The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-16 00:00:00

Vbe Court.

BALMORAL, SEPT. 14.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert (hove yesterday
towarks Invercauld.
In the evening her Majesty and his Royal Highness, with
the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Hoye!,
Princess Alice, and Princess Helena, were present at a ball
given by the Duchess of Kent to the servants at Abergeldie,

Dr. Southwood Smith and Mr. Chadwick had an inter.
view with Viscount Polinerstun yesterday at the Home-
office. .

The eommissionen appointed to inquire into the state of
the Leicester County Gaol will open the commission at Lei-
cester on Monday next.
The French ambassador transacted busineu yesterday at
the Foreign-office.
Mr. F. Lucas, M P., had an interview with Viscount
Palmerston, at the liome•office, yesterday.
Despatches were recessed at the Colonial-office yesterday
from the Governor of Gibraltar.

BARNSTAPLE BRIBERY COJIMISSION.

BARNSTAPLE, WEDNVADAT NIGHT.
This morning, upon the re-assembling of the com-
missioners,

Mr. G. Nerd, solicitor, examined—Was active on behalf
of Bremridge and Fraser, but did not consider himself their
agent, at the last election. Knew, personally, of no illegal
practices on their side, and was quite surprised by the evi-
dence given before the Committee of the House of Com.
mons. Was agent for Mr. Hodgson in 1847, and ws quite
sure that, so far as the conservatives were concerned, that
election was a pure one ; so much so, that, although he at-
tended the committee room during the whole night Wore
the election, nothing stronger than water came into the
room.

Mr. Thomas Ceurtis, householder, a few days after the
election, received 181. from Mr. Potter, to give to three
voters who had supported Bremridge and Fraser.
Robert Budd, householder, voted for Bremr:ilge and
Fraser, for which he neither received nor was promised
anything. Had nothing for his vote of Mr. Moon, either
before or after the election. In 18 Ei purchastd a lathe
of Mr. Moon for 15/. 155., which was cot worn out in 13.52.
Before the election Mr. Woolacott, Mr. Moon's partner,
came to witness and asked him how much he wanted for
his lathe ? Witness replied 171. (having added woodwork
worth 305.). Mr. Woolacott came again otter the electioa,
put down 101. on the lathe, and said ho would pay the
ether 71. when he took the lathe away. 'The lathe was still
in witness's possession, and he had never given Mr. Wool.
acatt notice to remove it. A day or two ago Mr. Woolacott
called on witness. and told him he must say he had re-
ceived the money fur his vote, as he had gives witness's
name in on his list for 101., but witness replied he would
not say en for 1001., as he did not consider it to be bribery.
The Chief Commissioner, however, told him he had better
take a certificate, as any jury would convict him of bribery
•nder such circumstances.
Adam Britton, freeman, who yesterday denied that he
ha, I received anything fur his vote in 18;i2, and who at his
ell nination before the committee of the Ileum of Corn-
,. mom swore positively that he had never received a single
tat og at any election in his life, now came forward, and
atitud being paid 81. after polling for Bremridge and
rmL
Fraser.
in Barnstaple that this man never voted in his life
[with the exception of 1847, " the pure election," it is
Commissioner said it was impossible to accede
v'Tccantioln by Britton for a certificate,
wi.notorioustho. tp
a.
Upon app
tat, as it would be altogether contrary to tho
spirit of the as t of parliament to grant a c, rtiticate to a
oney tor his vote, well knowing all the
to ls.uhcehCahrieeqf
man who had repeatedly stated -.Ton oath that be had
been bribed. Possibly, by now coming
nevertheless, be preferred ; in which
'g the truth, he might have escaped a
prosecution for pen or,. It was, however, quite likely that
forwardneyewhiler trhe
cattetni and static debut ta
t4i
on of the truth would doubtless ope-
rate in mitigation f punishment. But, be that as it
might, a certificate o
caimenintdheicltanitenctol?eusini
f indemnity was quite out of the
question.
Britton (who is a jou, -minim stonemason and a middle-
aged man) then left the . court.
John Tinson Turner, a freeman, who voted fir Ebring-
ton and Fraser, after pr. qnising Fraser and Bromide,
and by so doing hail been s.til by several witnesses to haws
determined tho leading men he the conservative interest to
commence bribing, upon the supposition that ho had been
bribed by the Ebrington party, was examined, and swore
that he had received no valuable consideration of any kind
for his vote. His vote for Fraser was given fur himself,
and that for Ebrington for his employer, Mr. Westacott.
John Jones, freeman, voted for Bremridge and Fraser,
and afterwards got 12/. ; Cl, from J. Hart, and GI. from
James Hancock; both on polling day. Witness did not
tell either that he had becu paid by the other. (Loughter.)
William Hill, householder, voted for Bremridge sad
Fraser, !and got 101.; V. 10s. before polling, and 71. Rh.
, after. Mr. Petter agreed that witness should have 101.
about twelve or one o'clock on Dolling day, and witness
voted about two. The 21. 10s. was left with his " minus"
by Mr. Geen, before nine o'clock, but witness did not care
much about voting at all; and said Green might have the
money back, sooner than he'd vote for such a sum. Green
said 2.1. 10s. more should be paid after the election ; but
witness went to Mr. Jos. Petter, and said he wanted more
money. Mr. Fetter said ho should have 101., and gave
witness his watch as security. Witness then voted, and at
night Mr. Petter brought 71. 10.3., and took his watch
back.

The remainder of the day was occupied in the examina-
tion of a large number of electors, including four of tho
o.flaydon famiiy," pretty equally uividsd between house-
holders and freemen, who voted for Bremridge and Frazer,
and afterwards got W. each, either " hane-delivered " to
themselves, wives, sisters, or daughters; or found on
tables, under shoes, hats, walls, or stones, or in other strange
and usually un-monied places.
The inquiry is expected to terminate to-morrow or
Friday.

MUSIC.

GLOUCESTER MUSIG'AL FESTIVAL.

(IntOY OUR REPORTER.)

GLOUCESTER, TIII'3SDPLY.

Another day has opened most auspiciously; con-
tinued tine weather specially favouring the meeting. The
railway trains again brought immense throngs of people to
the " fair city," and the cathedral was filled as yesterday.
Before proceeding, however, to this morning's performance
of sacred music in the cathedral, we must record the doings
of last night at the College Hall.

Contrary to expectation, the concert-room was only half
filled, but parties appear to have been reserving themselves
for the last concert, this evening's. Nevertheless those who
did attend evidently enjoyed themselves greatly, as was
evinced by their repeated encores.
This morning (Thursday) the cathedral was again fi!lcd
to overflowing, every seat being occur led, and additional
accommodation having to be provided on the floor for the
rush of visitors. The programme ri sacred music for to-day
presented great and varying attracti.ins coexisting cf parts
1 and 2 of Haydn's Oratorio of the Creation, Mendelssohn's
unfinished Oratio Christ us, and Handers Israel in Egypt.
This occupied a long morning, and the congrt gation did not
leave the cathedral until four o'clock. The last concert will
be given to-night. To-morrow is the .2lfeuiah day.