The Express.
London, England, 1847-07-12 00:00:00

MERCHANT SEAMEN.

Sir,—Having bad frequent opportunities, both at
home and in the colonies, of observing the different grades
of British merchant seamen, I have been often much um.
nisbed at the ignorance and seeming total want of education
exhibited by toe many fine brave British sailors, and in that
class of them bolding responsible situations in a ship, such
as not only first and second mates, but many masters. That
this lamentable (act too generally prevails amongst our
merchant seamen is notorious, and is evidenced by the
numerous heart rending and fatal shipwrecks which occur in
many cases, I an led to believe, not only from the incau-
tiousness, but ignorance and indecision of masters and
officers. To remedy this evil, therefore, nod to carry out
the spirit of that necessary clause in the Merchant Seamen's
Act which enjoins that British vessels shall carry boys or
apprentices according to their tonnage, I would suggest
th irthe term of apprenticeship be extended to seven yearn,
and that apprentices entered or bound under the proposed
arrangements, be taken at 13 years of age, and shall be
entitled "apprentices for promotion," and that they shall be
hound to serve the first two years of the raid period M any
dock or ship-building yard, daring which period they shall
be allowed certain hours to attend schools, public, or private,
for the, purpose of being instructed in geography, naviga-
tion, mathematics, and astronomy, for I would hold it
necessary that the master of a vessel should have some
practixd knowledge of the building materiel and construc-
tion of a vessel, ea well as of sailing her. This portion of
the boy's time being completed, the same to be certified by
the master or superintendent of the dock or building yard,
and his teacher or teachers, with a note as to the boy's
character and capabilities, on a registration of which in the
office of the district, the boy may be admissible on board
such ship or vessel as the parents or guardians may think
proper, in which having served two years, to be certified by
the master of said ship or vessel as aforesaid, the apprentice
shall then, u soon as passible, be rent on board one of her
Majesty's ships of war, there to complete the term of his ap-
prenticeship, which shall likewise be certified by the com-
manding officer at the expiration of the time. By such a
course, the young man should have so qualified himself as a
thorough seaman as to be competent to act for himself in any
capacity in the profession, and also be entitled to protec-
tion from compulsory service in the navy, by impress or
otherwise. .

The importance and utility of an act of parliament based on
principles such as the foregoing, and embracing a few simple
and necessary detail. for the encouragement sod systematic
training of a class of seamen not only physically equal, but
morally superior, to any maritime power in the world, is ob-
vious, and would in a few years ensure a greater degree of public
confidence and security to the lives and property of thousands.
That such a beneficial change could be effected in our mer-
cantile navy without dog to the state is I think practicable.
To ensure regularity and correctness under such a system, it
would of course be necessary to establish a uniform, nume-
rical, and alphabetical regulation of all boys bound under
such an act, to be kept in every port in the British empire,
and periodically transmitted to the principal register-office in
the district or country—as, for instance, in Great Britain,
the principal offices might be established in London,
Liverpool, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and elsewhere, as
might be expedient, to which offices the sub-registrars in
the out-ports could transmit duplicates of all records, so
so to constitute a perfect register of the names, ages, date of
indenture, character, vessel, transfer or exchange, termina-
tion of each portion of apprenticeship, date of removal into,
and from, the Royal Navy, &c., which might be kept and
form as valuable and necessary a list of the best seamen in
the country as Lloyd's List now does of British shipping.
Moreover, the expenses of these establishments might be
defrayed by small fees exigible from the parties entering into
and recording indentures, and the various certificates of
service, &c., such fees being regulated by tariff. To illus-
trate more plainly the Igenefits reasonably and naturally to
be expected from a wall-organised system of servitude, I
would take leave to trace the career of a boy of ordinary ability
and behaviour. At thirteen, the age proposed for entrance,
the boy may be supposed to have made some proficiency in
the elementary branches of a common education, viz., I
reading, writing, and arithmetic; and may be fairly rec-
koned ready to acquire during the two succeeding years
(in a greater or leas degree according to ability )
some important knowledge relative to the mechanism and
construction of a vessel; besides, at the tame time.
he will be progressing in the higher and more useful
branches of a nautical education ; at 15 years of age he may
be entitled to his lint certificate, and to enter on the pracu.
cal part of his business on board of ship, with • mind more
enlightened and, of course, more apt to acquire proficiency
in his duties as a seaman, and not so likely, as is now too
often the case (on board of our merchantmen), to be made
the mere drudge of the eltip'a steward. At the age of 17 he
may be entitled to his second eertlficate, and be removed
into any of her Majesty's vessels of war, as soon as Mecum- '
stances might admit, and wherever situate, so that the re-
mainder of his apprenticeship might be passed in the royal
service, in which it may be expected he would be found sit
only a useful and valuable man to the service, but acquire
for himself from the stricter discipline, habits of order
and regularity. At the age of twenty he may be
entitled to his third certificate, and capable of tak-
ing or obtaining employment for himself in any ca-
pacity, as his circumstances may enable
him. By such
a system, in four years after the adoption of it the Ad-
miralty could calculate on a certain, regular, and continuous
supply of young, active, and well-trained seamen, and the
country in general ensure in a few years a much superior
class of masters, officers, and men ; and the mercantile com-
munity in pat neuter might fairly look for a reduction in their
rate of insurance on vessels and cargoes entrusted to seamen
trained under such an act. DAV. Rees.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.
CHESHIRI (NORTH).—The statement in this paper that
the liberate had not abandoned all hope of a second liberal
candidate, and that Mr. Astley, of Dnkintield Hall, had been
solicited to contest the county as the colleague of the Hon.
E. J. Stanley, is confirmed ; and it was confidently rumoured
on Saturday that his name would be formal'y put forward at
a meeting of influential freeholders to be held in the early
part of the present week. Mr. Astley is a young man of
considerable fortune, who only attained his majority about
twelve months ago, and though untried as a pditician, is
well known to entertain liberal opinions, and to be a free-
trader.
CHRISTOIIOIICII.—The long-expected liberal candidate
has at length made his appearance, in the person of H. D.
Campbell, Esq. He presents himself as a firm supporter of
free trade, and declares himself a reformer 01 all that ,till
impedes the full development of the wealth and energy of
the country.

DUNDALK. Mr. Tomas M'CuUagh, author of "The
History of the Commerce of Free Nations," and private le-
crebuT to Mr.Labouchere,is a candidate for this town. Mr.
WCWlagh is a scholar end a politician of much promise. He
will be supported by the Roman catholic primate Dr. , .
Crony, and by the local clergy of that communion ; and will
be very likely to succeed.
Du oral Lean I Ml.—There has been some incipient canvass-
ing for Lord Drumlanrig, son of the Marquis of Queensberry,
and no doubt is entertained that he will be the conservative
candidate.
KEltltY,—The Hon. Mr. Browne bas taken kis farewell
of the electors. His probable mecum so has been previously
stated is Mr. Herbert, of Meatus.
KIM:WM.-1n consequence of the retirement of Mr.
More O'Ferrall from the county, Mr. H. C. Roberts has
entered the field, with Mr. Boutke, of Mayor; and, not-
withstanding all that bee been said about the Marquis of
Kildare, no intimation of his being a candidate has been
received from Carton. There is one fact ascertained, that
Mr. Archbold will not stand a contest.
LONOroub.--bir. Jump, a protestant, and high sheriff of
the county, has resigned his shrievalty and addressed the
county as a thorough repealer. He is supported by the en-
tire of repeal influence, the catholic clergy, and the Repeal
Club.
CITY or Lon non.—A meeting was held on Saturday
evening, at the Codgere-hall, Bride-lane, for the purpose of
enabling the liberal candidates to explain the grounds on
which they solicit the votes of liberal electors at the easuiog
election. There were present the Baron de Rothschild; Sir
G. Lament, Bart ; Mr. Pattison, M.P. ' • ihc.—The chairman,
Mr. W. Carpenter, opened the proceedings, by stating the
object of the meeting. The three candidates then addressed
the meeting. Their speeches were to the same effect as those
delivered on Thursday, at Anderson's Hotel, and which
appeared in this journal on Friday last. Several questions
wore put to the candidates by the meeting, all of which were
satisfactorily answered. A resolution was then passed, to
the effect " That the meeting approve of the conduct of
Lord J. Russell and Mr. Paulson, and consider them and
Sir G. Larpent and the Baron de Rochsehlld, deserving of
the confidence and support of the electors at the ensuing
h election.
Materkenotra.—On Saturday, at a meeting of the com-
mittee of the United Reform Association, appointed to con-
duct a ballot to decide which two of the liberal candidates
should stand at the next election, the following letter from
Sir B. Hall was read. It was in reply to a resolution passed
at a general meeting of the association, held on Thursday
last, to the effect " that Sir Benjamin Hall should also pro-
' ceed with the other candidates, Mr. V/ hittle Harvey, Mr.
Serjeant Shee, and Lord Dudley Stuart, to be balloted for,"
bwas received, and has created considerable sensation in ie
►
et Pritiessaluly 9.--/k. —I he the honour to receive your
latter et Ilk der ear segNa
eery M two roolutions paned at •
roe
d rot mmearket debt. The trot of there
yea r you sear port menlinously, but the
ocher was amnia by a weedy et err *err n you.. Is
1841, whir a vereay oseareek as delft was expressed
that I nimbi We said a step at art air parent The new mo-
dulates were Mon required to do so, and far Chas. Nether having on
that occasion the u'lt of vets k vas restated with me in the
contest, rad was In the present instance Si, C. Napier
a., three eaerclates mate tentert to All up instance,
vacancy
and I have yet to been that Neer Lard Dudley Stuart, Mr.
ghee, or Mr.
OM Harveyi.7wies. In ISM 1 was returned.*
the heed of the pull, by et • veer. hi 1811 1 mkt-
tater the tome rehter air mirky was asset doehlor and
areared to 1,273, rod air 3,oosairisee pollee kr re. • der
tire lase your se akr ranter, Palma aWe usl-
dere la re, Meer . which vote was mimed on -
Wm▪ egat try. MOM re few days two park meet-
the !mu ante
awry MOO, sad the letter lon,
de.derid that they Oral arramed crafideree la me as their
representative, sad wear re their start eadereers to secure my
return. At the Intel Ore rerier only If hands were held up
against roe, meet the aterml she rearatrar my favour was l.aa.rd
unanimously. Voir tbreeinameterre.l W eontident the asso-
blation will, upon Starthw erendeintin, sena wit. me, that it le ray
ounden duty to rear tariff to the error ca the day of nom in. -
non, and I have as deer trorearery will believe that in sodding
1 shall set with detresee to my obligations to them and that I shell
• as buttoning, the almost unanimous supportof the Liberal
Merton; of the borough, which I have had the honour of representing
for ten years. 1 hare, Ec., B. H • u..
Meetings were held on Saturday, in Camden town and in
the Hampstead-road, to sapport the claims of Lord Dudley
Stuart and of Mr. D. W. Harvey.
MONMOUTH COUNTY.—A meeting of the friends of Lord
Granville Somerset was held last week at Usk, for the pur-
pose of taking steps to resist the unconstitutional attempt
which is being made to oust him from the representation of
the county. Many of the principal resident gentry were pre-
sent, land 3001. was subscribed in the room tower& defraying
the legal and other necessary expenses' and it was promised,
that should 10,0001. be required, it should be *steadily forth-
coming. Lord Granville's iriends have commenced a canvass,
aad have received many promises of support, but in many
instances, tenants say '• We would vote for you : it grieves
us to be obliged to vote against you, but we shall be ruined
if we do not." . . . .

NEWPORT (ISLE OF WioHT).—A
s tory candidate has ap-
peared in the personof Mr. W. .C. Plowden.
PERTH.—Some of the promoters of the Edinburgh and
Perth Railway have addressed a communication to Mr. F.
Maule, concluding thus
As we understand it to be the intention of the promoters of the
Edinburgh and Perth Railway still to proceed with that undertaking,
calculated as it In in an eminent degree to meet the interests and
wants of the constituency which you represent, we deem It proper
reaper fully to eubmit the matter for your deliberate ounsideration,
and request to be early informed (if you again intend to stand as
candidate for the tit of Perth) whether no vice.chairman of the Cale-
donian, or coca with any railway company, you hold yourself at
liberty to aid, by every means in poor power, the ralinMtrgh and
Perth company in obtaining their bill next sesaion of parliament m
the event of your being again returned for this city--and if not.
whether you will resign the chairmanahlp of the one, to secure the
member and attend to the undivided interest at the other.
NOCIIRSTER.—The liberal party appear to be rather
divided in opinion as to the wisdom of bringing forward a
second candidate to stand with Mr. Bernal. A meeting took
piece on Friday evening, but no positive arrangement was
made.
• • - •

STIRLINO BUROlll3.—The contest here is daily waxing
keener. Mr. Smith's unitarianism is complained of. Mr.
Alison's connexion with the North British Mail, which ad-
vocates his claims, is reprobated; and Mr. Maitland's
juvenile coquetting' with for ism are being raked up with
troublesome minuteness. On the whole, the issue is as
doubtful as ever. _

TirrEtteuv.—Mr. Francis Scully, a gentleman of consi-
derable property, addressed the etecton lately in Cashel.
He takes a very effective mode to secure his return. In
addition to repeal he declared that he was ready on demand
to give to every tenant on his estate a lease for three lives or
thirty-one years.
WATSRFORD.-Mr. Meagher, father of the declaimer, hu
addressed the electors of Waterford as a repealer. So bas
Sir H. \V. Barron ; but though ► repealer sic elicit, his ad-
dress contains not a word of the pledge.
W•antivoTore.—Mr. Blackburn has resigned. and a re-
quisition has been prepared to Mr. 0. Greenail, of Walton-
hall, who will, it is expected, become a candidate.

IRELAND.

Duncx, JULY 10.

His excellency the Lord Lieutenant made hie first
public appearance yesterday, accompanied by Lady
Clarendon, at the exhibition of Irish manufactures.
He was received in the board-room of the Royal
Dublin Society by a very great assemblage of the
chief dignitaries, nobility, and gentry of the city. An
address was read, in which very flattering allusions
were made to the claims of his lordship's house on
the consideration of Ireland. His excellency's reply
afforded unmixed pleasure to the large assemblage,
and augurs well for the popularity of his government
He then proceeded to examine the various articles of
manufacture, and was particularly attracted by the
fineness and finish of the Limerick laces, the tabinet
and poplin departments, and the variety of bread
manufactured from different sorts of grain.
Theßev. Dr. Miley has written a long letter from
Rome, detailing the magnificence with which the
funeral of Mr. O'Connell had been performed on the
27th of June' "grander under many aspects than
the funeral of Constantine the Great or Charlemagne."
He also 'applies a great variety of inscriptions which
were placed around the mausoleum, and on the
pilasters round the church, more remarkable for
their enthusiastic reverence than the elegance of their
latinity.
The relief commissioners have addressed a circular
to the local inspectors on the misappropriation of the
fund for temporary relief, and the fears of many to
reveal the frauds for various reasons. In consequence,
the inspectors are requested to bring these matters
under the consideration of the local committees, is
order to curtail by all possible means the present
enormous outlay, causing a reduction as the season
advances, is order that the final termination of relief
may be as little abrupt as possible. To effect so
salutary an object, all classes are urged to combine,
for otherwise a great injury will be inflicted on all.
It is, in conclusion, recommended that gratuitous
rations should be refused to all who can obtain work
at even moderate wage&
Another circular, by the same authorities, seems to
have p considerable embarrassment for certain
boards of These gentlemen are reminded
in the circular that the relief system at present in
operation will finally close in August. They are re-
minded also that the Poor-Law Act of this year gives
to the poor greatly
.extended claims for support upon
their respective unions; that the commissioners, by
the second section, have the power, when circum-
stances require, to declare that out-door relief shall be
afforded, and the gaud ans are warned to be prepared
for due and proper fulfilment of the provisions of the
new act. This is very likely to cause board', of guar-
dians no small embarrassment.

INJURIOUS OPERATION OP PENAL CLAViEII IN FARM
LRAM* ON THE INTERESTS or IRELAND.—Sit,—WhiIe the
anxiety of the administration and the legislature to effect
every possible alleviation of those distresses with which
divine providence has permitted this suffering country to be
afflicted must be, and is confessed by ell, except the habi-
tually discontented, who batten on calamity, and are care-
lees of consequences, it yet may not be altogether imperti-
nent to offer a ruggcation which does net appear to have oc-
curred as yet to either the politician or the benevoliet,
namely, the expediency and immense public benefit which

would arise from an enactment declaring restriction, and
penal clauses in leases invalid, when affecting the breaking
of the ground for agricultural purposes, inasmuch es being
contrary to the public weal, which is largely promoted by
the employment of the labouring population. When the
immense breadth of land in the midland grazing coun-
ties in Ireland hedged by restrictions such as those
alluded to is considered, the policy of such an enact-
ment becomes as evident as does its feasibility from
the general usage of the superior courts in diaconate-
, mamas, and often holding as bad, penal clauses, of what-
ever description, in leases. Their effects aa relating to
land are peculiarly felt at the present juncture, when
usually but ten (sometimes even lase) out of every hundred
acres are permitted to be broken, preventing not only a
sufficiency of labour existing for the hands, but an adequate
portion of tillage to make up foe the extinction of the potato
crop, which as compared with grain crops formed a sub-
&korner is the ratio of three to one. Thus, even admitting
the propriety of the common restriction stated above, it
should be increased threefold, or to 30 acres out of the 100,
to form the same amount of subsistence derived in
potato culture from 10 inert', The restrictive prin-
ciple, however, 1 consider, is altogether vicious, pos-
sessing, in addition to the firmer national disad-
vantages, that likewise of bringing additional poor-rates in
its train, and making the enterprising and unfettered farmer
and the benevolent fiee-1 • landlord the sufferers. Possi-
bly as increased rate on gnus lands, above those in tillage,
or the placing the whole rate on landlords, in cases of re-
strictive leases might, in sone measure meet the evil ; while
it exists it is idle, in such districts, to talk of green crops,
artifi Intl manures, or thorough.draining ; the opportunity
afforded for each being penuriously limited by lease, the
grazier superseding the agriculturist, the small farmer ex-
pelled altogether, and the healthy hardworking labourer
merged into the slovenly seeker for casual employment, or
the habitual hanger-on at relief committee.-1 have the
honour to be, sir, your obdt. servt., E. TIGRE GREGORY,
D.D., LL.D., Chaplain to his Excellency the Earl of Claren-
don, and Rector and Vicar of Kilmore.—Paget Priory,
Kiloock, July 3, 1847.

STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
Tipperary is again "in the &FL" Tne NeaagA Guar-
dia» of to-day details some cases of outrage manifesting that
the ancient spirit still survives. We tied on looking through
these that they present some features deserving to be
brought forward. The house of a person named Hogan wan
attacked at night, the windows broken, shuts fired there-
into, and further violence threatened when the party
" would come again," unless he drove out " his brother
Con." Your readers will not improbably be curious to
know what " Con" had done to excite all this wrath. Just
this : He had lately become • Benedict, and this call was
made in consequence of his having paid addresses to a fair
one which he declined fulfilling. The moral feelings of the
Tipperary mountaineers took fire, and they resolved upon
thu method of correcting the delinquent. In another case •
very grow. outrage was perpetrated, accompanied by an loge-
niotts cunning not leas remarkable. A certain postmaster at
Urlingford was also a farmer. Some time since he became
tenant of a farm which he let out for grazing. The former
tenant did the same. He charged 21.51. for each head of
cattle, the new tenant advanced the rate to 21. 101. A few
nights since a number of " the boys" called at this firm.
They drove away 11 head of cattle, from which 6 were selected
the property of the postmaster. These they shot, killing
live and wounding one. The ingenious cunning of the
affair was displayed in this, that the farm is situate in the
south riding of Tipperary, and the cattle were driven before
the slaughter, into the north riding. According to the law
in such cases the damage, that is the full value of the cattle,
will be assessed, not on the south riding, but on the north.
Fever lain some localities augmenting ; but it is more than
probable that it is owing to neglect of cleanliness, public as
well as personal. In one instance in Newry, where forty
cases are recorded in one street, the medical men directly
attribute the disease to some stagnant cesspools adjacent.
There are 160 men employed daily upoa the Buenos drain-
age in the King's county—the land to be drained is 1,100
acres. There is a very large array of outrages against pro-
perty reported to-day against the Queen's county—cheep and
cattle are being nightly killed in great numbers. The
wheat markets are looking up again, and the price of bread
will probably rue on Monday. The accounts of the crops,
potatoes as well as cora, are, however, very good.

riscoTLiiND.
EDINBURG/1, JULY 9.
For several days past the weather has been showery,
accompanied with sheet lightning and thunder ; but
strong intervening bursts of sunshine have prevented
any damage to the crops, which, indeed, have been all
the better of the imgation. Lord John Russell's
potato prognosis is received with incredulity in this
quarter. The new potatoes look well, and are selling
at a low price in the markets. It is, indeed, true that
sable spots are to be seen on the stem midway between
the potatoes and the surface of the ground, but so long
as the leaves are luxuriant and green, and the potatoes
themselves plentiful and sound, people arc slow of
belief that these same " spots" are to be anathema-
tised "out" like those on the "little hand" of Lady
Macbeth. Last year the decay was distinctly per-
ceptible in different parts of Scotland en the Bth of
July ; yesterday was the anniversary of that day, and
as yet no authenticated case of failure has been made
public.
The directors of the national monument on the
Calton-hill talk of finishing that modern ruin. The
shares are to be reduced from 2M. to 51., and
the contemplated total is 150,000/. The notion of a
church is abandoned, and wisely, too, in the present
divided state of religious opinion; and the garnish-
ing is to consist of painting and sculpture. Bat it
would be well to have the shell finished before any
speculations are indulged regarding the interior.
Perhaps a junction with the Royal Scottish Academy,
and its conversion into an exhibition for their paint-
ings, would be a popular method of raising the
" sinews." But, at all events, something should
really be done to redeem the " national" folly involved
in projecting a monument in 1816, which, after all
the fuss and circumstance of founding by a king and
getting special acts of parliament, has ended in the
absorption of the whole realised funds (13,5001.) in
erecting three steps, twelve columns, and an archi-
trave, on all which, since 1826, the grass and wild
thistle have been allowed to vegetate.
The Sheriff of Perth not only administers the law on
the bench, but proclaims its provisions to the lieges
beforehand. That', he has issued two proclamations,
announcing what statute rights the public enjoy in
regard to the over-crowding of mail-ooaches, and the
sanitary improvements of towns. And yet in the
very paper which contains his lordship's proclamation
the town-council report shows the Scions of that
body to be squabbling whether filth can be removed
at other than the expense of them, the town council.
A committee was appointed months ago to report on
this, and now 101. is to be spent in getting a legal
opinion on what is clear as noon-day—namely, that
the transportation of nuisances is made at the expense
of the owners of property, or, failing them, the
parochial funds.

Fnran.—The poor-law inspector of Stirling is another
official victim.
Ton GROUSE SEASON IN PERTISSNIZE.—Ws (PerfA
Courier) have to state that an epidemic has been prevalent
in the mules this season, which has caused great havoc
among the grouse and other hill birds. It broke out soon
after hatching, ands attributed by the shepherds to some-
thing injurious in the young shoots of the heath, the bilberry
and other mountain plants, open which the grouse feed,
arising from some atmospheric influence last year similar to
that which affected the potatoes. The disease, which attacks
old and young birds indiscriminately, is of the nature of
croup, or inflammatory sore throat, and cuts off the birds in
a short time. It is equally prevalent on high and low
grounds, and from the great destruction already caused, the
ensuing season is expected to be the worst for the
sportsman which has been foe many years.