hap, he was—soon luicentela plan. He got two fishing.
rods, and tied • sharp knife to the end of one, and hung
an open umbrella from the other. One chap was to
hold the umbrelle•fishing.rod under the grapes and
pear.. while another out 'em off with the knife at the
end of the other rod. At first we eouldn't work this
very well, bemuse the dormitory window was small,
sail the two chapi couldn't both look out or lean out at
once. But Poppin wasn't to be done' bless you—he
was an ingenious chap. So lie used to hold one of the
looking-glum. out of window so that he could see the
ends of the rods r. fleeted in it, and then he would or ter
the chaps who held 'ein just as the captain of 'steamboat
does. "Umbrella a little more to the right," he would
, say, or, "Umbrella a little lower down ;" and the when
that area done he woukl fay, " All right—cut r And
in nine cues out of ten the grapes or pears would
tumble into the open umbrella.
This answered °vitally until we had cleared all the
Fruit the will on both sides of the window, to old
Barker's utter bewilderment. Then we began to oat
longinz eyes on the gooseberries and currants, and the
other fruit tree, in the garden.
Peppin was equal to that emergency too. He bad
read of chap. escapine from prison by knotting their
sheets together; so he made a rope of he tedlothes
and we let him out of window, and he woult pick &la
of fruit and put it into • pillow-case, and then we lAA
to pull bins up pillow-case and all.
This went on for a good bit, until Barker got reid
savage, the fruit went so. He made up his mind to find
how it was done, and sat up in his bedroom seve,al
night*, but we did it so quietly he couldn't find cut.
At last he determined to watch in the garden, so he hid
himself in a Idark corner and waited. Of course, when
all wat quiet and we fancied it was all right, open came
the dovnitory window, and out name Poppin at the
end of the bedclothes.

You see Poppiu had picked all the fruit that was
nearest, so that every night he had to make a larger
eiroud, and by this time it was n pretty wide one, and
Barker iaw him glide off like a ghost emong the
raspberries.
Well, what does old Barker do, but some under the
window very quietly with the intention. I suppose, of
catching Poppta when he came back. Then, I suppose,
it occurred to him that he hart got him all right, and
that what he wantel was to find out who else were con-
cerned in the robbery. I rlnresay too he thought it
would be rather Inn to keep Peppin out in the sold for
a bit. So what does he do but give the bedclothes a
gentle pull. That, as he rightly guessed. was the
Meal, so we began to haul in, and Barker hung on like
gnm death,.
" My eye r whispered Temkin', who was the biggest
of us, end so had the first place at the rope. 'My
eye, If Peppin hasn't got a load to-night. We shall
haul him up!"
" Halishsh r said Jones who stood next to him.
"Pull away, and don't make • row I"
. . _

I suppose we were enoour74e4 by the idea ot the
tremendous ?rise we imiine4 Poppin wai bringing,
but at any rate we tugged and hauled, until we brought
old Barker up level with the window•sill.
It woe • moonlight night, and the moment his head
came above the ledge we recognised him.
" Barker, by gale !" said Toinkins, flinging up both
hands in alarm. 4

We at did the same instinctively. The result was
that Barker went down with I mash on the ground.
I'm sorry to say he broke both US legs, and one of them
is a wooden one to this day.
MOILLL.

I don't see that there ;-anything for it bat to make
the 'torsi a warning to schoolmasters not to go a-prying
about and interfering with the harmless pursuits of
their pupils. It's as plain as three ohaps sliding on •
Sunday on the sly, and tumbling in, and gettli g
drowned. At least methinks no.

P.S. I forgot to say one thing. Dula t Poppin catch
it neither! Oh, no! not at aIL
ASTRO' OHIRLITON.
—From rola Hood's Conic Amend.

IMMATHRIAL PARLIAMENT.
WZBThIIIIIB2III- Tuesday, November 23, 1868.
The recently rejected members of the new Parliament
assembled to-day at the Westminster Palace (hotel).
A crowd of spectators welcomed the successive arrivals,
and many bon, gentlemen were lordly cheered.
Precisely at four o'clock the Speaker's 'hair was taken
by Mr. Ileum, who said be had ememed that position
because be considered that he was the person most
worthy to occupy it-(eheers). Merit alone ought to be
considered In the selection of those who guided the
deliberations of popular assemblies. Others might
differ from him in the estimate he bad formed of his
qualifications- (hear)-but he should be unworthy of
his position in the 'tawdry if he shrank from laming
on his own eonvictions.
Sir G. BOWTIR protested against the usurpation of
the chsir by any gentlemen until be had been sleeved in
the proper c .nstitutional manner -(cheers). Eves his
Holiness the Pope did not assume the tiara until sleeted
by the College of Cardinale-(hear).
The Marquis of HeIeTIeCITON concurred with the last
speaker. He would appeal to the law officers of the
Crown-(hear)- whom he wax happy to see opposite-
(cheer)-whetter in their opinion the Speaker should
not be • person duly chosen by a majority of the
amembly.
eieTchtieonArroby
been
:iin::::dtlythalmucheshehaklieefn_in
(hear)-but, whilst he was far from admitting that
form of election to be uniformly productive of satisfac-
tory remilts-(eheers)-he was still of opinion, sod he
malsroritGiellishitadkA
believed be might also speak for his learned friend, it
was a time-honoured custom to which they were bound
to submit . .

i•
r:SotgL.ZrminceirroofoortZmirooca.a.;,4agreedituirtz:w.olitthfpohr.rmisp..dleoart istoeedinidfr:Fee:
although under that system he had himself witaessed
with regret • way opponent snooped in sepplaeting one
who in his (the Solicitor General's) opinion was nut
unfit to fill the highest office in the land—(bear).
Mr. BRADLAUGH was an utter unbeliever—(beerl—in
the expediency of following the rules and cu.toms of
that iffele and useless body which styled itself the
Imperial Parliament Worth was altogether disre-
garded as • qualification for that assembly (cheers).
When they saw men like themvelves—(ebeers)—
rejected from that body, were they going to adulate
it by that imitation which was said (to be the sincerest
fluttery? He declined to believe that—(eheers).
MIL MILL said he was glad to see hon. gentlemen on
both aides were beginning to appreciate his principle of
the representation of minorities (cheers). The
minorities had been faithful to them all—(chears). He
was himself in • minority—(hver). But for that be
should not have been there. The folly of majorities
had been more conspicuously illestrated—(fisot)—
if he excepted the rejection of his friend lit. atedwisk
—(oh). He would therefore propose, that whilst the
usual form of election wen adhered to, the m
whether eyes or Doe., &MIDI keys it—Ohsers).

lis. BERNAL °pears wondered if they bad sear
heard of • donkey rsee—(laughter). It woe one of those
ancient gases in which, ems.. one had well said,
"the rem was not to the serift"—(lsughier). The last
won, and if both stood still together—(laughter) it was
• dead heat (loud laughter). That seemed to be their
little game now—(langhter). It, was, he believed,
an Irishman—not Sir Boyle Roche—who discovered
there were three kinds of mot.on —a forward motion,,
a b iek ward motion, and • standstill snot inn
(laughter). The last seemed to be the kind of progress
for which the boo. gentleman seemed to think himself
beet fitted. He had always before understood him to be
in favour of • somewhst quick advanoe, but be
remembered a mill was useless unless it could
turn round—(hear). He thought in the position in
which they found themselves it vu quite unimportant
who occupied the chair. One man was as good ea
another. and perhaps better—(latighter). Those gentle.
med who coveted the distinction could take it turn and
turn about—(olieers).
11r. Bt•Laa mast decline that proposition. He was
ready to leave the chair when he saw any one he
thought more fitted to fill it; but be must sasert the
principle that merit alone was to be the criterion of
elevation .
Mu. Hooliourron said the principle just alluded to wss
one of a most revolutionary obaracter—(bear). It bad
never been adopted by any government with which be
bed be it acquainted—(oh). lie ought to be • judge
—(laughter)—for be had sat in the last Parliament,and
had riven particular attention to all the legal appoint.
meats—(cheers). He found merit had not been
recognised.
Mr. DARBY O1!F/1TH did not wonder that govern.
melds disregarded merit, but he most express his
disgust that the people should do so. Although his
voice had barn seldom beard—(laughter) in the last
Parliament, be had been always • working member, yet
big service, seemed to be entirely forgotten.
Mr. Rounueu seldom agreed with anybody—(bear),
but he saw some truth in the last speaker's remarks.
The ingratitude of the people was sbanieful—(cheers)—
and if • man saw fit not to fall in with some prescribed
count, of action he vas followed by • system of political
rattening —(cheerel—until his destruction was achieved
—immoral. Neither the services of the past, the
repentance of the present, or the premise of the future
would avail—(bear). He scorned a people oomposed of
broad heads and narrow hearts—(ohtani).
Mr. Samaritan congratulated the hon. gentleman
(Mr. Roobank) on the valour with which be had fought
his battle. Henceforth—
... _

"ft prello Cervi"
eonld have • diDerent eigoiemition—(ebeere). He
might remind him that the right hon. gentleman near
bon (Mr. Horeineri) was in the same predicament—
" Post Equitan owlet am aura"
, . .

(cheers).
Hr. HOLMAN said unfortunately the camas of big sze
was ahead of him. However, he would Pat • merry
face on it --(cheers). Ile begged to aienre hie hon. friend
that be intended to be in soother place before long.
The heed of the Scotch terrier had entered without
difßaolty, and the tail would not be long behind—
(cheers). Although mistaken in his particular ease, he
thought the people had shown in the rec.nt rejections
mush ir.ore sense then he had given them credit for—
(" Oh"). Hon. gentlemen might cry " oh!" but if he
had decried the people when others extolled them, he
wan not now to be prevented from applauding tnem
because others blemed—(theers). He began rather to
like reform, and hoped to Doe it carried forward into the
hereditary chamber—(theere).
Lord C. HAMILTON and Lord DALraire rose together
to protest against the introduction of the electoral
: system into the House of Lords. A peer obtained his
majority once for all at 2l—(theers).
lir. FERNAND thought he was an instance of the
bluest ingratitude of all. There was nothing he had not
promised the dockyard men, and he had got them a
whole holiday to vote for hicii—(bear)—yet he was not
returned.

Mr. RIMIDZI thought it would be better at on to
submit plats to public oompetition—("Ohl—and knock
thew down to the highest bidder. He would undertake
the busineoe at a moderate commiseion. He spoke
without reserve —(cheer.).

,
Baron ROTEDICHILD considered the plea 'tweeted had
its advantage—(hear). Drawing a check was less un-
pleasant to him than meeting with one —(cheer.).
Mr. FISISHIIBLD in that ease would advise the Bank
of Bagland to minibus a borough for their solicitor
(bear) ; but he feared the elections could not be had over
Main.
Mr. MILNER GIBBON trusted that some of the more
obviously incompetent members would have the patriot-
ism to retire—(load cheer,)--and make room for those
who (like himself) were really mush needed In the
legislature—(oheers). The recent arguments of his boa.
friend (Mr. Mill) should not be forpotten—(hear).
Mr. CHADWICK, without wishing to Intrude, was
willing to give the nation the benefit of his eervices if
any member *hose to resign in his favour—(cheeis).
Dr. qiunam. would see Oat this kiad offer was noticed
in the public prints--(hesr).
Mr. HENRY Jaairs inquired if there wee any quettion
before the house.

Mr. BUM said there was not—(' Oh"). Be had
desired to show his impartiality ty allowing anybody
to say enything he liked--(" On")—and as it was now
his (the speaker's) usual dinner hour. he should adjourn
for refreshment

Mr. HASDEL Commix confessed he had had quite
en9ugh of it—(laughter) —and therefore did not rise to
oppose en sdjournment, but simply to protest *gaunt
their assembling in a pabliebouse—(" Oh"). Was there
13.3 ttinperance hall to be bad? It was useleu to stip-
pow thst their deliberations could serve any good end if
conducted in an atmosphere sit:lard by the neighbour-
hood of alooholio poison/I—i" Oh, oh").
Mr. HIIINAL 08136101 N couldn't stead that--(larsgb ter).
Re had beard something of the port before—(laughter).
Ho thought it was at Islottinghsm—(lsughter). He had
then licked his hon. frieml—(hears Me (Mr. Osborne)
hal been licked himself this time, lot it wad bye 14y—
God bleu her !--(laughter). That was no remota he
shouldn't liquor— (laughter). He supported the motion
to adjourn. .

The anotwn was so:ordinal, arrried witbout &division,
and the house adjourand as six oV,OOk.

6MtTli Nnos.

TUZ FIN•L STATZ or THE POLL.—Baldnoic —Judy
BATH is thoroughly hapay with a mayor who is Jolly,
and a membtr who is Tit4.—l'uncA.

SPItING GAILDEXING.-Hyscintkis, Tulips, Crocuses,
and other Bulbs, from Holland, are sold by auction
every Wednesday and Saturday, and frequently of
Monday, at half-oast 12 precisely, by Mr. J. C. Stevens,
at his Horticultural Sale Rooms, 38, King-strect
Covent-garden, London. Catalogues on applies tins.
lartalaTlNG EIPELIMINT.-Piace on the upper bar
of • grate, with the heads projecting about OM Inch
inwards, some ordinary Lucifers -in a few momenta
they ignite. Then is the num. position place • few of
the Patent Safety ,latches of Bryant and May. London
(which ignite only en the box), and it will be found
that they may remain for hour. in fact, until the wool
becomes literally charred- without taking fire. We
look on this as a singularly interesting confirmation of
the safety of the row match. Care most he taken in
both cases to avoid actual contact with flame.
Hoartimax & Ci, London, disallow the usaal but
most objectionable practice of clearing tea with
plumbago, Prossisn blue, or any other hurtful "fairing"
powder. As their imports consist only of young leaves
-choice and strong-they are delicious in flavour and
truly cheap ; reel judges of Ma have but to make • trial
to become constant purchasers. The extensive demand
for Horniman's Pare Tea, has inclined some to imitate
their packets, hence the public are cautioned to observe
that the signature of Horniman and Co., London,
'Original Importers of the Pare Tea,' is on all the
Packet.; 2.538 agents are appointed. Loral agents are
advertised in our columns.
Commis Bazaar or Piton= Cum.-The ease of
Otter. Grant was baud in the Court of Queen's Bench
on Thursday. This was an action for breach of promise
of man-loge. The defendant pleaded the usual pleas, as
to not having premised, and that a reasonable ticue had
aot elapsed, and further, that the contract of marriage
had hem rescinded. Ur. Sergeant Ballantine and Mr.
Henry James were counsel for the plaintiff ; Mr.
Coleridge, Q.C., and Mr. Murray for the defendott.
The phasing, Mir Donk Otte, was the daughter of a
gentleman of German extraction, and an agent of the
British and Foreign Bible Society. In 1863, when the
engagement commenced. she was about 18 yaws of are.
She was also • young lady of personal attractions aid
amomplishmenta The defendant at that tint. vat
about 33 years of age. He was well oennected,and Irmo
he made the promise he was only an assistant judge in
a local court in India, but be now held an important
Position in that country, with • salary of between
£2,500, and £2.700 per annum. No excuse Ind been
made for breaking of the engagement other that le was
unwell, but no partieuhre were given. From Igo, sa
November, 1863, the plaintiff wae governess to Sr. and
Mrs. Grant, the defendant's neole and &sunk at Inver-
ness. In June or July of that yeas Us* defendant, who
had returned from India, paid a visit to his relations,
where he met the plaintiff, and sin intimacy sprang up
between them. He asked to be introdood to her
parents, and when he came to London he celled upon
them, but it was only on the second day that he had
wasp to inform "mamma" of the engagement, and
ask permission to continue it. Mrs. Otte oommtuticated
with her daughter, and on receiving her answer the
defendant was recognised by the family as her suitor.
In November, 1863,plaintiff, at defendant', request, left
her situation, and returned home to her parents. The
fact of the engagement was well know to the families
and relations of both parties. In the foLowing year the
defendant had to return to India, his leave of ebonite
having expired ; but before his leaving It was arranged
that, as his salary was then small and his expense.
large, the plaintiff should not go out to India to be
scalded until the expiration of twelve or eighteen
months. A large number of letters
posed between the
parties of the usual eharaeter,from 1862 down to tie 26th
October. 1867, the date of the last tie defendant wrote
and in which he addressed her as "My own darling
Dorsh," and eoncluding "your fond and devoted lover,
Ronald." In 1865, the plaintiff loving become weary
of waiting and anxious to be settled, determined on
again obtaining • governess's situation, and that com-
ing to the defendant's knowledp, he wrote to her
expressing his surprise that she should think of such •
thing, The learned serjeant, in opening the plaintiff's
ease, deectibed the defendant's conduct as heartless
and cold.bleoded. In an interview with the plaintiff's
pareinta, when defendant was about to start for India,
he emoted his fulfilling his promise on the ground of
ill health; tut he had returned, so far as the plaintiff
knew, quite well. Before leaving, however, the
defendant wag arrested for meta in thus action, and had
to give security.-Mr. Coleridge said be admitted the
engagement to the fulled extant. Ho had not •syllable
to say against the 'puttee virtue of the lady, and it
would be shown that the defendant had done nothing
ineonsistent with the honour of a gentleman. His case
was that in 1863, whea the defendant madettlo promise.
he was financially embarreased, and it was arranged
that the marriage should not take plane for 12 or 18
mouths; but about tint time he betame so ill that he
could not write his ono roam, as would be shoes by
Sir Bartle Frere. He trituratod again from India niacin
Paralysed, and so mearieted that his mese Wieser,
friends did not know him. He had proinowol to marry
at the expiration of • aortae time, bet that did not
mit the parents. It would have been etiktagt tf - bed
married, eat it wee to be regretted that tbe gdeiedd
had hem advised to bring this notion. Samna, was
gime, med the jury, slier • teegeheeed deliherstare,
were dieeheryed witheer redid.

AI

The heeds Madrigal &defy had the honour of
visiting Grimston (tlm seat uf their presi lent, Lord
Loadotthorough) on the lath inst, the Prince and
Princes. lock, together with Earl De rey and Ripon,
Lor I Whartsclige, and others of the nubility were
prevent. An excellent programme was perform° I
under Dr. Spark's direction.

At the Stan lard Theatre a realistic effect Derey
previowly seen upon no English stage is being ex.
I.ibito I. A i.lay, called 'Danger," now performed,
vices a modification of the ordinary railway " sensa
lion." llie incidents, however, occur in a thuuder•
storm, an.l • real shower of rain drenches the stage,
to all appearance, the actors also.

Nate 114il.WAT PRWECT.—A prospectus I.as bee,
fainted of the Whit:ton Railway Company, with a
canital of g 1•011,114,0 e‘clusitely in shares of VIL The
proposal is to carry the line from the City Station Ui
tho Metropolitan Railway at Finsbury to folio:Am.
crew.. IL is to be e.,us t • ~I thr..whout on arches,
with the peculiar feature of a three foot gauge.
Queen Isabella, on the occasion of het. fete. on Thur,.
day week received cuitgr,4llllolol7 despatches fruit. the
Emperor Nlll4OlOOO ni4.l 1140 Empress Eugenie, the
Eniperor of Austria, toe King of the Belgians, Con d
and Cutilitees de Paris, tho ov-King and Queen of
Naples, and several high Spanish poramages. tier
M jeoty a:so receive 1 011 this oc..asitiu a great Dem.
Let of visits from Persons of rook.

strange report respecting General Prim issortod.
It r that Qneen Isabella has written him a letter in
which she calls on him to labour for her restoration
to the throne, or at leapt for tho ostahSoliment of her
ion. the Prince of the Astoria., as King, Promising
to let him be Prime Minister in the former enoe, Re-
;rent in Go. iattar—rroiiipjnw him at the same timo
Pnrdon for the part:" and it is added tint Trim
bits manifested & disposition to trait with Her Mn
pity on those bum—Paris Correspoo lent ofth,
The death is announced of the Dowager Nantes.
Somers. widow of tl4 first Earl Somers. liar l.a It,
ship, who was 43 years of age, was the fourth ihrich•
ter f ill. late Mr. James Cocks, and mania I first.
If,. Geurce Waddington, second. 1534 las his secot.ii
wife), her contd., the first Earl Somers. who diet in
1841. Ills Lot 'shin was crandson of Mr. Charles
Cocks, who married the sister and co-heir of John,
Lord Somers, Lord Chaneellor of Greet Britain,
whom title became estioct at his death its 1718,

FfilOriTFl'L rirArit or THECAIPTAIIt ANnowN4:ll
os I4C••• •011111 YEARET..--00. Tuesday morning
the body of a rearrectably-drerre 1 man was found
lving at the Indtom of Edwor,ls Dock, Sonth Shields.
The tend we. ohnoot dashed to pieces, and the brairt
were lying scattered ahont. The ho !y was afterward'
identifie I no that of William Doll., owner and cop-
tab, of the l.rig Sylph. of Scarborough, which vessel
wan It in: moored off the dock. The deceased had
left the house of a friend about one o'clock in the
morning, and on proceo ling to his vessel he had fal-
len into the dock and been killed. The doceasod was
Igivean of age.
Tilt ROYAL MAL•SOLEUMAT PROOllORR.—Noarly
six years ago the remains of Ilia Royal Menem It..
Prince C.psost were removed from St. George's
Chapel, Windsor, to the Royal Mausoleum at Frog.
wore, the day aft,r the consecration of that princely
tomb by the bishop of Oxford. There, in the tempo-
s:, sarcophagus, have reposed the ashes of the Prince
till the completion of the mausoleum should allow of
the coffin being place.] in the massive sarcophagus of
Scotch granite cat from the northern mountains. rhe
interior of the mausoleum is now in such • forward
state that it is understou I the coffin will shortly be
removed to the granite sarcophagus destined to be
the last earthly resting-olace of the Prince Consort,
THE VoLrATEERS Atill Trig CAPITATIO2I GALST.
—I I.,fier, cc nBemori:ll ci4l,eil by about 140 volun-
teer officers was prevented to Sir John Pakingkm,
asking for an increase of the capitation grant to vol.
unborn. In reply, it was stated, "Her Majesty's
government are rreearel tO consider say new facts
which may hr. bronaht to their notice in regard to
cv increas, of the capitation grant to volunteers, awl
will carefully corsi ler the whole question before the
estimates for the following year are settlet. The
memorialists last week forwarded to the secretary of
Suite for War a tabubted statement, showkg the
annual cost of maintaining the different branches of
the volunteer force tote—Mounted cavalry and field
nrtillert, fl nor tree, or battery; garrison artil.
lery, ; moil rifles, flirr per company. The pre-
sort grant yields beast of the above £75 per annum,
leaving a deficiency of £lO5 for the first, Tit:i for the
aero'-.1, and £3O for the third branch of the volunteer
service.

TACCTIM or A VI..EL HT nat.—The brigan-
tii.e Wave Spirit, belonging to Mr. Duncan, of Amble,
Captain Stevens, was iertroye I by fire on Monday
night, in the Gorman Oman, sic Miles from Sealiam
Harbour, bearing N.W. IV. and Hartlerool S.S.W.
!i W. The captain an I;rew arrived the same night
at Hartlepool. The vessel wan bound for
Shields, from Lon lon, n ballast, and abont seven
ec'ock, whilst the capird was steering and thornily
aloft making more sail. ,ifo former observed smoke
arising from the compattioo. This cannel him to give
an alarm, fuel to heave to. Lawson, the mate, tried
to get below to nu .m t t the fire, which was raging in
the cabin, but the v.ilome nf smoke by which he WAS
mot, prevented him. The !fames germl rapidly, awl
all hone of Paring the veleel WAS soon at an eel;
the CrPlr, therefore, 1011,1'01 the hunt, and before
14 30 they hal to bear away from the wreck, which by
this time was a mesa of flame. They reached Hartle-
pool within two hours.

Tilt: QUERN ANI. r.—The Queen drove out
on Senility afternoon, accompanied by the Crown
Princess of Prussia (Princess Royal). Prince Chris.
tim d Holstein dined with the Queen on
Sunday. The Promise Ambassador and Countess De
ftermitorlf and Lori Augustus Loftus had the honour
,lininuc with the Queen and Royal Family, Her
Majesty's private band played in the Drawing-room
after dinner before the Crown Prince awl Princess of
Prussia (Princess Prime Christian, Princess
Prince Artitnr, ?since Leopold, and Princess
Beatrice. The Ladies aid Gentlemen in waiting were
also present. The Qnsen, the Crown Prince and
Princess of Prussia Primes, Royal', Princess Louise,
Price Arthur. Prince leopol 1, Prii.cese Beatrice,
au I Princess Charlotte of Pettish, and the Ladies and
t;.., item', in Waiting, attended divine eervice on
Sul I lay morning in the pr vate chariot. The Dean of
eter ereitclitY.l the perm°, The Prussian Allthain•
dor and Countess De Bert:motif have left the Castle.
DRRAIdTr. A( en ,t. 7 r Ar Gi•lslitt.?.—A shocking
anchlent occurred ou We. tallay morning at the
Park Farm, near Gabbro'. oct.u'ile I by Mr. Robert
Welater, one of hi. chi Irenlieing kille I ad another
yere seriously injured.. My Webster let been en•
gaited in thrashing with ozo of lie ol I-fashions. I
thrashing machines usually iced nieler a she'll at
furm-houres, two of his age I (wean.' throe
restectivelv, beipg fastei.e.l ly a string 5.41 the up•
right timbers rutit.ing from tie revolving Loam in
Lha centre of the shed, iii ople. to keen them dolt of
the way of the horses' feat. %bout oieven o'Lloyk
Mr. Webster was -alarmed by haring screams yr.
eeediurt from the Plied, an 01 his rooming there
Sound his youngest chili complePly crushed to death
between die revolving beam ant dies...diet in which '
it works; the el ler child wag all fearfully crush° I,
but not deal. It is supposed thityoungest chit Iha I
fallen over the boarding which is tut mind the beam.
and that his brother, whilst eudavonring to help

lora had also been dragged in. dedical assistance
ante procnre I at once, hnt the yonewst chill MY put
help and the other lies in • very crtical state.
Tilt: It Pot Ple GLEAM:So.—A iinuolar MO was
heard on Tuesday id the times eassies. An oil mar.
named lam./ Miller, was charged with stealing a
eert.i„ quantity of co wil.the properly WNW" Sullins,
eb farmer, who auspice 600 acres of lic.d at ilieering.
in Esse, Ihe circumetencea are peculiar, from the
fact that the prisdner took the corn from • toll as it
glevner. lie went with others into the parocutor's
field and began to gather corn after the revers. The
priwecutor'. onii went and told the gloaters to it.
sway, but the prisoner reinsert° in IPO, noinialning
that he hail • right to glean, lie also refuel to bay
down the corn that he ha I ratherel awl vent alba-,
with it. A summon, was then taken oat soinst
end the case was beard before the Harlow larch of
magistrates, who dismissed the charge. Ihwevaa,
the prosecutor was very much dissatisfiat with the
decision, and resolved to proceed by inilictoent, with
Lire object of trying the riulit of farmers b Prevent
gleaning. At the last October versions shill of in.
ilictment was Preferred against Miller to, bleating
COrn, and the Grand Jury found a true bil. Miller
yes taken into custody on the following ila), to„i wee
Enid for bail to appear for trial at the edjotrted pea-
sic... Ho now Came op for trial, and it beim state-i
the the 'prosecutor desired nothing but to try the
right, prisoner pleaded gnilty.—The Chairman, to
toeing sentence of on* day'. imprisonmest, cad it
oasimpuriant, and it shoild he understood that no
Persen had it right to glean without ectirem permis.
~,, iatissrwiee no man could call hit land Sis own.

I';i* Law tit" 14111L.--Judgosent Was given on
Wedneeliiv, in the Court of Queen's Beach, in ti.,
Cain' of II.; v. Wo/h.r which raised forth. first tim.•
Cr thy tle,ißilAti of,. yiiurt of law the quesition whether
',ports at in Parliament are privileged—that
es to say, whether, if correct, fair and hues Bile, they
gmq betted. the suliji•ct of an action of libel. This
en. aeon 41 libel Ili,tiltht by Mr. 1411bY Wawn
the proprietio lof the T toss neirsparr for
oolmhinit re,ort of debate in the Hope of Lords
°H 8 1t41.u. tririento I on his Preying for
inquiry into the
cc...ln/Au( Sir Fitzroy Kelly who hat
TomWll rilitaiintirl Lord Chief Barns of the he
sheleur, ni alm In tu i,hjn /1 len dog article
colonised; gon th ilebgte, ar,.l reiterating soma of
the statem.'ide me 'e by the veers who took dart in
it. At the trial before the horil (hid f Joshes at
Goacholi the Jury found that the report sag StCO rate
and faithful, aid that the article was k cor, fair
~,,,,meet one Mellor of polni, interost. cp,M tl i•
Sinlieg His Lordship directs, I • verdh.t lid the
le-
fan 'ants, WI II rule for misdirection u • •
lion whether that was right. 'the case ea. argue‘
1 fti
go.' length on Thum lay and Suter !Ng last, end
e jadirinalit WY reserved. Ihe isird ai,jef uti
wow delivered judgnient. lie said the UM.
waned a few days since before his lientliere Lush,
Heinuen, awl Have, and himself, and tkny wok tino
to consider their judgment, not Wean.. their mho.
was not made up at the close of the moments, hot
because, owing to the importance and sovelty of the
point involved,
_they thought it desirable that their
Judgment should he reduce! to writing. 'rhe main
question for their decisiou cam whether • report in.
public ',swimmer of • debate in either Howse of Par.
'lenient containing matter disparaging to the charac-
ter of an individual which hail been spoken in debate
was actionable at the snit of the party whose charac-
ter was called in question. 'nay were of opinion
that it was not. Important as the question was, it
came now for the first time before a court of law fur
decision. Numerous as were the instances in which
the conduct and character of individuals had been
called in question in Parliament during the many
years parliamentary debates bat been reported in the
pub;ic journals, this was the first instance in which
aii a. two for libel founded co a report of • parlia-
mentary debate had come before • moat of law.
There was, therefore a total &bison* of direct au-
thority to guide them. There were, indeed, the
dicta of indite. having Weyer, to the point in
question, but they were oonflicurigand inconclusive,
gad might be said to be estraiodicial. The jadg.
went was very elaborate, end ettesided to a con-
siderable length. The desire= was, of wares for the
defendant,.