The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-27 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 27, 1847.

THE serious effect which the present state of the
cotton market threatens to have upon one great staple
of our textile manufactures, is enough of itself to sug-
gest inquiries whence addition id supplies of that inehr-
penssble raw material may be drawn. Practically, we
map be said to be dependent upon one region—the
southern and south-western states of the American
Union—for our cotton. The low ebb to which the
stocks of cotton have sunk, both here and on the Con-
tinent, shows that the production of the article in the
union has not increased proportionally with the
extension of manufactures. The pervading shortness
of the last American crop suggests the expediency of
encouraging its growth iu various and widely sepa-
rated regions.
With this view attention has been turned to our
new settlement at Port Natal, along with other places.
Of the adaptation of the soil and climate of Natal to the
growth of cotton there can be no doubt. We hare re-
ceived a specimen of cotton gathered from plants raised
there from American seeds. It has been pronounced
by a Manchester manufacturer "a very good cotton,
very tine and strong;" and likely to bring a good prix
in the market. Examined with a microscope, it pre-
sents a structure closely resembling the finest Ame-
rican kinds. The only apparent drawbacks on its
very superior quality are, that it is not so long in the
staple as some of the American cottons, and that its
colour is not so good. These defects are most pro-
bably, however, accidents of our specimen.
The question remains whether this cotton, which is
obviously of a quality to find purchasers in our markets,
can be produced at such a end as to render our average
of prices remunerative. The natural advantages of
Natal for cotton cultivation are great. The soils
favourable to its growth are in the immediate vicinity
of the sea, and in this respect resemble those on
which the first class American cottons are reared.
The climate is friendly to the growth of the cotton
plant, and at the same time salubrious—producing
no injurious effects on the European constitution. In
preparing the land there is little or no bush to clear
away: all that is required is simply to plough up the
soil. Labour is at present, and, even with a pretty
rapid development of the cotton culture, will continue
to be, abundant and cheap the natives are a quiet
and docile race. The vicinity of the cotton grounds
to the sea will facilitate shipments, and keep down
expenses.
As far as experiments on a comparatively limited
scale can decide, they warrant the most favourable anti-
cipations of the success of cotton cultivation at Natal.
In every case where cotton has been sown there, the
quantity produced has been to the returns from the
same quantity of seed in America, as six to four.
From papers before us it appears, that in one of the
most extensive of these experiments, the rows being
three feet apart, awl the {dents iu them one and a
half feet, aech plant yielded, on an average, six
ounces of cotton. At this rate the yield of an acre
would be 3,630 lbs. of clean cotton. In America
the plants and rows are both three feet apart; but
even at this distance the yield above mentioned would
give one-third more at Natal than in America. Our
correspondents mention one other advantage enjoyed
by Natal, which, if it prove permanent, will be moat
important. It is that the cotton plant in Africa has
not hitherto been attacked by any of those insects
which have at times wrought such devastation in the
cotton plantations of India and America.

The project of law to encourage and facilitate the
importation of grain into France passed the Chamber
of Deputies on bander, and on Monday was introduced
/Sato e Chamber of Peers, where it will be confirmed
with all the expedition which the forms of the legis-
lature permit.
The accounts received on Monday from those pro-
vinces where disturbances had broken out by reason
of the dearnesa of subsistence have become mote tran-
quillising. Larger supplies had been brought into the
market, and the civil and militar7 authorities had
generally. succeeded in repressing violence.
The prices of grain had, however, continued from
day to day to rise within the radius of the supply of
Paris. At Lille, Rouen, Havre, Provins, Compiegne,
Bray, Orleans and Nlontereau, wheat had risen from
10d. to li,d. on the hectolitre. At Villars-Cotterets,
Laguy, Etampes, Melun, Pontoise and Chartres, the
rise was from 20d. to 25., and elsewhere from 2s. to
2s. 6d. Flour, of course, experienced a corresponding
increase.
Much anxiety prevailed among the mercantile
classes in Paris, lest the popular disturbances which
have recently obstracted the circulation of grain else-
where, should break out in those districts from which
Paris derives its immediate supply. Accounts have
been already received that in some places within that
radius, the population are in a state of fermentation
and excitement, which creates much disquietude.
Notwithstanding the serious aspect of these inter-
nal affairs, the public and the press in Paris are at
this moment almost exclusively engrained with the
debates in the English parliament, and the articles
id the London journals which have reference to the
two absorbing foreign questions of the Spanish mar-
riages, and of the incorporation of Cracow. It is no
exaggeration to say, that the speeches of Lord
Lansdowne, Lord Brougham, and others inthe House
of Peers, and those of Lord John Russel, Lord
Palmerston, &c., in the House of Commons, occupy
more prominent and larger space in the leading
columns of the Pariajournals, than do the debates in
their own Chambers.

The public was somewhat startled on Monday by a
singular article which appeared in a journal c tiled
the Portejeuille, which is known to be a semi-official
organ of the cabinet, and habitually to receive com-
munications from the ministry, and sometimes from
the Chateau. The tendency of this article is to de-
monstrate the impossibility of France submitting to
the continuance of that state of isolation in which the
recent events have placed her, and that, in a word, a
reconciliation with England is indispensable. The
conclusion more than implied by this semi-official
organ of the court and (minuet is, that M. Guizot must
have too much patriotism, too genuine a love for
France and the reigning dynasty, to desire to hold
office, if, by his retirement, the great international
object of reconciliation with England could be effected.
This ominous article winds up with the following
conclusion :
It behove, us, therefore, to escape as soon as possible from
this isolation which has been proclaimed, counselled and
extolled, and which we shall soon have to lament. It is for
the cabinet to consider if it is capable of rewsliblishine the
good understanding between Efutland and France. Let it
examine the situation and let i• Jaffee for itself. Great par-
liamentary talents are not enough to corer the evil of our
position, the cabinet has rendered great services to the noun-
-OY, and no one has mare highly appreciated them than our-
selves. We have often had occasion to render hostage to its
policy and to its acts, and we have done so with the liveliest
gratification. In the affair of the marriages we have ac-
knowledged wits all feasible men the sentiments of honour
and nationality which have directed it, and we have only to
repeat the praises which we hove so often awarded to it, and
of which it has proved itself so worthy.
But is this cabinet, which has done ao much for the
country, equal to the difficulties of the present crisis? If it
think so, let it remain and perform its duty with the firm-
ness and wisdom of which it boa given striking proof. +; but
if it feel that in the actual circurnstanagof the country it
tannin guarantee the security of the enJIM And the nation,
it will admit that their interests are sacred and distinct from
those of an administration, and imitating the great Enzlish
minister whose example we lately invoked, it will know how
by its retirement to woe those precious interests which it
has always so well understood. It is for the cabinet to ex-
amine whether the part played by it in IMO m ray no, now
he better performed by others. Meanwhile, whatever be its
decision, the happiness of France and its attachment to the
dysasty will pmelle its determination.
It may ettsily he believed that such an article as
this, placed in the most conspicuous oionner as the
Made, M a journal known to be in the confidence of
XheChaterm, must appear strangely significative. The
journals of the Opposition do not scruple to ascribe it
to the inspirations proceeding from a high quarter.
•It maybe seen," says La IWorme,"that the mighty
Jupiter knows how to gild the pill. It would be
difficult more politely to invite a minister to retire,
and to tell him that the only service he can hence-
tooth render is that of giving place to others."
Tha eourrier tie Nurenz&rg, a semi-official journal
of the Austrian government, gave on the 21st an
article animadverting in menacing terms on those
expressions of the royal speech to the French Cham-
bers, in which the Cracow affair was noticed in
menacing terms. That
.journal says thatthe King of
the French had no right to attack the morality of
those who have not been less desirous than himself to
maintain peace, " We think," it adds, " that we have
wucl.enough to explain the point of view in which
the three powers will regard this part or the speech.'
Abrilliant party amiembled at the hotel of the
British Embassy on Friday evening. Among the
(Nests were particularly observed Marshal Sault,
Count Mole, and M. Thiers.
Meetings have recently been held by the two

sections into which the dynastic opposition has split,
the one at the house of M. Billault, and the other at
the hotel of M. Thiers. A report prevailed that the
difference existing between these parties would
weaken the opposition which the cabinet would have
to encounter in the Chamber of Deputies, inasmuch
as the section led by MM. Duliture and Billault
would only oppose the government on its home
policy, but would support it on the foreign questions.
Le Caarrier Francon, however, which professes to be
in the confidence of the Dufaure and Billault party, for-
mally denies thitand decltres that that party regards the
system of M. Guizot as indivisible, and to be attacked
in its internal at well as its external policy. To
adopt any other course, it rays, would be to render
itself an accomplice of the cabinet.
A considerable decline of every description of
security took place on the Bourse on Monday.

The Spanish mail, with journals and to,ieepon-
denee from Madrid of the 18th, arrived in Paris late
on Sunday evening. The discussion on the address
continued in the Senate, where the Marquis de Mira-
fibres
spoke against the cabinet. The Chamber of
Representatives had not concluded the verification of
powers. It was probable that M. Bravo Nlurillo,
being supported by the Puritan party, would be the
ministerial candidate for the presidency.
The advioea from the northern provinces were
alarming. The process of recruiting being discordant ,
with their established usages, was raising resistance
in the Basque provinces and Navarre; at Pam-
peluna
the recruits refused to obey the authori- I
ties, and being summoned to disperse, replied
by vociferation, against the Queen, and acclamation,'
in favour of the Count de Montemolin and Cabrera.l
Like scenes took place in the other provinces. At
Sanguesa the authorities were assailed with stones,
and the Aleade wounded. At Tasalla the recruits
could only be dispersed by firing on them; at Estella,
the disorder assumed the character of an insurrection.,
All the recruits of that province had appointed a ren-
dezvous on the lith, and if the authorities had not
succeeded in preventing the meeting it would have
been, perhaps, the commencement of an open revolt.
The Spanish ministry has hastened to march troops
into the Basqueyrovinces, arid has given orders to
arrest all emigres on the frontier.
The Madrid mails of the 19th were delivered in
Paris at a late hour on Monday afternoon.
In the sitting of the 18th a debate took place on the
subject of the marriages, in which the Marquis de
Miraflores and the Minister of Foreign Affairs took
part. On the 18th, M. Ortega attended in the hall of
conference, and intimated to his colleagues that the
king had authorised him to say that he should desire
to see the present cabinet replaced by a more liberal
one. The name of M. Pacmso was mentioned in
connexion with this. Rumours were numerous of a
ministerial change. Oa the other hand, the king
consort was said to hare disavowed M. Ortega's state-
ment, at a ball at thsvalace.

FRANCE.—Coax Mon AT CAEN.—A report was
to-day abroad here that a government courier had arrived with
orders for marching. the 3rd battalion from Havre to Caen,
where it is said serious corn riots have broken out. It is
rumoured that "the Mayor of Caen and two peke agents
have been killed in the riots.—Journal du Havre Jan. 23.

_ .
BELGIUM.—BItt'SSELS, JAN. 25.—The constant
rise in the price of wheat and rye in this country begins to
inspire no inconsiderable alarm, it being a fact that the price
is higher now than during any other period since the retinue
years of 1816 and 1817. It is feared also that the important
measures just passed in the BritWh House of Commune will
tend not only to keep up the prices in this country, but to
render theta still higher. It may be stated that the average
price of wheat in Belgium, from the year 1819 to 1830, was
15 f. 51c.; from 1831 to 183. i, 17f. 36c.; from 1836 to 1840,
191. 27c. ; and Ruin 1841 to 184.5. 191. 97c. The general
average price during the year 1846 was 241. 28c. ; and at
present it is above 27f.. whilst rye, which at any other time
since 1817 never attained 18f., is now above dlf. The
readers of the Daily News are already aware that corn may
be admitted duty free into this country at prim at, but the
navigation or differential duty laws are still waling ned, and
government, moreover, no longer affords the facilities of
cheap railway conveyance for imports of corn. It is fully
expected, that if the price of corn should still continue to
ripe, some modification of the navigation laws (similar to
that lately adopted ia France), if not a t nal suspension of
them, will be proposed by ministers.
GERMANY.—The raising of the discount of the
hanks of France and England has been severely felt in
Frankfort, public securities and railway shares having fallen
conalderably in musequence. The ne es that the Belgian
bank has raised its discount to 6 per cent. has addsd to the
general discouragement. This is but momentary, as money
is abundant, and bills are discounted at 34 per cent.
Aus-rni v.—The Emperor of Austria has appointed
Archduke Stephen, son of the deceased p datiue, lieutenant
(locust totems) of the dignity of paleine ; offi,ial notice of
the same has been sent to the Chancery of Hungary. An
electric telegraph has been established between lirunn and
Vienne. The Austrian customs' regulation* will be appli-
cable to the territory of Cracow, from the 25th of the pre-
sent month. The negotiations of M. de Ka npta with the
court of Vienna have terminated, and tho Wool determina-
tion of the Austrian cabinet has been communicate: to that
of Berlin. There was a report spr. ad that a new conspiracy
had been discovered at Cracow, but as yet it is confined to
rumour.
POLISII FRONTIERS, JAN. 10.—The nnmber
of Russian troops in the kingdom of Poland is increasing in
a remarkable manner, by the addition of troops from the in-
terior of the kingdom, especially since the made have again
become passede. Five regiments of infantry, two of dra-
goons, besides light cavalry and artillery, hove arrived since
the middle of last month by the road of Braessi•Litewaki
alone, to be placed in cantonments in different ports of the
kingdom.

• (From last night's (iazelie.)
LElRM.—Notice is hrrebv given, that her Majesty
will hold levees at St. Jana.e/ Palace, on the following Joy.,
at two n'elock:—Yviday. I tth Feb. neat; W,dmwby, 24th
February sort. ti B. The knights of the seretal orders are
to appeania their collars at the levee on the 2ith Feb., it
being a collatslay.
RY.OUL ttlollll.—The noblemen and gentlemen who
purpose to attend her Majest)'s levees, at St. J. ma's
Palace, are requested to bring with them two large
corde, with their names clearly written thereon, one to
be lett with the Queen's pogo in attends co in the
Presence-chamber, and the other to be delivered to
the herd Chamberlain, who will announce the name
to her Majesty. Those gent], men who are to be presented
are hereby informed, it is absolutely necessary that their
names, with the name of the Nobleman or Gentleman who
is to present them, should be sent to the Lord Chamber-
laiu'v-offiee, on the Wedneedsy previous to the Levee on the
12th February, and on the Monday previous to the Levee
on the 24th 1- ebruary, on either day before twelve o'clock,
in order that they may be submitted for the Queen's
approbation; it being her Majesty's command that
no presentation shall be made at the Levees but
in conformity with the above regulations. It is
particularly requested that in every case the names
be very distinctly written upon the cards to he delivered to
the Lord Chamberlain, in order that there may be no die-
' ashy in announcing them to the Que, n. The state apart-
ments will not be open for the reception of company coming
to Court until half-past one o'clock. Notice is hereby given,
I that all persons, having petitions or addresses to present to
her Majesty at the levees, areto write on two cards, with their
names, a statement of th. object of such petitions or ad-
, dresses, and the names of the persons from whom they
come; one card to be delivered to the page in the anteroom,
and the other to the L.rd Chamberlain, who will red its
contents, at the time of presentation to her Majesty ; and,
on these occasions, no other statement is to be made to her
Majesty. A deputation to present an address is not to exceed
four persons.
Dkawisa-Room.—Notice is hereby given that
her Majesty will hold a drawing-r••om at St. James's Palace,
on Thursday, the 25th March next, at two o'clock. N.B. :
The knights of the leveed orders are to appear in their col-
lars, it being a collar-day.
RIGULATIONS.—The ladies who purpose attending her
Majesty's drawing-room are requested to bring with them
two large cards, with their names legibly written thereon,
one to be left with the Queen's pagz, in attendance in the
presence-chamber, and the other to be delivered to the Lord
Chamberlain, who wi'l announce the name to her Majesty.
And those ladies who are to be presented, are hereby in.
formed, it is absolutely necessary that their names, tog they
with the names of the ladies who arc to peu..nt them,
should he sent in to the Lord Chamberlain's office, before
twelve o'clock on Monday, 22ad March, in order that they
may be submitted for the Queen's approbation ; it being
her ldsjesty's command that no presentation shall take
place unless the name of the lady presenting, together with
that of the lady to he presented, shall sparer on the card to
be delivered to the Lord Chamberlain, which names shall
correspond with those previosaly sent in to the Lord Chem-
fx riain'e-office. It is particularly requested that, in every
case, written cards only be d •livered.

ST. JAMES'S PALACE, JAN 21.—The Queen has
appointed the Hon. Caroline Fanny Cavendish to be one of
the maids of honour in ordinary to her Majesty, in the room
of the Hon. Frances Catherine Devereux, rearmed.
WHITEHALL, JAN. 23.—The Queen has presented
the Rev. J. Anderson to the church and pariah of Kirkden,
in the presbytery of Arbroath, end shire of Forfar, vacant
by the death of the Rev. D. Carruthers.
FORETGN-OFFICIL JAN. 25.—The Queen has ap-
pointed J. H. Lord Howden to be her Majesty's envoy ex-
traordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Emperor of
_ -

CROWN-OFFICE, JAN. 26.—NIEMEIER RETURNED TO
SERVE IN PAILLIANENT.—City of New/Sarum—W. J. Chap-
lin, of Ewhurat-park, Southampton, EN., in the room of
A. Hussey, Eq., who has a-eepted the office of steward of
her Majesty's Chiltern Hun ',eds.

ADMlKetta I, J•o. M.
The following promotion. hove this thy taken place, coneequent
upon the death of Admiral of the White D. Pr Won —Adm. of the
Poynts to be grim. of the white ; Vies-Adm. of the Kai Sir G.
E. 11.mnd, Bert.. K.C.11., to be 'dm. of the blue ; Vice-Adm. of the
White sir J. A. Owunenney, X.C.8., to be vice-ogre. of the red ; Vire
Adm. of the Blue tier J. W. baring, FLC.B., K.C.11., to be vice-eidra.
of the wbqe; Rear-Adis. of the Bed W. It. B. Trerelett to be lice.
ado. of the blue; Rem-Ada of the White T. Brown to be rear-grim.
of the rod; Bear-Adm. of the Blue W. Croft to be rear-ado. of the
white. •

COURT OF ALDERMEN.
Yesterday, a court was held specigtlly to consider a
motion by Alderman Hurephery, " That the Itemembrancer
be directed to prepare a petition to parliament for a bill to
alter and amend the act of the I Ith Gee. I, c. IS, for regu-
lating elections within the city of London, with a view,
amongst other things, to extend the elective franchise in the
election of aldermen and common councilmen." The court
was numerously attended.
Sir JAMES Dean having presented the return of the new
election for the ward of Farringdon Without,
Alderman HUMPHERY rase to submit to the court the
motion of which he had given notice, and for the discussion
of which the court had been specially summoned. His object
was, he said, to go to parliament for the power of extending
the franchise in the election of aids rmen and common council-
men. His object was to alter and amend so much of the act of
George I. as would enable those who paid the largest amount
of rates and taxes to have .voice in the election of aldermen
and common councilmen. As the law at present 'toed, the
voters must not only keep houses or warehouse., and pay
soot and bear Int, but they must sleep, either by themselves
or their servants, within the ward. Such a system inevitably
threw upon men who ought not to have such an authority
the power of electing whom they might prefer. thus leaving
the superior elapses in the ward unrepresented. Now, his
intention was to throw open the franchise to all persons pay-
ing scot and bearing lot in the city of Leaden, whether they
were freemen or not. (Hear, hear.) There were in all the
wards individuals who were not free, and who would not be
free, but they bore the great hoiden of City taxation,
and no one in hie senses could at this time of day say they
wore not entitled to votes in the election of those who were
to impose taxes upon them. Generally speaking, the mar.
chants were free, but they were exempted from the privilege
of voting because they' honeht it was advisable to sleep in
the suburbs after the toils of the day. (Hear, hear.) He
wished to establish the constituency of the aldermen end the
common councilmen upon the basis of the existing par-
liamentary coniaituency . He proposed, too, to limit the
duration of election for members of the two courts
upon the parliamentary principle of the Reform Bill.
The present lord mayor had witnessed, in the case of his
election, the inconvenience and annoyance of an eight days'
poll when the blear', se could have been accomplished as
effectively in one day. The election of common councilmen,
which occupied, in the event of a contest, three days, it
would be also necessary to limit to one day's polling. (Hear,
hear.) Ineffectual attempts had been made to compel whole-
sale dealers to take up their freedom, and it appeared to the
authorities of the corporation to be too hard to uso com-
pulsory means with the retail dealers after suth an issue.
The constituency, then, must soon be narrowed in an
extreme degree if the means he proposed for extending it
were not adopted. Ile bad no apprehens:en of the stability
of the corporation, if they would only go along with the
spirit of the times. The Court of Common Council were
naturally anxious to hare the privilege of keeping their
establishments in the City, and to sleep out of tows. To
that potation he subscribed. (Hear, hear.) But the existing
law prohibited it. The bill he was desirous to introduce to
parliament would quite put an end to that prohibition, and
place the common council and the constituency on a level as
to privileges.
Alderman H. Henget' suggested the propriety of sub
mitring a question of so much importance to a committee to
inquire into the expediency of an application to partia-
-1 ment, and moved, Am an amendment, that " a committee
of the whole court be appointed to consider the ex-
pediency of directing the Remembrance? to bring a bill
into parliament for the purpose stated by Alderman
Ilumphery." Ile thought that so important a measure
ought to be preceded by a committee. He believed the time
had arrived when it should be made apparent to the public
that whatever might be the opinion entertained by the
country, the Court of Aldermen was not the court to object
to an application to parliament for improvement in its con-
stitution. (Hear, hear.) Some people might have disagree-
able forebodings, but he had a firm reliance upon being
fairly treated in parliament.
Sir P. LAURIE seconded Ald H. Hughes's amendment.
He did not believe there was any necessisy for going to par-
liament, and he had every reliance upon the discretion and
mid of the Court of Common Council, who were perfectly
justified in bringing forward the measure to which such
unreasonable objection* had been Made in the Court of

•
I Aldermen.
Alderman Wool) showed that there misted a strong
necessity for going to parliament as spec lily as possible for
the purpose stated in the proposition of Alderman Hum-
phery, and intimated the fact, that several years ego he had
brouribt forward the question, amongst others, involving the
principal details connected with corporation reform.
Alderman Coriscann supported the original motion.
A committee would inevitably cause delay, and delays were,
in so vital a ease, dangerous.
Alderman THOMPPON also supported the original motion,
hut was of *aka that the bill, when brought in by the
remembraneer, should undergo, in all Its clauses, the most
vigi:ant esamlnatiOn.
The amendment of Ald. Hughes was then negatived by
a majority of 12 to 5.
Alderman Hu mrtir.ny's motion, with au addition sug-
gested by Alderman Thompson, that the bill he prepared by
the remembrineer, under the direction of seven aldermen,
was tken adopted.

TIIE MIDDLESEX ELECTION.— Yeaterdii,-in
fluential meeting of the electors of Middlesex, was held
at the residence of Mr. S. Montgomery, Brentford, for the
purpose of meeting Lord Robert Grosvenor, on which occa-
sion en entertainment was given to his lordship. Mr.
Montgomery paptided, who, on the cloth being removed,
and the usual loyal toast responded to, proposed the
noble lord's health. Lord Robert Grosvenor, in acknow-
ledging the compliment, expreeseel his sympathy for the lose
the county had sustained by the death of their late repre-
sentative Mr. G. Byng, to whose merits, whether in public
or in private Life, he was unable to do justice. He observed,
with reoptet to his own conduct, it would during a period
of twenty-five years, be a oufticient auurance to them of,
his opinions. He believed that on all occasions his vend
were such as to eyinvinee his constituents that they were in
accordance with bin principles. He would be happy up afford
to them toy esplan.ition theyigaight requite; but trusted
that his past actions, for so long a period, in the House of
Commons would be a guarantee that he would still

I maintain the seine pri ;Mph:a—Sir William Cloy, Bart.,
upon his Itealtn being drunk, congratulated the electors
upon having the noble lord as a candidate. Other toots
were drunk, after which measures were tarian to promote
the election of his lordship.
HAL MASQUE AT THE STRAND ERASCATL—The
slow-fire which has teen the charaveristic of the Frascati
for some weeks exploded last evening in a masquerade.
Th, bill. promised very great things, but the limited Rise of
the building would seem to pre elude uny sort of fee ivities on
• very retentive scale. Apprehensions of inconvenience
from crowding proved to be quite unfounded, for, instead
of taking the theatre by storm, as was expeetcd, the public
were moot backward in bestowing their patronage, and up
to a late hour the ball-room was scarcely a third full ; al-
though, at the time of our writing this, there was a promise
of improvement. Such a drawback was unfortunate; be-
cause, emeidering the appliance. and meant, the arrange-
ments were everything that could tend to the gratifiestaon
of those present. The house was tarehilly decorated, and
the hand by no means despicable. The office of master of
the ceremonies, a performed by Mr. Baron Nathan, was by
no means a sinecure. The frequency of these entertain.
ments has evidently damped the ardour of the public, who
grow more critical, and require more to amuse them than
formerly.
BURGLARS IN REGENT-STREET.—Yeaterdnv morn-
ing a burglary was committed upon the premises of Meer*.
Halsted' end Hannatord, jewellers and saveruniths,
Regent-street. A police-constable waegoing his usual rounds,
and on arriving at the door of the house, he, as usual,
gave it a push, and it opened. Ile aroused the inmates,
who found the prosage strewed with several articles of plate.
This led to a further march, from which it appeared that
the thieves had effected an entrance into the shop, front
which they had taken gold and silver plate to the value of
300 f.
EXTENSION OF THE SUBTERRANEAN ELECTRIC
TELEGRAPH TO THE FIRE BRIGADE STATIONS.—The ex-
tension of the electric telegraph that is now in course of
being laid down under the principal thoroughfare. in
London, to the several fire-brigade stations, i. about being
taken into consideration by the authorities. The instan-
taneous intelligence it would communic.te to the fire pre-
, ventive force throughout London, will doubtless result in
the saving of much property, and life.
THE SALE OF POlsON.—Yesterday numerous peti-
tions, praying the legislature to place a restriction upon the
indiscriminate sale of prussic said, arsenic, and other deadly
poisons, the easy obtainment of which is the frequent cause
of suicide and murder, ....re Is lag in different part* of the
metropolis for the adenines Of the public.
FATAL ACCIDENT ON TILE GRF.AT WESTERN
RAILwAT.—A fatal accident, by which two passenger were
killed, and two others severely injured, occurred on Monday
near the Southall station, nine miles from the Paddington
terminus. At about a quarter-put four o'clock in the after-
noon, toe 12 o'clock express train from Exeter was running
at its usual speed by the above station, and at the same mo-
ment the four o'clock stopeiug down-train was slacking its
speed previously to its stopping at that plate. The express
train had passed the station some 50 yarth and the 4 o'clock
down-train was about 200 or 2.50 yards also on the
London side, when the tire of the driving wheel next
to the down rail broke into s venal piece., which
were projected in different directions, with a turible ve-
locity. One portion, of about four feet in length, was
thrown to • considerable height, and in its descent came
longitudinally on the front of the second-clans carriage, neat
the luggage van of the down-train, forcing awaya small
portion of the front end, as well as a longitudinal slip of the
top, and making • &ear breach into the carriage itself. So
great was the force with which it fell, that the three first
compartments of the carri•ges were broken the one into the
other. The second and third compartments were tilled with
passenger.. Of those in the second comportment, two
labouring men named Halt and Bishop, who were sitting
opposite each other, were killed. The portion of the tire fell
on their heads, and their deaths were instantaneous. A lady
named Ibbotson, who was in the same compartment was
also struck on the head, and is in a dangerous condition.
We believe that no other po run in the down train sustained
any serious injury. A severe injury, and from a similar cause,
happened to Mrs. Mountjoy Martyn, who was a passenger by
the express train. This lady was sittineawith her back to the
engine, close to the window neat to the down line, mild is sup-
posed to have been struck &violent blow on the hip, either by
a small portion of the tire breaking through the hinder part
of the carriage, or by a splinter of the latter. A medical
gentleman, Mr. Denial, of Southall, who was in the down
train, rendered every possible assistance t s Mrs. Ibbotson,
and tab* to Mrs. Martyn. The former, who was seriously
injure!, was instantly removed to a public.house adjacent.
Mrs. Martyn was brought to Paddington by the express
train, and removed to her own residence The engine (the
Queen) attached to the express train brought the train on to
Paddington, whore it arrived about • quarter of an hour
at er its time. Another portion of the tire fell on the down
mil, and threw the engine attached to the down train off the
line. She was, however, soon got on again, and the da-
maged secondelass carriage having been removed to the
goods shed adjoining, the train proceeded on its journey.
—Our Windsor correspondent informs us that ax soon its it
was known at the Castle that an accident had occurred
to the four o'clock down train from Paddington to Slough,
great anxiety was experienced by her Majesty and
Prince Albert, for the safety of Count Alexander Menolorff,
who was expected to leave town by that train on a visit to
her Majesty ; one of the royal carriage* having been in wait-
ing at Slough to convey him to the Castle. A special mes-
senger wag immediately dispatched to Slough to make the
necessary inquiries, and to return instantly to the Castle to
communicate the same to the Queen and the Prince. The
Count, however, who was accompanied by Lord Aberdeen,
fortunately did not leave Paddington by that train, having
been delayed until the 4.45 train started from Paddington.
ISQ,ESTA, YEnTERDAT.—ACCIDENT AT A FOCH-
DRT.—Before Mr. Wm. l'ayne, at Gay's Hospital, on the
body of George Riches, aged 33. Thos. Haigh, said that the
deceased was a firemsn's assistant, and, on Friday week.
about ten o'clock at night, was engaged with witness and
several other parties in the foundry. A ladle, which bad
just been filled with seventeen hundred w. ights of hot liquid
iron, was being lifted by • purchase-mane, when the ladle
turned over and the metal fill into the pit that had been dug
for the ladle ; a quantity of the iron, on striking the ground,
splashed up, and, coming in contact with the dome over the
furnace, it rebounded and fell over the deceased.—By the
Coroner The ladle was suspended on two pivots, or axles,
and in order to steady the whole, two bandit+ were placed
on the opposite sidaw, which were held by as many men.
One of the parties had not properly ^ousted his handle, and
was in the act of adjuring it, when he doubtlessly mused the
hot metal to run on one side, which would cause the whole
to turn over. Four men were injured, two of whom still
remain in St. Thomas', Hospital. John Bassett, the
house-surgeon, said that deceased. when admitted,
wax most dreadfully burnt, and died on Tuesday
morning. Verdict, " Accidental death." -- OXALIC
Art D.—Before Mr. Mill*, at the Marlborough Arms,
Tottenham-court-road, on the body of Sarah Brown,
aged 27. William Brown, the deceased's husband, said he
was a coachman. On Saturday morning last he went out
with the carriage, and on his return home to dinner he found
his wife, as was frequently the case, tipsy. Whilst at dinner
he upbraided her with her conduct, when she suddenly rose
from the table and went out. She returned in about a
quarter of an hour, and, in a short time, hearing a moaning
noise in the lolt, he went there, and found deceased in en in-
sensible state, with a cup neer her, and a paper by her side,
having on it the name of Mr. Toeswell, a chemist in the
neighbourhood, and the inscription " Oxalic acid
He removed deceased on to his bed, and sent foe-Zrcon-
well and Dr. Acre, hut before they could apply any remedy
she expired. She had several times threatened suicide to
prevent him molding her, and once was brought-borne bj a
policeman, who found her attempting to jump oti one of the
Goal bridges. She had frequently fetched oxalic acid far
him, as he used it to clean boot tops.-4.1r, EildatthewS,
assistant to Mr. Tosswell, proved having served the deceived
with one mime of oxalic acid, for which she paid 4d. She
appeared perfectly sober and rational at the time, and said
she wanted it to clean boot-tops fee Mr. Brown. As be fre-
quently sold it for that pulse.., he let her have It. Deceased
had taken the whole ounce,which was enough to kill four or
five persona, —The free some discussion, returned •
I Verdict—" That the deceased destroyed herself, but, as to
her state of mind at the time there was not sufficient evi-
, deuce to show."

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, JAN. 25.

All public interest is transferred across the channel.
The country papers report and comment on the par-
liamentary proceedings, to the disregard of local
matters. From what can be gleaned in the bast
arrivals, the condition of the country does not im-
prove. Cork has its usual catalogue of inqaesta.
Sligo and Galway have- also their records of "death
by starvation," notwithstanding the great efforts
made towards their relief. The government supplies,
it is to be hoped, will have the effect of improving
the condition of the unhappy poor all around the'
coast, where the depots are available to the relief
committees.
_ _ .

The potato has not lost all its interest. The an-
cient friend is not forgotten altogether, and ought
not. Already the fortunes of the future are antici-
pated from experiment. A gentleman residing in
the county of Cork planted some sound potatoes of
the red 'art, in a hot bed, about three months since.
On examination, the tubers, which, by the forced
growth, had reached some maturity, were found to
have all the signs of last year's disease. The result,
however, under such circumstances, proves nothing
against next year's crop. Some counterpoise to this
discouraging statement is contained in a northern
paper. Farmers having large pits, on examination
found them perfectly sound, and equal in quality to
those of former years.
A long paper was read at the Royal Dublin Society
on Thursday last, on the subject of the Irish fisheries.
Various candidates are spoken of for the represen-
tation of Galway, including Mr. John A. O'Neil,
Mr. Monahan, Solicitor-General, and two brothers
named Comyn. One of the two says in a letter to
the Galway Mercury, that " either I or my brother
Will stand, and we will not vote for any ministry
which does not support a repeal of the union." Not-
withetantling this attraction it is likely that the Soli-
citor-General will be returned without opposition,
Mr. O'Neil not relishing an appeal to the purse.

An important decision was made by the chancellor,
on Saturday, in relation to bonus on bank stock. The
Bank of Ireland lately declared a bonus on their
stock. Certain stock had been made the subject of
settlement in 1828, by which the petitioner Iludgens
took a life estate therein, with remainder over. It
was argued on his behalf that he was entitled to the
bonus, as it was in the nature of profit, not of
capitaL The remainder-men insisted that the
bonus should be regarded as capital. The chan-
cellor took this view of the question,—that the bonus
was in the nature of accretions, to be added to the
fund as capital, and was not the absolute property of
the tenant for life.
Preparations are being extensively made for the
establishment of soup kachens throughout the
country.
The usual weekly meeting of the Repeal Assoeia-
tion was held to-day. Nothing whatever occurred
worth printing, except the concluding sentence of our
repor.er's notes :—" Mr. O'Connell rose and said: I am
sorry to say that the repeal rent is only 15/. Ns. 9d."

STATE OF THt COUNTRY.
THIS SOT:TH.—The Cork papers contain the details of nine
inquests held in one day in the court-house of Bantry, in
each of which, verdicts of " Death by destitution" were re-
turned. The town and neighbourhood of Bantry now equal
in des itution the neighbouring district of Skibbereen. The
poor in Bandon are ilea in a pitiable state.
Tut W EST.—From Galway the intelligence is melancholy
enough. In Connemara, acoording t t the Rev. Mr. D'Arey,
• protestant clergyman, and connected with one of the
larg. st properties of th it district, the condition of the peaple
is most deplorable. From Galway let us proceed to Sligo.
The aspect of thiugs is not more pleasant. I find in the
Sligo Champion that five inquests have been held in the
course of the week, in which, after medical examination,
verdict. of death by starvation were returned. Moreover, I
find that of 1,200 inmates of the workhouse, 400 are under
medical treatment.

SCOTLAND.
EDINBURGH, J %N. 25.
Steam-ship-building on the Clyde is at present in
an enterprising state. Besides the Siinoom war ship
of SOO horse-power, and nearly as large as the ill-
fated Great Britain, the Mayon) Citizen enumerates
about twenty other steam vessels principally intended
for mercantile purposes, which are at present in the
course of construction in the different building ports

- -
of the Clyde.
A food riot took place in Aberdeen on Friday. The
unemployed met in the neighbourhood of the town,
carrying with them a black flag, and after moving
certain resolutions, a deputation was sent to the
magistrates, who, with the concurrence of the prin-
cipal coni merchants, told them that shipments of
grain would in the mean time be suspended. Through-
out the day there was much excitement, and special
constables were sworn in. Towards evening a flour
cart was attacked, windows broken, and the police
pelted with stones, but the latter having made a sally,
about fifty men, " and a great number of women,"
were secured, which ultimately led to peace. The
deputation from the Paisley mectin4, reported in the
Express of Saturday, was firmly dealt with by
the magistrates of that place, but mercifully mixing
clemency with admonition, the Provost told the
members that webs would be provided to those on
the relief fund if they would form themselves into
parties of 20 in number, and guarantee each other
that the webs would be fairly wrought and honestly
returned, and that a select committee would meet
with the weavers on Tuesday first t, make necessary
arrangements. The deputation was proceeding to
speak in defence of the parties who took a part in
the proceedings of the public meeting, but the Pro-
vost stated that they had heard the decision of the
committee, and that the divagation was closed.

THR LONDON EVENING MAIL.—On and after Monday
nest this mail will arrive in Glasgow at hall past eight p.m.,
instead of half-past eleven. The change will not be of such
advantage to the public as was expected, as half-past eight
is as hour fur too late for business purposys. The mail
would require to arrive about half-pant six, which we believe
will be the case in April. Till then the public will be
deprived of the benefit they would derive by the gain of a
day in their coeresponnenee with London and other towns in