The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-02 00:00:00

ITALY.

circumstance& four men
Aggie, of Berwick, which durisia hurricane on Sunday,
the'2lst ult., was wreaked own matey. This noble reams
bad excited considerable attention in Northumberland,
where the conduct of the pliant fishermen who manned
the lifeboat in such fearful weather had received auiversal
praise. A reward of 41. was also given to the crew of the
Thurso lifeboat of the society, for saving, on the 19th ult.,
during a gale of wind, the crew of three men of the schooner
Sisters, of Wick. The vessel soon afterwards became •
total wreck. The cost of this lifeboat wee presented to
the institution by A. 'W. Jaffrey, Esq. of St. Mildred's
Court. A reward of 81. 10s. was also voted to the institu-
tion lifeboat at Holyhead, for tenderise important services,
oo the afternoon of the 20th ult., to the barque Highland
Brigade, of Wbitehaven, by which means the vessel wee
probably saved from destruction. Captain Priest, R.N.
like all the other hon. secretaries of the branches of the
institution, spoke very highly of the behaviour of the
Meta& in very heavy sees and blokes water. A
reward of 91.45. was likewise granted to pay the expiable
of the Whitby old lifeboat, for saving 12 pawns belonging
to the barque Re el Bass, of Falmouth which daring
tempietsona weather, on the 21st alt., bad sprung • leek,
and afterwards beams totally wrecked outside Whitbe-
pier. Also 131.18 e. to pay the expenses of the Whitby new
lifeboat, for renderiegmost important services to the barque
Alice, of Leith, which was found in distress is • heavy surf
onside Whitby-pier, on the 222nd ult. The cost of this
valuable lifeboat was also Presented to the inetitertion by
Mr. Jeffrey. A reward of b/. 10e. was voted to the mew of
the Rye lifeboat, belonging to the moiety, who had, in con-
jnoctioe with the crews of two Coast Guard boats, suc-
ceeded la rescuing from destruction the American ship James
Brown, which was observed to be rapidly making water, in a
heavy surf on the Boulder sandbank off Rye on the 10th ult.
Also a reward of 5/. 9s. to the crew of the institution's life-
bat at Plymouth, for aseisting, is conjunction with a go-
vernmeet steam tug, in bringing to • place of safety the
Dutch galliot Aremaus, which was observed to be rapidly
driving on shore in • heavy sea on the 10th ult. This boat
was the gift of Miss Burdett Coutts. Rewards amounting to
481. 18s. were voted to the crews of the eociety's lifeboats at
tb, Scarborough, Tyrone, Padetow, Holyhead,
rnimuouth, Carmarthen Bay, sad Southport, for either
easerobling, or for putting off in replies to signals of distress,
with the view of saving life from different vessels, but
which bad either succeeded in getting out of danger, or had
had their crews saved by other means.
During the year which has just closed the lifeboats
of this great sad important institution have rescued
358 shipwrecked persons on our coasts. The boats have
during the same period been manned on occasions of service
and quarterly caffein by nearly 8,000 persons, and with
the sole exception of one poor fellow perishiog, the institu-
tion has not, most providentially, lost • single man through.
out the year in its perilous operations.
The silver medal of the institution was presented to Mr.
W. Swerbrick, master of the steam-tug Wyne, of Pigst-
y«. d, and to Mr. Robert Gerrard, pilot, in admiration of
their noble conduct in rescuing, under the moat perilous
circumstances, by means of the 'cameo, 17 persons from
the barque Pudyood, of Gleason Lock, which had struck
during • heavy gale of wind and in • high sea in More.
comb, Bay. There were 13 pervious altogether
engaged in this gallant service to suffering humanity,
for which service they bad. elsewhere received 551.
A reward of 181. was likewise greeted to the mews of two
fishing smacks, in appreciation of their gallant and perse-
vering conduct in rescuing, at great risk of life, the crew of
four men from the brigantine John and Edwin, of Whit-
stable, which in • very heavy gale of wind and terrific sea
bad been wrecked off Whitstable on the 2lat December.
An interesting report was reed from the Assistant In-
spector (Captain David Robertson, R.N.) of the institution,
of his recent inspection of the lifeboats on the Irish most.
With one or two exceptions, he found the boats in excellent
order. It was reported that the late firs. Ann Cotta, of
the Old Kent-road, bad left the institution a legacy of 1,0001.,
free of duty. A contributioo of 2s 6d.. in aid of the hinds
of the society, was received from the wife of an old Scotch
mike.
The institution decided to place forthwith • new lifeboat
at Bade Haven, in Cornwell, and to completely renovate
the lifeboat statics. Payments amounting to, upwards of
5001. were ordered to be made on various lifeboat esta-
blishment&
The cordial thanks of the meeting were presented to Mr.
Chapman, for the able sod zealous manner in which be had
pried:xi emir the meetings of the committee during the
past year. The thanks of the institution were also unani-
mously given to Sir Edward Perrot!, Bert., the chairman of
its sub-committee, for assiduously aiding to carry on the
work of the institution.

Owe otni owl
TURIN, Duo. 28.
The Spanish liberal party has sent as a present to
Garibaldi the sword of one of the defenders of the
independence of Spain. I hope, for the honour of
that nation, that the liberal party there is more
numerous than might be supposed, judging by its
press and its parliamentary orators. This mani-
festation of sympathy on the part of the Spanish
liberals comes, however, at the right moment, as
a sort of protest in the name of liberty against the
reactionary party.
While the parliamentary Commission of Inquiry
upon brigandage is examining the reports already
collected, and preparing to set out for the
Southern provinces, where it is anxiously awaited,
the cabinet, or rather Signor Spaventa, the Secre-
tary-General of the Ministry of the Interior—for he
is the prime mover in the matter—is organising
a double system of action against the bri-
gands. In the first place, a very large
number of troops from adjoining provinces
which are free of brigands are to be concentrated
in the Capitanata. This movement is to be executed
rapidly and unexpectedly, the reinforcements pour-
ing in from all sides at once. In the second place
aid is to be obtained from the local police and those
mayors and national guards who have courage
enough to grapple with the brigands, and who are
perfectly well known to be free from connivance
with them. The names of almost all the brigands,
together with the provinces to which they belong,
are now known, so that the police are prepared to
secure them if they return to their homes to spend
the winter there and enjoy the reward of the pro-
fessional labours they have gone through during the
, fine weather. These dispositions will be much more
' useful than the commisalonof inquiry, which, how-
! ever, will prove that the parliament is in earnest in
its endeavour to restoretranquillity to the Southern
provinces. But the commission will work hard if
it beats the ministry in earnestness and capacity.
Signor Rattazsi bad approved of a commission as a
means of calming the public mind, and tranquilly
awaited its decision ; but the present ministry does
not wish to wait until the necessarily long investi-
gations of the commission are concluded. When
the result of those investigations basbeeu submitted
to parliament, that bod 7 will see what is ultimately
to be dour, and determine the amount of credit due
to the ministry.
The circulars to the prefects correspond with the
above details. Tbey have been very well received,
and show by their clearness that they are the work
of men accustomed to public business.
Our theatres not being very attractive, we should
be dull indeed but for the farce of Papal reform and
the interminable flocks of canards from La France.
It is not true that an attempt has been made at
Naples to destroy the printing presses of areactionary
journal ; it is not true that there are misunder-
standings amoag the ministers ; it is not true that
say attempt, resulting in failure, has bees smile to

Xt. CARDWILL, on rising, was received with loud cheers.
He seid—l rise with sincere pleseure and feelings of thankftd-
nem to aeksowledge the mnoser in which you have bees
kind enough to propose and receive this tout. lam sorry
that it falls to ray lot to retina thanks for it alone, but I
have the pinion of knowing that our friend Alderman
Badiier received only this morning an excellent report from
my friend and colleague of his propose towards recovery :
and not keg ego I mymeM bad the pleasure of seeing how
much strewth be had acenthed ohms we separated for the
holidays. (Bear, beer.) Hp, like me, was meet anxious to
is present it this osemalee, said -I .ens son that he is only
prevented hem being es hylisosisitumens. Yee will pro- .
bablyegree with me that Miet It dieloss ears he can pre-
pare himself for dinitergisg elleiently the he-
portant duties which he will have to discharge
in • few weeks he will be defog most wisely, sad yen will I
with willingness forego the *sane of his premises en this.
cooneoi. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, in rising to address you
to-night, I cannot but remember that when we met together
in this room on the let of January last, a question was
trembling in the Woos which wee to decide no lose an
UNDO than that of peace between two great branches of the
Anglo-flaxon race. We were in hourly expectation of the
telegraphic, message in answer to the demand which Enghnd
had made for the surrender of those two gentlemen who, in
defiance of all law, had been taken by a captain of
the American navy from the shelter d the British flag.
flat Lime was happily decided in conformity with intents.
Mond law and the interests of peace--(theme)—and I think
we may reflect with satisfaction oo the fact that that happy
hone was due in no small degree to that mingled moderation
and firmness which was exhibited by the British people—
Icheers)—that determination to do no wrong and to submit
to no wrong—(lmid cheering)—which in the interomuse of
nations, no lon than in the intercourse of private life, is the
beet guarantee both for honour and for pesos. (Renewed
cheering.) When we look back on the year that is peat I
think we may feel an hosed satisfaction in reflecting
that the British people have manifested the same spirit
throughout in reference to the great events that have taken
place. (Cheers.) We have witnessed in the present day
• conflict in the New World which appears to be to thee
world what the French revolution, and the wan that issued
from the French revolution, ware to the Old, in the time
of our fathers. It has been terrible in its commencement
and so man can foresee its conclusion. (Hoar hear.) We
have taken the deepest interest is that conflict. Oar own
interests and our own prosperity have been largely involved
is it. We have been interested in it, ea we are members of
Out meat Anglo-flagon family with which we all hope we
shall ever be on terms of the most intimate friendship. But
above all, we are interested is It from the deeper and
stronger feeling of our common humanity, and we cannot
but be deeply pained when we witness the terrible sufferinp,
and when we read of the horrible and multitudinous carnage
which bee taken place in consequence of that war. (Hear.)
Thos feelings will always prevail in a, country like ours,
where the feelings of the community are mewed to the
bottom through popular assemblies, but above all through a
free press, and in such •as the feelings and opinions et
the community will always be expressed. (Cheers.) I
think we may also say that we have bad to ungemereue
motive, so unworthy feeling of predominesise,.bakon the
canner!, • shave comma for the war*p which we Una
witnessed on the °Dadaist ef America, and have supreme& a
hope for the termination of the hstrieidal oonflict, sad a
restoration to the Americas people of all classes of the
blessings of peace. (Cheers.) Of this, gentlemen, lam
st—r, that the Ba Web people in tepid to their
own conduct have bees guided by the purest
motives and by the most righteous reeolutioos. They
have desired nothing but the most complete obedience to
international law, sad when it operated moat severely
against their ow* advantage and thew own interest they de-
sired most anodise* to adhere to the priaelpies ot a meet
inflexible sentrelity. (Cheers.) Gentlemen', the trial to
our own interest bee not only bean great, but I will ecknow-
ledge that in framer times, when casting an eye around the
political horizon to see if is any quarter of that horizon then
might be danger to the interest and prosperity of England,
it always appeared that the one spot from which the greatest
danger might be apprehended was the fear that a single
supply at Unmet raw material of our domestic industry
might sae day fail. Looking to the fact that it was a single
supply, and looking to the fact that that supply in its vary
nature did not depend upon free labour, it was impossible
not to foresee that some diflionlty or other might arise, end
the appretumaiaa might become a reality. We DODO if
us sew the precise form in which that danger might arisii;
and when the war came what was the consequence?
There is, as you know, in the North • rag
population of energy unexampled sod skill unrivalled, who
work two hours and obtain the reward of labour, suddenly.
as if the math had denied to agriculture its int:ease, the
only material of their industry was withdrawn. The people
of Lancashire are both independent and sensitive, not
willing to be dependent upon the liberality of others, and
they have proved that they were a heroic people. Before
this horrible war they were always ready to assist one
another, and were never willing to apply to those whom
Providence had placed in a more fortunate position than
themselves. Their conduct has been beyond all praise,
and has radioed the language of the poet when be said
How sublime • thing it is
To suffer and be strong.
I believe that there have been two great causes for that
good conduct which has been the admiration of the world—
namely, that the courtly generally has shown peat
sympathy with them, and the sacrifices made by their em-
ployers. (Hear, hear.) There have been contributions nut
only from the United Kingdom, but also the colonies, and
even America. sad I cannot help expressing an opinion
that those coutributiom are evidence of the fact that there
Lis that country • disposition to appreciate us, and that
there are those who an willing to acknowledge the spirit
by which England has been actuated and guided throughout
this lamentable contest, and who, consequently, ere desir-
ous that there should be maintained • growing and constant
goodwill between the two countries. Gentlemen, soon
after the French llevolotion, in 1648, a distinguished French-
man, who had filled the post of first minister to the French
King, wrote a treatise upon a subject with which
we are not concerned, but he bad occasion in the
FATAL OMNIBUS ACClDTllT.—Yesterday, Mr. J. coarse of it to speak of the feeling which prevailed in
Bird, the coroner, held an inquiet in the board-room of this country of England between the rich and the poor. In
Kensington Workhouse, on view of the body of Mr. Robert
that treatise he said that the poor are not envious of the
Henry Burgess, aged 38 years, who held • otnatios in the •
rich, and the rich are above all things solicitous to contri-
Home-office, and who was killed on Holiday evening last
by falling from an omnibus while in the act of alighting. bate to the wants of the distressed poor, and he spoke of
It appeared that on the day is question ,the deceased's wife that feeling in the terms of just eulogy, as constituting the
and three children were at an evening party at Kensington, cement of society in this happy and favoured country.
and it was arranged that the d should fetch them (Hear, hear.) He ended with the noble apostrophe—These
about' • quarter past six o'clock in the evening.
with snake-
' Golleornil outside
but: Coomuinpanibuly baler giCngbaringt° th-creouL°. adßone arAseel,hegenvirttlZend, IChresta"think weitmay, may look charity,
bao °Da
h".
' was perfectly sober. At hie request the omnibus Mon sad pleasure at the conduct which has been
stopped at the Holland Arms. The vehicle had • exhibited by all classes during the year which ha
double-roof mat, at the end of which there was a circular .- .on
i pissed, believing that it has done much to
1 rail and • part need as • passage from on. side to the
magi" I
, sm .et •'n '
Enaiod and to inert."
other. As be rose from his seat on the off -aide, 3.
I the oonductor ached him for his umbrella while be amnia the stability and firmness of our happy ivatitutions.
over to the seer side es he would then get • batter hold. I (Cheers.) I remember that about the time of the first great
The doom.
to eLhasidod..,
side of
thtehemontretlla.Thaend.cirsil.t.biyarisdt•h_o 1
dzil4l3:_bitiooi.bedi
Aw:e.ricithat a d:wohoero, at
in
awllbuiodhihgthwerethw.raipirizits•
rouod, thinking that the deceased ems coming down the "11"
I steps at the back of the omnibus, when he saw him topple I which bad occurred to most ot the European governments
' over and fall down open his bead. He wee picked up rd ' and conatitutioos—even to many of the most settled govern-
••rried_;_,te the path in i,..a frost of
_,nh• Holland Arms, and on I agents in Europe— plessently alluded to his own govern-
the
n''''''''' Dr. '' LUla b. found that life "'quit* extinct ' a&&-& t' that of the United Shiites of America, ad said that
On • farther examioadoe be found that the deceased had
of the skell, which had received a tracts,. caused death. In
• he really believed that it was one of the oldest and most
the coons of the (squill the conductor stated that deceased firmly established of all the governments in the world. Well,
was fully • sixteen nose man, and be fell from the omnibus gentlemen, we have sees sot only the monarchies
~ like. ,_._• 18, of, lead." The jury ~turned a. verdict of, of Europe shaken, but we have also 'hawed
1 ic-hiruirpiiil7.boamlikedist isib'bientorewimet:sato.ber:thlosdnimltion ImmOvmehicoriblus: 1 one ibei: wile...el:: weeeeithebstbore°l".ideeeldeimethe Atlantic tiiic, ii:
oftle ntendheir
for limiliPre to slight treat tits roof. igla gnat republic ti Amerlwa. We most, therefore, iads.d,

owing to • system el leglehitign—and I am skald that we
ourselves set the es maple—the sea was not sr groaterhee•
rier betimes the semis of the two kingdoms than the
eelf.imposed barrier which we created against the inter-
change of the produce of our industry and commerce. It
is impoerible to my what may net be the result when that
harrier has entirely broken down, and when the
greatest freedom of intentness exists between the
two couutrke. That biterdiange not only means the
reciprocal Menem al wealth, but it means the rapid though
silent growth of media good relletiou between. the two
countries—(chews)—end the coastest intercourse- existing
between different parte of that country and different pate
al the United Kingdom will be • great security for • per-
=meetly good understanding between those two• notices.
with respect to which it has beets remarked that pans sitelt
amity between them is thetas* imamate, for the pence anit
tranquillity of Europe. (Cheers.) Glesetleenem we met
here last year under • deep muse of that greet meow with
which the sovereign of the people of this- sobs
bad then been recently visited. That sorrow will not
readily be effaced by time, beans* every thing which
canes to the knowledge of the &ebb people tends only
to make theca feel more deeply and more acutely and Mealy
the greet severity of the lois which we then eseperimeed
but by the blemiag of Providence we meet here trace with
the prospect and in the anticipation of an event winds is ter
give the heir apparent of these realms a marriage. of Mier
tion and a home of happiness. (Hear, hear.) any mash
do not those words imply, not only of lustre to Me reed
family, but of special helmet and advantage to die people.
We know that they mean the strengthening of the
monarchy, and the consolidation of its foundatien..Theytae
building upon the only true toundation,the heartasol saw
time of • devoted and united people. The venal attire slate
has amber the past year been exposed to storms, and above
all to that damn which appeared to threaten to it the
greatest dangers sti distress, sad elciab inidi most calculated
to try ha streegth. But by the bleadagtt flovidenes sal
by the nuke of her Craw she hes stood up Wholly again&
the danger. Let se hops end believe that with • host sad
ea uncomplaining people, with • buoyant revenese.wilb •
esseseres, if affeeted by the events now ocentaisgoet net
altogether deplored, that we are lathed to appose dark*
the present year under bettor end happier auspices. Yet se
be thankful to Providers, for the great blaming, viii an
have hitherto enjoyed, sod let us trust that is
future days we may be able to increase those
besellts for the advantage of the community at home,
while our revenue may enable us to do all that kr seemeary
for the /Wetly, honour, and happiness of the casein with
a due regard to eemosay, and that receiving at the hands
of Providesee those great Meetings ourselves, me may to
permitted to be ea emu* to other nations of miity with
government of Industry and el peace.
The boo. ssethessa resemed his seat amid load cheers,
and several ether heal Jessie laving been given and ro-
mp:aided to the preeeedinp terminated.

LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY.

The London and North Western Railway Share-
holder' nepotistic° have mot to the shereholden a long re-
port of their proceedings ancoSeptemberlast,whiela embodies
a reply to the circular issued by the directorsof the company
in November, subsequent to the interview of the deputation
of the emaciation with that body. The minunittes Mato ia
mincluaim that they deem uo revolution us the hoard,
became • mere Mange of men without a charge of policy
would be uselesa. Their primary object is to amble the
shareholders, by a concentration of their power, to pot as
god to the system of extension, whether as to the capital
or the territory of the company, and to declare in a way
that shall be effective for the object in view, that
they will sot tolerate any further increase of liabilities
by leasing, guaranteeing, or subsidising competing *themes.
In the next place, the committee express their conviction
that it is utterly impossible to manage and work a railway
of the extent of the Leedom and North-Western from one
point, and by cos authority, either efficiently as regards the
public wants and oonvesisesce, or economically as regards
the interests of the shareholders ; and they therefore re-
commend the adoption of a plan of sectional or divisional
management, by which they mean a separation of such parts
of the railway es an natural by locality sod direction
distinct from each other and that each pert or section
should be under the control of a small local board, sod of a
manager who, although subject to a common policy as indi-
cated by the central board, and working for a common object,
should have the resprousibility of conducting the traffic of
their section according to the heat of their judgmeot,riz
called upon to exhibit, from time to time, to the p
board, the result of their efforts, so that it may be known
by the directors, and the shareholders also, what porticos
of the railway are a source of profit, and what each por-
tion contributes to the aggregate result. Whilst expressing
this deliberate conviction, the committee have uo wish to
form this particular question upon the shareholders, or to
bring it forward without affording to them an ample
opportunity for considering the subject in all its bearing.
being confident that the more consideration that is gives
to it the surer and stronger will be the conviction og
its absolute necessity as a means of obtaining the
maximum of profit from a railway beyond a given sins.
•rhe committee having explained their views, and harlot
resolved to afford to the shareholders an opportunity of
saving their property from further depreciation, it must
rest with the proprietors to determine the success or failure
, of these efforts. Should the shareholders think fit to
afford to the association that support to which the tom-
' mitts Omsk it is entitled, they have every confides°, in a
brighter future for the London and Norte Western Rail-
i way. Should they, on the ooatrary, prefer the policy and
, the management which has mended heretofore, then the
promotersof this movement will retire, but with a conscious-
, nese of having fulfilled their duty.

THE REV. MS. Bi'LLIJOHLIN'tI CASL—It will be
seen from the subjoined letter, received the other day by
line r& Buns and M'Lean, that Sir George Grey has soli
gives his deal derision in this aim. The North British
Mad says Mr. teleughliu's reception at Fitataiuir was of
the most enthusiaatic kind, all deoominetions exhibiting
much sympathy with him :—" Whitehall, Dec. 27. 1502.
Goutlemeu' —I am directed by Secretary Sir George Grey
to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd inst.,
forwarding a memorial from the inhabitants of Glasgow
in behalf of the her. Patrick M•Latighlin.and 1 am to
transmit to you, for the information cl the memori-
alists, the anchored copy of application which Sir
George Grey had already received in the same case
from Dr. Murdoch, the Kaman Catholic Bishop, together
with a copy of his reply thereto. Sir George trey has alea
received your further letter of the 24th informing bile
what be bad also learned from another quarter. that Mr.
bl'lnughlin had appealed to the High Couit of Justiciary
agaiaat the legality of his committal, end bad bees liberated
out bail pending the decision on that appeal. Sir George
(her desires me to express his satisfaction that thin conies
has been taken, as it mewl to him vary desirable that any
doubt as to the legality of the coarse Parnell should be
settled by the highest authority.-1 eat, gentlemen, your
obedient earraut, Missed) H. WAN:WO:Avg. Mesa,. Burns
sad WIA•s, 41, West Ovary-atm% Glasgow."

the eri)Velifi♦

Ldvertlawnents Int;nd;o tor "Tire ZaieZa• Loudon Ivestnig
Paper most be at tbo WSW, 10, Botweete-atneel, by Two
•• ckeb on the 041 of PlarbarMos.

COVENT °AIDES.
This EVIINIII6, and and ird Acts of THE BOHEMIAN
GIRL—And the "rand comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled
HARLEQUIN BEAUTY AND THE BLAST.—Commence at 7.

YXARK
TRW MEMO. ODD AMERICAN
COt SIN. Mean'.
Boehm% and Backatone E. Fitzniniam —IRAMIELAB
PRINCE 01 ADIO3BINLL Mr. Oongnon and Min L Keeley.
—And A DAY APTAB TEI WEDDING.—MJaa Harden:.

PRINCM43II.
Tars EVENING, TIME TRIES ALL Mira Constance
Aylmer.— And the Pantomime, ItIQUIT WITH THE Turf :
or, Harlequin and Mother Shipton. Moan Milano, It. Power,
sod Ballard; Mine A. CoHinson.

BRITANNLL
THIS Emma, the Pantomime, AEON HASSAN. Yrs. lam
Messrs. Evans, Lonis, Newham, and Mdlle. Waste Stephan ;
Tom Sayers and his two Mulen—And BOMB
HELLS THAT RANG.—Comnsettee at -past I.

HIGH WAS= AT LONDON DRIDGI.
TIDO DAY Nornibb. O. OIL • • —bilobooolo. Ob. 1011.
lb-awsioN—Mandel. Oh. 660.....Abaxises. 16 lea

LONDON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2.

Tim pitiable tenacity with which certain Irish
judges have clung to the bench after age and
infirmity had rendered them wholly unfit for the
discharge of their arduous duties, has more than
once attracted the attention of the House of
Commons. Some of our readers are not quite
old enough to remember the case of Chief Justice
Lord NOREURY, for whose removal a petition was
presented by Mr. O'Coerarr.m., setting forth,
amongst other grounds, "that he had fallen
"asleep during the trial of a murder case, and
" was unable to give any account of the evidence
" when called on for his notes." The petition was I
withdrawn at the suggestion of the Government,
which ultimately succeeded (by the offer of a
peerage) in persuading his Lordship to resign
in his eighty-seventh year. More recently we
had the case of Baron PENNarrrnas. That
learned judge had attained to almost an equal
age, and had besides been afflicted for a consider-
able period with total loss of sight ; yet his reten-
tion of office under such circumstances found
some warm advocates in the House—Mr. Duntssit,
amongst others, characteristically urging the sar-
castic plea that "Justice herself is blind."

These reminiscences havebeen suggested to us by
a letter signed "An Irish Barrister," which ap-
peared in the columns of the Daily News some time
ago, and which complained of the condition to which
the Court of Queen's Bench in Ireland has been re-
duced in consequence of the advanced age sad
precarious health of the Cams Jcsrics. No
contradiction has been given to the statements
contained in that letter, and indeed we believe
that the writer rather understated than otherw;se
the extent of the grievance, and the amount of in-
convenience to which counsel and niters are alike
subjected.

Chief Justice LETROY kt we understand, in his
eighty-eighth year. His standing at the Bar is
such that he might have given his professional
services in drawing the will of EDMUND Boars.
He was probably a rising practitioner before the
Duke of Wirtaxgoros had won his maiden laurel+
at Aasaye. When Lord DERBY conferred upon him
his present high position (some ten years ego) the
appointment was generally considered a well-merited
but almost posthumous reward for consl/4lerably
more than half-a-century's devotion to the Tory
cause—a devotion which hes been happily propa-
gated in the person of his son, Mr. ANTHONY
LI7IOY, who so worthily represents the Univer-
sity of Dublin—and justifiable rather on the score
of prat services than of present efficiency. Our
objection to Chief Justice Lsraor, however, is not
of a political nature. It is the simple and practical
one that he is unable to discharge the duties of
his office ; that there is no reasonable probability
of his ever again being able to discharge them pro-
perly ; and that the public service imperatively
requires that he be replaced by an efficient suc-
cessor. His attendance at court has become so
desultory as to be even more inconvenient than
his total absence would be, and when he does
attend he is said to exhibit those psychological
peculiarities from which the very strongest men
are not exempt when, at his age, they attempt a
continuous and sustained intellectual effort.
It is perhaps not unnatural that even in such a
case as this the House of Commons should be un-
willing to resort to extreme measures. In tte
first place, the Opposition are disinclined to give
up their chance of the reversion of the appoint-
ment. The Government, too, always seems (by a
sort of official tradition) to regard itself as the
" putative father" of all servants of the Crown,
and with morbid tenderness defends the
ricketty even more zealously than the vigorous
ones ; while kindly-hearted men of all
parties feel that there is something inexpressibly
painful in the spectacle of a long and honourable
professional career brought to a compulsory and
ignominious termination—the real authors of the
catastrophe being generally those indiscreet or
interested friends who are so apt to gather round
an old, ambitious man, and who with vigilant and
well-organized flattery pander to that vanity which
is one of the vices or follies of extreme old age.
It is doubtless some similar feeling which re-
strains a public and emphatic expression of opinion
with respect to this subject on the part of the Irish
Bar. We scarcely think their professional brethren
in this country would have been so forbearing.
But, apart from the injury inflicted upon
the Bar—apart from the interest' of those un-
happy individuals who have the misfortune to be
involved in lawsuits wherein the "law's delay" is
aggravated by "natural causes"—it concerns the
public to inquire whether, if it be unnecessary
that the Chief Justice should be "effective," it
can be necessary that his office should exist at all.
If the absence of the chief member of a court of
justice be a matter of trivial importance, does not
a presumption arise that the judicial staff is in
excess of the requirements of the country ! We
understand that the " Law and Equity Commis-
" sioners," recently appointed, commenced their
proceedings by a declaratory resolution, to the
effect that it was not within the scope of their
commission to make any suggestions as to a re-
duction of the number of existing judges. If this
be so, it becomes all the more necessary to bring
the case of the Irish Court of Queen's Bench before
Parliament at the earliest opportunity ; and we
consider the subject as one eminently worthy the
attention both of our legal and our financial
reformers.

gbt (BOUM

_
OSI3ORNE. JAL L
The Queen took an airing yesterday. _ _

The Prince of Wales and Panes Louis of Ham, at.
tended by Lieutenant-General linollys, Captain Grey, and
Captain Waiters°Dar, craned over to Southampton yester-
day in the royal yacht Fairy, and went to Winchester to
visit the Cathedral and the Hospital of St. Cross.
Their Royal Ilighnemes returned in the &harpoon.
The Princess Louis of Hesse drove out, attended by the
Hon. Mrs. Bruce.

Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office
from the Governors of Malta and Canada. Despatches were
sent to the Governors of the West India Islands, British
Columbia, Bermuda, and to the Lord High Comminioner of
the lonian Islands.

HER MAJ ESTE'S NEW YEAR'S GIFTS. —The
annual gifts from her Majesty the Queen to the poor of the
parishes of Windsor and Clewer were distributed yesterday,
tinder the supervision of the clergy and a committee of
gentlemen of the respective parishes. The distribution took
place at the Town•hall, Windsor, and not in the Riding.
school, as on former occasions, when her Majesty and the
Royal family were usually present ; 801. being expended in
the parish of Windsor in beef and coals, and 701. in like
manner in Clever parish.

The Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and the
Archduchess Charlotte, some of the German jotunals state,
will go to London in March, to be present at the marriage
of the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alexandra of
Denmark.

A letter from Berlin Rap :—" On Monday after-
noon, about 4 o'clock, the Crown Prism and Princess met
with an accident while riding along Tempe'holm Strersa
The carriage, which was drawn by two honer, was pro-
ceeding at a very moderate pace, in order to avoid coming
in contact with some fire-engines which were posing by at
the time. A careless driver from the country, however,
managed his horsee so clumsily that the centre pole of
the waggon to which they were attached was carried right
through the window of one of the doors of the royal car-
riage, shattering it to pieces. The Crown Princess, in the
terror of the moment, put out her hand to seise the door,
and was cut by the broken alma. The injury is not con-
siderable, and the incident might have been greater but for
the exertions of the Crowe Prince."

The Countess Forteecue was safely delivered of a
daughter, au Wednesday, at Outle Hill.

We have to announce the death of the Dowager
lady &carton, in her 85th year. Her ladyship was third
daughter of Mr. Thomas Weld, of Lulworth Castle, Dor.
setahire, and married in 1800 the Hoe. William Stoarton,
son of the Right Hon. Charles Philip Stourton, who
afterwards became the 17th baron, by whom her ladyship
had a numerous famlly.

While mild spring weather is enjoyed in Paris,
winter has set in with goat severity in some of the French
departments. So great &quantity of snow has fallen in the
Loser, that it is feared that the country will not be free
from it for some months to come. The now has produced
consternation in the cantons of Langogne, Grandrien, and
Chlteatmettf by the destruction of the woods. Rome woods
exist no longer, having been crushed by the weight of the
snow. The for to the landed proprietors is estimated at
several hundred thousand franca. Several farmhouses,
barns, and stables have given way under the weight of the
snow. Scow likewise fell at Pontarlier dui:og eight days to
the depth of two feet.

At Weimar it is stated that the correspondence
between Goethe and the Duke Karl August may be ex-
pected to be published in the mum of the coming summer.
Dr. Vogel, one of the surviving representatives of the
"great tine" of Weimar slang with the Grand Duke and
the chamberlain, Herr von Goethe, is engaged in the per
of the letters. The entire number amounts to
630, of which the Grand Duke peewees 130 (which are
therefore by Goethe), while 416 are from the archives of
the Goias family (which are from Karl Agent to Goethe),
and the remainder will be gathered from other quarters ;
including, for the make of completeness, a few that are
already published.

Five hundred citizens of Leipeic have sent a
silver laurel Grown to Garibaldi as a Christmas present.
On each of its haves the same of a pleas °putted( his-
torically with the great " liberator's" career is lightly in-
scribed. A golden band which binds the wreath MI/ether
beers the inscription :—" To Garibaldi, the Hero of Free-
dom. Christmas, 1862." A letter accompanies the gift,
eqweseing admiration felt by the givers towards the Italian
hero. and concluding with the wish that he may still live
to see freedom extending and reigning over all civilised
lands.

It appears that in Saxony, by particular wish of
the King, the principle of the English " ticket-of-leave"
has lately been adopted in the thrcs greet establishments
for convicts— Waldheim and Zwickau for men,and Hnbertus.
burg for women. The ministerial order expremly mations
that the measure has been induced by the experiment et
the same kind made in England.
During the host month letters have been re-
wind by the directors of the London Miseionary Society
from the Rev. William Ellis, full of information on various
topics connected with the state and prospect' of the mis-
Woe, and also a journal containing, with other intelligence,
• very graphic and interesting account of the ocronatiou of
the King and Queen, on the 23rd of September.

A letter from Rome of the 27th nit:. lays :—" linet
even* the Apollo, the Argentina, and the Valle theatres
wureopened. Thegrenteet crowd was at the Apollo, as every-
one was anxious to see the renovations which had been
effected there, and at the same time to be present at the
curious spectacle given b► Mgr. Mattenoci, director-general
of pollee, who offered refreshments to all the spectators in
the second and third tier of boxes. Th►t custom of giving
refreshments on the opening night of the Apollo has no
logger the public approbation, since at present the second
and third rows of boxes are occupied not only by the nobility
and diplomatic body, but by persons whose nobility consists
in their money. The oast of this riefresco being about
2,C03fr., it has been proposed to apply that sum to charitable
purposes. The embellishments of the Apollo are magnificent
and in excellent taste.°

A letter from Caetrea (Tarn) says :—" The tri-
bunal of this plus, at its lut sitting. has cancelled the will
of Father Lacordaire u far as regards a legacy given to his
wasfsmor is the Let illness of the testator."

The Monde gives the following details relative to
the works for reetoring the cupola on the church of the
Holy Sepulchre :—"The French architect and the one gent
by Humana, a German by birth and a protestant, have made •
minute examination of the present state of the cupola. They
have ascertained that all the woodwork is so worm-oaten,
that ►t the first heavy squall of wind the top of the cupola
might fall on the tomb of the Saviour. The architects pro-
pcse in the first place to construct ► provisional covering eo
as to protect the pilgrims and the clergy from any accident.
As to the cupola itself, everyone has been long agreed as to
the necessity of its being completely rebuilt. The architects
are of the same opinion, and it will, it is said, be constructed
in bronze, and be terminated for Christmas next year."
The forests which surround the valley of the
Rhine are now fuller of snipes than they have been for
many years, a fact which the country people in that district
consider as an omen that the winter will sot be very severe.
The sportsmen, on the other band, find bares and partridges
wares, while foxes are more numerous than usual.

An American paper says that a great grand
nephew of Oliver Goldman& was shot through the head and
disci at Antietam.

AN OLD FILLIND IN • New DINBR.—Le Nord of
yesterday evening mond an ontinaly new appearance, and
vat publiahed in Paris instead of Bresse/s. It has been
increased in size, contains six columns to the pegs in piece
of live, and is printed In entirely new type. In its
programme, it claims to he regarded as a amenopolitan orpn
animated exclusively by thaw international idea;
which it informs us have already so far waited all civilised
countries that they are now adopting " the same form of
government, the same code, the mom tariffs, the acme
system of weights and measures." It furthermore nays
that it reroorm to Paris because that city is the politica!,
industrial, and oommarcial capital of the whole world. • To
place its cosmopolitan character beyond doubt, the Nord
prints in its first column a string of advertisements in all
the European languages.
TIII•TRICAL &recces= IN PARIS. There have
bow aye greet theatriesl sumesses in Paris during the past
year :—Le lila de Oar, at the Francais ; Laths Roska,
at the Opfm Cornices; Les Game/tea at the Glyranses ;
Le Baena, at the Porte in. Merlin ; and RotAossago, at the
anima .74a of them pions has yielded to its authan
something like 100,000 f. (4,0001.). Four out of the Ave
works are still being played.