The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-24 00:00:00

POLITICAL MOVEMENTS.

The Ntarquis of Lansdowne arrived at Bucking-
ham Palace from Lansdowne House on Saturday morning,
and had an interview with her Majesty. Lord John Russell
arrived at the Palace shortly after the Marquis of Lans.
downy, and had also an interview with her Majesty.
At half.past 2 o'clock, almost immediately after the de-
parture of the Marquis of Lansdowne and Lord John
Russell, her Majesty wrote a letter to Lord Stanley, com-
manding his immediate attendance at the Palace. 'the
letter Sus forwarded byn special messenger to the residence
of the noble lord in St. James's-scptare.
hoot Stanley arrived at Buckingham PitNee at 3 o'clock,
and was immediately admitted to au audience with her
Majesty, with whom his lordship remained in close con-
ferenee for more than an hour. After Lord Stanley had left
the Palace, her Majesty wrote a second letter to the noble
lord, who had not reached home when the royal missive
reached St. Janses'iwsquare.
Lord John Russell returned to his official residence in

Downing-street at three o'clock. During the afternoon
hi, lordship had interview. with Viscount Palmerston and
other member, of the cabinet.

.....
At five o'clock a letter was addressed to the Earl of Aber-
deen by Prince Albert, requesting his lordship's immediate
attendance at the Palace. Lord Aberdeen was not at home
when the letter reached Argyll House, his lordship having
left town for Blackheath at two o'clock. The noble earl

returned to town at six o'clock, and immediately rcplicl
to the note of the Prince Consort.

At half-past five o'clock a " nrivate and immediate "
communication was forwarded to all the member of the
retiring ministry by Lord John Russell.
At six o'clock, Lord John Russell proceeded to Buck-
ingham Palace to have a second interview with her Ma
jesty, with whom his lordship remained in conference
nearly two hours.
Immediately after the departure of Lord John Russell a
despatch arrived at Buckingham Palace from Lord Stanley
in reply to her Majesty's second communication to that
noble lord.

At half-past nine o'clock the Earl of Aberdeen arrived at
the palace. The noble earl hail an interview with her
Majesty and the Prince Consort, and remained at the palace '
until near midnight.
On Saturday afternoon a communication was received
at (the reside nee of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone in
Carlton-gardens from Lord Stanley. In the evening a
special courier left town with despatches for the right hon.
gentleman, who was to have arrived at Paris on Friday
Mr. Gladstone is expected in town this morning.
A ministerial despatch was forwarded to the Earl of
Clarendon at the Vice-regal Lodge on Friday night.
A meeting of about eighty of the protectionist members
of the lower house took place at the residence of Lord
Stanley in St. James's-square, on Friday afternoon. At
this meeting the ministerial crisis was, it is stated, not even
anticipated.
Yesterday morning the Marquis of Lansdowne received
visits from Lord John Russell and the Earl of Carlisle, at
Lansdowne House.
Sir James Graham paid a visit to the Earl of Aberdeen
at an early hour yesterday morning at Argyll House.
The Earl of Aberdeen visited Lord John Russell yester-
day morning. The noble earl was accompanied by Sir
James Graham. _ . . _

~~At a later period of the day, the Earl of Aberdeen
visited Lord Stanley at his residence in St. James's-square.
At five o'clock last evening a letter was addressed to the
Earl of Aberdeen by his Royal Highness Prince Albert,
requesting the noble Earl's presence at Buckingham
Palace. Lord Aberdeen arrived at the Palace by appoint-
ment at nine o'clock last evening, and had an audience
with her Majesty and the Prince Consort.

UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL.
CAMBRIDGE, FEB. 22.—BELL SCHOLARSTIIPs.—
TheVire-Chanrellor give% notice that art election of two

',cholera upon this foundation will take place on Friday, the
4th of April ; that the members of any College (except
King's Suliege and Trinity Hall), sons or orphans of clergy-
men, who were admitted between the commencements of
1649 and 1850, may be candidates. The candidates are re-
quired to signify their intention of offering themselves on
or before the 6th of March, in a Latin epistle, to be pre-
sented to each of the electors.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.—An election to two scho-
larships now vacant in this college will be',holden on
Thursday, March 20. One on Sir Simon Bennett's founda-
tion is open to persons born within the province of Canter-
obni;tll,l7 ogittl;misnnopeuviicthoutot tt;yllcinmtitav3titre as to place
Saturday, March 15.

Rey. E Harland, to Colwich Vicarage with Fradswell
Curacy, Staffordshire ; value, 5141., with residence ; patron,
Bishop of Lichfield.
Ven. 0. Hodson (Archdeacon of Stafford), to St. Mary
Vicarage. Lichfield; ♦alue 4.581., with residence; patrons,
Dean and Chapter of Lichfield.
Rev, G. H. Sumner, to be Chaplain to the Sheriff of Lan-
cashire.

VACANCILS.
Illogan Rectory, Cornwall, diocese Exeter; value, 887/,
with regidcncr ; patron, the Right Hon. Lady Bassett.
Rev. G. Trrweeke, deceased.

—.,
St. Mincer Rectory, Cornwall, diocese Exeter; value,
8371., with residence. Rev. (1. Trewceke, deceased.
Widworthy Rectory, Devon, diocese Exeter: value, 1681.,
with residence; patron, Sir E. 31. Elton, Dart. Rev. W. M.
Tacker. deceased.

COMPLETION OF THE RUGBY AND LEAMINGTON
RLILWAT.—The works upon this line, which will place
Leamington in direct communication with the Midland
Counties, Trent Valley, and Stamford railways, and, during
the approaching " Great Eshibition" in London, form the
most direct route,
to be taken by Shakspearian pilgrims to
' the classic soil of Stratford, were examined by Captain
Wynne, the government inspector, on Tuesday last. The
new line, which branches from the London and North
Western trunk at Rugby, and joins the Coventry and Lea-
linington at Losmington, is fifteen miles eight chains la
ength.

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE ELECTION.

STAFFORD, SATURDAY EYRNINO.
The election of a member to represent the northern
division of this county in Parliament took place here this
morning; but notwithstanding that Lord Brackley's resig-
nation because of his ill health had been lung expected, the
smallest possible interest was felt in the result. This was
exemplified in many respects : first, in the selection by a
half-Puseyite parson and a knot of protectionists of a country
gentleman hitherto almost unknown even beyond the pre-
cincts of his own parish; and secondly, the small interest
taken in the affair by the great landed proprietors of the
division; moreover in this, the county town, but fur the
special aid of the North Staffordshire Railway, the sem-
blance of an election would scarcely have been made mani-
fest. Lord liniekley's illness is doubtless a circumstance
very much to be deplored, but when the occurrences con-
netted with his election in 1847 are borne in mind, it looks
very muds like the "ingredients of the poisoned chalice"
being commend:a to one's own lips. It can scarcely
be forgotten that but for the interposition of a
noble lady on that occasion almost at the last
hour Mr. Buller, the old and excellent liberal
representative of the division, would again have been re-
turned ; the hou. gentleman was, however, most uncere-
nioniously put aside at the eleventh hour to make way for •
great family connexion—the scion of a noble house—who
has in turn been compelled to give way in consequence of
indisposition, and the representation has passed into the
hands of the conservatives. The Marquis of Stafford was
talked of, but his noble father is understood to have thought
him too young for so important a charge at present, though
no doubt is entertained as to the fact of his being brought
forward on a very early occasion, when his election would
be certain ; and the juke to-day amongst the new member'.
best friends was, that he would submit to be trotted forth
and exhibited until that period arrives.
Mr. Smith Child. the new M.l'., is a country gentleman
resident in the neighbourhood of Leaks, an active county
magistrate, benevolent and respected in his peculiar sphere,
hut hitherto he has not displayed any of the abilities that
&repast essential in a senator.

He WM 110141iMAUI' to-day by the lion. and Rev. E. C.
Talbot (brother of Lord Talbot), and seconded by the Hon.
E. S. Jervis (son of Lord St. Vincent), and no other can-
didate appearing, Mr. Child was declared by the sheriff to
have been duly elected.
Mr. CHILD hereupon came forward and addressed the
electors. lie was there independent of the mere
dictation of party; nevertheless, he appeared before
them as the advocate of conservative principles—prin-
ciples which, they would allow him to say, were here-
ditary in his family. Ile had held those principles ever
since he thought upon, or took an interest in, public or
political matters, and he was free to confess that
the course of time and progress of events had not induced
him to change them. His views might, perhaps, have hes
cone a little modified in some respects, and he thought
must men's did the same as they advanced in life. (Hear,
hear.) Whatever opinions a man started in life with, whe-
ther those of a violent democrat or extreme liberal, years
rolled on, and wisdom came with the advancing years, and
the man become less violent and more conservative.
(Cheers.) On the other hand, if a man set out with what
were caLed red-hut tory principles—(a laugh)—he,too,went
doss a with the stream of time; and, as grey hairs mingled
with the darker ones of his youth, he likewise became more
liberal while he continued not the loss conservative. lie
appeared before theta, then, as a conservative, maintaining
Ins attachment to those principles which he believed indis-
perumble to the support a our happy constitution— (cheers)
—that well-balanced power, which at once gave the fullest
liberty without tending to anarchy. lie professed a deep
attachment to that constitutional principle which pre-
served in their integrity the three estates of the realm—
that triple combination, the Queen, Lords, and Com-
mons--each of which was independent in action, yet
uniting to form one splendid whole—each pursuing its
own legitimate functions, but when combined together
forming that happy system which seemed in his
opinion to be best suited to the wants, prosperity, and hap-
piness of this great country. lie admired that principle of the
English constitution which recognised religion as having a
sanctified influence on the state, and acknowledged Christ-
ianity by providing for the instruction of the people in the
truths of the gospel, and securing to them the means of pub-
licly worshipping the Almighty. (Applause.) As a conservic
tit e, he retained his attachment to those great institutions
which had made this country so prosperous and so glorious
—which had made Great Britain the envy of all the rest of
Europe, and which, under God's blessing, had preserved her
in peace, while her neighbours had been convulsed with
intestine broil., anarchy, confusion, and bloodshed.
The true conservative policy was, he believed, while they
endeavoured to guard against precipitancy, not to refuse to
improve where improvements could safely be made. (Cheers.)
He had spoken of our institutions as iu a great degree
the glory of England and the great source of her
power ; and he would observe that those institutions

were them ..Ives founded by Englishmen—(eheers)—
and though tree and independent as thou• inati•

tutious were, yet they did nut spontaneously spring up,
buthail been produced time after time by the intelligentand
educated mind of the country, and therefore, if the)• wished
to preserve those institutions, he thought they ought to do
their utmost to educate the people of the land. Hitherto
the attempts made to educate the people had met with ob-
structions which prevented their success, but he believed

the importauce and the justiceof the question were now fore-
ing themselves upon the attention of all men—(cheers —and
he trusted that in approaching that great but difficult sub-
ject all parties would come with a charitable spirit—(cheers)
—it might be that they would feel it their duty to maintain,
as far us possible, their own conscientious opinions and
convictions—(hear)—yet he trusted that they would be
enabled to find some neutral ground on which to erect some
noble structure. He believed that a country to be great and
glorious must have her people instructed—brought up in
habits of virtue and religion. rherefore he believed that edu-
cation was one of the most important subjects that could en-
gage the attention of the legislature, lle thought the tax-
ation of the country..might he equalised, and that the manner
of levying the taxes might be altered, as the present system
appeared to him most unfair and most unjust. (Hear.)
lie thought the .principle on which the income-tax
WWI levied eery unjust—(cheers) ; it was unfair to the pro-
fessional man, whose income depended upon the pursuit of
his engagements, but which ill-health might prevent him
following; it was unfair to the tradesman, who was subject
to vicissitudes—as both of them had to pay the same rate as
a man who possessed a fixed income arising from realised
property. There was one way of reducing the taxation of !
the country upon which most men agreed, and that was in
exercising a strict economy in public matters--(hear) ;
and it would be his endeavour, when in parliament, to pre-
mote economy, as far as possible, consistent with the,
honour of the country, and the efficiency of the public seer •
vice. (Cheers.) He had stated in hip address that he
would protect, as far as possible, British industry, as he
trusted to see the workmen engaged in every branch of the
industry of the country happy and prosperous; find he had
a greater regard for the artisans and labourers of his own
land than be had for those of other countries ; he wished to
see them prosper, their hands full of work, and receiving
on all occasions a fair day's wages for a good day's
work. The distress of the agricultural interest was
a fact; like a dark cloud overhanging the horizon, it ren-
dered gloomy the prospect which otherwise would be so
sunny and so gladsome. (Cheers.) Believing this, he
thought it was the duty of the legislature to take this
matter into their serious consideration, with a view, if pos-
sible, to promote such measures as would tend to alleviate
that distress, and place the agriculturist of this country in
such a position as would enable him to receive a fair remu-
neration for his capital, and an honest and just return for
his labour. He begged, in conclusion, most sincerely to
thank them for the great honour they had done him in
electing him as their Representative. (Cheers.)
There was the usual thanks to the sheriff, and after the
election, the newly-elected M.P. entertained his friends at
lunch at the different inns in the town. Mr. Child him.
self presided at the Swan, where the Hon. and Rev. A. C.
Talbot also located himself, and in proposing the hon.mem-
ber's health, his sentiments were a good deal cheered until
he came to express a hope that his auditors would be ready
to come forward on a future occasion even with their
purses. This remark caused the company to look rather
blank. Mr. Talbot observed the feeling, apologetically
withdrew the suggestion, and thereafter everything passed
off in good humour.

TIII COURT-MARTIAL 0,1 LIEUT. W. HUTCHINSON.—
The sentence of the court-martial lately assembled at the
Royal Marine Barracks, Stonehouse, for the trial of First
Lieut. William Hutchinson, of the Royal Marines, having I
been approved by the Admiralty, was promulgated at the
barracks on Saturday last (2 2nd instant). The charges
against Lieutenant liutchinson were, fur conduct unbe-
coming the character of an officer and a gentle-
man, in using abusive language and kicking his
superior officer, Capt. J. F. Brittain, on the evening of the
annual fancy dress ball in connexion with the Royal
Western Yacht Club. The offensive words used were—
" Here, here's your wife flirting like hell with that fellow
Pakenham," and on Capt. Brittain retorting " It's Mtn
your impertinence, and it's a Ile," Lieut. Hutchinson
asked him to come outside the ball-mom, and on his doing
so kicked him as he was going down the stairs. The (Si.
Bence, which occupied several days, was very clear as to the
offensive words, but with the exception of the prosecutor
himself, not very clear as to the actual kicking ; while,
for the defence, it was proved that the parties
I had, up to the occurrence which formed the basis of the
charge, been upon the most intimate and friendly terms ; and
that the prosecutor had permitted jokes, both from Lieut.
I Hutchinson and other officers, in which the name of Mrs. '
Brittain was mixed up, frequently to paas unrebuked. The
sentence of the court was, that Lieut. W. Hutchinson be
dismissed, and he has been dismissed accordingly. In his
defence, Mr. Hutchinson raised a question as to the jurisdic-
tion of the court to try him, it being a military court-
martial, and he having been at the time the offence was'
stated to have been committed and at the date of the Ad-
miralty warrant for the courtmartial, an officer of Royal
Marines, in actual service andon full pay in the royal navy,
as a lieutenent of Royal Marines on board her Majesty's
ship Impregnable. It is understood that Mr. Hutchinson '
will, on this ground, appeal against the finding and sen-
tence of the court. With this view he put in a protest of
non-jurisdiction on the first day of the court's sitting.
Mr. Hutchinson is the son of Lieut. W. Hutchinson, R. es.,
the harbour-master of Kingstown Harbour, Ireland, an
officer of distinguished merit, and the commission in the
Royal Marines was presented to his father in consideration
of the loss of his right eye, whilst exerting himself in saving
from a wreck a vessel in Kingstown Harbour, about 16 years
since. The inquiry excited more interest than any court
martial previously held for many years in the Royal Marine
barracks, no doubt owing in • large measure to the time
and place of the offence.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

THIS DAY.

EQUITY COURTS.
BEMS LORD VICECR ANC. LLOR%
METAIRIE v. WISEMAN AND OTHERS.

Upon the motion in this cue being again mentioned this
morning, Mr. Mathis, for Dr. Cox and Edward Norris (two
of the trustees of the deed impeached by the bill,) objected that
Cardinal Wiseman, as diocesan, had a discretion UN to tle
disposal of the fund comprised in the deed, and that he had
not been served with notice of motion. He suggested that
the notice of motion should stand over till such service had
been effected; and, after some discussion, it was arranged
that the hearing of the motion should, with that view, be
postponed till Monday next.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE,

THIS DAY.

DOW-STREET,

ATTEMPT TO STA n Shean was charged
with attempting to stab Police-constable Drinkwatcr.
The prisoners left temple was covered with adhesive
plaister, and he appeared to have been severely beaten by
the constable.

,we
Drinkwuter stated that on Saturday night last he was on
duty in Bedfordbury, Covent-garden, when several dis-
orderly persons were turned out of the Cock and Bottle,
public-house. He endeavoured to disperse them, when
they all went away with the exception of one man who per-
si-ted in sitting upon the step of a door. Witness desired
him to move, when the prisoner, who W3N illtNiCated, I
called out to hint not to go away for him. Directiy after-
wards the prisoner and several other men ru,heil upon
him and forced hint against the wall. Witness took his
stall out, and the prisoner exclaimed—" Oh, two can play at
that." lle instantly took out a large clasp knife, opened
it, and ran at witness with the knife uplifted.
The prisoner would have stubbed him; hut, before
he reached him, witness struck him upon the head
with the staff and knocked hint down. A struggle ensued,
in the course of %Well witness's hands were slightly cut
with the knife. After considerable trouble the prisoner was
secured.

The constable's evidence was corroborated by a young
man, who stated positively that the prisoner I:ftcd the
knife with the intention of stabbing him.
The prisoner denied the charge, and said he never used
the knife. lie had been most se%erally puuishtd by the
constable, who had beaten him upon the head and body
with the shelf because. he called out " Shame."

Mr. Jardine was of opinion that the constable had done
nothing more than his duty. If the constable had killed
him he would have been justified by law, for he had a right to
strike bim if he attempted to stab him with a knife. It was
a must unpardonable offence to use a knife, and he (Mr.
Jardine) was sorry to say he had very little power in such
cases. However, he should inflict the full punishment, and
order him to be imprisoned in the House of Correction
fur one month.

TILE SAILORS' STRIKE.
SERIOUS RIOT AT YARMOUTH.

On Saturday a riot of an alarming character
occurred at Yarmouth, arising out of a dispute between the
seamen and a shipowner. Mr. Barber, a shipowner, pre-
ferred an information before the Mayor and magistrates
against a sailor who, after engaging to go a voyage, had re-
fused to do so. The man war brought up in custody, and
on being questioned he said he was willing to go if properly
protected. His vessl was lying at Lowestoft, and, on the
advice of the magistrates, a steam-tug was brought np
the harbour to a point opposite the Town Ilall, for the par-
pos;e of taking the man to Lowestoft, and a body of police,
accompanied by the Mayor and magistrates, started from
the Haft with the man, fur the purpose of escorting
him to the vessel, but they were immediatelv attacked by u
crowd of seamen, and a severe conflict took Awe. The police
though dreadfully beaten believed manfully, and the au-
thorities managed to get the man on board the tug, and to
send him away. Ten or twelve of the rioters were appre-
hended and placed in the station-house. The crowd of
seamen then retired for a short time, and after a brief con-
sultation, they came to a determination if possible to rescue
their comrades. For this purpose they I:sew:nide-a in great
numbers, and, amid a concourse of about two thousand
people, carried the mast of a ship to the station-
house, and began to use it as a battering-ram,
iu order to break the door and rescue the prisoners. The
station house was defended by the police, about twenty in
number ; also by some men from the revenue, several of
the coast guard, and eight or nine militia men. The tu-
mult increased : the authorities caused the Riot Act to he
read, and 100 special constables were sworn. Notwith-
standing, however, the efforts of this extra force the riot
continued, and the crowd seemed still determined to force
open the station-house. At this time there were 20 po-
licemen, nine militia men,3o revenue cutter'smen end roast
guard, and RIO special con-tables, to oppose about 2,000
pee le. The mayor and magistrates, fearing that the forte
so their disposal would be overcome, and that both life
and property would be endangered, sent a message by tele-
graph to the commanding officer of the I lth Hussars sta-
tioned at the barracks at Norwich, stating that a itri,lll3
riot had taken place, and requesting a suffieL nt military
fierce to he sent by a special train, One troop reached Yar-
mouth at 6.15, and another troop followed immediately
afterwards, both under the command of Capt. Douglas. When
the first troop arrived at Yarmouth, Mr. Martin found
it necessary to clear the station, a mob of people having
assembled there, threatening to pull up the rails and to dis-
connect the telegraphic communication. The manor, Capt.
Pearson, R.N., was then sent fur to the station. Ills worship
quickly arrived in a cab, and gave his authority to Capt.
Douglass to proceed immediately to quell the riot. The
military at mice rode into the town, and having received
orders, quickly cleared the streets. The people, frightened
at the mere appearance of the military with drawn swords,
flew away in all directions up the numerous very narrow
rows peculiar to the town. In a few hours quiet was
restored, but the military continued to parade the streets
during the night. At present all is quiet, and it is ex-
pected that the troops will return to Norwich in the course
of the day.

A public meeting of the seamen, &c., of Liverpool, was
held in the Music-hall, Bold--treet, on Friday n.,cht. The
meeting was very numerously attended. Capt. Palmer
took the chair. The assembly WILR addressed by Capt.
Elides, Capt. Cook, Mr. M'Quelan, and Mr. Smith. Reso-
lutions were moved to the effect, " That it was great pre-
sumption in any minister to legislate for the seamen without
their consent, and they were determined to resist any mea-
sure of the kind." A letter was read by the chairman
from a seaman, who called the Sailors' Home a " Sailor's
Gaol and a Sailor's Market." During the evening a tele-
graphic communication was received from Shields, stating
that the seamen there had determined to go to sea, in con-
sequence of Mr. Labouchere having consented to renal the
22 articles of the act; but the Liverpool seamen refused to
procet‘l to sea unless the whole of the act was repealed.
Allusion was also made to the answer of Mr. Laltouchere to
the deputation of seamen who waited on him on Thursday.
The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the
chairman, and three hearty cheers from the seamen as-
sembled.

The strike at Sunderland, Hartlepool, and Seaham, is
virtually at an end. Since Saturday week three or four vessels
have cleared daily, and hands have signed articles willingly
at the shipping offices. The pitmen in the neighbouring
collieries have been literally starving of late, but are now
working full time. The general trade of the town has suf-
fered considerably from the insane conduct of the seamen ;
and some time must elapse before vessels will be found for
the five or six hundred men—still idly parading the streets
—as several shipowners have laid up their vessels in conse-
quence of the difficulties they have met with in obtaining
hands, in addition to the low freights offering, with in-
creased rates of wages to pay.
The Hull Packet says:—" We have been informed that
the crew of three whaling vessels bad signed articles, but
were prevented going on board through fear; and one man,
formerly one of the sailors' committee, having signed to
proceed in the Rose, whaler, he was seized by a mob of sea-
man, tarred, and rather roughly handled. 'this course of
procedure is altogether unjustifiable, and cannot long be
tolerated. We do not know that the magistrates have been
very wrong in allowing the foolish, but harmless, proces-
sions of the week to take place without interruption ; but
we do know that if the sailors proceed to acts of violence
they will surely he stopped by the strong arm of the law.
We trust that a day or two's reflection will convince them
that the government has conceded all that, just now, it can
be expected to concede; and we shall hope to be able to
report next week that the foolish strike is at an end, and
the shipping affairs of the port placed on the old satisfactory
twOn tin
-Friday evening a large meeting of Newcastle and
South Shields seamen was held at South Shields, and
after hearing the report of the delegates, who had
been to London and had an interview with the Board 1
of Trade, the following resolution was come to:
"That as the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Privy'
_ .

Council for Trade have abolished the twenty-two
tions, and as government is unable immediately either to
suspend or cancel the other, and several parts of the recent
Marine Acts to which we neither can nor will submit—ex-
cepting in so far ►s such submission shall conduce to the
eventual repeal of the obnoxious clauses in question, we re-
solve to proceed to sea, and to our usual employments, under
protest, on Saturday, February 22, afternoon tide, acting,
however, in concert with the other northern ports, and in
accordance with the principles of our friendly associations."

MR. GEORGE THOMSON, OF EDINBTRGII, died at
hi•e house on Leith Links on Tuesday last, the 18th instant,
in his ninety-second year. He was distinguished for his
attainments in literature, and his taste and aCCOmplisbments
in music and the fine arts. He was the friend and corre-
spondent of Burns ; and it was to his great collection of
the national songs of Scotland that the poet contributed the
greatest number of those inimitable lyrics which have ren-
dered his name immortal. 'For more than half a century
Mr. Thomson has held a high place in the literary circles
as well as the general society of Edinburgh, where his
qualities of mind and heart made him universally respected
and beloved, and where his memory will long be preserved
and cherished.
DEATH OF MAJOR-GENERAL POWER, R.A.—Major-
General Power, who was Colonel Commandant of the 2nd
Battalion Royal Artillery, died at Dover on the 17th inst.
The deceased officer entered the artillery in 1794, and had
completed 66 years' service.

Raba Ententgence.
COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCR-SATFRDAY.

511700. iM BANC...—Bcrual Ma. ICNIIICIt My. Jowl=
W1,11.11:1AN, AND MIL JCIITICY Pitt.

RATING OF RAILWAYS. REGINA r. TEE LONDON,
BRIGHTON, AND SOrTH-FASTERN RAILWAY CONPANT.
REGINA e. THE SorTIDEASTERN RAILWAY COXPANY.
REOINA V. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY CoNIPAN Y.
Mr. Justice Coleridge delivered the judgment of the
court in the above three Cases. The judgment of the court
on the first point raised in the fleet of the. thnc WC.116 aam
deride the other two Meg. That question was, as to the
principle on which the poor-rate ought to he aeseated upon
railway companies,—whether it should be on what was
termed the mileage principle, or according to what was the
ordinary mode of uectortaining the value of land in each
parish. The final decision of this question had hitherto been
avoided by agreements between the ranks and by mutual
concessions ; but the question was now raised, and must be
determined, how the particulars of the profit were to be
ascertained from which the rateable vela° of such property
was to be deduced. So far as the railway companies were
concerned, it was to them a matter of indifference whether
the mileage principle was adopted or not ; but it was not to
tot' • ;El rishes, in whieb th • ',mats of he ailwey wen•gaittal
in very different proportions. The main objection which had
been made to the adoption of the ordinary principle in the
case of railways was the great difficulties which it was
geHed would arise in the application of it. But, if the leaal
principle was ascertained, the difficulties which it was
suggested would arise in the application of it ought UK to
influence the derision of the court. It was twinge...are to
consider what force might be due to the argument if it could
be shown that it was quite impossible to apply the principle;
for in this case no such impossibility did exhort. A., to the
legal principle there could be nu doubt. The parochial
Assessment Act (11th and 7th Willeuu IV., e. 06), made to
establish an unimorm mode of rating, enacted that no r: to
fiir the relief of the poor should be allowed which should not
be made upon an estimate of the net annual value of the pro-
perty rated thereunto, according to the rule a therein laid
down. It must be observed,: that the principle there laid
down was not created by the art, fur this court, 11.• Carly as
the year 11e27, had derided that that principle was to be
found in the original statute of Elieabeth. Now, whether or
not railways had escaped the notice of the legislature in the
year 1836 was perlrow doubtful, but it was clear that they
were not excepted from the Oct. There was no difference, in
fact, between railways and canals ; and it did nut appmr
that there was any difference in law. This was u intient
answer to the suggestion which had been made of the ditfi-
culty which would arise in the applineion of the principle.
That question was independent of the expense whialt this
occupier could show was necessity to keep the property at
its value; but the diffieulty which might have arisen font
that circumstance had in this case lawn obviated by the
sessions, who had presented the court with caleurationa
adapted to both priateiplee. In that the reasions had mane
to a just conelusion. If in any CAW the companies should
improperly refuse information to parishes, there were menne
by which they could be compelltel to furnish it Bat it would
he found that it would he for the interest of the companies
to supply the requieite information, for it was only by tl.s it
so doing that they would be able to obtain those nehteticos
to which they wee: entitled. Their refused to do ,o wouldsaherwiee lead a court of justice to presume that the produc-
tion of the informatiom ',mild be unfavourable to their floe.
On the bout! prineiple, therefore, that the statute cattail} idu
the principle, that the &chasms thereon were coneistesat,
that no difficulty was anticipated, the court had come to the
conclusion that the respondents were right. and that the de-
cision of the seseiums must he affinned. A second c.oslion
raised was, whether a deduction ought to be allowed the the
maintenance of the ix nnanent way. The r, spondente lid
not deny that such a deduction ought to he ;Aimed, but they
said, first, that a provision seas made for that purpo.s• molar
the head of e working expenses ; and, secondly, that the
necessity had not yet arisen. The court was now asked to re-
view its decision in the case ot' the Great Westetn Railway.
In the case now before the court, no charge had beets made,
either by way of outlay or by setting apart tiny portion of the
company'sreecipts. opiltioott ofthe court was, that thew it-
lay should Inc pray fled against by layingloy a sum snout ::y ;
and it the company, in order to swell the amount uf their thvi-
th lads, negheted to do so, they acted uulawfulay, and east the
whole burden ou the future dividends, to the injury of the
then proprietors. It would, of (muse, lie unjust to allow
' the deduction twice over: hut the company was eatitled to
have a deductitm made, as was done in the case of Inoue, pro-
perty. But if that was not done nowthe company would be
eetopped from doing so at a lunge period, as in the caw at
an ordinary landlord. The rate must, therefor:, be amended
so as to allow those &dm thee,. Anothe r question raised
seas, as to whether tickets which were interchanged by the
companies ha whom the variotts parts of the line belne,ad
were to be considered and charged as earnings.; and, it be mg
' the opinion of the court that they must he viewed in that
light, the rate must be amended accordingly. The last ques-
tion was front what rate the overseers ouglit to make their
assessment. They ought to make it aceorling to this nap-
. 110401 prospective value of the property, aceordin'T to :he
evidence in their power, and were quite juuitioal in utaktog
it upon the last published account, if that was the tie t
; information tiny could pnwure, and a rate so nude
I ought not to low quashed. But, if the stomp:my tom-
, mueicated further infonuation, the overt:are oughe to
take it into neenuat, and, if they did not, [lot ran Say op-
• pealing on that ground ought to be etacceesfel. The note
must, therefore, be amended ageonlingly. In the other two
5 ruses, the only question was as to the prinsaple on whirls the
assessim ut should he made; this was, tie. refore' dkpow .1 of
• by the decision of the court on the first poiot above deeidad.
SIITIMPI AT NM Pates At GrILLMALL -Risen Lola(
CAM:S•II. AM, A 15Przw. Stay.
WEAVEIt (TH.— LIIIEL.

Mr. Serjerust Wilkins and Mr. Bagley were remise: fur
the plaintiff; and the Sdieiter Geuerd and Mr. Well,. re-
presented the defendant.
This was an action brought against one of the registered
proprietors of the Dal& News newspaper, to recover corn-
peneation in damages for an alleged libel which appeared
against the plaintiff, a Lieutenant Weaver, in that journal
of the ?.Bth of October, 1840. The alleged libel was con-
tained in a report of certain proceeding( in which the plain-
tiff was ecumenical, and which had taken place at the
Thames l'ulice-court in Oetober
It appeared that something had taken Al ice at the Thames
PMiee Court, wherein a charge was made by a Miss Court-
ney against Lieutenaut We us Cr of hie having detained soon
short—tuds, valued at 10 guineas, which he lead originally
given her, but which he had since (sorrowed of her. The
statement purported to be a report, or rather narrative. of
what had taken place at the police court, and which, if nut
proved to be a correct report, win no doubt a libel. It is not
thought necessary to repeat it.
For the defendant, Mr. Elnor, who furni,hesl a report,
which, however, was abridged, was called, and he read town
hi. notes what hail taken place at the four different hear.ligx
which hail been had at the police court, and which he had
furnished to different Sunday papery, from which his 'apart
was copied into the Daily A ews
The plaintiff, in reply, called witnesses to show that this
report was incorrect. Thew witnesses were the clerk to the
plaintiff's solicitor, the warrant-officer of the police court,
the second clerk, and the 111,11,T of that court, but some of
them admitted that the article in the Daily Sews was very
temperate.
Lord Campbell, in summing up, said—lt will now he
for vnu calmly and delileauttly, according to the evidence
whiilt has been laid beffire you, to find your verdict in this
case; and your verdict will depend upon this question—
whether the publication complained of as a libel is a fuir
account of those pruces.alinge at the Thames Police Court
between Miss Courteney and Lieutenant Weaver. If it be
a fair account of those proceedings, then I am of opinion
that, in point of law, the defendant is entitled to
your verdict. Gentlemen, some questions have Leon
raised us to bow far it is lawful to publish 110iiC0
reports, which are mere preliminary examinations
of persons charged with crime. That question does
not arise here, because this proceeding came regularly
before a judge who had jurisdiction over it. It was in the
nature of a civil action, as if it had been brought before her
Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench, and had been to be de—
termine(' by &judge and jury. Although it might reflect
upon any party whose name nos implican el in it, there can
be nu doubt that if it were a fair account the law will justify
it, for it is of the last importance that thb public should
be furnished with fair accounts of proceedings which
take place in courts of justice, and the benefit infinite
overbalances the inconvenience. And gentlemen, I m
Folurther, after what has been argued before you, and a, y
it is not necessary that it should be a report of all that took
place, for if that condition were imposed, the liberty of pub-
lishing reports of proceedings in courts of justice would be
merely illusory, and wholly useless ; because it is not pas-
sible that all that takes place on any trial should he put
into print. You will therefore consider whether this be a
fair report. If it be a fair report, the defendant wou:d be
entitled to your verdict. Although Lieutenant Weltver
may have been very ill-u.ed, that is not a question for you
to determine. It would be monstrous to say that the pro-
prietor or publisher of a newspaper should be liable becaueu
the account which is given of a trial may reflect upon tether
of the parties, or may contain what is not true it is net the
absolute truth which is to be considered, but whether it be
a true report of what actually took place. Now, it
lies upon the defendant to show that this is a fair
report of the proceeding.; because any persoa who
reads it would teeman tndifferent opinion of lieu-
tenant Weaver—therefore, as we say, prima facie, :t is
libellous ; and it lies upon the defendant to show thee the
publication was justified. He undertakes to do that, by
saying that it is a fair account of the proceeding in the
Thames Police Court in the suit between Miss Courteney
and Lieut. Weaver and, gentlemen, whether the defend-
ant makes that out is really the question that you have to
determine. It will be no justification to the de-
fendant that this paragraph was copied into the
Gaily News from another newspaper. It might perhaps go
in mitigation of damages, but it is no justification, fiwthere
would be no safety to character if it were a justification for
one newspaper to copy a libel from another. It lies upon
the defendant, therefore, to show that this is a fair account
of this proceeding; and, if he does so, then he is entitled,
in my opinion, to your verdict. Now, he undertakes to do
that chiefly by the evidence of Mr. Elnor, and it will be
very much upon the credit you give to him that your ver-
dict will depend. You will first of all consider whether he
is a witness of truth, and you win then consider whether,
in your opinion, what he says shows that the alleged libel
is a fair account of the proceeding. Now, I must say'
that Mr. Elnor appeared tome to be, as well as I could judge
of him from his appearance and from the history which he
gave of himself, to be a very respectable gentleman, and I
could discover nothing that should detract from his credit.
The learned judge then read to the jury them
Elnor of the proceedings at the police court.;
notes of the viva voce evidence of thoho:lr • tem-
plimenting the magistrate (Mr. Ing • •y er.

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