The Express.
London, England, 1862-11-20 00:00:00

LAW REFORM IN RUSSIA,

The following letter has been received by Lord
Brougham from the British ambassador at St. Petersburg ;
'Her Britannic Majesty's Embassy, St. Petersburg,
Nov. 9.
"My dear Loed,—lt is so long aloes I had the bosom of
meeting your lordship that I fear I may hardly address you
em an acquaintance. I venture to do so because Ism the
bearer of a good gift. To one so deeply interested in law
reform as your lordship I cannot conceive any intelligeace
more welcome than that of the introduction of fixed prin.
ciplee and public exercise of civil and criminal procedure
among the Russians, who have so long suffered from a mys-
terious. dilatory, and corrupt judicial system. The &CCM-
ponying book has been entrusted to me by Prince Paul
Gagarine for your lorilship. He desires to offer it to you
with the expression of his reaped, He is the chief author
of this good innovation ; at least be has been most Marti-
mental in bringing it to maturity. Prince Gegarioe is
anxious that these regulations should be correctly trans.
Wed in English and made known to the lawyers of oar
country.
" The present measure is a great step towards the cites.
sloe of the Code Napoleon to 50,000,0 W men. It is the
greatest triumph of that code, but I hope not the last.
Already I believe that the commercial courts in Turkey
decide according to a sort of customary law of the Levant,
in which the French mactice has the greatest share. Is a
few years, perhaps, the code will be substituted for the
Koran all over the East, and the Christians may be relieved
from the pressure of a hostile religious law. In the mean-
time it is a great satisfaction to assist at the death of the
Ukases. . . . .

Prince Caprice told me be would be happy to be made
acquainted with any observations which might suggest
themselves to your lordship in connexion with this mea-
sure. Yon will 9bserve interesting and singular features
in reference to the election of the justices of the peace, sal
the functions of the jo-y in the • courts of justice.'
"I have transmitted a copy. of the new laws to Lord
Lyndhurst, by the desire of Prince Gagarine.—Believe me,
my dear lord, very faithfully and respectfully yOnll,
A &PIER."

A HEART•BENDING SCENE.

(From the Dumfries Courier.)

On Thursday last the Comet put into the harbour
of Garhoedown, and took the ground on a mandkank at a
short distanoe from the quay. Neat day, as the tide was
flowing, five men were engaged in docking the vessel,
when • person standing on the quay observed that she
was about to heel over. He forthwith gave an alarm,
and four out of the five succeeded in keeping clear ; the
fifth, a man named William Loch, was caught by the hull
of the vessel as it went over, the bulwarks resting on his
loins, leaving his head, arms, and the upper part of his
body free. The tide was coming in rapidly, and it was
known that the prostrate body would be submerged in
the course of an hour if the weight of the vessel could not
be shifted. In the course of a few minutes all the seamen,
carpenters, and able-bodied men in Garlieetown were upon
the spot, and every effort was made to lift the vessel
a few inches, but in vain; and by the time the water
bad reached the prostrate prisoner it was evident that his
fate was sealed. The scene which ensued was truly
litiable and most heartrending ; it was witnessed by a
arge number of spectators, among whom there was hardly
• dry eye. The Rev. Thomas Young walked into the
water beside the drowning man, engaged in prayer, and
drew his attention to thoughts befitting the sudden and
inevitable change awaiting him. His last words to his
companions were, " Oh, take off my vest and cover my
head so that I may not see the water." An effort was
made to do this, but the garment could Dot be removed, and
his face was covered with a napkin just as the tide was
rising around him. In the course of a few minutes after
this the cold green waves covered the body, and the nor.
rowing crowd dispersed.

DESTRUCTION OF A MILL BY FIRE, NEAR

TODMORDEN.

At about ten minutes past eleven o'clock on
Tuesday evening, a fire broke out in the large flour mill at
Wood-mill, near Todmorden, belonging to the Messrs.
Thom and Sons, of Wakefield. The fire was discovered
by P Swithenhank, of the West Riding police
force, who was on duty near the place at the time. The
mill is about forty yards in length, four storeys in height,
and was replete with all the newest improvements, con•
siderable alterations having been riles forward for • long
time. The fire originated in the third storey, in which
room there was a fan that is supposed to have struck fire.
There was only one person, named Crabtree, working m the
mill, and he was in the bottom room, and ignorant of the
I existence of fire until informed by a person named Dimon,
the night watchman of the railway station adjoining. By
this time the fire bad gained so much power, that the feeble
aorta to extinguish it which could be put forth by the few
persona present, were of no avail. A messenger was dis-
patched for the Ilebden-bridge bre brigade, and the books
in the office, and the few sacks of flour in the lower storey,
were got out of the place. The lire bre arrived about
twelve o'clock, but by that time the was entirely
gutted, with the exception of a small portion of the west
cud, which was stored with grain. To the preservation of
this section of the buildings the efforts of the fire brigade
were at once directed, and to some extent they succeeded,
though not till the roof had been consumed. An immense
quantity of flour has been destroyed, several hundred sacks
being stowed in one of the rooms above. Mr. Inspector
Tucker, of the West Riding force, and his staff of men,
deserve great praise for the efficient orrices they rendered.
The damage his not yet beau ascertained, but probably it
will exceed 20,00 W., a large portion, if not the whole, of
which it covered by insurance.

The New Yea papers contain an account of the
trial trip of the Psalm turret battery, built on the plan of
the Monitor, carrying two gum in her turret, one of lilt.,
and the other of 15 in. bore, the latter being the largest
piece of ordnance that ham yet been mounted on board soy
vowel. The speed attained by the Penman on her trial trip
was only five knots.
. . - . .

An inquest, which was held in Manchester yes-
today, revealed a wad episode in the prevailing distress.
A woman, aged 68, it appears, died literally of cold and want
of food. One of the witnesses said that neither the unfor-
tunate woman nor her husband had had fire or food for
three weeks, except what was given them by their neigh-
bours. The husband found his wife dead ou the sofa on
Tuesday morning.
THE DlB'l6ElO4 IN LANCASIIIRE—MEETING IN
MARTLEBONE—(THIN DAs-.)—This morning a public meet-
ing of the inhabitants of the parish of St. Moll/boas was
held in the Court•howee, hfaryleboue.lane (the rector, the
Bee. C. J. P. Eyre, M.A., in the chair), to raise contribu-
tions for the relief of the distressed operatives in Lancashire
and the other cotton manufacturing districts. The wain
was attended by some of the most iollueutial residents' of this
extensive parish, amongst whom were ninny ladies, who
occupied reserved seats. A eerie* of resolutions calculated to
carry out the objects in view were adopted. A handsome
contribution was MAUI by the meeting. The proceedings
terminated by a vote of thanks to the chairman. Sub-
scription lists in aid of the relief fund have been opened at
Scott's Bank, Cavendish-square, the Loudon and West-
minster Bank, Stratford-place, and at the Court-home,
Iterylebone4ane. District meetings are to be held to ap-
point local committees to receive the contributions of the
parishioners.
CRIPPLEGATE WITHOUT, CITY OF LONDON.—The
rector of this parish his appointed Sunday next for a le-
Mal service in the parish church, at which the band of tlie
City of London Artillery will assist, when a sermon will be
preached and a collection made in aid of the relief food.
THE ROYAL TRADESMEN AND THE LANcAMERE
Dinning Fuirti.—An excellent example was set at
the dinner of the royal tradesmen, at St.
James's Hall, on the birthday of the Prince
of Wales. After the leading toasts had bees
duly honoured, a collection among those who bad so
well dined, was proposed on behalf of those who wanted
a dinner by Mr. Henry Melton, of Regent-street, ad
responded to emphatically to the amount oi WI. 17s. which
was yesterday duly handed to the Lord Mayor's Committee
by the honorary secretary.
The proprietors of the London Pavilion have
determined on setting apart a night exclusively in aid of
the fund now in progress to alleviate the sufferings of the
operatives. The benefit will take place on Thursday, De.
umber 4, when the entire proceeds will be forwarded to the
Lord Mayor.
GAILIRALDL—It is reported that it may be neces-
sary to bring Garibaldi from Pisa to Florence. The air of
Pisa is considered so moist as to be injurious to one who
has a tendency to rheumatism.—Espero.
THE SEE OF GLOUCEHTER AND BEISTtot..—/40
designation has been made even yet to the see of Gloucester.
Lord Palmerston judging apparently that the solos of a
Bishop, like that of souse other good things, is enhanced
by suspense. The report—it was indeed something mom—
which assigned it to a well-Meows Oxford dignitary, Woo
to have been either mistaken or premature.—GoorMea.
The Bishopric of Gloucester and Bristol is not yet setolol
vacant, but ever since Dr. Thomson's designation to liars
there have been various rumours as to his successor. Bat
at present we have yet no reason to believe that the chow
Ihu been definitively made. The bishopric was offend to
DriN2/han of Doncaster, who declined it on Tuesday lasi.

Botnor Comrino.—We are informed that at the
last meeting of the *Lading committee of the Society for
tne Propagation of the Gospel, it wen resolved to vier
.ertain fetters which bad been received, about the relations
of the society with the Bishop of Natal, to the Archbishop
of Canterbury (in =newt with such other bishop. as he
might bs able to consult) for Lis grees's advice the
The Bishop of Natal derives eo part of his episcopal income
from the funds of the socisty.--thardias.
JURIDICAL SOCUEET.—The next meeting of the
society will be bald en Monday, the 514th November. st
tight o'clock p.m. proslody, when the dismission of
we'llake's paper in " The proposed Alterations in the
Low of Blockade." will be rimmed* Mr. Collier, Q.C., B.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

Sittings in Banco.—(Before Lord Chid Justice Edo, and
Juncos William., Byles, and Hosting.)
APPLICATIONS AGAINST ATTONSITS.

This morning three applications were made against
attorneys. In the first was it was said that 751. had been
paid by a client to the attorney in order that au action
might be commenced and proceeded with. The pay-
i. ant was made in July, 1861, and the client was
repeatedly assured—first, that they would be ready to try
as the winter assizes, and afterwards that the trial would
take place at the spring arises. As far as could be ascer-
tained. however, no proceedings had been taken beyond
issuing a writ, and the client's present attorceys were unable
to obtain from the last attorney the papers in the action or
any account of the money, notwithstanding an order of
Mr. Justice Willis, in July last, that the papers and the
account should be delivered.

The court ;granted a rule to show cause why the money
should not be paid and the papers handed over, and why the
matters in the affidavit should not be answered.

In the sexed case it was said that the attorney had
advised his client to advance about 9001. on mort-
gage upon some household property, in which the
attorney's own relations were interested. It was ad-
mitted that the property was sufficient to give security
for the ultimate payment of the incumbrance, but it
was mid that at present no money could be obtained, and
that the title was so imperfect that the mortgagee could
not sell. Au action commenced against the mo
turned out to be fruitless, because the parties were rrierr:
and they bad no property in thin country which
could be taken.

The court granted a rule to answer the matters in the
affidavit.

In the third case it was said that the attorney had gi►en
an undertaking himself to pay 2.'W. in the e►ent of his client
out doing so. The client made default, but the attorney
paid 15/., and the balance was still due.
The court granted a rule to show cause why the under-
taking should not be performed.

COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE.
(Before the Judge Ordinary.)

MACCANS r. ItACCANN.
The Queen's Advocate and Dr. Swabey appeared for the
petitioner; Dr. Spinks for the respondent.
It was a suit for a judicial separation on the ground of
cruelty. The parties, wholesale dealers of crockery at
spelling, in Lincolnshire, were married in l 833; and the
cohabitation lasted more than a quarter of a century. The
only peculLirity in the cue was the fact that the petitioner
had several times been confined in a lunatic asylum,
ber mind having, as was alleged, given way
under the continued brutality of her husband. On
the other band it was contended that the respondent
had been guilty of no unnecessary violence, and that the
whole story of the petitioner was a delusion. The re-
spondent did not, however, offer any evidence.
Coder these circumstances,
fir C. Cresswell said he had no alternative but to decree
a separation.