The Press.
London, England, 1854-06-17 00:00:00

Vnlitual an Otittral.

THE HON. AND VERY REV. DR. NEVILLE GRENVILLE,
Dean of Windsor, died on Saturday morning, at his
residence, Butleigh-court, near Glastonbury. The
dean was in his 66th year.
THE EAST KENT RAILWAY will be completed to
Canterbury within two years, and to Faversham within
fifteen months. The extension to Dover is also to be
completed within four years. This line will shorten
the distance between London and Canterbury and
Ramsgate by twenty miles.
_ . .

THE. annual election of scholars to St. John's
College, Oxford, and the other colleges connected
with the Merchant Tailors' School, took place on
Saturday.
IN the six years 1847 to 1852, one of the London
official assignees in the Court of Bankruptcy had 307
bankruptcies committed to him. The available assets,
after deducting 37,4241. for payments in full to mort-
gagees and for rent and taxes, a:nounted to 157,9151.
Out of this sum the creditors received rather more
than 00,0001. iu dividends; the court fees absorbed
10,2051. (01 per cent.), the official assignee took
7,8071. (5 per cent.), the messenger 7,943/., the broker
and auctioneer 6,937/, and the solicitors 20,2551. (121
per cent ), making together above 53,0001. or more
than 33 per cent. The allowance to the bankrupts for
maintenance, &c., was 4,701/.
THE directors of the National Provincial Bank of
England have signified their intention to pay on the
14th of July a dividend at the rate of 8 per cent., and
a bonus of 4 per cent.

SATURDAY,

AN immense quantity of coprolite, and what is
termed rough stone, has been found on the shore of
Bawdsey, in East Suffolk, and the intermediate
parishes verging towards Woodbridge. This mineral
is supposed to be the dung of antediluvian animals,
and though so long buried in the earth is still rich in
phosphate of lime, and other matters valuable to the
agriculturist. Many of the finders are reaping an
excellent harvest. In one cottager's garden twenty
pounds' worth has been obtained, and others have
been equally fortunate. Among the coprolite deposits
are a number of curious fossils of the antedilu.
vian world, consisting of relics of enormous species of
fish, animals, and shells, most of which are now en.
tinct.

ACCORDING to the new regulations of the General
Post-office all letter-carriers are paid their salaries
weekly, postmasters and their clerks monthly, and
letter-receivers quarterly. Letter-carriers in rural
districts are now empowered to sell postage-stamps.
ADMIRAL GORDON, brother of the Premier, having
been appointed to the command at the Nore, it is
understood that he will retire from the representation
of Aberdeenshire. Lord Haddo, the oldest son of the
Earl of Aberdeen, will, it is said, be his successor in
the representation of the county, and, should he
offer himself, will be returned probably without oppo-
sition.

THE " PILLAR-STONE " of a new church in Mitford-
place, Edgware-road, was laid on Monday by Lord
John Russell. The building is dedicated to St. Luke,
and has been erected by a public subscription among
the inhabitants of Marylebone as a thanksoffering for
mercies received from Almighty God during the
visitation of cholera.

THE EARL OE CASTLESTUART died on Saturday
evening last, at Stuart, hall, in the county of Tyrone.
His lordship returned from England about a week
previously, and was in delicate health.
Kladaradatch, the Berlin Punch, places the follow.
ing apposite dialogue in the mouths of "Schultze"
and "Muller," the " Pasquino " and " Marfeso " of
the Prussians :—" I say, Muller, I'm going to insure
my life." "So ; where, then?" "In the Russian army."
" Well, that is a queer fancy." " Not a bit. When
100,000 Russians fight battles, they never lose more
than one man, and that a Cossack. Isn't that a good
speculation ?" " I can't deny it."

THE FOUNDATION-STONE of the immense works
projected at the mouth of the Tyne was laid on
Thursday with much ceremony. The Admiralty cal-
culate that all the improvements contemplated will
cost 600,0001., to be raised by a tax on shipping fre-
quenting the port, the annual produce of which is
about 12,0001. It is supposed that the improvement
will prevent much loss of life and property. The
pier on the south side will extend 4,000 feet into the
sea.

LETTERS FROM ST. PETERSBURG announce another
failure at Moscow, the house being that of Mr. Julius
Steding, for about 40,0001. The misleading state-
ment lately made in the House of Commons, that
Archangel was not to be blockaded, had reached St.
Petersburg, whence, it was said, the export trade
would consequently become very active, as the route
to that port was alleged to be cheaper than to Memel.
THE British Government, according to the Ameri-
can papers, has come to the determination of taking
possession of the port of Sitka and all the Russian
ports in the Pacific.
THE first section of the telegraph cable for the
Mediterranean and Indian line has been completed at
Messrs. Kuper's works in Greenwich, and stowed on
board the Persian, which will sail probably to-day.
The length comprises above 110 miles, intended to
form the communication between Spezzia, Corsica,
and Sardinia. _ .

A NEW WRIT FOR MORPETH, vacant by Sir G. Grey's
acceptance of office, was ordered to be issued by the
House of Commons on Tuesday. The new Colonial
Secretary is the only candidate at present announced
for the borough.
THE ASCOT Cur. won by West Australian on
Thursday is a large and handsome piece of plate,
representing Charles of Luxembourg, the blind and
aged King of Bohemia, who caused his horse's bridle
to be made fast to the horses of two knights between
whom he rode at the battle of Cressy, and thus
dashed sword in hand upon the English troops. The
name of this prize was altered from the " Ascot Gold
Cup" to the " Emperor's Plate" in compliment to the
Emperor of Russia, who, being present at the race in
84-1, gave 5001. annually fur a piece of plate to be
added to the stakes. Under the circumstances of the
war with Russia the gift of the Czar has been declined
this year, and the prize has reverted to its original
character and tide.

GUANITE-3 deposit of semi•crystalline character
found abundantly in the Falkland—lslands has
been analysed at the Royal College of Chemistry and
found to be arich manure well worth importation. It
contains somewhat less ammonia, but double the
proportion of phosphoiic acid—presented in guano,
and its value as a manure is estimated at 71. to 81. per
ton. It must be ground to powder before being ap-
plied to the soil.

■

lui4t X 7,1854.

.•
A--

I,ORD MAIDSTONE AND MR. WILLIAM SIADE,
ere, it is believed, to be the Conservative candidates
for the representation of Cainbridge whenever a writ
for, the election is issued.
THE CITY CLERGY were invited to meet at Sion
College on Monday to discuss a petition against Lord
Barrowby's bill for the removal of certain City
churches. Dr. Croly made a long and brilliant
speech denouncing the measure, and resolutions in
conformity therewith were adopted.
THE ELECTION OF CHURCHWARDEN FOR ST. PAUL'S,
KNIGHTSBRIDGE, came off on Wednesday and Thurs-
day, and.caused intense excitement. Mr. Westerton,
the anti-Puseyite candidate, headed the poll through-
out, and the two days' struggle closed with his elec-
tion by a large majority. The votes stood at the
close—For, Westerton 651; Davidson 328: majority
323.
THE REV. LORD AUGUSTUS FITZCLARENCE died on
Wednesday afternoon at his residence, Maple-
Durham, in Oxfordshire. The deceased, who had
pot completed his fiftieth year, married in 1845
Sarah, eldest daughter of Lord Henry Gordon.
KOSSUTH has been repeating his afiti-Anstrian
speeches at Nottingham during the week, and has
promised to visit Glasgow shortly with similar
Latent.
THE first show of American plants for the season
took place on Monday at the Botanic Society's gar-
dens in the Regent's-park. The flowers were very
brilliant. Three or four thousand persons were
present, and the usual military bands were in
attendance.
A PRIVATE SOLDIER OF THE 31ST REGIMENT,
stationed in Tipperary, died suddenly in the barracks,
his death being attributed by the jury at the inquest
to the " pressure of the stock round his neck while
tin service."
THE colohelcy of the 19th Regiment has become
ideant by the death of Lieutenant-General Charles
Tamer.
A Fuorrrm SLAVE, in the employ of Clark and
Pond, millers, at Fulton, New York, sent a barrel of
specimen flour to Queen Victoria. He presently re-
oeived, says an American paper, an autogaph letter
from the Queen, acknowledging the receipt of the
floor, and enclosing 300 dole. in return.
THE ieceipt of a despatch from Admiral Dundas
Ontiouneing the blockade of the Danube is ratified in
Tuesday's Gazette.
THE SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH COM-
PANIES have just joined their wires at Manchester to
those of the British Telegraph Company, thus ex-
tending their system throughout the midland districts
Of England and Scotland.
THERE is a rumour of a mercantile failure in the
worsted trade, witn liabilities in Bradford, Yorkshire,
to the extent of 100,000/.
Fnou a recent parliamentary return it appears that
only thirty men of the artily at home received corporal
punishment during the year 1853. The largest
number of lashes was fifty, smallest twenty-five. The
offences were insubordination, theft, violence to supe-
riors, and making away with necessaries. Only one
soldier was flogged at Chobham : his crime was In
subordination. All these men were tried by court-
martial previously to punishment.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER has ac-
knowledged during the week the receipt of ten
Mexican bonds, each for 5001., " in further payment
of a debt long due to the nation ;" and of 5014 in ten
Post: office orders of Si. each, from "P. J."
THE RATES OF " WAR RISKS" now current atLloyd's
range from half a-crown to 11. per cent., according to
the voyage, steamers of course being insured at much
lower rates than sailing-vessels.
THE VICAR OF PETERBOROUGH has commenced a
system of open-air preaching, and announces his
intention to persevere in it during the summer
months.

-------
A DEPUTATION waited upon Mr. Gladstone on
Saturday with the hope of inducing the Government
to grant a pension to the daughter of Nelson. The
deputation comprised Vice-Admiral Sir William
Henry Dillon, K.C.8., Captain James Robertson
Walker, R.N., Captain H. Lancaster, R.N., Sir James
Duke Bart., M.P. (treasurer of the Nelson Memo-
rial Fund), Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bali, M.P.,
Mr. Hume, M.P., Mr. James Walker, F.R.S., LLD.,
and the Rev. John Hoole, M.A. (one of the trustees
of the Nelson Memorial Fund). After hearing their
object explained and justified, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer asked for a copy of the codicil of Nelson's
will in which he bequeathed his daughter "to the
care of the English nation," and said that he must
consult with his colleagues in the Cabinet before
coming•to any definite conclusion upon the matter.
The members seem to have considered this reply
tolerably hopeful.
H.M. SCREW STEAM-Sun' Esk, a fine screw steam-
corvette, designed in the office of the Surveyor of the
Navy, and built by John Scott Russell and Co.' on
similar linea as the Highflyer, 21, was launched on
Monday at Millwall, in the presence of a large number
of spectators.

PlllErour•womina

Ti thESS.

xab3 ad Volta.

A RtmE, preliminary to criminal information, on
the charge of publishing a series of libels, was ap-
plied for at the Bail Court, on Monday, on behalf of
Lord Drumlanrig against the proprietors or printers
of Reynolds's Newspaper, Messrs. M'Arthur Rey-
nolds and John Dicks. The plaintiff was the son of
the Marquis of Queensberry, an M.P., Lord Lieute-
nant of Dumfries, Controller of her Majesty's House-
hold, and Privy Councillor. He became some time
since, first shareholder, then director, and finally
chairman of an association entitled the " Deposit and
General Life Assurance Company." With this so-
ciety the defendants had dome quarrel, and, thinking
apparently that it could be most easily attacked in
the person of the chairman, commenced publishing
in their journal the libels complained of :

In these articles it was stated that his lordship had been out-
lawed, that he had connected himself with this association,
which these parties represented as a fraudulent and insolvent
one, for the purpose of lending his name to it, it being understood
that he should have certain shares allotted, and should not be
required to pay calls upon those shares. They represented his
lordship as being insolvent—brqken down—that he was seeking to
evade payment of his debts, that he became chairman of the di-
rectors for the purpose of obtaining the paltry emolument to
which the directors were entitled for their attendance, and that
he obtained the appointment in her Majesty's household as a
mere shelter for his debts, and as a means of evading the pas.
ment of his debts. Of course, if these charges were true, Lord
Drumlanrig was not only an improper person to be a director,
but an extremely improper person to be a Controller of her Ma-
jesty's Household. The first libel was published on the 29th
of January, in which they said they knew nothing of this com-
pany beyond the fact that a noble lord who figured in the direc-
tion was lately proclaimed an outlaw by the sheriff's officer. In
subsequent articles down to the 4th instant they stated that
many persons obtained Court appointments as a shelter from
arrest for debt ; there were plenty of Lord Thimblerigs ready to
connect themselves with companies if they could get the guinea
for attendance. Over and over again they stated that Lord
Drumlanrig was an outlaw ; that the company was concocted in
fraud; and there was also an attack upon the sesetary of the
company, and an insinuation that the enterprise rad been con-
cocted in the Queen's Prison.
The plaintiff had tiled affidavits specifically denying
the whole series of charges set forth in the libels,
and declaring that they were utterly baseless and
scan dalous. Mr. Justice Wightman granted a rule.
The ride was returnable on Thursday, when Mr. M.
Chambers, on behalf of the defendants, offered an
ample apology for and retractation of the libellous
statements in question, and promised to print their
amende in the newspaper. This was accepted by
the plaintiff, and the rule discharged, defendant
being ordered to pay all the costs of the proceedings.

JOHN STOCKELL, a commercial traveller in the sta-
tionery business, was tried at the Middlesex Sessions
for committing an aggravated assault on his wife. It
was shown that he had come home one evening much
intoxicated, and, having ordered his wife and children
to get into bed, remained himself up all night, drink-
ing, swearing, raving, and at intervals beating the poor
woman in the most brutal manner. When morning
came he was about to send a child out for mOre li-
quor, when his wife interposed, and was assaulted in
such fashion that her screams of murder brought a
policeman to the house, who broke open the door
and took the prisoner into custody. At the trial it
was stated that the defendant was practically insane
when intoxicated, and had not long before remained
ten days in the Holborn Union under a medical cer-
tificate. His wife shed tears while giving her evi-
dence, and said that he was a kind husband and
father whenever he was "in his right mind." He
was found guilty of the assault, but judgment post-
poned until the next session, in order to have the
question of insanity determined by medical examina-
tion.

COINING AND " SMASHING" CASES generally occupy
much time at the opening of every session of the
Central Criminal Court. On Monday, the first day
of the June session, there were twenty-seven Mint
prisoners : three of these, Morris, a mason, Riley,
a weaver, and Elizabeth Jackson, spinster, were in-
dicted for coining. The prisoners were captured in
a room in Charles-street, Drury-lane, whither the
police were directed by some information they ob-
tained, and the man Morris was arrested in the act
of washing a mould upon the floor with his feet:—

Upon the entry of the officers a most desperate attack was
made upon one of them by the female, who seized a jug and beat
one of them about the head to prevent the capture of Morris.
After they had been overpowered the place was searched, and ten
crowns, twenty shillings, and a great many sixpences, all bad,
were found, besides the usual implements for coining.
Riley said that he bad gone by Aimee intothe other prisoners'
room, and it was shown that he had occupied the room adjoining
only a few days, and was not known as an associate of the others.
The jury acquitted him, and found the others Guilty.
Morris was sentenced to six and Jackson to four
years' penal servitude.

SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE NEW TICKET SYSTEM
FOR CONVICTS were made by Mr. Witham, the as-
sistant judge of the Middlesex Sessions, on opening
his court upon Tuesday last. He noticed that in the
House of Commons it was stated by Mr. Fitzroy
that 1,194 tickets of leave had been granted to con-
victs, of which three only had been revoked. This
was a cheering view of the system; but it should not
he forgotten that the committals for theft, which for
the last few years had been gradually decreasing,

5611

ware, since the establishmeut of the ticket-of-leave)
system, frightfully on the increase—the committals
in that county (Middlesex) alone in the present year,
to the 12th of June, exceeding by upwards of 400 the
number committed in the tome period last year.
lie did not intend to infer that this increase was
caused by the ticket-of-leave system, but it was, to
say the least of it, a remarkable coincidence:

-GEORGE BARBELL was re-examined at the Mansion-
house on Tuesday, charged with having snatched a
bag of gold from a truck at the door of the Bank of
England. He had been remanded for the purpose
of being examined by the medical officer of Newgate
as to the state of his mind. Mr. Mldurdo's certi-
ficate pronounced the prisoner perfectly sane, and
he was sentenced to a fortnight's hard labour at
Holloway.
THE RAILWAY PASSENGERS' ASSURANCE COMPANY
were defendants in an action brought by a Mr.
Theobald, and on which judgment *as given in the
Court of Itxchecluer on Tuesday. The Plaintiff had
taken out an insurance with the company to the
amount of 1,0001., for two railway journeys. His
foot having slipped while getting out of the railway
carriage atithe platform he injured bis leg, and was
confined for some time under medical attendance.
When he applied for damages, the company alleged
that the accident was not of the class for Which,
under the terms of the insurance, they incurred
liability. The case being brought before a jury,
however, a verdict was given for the plaintiff, with
341. 19s. damages and expenses, 1001. for his loss
of time, and 1001, for loss of profits in business.
The verdict was carried for revision into the Ex•
chequer Court, when the Chief Baron affirmed the
decision of the jury as to liability, and as to the
341. 19s. for expenses, but disallowed the 2001. on
the score of time and profits. " This consequential
mischief," he remarked, " ought not to be taken into
account, otherwise one passenger whose time is
more valuable would receive a larger amount than
another. The contract is made by the company
with reference to death or personal injury, but with-
out regard to the station in life of the insurer."
Loan PALMERSTON stated to the House of Com-
mons on Tuesday that the Government had deter-
mined to abridge the term of separate confinement
of convicts sentenced to penal servitude to a maximum
of nine months ; so that, supposing a convict to be
sentenced to seven years' servitude, the first nine
months only would be passed in separate confine-
ment, after which he would be placed in association
with others.
AN ATTEMPT AT ROBBERY upon the premises of
Mr. Reid, a dairyman in Great Titchfield-street, was
discovered and frustrated by the agency of his cat.
On Friday evening last week the master noticed that
the animal showed symptoms of uneasiness, so exhi-
bited as to draw his attention to the counter of his
shop. Upon searching he found a man secreted be-
neath, who was of course promptly drawn forth and
given into custody. Being brought up at Marlbo-
rough-street police-office next day, the prisoner,
whose name is Cooper, was recognised as connected
with a notorious gang of thieves, and sentenced to
three months' imprisonment. dr. Reid said that
this was not the first time that the same cat had
saved him from being robbed.
FIVE BOYS, aged from thirteen to sixteen, Donegan,
Green, Lawrence, Grindley, and Phillips, were
charged before Mr. Bingham, at Marlborough-street,
on Monday, with having played pitch-and-toss in the
public streets on the previous Sunday. They were
caught at their illegal gambling by policeman Lewis,
who took them into custody for the offence. Law-
rence and Donegan, when questioned by his worship,
pleaded that they were not playing, only looking on.
The three other defendants admitted to having had
a game of " chuckfarthing," but did not know it was
contrary to the statute :
Mr. Bingham handed the defendents Donegan and Lawrence
over to their parents, with a recommendation to administer a
little gentle chastisement upon the lads. Gambling In any way
generally led to thieving and everything else that was tud.
There were plenty of good and interesting books, with which
they could amuse themselves on a Sunday without resorting to
such a thieve's game as pitchrind•toss. With this admonition
he should discharge the other defendants on payment of 2s. 6d.
each, as a warning to them for the future.

VICTORIA RIFIXB.—Last year her Majesty was
pleased to sanction the formation of a rifle corps in
Middlesex, to be called the Victoria Rifles. The
number was limited to three hundred, in four com-
panies of seventy-five each. This select corps is in-
tended to consist entirely of gentlemen. The duties
are to attend drills every Wednesday after six
o'clock p.m., and it is desired that members will
also attend he firing parade at Kilbnrn turnpike at
four p.m. the same day, but these attendances are
not obligatory, an intimation to the commanding
officer that it is not convenient to attend being all
that is necessary to procure exemption, from duty.
The subscription is 21. 2s. per annum. Mr. W. T.
I'ritcbard, of Doctors'-commons, is the honorary
secretary. As it is the object of this corps to com-
bine rifle practice with military drill, and as Its rules
are convenient, we have no doubt that the vacancies
which now exist will speedily be filled up.