The Express.
London, England, 1848-03-21 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 21, 1848.

Finn AT LANA.II. Mitts.—On Monday morning, a fire
broke out in a flat in one of the extensive cotton•spinniog
mills at New Lanark. It had a very alarming appearance at
one time, and the whole building, with all its valuable ma-
chinery, seemed in imminent danger of being destroyed; but
by the strenuous exertions of the workers in the course of
two hours the flames were subdued. Before the fire was ex-
tinguished, however, a scutching-room, a beaming•room,
and two attic rooms, containing warping machines, were
almost completely destroyed. The fire was first discovered
in a beg of cotton wool, but how the wool had been ignited
has not ►een ascertained.

PROVINCIAL.
LANCASHIRE.
LANC.ASIIIRE AND CHESHIRE CHARTIST CAMP-
NERTtrio.—On Sunday a very large meeting of the chartists
and repeaters of Lancashire and Cheshire, at which there
were from 16,000 to 20.000 persons present, was held on the
common known as Oldham Edge, about a mile from the
town of Oldham. The spot selected formed almost a
natural amphitheatre, and was admirably adapted to acco i••
misdate such a large congregation. There were some heavy
storms during the day, notwithstanding which the people
stood their ground, and listened patiently to their orators.
About one o'clock, Richard Pilling, of Ashton, was called
to the chair, and resoluti ns in favour of the charter
and repeal were as
together with an address of
congratulation to the French people. The speak. ru were
James Leech arid Edward Clsrk, chartists of Manchester ,•
Mr. Doheny, of Dublin, Mr. Fearrits O'Connor, M.P., and
Messrs. Donovan, Thou. Rankin, Webb, anal R. O. Cooper.
Scarcely anything. was said that had not been said before at
the two meetings in Manchester.—Mr. Doheny asked the
chartists to yoin them in getting Ireland for the Irish ; and
he promised that they would lain the chartists in getting
England for the English, and that at all times, and in all
dangers, the people of Ireland would stand by the people of
England. This was the time of freedom ; the world was
shaking, thrones crumbling, and despots flying; and now
, was the day for Irish freedom and Irish chartism. They
! (the repeaters) joined with the chartist, in everything. He
said with them, " The charter, the whole charter, and
nothing but the charter ;" and they asked from the chartists
lin return, " Ireland, all Ireland, and nothing but Ireland."
France would fraternise with them; the first act of the
young republic was to concede the charter. Let there be
fraternity Is, tween the people of England and Ireland for
ever. (Cheers.)—Mr. Feargun O'Connor made what was
for him a short speech. Re dwelt particularly upon the ad•
vantages of his land plan, contending that man was to live
by the sweat of his own brow, and not by the sweat of
others. This was a gathering for a great and holy
purple ; it was not only through himself to repre.
sent labour in the House of Commons, but it was
to take the iron hoof of despotism off the Irish and English
people. Let no man place the land scheme and the charter
in the same scale. The land scheme, as compared to the
charter, was only as one drop of water in the ocean. This
was a sacred day—a virtuous and truly religious congre.
Ration of people; and let every man uncovered —every man
with his hat off—let every man with him swear to heaven
that they would never abandon the cause of charti.m till
their freedom was obtained. (Loud cheering, the auuitors
taking off their hats and waving them in the air.) Mr.
O'Connor continued Was ever a regiment better ma-
noeuvred than that? Was ever the word of • commander
more promptly obeyed than that? Is not that discipline?
Mr. O'Connor appealed to the chartists to assist Ireland in
obtaining her freedom—The speeches were over by three
o'clock, and the meeting dispersed quietly.

UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL.
Os FORD, MARCH .20.—The following gentlemen were this
day elected wboiars of UniverretiCollege—eix , on the Bennet found I-
lion. Mc en. O. E. Ranker, (gamier), and F. K. li. Cock (commoner,,
of lAuversltr Coll. • the m .
em roundel.. Mr. Palter, from 1,,0n ;
M 1. lon the ores/air found-mon, Mr. 31.dd, from King's Coliege.

London.
GRAND COMMEMORATION.—It is now quite Battled that
there will be a grand commemoration this year, but, in consequence
of the Is:entre of lister, it will not take place until the 4th, SW, and
6th of July. The concerts which, it imundrastood, will be on a greed
scale, will be under the superintendence of the new profeator of
music, Sir It. Bishop, who will be assisted by Dr. Elvey, D.Mus.
Liscour Coiaaue. —The following vacancies will he filled up at the
college on Wednesday the 29th inst., vie.. two rehears-kip' open
without limitation: an exhibition fur Retires of the diocese of Dur-
ham (including Allertonahire and llowdenstare in the county of
Fork), or of the countiesof Northampton, Leicester'
and Oxford.
The Tatham scholarship open, with a preference to person.. born or
educated in the county of Rua. Candidate must nail on the rector
on Monday, March 27, before 10 a.m.
Friday, the Stet inst., the last day fir mending in comporations
for the Chancellor's and Sir Roger Newdegate's prise ; none can be
received after that day.
CAMBRIDGE, MARCH 20.—CI.A.SICAL TRIPoS —Est
miners :E. Atkinson, M.A.. Clare ;B. W. Bretton, M A., l'ern-
broke F. France, M.A., St. John's; M. W. unifier, M.A., St. John's.
First CUM.—C. R. SW:4 Trio. ; Werneott, Trio.; Mayor, Joh. ;
P. Front, Joh.: J. L. tkivice, Trin. ; I). J. aughae, Tnn. ; Barry,
Trio. ; llowson, Christ'. hingstord, Job`;; Mom Statley,
Trio. ; item, Trier. ; Winiesworth, Cann
Second Clean—Vincent, Trin. O. A. Smith, Trin. ; Hudson, Trin.;
Gee, Joh. ; Jones, Caius ; Russell, Trio. ; Phillips, Trin. ; Noel, Trip.;
Klugh, Clare; Richards, Queens' ; Fearer, Joh.
Third Clean —V. G. A. Willams, T. F. Fenn,
Trim 11,71Pda Queen.';Aclante, Trin. ; Paley,Christ's; C. dooms*,
Claus ; Marston, Gains ; IfoJeson, Corpus ; Corpus.
VACANClES.—Shillingford It., Berko, die. Oxford; 4971.,
with reddenoe ; pat., T. M. Gcoillake, Esq.: recant by death of Rev.
W. Mills, whose demite CPO vacates Miarden U., musty end dio. of
Cilonoester ; Talus MI., with residence.

NAVAL.
ADMIRALTY, MARCH 20.— AP eolltratUNTS.—Aseistant-
-
Burgeons: E. W. Pritchard, to Calypso'
, P.. P. Chapman, to Shear
meter ; W. E. Cockburn, to Torch.—llidehipmen : T. B. Leigh and
Columba, maxi clam A. Scotland,
to St. O. Crechton, to Rodwing.—Naval Cadet A. It.
Smith. to Vernon.
W. b. Robinson, to be In/Rotor of thipwrintitn, Chatham.

SPORTING.
NOETHASIPTONSHIRE STAKES —9 to 2 aget Ballinarad (t),
10 to 1 agst TWstledown, IS to 1 agst Walingate-ber.without, 15 to 1
apt The Convict 15 to 1 apt Duplicity. Ballinatad was in favour
with wn ea' partleri, in fact was the only horse really backed; Walm-
gateakezmithout was friendlees.
METROPOLITAN Hag DICAP.-8 to 1 apt Jericho, 8 to 1
egg Sufthanter, 10 te 1 soot Rattrap, 14 to 1 opt Marquis of Cooyng-
ham (t 4to 1), 14 to 1 agst Glen gaddee. 15 to 1 eget Gannett, 15 to
1 apt Vampyre, 20 to 1 apt Good Boy. 30 to l mat Blackbird (t).
She beta laid on this event ware in smut amounts, at the adds rr
turned, all of which were offered euirequantle.
Two TRoVaAND GIAMEAs STAK66..-7 to 2 ago' lase.
6to 1 ag-t PLitcatcher, 7to 1 age t Loadstone, 6to apt Fern. Very
kwa dens.
Cursraa Cup.-22 to 1 aptCractow (t), 22W 1 agat Blaze
itt, 25 to 1),0 25 to 1 ergot The Swallow, 30 to 1 apt iletman Platoff colt
t63t01, 40 to I apt to Bantam, 40 1 ago Enchanter (t 45 to 11,
000 to agst Rufus (t).—The Hewn Platoff molt and the two
favourites were in .tang demand, and monopolised nearly all the
busbies., the Investments on the other horses quoted having been in
'err small sums.
DERBY.-9 to 1 agst Surplice (t), 12 to 1 apt Springy
Jack (t), 12 to 1 agat Glendower It arid aft off), 20 to 1 apt Fere (22
to 1 t), 25 to 1 eget MI Desperandurn (t freely), 13 to 1 agst Berl-
borough, 40 to I apt Flab:etcher, 40 to I agst Backbiter, 1,000 to 15
agst The Fowler (t). Springy Jack wall in high forte this afternoon,
and, beyond dispute, was second favourite, 12 to I taken, some money
not having been obtainable at the close. Similar odds were taken to
lOW. about Glendower, but were currently offered throughout
Fern was backed at 23, 22, and tingly at 20 to 1 ; Nil De duo
freely at 25 to 1 ; and Beeborongb, in two or three quarter', st 33 to
1 and 1,000 to 30. Backbiter was sot in favour.

lain Intelligente.
HOLISM. OF LORDS.
TUB DM; OP HAMILTON AND OTHRILB a. THII MA-
GISTRATES AND TOWN COI:NCIL OP THZ Bonovon OP
HAMILTON. CHURCH ACCOMMODATION. This appeal
against a judgment of the Court of Session in Scotian re-
eer.ing a judgment of the sheriff of a omnty, was opened.
last Thursday, and the nature of the ova wad stated in the
report in this paper of Friday. The arguments haring been
brought to a conctuaiou, the cause was ordered, ou the motion
of the Lord Chancellor, to be remitted to the court below,
with directions bow to proceed therein. There was nothing
in the case to entitle it to further notice.
Another appeal, " Ricketts a. Turquand," was opened.
The statstrient of it is refereed until further hearing.

EQUITY COURTS.
Before the Master of the how.
SNOOK v. WATTS —IN,ANITT.—This suit was instituted
to foreclose certain mortgages executed by the defendant,
George Watts, one of which was made for 3,0001. in Dee.
1834, to a Mr. Skruhb, and another in April 1835 for 4001.,
to a Mr. Asher. Both these mortgages were tuedgned in
April 1836 to the plaintiff Snook, who also bad another
mortgaeftom Watts for 6001., made in January 1836, and
he su neatly made further advances to Watts and his
wife. T t, bill was tiled in Jan. 1842, and the cause came
on to be heard in April 1844, when it was objected that Watts
was a lunatic when he executed the mortgage deeds. The
snit accordingly stood over for the purpose of having a cora-
, mission issued to try Watts' state of mind. A commission
was accordingly issued, and id March, 1845, a verdict was
found by the jury that Watts was insane, and had been so
from Ist January, 1822. The question now turned upon the
sanity of Watts when he executed the deeds, the plaintiff
contending. that he was only subject to epileptic tits and vio-
lence during the continuance of their effects, but at other
times he was perfectly rational ; and the evidence of Mr.
Deacon, the solicitor at whose office the deeds had been
executed, gave testimony to his sanity at that time. For the
defendant, on the other hand, it was contended that he was
a lunatia and incompetent at the time of executing the
deg ds.—Messrs. Turner, Walpole, and Willcock for the plain-
tiff ; Messrs. Roupell and Wright for the defendant.—
' The Master of the Rolls said that the verdict of the jury
under the commission, threw the burden of proof oa the
party contending for the sanity of Mr. Watts. There was
no subject more difficult for a court of justice to investigate
and adjudicate satisfactorily upon, than the state of a man's
mind with reference to sanity or insanity, in order to de-
tennine whether he was legally bound by or responsible for
particular acts. One of the means of judging, and perhaps
the most important, where there were apnt indications
of insanity, was by comparing each act of insanity with the
other acts of the same person. A great deal more must be
considered than the particular acts brought into considera-
tion. Though some of a man's acts might be very strange,
and afford some ground for imputing insanity, they might
not be sufficient to prove that the sets in question were
done under the delusions of insanity. And again, when a
man was found by a jury to be Weans at a particular
period, and at other tunas sane, one or two acts done
apparently by a man of sound mind would not in all eases
peeve that the sets done were fres from delusion, or the
Musser to which a person acting under Manse delusions
was liable. In this case it appeared that Watts was at times
insane and subject to fits of insanity ; but that, on other oe-
0111MMI, he was applied managing beldame. The question
wee whether he was so capable on each of the days when the
deeds were ezeceted. It was et the least coneistent with the
evidence that he might have been eo. There wee evidence

that at the time of the acts he was acting as a man of sound
mind
of
the supposed to act. With the exception of Dea-
con none of the witnesses appeared to have had any intim'.
tion that there was any imputation on his sanit Deacon
bad had an intimation of it some time befogs; but it
did not appear to have made much impression on him. If he
had seriously thoaght there was any ground for the imputation
he would not have allowed the deeds to be executed without
investigating the state of his mind, having regard to the de.
lioions to which he was subject, and their influences oa his
mind. Thu* was nothing in the case inconsment with the
notion that the deeds were duly executed. But Watts war
not pat to that test to which a man in his state of mind
ought to have been subjected. He thought, therefore, that
he ought not to determine the point himself, though he
agreed that the court was competent to do so. But it should
be investigated to a much larger extent than it would be
from the evidence to be derived from the particular acts.
He should therefore direct issues to try the question of

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
OXFORD CIRCI IT.—SURZWBBURY, Maxon 20.
The commission was opened at Shrewsbury on Saturday
night by Mr. Serjeant Taltourd, the judges being detained
at Stafford by the heavy calendar there. This morning the
business of the assizes commenced at Shrewsbury, Mr. J us-
tics Patteson presiding in the Crown Court, and Mr. Justice I.
Cresswell in the Nisi Pries Court The criminal business is ic
not hesvy, the calendar containing the names of only 39 2.:
prisoners, but one or two of the cases are of an aggravated
nature, one being a charge of wilful murder, and another of sa
manslaughter. The civil busineu c °gists of seven causes,
two of which are special jury causes, one of them being
a 5t
new trial of a disputed will cause, " licher v. Blayne," I
which has excited great interest in the county of Salop.
tint Pams.—Before Mr. Justice CresswelL
Martin AND Wire U. D•Vir.S.—INTENTIONS OP • Tu. it
TATolt.—The plaintiff, Mrs. Mound, had lived for a number ).!
of years in the service of Lady Boyne, at Ludlow, in this v
county, u housekeeper, and between her and Timothy 0
Davies, butler, in the same service, the closest intimacy had
subsisted, and they had aoreed to get married. But Davies
fell sick, and died in 1830 ; a few days before he died, he
sent fora person named Hodgkins, a saddler, at Ludlow,
whom he named executor in his will ; the testator told
Hodgkins that in a former will he had left Mrs. Mound
(then Mrs. Tench), 300 f.; but, that in his last will he bad
left her nothing ; but now, from the great affection he bore
her, he intended to leave her a note of hand of Lady Boyne's
for 1, and twe Austrian bonds tor 1001. each ; he gave
Mrs. blaund the note of hand in liodgkiss's presence, and at
her request Hodgkin wrote a memorandum to that effect on
the hick of the note. The testator died in about ten wta.ks
after, and his property then came to his sister, Mrs. Dickens,
who died in 1844, end at her death the property descended
to his nephew, the defendant is the present action, which
was on an issue by Lord Langdale fr the Rdls' Court, to
try whether or not the testator did in reality give the note
and bonds to Mrs. Maund.—The jury returned a verdict far
the plaintiffs.

NORFOLK CIRCUIT.—CAXBRIDOE, MARCH 20.
HALL V. HILL.—Ex eccrtinc —This was en action for
an alleged taking of the plaintiff's goods—via, a lighter and
a boat, on the 31st of July, 1847, under an execution, la
a harmer action, brought by the present defendant
against David Wi ar, of Warrington, the question was,
whether the goods were the property of the plaintiff, or
of David Wear, or whether the sale was a colourable one to
release the goods from an execution. There was a great
deal of conflicting testimony, and during the trial
the Lord Cilia ➢aron committed a woman named
Giddings to prison, for refusing to answer a quea ioa.—
The trial was remarkable more for the length of time it oc-
cupied tnan fur ;toy important interests involved ; it having
conamencea on Saturday at n•.nn and lasted until noon on
Monday, when the jury retired to consider their verdict.—
In his summing up the Lord Chief ➢aron observed, that if
every case were to he discussed at the length this had been
it would be necessary to provide 20 courts of law at West-
minster Hall, instead of three or four, and ten times the
number of jurymen to decide whether a small matter of pro-
perty belonged to Mr. Hall or Mr. Hill ; and as the case
began on Saturday and had gone into a great part of to-day,
the cost would be very considerable, probably five or six times
the amount of the property in question.—The jury, after re-
tiring for some little time, gave a verdict for the defendant
on both points.

WESTERN CIRCUIT. —E , Manus 17.
Before Yr. Baron Katt.
THE ROBBERY AT ADMIRALTY-HOUSE, DETOMPORT.—
M. Lowe man indicted for twins, on the 14th of June last,
st Dsvonpart, stolen a gold cross, set with diamonds, value
SOL, the property of Jane West. Evidence was addue,
that thu priqinir had form. rly been a footman in the sere Ce
of the father of the pro3veutt ix, Admiral Sir J. West, a h.)
was in Juae lost port-admiral at P.ytnouth On the 14th of
that month a hall was given by Sir J. West, at the Admi-
celty.house, Devonport, at which the pru•ecutrix, Miss
Jane West, wore a almond cross, and during the hall she I
missed the cross, and, although the servants sought for it
during the hall, and a minute search was made afterwards,
it could not be found. The prisoner, who, it appears, born
an excellent character, and conducted himself with great
propriety whilst at S.r J. West's, afterwards left his service, I
and was not heard of until the superintendent of the Man-
chester police arrested him, he having had information that
some one was offering diamonds for sale at a jeweller's, and
on going to the shop lie thought that there was something
suspicious about the circumstance, and arrested him. The
prisoner at first told a story of having purchased the dia-
monds, but he afterwards said that the truth was, he had
been a servant of Admiral West, and at a boll at his house
had found a diamond cross, and the diamonds he was en,
deavourinc to sell formed part of the cross which he had
found.—Verdict, Guilty.—Sentence, imprisonment for six
months.

POLICE.—YEsTERDA T.
GUILDHALL.—Ronnany.—C. Smith was charged with
committing the following robbery :—G. Groves, a waiter at
the Gresham Tavern, stated that that morning he had just
left the bar to go into the kitchen when he met the prisoner
coming down stairs with a large bundle under his arm, be-
sides a carpet bag containing a variety of articles of clothing.
He wanted to known the prisoner's business, and he said
that he wished to be acconmorlated with private apartments
as he was to meet • gentleman there. Witness told him
that he could not have what he wanted, and at once recog-
nised his greatcoat, which the prisoner bad put on, and also
kis umbrella. He immediately collared Smith and pushed
him back, upon which a severe struggle arose, and the latter
eventually got into the street, bat was, with the assistance of
another party, captured and brought back again. The bun-
dle and carpet-big were filled with various article!, of cloth-
ing belonging to the witness.—Alderman Hunter asked the
prisoner what be had to say.—Smith said that distress drove
him to do it. He was severely afflicted with epileptic tits,
and hoped the alderman would deal mercifully with him.—
Aldermen Hunter committed him fm• trial.
MAItLBOROUGH STREET.—MILITARY e. CIVIL
Fosica.—G. Gould, an ensign of the 25th regiment, was
charged with assaulting police-sergeant 4 C, while in the
execution of his duty. At half-past 3on Sunday morning
complainant was on duty in Piccadilly, when he saw the
defendant, who was intoxicated, creating a great disturb-
ance. On being requested to go quietly home, defendant
refused, and struck complainant • violent blow in the face,
and cut his lip. Complainant then took him into custody.—
Defendant was committed to the House of Correction for
seven days; but on its being urged that he had an appoint-
ment at the Admiralty, to select a ship for a passage in
foreign service, bail was accepted, to allow of his transacting
that btisinnos.
WO ItSll IP-STREET. —AT TEMPTED S t'icing. —An
eldeity man, nri.ed John Motttmer, altos,: [bloat ((as
enveloped in bandages' was charged with having mac'e a
desperate attempt at sold-destruction. Holland, the warraut-
officer, stated that the prisoner had been a respectable
householder in the district for several years, but that
in consequence of the depraved conduct of his
who had abandoned her home and family some timo
since to cohabit with another man, his mind had become
so painfully affected that he was unable to attend to
his business, and was ultimately reduced to a state of
perfect destitution. He had since endured the greatest
privation and wretchedness, and entirely depended for
support upon the occasional assis,ance that hat been
afforded him by the parish; hut, there being some
doubts as to his proper place of settlement, all his efforts to
obtain a permanent asylum in the workhouse had been un-
successful. Oti Wednesday last he made a dual appeal ti
the parish t dicers, and afterwards proceeded to a secluded
field in the neighbourhood of Hackney. where he was found
lr hag by a cutlet passer-by in a state of stupir and exhaus-
tion, with a frightful gash in his throat, and grasping in hls
hand a table-knife, with which the wound bad been inflicted.
A medical gentleman, named Harris, wh..) also happened to
be fortunately passing the spot, immediately dressed the
wound, and directed the removal of the prisoner to the
infirmary of Hackney workhouse, where he had since re-
mained.—Mr. Rosa, the relieving overseer of Shoreditch,
stated that the prisoner did not belong to their parish, but
that, notwithstaadiag, when lie last made his applicaton for
assistance, he was at once supplied with bread, mid intormed
that his claims should be fully investigated before the Board
of Trustees at their next meeting. Mr. Roes also intimated
that he woo now pert( ctly ready to receive the prisoner and
pass him in the usual manner to his settlement, as soon as
that could be clearly ascertained.—Mr. Hammitt expressed a
hope that no further obstacle would be interposed, and
ordered the prisoner, who had not uttered a word throughout,
to be consigned to the care of the parish officers.
WESTMINSTER.—ArrxisrIan StICIDE.—A middle-
aged man, named Melvelle, was charged with attempting to
drown himself. —On Saturday afternoon Policeman Tedman
observed defendant on Battersea bridge, and in a moment
afterwards VW him vault over the railings and precipitate
himself into the water. A boatman named Coates immedi-
ately rowed to the spot, and succeeded in rescuing him. He
was taken ashore, and, proper remedir* having been applied,
recovered. Un witching him, a sovereign, some silver, a
bunch of keys, and ether trifling articles, were found in his
paseesion.—Defendant made no answer to the charge, and
appeared unconscious of what was 13111/111; around him.
—A medical gentleman acquainted with the defendant inti-
mated that the recent tor of some near relatives had had
such an effect upon him, that he did not consider him in a
sound state of mind.—Mr, Broderip gave hint into the cus-
tody of his friends, and requested that the would exercise
proper care and watchfulness over him, whten they under-
took to do.
Cavuc ROBBERY.—John Milli was charged with the fol-
lowing heartless conduct. Mrs. Jones, of No. 7, New-street,
Lambeth, said that early in the last month her landlord put
a distress into her premises for arrears of rent, when, baring
succeeded in raising the necessary amount, 71. ss. Sal., she
give it to the prisoner, with whose sister she had been for
way years on terns of intimacy, to take to the broker,