The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-12 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(BY British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph]

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY.
The Speaker took the chair at twelve o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.
I.lr. Buchanan took the oaths and his seat for Glasgow.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Cornwall Railway Bill was read a third time and
Passed. The Southampton anl South Wales Railway
(t'uthampton and Salisbury), and the Tralee and Killar-
teY Railway Bills were read a second time and ordered
10 be committed.

STEAM VESSELS.

On the motion of Mr. 'l'. Baring, the following return
was ordered : Return, in a tabular form, with consecutive
lumbers, of the whole of the steam vessels registered
la the United Kingdom on or before the Ist day of
44onary, 1857; stating, in separate columns, the follow-
ing particulars : 1. vessels' names ; 2, port of registry ;
a date of build; 4, registered owners ; 5, dimensions of
vessels in length and breadth and depth of hold ; 6,
tonnage (exclusive of engine room) and gross tonnage.
distinguishing vessels built of iron and also vessels
ihaving screw propellers ; 7, estimated horse power of
their engines, and giving the aggregate number of
'essels and amount of tonnage; wi'h an index for easy
reference attached to it, giving the names of the vessels
ill alphabetical order, with numbers to each, corres.
13°11'141g with those in the return (in continuation of
parliamentary paper, No. 473, of session 1855).

ICOORIA MOORIA ISLANDS.
Sit J. rinke moved an address for copies or extracts of
corrfspondenee relating to the cession of the Kooria
Blooria Islands to Great Britain by the 'mourn of Muscat,
and to the grant of a license from the Crown to John
Ord, of Litherland, near Liverpool, in the county of
Laneaste!, late master mariner, and Joseph Hindson and
James Henshall Hayes, both of Liverpool aforesaid,
al ?chants and brokers, to take the guano on those
Islands.

TIMNPIKB TIIIISTS ABOLITION (IRELAND) BILL.
The order of the day for the second reading of this bill
"$ read ar.d discharged.

ECCLISIASTI CAL CORPORATIONS BILL.
The Marquis of Blandford moved the discharge of the
order for the second reading of this bill, and in doing so
ha explained that the main object of the measure was to
make better provision for the parochial wants of the country,
'through the instrumentality of the Ecclesiastical Commis-
sl". He expressed a hope that the new parliament would
take up the subject, and, if possible, pass some measure
that shall be acceptable to all parties.
Mr. E. Denison reminded the noble marquis that the
ne‘,' parliament would have to deal with the whole question
°f the Ecclesiastical Commission; and asked whether it
/v°l3ld not be better to have the acceptable provisions of
t") bill embodied in that general measure ?
II". Walpole warned the noble marquis to be cautious
tio
• he interfered with the existing voluntary system, and
expressed an opinion that it would be inarlvisable to place
' the Whole of the church property of tte established church
under the entire control of one ceo:.ral board.
The order was then read and. discharged.
IMPRIS"MEN7C VOR DEBT BILL.
Mr
• A. Pellatt explai4ed that the object of the bill was
to provide that only
so provide
for the nr fraudulent debtors should be itnpri-
At present 441seharge of their pecuniary liabilities.
thousalids of debtors were imprisoned, not
fort,. %tatty would not pay, but because owing to mis-
t- -4e or circumstances over which they had no control'
Could not. In these cases one creditor alone got the
l'enefit of the iosolvent's estate, while in most of them the
cause of the debtor's incarceration was owing to their
inability not to pay their own, but other people's debts.
44er the operation of the county courts, imprisonment
49'
.;I'r debt was greatly on the increase, and it was truly
%antlentab!e to think of the misery and distress occasioned
-1 the defective state of the existing law. Only look at
1,3?
inconsistency of the criminal and civil law. If a mad
the
fined 51 and could not pay, his imprisonment discharged
'"0 debt; but, at civil law, no amount of imprisonment
Could liquidate the demand of the creditor. He moved the
second reading of the bill, for the sake of discussion.
Sir G. Grey objected to discussion in the present state
of parliament, as no practical results could possibly
follow.
Mr. Cobbett approved of the principle of the bill, and
11°Ped it would be received in the new parliament.
After some remarks from Mr. Whiteside, the motion for
ie second reading of the bill was negatived without a
division.

,'

GRAND 4URIES (IRELAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL.
The ord9r of the day for the second reading of this bill
17'43 rea'a and discharged.

SUPPLY.

The house then went into committee of supply, and the
Following votes were agreed to, viz.:.—.E21,049,700 for the
discharge of Exchequer Bills payable in 1857, and at
present unprovided for ; £1,553,200 on account for the
charge of certain civil services till March 31, 1858. In
ttference to this vote, which embraces the educational
Want,,
Sit J. Pakington protested against the growing increase of
the educational estimates. A measure similar to that which
lie had already proposed would greatly reduce them, and if he
%btained a seat in the new Parliament, he would show that
e4e large grants were inexpedient, because the country did
act receive an adequate return for the outlay.
Sir G. Grey differed entirely from the right hon. baronet,
hoped the subject would be fully debated in the next Par-
nament.

Mr. Henley also believed that these grants were great
:titnulants to education, and doubted whether they had been
'4l,roperly applied.
Mr. E. Denison concurred with those who thought we must
1.151 t to an extension of the existing system rather than any
hew or general scheme for improving the education of the
Pe()ltle ; and when Parliament met again, he hoped the views of
'e Government upon the subject would be given on the earliest
4Pottunity.
Sit George Grey replied that this would be done by the
4'ew President of the Council of Education on moving the
Pent linder of the vote.
Mr. Ewart viewed these grants only as temporary expe-
dient-, to bo abandoned when parliament could be brought to
P'" some general system based upon the principles of local
self govetnment.
Sir J. Pakington wished it to be understood that he
leld himself to be strictly unfettered as to the course he
should hereafter take in reference to his own measure ou
education. All that he now undertook to do was to show, in
the next parliament, that the returns the country obtained for
this grant was vastly disproportionate to its magnitude.
'Mr. Wilson, in reply to Sir H. Willoughby and Mr.
Spanner, explained the princ'plo upon which those votes on
account were being taken. They were to cover the Expendi-
ture of the next three months only, and embracing nothing
new in the shape of services or works ; they were, in fact,
uierely continuous votes of the estimates taken last session.
The next was £1,910,000 on account of the charge of the
Revenue department, an item in which Mr. Wilson said there
'till ho a gradual increase from year to year, as the trade of the
country expinds. At present the great increase was in the
Postal department; within the last three years no less than 170
rural post offices had been opened, but although our postal
establishments do not yield any revenue, the returns pay their
"Peruses, and considering the service they render the public
ill" result ought to be considered satisfacto. y.
The house then resumed, and the report was ordered to be
received to-morrow.

INCOME TAX BILL.
This bill was considered, as amended, and ordered to bo
read a third time to-morrow.
EXTRA. PAROCHIAL PLACES BILL,
This bill was also considered ai amended, and ordered to be
read a third time to morrow.

BILLS COMMITTED.
The following bills were passed through committee, via.,
the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Bill, Customs Duties Bill,
14‘1Pmnity Bill, and Copyhold and Enclosure Commissions

SECOND READINGS.
The following bills were read a second time, and ordered
t° he committed, viz. :—Racehorea Duty Act Amendment
Llll, Pauper Maintenance Bill, and Cinque Ports Act Amend-
".eut Bill.

SAVINGS BAIQES lilt L.
The order for the second reading of this bill was read and
tl4charged.
The house then adjourned at a quarter past two o'clock.

THE GENERAL ELECTION•

MANCHESTER —The votes of Messrs. Gibson and Bright
have given great umbrage to a portion of the Manchester
electors, and it is said that they have at length decided on
bringing forward Mr. Lowe, Vice President of the Board
of Trade, whose venomous attack upon the Liverpool Town
Dues will long be remembered, and Sir John Potter. A
meeting of the general election committee of Messrs. Gibson
and Blight, was held on Tuesday in the Free Trade Hall,
for the purpose of organisation, preparatory to the dissolu-
tion of Parliament. Mr. M. Gibson was present and
addressed the meeting at corsiderable length. At the
sug,ge-tion of the hon. member it was agreed to invte Mr.
Cobden to address a meeting in the Free Trade Hall, in
the place of Mr. Bright—not, however, as a candidate.
Mr. George Wilson read the following extract froth a let-
ter from Mr. Bright, dated Rome, February 22 :—" ,e nd
now about my health. Nobel ily supposes that anything is
the matter with ine, I seem so well ; and I can do generally
what other people do, when they are doing nothing but to
amuse themselves. I am, however, much better--reading,
writing, talking do not harm me now; and with some
interruptions 1 feel in better spirits, and as if time, and not
a long time, perhaps, would restore the tone of the system.
It has been a terrible disappointment to be thus exiled, and
at such a time, and when, questions of such interest are
being discussed at home. But I try, not always with suc-
cess, to resign myself to what I cannot escape from." He
had received no communication to lead him to doubt Mr.
Bright's ultimate—or rather his immediate recovery. He
had no doubt that they would find Mr. Bright accept the
representation of Manchester with the same pleasure as he
had before accepted it from the hands of the electors.
BURY.-11. N. Phillips, Dee , late high sheriff, and
brother to the late member for Manchester, will oppose Mr.
Frederick Peel. The latter gentlemen issued his address
OR Wednesday afternoon. It is to the following effect :
"To the Electors of Bury : Gentlemen, you are aware that
the government have advised the Groan to enable them,
by a dissolution, to appeal to the country, and that, though
supported by one house of parliament, they have had a
resolution carried against them in the other, fixing upon
them the responsibility for the hostilities in China, with
which they are not justly chargeable, and in regard to
which they have only taken those views and proceedings
which, as the protectors and upholders of British rights and
interests, they were bound to take. It is, gentlemen, my
sincere wish that the parliament which will shortly have
run its• course will be the forerunuer of many
parliaments is which I may have the honour of
sit.tieg as your representative, and of continuing in
the enjoyment of your confidence, and I now address you
for the purpose of offering myself for re-election. I heartily
join with you in desiring to have the most friendly relations
abroad. Peace, I think, ought to be a constant favourite
object we should aim at; and I am sure I belong to a
Government which is eminently entitled to take credit for
its services in the cause of that principle. Though well
able to carry on the war with Russia, it concluded a peace
the moment that the points for which the War bad been
commenced, were yielded by the enemy. The recent treaty
with Persia is not less decisive of its sympathy with the
same cause, while as regards the United States, the ims
pending rupture of last year was averted solely through its
moderation and dignified forbearance. A Government, under
whose auspices so much has been done to preserve and
restore peace, ought not, I think, be condemned
because unknown to it, hostilities have broken out in
China, You are, Gentlemen, already WI :minted with my
Teolitical principles, in regard to what concerns the country
internally. In this address, I haves not space to do more
than record my adherence to them. Preserve for oppor-
tunities of verbal statement the explanation in detail, what
you will find me most ready to afford, The pressure of the
late war obliged the government to postpone or suspend the
preparation of various beneficial measures, but now that
that external impediment has been removed, you may justly
reeietre that they shall apply themselteS with earnestness
and with sati4ctory results to subjects of this nature.
Vor my own Part t beg to say, the elevation, intellec-
tual arld political, the contentment and the well being of
the people, being,.as I conceive, the paramount objects
for which a member of parliament ought to labour, I
shall, if returned by your votes, strive at all times, and to
the best of my abilities, to give practical effect to what-
ever may be ct nducive to those important ends. I have
to add that I shall take the first opportunity which the
sitting of parliament will allow, to pay my respects to you
in person.

OXPORD (CITY).—The friends and supporters of Mr.
Cardwell held a meeting on Tuesday, which was not
Ivery nnmerously attended, when it was resolved that the
right honourable gentleman should be invited to attend a
pelic meeting and explain his reasons for voting sgainst
Lord Palmerston's government on Mr. Cobden's motion.
Mr. C. Neate, ALA., Senior Fellow of Oriel College,
addressed a meeting in the Town Hall, offering himself in
opposition to Mr. Cardwell,
OXFORDSHIRE.—It is stated that Lieutenant Colonel
Fane, of Wormsley House, will be put in nomination in
opposition to G.G. Harcourt, Esq., M. P. It is, however,
thought the latter gentleman will retire rather than
submit to another contest. A rumour is prevalent that
Mr. Harcourt is likely to be called to the Upper House.
TAMWORTEI.—It is well understood here that Sir R.
Peel and Viscount R:synham will be again returned. No
opposition is at all likely ; nor is it possible to succeed
even if contemplated.
TAUSION.—The Right Hon. H. Labouchere will again
offer himself for this borough, which he has represented
for many years. Sir John Ramsden will not come forward
for Taunton, but it is said will seek the representation of
the West Riding, in opposition to Mr. Cobden, or probably
stand for the borough of Huddersfield, where he has
considerable property. The Conservatives will bring
forward Mr. Arthur Mills, who was elected in 1852, and
unseated on petition for bribery. The Liberals have
secured a candidate to contest the second seat for this
,own.

ROCHESTER.—Mr. P. W. Martin, one of the present
members for this city, will again be brought forward by
the Liberal party. in conjunction with Mr. Sergeant
Kingly e, the Recorder of Bristol. Mr. Sergeant Kinglake
is in favour of an extension of the suffrage, of the abolition
of church rates, and also advocates the adoption of vote
by ballot. Mr. Martin voted in the minority against Mr.
Cobden's motion.
LUDLOW : The approaching election presents no feature
of interest. The influence of the Clive family is too
powerful for the Liberal party to stand a chance ; and the
battles fought by Colonel Salwey and Mr. Thomas Alcock
(Liberals) in the olden times, are not likely to take place
again. The Hon. Percy E. Herbert and Lord'W. Powlett
are the present members, and are expected to be re-elected.
SUNDERLAND.—In anticipation that Mr. Hudson will
not present himself for re-election, Mr. Richard Hoare, of
the firm of Hoare, Buxton and Co., merchants, London,
has issued an address to the electors of Sunderland,
announcing himself as a candidate on the Liberal interest.
11Ir. Hudson's friends, however, affirm that he will again
stand, and that he may be expected in the town in a few
days.
- - -

MALDON.—Mr. Mechi, objecting to divide the liberal
cause, has withdrawn from the contest. Mr. Western is
now the liberal party.
OLVERHAMPTON.—The Right Hon. C. P. Villiers and
Thomas Thornely, Esq will, as we stated some weeks
since, offer themselves for re-election as representatives
of this borough in the new parliament. It is generally
believed, as far as it is possible before an election, to
ascertain the intentions of a large constituency like that
of Wolverhampton, that their return will, as in many
previous years, t e unopposed.
TIVERTON.—This borough is in an unusual state o
excitement in the prospect of a dissolution of parliament.
Lord Palmerston has declined the invitation to stand for
the City of London, although, doubtless in anticipation of
his accepting the proffered honour, an address to the
electors of Tiverton has been issued, requesting them to
withhold their pledges until it was ascertained who would
solicit their suffrages. The noble viscount remains true
to his Tiverton constituency. and any attempt to oppose
him here would be futile. His colleague, Mr. Heathcoate,
is expected to retire, on the dissolut ion, from parliamentary
life, owing to increased age and infirmity.
FINSBURY.—On Tuesday night, a meeting, convened by
circulars, of electors from the various parishes of the
borough, was held at the Belvidere Tavern, Pentonville,
to consider the proceedings to be taken in reference to the
future representation of the borough. Great diversity of
opinion was expressed on the China question and the vote
of Mr. Duncombe ; but a general feeling was expressed in
favour of supporting Mr. T. S. Duncombe at the ensuing
election, on the ground of his long-tried character as a
reformer, and without reference to the China question.
Ultimately a resolution was unanimously adopted, by
which the meeting pledged itself to support Mr. T. S.
Duncombe, M.P., at the coming election, and a committee
was appointed to secure his return, a subscription being
also commenced for the purpose of returning him to par-
liament free of expense. Mr. W. Cox has complied with
requisition, bearing 2,012 signatures, by becoming a
candidate for the borough, on liberal principles. A Mr.
James Burchell has also issued an address,
THE WEST RIDING.—For the West Riding the expected
walk over of Mr. Edward Denison, in company with some
whig, is less promising than it was a few days ago.
HUDDERSFIELD.—Lord Goderich's vote against minis-
ters on the China question has given much dissatisfaction
to some of his constituents, and the friends of his former
opponent, Mr. Starkey, are again endeavouring to make
political capital of it, and; may possibly again put the
borough to a contest. A meeting is convened to decide
the course tote pursued.
WAKEFIELD.—Mr. W. H. Leathern, a liberel, a member
of the Society of Friends, and brother in law of Mr.
Bright, has announced himself as a candidate, and
expresses his determination to contest the borough. The
tory candidate is Mr. Charlesworth, a large colliery
proprietor, and of an influential family in the locality. Atja

ELECTION" RIOTS.

NISTER ARRESTED FOR INCITING A RIOT,

In connection with the recent Londonderry county elec.
tion, a circumstance has occurred of a very uttusaal
character, and one which is likely to give some occupation
to the gentletten of the legal profession. A ,Presbyrerian
clergyman named Gamble, who resides at Castledawscn,
has been arrested for inciting a mob to a riotous attack
upon a party of the Bth Hussars, at Magherafelt, to
Thursday last, during the electoral excitement there. Mr.
Gamble was brought to this city to-day by railway, !n
custody of an officer of police, and has given bail to staid
his trial at the assi2es, which commence on Wednesday
next. I may mention the facts connected with tiffs
getatlenrm's case, as they are rather curious and interest-
ing. Public feeling ran extremely high during the
polling in Magherafelt, in favour of the respective
candidates ; and on Thursday afternoon the violence
of political opinion began to exhibit itself in a
very tangible and dangerous form. In fact, the people
became so riotous that the cavalry and constabulary were
ordered out to preserve the public peace. The Hussars
went among the crowd for the purpose. While endeavour-
ing to repress the tendencies to disturbance, one of the
Hussars was struck by a stone, and seeing Mr. Gamble
standing from where it had been thrown, the soldier rode
ferward. and it is said, collared him on the spot. He was
immediately taken to the bridewell, although he totally
denied the offence laid to his charge. AS son as the
mob heard of the arrest, they became tremendously
violent, and threatened to deliver Mr. Gamble by main
come. Seeing this, several magistrates waited upon him,
and requested him to leave the prison, to which, after
some slight demur on his part, he consented. The rev.
gentleman, 01 course, complained bitterly of having been
falsely imprisoned; but the disturbance ultimately passed
away, and quietude Vas re-established. It appears,
ho vveVer, that, on the succeeding day, four of the Hussars
went to the stipendiary magistrate and swore informations
against Mr. Gamble for having been of a mob whose
object was to injure the Queen's troops. It is
asserted that he eilter threw stones himself, or gave

them to others to throw at the cavalry. Accordingly
a warrant was issued—the clergyman's house was
surrounded about eight o'clock this morning by a
body of dragoons, constabulary and others, and, as he
refused to give bail, he was trans erred by rail to this city.
On arriving here the officer who had him in charge took
him before Mr. Franks, S.M., and, after some negotiation,
Mr. Gamble's friends entered into security for his
appearance at the assizes. Mr. Ffyffe solicitor, of Dublin,
who acted in Derry as conducting agent for Mr. Greer,
the Presbyterian candidate, attended, with Mr. M'lntirei
another solicitor, belonging to this city, to arrange the
matters connected with the bail bond. I have been
informed that Mr. Greer himself is determined to assist
in bringing an action against those who imprisoned Mr.
Gamble, as the latter has been one of the defeated can-
didate's most active supporters. It is also rumoured that
an eminent Q.C., who has lately been putting forth pre.
tensions to the representation of a certain borOugh in the
county of Antrim, is to be retained as counsel in the
event of Mr. Gamble's trial at the assizes, or the projected
action for 7." false imprisonment " before the superior
courts in Dublin. A strong feeling has been elicited in
this quarter by the foregoing transaction, especially
among the gionists of the gentleman who has been
made the hero of the affray. No serious injury was
sustained by any one during the row.—Londonderry
Correspondent.
-

Al POLITICAL DELUSION.

Since the days of the celebrated Will Somers, seldom
has a more practical or more uncharitable joke been
played off on any corporate body, than was perpetrated
by some unfeeling watt on the town commissioners of Car-
low within the past few days. The facts are these;—
About a month since; the commissioners applied to the
Lord Lieutenant to have a court established for the
hearing of such cases a 5 might arise under the Towns'
Improvement Act. To that application a favourable reply
was received, intimating that the resident magistrates,
with the county justices, would preside over it. Em-
boldened by their success, the commissioners next
memorialised his Excellency to confer the Commission of
the Peace en one of their body. For this purpose the
names of three gentlemen, members of the board, were
sent up to the castle, either of which might be selected for
the important office. The memorial, it was currently
reported, was backed out by strong representations on
the subject to the Lord Lieutenant, by one of the
county members holding a high office under the pvern-
ment. Matters being put in this train, the conatilis-
sinners anxiously awaited, day after day, in the hope
that a favourable answer would be received. The
body is not at all popular with any section of
the inhabitants or ratepayers, who deny that they
truly represent their interests or feelings, and is composed
almost exelu,ively of men professing to be liberal (alias
Sadleirites) in politics. The confident tone in which they
spoke of having their request granted caused not a little
consternation amongst the respectable inhabitants, who
were alarmed at the prospect of enlarged powers being
given to a body of men who, since their self-appointment,
have acted in a manner that does not appear to have met
with the approval of the people. They alleged that there
was no necessity to make such an appointment, especially
when no less than from ten to fifteen magistrates (all men
of position and standing in society) presided at the petty
sessitfhs each court day. On the other hand, the com-
missioners maintained that the people should have their
own magistrate—one who should, in his own court, sway
his authority over those who had dared to offer any
resistance to that august body. Things remained in this
way for nearly a fortnight, when the astounding intelli-
gence was rapidly circulated that a letter had been received
from the castle, intimating that the Lord Lieutenant, after
consulting with the Lord Chancellor, appointed Mr. Robt.
Farrell (one of the three names sent up) to be a justice of
the peace, and adding that the necessary commission would
be transmitted to him in a few days. The receipt of this
document was, of course, hailed with rapture by the com-
missioners, and more especialiy by the gentleman selected.
Abuse and odium was unsparingly heaped on the heads
of the Conservative and independent Roman Catholic
portion of the community, who had previously sneered at
the idea of such an appointment being made. Various
plans were instantly devised as to the best, manner of
governing the people. Notwithstanding all the difficulties
that presented themselves he was determined to apply
himself to the discharge of the duties imposed on him,
which he hoped, " with the blessing of God, to get
through." He would take as his motto " Suaviter in
modo, fortiter in re." The organ of his party, however,
more truly represented the feelings which should actuate
"his worship ; " for in an article dilating on the advantages
that would be gained by the Liberals, it was stated that
Scripture readers were to be exterminated from his baili-
wick, and tract distributors should be annihilated in every
possible manner. It was seriously contemplated that
Waterhouse should get an order for a chain of office,
Poison to furnish a most elegant dejeuner a la fourchette,
and several other minor matters were arranged, the only
things necessary to complete the happiness of the party
being the!promised commission. Days and weeks passed
away, and yet the much-desired "great seal" did not come
to hand. The usual reply given, on enquiring of' the com-
missioners if the Lord Chancellor had communicated with
them, was, " Oh ! not yet—they are never in a hurry with
such matters—the ball or the levee at the Castle has caused
the matter to remain over." Many were to be found who
asserted that it was all a joke—that some wag was hoaxing
the commissioners. However, the matter was finally sett led
on Saturday last, by a communication from the Under
Secretary stating that the Lord Lieutenant never had any
idea of appointing Mr. Robert Ferrall, or any of the com-
missioners, a justice of the peace, and that the document
alluded to was a forgery. The chagrin of the body is very
great, consequent. on their being thus cruelly hoaxed. All
,the castles they built in the air have now exploded.
Scripture readers, tract distributors, and other members
of the society in this locality breathe more freely, and the
laugh raised against them is general throughout all classes
of this town. 1 have heard it stated that the commissioners
intend to offer a reward for the discovery of the fellow
who got up this ruse at their expense.—Carlow Correspon-
dent of Saunders's News Letter.

Government have resolved to spend £2,000 in repairing
and improving the barracks at BA-wick.
BREACH OF TRUST.—For some weeks past there have
been rumours, in connexion with an official employe3 in a
public establishment in Kilmarnock, of a very disagreeable
kind. The amount said to be embezzl€d is variously stated
from £5OO to £1 100. A precog❑it.ion of the case by the
authorities for the Crown has resulted in the incarceration
of the individual, who will take his trial in the ensuing
circuit at Ayr —Caledonian Mercury.
TESTIMONIALS AT A DISCOUNT.—A public meeting was
recently held at the Town Hall, Darlington, for the pur-
pose of promoting a subscription for a testimonial to
Edward Pease, Esq., ninety years of age, who is
regarded as the father of English reilways.
It was resolved to erect a bronze statue ; but the
next day a letter was received from Mr. Pease, stating that
he was grateful for the expressions of esteem which had
been made at a public meeting (of which he was not previ-
onsly aware), but added, " It is my earnest wish that no
such testimonial be prepared, or further thought of." It
was then resolved to present an address to him from the
t.,,wn and neighbourhood.
" THOCHT HE WAS A RUSSIAN:'—A private in the 93d
Regiment, named Donald M'Tavish, was on Wednes,lay,
at the Central Police Court, charged with having been
drunk and disorderly on Tuesday within the house of Messrs.
Ralston and Al‘Laren, spirit dealers, Argyle street, and
with having maliciously broken a plate glass mirror valued
at £25. The accused appeared in full regimentals and wore
a Crimean medal on his breast with three clasps. On being
asked whether or not he was guilty, he replied that ‘' he had
got a guid glass, and happening to see in the shop what he
thocht was a Russian, he let skelp at him wi' baith hands
and feet." The witnesses proved that he had actually done
as be had stated, the supposed Russian being his own re-
flection in the mirror. The magistrate sent Donald to
prison for twenty daye.—Gicisgoto Paper.

THEATRE ROYAL-ITALIAN OPERA.

LES HIIGVENOTS.-LAST NWFIT.

Meyerbeer's " Huguenots" is a monument of skilful
industry, if not of genius ; it bristles with difficulties ; it has
combinations of character, of scene, of sentiment, inter-
mingled with spectacle and ntelo-dramatie effect, which
demanded every phase of the composer's thought, and his
work can only be interpreted in its integrity, in a theatre
possessing the fullest resources in every branch of the
scenic art; consequentiy, last night, the representation
was a mutilated version of the work; and, if we except the
parts performed by Mesdames Grisi and Gassier, Formes
and Mons. Gassier, we may say It was what our
pleasant neighbours on the continent term a fiasco, The
double choruses, which were filled by six or eight gentle-
men, and as many ladies, who were occasionally knights,
priests, Huguenots or Catholics, were really a hash, when
they were to be distinguished 'midst the clamour of Meyer-
beet's instrumentation. The Trieguenots, if we assume
,their character to have been as shown by this wandering
choir, deserved to Le massaered—from their vile singing—
on the Shaksperian principle, that " he who has not music
in his soul," &c. Signor Volpini was, as they say in sport-
ing circles, " nowhere," in the part of .Raoul, alternating
between a tremendous shout in alt, and inaudible de-
livery in the lower parts. The key stone of the
performance, which sustained it amidst the expressed
disapprobation of the audience, was the Marcel of
Formes, which was massive and grand in conception,
acting, and vocalism, and must always stand alone
as a piece of individuality which could only spring from a
mind eminently gifted, seconded by physical endowments,
rare and
house
druesme wasarkable.
The crammed.

We may now bid farewell to Italian Opera until
autumn again, and we trust it will be then borne in mind
teat, with increasing opportunity, public taste improves,
and what was once tolerated and admired, will no longer
be so when the mind is awakened to sense of a higher
thLigs,

THE SCREW STEAMER ROYAL

CHARTER.

In our summary of the news from Alistralia,
inserted in yesterday's NORTHERN TIMES, we men•
tioned that the screw steamship Royal Charter had
arrived at Melbourne afteran excellent passage of 65
days. Since that time we have had an opportunity
of perusing a letter written by the Rev. J. Leslie,
fI,D., one of the passengers. As it is of an inter-
esting character we subjoin the more important
points :
The Dieter commences by stating that the Royal Charter
steamed out of the Mersey against a westerly wind on
Thursday evening, the 2nd October. We put our pilot on
board the barque Benin, hound for Liverpool, on the fore-
noon of the 11th, about 20 miles to the westward of Water-
ford. We had head winds and calms till the 13th, when
we passed the Island of Madeira. We g-rt the north east
trade on the 16th, in N. lat. 24.52, and lost it on the
19,h. We crossed the Egti2tor on the 27th, in W. long.
26.38, after being 24 days out,
During the whole of this first part of the voyage the
winds were either light or contrary, thus causing an
unexpected demand on our steaming powers. The screw-
propeller was in action every day except three, and such
was the strength of the wind, against which we had to
contend the second day after starting, that we only made
108 miles in the 24 hourd.
A reference is here made to the advantage of the
crew as regards the health of the passengers. The
narrative then proceeds :
We should have been in great danger of epidemic disease
bad we been detained long in those hot and unhealthy
latitudes; as it wa4, only slight symptoms of illness bad
time to manifest themselves amongst the children, of whom
there were upwards of 60 on board. Two, of very delicate
constitution, died during the hot weather, and one at a
later period, of disease colught at the same time. The three
were all very young. We had au e=cellent run from the
Equator to the Reads, and only required to steam on four
separate days.
On the 15th November we sailed 325 geographical miles.
Allowing 29 minutes for the difference In longitude, this
gives 383 statute miles in the 24 hours, or at the rate of 16
miles an hour. In three consecutive days, including the
11th Nov., we ran (making the same allowance for the
difference of longitude) 957 nautical miles, which gives
abut 134 knots an hour, or 1,108 statute miles, with an
average velocity of 154 miles an hour.
Otr greatest run was on the 3rd December, which, after
allowing eight miles from 8.12 degrees difference of longi-
tude, gave 360 nautical miles in the twenty four hours, or
exactly Id knots an hour. Changing it into statute miles,
we have no less than 417 as the result of this day's sailing,
a speed of nearly 17,1 miles an hour. At one time upwards
of 17 knots ran off the reel, showing a velocity of 20 miles
an hour, the ship all the while carr)ing royals and studding
sails. In the slimmer season, too, when the winds are from
lat. 23.30 south, lon. 37 6, to Cape Otway, the distance by
the route we followed is 8,964 nautical miles. This we
have accomplished in 34 days, and in light winds. This
exceeds the celebrated raid of the Lightning, in the corre-
sponding part of her voyage, in the winter of last year,
when she: completed 8,146 miles in thirty three days, or
an average of 247 miles per day, or 10 miles per hour;
whereas the Royal Charter's average was 264 k nautical
miles a day, or 1 I knots an h,ur.
With respect to the compasses, Dr. Leslie
writes :—•
The same arrangements, with reference to the compasses,
were adopted in this, as in the preceding voyage, and with
the same highly satisfactory results. The compass fixed by
copper fastenings, at an elevation of 112 feet, to the mizin
mast, was found to act with the utmost aucuracT, and alto.
gether free from the disturbing action of the iron of the

ship.
As a practical proof of this, as well as of the excellence
of our chronometers and the regularity and precision with
which the observations were taken, I may mention that the
first land we distind ly saw was a rock called Gough's
Island, rising precipitately in the midst of the South
Atlantic to the height of 4,000 feet, in 40 19 south lat.,
9.11 west lon. We sighted this at the very hour that had
been predicted to myself the day before by the captain;
and last night, when the loom of the Australian land began
to appear, and, above all, when the beautiful light on Cape
Otway first disclosed itself, at the very time we had been
led to expect it, a thrill of emotion passed through all on
board, caused not more by the thought of having at length
got within sight of our destination, than by admiration for
the triumph of science and art, which had so strikingly
signalised itself by our arrival at the given hour and place,
after a voyage of 13,000 miles through the trackless ocean.
The feeling of distrust which, for a considerable time,
an€l with too much reason, attached itself to iron ships, on
account of the irregularity and uncertainty in the action of
their compasses, has now disappeared—a circumstance of
no small moment, when iron is so rapidly displacing wood
in the naval arsenals of Europe.
The great drawback in the present voyage, as compared
with the previous one, has been:the unfavourable weather
we experienced as far as the line. We lost six days on this
part of the voyage. Our average speed, chiefly with steam,
was nether under seven knots.
From the Line to tustralia, on the other hand, this
voyage bears a decidedly advantageous comparison with the
last, In the last, the run was made in forty-one days ; in
this it has been done in forty days, with the important
difference, that we lost several days by being thrown by
adverse winds more towards the eoast of South America,
and had therefore a course fully a thousand milca longer
to describe.
The combination of moderate steam power, with first
rate sailing qualities, is undoubtedly the true solution of
the problem of the Australian voyage, snob as dispensing
with the necessity of calling at intermediate ports, and at
the same time providing effectually against the inevitable
contingencies of boisterous and unfavourable winds.
I cannot conclude this letter without paying a well
merited compliment to Captain Boyce, for the quiet energy
and assiduous attention, as well as the professional skill,
with which he discharged his important and highly respon-
sible duties. Snc;i. a gentleman is undoubtedly in his right
place when commanding the Royal Charter.
The foregoing statement must prove highly
satisfactory to all who have friends on board the
Royal Charter. It clearly proves that she emi-
nently merits all the high encomiums which have
been bestowed upon her. It must be a source of
great gratification to her enterprising owners to
find that she has fully realised all their sanguine
expectations, and that they have been the first to
test practically the important question as to which
is the most desirable class of vessel to make cer-
tain and speedy voyages to the Antipodes. The
Royal Charter was to sail from Melbourne on the
15th of January ; she has now been 55 days out,
and may be daily expected. It is worthy of re-
mark, that all the London ships arriving out
were making long passages ; some of them were
aking 120 days.