The Express.
London, England, 1848-01-03 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 3, 1848.

MARYLEBONE VESTRY.

CONTEMPLATED INCREASE OF THE POLICE RATE.
The magistrates having increased the pariah rental 22i per
cent., fur the purpose of assessing the county rate, a meeting
of the joint vestries of St. James and St. Marylebone was
held to adopt measures to prevent an additional burthen
being thrown upon the rate-payers ny the police rate, in
consequence of the increase in the rental. At the meeting
resolutions were adopted condemnatory of any increase in
the police rate, and a memorial to the Home Secretary, pray-
ing him to prevent such an increase by a legislative enact-
ment, was also adopted. The following answer from Sir G.
Grey to the memorial was read, at the vestry meeting on
Saturday, by Mr. Flood,
Whitehall, Dec. 29, 1047.—Sir,—Secretary Sir 0. Grey directs me
to inform you that he dvs considered the resolutions of the joint
seem& of St. James and St. Marylebone, which you forwarded him,
requesting a reduction of the quota on which the police rate in levied,
in consequence of the greatly Increased valuation upon which the
county is now assessed. And I am to inform you that Sir (2. Grey
proposes to introduce a bill to authorise the Urnmiarioners of Police
to reduce the police rate one penny in the pound in their warrants
issued to the pansties of the county of Middlesex, provided the pre-
sent assessment is not reduced; und sir G. Grey Wools that an inter-
ment may be made to give the perishes the felt benefit of this reduc-
tion, if sanctioned by parliament for the visaing year.—G. M.
Pulwea—To C. Flood, kleq.
Upon the motion of Mr. Daniel, the above was entered on
the minutes.
MR. COCHRANE AND THE STONE-BREAKERE.—The report
of the committee appointed to inquire into the complaints
of the stone-breakers, as preferred by Mr. Cochrane, was
read. It declared those complaints groundless, and that the
language and conduct of the stone-breakers jeopardised life
and property, and terrified the inhabitants.—The report was
adopted, on the motion of Mr. Michie, seconded by Mr. Bell.

MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN.
On Saturday, Mr. Baker opened an inquest at the
William the Fourth, Golden-lane, Clerkenwell, on the
bodies of Amine Blake, aged 7, and Robert Blake, her
brother, aged 5, with the murder of whom Esther Parker
was charged the same day, on her own confession, at the
Clerkenwell police-court. The examination is reported in
our police intelligence.
The Coroner observed that he was informed the witnesses,
who were able to give evidence, were then at the Clerken-
well police-court; he, therefore, should not pursue the
inquiry any further than to obtain an identification of the
bodies. That could, he understood, be ascertained, as the
father of the children would be brought before them to
prove that fact. The coroner then, accompanied by the jury,
proceeded to view the bodies, which lay on a bed in the front
room on the ground floor at the horse No. 3, Cupid's-court.
They were in the exact position they were left in by the
accused. The elder child (the girl) was at the foot of the
bed, with her head near the wainscoat, in a position from
which it was evident a struggle must have ensued.
It was the opinion of the jury that the child had
been suffocated by a pillow having been placed over its
mouth. There was a scratch across her throat about three
inches in length. The other child was at the head of the
bed, and presented appearances of his death having been
caused in a similar manner. The bedclothes were in a state
which showed that a most violent struggle had taken place
on the part of the murdered children. There was no other
mark of violence about the bodies than that above alluded
to. lipen the return of the jury to the inquest-room it was
found, upon the examination of the father, that the Christian
names had not been rightly given. The jury were accord-
ingly re-sworn to the sight names, and they were again under
the necessity of viewing the bodies. The following evidenee
was then taken :
Robert Blake, No. 3, Cupid's-court, Golden-lane, being
sworn, raid—l am by trade a grinder. The deceased were
my children, and were born in lawful wedlock. I have been
separated from their mother, who is residing at Birming-
ham, about four years. I was married to her in the year
1836. I was living with a woman named Esther Parker,
who passed umy wife. I have been living with her in
Golden-lane about two years and a half. She is a widow.—
Sy the Coroner : I last saw my children on Friday evening,
between 5 and o'clock. I pat them both to bed. [The wit-
ness was here much affected, and seemed aimed overpowered.)
'f hey appeared in good health when I left them. I left
them with the women who is charged with having murdered
them. I intended to have gone to the theatre last night
with a friend, and I went out for that purpose. It was a
male friend. No serious words arose between me and
Esther Parker. She followed me out with an intention of
annoying me, and said I should not go. She wanted to pre-
vent me going to the theatre, as I would not take her with
me. She said she would follow me step by step, go where I
would. She followed me to several places, and I tried to
get rid of her. After going through several streets I went
to the Duke of Bedford public-house, in Golden-lane, with
the intention of staying there, and of having a glass of ale
with my friend, with whom I was going to the theatre. She
followed me in. I told her to go home, observing that I did
not mean to go to the theatre. Then, while she was in con-
versation with a person, I escaped. I hare not seen her since.

Juror: Do you know anything of the civenmstances attending
the death of the children ?—Witness : Nothing. I know no-
thing about ft.—Juror: What time did you return home, and
when did you become acquainted with the deaths of the de-
ceased ?—Witness : I slept at the house of a friend in Goa-
well-street. About eleven o'clock that morning I was go-
ing down Golden-lane with a shoptnate to my work, when a
person my shopmate knew told him of the murder.—
' Coroner : Then you never raw Esther Parker after you left
her at the public-house, nor heard anything about her
nor your children ?—Witness: No, not till my ahopmate
heard of my poor children being murdered. That was
the first discovery of it by me.—The Coroner said that
he, the witness, must bring that friend forward at
the adjourned inquiry.—Policeman Haynes, GI 15d, said
that in the cell tho accused asked him if he was ant
afraid to sit with her. She looked at her bands several
times and exclaimed, " Is it possible that I could have cow
witted such a crime ?"—Coroni r : Did she say how she did
it, or make any confession ?—Witness: No, air.—A Juror
observed that it was supposed the witness slept with a female
in Goswell.street.

The inquiry was then adjourned until Monday (this day).

Tii QUARTER'3 REVENUE.—The accounts of the
quarter's revenue will not be made up before Wednesday
evening next, nor given to the public before Thursday morn-
ing. It is impossible, therefore, to give any accurate detailed
statement beyond the fact which is already anticipated
pretty generally, that a considerable falling off may be ex-
pected both en the quarter and on the year, as compered
with the corresponding periods of 1846. This decrease, we
regret to add, may be expected to be exhibited in the lead-
ing and important items which constitute thelargest sources
of income, and which indicate the condition of our foreign
trade, and the prosperity of our domestic condition. The
lose on the Excise in the quarter just ended was fully anti-
cipated, and it is be placed to the account of the same
causes which marked the decline in the last quar-
ter. The malt duties are always ascertained some time be-
fore they are paid into the receipt of the revenue. The falling
off in the Customs may be attributed to the unusual dulness
and depression of the last three months, rather than to any
enures at all likely to exert a permanent influence on this
important item of our national resources. It should be
borne in wind that the depression now brought before the
public view is entirely comparative. The receipts of this
4uarter even, though somewhat behind the corresponding
quarter of 1846, are still of a fair average amount. The re-
ceipts of the former year were unusually large, from a com-
bination of various causes. The falling off in the present
quarter and in the last exhibits no features of an alarming
character. A large surplus was on hand at the last comple-
tion of the financial year, sad it is fully expected that the
making up of the accounts to the sth of April next will, in
spite of all the late causes for depression, exhibit a redure
dancy of income over expenditure, which will leave he finances
of the country in a safe and soundcondition. It is sad-factory
to be able to state that, notwithstanding these unfavourable
appearances teethe moineat, the Chancellor of the Exchequer
will not be under the necessity of asking any assistance
whatever from the Bank in this quarter, no more than is the
lost. This fact will in itself be calculated to allay any
anxiety that might otherwise be felt in quarters not suffi-
ciently informed, and will also enable the Bank to continue
and extend the accommodation to the commercial cisme,
which the increased means at their disposal have already
enabled them to confer. The bullion continues to arrive in
large quantities. Although the importations of grain still
continue to come in to an extent which the present demand
might not seem to countenance, still the arrivals are not to
any hazardous extent, and may be easily accounted for by a
desire to keep up stocks, which can be done free of all duty
up to March, when the new sliding-scale will re-commence
its operations for eleven months from that date. Everything
bids fair for a steady and safe revival of trade and commerce
with the opening. of the new year. Money is again abun-
dant for every legitimate purpose, and the accounts from the
manufacturing districts are of the most satisfactory deecrip-
tion.—Obsercer.

REVENUE ACCOUNTS.—The revenue authorities,
having had undo. their consideration the reports of their
examiner and comptroller-general, stating that great incon
vemence is experienced in the examination of the monthly
accounts from the outports, in consequence of the irregular
termination of the official months, and recommending that
from and after the sth of Jan. next, the said accounts be made
up to the sth of each month inclusive, excepting those for
October, which should be made up to the 10th of that month,
and transmitted to the examiner and comptroller-general
respectively as soon as practicable after the termination of
each such month, and that the monthly payments also of
day-pay, superannuation, die., be made to correspond w ith
the above periods, the recommendation has been approved,
and orders have been issued by the authorities to the col-
lectors and comptrollers, and other principal officers of the
revenue throughout the kingdom, to carry the same into
effect from and after the commencement of the next official
quarter.
Tun SEWERAGE COMMISSIONS.—AIderman Mus-
grave, chairman of the Commissioners of Sewers for the
Tower Hamlets district, has thought better of his opposi-
tion, and has handed over to the General Sewerage Commis-
sioners for the metropolis all the books, papers, and cash, of
the old board. Mr. Twigg, the chairman of the Holborn
and Finsbury district, the second gentleman to whom we
referred last week, has not himself taken any part in the
transfer of the neoossary documents to the new commission,
but a sufficient number of the commissioners of sewers for

the district, who are authorised to draw cheques, &c., have
signed the necessary authority, so that all the powers of the
several district boards are now quietly centred in the new
commissioners. This will enable them to proceed with a
general and an harmonious action to the ordering of their
Important and necessary improvements. Many people con-
found this new board with the Sanitary Commission, but it
is quite distinct, although it owes its existence to the investi-
gations and the recommendations of that body, and it is ex-
pected will lend considerable aid in carrying out the altera-
tions so needful to the public health of the metropolis.—
Observer.

OPENING OF THE CENTRAL TELEGRAPH STATION
it; THE CITY.—On Saturday the principal central telegraph
station of the Electric Telegraph Company in Moorgate-
street, opposite the Bank of England, was publicly opened
for the transmission of messages to all parts of England (De-
vonshire and Wales excepted ), and in the course of the day
the clerks were in communication with Liverpool, Edin-
burgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Southampton, Norwich,
Yarmouth, and various other parts. The price charged ap-
peared to give considerable dissatisfaction, 5/. being the
amount demanded for sending a message to Liverpool con-
taining the same number of words as there H in this para.
praph ; the time occupied in telegraphing the same not ex-
ceeding ten minutes. The company's patent expires in four
years.

REDUCTION OF NEWSPAPER TARES.-REMARKABLE
Fittsled PoorEct.—A controversy is raging between the
Times and Daily tines, relative to reducing the stamp to
one halfpenny. I am quite sure that such a measure would
be received by the public with satisfaction ; not that they
should expect the newspapers to reduce their present
pri,e, but because this enormous tax on education reduced
from 33 odd per cent. to 17 the public would be the
gainers in many ways. Of course a daily journal paying so
large a portion of its receipts to government must economise
somewhere, and the onerous tax reduced, the additional re-
ceipts could be laid out in improvements. While we are in
England so far before other nations in most things, while
our newspapers are vastly superior to those of any other
country—because our public is willing to pay a good price
fora good article—our government is behind hand with every
other in its benefits to this great organ of mode-n civilisation.
In all continental countries the stamp duty is lower than
in Great Britain. In Belgium it is a farthing, 4-10 the of a
penny, and one halfpenny, according to size ; it is about to
be reduced to a uniform rate of one-fifth of a penny British.
But I have, from an undoubted source, received some in-
formation connected with the newspaper press of France,
which is interesting and totally exclusive in its nature. It is
not known here to more than three journals as yet, and they
are accordingly making their arrangements in secret You
are aware that a rentsme is the tenth part of a decime, or
I penny. The stamp duty on all printed *ems, newspapers,
magazines, reviews, also on play-bills, placards, circulan,
prospectuses, &c., is now 1,2, 3,4, 5, and 6 centimes, ee-
-1 cording to the size of the paper. The government are
about, early in the next session, to reduce the stamp
duty to two uniform rates of two and four centimes.
The Prose, aware of this, is about to seduce its price
from 1/. 12s. to 11. 95., but the meat remarkable project
in connexion with this change is a new daily paper. I
have reason to believe that it is issued by the government
and the bankers, the object being to crush the opposition
and radical journals. The number printed every day is to
be 300,000. Of course the advertisements will be prodigious.
It is to be given away in the following manner. In Paris,
tobacconists, butchers, and bakers, are monopolist trades.
The tobacco shops are government offices, while none but •
certain number can sell bread and meat. The bakers are to
be the distributors of this new journal. Every person com-
ing into their shop to buy a loaf will receive a copy of the
paper gratis ; copies will also be left at the houses of all
their regular customers. Your paper is now to be a part of
your daily bread. Will you allow me to give an outline for
a new Stamp Act in England, founded on the French prin-
ciple?
I. The Tieles,Chroniele, Herald, Post, when published at the full
size allowed by law, to have a stamp of one penny, but with liberty
to ham three undamped supplements, half their full size, a week.
2. The Daily Noes' North British Gaily .Vail, Sim, standard,
Globe, itdrertiser, and any of the above when giving but hell their
usual size, a one-halfpenny stamp, with liberty to give an undamped
supplement thrice a week, one-half their own size. 3. The adver-
tisement duty, which exists nowhere else save in England, to be re-
duced to sixpence, or to increase with size of advertisement.
Every day newspapers are extending in numbers, and
the above would soon bring a much larger revenue than
the percent system. But in France all weekly publica-
tions, whether political, literary, or devoted to news,
have a stamp, and I do not see why a stamp duty
should not be put on such publications as the Athenaeums,
Literary Gazelle, Chambers's Journal, &c.; at one far-
thing it would yield a large revenue. One result would
follow. most gratifying. A farthing stamp would not injure
such publications as Chambers's and the People's Journal.
But in London there is a large number of penny publica-
tions devoted to the production of what may be called the
earbage of literature. These weekly journal., with prodi-
gious circulations, carry to the poor man's hearth the gross,
sensual, immoral, and insidiously corrupting novels of France;
the Mysteries of Paris, of London, and other works of a most
vile tendency, are poured out every Saturday morning like
cheap gin at a penny • glass, and do more to demoralise than
any engine ever put in practice. I feel persuaded that a
farthing stamp would seal the fate of these purveyors of blas-
phemy, sensuality, and vice. Between a penny and three
halfpence appears to be drawn • moral line of demarcation.
Nearly all penny publications are dangerous, most of all those
which, assuming " family" titles, sad under false colours,
and infuse their deadly medicine upon the domestic hearth,

by the careless hands if parents. Government, by placing a
stamp on these, would shut most of them up. And, as the
taste for French novels is widely spreading, this. cannot be
done too quickly.—Paris Correspondent of the North
British Most.

ACCIDENT FROM FURIOUS DRIVING.—On Satur-
day night an accident occurred in the Blackfriars-road,
close to Rowland Hill's Chapel, which it is feared will ter-
minate fatally. About 8 o'clock, a Mr. Dailey, printer, in
the New-cut, came dashing out of Charlotte-street, in a
chaise, drawn by a spirited horse, which was proceeding at
a furious rate, and knocked down a well dressed (mug
woman. Mr. Dailey did not stop, but pursued his headlong
course till he reached his own house, near the Marsh-gate,
where he was apprehended by a policeman who knew him,
and who had witnessed the accident. He was taken to the
Tower-street station, where he remains in custody ; and the
unrortunate woman, who is net known, was rtmoved to
Ouy's Hospital.
THE WESTMINSTER MURDER.-1118tITICtiOILS have
been received from the Secretary of State, by Mr. Cope, the
Ooverror of Newgate, intimating that the extrema penalty
of the law, in the ease of M'Coy and Sale, who were found
guilty of the murder of Mr. Bellchambers, at the last session
of the Central Criminal Court, is to be carried into effect.
On the communication being made to the sheriffs they at
once informed the two wretched men that all hope of a com-
mutation of the sentence was at an end, and that the extreme
penalty of the law would be carried into effect on Monday,
the 10th inst. The announcement had little effect on the
convicts, who remarked that they considered justice had not
been done them, as the evidence against them was purely
circumstantial.

ROBBERY OF PLATE AT MR. FARREN'S.—On
Saturday information was given that the residence of Mr.
W. Farren, the comedian, in Brampton-street, Brompton,
had en the previous evening been robbed of a basket of plate
of the value of 601., consisting of silver spoons and forks,
sauce ladles, a silver tea-pot, and cream-jug, &c. The ser-
vant had carelessly left the area gate and kitchen-door open,
and the rubbery appears to have been committed by two
young men, who were calling at the houses on pretence of
purchasing hire-skins.

FIRES IN LONDON DURING 1847.—0 n Saturday,
the official returns krpt by the fire brigade of the fires that
occur in the metropolis and its suburbs were made up for
1847 ; from which we learn that no fewer than 989 have
taken place during the past year. The looses, however, were
not so serious as iu the previous year, 1846, when the number
was 1,022. Between 400 and 500 houses appear to have been
either consumed or seriously damaged, with a loss of property
estimated at about 150,0001. Those in the provinces, accord-
ing to the lire offices returns, are far greater in extent than
have been known for several pan.