The Express.
London, England, 1848-01-07 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN JAN. 5

The charge of Chief Justice Blackburne finds some
favour, even with those who most differ from him. It
is regarded as moderate in tone, clear in exposition,
and, by its impressiveness, calculated to produce a
deep effect. Some of the provisions, however, which
he disinterred from the statute-book for the special
use of the commission, have startled by their singu-
larity—among them the conviction of an accessory be-
fore the fact to a murder which never had been com-
mitted. In England there must not only be a combina-
tion and conspiracy to murder, but there must be an
actual murder before the accessory can be convicted.
In Ireland the simple agreement to commit, without
any murder, constitutes a capital felony. This view
of the law is likely to affect some of the prisoners.
Taken altogether, the charge is regarded in a fair
light. A report of the proceedings will be found in
another part of our paper.
The charge of the Chief Justice alludes to the laws
now in force against vagrancy as a means of checking
hired outrage. The government appears to entertain
a similar opinion, for Sir George Grey has issued a
circular to all the magistracy of Ireland, directing
their attention to the propriety of arresting and
strictly examining all vagrants and susoicious-looking
strangers. Some of the lieutenants of counties have
anticipated the wishes of the government.
The number for trial at the ensuing Mayo assizes
is 33; at quarter sessions, 149. The county gaol in
Castlebar contains no fewer than 483 inmates, in-
cluding debtors and lunatics, with prisoners tried and
untried. The prison was originally constructed for
the accommodation of 240 ; with the number doubled

it is evident the sanitary state of the prison, as well
as the reasonable comfort of its inmates, cannot be
very satisfactory.

Ma. GILDED'S PLAN OP AILIEP.—Sir,--The Si. men-
tioned in your note of the Ist can be lodged to my credit at
Paget's bank, S.. Paul's Churchyard. 1 was much gratified
by your notice of my plan, which kas succeeded far beyond
my utmoet hope. sod still employs over 500 people. Over
40,000 yards of linens, of the beat quality in their several
kinds are made, and as they return from the bleach sent out
to the parties who enabled me to carry out the plan by send-
ing orders. By March next I hope to have sent from my
parish over 55,000 yards of such linens as cannot be had in
the market. And, notwithstanding the many hindrances
from fever, the sadly destitute state of the people, &c. &c., •
degree of industry, desire to help themselves, order, and busi-
ness habits, have been accomplished hardly to have been ex-
pected. Having proved the practicability of the plan, it is
my intention to leave its continued development to those
whose more proper sphere or calling it is. And lam happy
to say that Lord Sligo is DOW making arrangementa to put
700 people at work on the same plan ; and you could not do
better service to the real good of this most destitute district
than by making this known, and by recommending all
householders whe desire to have servants' table linen, towel-
ling, and stockings, plain and twilled, of pure flax, hand-
spun, such as will last them for 20 years, to and their orders
to the Marquis of Sligo, Westport. It is a new and happy
feature in Irish society to see such interest taken in the well-
being of the poor.--0. R. GILDEA, the Rectory, Newport,
Mayo, Jan. 3, 1648.—[The money has been paid in as
requested.]
CUSTOMS—PORT or Dctiute.—Notwithatanding the many
circumstances, during the past year, but too well calculated
to excite apprehensions as to the amount and prosperity of
the national income in every department, we are happy to
find that the deficiency in the Customs' revenue at this port
is by no means so considerable as we apprehended it might
prove. The amounts for tke quarter and for the year ending
sth inst., and also for the quarter and for the year ending
Jan. 5,1847, are as follows :
uarter. Yea.
Radius 3th July, 1847 5168Q,811 2 2
Do. do. 1848
Deficiency
SPECIAL Comentatoze, Ctana.—The commission will
open at Ennis on Wednesday, Jan. 12th instant, at twelve
o'clock.—The following is an abstract of the calendar of pri-
soners for trial ;—Robbery of arms, 20 ; attacking dwelling-
houses, &c., 28 ; soliciting to murder, 1 ; murder, 11 ; ad-
ministering unlawful oaths, 1 ; delivering threatening mes-
Nage, 1 ; arson, 5 ; appearing armed, 10 ; shooting at per-
sons, 3; shooting horses, 1 ; tending threatening notices, 2;
assault endangenng life, 4; robbery, 7; abduction, 2; bur-
glary and robbery, 20; horse stealing, 1 ; sheep dealing, 3;
forgery and altering bank notes, 2 ; concealing birth of
infant, 2.

SCOTLAND.
EDINBURGH, JAN. 5.
The tractarian controversy has broken out at the
New Episcopal College in Perthshire. Major Jelf
Sharp, brother of the Rev. Dr. Jelf, of Ring's Col-
lege, having proceeded to Glenalmond for the purpose
of entering Ins son as a student, was first reprehended
by Mr. Wordsworth for not kneeling upon the bare
floor during prayers, and afterwards was refused the
communion on the ground of his being " an evil liver
in the eye of the church." Major Jelf, besides ad-
dressing a long letter to the editor of the Record, is
to bring the affair under the notice of the Scottish
bishops in their capacity of college visitors.
On the subject of highland improvement, the Ross-

&Lie Adrerliarr has the following gratifying infor-
mation :

Last year 200 Scotch acres were cultivated and drained on
the estate of Ardrots belonging to Mr. Matheson, M.P., and
about twelve miles in length of stone dykes and fences
erected, whilst 430 acres of lend not susceptible of being
otherwise improved, wen planted with all kinds of forest
trees. Two good roads have been made when there were
formerly but rugged pathways, and which were everything
but safe for the wayfarer to traverse after twilight—and in
lieu of a few fir spars which went as a roadway from one
precipice to the other, over a dark rolling stream, is now •
substantial stone bridge, whore architectural structure and
beauty is not surpassed in the north. There is also a beau-
tifully constructed suspension bridge to be thrown across the
Aimee, leading from Ardross-house to Lealty. The new
1121111.i0D of Animus is in course of erection. When finished,
which will take at least two years, it will excel in aim and
grandeur any other edifice is the county. On the estate
of Never, during the last four years, 1,000 acres have
been thoroughly improved and drained, and about six miles
of double atone dykes and fences erected. Planting is also
carried on to a great extent. There are new rends being
made through Glenglue and Bomb, extending for a number
of miles to the most remote parts of this extensive estate.
The whole has been carried on by the proprietor, Mr. Munro,
without any government aid. For the last three years 75
acres have been trenched and drained, which previous to
that time were clad with heather, whim, and broom, and,
indeed, most of which were at the time considered to be
impracticable. Previous to this improvement the farm only
yielded tan small stacks, and now the yield is thirty-three,
averaging from ten to eleven quarters each. In one of the
newly-cultivated fields, when it was thought little or no-
thing would grow, the last season yielded oats fully air feet
in height, which made live firlots of meal to the quarter.
In the west, copper ore has been discovered St Loch-
wionoch.

About fifteen years ago (says a local paper), the propri-
etor of Kame, Wm. Orr, Esq., observed, while surveying
his grounds, signs of the existence of copper ore. The disco-
very caused some interest at the time, but it went to test
for nearly fourteen years, until the autumn of 1846, when it
was again revived, and haring reached the ears of an En-
glish company, parties were sent down by them for the pur-
pose of inspecting the ore. The investigation was followed
by a settlement betwixt the company and Mr. On, and
workmen have for some time back been engaged in digging
the treasure. The result has realised the most sanguine
hopes of the projectors. Already two lode, of the ore have
I been struck, and, according to the divining rod, fifteen have
been discovered. one of the lodes being not less than 22
inches in thickness. In some plans the ore is found only
I three feet below the surface. Breaking mills are in the
course of erection for the purpose of breaking down the ore.
When operation. are fairly commenced, and the mills are
set a-going, which will be in spring, a great number of
workmen will be employed on these works.
The Clyde trustees are wroth at the remarks on
the navigation of the Clyde contained in Captain
Washington's " Tidal Harbour Report," and have
prepared a long and elaborate reply, which will
speedily be made public. At last meeting copious
extracts were read from the first examination of
Capt Washington, showing that he had then spoken
highly of the labours of the trustees ; and it was
stated that, in now passing a sweeping condemna-
tion on their efforts, he was guilty of gross incon-
sistency. Without attempting to judge between the
trustees and Captain Washington on questions of
detail, it is obvious to all who read the second
parliamentary report that the inconsistency in question
is susceptible of explanation. At the time the first
report was made, the object in view was generally to
ascertain if a governmental supervision of harbours
should be entertained. To this Capt. Washington
replied, that the state of the harbours in the Clyde
and Tay were so superior, notwithstanding natural
disadventages, to other harbours, that by government
surveillance, it was quite possible for the others to be
improved likewise. The Clyde and Tay harbours
were not assumed to be perfection absolutely, but
relatively to other harbours ; in therefore executing
a survey of all harbours, Capt. Washington is quite
entitled to measure them by a different standard from
what he laid down when engaged in a partial

JERE ‘IY DIDDLES Rznivirus.—At the Edinburgh
Sheriff Court on Wednesday, John !decanter was convicted
of attempted wilful fraud and imposition, and sentenced to
sixty doss' imprisonment. The nature of the offence was of a
somewhat peculiar description, and originated in an attempt
by the prisoner to impose upon a small shopkeeper in Ratho,
by representing to her that he had been seat by the sheriff
to examine her beams and scales, &c. Notwithstanding the
repeated protestations of the women regarding the justice of
her scales, &c., the prisoner proceeded in the coolest manner
to take down and examine the weighing apparatus, and,
after pretending to remedy some alleged defects, demanded
the sum of 3e. 6d. for his trouble, he having, as he said.
made a reduction in her favour of Is. &I. from the usual
charge. Some demur having followed, a delay took place,
when a eon of the shopkeeper fortunately entered the shop,
and, suspecting the design of the prisoner, despatched a
messenger for the police, when he was apprehended and
taken into custody.

PROVINCIAL.
LANCABIZIRE.

FIRE AT LIVERPOOL.SIIT correspondent writes ;
" Liverpool, half-past 4 o'clock, Thursday afternoon.—A fire
has just broken out in the large bonded warehouse (full of
fruit, sugar, &c.) of Means. Gladstone and Co., in Temple-
court. It is now in the two upper stories ; but as the fire-
men have got the branches to bear, it is hoped that it will
be extinguished without much damage,
ACCIDENT FROM FIRE-ARMS.—On Tuesday morn-
ing, Mr. W. Ainsworth, solicitor, of Higher Bank, Black-
burn, shot a sparrow, and gave at to one of his little boys.
In the afternoon he was in the kitchen playing with his
children, when his youngest little girl asked him to shoot a
bird for her. He replied that he was afraid he could not, as
they would all be gone to roost, but he would try. He then
took down a gun, and, having loaded it, he went into the
plantation beside his house. He had been absent but a few
minus t when a female servant heard a person moan as if in
pain ; and on going out she saw her muter, who had just come
through a small gate leading to the plantation in the
act of falling to the ground; his coat and waistcoat on his
left side being on fire. She ran to support him, but he died
in about ten minutes. It would seem that, being unable to
find a bird to shoot, the unfortunate gentleman was return-
ing through the gate with the undischarged gun in his left
hand, when the trigger must have caught some part of the
gate, and, the gun immediately exploding, the contents were
lodged in his left side. The gun was lying on the ground,
by the side of the gate, when the servant ran up to him ;
and he had reached the back door, which be was about to
enter, a distance of some 15 yards from the gate, when his
situation was discovered. Mr. Ainsworth, who was about 36
years of age, has left a widow and four children to lament
his untimely fate, and a large circle of friends, by whom he
was greatly esteemed, to sympathise with this most painful
bereavement of his family.
ECCLENIASTICAL REFORM IN MANCHESTElt.—Yes-
terday a meeting of the members of the Association for Pro-
moting a Reform in the Ecclesiastical Provision for the Parish
of Manchester, and of other Lay Members of the Established
Church, was held in the Council-room of the Town-hall.
Manchester. There was a numerous attendance.—The Presi-
dent, Mr. R. Birley, said it was now nearly six months
since they were called together for the purpose of supporting
a reform in the ecclesiastical provision for the parish of
Manchester. They would recollect the reasons which com-
pelled them to call a meeting on a previous occasion. A
certain arrangement had been agreed to by the church-
wardens of the parish and the clergy of the old church (the
chapter), which was not conceived to be an effective reform.
The committee of the association submitted their case,
and the meeting were pleased to approve of that case.
After that meeting, in consequence of the support then
given, the committee promised to devote themselves
to the cause in band, and that if they should be
happy enough to merit confidence they would go on till an
effective reform was obtained. It would be his duty now to
tell them what had occurred since the last meeting. Im-
mediately after the 16th July, Mr. Dorrington proceeded
with himself to London, as a deputation, for the purpose of
seeking an interview with Lord John Russell, to obtain a
clause in the Blanchester Bishopric Bill, then passing the
House of Commons, to retain for the benefit of the parish
those funds which had been granted for the spiritual in-
struction of this large parish. It occurred to them that that
was a reasonable sours., and one in which they ought to
have succeeded, but that matters were so complicated it
could not be done. They proceeded, however, so far as to
get entered upon the minutes of the House of Commons the
change they wished, as a matter of reference, at a future
time. That clause was to the effect, that from and
after the decease of the persons now holding the
offices of dean and canons, all the revenues at pre-
sent enjoyed by them, and all the funds accruing from
a more economical aad a better management should be de-
voted to the securing of better ecclesiastical provision for the
parish of Manchester. If they could not get that clause in-
serted, they obtained from Lord John Russell en admission
that they bad a very strong claim, and he might tell them
that in the interview they had with his lordship, the Pre-
mier listened with marked attention, and seemed to take
deep interest in their proceedings. His lordship subso-
guently stated in the House of Commons, the same evening,
that as the revenues were derived from Manchester exclu-
sively, provision ought to be made for a better spiritual cure
of souls in Manchester by means of those funds. It
would be recollected that the association MN originally
formed to support the churchwardens in an enterprise of
this kind, and the petition of the churchwardens was the
ground of their proceedings, though he regretted to find
that that body had not acted up to the petition.
After the return of the deputation from London,
their time was taken up in examining the grounds of
their case more particularly, and in preparing for a contest
during the session, but previously to that they had en-
deavoured to gain the co-operation of the dean and canons.
He then described and commented on the letters which
Llarbetween himself and that reverend body in Septa's-
al st,
dilating upon the wrong which he conceived tt was
to the people of Manchester, that men, to one of whom
they paid 2,0001. a year, whilst the three others had 1,0001.
each, should claim to be exempt from the cure of souls. He
regretted too, that the appointments to these prizes in the
church hitherto had not been given as rewards to men who
had spent an active life among them, and well-earned them,
but to strangers or persons of family interest. He contro-
verted the opinion of one of the canons that the revenues of
the chapter were not pariah funds, and quoted the

opinion of the Bishop of London against that
body, in their objection that a re-distribution of
church property would be sacrilege.—Mr. Cawley
moved the first resolution, which was to the effect, that the
meeting had heard with great satisfaction the mune pursued
by the committee, and trusted that they would not relax
until they had aoxottpliShed the important objects for which
the Immolation was for med.—Mr. Councillor Slater seconded.
the motion, which wee carried unanimously.—Mr.Maloolea
Ross moved the second resolution, to the effect, that the
meeting deeply sympathised in the condition of the pariah,
for want of a sufficient cure of souls, as well as in the lament-
able destitution and want suffered by a portion of the clergy
of Manchester, other than the chapter. A portion of hi
speech in which he adduced cases of destitution, and inane-
cient provision among the incumbents and curates of Man-
cheeter, which had come within the knowledge of the com-
mittee, was listened to with marked attention and created •
sensible impresaion.—The following is a list of the cases :
Cm A. Note from an incumbent, long resident bete, to a friend
who sent him M. The note is now la my bands " I have received
yow enclorme. and thank you for it. It arrived most opportunely.
Juse when I wanted some money, for, I may tell you, I had not MA Is
the home..
Case B. Extract note from another clergyman, an incumbent Mar
parish, to • gentleman present " The care of incumbents ie word,
of charitable consideration. Some, like myself, have very little is.
come Ind to support them through life. I should not say suppom
rmyW. • year would not, could not, support. As long oe I and
others are Weser by the Almighty with health and strength so dr-
Merge oar ministry, all things are well ; but when sickness or old
re arrive, what then How are pews to be let, and kept let; theg
uncertain income, to a great extent, tails ; and the clergy, meeting
ta gestral, only having had s bare nifficiency In the days of vigour,
were not able to lay something each year past, and, therefore, bars ss
manurom"
Case C. An incumbent of the perish applied this month to my is.
former for a ken of UM on • little private property he had, to es.
able him to pay his way till his pew rents fall due.
Cm D. An incumbent of the wild; wife, and three or four
children. Inseam only 1201. per annum. Obliged to solicit Ins pay.
emits in Messes.
Case E. An incumbent, income about 100/. Wife and family.
Obliged to curtail his family expenditure, and quite unable to gist
actuante ednealice to his children.
Case P. Crate, salary 1001. Wife and four children. Wife obliged
to perform home Mints, from inability to defray the expert of
tab servant.
Case O. Curate; hammed by •• mall college debt, which hie prer
sent income does not allow him to reduce, and, to rave exposure, hr
borrowed • trifle from an &Render at hie church, at interest.
Class P. Curate ; now removed from Manchester ; salary 60/.
Married,—furniture partly hired; occupying a cottage, quite unable
to pay current expenses, though employing no servant, even during
his wife's confinements, and latterly °hilted to accept • prisute sub.
rri =tlon to prevent dimenice.
Cl es G. District clergyman married, five children. A most. des-
titute and overpopulated diatrict. Income 1001. per annum.
Mr. Medcalf seconded the motion.—Mr. Robert Gardner
moved that the meeting fully approved of the deps taken
by toe association, appealing to the House of Commons for
a commission to inquire into the ecclesiastical state of the
parish of Manchester, and described the opposition he him-
self had met with, years ago, from the collegiate body ee
chapter, when endeavouring to get the law altered, to SS
to enable the Manchester Church Building Audoiation to
erect new churches in destitute places without their consent,
though at that time there had then already been 63 mewls!'
places of worship erected in such places.—Mr. John M`Clurs
seconded the motion ; and the meeting was afterwards ad-
dressed by Mr. Dorrington, Mr. Clegr, and others.—All the
esolutione were agreed to unsnimously.
WARWICKSHIRE.
. .

.....A.
PROPOSED MODEL PRISIL—A public meeting is
about to be held in the Town-hall, Birmingham, for the pur-
pose of promoting a movement which is warmly espoused by
the Rev. Dr. Marsh, of Leamington, the Rev. W. Wight,
and other ministers and gentlemen, with the view of tound-
ing a temperance colony or parish, for the purpose of show-
ing the beneficial tendencies of abstinence from the drinking
customs of society. The subject is, at all events, entitled to
the claim of novelty. It is proposed to obtain, as curly as
practicable, a railway station on one of the principal lines in
some central and eligible pert of the kingdom, and if possible
where a fresh population is springing up, or new district when
a church and schools are required, then to take the necessary
steps for securing the appointment of this district in Perpetuity
to five trustees. A school is then to be immediately riveted,
and licensed for divine service on Sundays, and as their
funds augment the trustees are to proceed to the erection of
a church, parsonage, schools, and college. Should soy great
difficulty occur in the way of getting a railway station or
new district, then the trustees are to take measures to obtain
the adtmeson of a parish eligibly situated for their t xperi-
ment. To this district or parish the trustees (the pro-
jector having the first appointment) will nominate as the
minister a clergyman who will set the people the ex-
ample of entire abstinence from all the drinking customs of
society, and of banishing all intoxicating drinks fr •in their
houses. He will appoint to the schools masters and mis-
tresses carrying out the same principle, and prepared on
suitable occasions to impress upon the children the import-
ance of never acquiring a taste for such beverages. This
principle will be characteristic of the entire institution, and
thus all holding office will be selected from parties opposed
to the drinking usages of society, and who will discoun-
tenance them in their families and among their friends. .The
above arrangement is to continue not during the first incum-
bency only, but in perpetuity ; the five trustees (being
themselves by qualification obtainers) are of course en-
gaged to observe this important feature throughout the in.
admit's.