The Express.
London, England, 1860-12-03 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

MAINIIION-HOUSS.
Mr. Wigton Or" the lewellord et the Yorkshire Grey
tavern, Lower Theswererri, allarded ea
shatidazdbefore
the Lord Maya., to view ere why he and
retired lo re-inhales the of parish el
Allhallows, Hartland, the; seri el 21., which they had paid
se • reward for the attariass of the dream with ea
mar sad turns** at his bow, on the
.314 cit October.
Mr. the - "

Beard, eggemierfor the deinniSt.
The owe on the pan of the pude oilmen was teat as the
day in quail= stooks Ell Ire were observed to
Moe how owe el the ohhouys of Mr. Owen's hoses,
sad as ohne ens' alyesowl ea swains *Waded. Mr.
Aldermen /Mk the Moms X the word, seas-
=lywa= the ordMay swilliste, upon whisk the
aid the *when the reword, sod as the gle.
hob* whined te Malmo this, the Worrolu..x.Prolteti
111111 him to try the sweilon Mosher be um
te de es. A palominos taw alloi to rove "Q!, sow
Mies and are Was lies the dliwin red s drum
'bled that who be swat trio the haws he Mad sweep
badly espied * 1111240 tundni sest out of tie
eldniosy. The lam la werwer to ansetion wet
by Xr. Beard, that wain seers sons be the are.
*Wes it was for a Mae
Board urged. Is behnlf X A. &email* that the
NOM had been alteether very mob =W. tad
Ist said the foot was then woe a soll tee to awe
too large lbe, sod when they found OM sus 'WM( ed
the sort, they tried to get tie reword out of Xs.
poiot foot there was no necessity at all he the ob
bewilsace et the sighs% ea what little are then had boss
ht the chimney was all eatinsuiehed, and no smoke or home
mold have been visible.

Mr.l/Wen and a7sotlTer wither were examined. and they
deposed to the WM es elated, but in WIWI to a question
ottartylAid bad a Maim, beim Ignited. MO forma mid that the soot in
ihs erial*
The UM Mayor laid se this wu se the green= mm
justified adder the sot of parliament in bringing his engine
sad was entitled to the reward, sad he accordingly aside on
order to that effsot.

TEE CONDEMNED CULPRIT, ANNE PADPIELD.

This wretched woman, who was convicted on
Wednesday, before Hr. Baron Bramwell, of the murder of
her illegitimate child, two months old, by
still remains in • most diaMersiag state. Thel=gsgme-
tulle that was presented when she was unteaced, and her
11187148 i end heartrending applications for meaty, will not
be forgettes vary easily by those who were present, and it
appears that after she was takes back to her oell she wee
unable to take soy sustenance, and the night was pared in
meaning sad grid. The public is aware that there are at
present very ostensive alterations going ea in the famile
cl the prison, with a view to =ASO all the prisonen
of that sex separately, and this has nemeitated the removal
of the whole of the women to Holloway, and :hajt
Chet& Criminal Court is sitting they are taken bc,
sod forwards every day. In the alas of this prisoner, how-
ever, it was not cone dered advisable to send her bank to
Holloway after her conviction, and • cell was prepared foe
her reception near the infirmary, where she was placed after
her trial, and • female turnkey is constantly in attendance
upon her. The culprit was is such • weak and miserable
sowlition on Fridayevaning that Bins considered prudent to
amid fur Mr. Gibson, the surgeon of the prison, who ad-
ministered stimulant' to her, and her ceaditias is now
epul4baprltoved,
has always although
been die is still vary weak aad de-
. enstareary for the sheriffs
tode the day for the exesslies of the capital sentence
at the eenelusios of the aeries at which the coavic-
Hem Mks, plan, but this has not yet bum dose. In
culinary course the sawn& Monday after the au following
the cc:aviation would his the day, but it Is believed that
the sheriffs, sa in the owe of Mullins, will extend the
period to the third Monday, but although the sheriffs nay,
asthey are bound by kw to do, fix • day, it will be sat
factory to the public to know that the general
among those acquainted with facto that enable Ibm to
come to • proper decision, is that the capital sentence will
not be carried out. An opinion that it was not • ease
for the extreme sentence of the law to be carried out, it is
understood, was also expressed by • high authority after
the trial, and it may be stated ea a fact that the lammed
and humane judge, Mr. Bann Bramwell, who tried the
Eter, will not oppose • cominutsairm of the sentenes.
indition to the enflames diet was *en st Mistrial with
gd to the humanity end kinder" ddiercellio% of the '
oner, it appears from inspdries the' hese slam bean
made upon the subject, that she always evinced the dose*
affection for her pout child, and there is so doubt
that if she could by any means have dame se
she would have continued to support and provide for it
without any assistance from the fellow, who had deserted
her in her hour of misery and distress, sad that where the
act was committed she was in seek • elate of mental
misery NI to be hardly respomillie for her entices. Her
✓id and agony after the sad menrresas spread to be
%abounded, and she never, as she boa iisisd, had •
momeet's rest until she daalgal the fetal seen* to the
witness Miller, who WY examined upon the trial, and
there is no doubt that but for this statement du evilest'
would have been totally insufficient to areviel the prisoner,
and she would in all probability have seraped paaklunent
at the hands of an earthly tribunal. The prisoner has
eooducted herself extremely wall ever since she has been In
Renate, and pays the most earnest attention to tie
excellent advice and exhortations of the Rev. Mr. Davis,
the ordinary of the prison. A memorial ill la scone el
preparation, in which a number ci fa* are wahedled la
reference to the melancholy circumstances ceder which the
mime was committed, and whisk will be sent to the Home.
Oboe in the course of( edgy or two ; and then is every
expeetatioe that, ooupled with the Moog resemmatdation
to mercy of the jury, it will have the Out of
procuring the remission of the fearful extreme sentases
of the law.

The condemned convict Cowley, who was een-
tweed to death for the muggy alailtimate child at
se the lest mires, salt aim wee remitted, has Doer
rtaueaifsreedd • eommutation, hie eentenoe being dent*
to one d 15 yeare transportation.
Tan Ea miaow ON amain ma Tom/mi.—Two
et the sufferers boa the lab Vas board the Tinning
bare left the (heat If=le oely three a
holiinticte, Rev.
the rathAlas the litaaaa.; sad ass of
the esteems. puoilia Bay will be examiand
on the reemption of the impost.
Paanicrios or Aar ut Warm IlLatmortram.
—.• The sWeerm_he Isogon sennet_ NU deli* with the
magrinteent Waladisseila at iparma. aim whisk the City
oboes& huh Iloprg, mil,e gemealled the gee awe lently to
to Eel with In say OW the weett %eed whole tor-
ture are eseesdantea et smog snelt
eelehtlehmente Iticrt:ig&uneWee7. USW% langewittil.
alithit...s attired
as
the 11.7ifirag Wel 11-Telor". ..thiett
Miflteliaged,V-Antylimint"lariee reeetel
vein tree for two stumpsdescipilve of every sou
etreetiou or retch new nude. Watchte oh by port to airports
el the globe.—(Ativertenotentj

MARKETS.
--.-

COTTON.—LrampooL, Dec. I.—Our market to-day is
quiet, but steady with a moderato Molars. The galas are
6,000 bales, inaladintos,93o American, 4d. to 9d. ; 300
Surat, Rd. to 4jd. ; Pontius, 7.d. to 81d. ; 280 Per-
lman 81d to 90. ; 80 Bobo, Bed.; and 60 Karanham, Bd.
toold., of white 600 are for speoulation and export.
T y's import is 8,761 bales.

COTTON GOODS.—Marrctracirsa, Dec. I.—The
lower-
leg of discounts ha had a good effect upon the market, but
still there is nothing like animation in the demand. There
is lees doing in cloths for China, but a fair business is doing
Ia the medium and heavier T cloths, and in printers of the
hotter qualities. For the lighter makes of tbede fabrics
there is leas demand, and the lower qualities of printing
cloths are rather eider in price. Good 40-inch ninny
are firm in value, though the demand reported at the close
of last week for China has fallen off, and 36-inch shirtinp
are steady. Domestics rather quiet. There is still
some business doing for China in 16's to 30's
water twist, but canners are natty well en-
, gaged to order, and it is Meuh to place new
contracts without some further advance of price, ►nd
this checks business. Some sales are making in cosine sum•
ben of mule for the continent, and there is a marked im•
pro►ement for medium counts of warps and cops suited to
the borne trade. A good deal of the latter is caused by the
heavy contracts placed for China cloths, and sellers are
asking id. to id. per lb. advance on these yarns. Fine
yarns and two-folds are rather quiet. The news from the
southern states of America is creating some uneasiness here,
because should it encourage undue speculation in cotton
wins embarrassment would be occasioned to our trade,
even should the evils which are feared in the United States
peen away.

WOOLLEN CLOTH.—Lagna, Dzc. I.—The market
waa quiet this . nese was a rather good attendance
of merchants in the bat they did not show much dis-
position to operate freely, and the bwdness was kept within
a very moderate enemas&

HARDWARE—Bnienronme, Dec. 1. —The condition
of trade in this town and is the district has been station.
ary for the last fortnight ; no further depression has oc-
' rowed, bat there exists a considerable amount of dulness
in • most of the staple trades, the bulk of the manufac-
turer being yen short of orders, many of them experienc-
ing peat dfflety in finding work for their full comple•
nest of hands, though there is every disposition to do so.
Many of those who receive work from the large manufac-
turers, and execute it at their own dwellings, have been
badly off for employment this week, not makring as an
average more than three or four days. The slackness is
not confined to the home trade ; the merchants are giving
out very few order, and in that department at least then
will be no re-action on this side of Christmas ; indeed,
Mpeople appear to be nepared for and make
Mb beet of a gain woe for the next few
weeks ; if it gets no wens than it is at
present, and rallies early in January, not much
mischief will have hen done. The inn lode in this dis-
trict doss not rally. There sae nee siz or eight firms who
have an average supply laden ; other whin who do not
Cre• first-eine quehty of iron or who have set a man
an very airaiOy -.applied with orders, and Wes have
been pushed of late considerably below the blade mien.
lig iron h in stock in this district ; the woks is
too large for the t consumption, and penes are boo
low to be remunerative ; bat then are many partin who
sumo& afford to blow out fesuess, even though they go ce
sok* at a law The coal trade is in • state al nue than
avenge prosperity.

00BN.--Cammos, Dec. I.—With the exception of
line barley, which is very wares, and quite as dear, all de-
scriptions of aces were very aad (Moult eall.
Wheat, lies. to 56a. Bertay, re. to 445. Baas, sew,
365, to 38a Oats, 21a. to 26s per qr.
Munn% Dec. I.—We bad a fair supply of all kinds
of grain. Wheat was in fair demand, but last week's rates
were barely maintained. Oats; and barley much the mane
es lest week. Wheat, white, new, 21s. to 245. 6d. ; old,
tiet7. o 27n ; red, new, 19e. to 216. ; old, 24e. to Ste.
Row and old, 1.3. to 15s. Oats, potato, new, Bs. 6d.
to 10s. ; old, lls. 6d. to 12a dd.; sommon, new, 7s. Od.
to Bs. Bye, 16s. to 17a Flour, per stone, & 4d. to
6d. Oatmeal, per stone, 11< to is 2d. Byetneal., per
stows, la Bd. Barloymeal, per stone. Is. Bd.
Ocantings, Dec. I.—A fair supply of wheat and barley
and small of other gala. Best qualities of wheat wen
es/sable at a &dims of la fa 25.; damp and inferior could
not be sold (although offend at a further reduction) except
a small 'mime. Harley firm for Ins samples, inferior ls.
lower. Beans and pens Arm.
litoccznsw, Doc. L—At our today's market Euglish
wheat met a fair sale at Is. to 2a per qr.
. decline. Coop
&Inn still math oanplabied of. Forenpi la per qr.
cheaper. Barley a slow sale at Is. per qr. decline. Oat
trade restricted to retail demands at the reduction of last
week. Imports of the week ending Dec. 1 :—Wheat,
foreign, 12,550. Bark;, 600. Oata, Ireland, 1,670. Maize,
foreign, 3,990. Sundries, foreign, 2,400.

GUILDYORD, DEC. I.—There is an soconinkilon of wheat
in consequence of the supply having been for sereml weeks
put in 11X1,81110 of the demand. The mime diMeelty is
effecting sales of the general nun of new war again to-day
experienced ; bat the lower sorts were more generally
cleared at about 445., while old was in better demand. The
best new realised 64e. ; old, 725. Tiede for other grain is
very beau' picked maples of malting barley reach 46..,
but grinding barley is not so saleable as previously.

kimono, Dna. 1.-ne wheat market toelai wee wall
the trails extreme* dull at teem ls. to is per
Vfii:ra.the bonbons Wirier and damp eamples to
4a. with so boyars ; Dailey is lame offer ;at r, portion
of damp inferior quality t the best lather Ism
money ; inferior sorts fully 9e. per=tower. Oats, very
little dote( is, at rather leer money ; pees and beans sad
at fanner prices. Wheat from 265. to 38a. per load ;
barley, Sk. to 38s. per qr. ; cute, 21s. to 28e. per qr. ;
pass, 28e. to Ns. par load ; beans, 25e. to 33e. per qr.
LIOCISTZR, Dar. 1.-The quantity of wheat brought to
market by farmers to-day was tolerably good, and the at-
tendance was fair. A great number of sample* came to
head is poor condition, and only few fine aorta were offered.
i Wheat said at a reduction of Is. on the quotation of last
week. Old white wheat sold at 68s. to 715.; new, Ms. to
fies.; old red, 67e. to 695.•. new, 48s. to 58s. per 36 stone.
Them wee • good supply of barley, and the best descriptions
were in moderate request at the rates current on the pre-
vious Saturday, but inferior !ern' were fully le. cheaper;
malting sold at 40• to 424.; grinding, 355. to 375. per quarter.
The demand for oats was &low, and the supply being some-
what increseed, late rates were not in all instiuseee obtained;
old, 35e. to 40e.• new, We. to 30a. per 24 stone. Beane
were • limited show, and sold at no material change in
prices ; old, 68e. to 585.; new, 48s. to 56.. per quarter.
Fine flour 485., seconds 46e., thirds 46. per 10 stone.
Newcarrut-nroe-Tres, Dec. 1.-21 e. weather this week
has again been very unsettled, more especially within the
last two days, when mush min has fallen. The land gene-
tally is so saturated with wet as to ant the usual field
labour of the seams being with. A very small
portico of the lead has yet sewn, and all a agricultural
operatic= are se amok% anew eat wham las weather
sets In the whole hese whisk ear fermses tam labia to bear
will be required to pinerthemuives in lisle soil position.
The trade daring the week las hewohmeeterised by great
inactivity, owing to tim sada balk of the recent importa-
tions having pared direst tale the head. of our millers,
thus shutting oat Ike a Maw oar molar demand ; business,
therefore, has hem ably of • retell altimeter, and con.
load for the mlllt part te Ike best mall although owe-
s bemi*lls St with tares quality ;
rpooppeire left sell at per Q. Was being
rim if air taxes. rat ald ford(' there
has lees a relell demand, extra high-mixed Konigsberg
seaslikg 70a. whilst new Danish, weighing only 7lts.,
km best quilted It 54e., choice up to 61s, all per
5041b5. la Soar so little has been done that our
quotations mop be considered little better than
soadasL Malting barley, unless fine, neglected ; in
grlsSsld itlithlessoonsidenstirnagbleßlwbrniness,andwiptehala ufairnchAnburessOpuetingld cat
sew comparatively with inquiry. At our market this morn-
Maws bad a much lees supply wheat from the growers,
sad the arrivals coastwise also to a moderate extent,
fresh thrashed samples sold quickly at rather over the de-
Crrides of this day se, unight, whilst the tone of the
egienerally was decidedly better than of late. In south
country qualities little was dune on the spot, but several
cargoes of the best red were *old for delivery. Foreign,
whether new or old, met more attention ; new Fallen] red
commanded 605., French red, 58s. (with a chamber smell),
whereas some quantity of old red Wolgast was placed 685.,
all per 5041ba. Flour was in moderate request, but in its
value we quote little variation. Malting barley was an ex-
eeedingly slow side and inclining cheaper ; grinding less in-
quired for. Old malt ffrui. Old beans wanted, whereas
new are difficult of disposal, although offered at less mow.
Boiliag peas few offering, and value unchanged. Old oats a
steady sale at fully last week's prices. The arrivals this week
are-W hest, coastwise, 844 qrs. ; foreign, 4,879. Barley,
foreign, 732. Oats, coastwise, 170 ; foreign, 465. Peas,
coastwise, 160; forlorn', 128. Beans, foreign, 535. Hour
362 seeks.

Honwrce, Dtc, 1. - Here to-da
rates there wu com-
parativelittle wheat offering, and' former ware
supported l
for the best parade, and even inferior were in
some demand. The supply of bailey was prettzod, and
pricesremained without alteration. A few urn es of cats
were shown, and made 265. to 305. per qr. met a
steady sale. White wheat was quoted 625. to 635. ; red
' ditto, 52a. to figs. ; du and inferior ditto, 46a. to 60a. : •
best chevalier malting barley, 41s. to 44.. ; runs chevalier
ditto, 3f15. to 405. ; d stilling ditto, 30a. to 365. per qt.
Flour, 40s. to 41s. per sack from the miller.
NOITTSIGHAIt, Der. 1.-At our corn market this morning
there sus a fair quantity of wheat on offer, ormaiating of a
few samples of old and a tolerable supply of new, the latter
being in fair condition. The trade ruled quiet at bud
i
late rates to 68a. 755. ; new, Ms. to 675. • old r
645. to 715. ; new, 44e. to 625. per 36 stone. The show
barley was about an average for the MP.. and away
samples being inferior, the trade ruled Bak and Woes were
Is. CO 2s. lower than but week ; main, ;4‘. to es..
Seals, 445. to 475. per qr. ; :grinding (old), Xs to 311 s. per 31;
Maas. Of oats** mpg" seas fair, bit *ere was not much
activity in the trade if pekes we Adis es trap as last
week ; old, os. to ids.' • new, 255. to 30s. ; ferelgs, its. to
335. per 34 storm. hessa were in =dente request at limb

tered rates; old, 545. to We. ; old foreign, .101. to p r
de stone. Super flour, 50s. to 1535. ; fine, 44. to eoe. per 2
stone.

OXFORD, Dap. L —There was a ready sale at market,
this day, for all deseriptions of old can ; and for which
former rates were fully maintained. New wheat and other
kinds of new grain were very plentiful, but still in the isms
damp
.state, which caused portions., to be metal. The
following prices of the latter may be quoted, viz.:—White
wheat, Iran 50a. to 80a, per quarter ; red wheat, 45e. to
55e. ; oats, lb. to 29a. ; barley, 32a. to 38s. ; beans, 40a. to
441. • old beans, 535. to 56e. ; boiling peas, 48s. to Ste. ;
seconds flour, 45e. per lack ;hay, from 5/. 10s. to N. per ton.
PITZII3OIOOOII, Dec. I.—At our market to-day we bad
only a null supply of wheat, which met a fair side, at fully
the prices of this day week. Barley floe qualities better
sale. °ate unaltered in rains. Beans inanely any showing.
Prices :—Wheat, beet red, 51fit. to 58e. per 50111 n. ; comma a
ditto, 40s. to 42e. per 480 lbs ; oats, llid. to Is. Oid. per
stone ; beans, 565. to 57a per qr. of 5321b5.
RIADL'4O, Dtc. I.—There was a short supply of wheat eat
our market this morning, for the most part a very rough
condition. The attendance was an average ooe. Holder,
commenced salting Let week's prices, but an consequence of
the large supplies of foreign wheat, together with the ge.
Deal bad condition of the wheat, a reduction of 3s, bad to
submitted to before business could be transacted. Good
barley was very saleable. In other articles but little doing.
Boatmen, Dec. I.—There was very little prime wheat
on offer, but the few keg of that description placed on the
stands sold for about the same as last week. Other kinds,
however, were much cheaper, inferior and secondary sorts
being purchasable at 3s. to ss. below the terms of last week.
Even at this reduction, however, millers and factors were
indisposed to do business to any large -amount. There wu
rot much barley brought forward, but fine malting sells at a
slight reduction, and grinding can be purchased at leas
money ; all other qualities, however, are unsaleable even at
a still greater decline. Oats are exceedingly dull, and the
tendency of that article is downward. Beans and peas are
both cheaper.

Wissaca, Dom I.—We continue to be moderately sup.
plied with wheat, sad fairly of other pain. Wheat fully
realises the penes of last week for all sorb, sod for the
best dry ntillls quality Is. per qr. more. Oats and barley
be!ag of so inferior a quality are • very dull sale and lower
MN. given. Prices to the grower:—Wheat, white, new,
4155. to 1101. abs. per bushel ; rid, 425. to 56e., 631bs. ;
oats, sew, lid. to Is. Id. per stone.

. -
Wommentn, tino. L —At this day's market there was a
supply el tritest, but sellers would not submit to a
itereirine al mon then Ix per qr. Barley hilly la. per qr.
lower. Oats and beans ed. to la. per qr. diaper. Yeas
held for former rates.

You, Dac. 1. —There wu a fair attendanoe of farmers
and factors at our corn market to-day, but the show of
wheat was hardly so abundant as last week. The bulk of
the show consisted of samples of this year's growth, and
were of inferior quality. Old and new were barely as dear
as lest week. White, 58s. to 04 ; red, 500. to 55a. per 36
done. The demand for barley was quiet, and the swply
being good, but of inferior quality, holders had to
submit to a reduction in order to effect males. Malting,
39e. to 445. per qr. ; grinding, 325. to 38s. per 30 stone. Oata
were in fair supply, and • slow sale at prices rather in
favour of the buyer. Old, 29a to 32e. ; new, 245. to 275.
per 24 stone. There was not • large supply of beans, which
moved off at no important change in value. Old, 52e. to
Ns. ; new, 245. to Vs. per 38 stone. Malt, 70s. to 717 a. ;
rye, 40r. per qr. ; Sour, fee. to 49a. per sack.

- .
NIZZCALDT, Dec. I.—We had frost for twenty-tour hours,
bet with this exception we have had another boisterous,
rainy week, entirely suspending wheat sowing, and injuring
very mach the condition of all grain, op -sly wheat. We
bays seldom hassles suasion eontinuaaosof rainy weather.
At our country nuke* this week, we had decidedly less
grain offering, and no pearuro to sell ; nevertheless, we
must quote new wheat 3. per qr. lower—no old offering ;
bed barley, la. per qr. lower—inferior, 2s. per qr. lower;
aa,' 3. per qr. lower. Here, to-day, we had only a
modsaate supply of barley, small of wheat, but large of
oats. dales slow, at • general reduction of It per qr. ;
seesedary oats, 2s. per qr. lower. Wheat, 40e. to 6g. ;
barley, 30a. to 41s. ; oats, 20s. to 29•
WATIIIIOID. Dxc. 1.-00 i supplies of honsegrowrain
have bean very moderate this week, and oor arrivals of
13Zgn are limited to 2,540 quarters of wheat from the
Bea. We have had • very quiet trade for all
articles, but prices have not given way to any extent. Irish
wheat los found buyers at nearly former rates for picked
samples, but inhrior qualities we note 6d. per barrel
cheaper. Farina in moderate request at 3d. to 6d. per
barrel decline. Barley more inquired for, and fully endear.
Oats held firmly for lest week's currency, with a moderate
amount of basin's' passing. For Indian corn we had •
better inquiry, and the sales for the week are to • fair
extent, at a slight reduction from the prime of lest market.
Flour rather easier. Imports this week :—Wheat, 2,540
; dour, 180 sacks. Exports this week :—Wheat, 42
barrels ; barley, 181; oats, 2,770; flour, 501 sacks; oatmeal.
45 eaeka.

WRATH= REPORT.

DEMI= 1, lain= •.n 9 A.IL

a I M. I 1. C. 1.
Alosamm.. WTI 46 46 saa
aarioroora .. 10.08 68 61 18.1.
Blow= 10. 71 46 48 LLB.
Co6WituBei stal 88-71. L 0
Pomo= .. 18.04 46 48 L. 0
eiLwAr .... 19.46 61 40 L/6.
Inv
46 IL
ILLL WUII.BII 47
66 .441
I=2°wv 48 47 LW.b
W. 41
19.1$ M— SAW. e m
Y69191W11 19.91 46 46 &arr. a
kora ILO 49 47 LILL b e
JAW J 141 was 49 67 L r r
Kara 1 Mil Wit 41 se 1.51 W. be
L/rw lllB6 49 48 1.8.1 be
DOVII 29.91 48 44 W.S.W.
901164140912 70.71 a 47 LW. ea
rumors 19.88 61 11 &X
TIMM 29.50 60 49 8.8. W.
19.81 48 46 ILLL
Bahr VIM 11 UAL 0 f
Ran=
Lagoa