The Express.
London, England, 1849-04-12 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 12, 1849.

their dbeetion to enter iota a negotiriou with the South
Devoe Railway Company, ems the priaeiple of making the
Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway a stuns of oommucketioa
wkils their harbour. The directors had acted in conteemity
with those inatrnetions, end the result. se far as they had yet
gate, was entaleted in the report which had been read.
Mr. ACLAND moved that ell the previous resolutions
relating to this matter be now reetieded, and that it be left
in the heeds of the Abeeters, to act as they might think best
he the Were* of this sesspeay.
The CHAIRMAN refened to the last pararraPh in the
mvieon, which seemed, to fell in exactly with Mr. AelsatTs
ws.

lit. ACLAND assented, and the amendment was not
pressed.
Yr. B. HOPKINS wished to be informed whether the
directors had sametained that the South Devoe Dempsey
had emend into say contrast for the parches' of the lower
part of the-Plymouth and Dartpeort line. He had reams to
believe that there was ea such contract, and it was important
that the shareholders should know, berme they pave their
assent to any arrangewnt with the Sasth Devon Company,
that that company had the means of carrying it ant.
Kr. /LILLY said the South Devon Dempsey had paid
sae= se =mum of the Plymouth and Dartmoor Line, and
betraserally got mem= of it.
. HOPKINS. -As purchasers?
Mr. W. PDX said it was no Rattle to the Batton Harbour
Comp= whether they got it as poreluorm or as limes.
Ii was salitoiset kw them to know that they had got the
means of bristle, their own railway on to the shores of
Mutton Herbage, by the adaptation of the Plymoath and
moor Liao.

Mr. BdMPTON hoped the directors of this company
would never be so simple uto allow the South Devoe, or
any other company, to carry a line around the omen of the
Pool. It would be country to sound policy to do se. The
prover course would be to get the lbw extended to soma con-
, semen% spot, hos which this company might continue it
themselves around the margin of the harbour. It was said
that they had no power for that purpose. If that were so,
he mild not see that the extension of the South Duos line
to the north-east instead of to the south-east earner, would
at ell help them; but he supposed there would be very little
objection on the part of the sureheate and other owners of
watsrside property, to the laying dews of a tram road, whisk
would give them a direct comemaioatlon with the railway
frost their own warehouses. He thought the beet sonne
was to leave the wide matter in the has& of the &meters.
Mr. NICHOLLS mid it would have been men mom
satisfactory if Mr. Hampton could have told them t►at
Messrs. Johnson had the eensent of three-fifths of the pro-
prietors of the Dartmoor Railway to the sale of a portion of
their line.

Mr. BAMPTON—The wiestioa is, whether they are let
three-fifth,.

Mr. NICHOLLS—Is it so ?
Mr. HAMPTON—They have beet legally advised that
they are quite competent to any out the arrangement they
have made.
Mr. HOPKINS—And I have bees legally advised that
they are not.
Mr. JOHN BAYLY reiterated at some length the objec-
tions which he had urged at former meetings, to the Map-
Von of the proposed plan, as a substitute for the parlismen-
tary branch ; and read the opinion which he had obtained
from Mr. N. 1). Hill and Mr Stephens, to the effect that the
South Devon Company were legally compellable to make the
branch, and that a mandamus would lie against them if they
failed to d 0... He pointed out that the time limited in the set
for the compulsory purchase of land had very morly expired:
relied en the authority of Mr. Brunel as proof diet the Dart.
moor line could not be made equally effelent with the other
m a mem otemanumisation ; dwelt on the superiority of
the north-east te the south-cut terminus, end insisted on the

importance of taking such a branch as would accommodate
passengers as well is goods. rather than a mere tramway,
worked by home instead of by steam power.
In the entree of the discastion which followed, Yr. Hop
kin reiMnie4 his statement that the South Doman Compasy
had made no contract Ow the purchase M the Dartmoor Lite,
although Yr. Bantrataa had previously stated that they
were actually in possmaion of it, and might begin to work
upon it to-morrow, if they pleased. It also transpired that
the directors had consulted lir. Jahn Kelly, who had gives
them sash advice a be considered right with reference to the
legal rights and interests of the company. What that advice
was—or whether waned had been consulted—Yr. Kelly,
declined at that moment to state—end the meeting generally
agreed is the propriety Olds refusal. Eventually the report
was adopted, Mr. Bayly auly dissenting.

road trustee, aver that their vet is 7 per ant., but
this is diepated. At all events, they run
the it bars far within the precincts of the city,
and mulct the inhabitants most severely. Complaints
hive been made to no purpose, and lairds will never
nederstsna the toll system until in turn they are
'SEIPP& d to pay for the use of city streets.
Deputations from the Free United Presbyterian
end Inderendent churches waited the other day on
the Lord Advocate. On the suNject of titles to churches,
the first item of business, his lordship intimated his
willingness to support a measure by which dissenting
church property could be held without reviling eon-
tinned renewal of titles on the death of individual trus-
tees. On the second object of their mission—that of
making dissenters eligible as registrars under the pro-
poseiße4istrationßtll—the deputation was not so sue-
easeful, the Lord Advocate having signified his disin-
clination t, comply with the proposal. A public
nesting in connection with the matter is to be held
forthwith. The dissenters generally have not opposed
the Marriage and Registration Bills, whilst the
church party have done so from the first, and are
still centinvng their agitation against them. The
Edinburgh Parochial Board and the towns of Dundee
and Perth have petitioned against the measures, and
county meetings are rapidly getting up hostile
petitions.
The complaints made in Belfast against the Glee-
gow authorities for sending back Irish paupers
are ludicrous. The poor-rates in Glasgow have
been raised 80,0001. or 70,0001. by Irish paupers, and
their oost otherwise will mulct Glasgow of at Wm
30,0001. additional. The rate in aid which has
caused so much outcry amount, to only 80,0001. Bel-
fast has long dealt in the trade of exportiog pintas
to the Clyde, and it has at last brought on reef the
punishment of all over-traders—that of goods set
wanted being returned on the senders. Much noise
has been made about cruelty to Irish paupers in Scot-
land, but who ever bead of a Scotch beggar getting
relief in Ireland!' The law does not award it, and
Irish benevoleoce alum exceeds the bond. We have
patiently borre with Irish poverty, till threatening to
swallow us up; we must take measures for self-pre-
servation.

The inhabitants' committee of poor-rate payers in
Glasgow have made a report on the Merest questions
remitted to them. They propose that a uniform mode
of assessment should be resorted to over the whole
couutey ; that assessment should be levied on income
from all sources, a distinction being drawn between
realised incomes end those drawn from precarious
sources; that parochial divisions should be abolished,
and parliamentary boundaries substituted in their
stead, and that relief given ti Irish paupers should
be recoverable from the Irish authorities.

Native indigence is also being looked after; and it
has been moved at our parochial board that as
" drunkenness is the chief cause of pauperism, a peti-
tion be sent to the magistrates to lessen the number of
public houses." A public meeting on this subject
is to be held to-morrow night. There has also been
Dome progress in respect to the condition of the self-
supporting poor. The governors of Heriot's Hospital,
to whom a great part of the around plopetty of Edin-
burfrh belongs, have had their attention called to the'
samtary state of many helves let by them to &species
of middlemen, and sub-let by the latter to small te-
nants, and it was resolved that in future a direct con-
trol should be exercised over such rroperty.
A blow is about to be struck in Aberdeen against
monastic institutions for the young; it having been
proposed that the boys belonging to Gordon's Hos-
pital in that city should be allowed to go home to
their parents or relations during the right.
The free (her& courts are following those of the
establishment in petitioning against the proposed bill
to legalise marriage with a deceased wife's sister.
After a long discussion on the union of church and
state the town council of Dundee resolved, by a ma-
jority, to aproint a committee to prepare a petition
to the House of Commove praying it "to consider in
what manner the ecclesiastical revenues of the cons-
try can be best ap; lied for the benefit of all classes of
the community, respect being hid to the claims and
rights of the present incumbents."
The Perth papers give bad accounts of the central
gaol there.
We are sorry to undirstend, says the Courier, that
the number of individual. et present confined in Perth gaol
ram& that at any former period—amounting to nearly 200.
The state of crime during the list winter has been very bad
in this &atria, arising, it is anopolied, from the want of work
in general, in addition to the number et navvies also oat of
employment. If the number of criminals from the other
counties, comprehended in this district, ha in equal pro:tor.
the calendar at the ensuing circuit will be the h. tidiest

D,..
record. and unless

Aiof

on_ . a'. cowl deli-erre" tok-s place previously,
there will be ecreat difficulty In finding accommodation for
the prisoners on that coo colon.

PROVINCIAL

YORKSHIRE.

The PUBLIC ROADS- -ii11.1..-L-keateeday 4 numerous
meeting of magistrates of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and
gentlemen connected with the management of the turnpike
roads therein, was held at the Court House, Wakefield, pur-
suant to a esfiution or understanding come to last week, at
the General Quarter Sessions for the riding, held at Pont--
tract, to consider the provisions of the new Public Roads
Bill, and to take such atepo as might be deemed advisable
' thereon. The Hon. Edwin Lunches, presided ; sad
atter considerable discussion, a petition praying that no fur.
ther progress might be made with the bill wen submitted by
the Rev. I. A. Rhoden, moved by Henry Wickham Wickl'sm,
Esq., seconded by Col. Plumbs Tempest' and adopted with
only one diesentient—iisndall Hatfeild, Esq. The petition
Will then signed ky mat of the gentlemen present, and
ordered to be forwarded to Edmund Denison, Eaq., for
presentation to the House of Commons, the other represen-
tatives of the riding and its boroughs being requested to sup-
port the prayer thereof.
WAIIWICHRTITItt.

BIRIfINUIIADf ATIIENIC INSTITUTE.—The seventh
annual soiree of the monbers of this institute took place at
their rooms in Birmingham, on Tuesday night, Lord Hobert
Manners, M.P., the patron, presiding. The inathite was
established for the purpose of enabling the members to.pto-
snots studies in science and literature, and for acquiring
general knowledge. For this purpose classes in various
branches were formed, a library was created, and the useful-
ness of the institute is said to have been considerable. In
connexion with it gymnastic and other amusements were en-
couraged, as a means of recreation for the mechanics and
others. who chose to participate in them. The classes have
romewhat fallen off lately, but upon the whole the
objects of the promoters seem to have been at-
tended with considerable MOMS. Amongst the various
speeches delivered on the °deaden was the following:
Lord John Manners, who was received with much applause,
atter some apologrio remarks, expressed his grateful scknow-
ledgments for the kind manner in which his name bad been
introduced to the meeting and he assured them that an
long as his service, were satiefaetory to them they should be
moat cordially and heartily rendered at their call. He congra-
tulated them, as their president, on the circumstance of the
institute having accomplished its seven years' apprentice-
ship. He felt that they might now safely as•
sums that a long career of usefulness, socially and
individually, was open before them ; and it might not be
amiss, standing on this vantage ground, to look back and re-
flect on those principles which bad seen them safely through
eerie d dangers and difficulties, and which would, doubtless, ,
carry them, possibly, through still greater dangers to Anal 1
prosperity. Those principles were the cultivation of the
mind and the recreation of the body, both being directed to
the formation of a manly, sound, and moral character. The
word " apprentieeldlip" recalled to his mind the considera-
tion that in one of the most important departments of
this institute, as well as of all similar it:eta-miens,
was afforded to the apprentices of Birmingham those
advantages which in olden dart, kings, rulers, and govern-
ments had the wisdom to provide for the apprentices of every
great town in the kingdom.—he meant the opportunities of
manly recreations and sports. In olden days the bold 'pren-
tics lads of London had special grounds in which to indulge
themselves in suck amusements; and it might amuse them
to state how the historian lame .ted their impending de-
struction. He referred to old Stowe's lamentation, which
was in language of this sort: " Why should I speak of the
exercises of the longbow by the citizens of this city, now almost
clean gone and forsaken ; I overpass it, for by means of the
closing in of the common grounds our archers can no longer
exercise themselves." In modern times there was Mr.
Hutt's book, which, in endeavouring to ascertain the reasons
for the decline of these old-fashioned games, dated that the
decay of these gamesbal arisen, not from a want of inclina-
tion on the part of the people, but from the want of proper
places, such as in olden times were allotted to thew, and
which were now covered by houses and endorses, and that
but for net games as bowls and skittles there would be no
amusement for the human body. But be (Lord
K.) was happy to say that in London a change
had taken place, and a careful Queen had devoted
Victoria Park for the benefit of her town-pent
lieges, and in summer's evenings many grrups of cricketers
and other floppy pedessrians amused theme-lees among its
grastipla%. He was willing to hepe that tha time might
come when some king, queen, or town councillor, or other
migrate of Birmingham would find means for giving up
some p:ece of land of this description to the youth of
this town, in order that they might pursue throe
1 manly pulses to which be had adverted. (Cheers.)
Be trusted that no lady or gentleman present
would suppose that in thus Testing of then two deport-
menu of the institute, he undervalued the department con-
nected with the library and lecture-room. Far from it.
Be was fond of readinr, and he rejoiced to hear that the
lil racy was so well made use of, beirg eenvinced that the
man who could study and enj sy Milton, Dryden, dwell with
delight on the page of Shakspere, natures child—who
could ponder over the truth-telling and almost prophetic
page of Clarendon, the sweet numbers of Pope, or

the biiher inspirationof Wordsworth, that man bad rouse'
of delight which external circumstances, however they
might interrupt, weld sot altogether suppress or destroy.
(Appl.use.) When these stules were dire.sted to that
moral end suggested by the motto of the institute—to
mealy, consistent, honourable, and gentlemanlike pursuits,
then the institute might be sold to address its mem-
bers Is the weeds of a quotatket from Juvenal, rendered by
Johnson

IMF Ihrth their knows Ass a bssithfal dad.
Obsdhat mine sad a will regimen,
Tat tom midst mum sonsstkas users eon Asir
tor palms, mirsign se twenmsted
Far ifibwllik passim Ara piserant,
Coons MO UM mans elpeti
oakumof Memel
WM Mos ahninn widow the .
AM Isms a Implems ea dem set dm.
He could met it down vrirAtmt, whiht ramming thanks for
the Wadi= thews him, 'upraise his esaviaisa that, by
altering to Mae principles, they woad teat turns the
Maumee sad mama of mental improvement they now pos-
sewed ; sad when those youths who sew took advantage of
the beadle of the %vitas had become hoary-headed
men, and no longer capable of partaking of the festive dance
or athletic game they would sot look back with the lout
remotes to the hours denoted to these pursuits, and they
would be able to see with honest pleasure their children, or
Allem% Madras, enrolled in the ranks of the athesie
Imitate, and catering with all the honest, hopeful eager.
ass of youth fate its pastimes, studies, and pleasures. (Ap-
res.) He would aow conclude by spin thank* them
their kindness, soaring them that lie services should
always be at their disposal. (Load applause.) The evening
was spent In an agreeable manner, terminating wits a ball,
which the noble patron honoured with hie presence.

THE BOSTON CORPORATION TEEM DEBTS.

—The Lords of the Tressury have agreed to the memorial of
the Boston emporatioo, and given 'them permission to sell
inch portion of their property as they dealt*, to payoff a debt
of 20,0001. contracted by the old corporation, and which fella
due in Jane, 1860. The corporation have chosen a quantity
of property they hold in the town, consisting principally of
old houses and building land, which is now only returning
about 2 per cent. on the actual value, and which owing to
'the state of their funds, they are debarred from improving.
As they are paying 4 per cent, for the borrowed money, it
will be at OWN own that this tale will afford a great relief to
the borough funds, and the corporation anticipate, as molt
as this MAW is settled, that they will be able to do without
any further boroash.ta.tee.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY AT CAIIBRIDOL—The inha-
bitants of Cambridge have of late been frequently started
by audacious highway robberiee, and another occurred on
Friday night, characterised by great brutality. As Mr.
Josephos Glover II A., of St. John's college, was returning
from Gronteheet;r, about 10 o'clock, a tall ruffian, standing
by • gate, struck him with great violence with a tremendout
bludgeon across the forehead, which lad it open ; he
seized the fellow by the throat, but another one. as yet
unseen, grasped him by the collar behind, forced his knee
in h• back, and pulled him in a half prostrate pos tion,
while the first one beat their victim with the bludgeon.
He guarded the blows with his arm, which is now for a
time rendered as-less, and one blow laid his eye open ;
they then throw him wholly on the ground, tore his watch
from his guard, and robbed him of 11. 2a. He again struggled
with him, calling loudly for help. Persona were heard
coming, and the men decamped and escaped. A description
of them being given the next morning, two persons we. e
taken into custody, and Mr. Glover immediately identified
them. They live at Grantchester. Their names are Hayes
and Wilson ; and a youth who knows them well sow them
standing near the place where the robbery was committed •
few minutes before it took place. Committed for trial.
BERKSHIRE

MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—On Monday
last the inmates of Easteourt, the seat of Captain Sir John
Gordon Sinclair, But., situated abmt fourteen miles from
Wokinghsm, were thrown into the utmost consternation in
consequence of one of the maid serraate being apprehended
by the police for child murder and cutting her throat. The
wound in the primer's throat was sewn up, but she is not
expected to lie*.