The Express.
London, England, 1847-02-10 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 10, 1847.

ides of the townlaul system is ementially retrograde.
TheTbe
It ce to t rid of the electoral divuns, and
prop.ses at on ge
it waders virtually null the inquisition alll judgment of the
• doe ; for what motive w.ll any longer exist for
pdblic inquiry. or what scope fir public opinion when every
iudertaking is exclusively the affair of no individual ? rum •
bidgion will be useless, mutual conceivion will he unheard
or and cheek upon the extent of work, projected, or of
gooey demanded from the Treasury, there will be none.
Hat the labouring claw, under the system, will be ren-
dered directly dependent on their landlords for the means
of sulwistence. and in many cues will have to look to him
In many more they will he placed in a new relation
of dianor towards him. Whoever is unemployed or dis-
missed will appeal to the relief committee so long u it
practically ruheists ; but its functions likewise will rapidly
ddoiahh, and the vitality of its influence will soon have
Who will interfere in his neighbour's townland
opt the clergy, who will act? Appeal to opinion there
can be none."
Every word of this applies to the future poor law
for Ireland, and points out at once the double danger
of either extending the district so widely as to de-
prive the ratepayers of all incentive to keep down
the expenditure, by economy and by management of
the labouring population, or of assigning such narrow
limits as would isolate property and poverty into
several and separate masses, and thus create
by law these terrible combats between the
class of ))eves and that of LfrAttr-s, which
engender tyranny on the one hand, and in-
affection on the other. An imperfect poor law for Ire-
land will prove the worst of curses. Indeed the word
poor law may be made to mean anything. And of
the number who at present recommend it tor Ireland,
there are not perhaps ten who agree even in the
fendamental principles.
it is, however, understood that the provisions of
the Poor Relief Hill do not prejudge those of the
future Poor-law. That bill vests in the Relief Com-
missioners the power to limit or extend the
community of rates, so as to cover the union, or
shrink to the electoral division. In the exercise of this
most important and necessary, arbitrary power,
the commissioners cannot p without collecting
important data, and gathering a mass of experience
relative to the local condition of Ireland, which may
prove not only necessary guides to them, but to the
future partitioning of rates and districts under the
permanent law. We doubt if any fixed limitation
of districts under the permanent Irish poor law can
take place at present.

Tux step taken by the King of Prussia in granting
a constitution to his subjects, is one of such immense
importance, not merely to Prussia but to Germany,
and to the entire policy of Europe, that we axe too
much absorbed in the contemplation of the results, to
enter for the present, at least, into any minute exami-
nation of the plan. The concessions are certainly small,
the rights ofthe Prussian parliament limited, and at the
first aspect, this magna eharta of Prussia wears more
the semblance of a financial scheme than of a poli-
tical constitution. It will certainly have a very
great and immediate effect in restoring the very
suffering credit of Prussian finance ; and such, per-
haps, may be the pretext put forward to cover occult
liberalism. But Prussian statesmen are too well-
advised not to sec in this act the germ of fur more
than what is modestly and timidly proclaimed.
These United States of Prussia are, it is true, bat
consultative. Like the pi ovisional ones at present ex-
isting, they will have merely the right of petition and
remonstrance in matters of general legislation. Even
in the essential matter of voting a revenue, customs
duties are placed beyond their control ; but no new
internal tax, and. what is more important, no new
loan can be levied or contracted, without their assent.
One regrets to see intercalated in such a charter the
captious clauses, permitting exception in case of war
or difficulty of convening the states. Such could
merely serve as pretexts and instruments to an illibe-
ral prince, hereafter to evade and stifle the growing
constitution. .
We are well aware how small a flame has been lit
up by this decree on the broad hearth of Prussian
nationality. And one must feel, how possible it may
be either to stifle the flame, or let it die out. if not
fanned by such necessary currents of air as a free
prate and publicity of debate alone can give. Such
vestal fires, however, only become extinct in small
and backward states. The Germans have the constancy,
the intellect, the will, and the numbers to watch
and keep it. They have the example of their own
race in the men of England, whom they may now
rival in nobler fields than theme of monopoly and pro-
hibition . . _

It is upon reflecting how long the KING of PRUSSIA
has wavered and hesitated upon passing this political
Rubicon, and what were the mighty obstacles
which retarded him, that we judge of the int-
menaity and importance of this act. The ques-
tion, in fact, that has been mooted, ever since
the king mounted his throne, was, shall the
dynasty and the empire, founded by the Great
FREDERICK be Russian or German? Shall it be the
appendage and make-weight to the colossal power of
autocrat Russia, or shall Prussia be the head and front
of constitutional Germany? There was no medium,
nofuste milieu. FREDERICK WILLIAM has wisely
chosen. In his consent to the absorption of Cracow
he was guilty of a signal weakness, but as far as
Germany is concerned, it is redeemed by the step that
he has taken. The fall of Cracow flung the despair-
ing Poles into the arms of despotism. The Berlin
oonstitution recalls them to better hopes. Free Ger-
many can neither enslave Poland, nor suffer her
absorption by a Tartar.
No greater or more welcome result can flow from
this act, than that it is a stronger guarantee of Eu-
ropean peace, than any event of the last ten years.
Prussia, by becoming constitutional, rallies to her the
whole of Germany, and, girt with this powerful adhe-
sion, stands between Russia and France, at the same
time amicable and repressive to both. Whilst the
Prussian King remained despotic and unpopular, the
Russian Czar might menace and dictate to him,
whilst France, on the other hand, might be tempted
to invade or nourish ambitions designs by the facility
of appealing to an oppressed people against an arbi-
trim& government. Let but the King of Prussia
mlFch in his present path, and it is he who can dictate
to Russia, not Russia to him ; for the unfurling of the
German flag would in a trice make free Prussia
mistress of all Poland. Whilst Germans united
ander, or rallying to, a constitutional government, may
sing to France in a voice that cannot be answered,
Ye shall not hate the Rhine,
The free, the 'Over Rhine.
Our cotemporaries, who were fortunate enough to
procure yesterday a copy of the Prussian consti-
tution, made strange havoc with the trans-
lation. Both make his Prussian majesty ex-
clude the clergy altogether front his new
House of Lords ; an awful innovation, far from
the intention of that pious monarch. The word
which means prelate in the Constitution, the:trans-
lators of the Tunes rendered by the word founder.
Why, we cannot conceive, unless the German word
proved a dumb-founder for the intellects of that
journal. The prelates in troth are included in due form,
and, with the rest of the nobles, axe to vote in the
same assembly with the deputies on money bills; a
system more favourable to theirprivileges, though more
shocking to their dignity, than that followed at
Westminster.

Is 1844 a committee of the House of Commons was
appointed to inquire into the operation of the Navi-
gation Laws. Two-third. of the members on that
committee were protectionists ; and, after hearing a
number of witnesses, they asked to be re-appointed
nest session. Their request was granted, and at the
close of the seseiou 1845 they repeated their request
to be re-appointed. Something occurred to prevent
this, and in the interim a change has come over the
mood of these eager invest; gators into the scope and
tendency of the Navigation Laws. Last night Mr.
LIDDELL, as their mouth-piece, protested against any
further inquiry.
The curiosity of the House of Commons as a body
has not cooled to the same extent as that of the pro-
tectionist party in it. Mr. LIDDELL'S opposition was
over-ruled by a majority of 153 to 81. Mr. 11,1cAtwo
is to have his committee.

Theait;;;l tacticsni the pmtectionistit are easily
accounted for. In 1841 and 1845 they looked upon
themselves as a majority of the home. They felt'
confidant that the inquiries of their committee, like
the (*naps in GRAY'S long story, would " lead to
nothing." Their committee was a tub thrown
out to the whale. They flattered themselves that
the public would believe something was doing, be-
cause an ia%estigation was apparently in progress.
they would have inquired till doomsday, with plea-
nre, to stave off action : bat in the present state of
public opinion, Nlv. Iticanno's committee is more
uktiy to accelerate thun retard action; and, therefore,
.1 ought not, in their opinion, to ha conceded.
Mr. UnPr.t.t.', great argument against granting the

committee asked for by Mr. ittemino, is the very
reason why it should be appointed. " They were
within a few months of a general election ; let the
noble lord wait until the assembling of a new par-
liament, and then if he really thought inquiry on this
subject desirable, let him appoint a committee
on his own responsibility." A Dew parliament is on
the eve of being chosen : the continuance, abolition,
or modification of the navigation laws is sure to be a
leading topic of discussion in it. Mr. LIDDELL
would have its members meet without having re-
ceived any instructions on this point from their con-
stituents; or be would have the constituents give
their instructions with insufficient knowledge. Mr.
ittesands plan is better. He and his committee will
collect evidence both for and against the navigation
laws, will digest and classify that evidence, and pro-
nouncean opinion on it. The blue hook,containing their
report and the testimony on which it rests, will be
circulated over the land : the vital question for British
commerce, " Shall we continue or abolish the naviga-
tion laws ?" will be made one of the tests of candi-
dates at the hustings ; and the constituencies will give
their voices for or against these laws, fully informed
as to the operation.

FItANCE.—In the France, Quotedienne, and L'Echo
Francais there appeared announcements to the effect that
from Sunday last, beb. 7, those three papers would be united
under the title of L' Union Monarch; rte.
ITA LY.—'f he Pope has promulgated a Treditoforthe
reliefoffrish distress, from which the fillnwi fog are extracts :
His lloliness, the common shepherd of the faithful, deeply
affected by the painful tidings from Ireland, and acting on
the suggestions of his paternal heart, has commanded public
prayers to be made to implore the God of Mercy and the Giver
of all Good togive present succour and future pr.,vision to this
people. His holiness has for that porpsoe directed that a solemn
Triduo shaU he observed in the venerable ch.ttch of St.
Andrea della Valle. His holineas has deigned to grant
seven years of indulgence, and as many forty days fur each
visit to the Tridurt, with plenary indulgence to those
who attend on each of the three days, and on the
following Sunday approach the sacrament of conhw,ion and
eonununi,n.— The document concludes with an earnest
admonition from the vicar-general to all the faithful warmly
to second the intentions of his holiness, and thus to prove
themvelvesdieciples of Christ. In hoc cognoacentomnes quia
discipuli mei estis, si dilectionem habueritis ad invisem."

SICILY.—JAN. 23.—Great distress prevails in
Calabria, at Messina, Barcelona, and other parts of Sicily,
and fears are entertained that want will cause the poorer
orders to proceed to violence. The corn crop has been de-
stroyed by inundations, and famine is now impending.
GERMANY.—Pitussi.t.—We learn from Berlin,
that on the 30th ult. the Queen of Prussia wan attacked
with a catarrh, attended with fever, which increased for three
days with great violence, but in the night of the 2nd iust.
her Majesty obtained some rest, and on the morning of the
3rd was much better. _

~.... -.......-.... -..
BIRLIN, JAN. 24.-I'ersona filling high offices
in the war department. and staff officers, decl ire that
they have no knowledge relative to the report that
three corps of the Prussian army are to be eml,orlied, nor is
there any preparation for such a measure to be observed in
the military establishments. The latter circumstance, how-
ever, proves nothing, because the Prussian army is so orga-
nised that all the troops may he placed immediately on the
war establishment. There does not appear to he any rea-
son for taking such a measure. The assembly of Russian
troops on the Polish Russia frontier, does not inspire any
apprehensions here.
SWEDEN.—The King of Sweden has appointed
a commission of inquiry on the best means fur reducing the
rates of postage, and of multiplying the mails not only
within Sweden and Norway, but also between the two coun-
tries and the rest of Europe.
RUSSIA.—THE CAUCASUS.—The Berlin,journals
copy front Russian bulletins an account of some incursions
by General Freytag upon the Tchetchenses, in the Caucasus,
towards the latter end of December. The General, having
left Fort Groanaia at the head of several battalions,destroyed
several villages, and set fire to a part of the stores of corn and
hay of Sehamyl. After having lost a considerable number
lof men in skirmishes, he returned into the fort, pursued
closely by the mountaineers, who did not retire until they
had received repeated discharges from the artillery.

committee agreed, relative to the proceedings on the Quali.
lications lull, to the Town-clerk, in order that they might
be put upon the paper of businem, rvcvived the following
communication on the subject :
Mansion-housc, Feb 1, 1817.
13ir,-1 em directed by the Lord Mayor to omit to you that the
motions, of which you bare gives notice to the Town-clerk for the
next Court of Common Council, rent be commleatly Included In
Co Kermit paper of busies; sod to !ultra to you the propriety of
giving notice of them to the Omrt of Common c„,,ocji, if you lowed
to pre., them for ccoudderation at a future court,—c. nice,
bwordbearc-
To this
answer:

Mr. Ashunt rent the following

To the Right Hon. the Lard Mayor.—Mv snorer to your
lordship's communication addressed to Me by the swordbearer, I beg
to Won,. your lordship that I Intend o bring cm, at the next court,
the motions of which I gave notice to the town.clerk, and to which
your to communication refers, and I have to request of your
lordship that t.tne motrocui may apnea in the papers of business ; but
whether they appear there or not, I shall submit the motions to the
court, and, with the permission of the court, shall bring them on. To
do otherwine, would be to surrender the rights of the mutt into the
hands of your lordship and your nuormorn, to which I certainly do
not intend to be a party. The notices have been regularly given, and
the court must devide when uriernbi.d, when it wilt be *seed to
have the motions broUght on.--I have the honour, kc.
(Signed) W. IL Asurarr.
A meeting of the committee hal ',men called fur Thursday
next, upon the subject of this correspondence.

THE REPRESENTATION OF WESTMINSTER.
MEETING Op THE WESTMINSTER REFORM SO-
CIETY.—On Monday night, at seven o'clock, a numerous and
influential meeting of the members of the Westminster Re-
form Stich ty was held at Stannerd's Hotel, Covent-garden.
Mr. racier oleerved, that in consequence of auey re-
ports having reached him et the progress made by or. C.
Cochrane, he would suggest that proceedings should be
taken to convene a sublic meeting, to obtain the assistance
of the liberal electors of the city of Westminster, not con-
nected with that society, to promote the return of Mr. C.
Lushington.
The resolution was unanimously agreed to, when Mr.
Prout and Mr. Lewis, jun., were appointed the deputation
to wait on Mr. C. Lushington.
Mr. C. LL SHINGTON h ,ving arrived proceeded to address
the m, sting. He said he understood that he should not be
required Vs address them formally, but simply to answer
such questions as might be put to him. Before be sat
down they would, perhaps, permit him to make some few
observations with regard to his actual position. When he
was favoured with the communication on the part of
the society, containing a paper of questions, on which
his opinions were desired, and inquiring whether, if
he concurred in the principles which these questions
involved, he would contest the election, he replied that he
concurred with every question, and that, consequently, he
would be happy to contest the seat, provided he re, eived the
encouragement of all sections of the liberal interest, concen-
trating, in effect, the whole of the liberal constituency of
the city. (Hear.) He knew that the representation of
such a great and important body as that of the city of West-
minster required much deliberation, and, no doubt—indeed
he was informed a—considerable difference of opinion existed
uto the qualification of the several candidates who were
submitted to the choice of the society. It was kuown that
Mr. G. Thompson obtained the suffrages of a very large
portion of the members. He felt that he was placed in con-
siderable difficulty, having presumed to make a certain con-
dition as the ground of his standing for the representation of
the city of Westminster. This condition remained to be
fultilled, and he felt that if he persisted in venturing upon a
contest whilst their votes were divided, he should
not only jeopardise his own views and reputation,
but what was of much more consequence, com-
promise the interests of the liberal portion of the consti-
tuency. (Hear.) la the midst of that difficulty, Mr. G.
Thompson adopted a course, which, in his humble judg-
ment, entitled him to the highest praise. (Hear, hear.) In
order to preveet the mischief which threatened the liberal
interest, he came forward in the most handsome manner,
and announced his acquiescence in the vete come to by the
society, and declared hi. willingness to retire. (Hear, hear.)
He thought he abould not be accused of presumption, if he
said that the moderation, dieinterestedneer, and public spirit,
displayed by Me. li. Thompson, was recognised, not only by
that constituency, but by all sections of all classes of liberals
throughout the country. (Hear, bear.) He thought that
such conduct had prepared any constituency where liberal
principles predominated, to give him the most favourable
reception. (Hear.) He had no doubt but that Mr. G.
Thompson still 'emitted many staunch and ardent friends in
that society, and he regretted that they had been disappointed
at nut possessing as their representative a gentleman of such
talent. (Hear, hear.) But though he could not expect irs-
mediately to obtain the support of all Mr. G. Thompson's
friends, he hoped that by hug conduct he should ultimately
be enabled to gain their esteem. (Hear, hear.) After these
few observations, he was now ready to answer any questions
that might be put to him.
Mr. Lewis, jun., said he wished is know from Mr. C.
Lushitieton whether, in the event of his becoming the repre-
sentative of Westminster, be would support an inquiry into
the case of the rajah of Sattara ?
Mr. C. LUbHINOTON observed that, from having been in
India, and almost from the very commencement of his public
life officially connected with the Itovrrnment of that country,
be had become acquainted with the ease of the rajah. lie
was appoiute. I to the presidency, and for twenty yews at-
tended tha meetings of the council as secretary, and for
ten years he wee in the company's service at Bengal. He
thought that the rajah had been treated with great handi-
ness, and, if elected, he would consider it perfectly consistent
with his duty to vote for an inquiry. (Hear, hear.) He
was opposed to all endowment for religion. (Hear.) If
elected, and should the subject of the endowment of the
Roman Catholic clergy be introduced it should have his
most unequivocal opposition. (Hear.)
Mr. PARK ES thought that when Mr. Cochrane dis-
covered the opinions of the constituency to be in favour
of Mr. C. Lushington, be would not risk the liberal
cause. (Hear.)—Mr. Lewis, sen., said it was the opinion
of many that Mr. C ichrane had the support of that society,
and it was necessary to disabuse the body of that opinion.
(Hear.)
Mr. PROUT, proposed a resolution "that the committee
just elected be requested to adopt measures as speedily as
possible for the formation of a General Committee of the
Liberal Electors of the City of Westminster, to carry into
effect the election of Mr. C. Lushington.—Mr. PARKES
seconded the resolution, which was unanimously adopted,
and the meeting broke up.

DEATH OF MR. GEORGE MOBINS.—The name of
this universally known auctioneer, which for the lot thirty
years has appeared mere frequently in the newspapers than
that of any other celebrated character, will be found to-day
in a column where it will be seen with very general regret—
in the obituary. Mr. Robins had for several months past
been afflicted with dropsy, the fatal though slow progress of
which the highest medical skill was unable to cheek.
Though made perfectly aware for some time of the certain
effect of the diwarder, Mr. Robins's habitual cheerfulness
never forsook him. At length, after much suffering, borne '
with unusual fortitude, he expired at his residence at
Brighton, on Monday evening, about eight o'clock, Mr.
Ribins married a second time somewhat late in life, and has
left, besides a widow, several young children to deplore his
loss. The immense transactions—including the sale of
countless acres of landed property—in which Mr. Robins
wart engaged during his long career as an auctioneer, have,
no doubt; enabled him to leave a large fortune.
FALL OF THE GEORGE INN, LONG-ACRE, YESTER-
DAY.—The greater portion of the George Inn, Long-sere,
Bow-street, fell to the ground. The building was
ddb
onseiderable antiquity, dating its origin as far back as the
middle of the seventeenth century, and when it was erected
was intended for a first-rate hostelry. Some years since the
ranges of bed-rooms in the yard were converted into dwelling
houses and livary stables ; the adjoiuiug houses extending to
Rndell-street, formerly
.Hanoveratreet, have been lately
pulled down, their site be.ng required by the Commissioners
of Woods and Forests, fur the contemplated improvements
in that neighbourhood, so that the gable end was left
without any support, and being, as in most old
buildings, principally composed of wood and lath and
plaster, gave way, carrying with it the greater portion
of the roof which, in its descent, broke through all
the Boon, destroying every article of furniture. Con-
siderable alarm prevailed for some time, as it could
not be ascertained whether any lives had been sacri-
ficed, the portion of the building destroyed being imme-
diately over the yard where tae dwelling houses and livery-
stables mentioned above are situated; this, after some de
lay, was dispelled by Mr. llersey, announcing that no per-
sonal injury had been sustained by any individual. Had
the accident occurred in the evening, the lose of life must
have been fearful, as the grand lodge of England, of the
Order of Odd Fellows would bane held their weekly meet-
ing in one of the rooms. One of the female servants had a
very narrow escape ; she had but a short time previous
been engseed making the beds, which were destroyed. A
number of men were immediately employed erecting shores
for the security of the front wall in Long-acre, and others
taking down that in the rear of the premises.
INQUESTS, YESTERDAY.—ROBBERY AND ALLEGED
DIVILUISR.—By Mr. Payne, at the Golden Ball, King-street,
Snow-hill, on the body of Daniel Nichols Brougb, aged 33,
a commercial traveller. The circumstances of the case will
be found in out pollee columns. Albert Searle, a youth I
employed behind the bar of the Golden Ball, said that .
on Saturdiy morning, the deceased, who lodged at the
Golden Ball, came into the shop withiltis friend Mao-/fads.
Two men came in et the same time, and one of them
followed the deceased and his friend into the parlour behind
the bar. Witness saw the man put his hand into Mr. Nash's
pocket, and also try to get the ring of his (Mr. Nash's) finger.
As this man refused to leave the parlour, the deceased said
he would go for a policeman, but the man outside the bar
said that be should not, and gave him a blow in the face,
which knocked him down. The deceased was stunned, but
recovered in a few minutes, and went for • policeman.
After the deceased had returned, a Mr. '&uthwood,
seeing the deceased's sufferings, went out. with •
bottle and returned with a white liquid, which Ise
gave to the deceased. Immediately that the deceased
drank it he cried ‘• Oh, God! my throat's on Sze !" and
became sick. Mr. Sullen, a surgeon, attended upon the
deceased. He died the same night. Bath the dimmed and
Mr. Nash were intoxicated when they came into the shop on
Saturday morning —William Southwood said, that de-
ceased told him that he usually took animbnis after
drinking ton much, and that be thought it did him
(the deceased) a great deal of good. Then, et the re-
quest of the deceased. he went out and got him tee-
penny worth, about three parts of which, mixed with water,
he drank, and spit or threw away the rest. Shortly after
that deceased became ill.—James Harris said he sold the
last witness four fluid drachms of " liquor ammonia "—that
is about four teaspoonfuls. He asked fur the atresgest, sail
witness gave it him, believing that he wanted it forehanded
purposes and not to use as a malieine ; M ovileimi drops of
another kind of ammonia might have been administered
beneficially to a drunken man.—Dr. Lynch said the deceased

died from inflammation of the epiglotis, caused by the
ammonia, a strong caustic, ;eshing over it.—Verdict, " Died
from the effects of =mania administered in ignorance of
the consequences."— Day. —I NFANTICIDII.—By Mr.
W. Carter, at the Mitre, Broadwall, Illackfriart-road, re-
lative to the death of a newly-horn male child, found wider
very remerkable circumstances. Mark Marten, a lighter-
man, deposed that he was proceeding down the river on
Friday morning last, and whiLs- peeing Itaymond'v-roads,
on the upper aide of Blackfrianebridge, he saw • mai ket
basket Hunting down with the tide. He pulled it into his
boat, and rowed ashore at the Old Barge House-stain,
where he opened it, and found the body of a child wrapped
in • piece of 11 innel, and coeered with meadow hay. On
the top of the basket was a label, to the following effect :
" To be opened with care, from au old friend, l'upil."
nen. gave the body to the police, and inadvertently- destroyed
the Label, which he, in a mom. nt of excitement, threw into
the fire. —Mr. Edward Doubleday, surgeon, said that he
had examined the body, which was that of a male child,
fully developed. There was sufficient evidence of the child
having breathed, but he was unable to say to what extent. The
deceased, from the appearance of the body, had dearly re-
ceived the necessary attention at its birth. The coroner re-
marked, that the tact of the paper being destroyed by the
Knit witness was an unfortunate occurrence, ea all chance of
tracing out th-- guilty party was lost. He left the Can in
the hands of the jury, who returned an open verdict of
" Found dead ill the river Thames."