The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-10 00:00:00

EVENING, JANUARY 10, 1852.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION OF 1852.—Among the
volunteers to take command of the new Arctic expedi-
tion, to be fitted out this year, is Captain E. Ommanney,
who commanded the Assistance, under Captain Austin,
C.B , who has offered to give up his comfortable appoint-
ment as Deputy Comptroller of the Coast Guard, if his
services should be accepted.
The Commander-in-Chief of the West Indies was at
St. Thomas's December 21, and would sail for Jamaica
on the arrival of the mail from England.
chief Rearn-Admiral
Bmirraalzil Reynolds,station C. 8., the ex-commader-in-
,
arrived at Devonport in the
Southampton, 50, and hauled his flag down on Wednes-
day, and went ashore at that port.
Commander Wood, who was promoted on paying off
the Pantaloon, surveying-vessel in the Pacific, is to com-
mission the Pluto, es assistant to Captain Denham, in
the Herald, in his survey in the South Seas.
THE ADMIRALTY MAIL AGENT OF THE AMAZON.—
Lieutenant Brady, who was mail agent on board the
Amazon, and who took the place of Lieutenant Wil-
kinson on very short notice, as wo stated on Monday,
was a lieutenant of 1815, and was very much respected in
and out of the service. The following is O'Byrne's
sketch of his gallant career:—" William Hollinshed
Brady entered the navy Dec. 6, 1807, as first-class vo-
lunteer on board the Leonidas, 38, Captain Sir James
Dunbar, on the Mediterranean station, where he joined,
in November, 1808, the Cumberland, 74, Captain Hon.
Philip Wodehouse. On the 28th of October, 1809, he
witressed, as midshipman, the self-destruction of the
French line-of-battle ships Robust and Lion, near Iron-
tignan; and on the night of the 31st of the same month
he was slightly wounded while serving in the boats
at the capture and destruction—under a hot fire
from the batteries in the Bay of Rosas, and
in face of a resistance from the various crews
productive of a loss to the British of 15 men killed and
55 sounded—of the store-ship Lamporie, of 16 guns and
116 men, with three other armed vessels and seven sail
of merchantmen. He continued to be very actively em-
ployed in the Cumberland, under the command of Cap-
tain Thomas Baker, in the North Sea, and in escorting
valuable convoys to the West Indies and the Cape of
Good Hope, until paid off in August, 1815—a few
months previous to which period, on the 20th of March,
he had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He
• afterwards, from June 10, 1824 until 1817, served on
the coast blockade as Supernumerary Lieutenant of the
Ramilies, 74, Captains W. M'Culloch and Hugh Pigot;
and since June 10, 1842, has been employed as Admi-
ralty Agent in contract
_mail steam-vessels on the West
India station."

Lieutenant Grylls, the other naval officer lost in the
Amazon, is son of the Rev. Mr. Grylls, of St. Neot's.
What makes this case more distressing is, that Mr
Gr)lls wished his son to remain at home, because another
son was dying, who is since dead, but we` are informed
that •the application was refused.
The intelligence of the death of Mr.
master of her Majesty's frigate Fox, 42,
been re
2,
Luaemwbaesrta,titnactkheed3wBitthhyfeevaerr on Oct.
ofhis
age, h
26, and was invalided
on Nov. 7, to proceed to England for the preservation of
his life, and sent on shore to sick quarters to await a
passage in the mail steamer, but ulceration of the bowels
came on, which destroyed his life on Nov. 13.
Lieut, Henry Bacon (1841) has been appointed to the
command of the naval apprentices' brig Wizard at
Queenstown, vice Barnard, promoted.

Mates—John P. C. Clements, to the Hastings, 72,
flag-ship, China; Jamas Hardy, to the Leander, 50,
Lisbon; Hon. M. B. Nelson, to the Retribution steam-
frigate, Portsmouth; and J. 11. Cary, to the Rapid, 8,
Devonport, for the East Indies.
Clerks—Thomas Bradbridge, to the Impregnable
flag-ship, Devonport; C. W. Harris, to the St. George,
120, ordinary flag-ship, Devonport; G. A. Welch, to the
Victory flag-ship, Portsmouth.
Gunner—John Blellock, acting; Boatswain John
Mellon, acting; Carpenter John Williams, acting.
Paymaster Richard P. Beddek (1834) died at Porto-
bello, Dec. 25.
Her Maje3ty's steam-sloop Hecla, Commander Beau-
champ, may be hourly expected at Portsmouth from
the coast of Africa. She was to leave Sierra Leone,
December 10.
Britannia, 120, Captain Goldsmith, flag-ship of Rear
Admiral Deans Dundas, C. 8., will be out of the hands
of the dockyard at Portsmouth on the 15th instant, and
will be ready to go to Spithead by the 27th. She is
about 200 blue jackets short of her complement.
Ccmet, steam surveying-vessel, Commander Otter, is
ordered to Queenstown, from Scotland.
Sanspareii, 81, screw-ship at Devonport, will be
complete in her machinery fittings by the Ist of April,
when she will be commanded by Captain Horatio
Austin, C.B.

Southampton, 50, Captain Cory, remains at Ply-
mouth Sound waiting a fair wind to Chatham, to be
paid off.

- Tweed, 18, Commander Lord F. Russell, is ordered to
be paid off at Devonport.
Rapid, 8, Commander Blanc, will go into Plymouth
Sound this day, and will sail again for the East Indies,
probably on Monday.
PORTSMOUTH, FRIDAY.—It blew a hard westerly gale
with very revere squalls last night; it still continues to
blow a gale from the westward. A small steamer, sup-
posed to he the Fearless, anehored'in St. Helen's Roads,
and the Victory had had the demand up all the morn-
ing, but the steamer's number cannot be made out.
The examination into the preserved meats at the
Royal Clarence-yard was resumed this morning, we be-
lieve with the same revolting results as already published
by us, but we can furnish no definite report upon the
subject, the Admiralty, ashamed of their responsibility
in the matter, having deprived the press of obtaining
authentic information. But the horse being now stolen
their Lordships lock their Augean stable-door too late.
Some strong additions to the defences of this port
have just been ordered to be commenced and completed
with the least possible delay—a battery at the linab
light, off St. Helen's, commanding the approach to
Spithead from the eastward, to mount 100 guns of heavy
metal, and a fort at Lumps, on the Portsmouth shore,
also to mount 100 heavy guns. A ROW fort has been
commenced some time at Browndown, on the Gosport
side, where two companies of Royal Sappers and Miners
are at work. to complete their task in two months. The
battery at Lumps will be a temporary.
.work. We are
also informed a barracks for artillery is ordered to be
erected at the Powder Magezines, Biddy's Hard, Gos-
port,and that the guards on the Gosport side have been
strengthened this week by posting an officer and an
additional number of men at, the Double-gate,
near the
railway terminus, and a corporal and six men at the
Haslar-gate.
The Champion, Al Commander J. M. Hayes, Was
paid off this day.
The crew of the Neptune, 120, Captain Yates, were
paid to-day the wages due to them, on being removed
from the books of the Britannia.
The Simeem iron troop steam-ship will not be tried
before Monday, owing to the foulness of the weather.
The Dasher steam-vessel arrived in harbour to-day
from the Channel Islands.
The Retribution steam-frigate, Captain
Warden,
received orders to-day to complete stores for foreign
service.
WOOLWICH, JAN. 9..--The Fury steam-8100p, Com-
mander Edward Tatham, left Woolwich to-day for
Portsmouth, and ultimately the Mediterranean station.
The Barracouta paddlewheel steam-sloop of 330-horse
power is under orders to leave Woolwich for Chatham
on Thursday next.
The Black Eagle steam-vessel
was taken out of the
west dock yesterday, and
the Intrepid steam-vessel
taken in.
MALTA, JAN. 2.—The news of the place is but scant,
and limited almast entirely to the fleet. The exercises
of Monday last were not of a very varied 'kind. We
give below the time occupied in the manoeuvres
1. Launches of squadron with steam anchors andcables,
and barges with hawsers, to assemble round Queen.—
29th December, 1851 e
rn. s.
m. s.
I
Queen ... ••• 6 35 Albion ... 15 30
„
Superb ... ••• 30 Trafalgar
... 25 30
Vengeance ... 18 15 Bellerophon 50
Indefatigable ... 10 45 ... 31
yards:--
2. Up topgallant masts; crossed topgallant and royal

120 A. biota ..
m 4. s.
ID. B.
Queen ... ••• 4 20 Vengeance ... 6 30
Superb ... ...
Indefatigable ... 7 0 1 13ellaoprop,spahrmo.
Trafalgar ......9 0
toin agofewout °Willi go as far.
apparatus .t
O'llas118012mble)
3. Boats with enrgoiunneds
Banoidiertiorpehon:__
In. S.
Queen ..., ... 3 0 Albion m. s.
••• ... 8 0
Superb* ... ... 3 0 Trafalgar... . 9 0
Vengeance ... 8 0 1 Bellerophon
Indefatigable ... 4 25 1
Q..a.l(eonn:_fire.)l
* Superb's fire-engine did not work.
Dec. 30, 1851—Boats manned and armed, and launches
with field-pieces, to assemble round the
In. s.
Queen ... ... 7 30 Trafalgar...
... In6l. 185.
Superb ... ... 10 30 Albion
Bellerophonerc:is:esllosthe3figeld-pieeese landedalb4rensot
... 15 0
fisoperi e
Naples.
oesspltehse.
Indefatigablele,ngiteear Vengeance
oe y x
the ship, and sent, with their crews, for edfixaeeslradc
Flo-
rian. Boats proceeded outside the harbour.
Quleneelanwdeienfigraent.d also in re-embarking
TheTh e SAplihtieefnu 1
and
tod sleepaevreh peorret
them, to
seasillGi,nhigehr,ale,beitoreit.bWle,editneissdraeyp.owrthleotd,gisowesisalildwacitthchoeraythpeamny.a trial of
bring back the Admiral,
The CeyLon, the old receiving ship, has had her ballast
out. She is found to be in a much better state than was
supposed, and probably will still be retained as the
receiving ship, while the Hercules may be ordered to
England.
The Medina is in dock.
The Mecitnsa will be docked.
Ensign the Hon. Mr. Massey, late 18th, left Malta by
the Merlin for Corfu. He proceeds to join the 7th.
Lienten:int Boyle, R.A., leaves to-day on leave.
Captain Craigie, R.E., has returned to the island on
leave.
All the packets due have arrived except the French
from Alexasndria.

greater part
- -
Yed by a violent
night, and
gale from the north-west, accompanied by occasional drifts of
G.x.oEf
yesterday, Liverpool
rysidsiat
hail and sleet. We have not at present heard of any serious
damage sustained by the vessels in the river, but tears are
entertained that numerous casualties must have ensued from
the violence of the wind on the Welsh and Cheshire coasts.
There have been, of course, no sailings from the port during
such a state ,of the weather.

PROPOSE] ) DOCKS AT MILFORD IT&VEN.-Th3
estimated cost of construction and completion of the intended
wet docks an 4 eating bunt at =ford liayezy is 1,00,000!.

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, FRIDAY.
The following had the honour of diLing with her Ma-
jesty last ev( ning:—His Excellency the Count and
Countess Walewski, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the
Duke of Newcastle, the Count and Countess Lavradio,
the Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster, the Mar-
quis and Marchioness of Clanricarde, the Earl Do Is
Warr, the Earl and Countess of Sefton, Lady Emily de
Burgh, and Lady Octavia Grosvenor.
The band of the Royal Horse Guards attended in the
Castle during dinner, and plajed the following selec-
tion:—

Overture, " Wunderwasser"
••• Flotow.
Selection, " Maid of Honour"
... Balfe.
Waltz, " Prop Late" Ettiing.
Fakal Tanz Meyerbeer.
Quadrille, "Grenada" ... ••• D'Albert.
Afterwards, in tho evening., her Majesty's private
bawl was in attundance, and performed the—
Overture, " Yelva"
•.• Reissiger.
Romance—Airs de Ballet, L'Enfant Pro-
digue" Auber. The Queen walked in the Homeepark and Slopes this
morning.

The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and younger
members of the Royal Family, took their usual pony and
walking exercise. _

His Royal Highness Prince Albert went out shooting
this morning, accompanied by his Excellency the Count
Walewski, the Duke of Newcastle, the Marquis of Clan-
ricarde, the Earl of Sefton, and Earl Do la W arr, and at-
tended by Colonel F. H. Seymour.
The Hon. Matilda Paget and the Hon. Mary F. Sey-
mour have relieved the Hon. Beatrice Bvng and Hon.
Eleanor Stanley, as Maids of Honour in Waiting to her
Majesty.

A deputation of merchants of Liverpool, consist-
ing of the Mayor of Liverpool, Mr. Hugh Ilornby,
deputy chairman of the Chamber of Commerce;
Mr. Charles Turner, chairman of the Dock Com-
mittee; Mr. Francis Shand, chairman of the West
India Association; Mr. Rankin, chairman of the
Shipowners' Association ; Mr. John Aiken and Mr.
Bouch, accompanied by Mr. Cardwell, the Member
for Liverpool, had an interview yesterday with Lord
John Russell, at his official residence in Downing-
street, upon the subject of the present Custom-house
system.
The Rev. Dr. Seaman and Mr. John Benwell Seamar
had an interview with the Right Hon. Sir George Grey
yesterday, at the Home-office.

The Atirquis d'Azeglio, the Sardinian Minister, had
an interview with Lord John Russell yesterday.
The Finance Committee of the Royal Commission for
the Exhibition of 1851 had a meeting yesterday at the
Board of Trade.

A deputation from the parishes of Poplar, Saint
Anne, Limehouse, and the hamlet of Mile-end Old
Town, oa the subject of the intended roads to Victoria
Park from Bethnal-green and Cambridge-heath, had an
interview with Lord Seymour yesterday at the Office of
Public Works and Buildings. The deputation consisted
of Edward Stock, Esq., local: magistrate, Poplar; Mr.
Samuel Tirmen and Mr. James Bowley, churchwardens;
Mr. Edward Coleman, trustee, Poplar; Mr. C. C. Ceely,
vestry-clerk, Poplar; William Henry Hawkins, Esq., and
John George Hammack, Esq., magistrates, Mite-end
Old Town; Mr. Snow, Mr. Philpot, Mr. Sadgrove,
town-clerk; Thomas Henry Bluck, Esq., local magis-
trate; Mr. Frederick Young, trustee of Limehouse; Mr.
William Nathan and Mr. James Barclay, churchwardens;
and Mr. A. Norton, vestry-clerk of Limehouse.
Mr. Miller, Commissary-General, had an interview
with Earl Grey yesterday, at the Colonial-office. Mr.
A. Baillio had also an interview with the Noble Earl.

Dispatches were received at the Colonial-office yester-
day from the Governors of the West India Islands.
Dispatches were sent off yesterday to the Governors
of the North American Provinces.

COMMISSION OF LUNACY.

On Thursday the inquiry into the stale of the mind
of Mrs. Catherine Cumming, was resumed at the Eyre
Arms, St. John's-wood, before Mr. Francis Barlow, and
a jury of nineteen gentlemen. Sir F. Thesiger, Q C.,
end Mr. Petersdoiff, appeared for the promoters; Mr.
leee and Mr. Hooper (the sons-in-law of the alleged
lunatic), and their wives. The petition was opposed by
Mr. Edwin James, Q.C., Sergeant Wilkins, and Mr.
Southgate. The examination of witnesses on behalf of
promoters was resumed.
George Vernon Driver, a surgeon, had been from 1840
to 1847 in the establishment of Mr. Ince. Was on inti-
mate terms with Mrs. Cumming and her family. Mrs.
Cumming was then living at Msida:vale. Had visited
her two or three times in company with Mrs. Ince. Mrs.
Ince's conduct to her was that of a dutiful daughter. At
an evening party, at Maida-vale, witness heard Mrs.
Cumming speak disrespectfully of the old captain. Cap-
tain Cumming overheard her, and some excitement en-
sued which caused the party to break up sooner than it
would otherwise have done. That, however, made no
difference in her conduct to her daughter. Afterwards,
when Mr. Ince was living in Belgrave-place, and when
in
to
the Ince was dangerously ill, Mrs, Cumming came
the house and ran up to her room without being asked.
That made Mrs. Ince a great deal worse. !Atter then
her. conduct to her daughter became less affectionate,
and at length an estrangement took place between her
and her family. Her conduct towards her husband was
very improper. The house was filthy in the extreme,
so much so as to be prejudicial to health. Mrs. Cum-
ming was on good terms with Mrs. Hooper and her
children, but afterwards she became estranged from
them.

Cross-examined by Sergeant w
Captain Cumming's nurses were recommended Some o
by Mr.
Ince, who attended him as surgeon.
Thomas Ince, cousin to Mr. John Ince, the son-in-
law of Mrs. Cumming, had known her intimately for
throe or four years, about the time her daughter was
married. That was sixteen or seventeen years ago.
When first witness knew her she was a person of lady-
like manners and appearance. She then appeared to
behave exceedingly well towards her daughters and
husband. About the time Mrs. Ince was married, Mrs.
Cumming said she had been the best of daughters, and
would be a great loss to her, but she hoped it would be
for her own good. After the marriage of Mrs.
Hooper, there was some estrangement between her and
her mother. Mrs. Ince had exhibited great regret and
sorrow at the estrangement which had taken place be-
tween them. Had intimately known Mrs. Ince 16 or
17 years, and had never known her behave unkindly to
her mother. Had never known Mr. Ince guilty of
any unkindness to Mrs. Cumming.
Cross-examined by Mr. JAMES—Was aware that
Ince and Hooper had taken out a commission of lunacy
against Mrs. Cumming. Was not aware that they had
commenced a Chancery suit against her, er charged her
with perjury.
G. Dangerfield, a solicitor, was applied to by Mrs.
Cumming to manage her affairs. A Mr. Hawkins had
been her solicitor previously, but she intimated that
there was a want of confidence in her towards him.
Witness recommended to her Messrs. Birch and Davies,
of Newport, to manage her Monmouth property. Had
seen nothing of her since October, 1844. In December,
1844, witness received a letter from her, in consequence
of which he called upon her. She refused to see wit-
ness. Had paid over to her or on her account all the
money witness had received, and had a claim against her
for costs. Had certainly never robbed her of 3001., or
of any plate. Found that she always objected to every-
body she employed. She always spoke slightiugly of
her daughters and their husbands, and particularly
wished that her address should not be given them. She
seemed to consider Mr. Hooper was inferior to her
daughter, but she made no intelligible charge against
Mr. and Mrs. Ince. In 1844 witness compromised au
action for her with Mr. Williams for misusing the fur-
niture in a house she had occupied in Maida-vale. It
was a nicely furnished house, at a rent of 2001. a year.
It was alleged that she had had the washing done in
the drawing-room, and the ironing on the 100 table;
and that the pigeons had dirtied the furnitnre. She
denied the truth of these allegations, but afterwards
consented to compromise the action for 121. 2s. A
much larger claim had been made. She said she would
not sleep cn the bed in that house because the
landlord had weighed the feathers, but she would sleep
in her own bed. Witness was the solicitor to the com-
mission of 1846. Captain Cumming was alive when the
proceedings in lunacy were commenced. They were
taken with his concurrence. The commission was not
actually issued until after his death, hat the order for
her confinement in York House was signed by the Cap-
tain. After the commission had sat some days, an ar-
rangement was come to by the counsel on both sides.
Supposing that arrangement had been carried out, her
property would probably have been protected. On that
occasion Mr. James was in support of the petition, and
Mr. Petersdorff against it.—(Laughter.)
Cross-examined by Mr. JAMES—Mrs. Cumming was
rather litigious, and was a good client to some persons,
but not to witness.—(Laughter.) Did not know that he
ever delivered her a written account except on one cc-
casion. Her rental was about 400/e per annum. Had
given her verbal accounts from time to time. She now
owed witness from 501. to 1001. Did not know whether
it was usual in furnished houses to weigh the feathers in
order to guard against fraud. Thought what Mrs. Cum-
ming did was a simple piece of absurdity. Would not
go so far as to say it was a delusion. Messrs. lace and
Hooper applied to witness about the commission early
in 1846, while Mrs. Cumming was confined in York-
house Asylum. Witness went with Ince and Hooper
and searched the house, but witness had no zecollectton
of taking any property away. Captain Cumming had
died before then.

Winifred Todd had been in Mrs. Cumming's service
as cook. She then lived at Gothic Villa, Queen's-road,
St. John's Wood, where she still resided. Mrs. Cum-
ming used to borrow money of witness. The greatest
sum was 308. She used to complain that she was robbed.
The house was in a very destitute state, but Mr. Haynes
told witness, when she mentioned it to him, that when
Mrs. Cumming came into it, it was completely furnished.
Mrs. Cumming was in the habit of giving orders and
countermanding them. Had known her to go a whole
day without giving any orders whatever, or taking any-
thing except a little brandy or wine and water. On
one occasion she ordered dinner at six o'clock in the
evening, but she did not come home till one in the
morning, and then she ordered it up. Their dinners
were generally cooked in her bedroom. Sometimes she
would order a slice of salmon, and then she would fancy
a chop, and then a stewed eel, all at the same meal. She
kept four.cata and a kitten in her room, which was very
disagreeable in consequence. She once told witness that
she was seized with a fit, and that ;whilst in that state
Mrs. Haynes attempted to take the rings off her fingers;
but she said, " For God's sake, don't rob me before I
sin dead." Each cat had a separate, plate placed for it,
and meat and soup at the same time. Napkins were also
placed for them. When they had milk they had it out
of china cups. She was attended by Dr. Cardwell, who
used to see her every Wednesday. One Sunday witness
asked he what they were to have for the kitchen dinner.
Mrs. Cumming replied that they might have a leg of
mutton there was in the house. She then sent for it,
and told witness to cat it in three.--Witness, not exactly
understanding her, she took the knife from her threw it
violent down, and began to curse and swear; then said
that she bad no dinner herself, and her servants might
also go without. She once said that a servant named
Clarke bad attempted to poison her. Witness left be-
cause her health was beginning to fail. She was some-
times required to stand as much as eight hours together
by her mistress's bedside.
Cross-examieed by Sergeant Winisnes—Afrs. Cum-
ming rose at different times of the day. Sometimes no
till live in the evening. Her dirty habits might some-
times have have been involuntary. She would sometimes
Tehx-
press sorrow when she saw it made witness ill.
e
house was once broken into, and the kitchen nearly
stripped.
A letter from Dr. Caldwell was read by the Commis-
sioner, stating that Mrs. Cumming had been too mush
exhausted by her attendance yesterday to be able to bo
present to-day..
Mary Itaineyhad lived upwards of two months in the
service of Mrs. Cumming, and deposed to various eccen-
tricities. On the Ist of February last, after a visit from
nu'
Mrs. Hutchinson, Mrs. Cummipg said to witness, G‘:°
d
God! what have -1
adleosnetoncoowil?ect
niTyharet.
pumpkin,
Pkirivutchinson, has been here, and persuaded meNeo'. Mrs.send
H
hweernteedOwdn taiowsetro Wales
and her mistress locked and bolterher
door. She then began to scream out " Murder!" and
nognewoifthth some difficulty
madhouse
policemen
a i entry ien
at
into eher room,lir
alied with an oath, " You
effectedt hree
ptehrissolfrom a
sthe
quiet.
come to protect her, She
Frfeetveaircus day about destroyingcome etmo sataidkehembea.'d'
She had been talking on the
cats, sad wouldonheavoer
the
ed
herself. She had then five
leadffected witness's six, but she said. that Mr. Jones
kittens. The room was so filthy
it to the day of her di lien's health that she should feel
and
dd
had
dansgo
Mrs. Cummings _ death. . The cats had a medical at-
tendant named Dr. Williams."—(Loud laughter.)
used to say that Mrs. Hutchinson
came to hear all she could, and convey it to Mr. Robert
HaYtes. and
witness thought so too.—(A laugh.)
When Mrs. Cumming spoke of a will, Mrs. H. said her
husband would make one for her, as he had done for
another person,
quite as well as a solicitor, and would
save her six or seven pounds. Mrs. Cumming told wit-
ness that Mr. Robert Haynes bad made a will, which he
wanted to persuadeiher was hers, but it was not so. She
said that Mr. Robert Haynes bad willed over all her
I property to himself and other persons of whom she
know nothing. Sho stated that Mr. Robert Haynes had
sent her two dozen and a half of wine, but that it was
like bog-water, and that it contained poison, so she sent
it back. She was of opinion that all her servants were
connected with Mr. Rotert Haynes, and that ho was
robbing her. She would not allow her food to be
cooked down stairs for liar of poison. One day her
favourite cat, which was named " Zit," escaped into the
garden. She offered witness a sovereign if she would
catch it. Afterwards she offered her five. Witness
was in and out after the cat all night, and at last suc-
ceeded in catching it. Mrs. Cumming was so delighted
that she cried, and kissed witness's hand twice.—( A
laugh.) She afterwards gave her five farthing.—
(Laughter.)
Cross-examined by Mr. E. JAMES--Had introduced a
person named Hickie into the house: her duty was to
read to Mrs. Cumming. and to wait upon the cats.—
(Laughter.) Witness had sworn in her affidavit to the
Court of Chancery that she (witness) was " an extreme, !y
mild person, end not of a quarrelsome temper.
(Laughter.) Mrs.
Cumming did not charge her with
ill-using her on the let February in the coachman's pre-
, once. If the coachman said so he ought to be executed.
—(Laughter.) Did tell her that she (witness) could
easily secure her. That was after the police had lef .
Mrs. Cumming wanted to go out of the room and wit-
ness told her that if she did not keep quiet she would
soon settle her. Witness did not know who "Dr. W.-

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. , . •h,„ yin
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liana" was. He was somebody in the neighbourhood l'ir .' ''\v""t. 61?
They would find him in the " Court Guide." In ., 1-\, r'„...X , ~c.
"'"
,(-;ici. , -;
John Richards, a policeman, cot.firmtd,' a portioX 5',....' 0-, Crk
,;, v.i, .., ~,,se ,
the last witness's statement. 0_ -;.. y 7
The proceedings were then aajourned. fik.AiTi..-7.;:, : ....4„,
~,, ... _...-- . .
The inquiry was resumed yesterday, and again Ad. 4'E : ..74-."
journed.

THE MINISTRY.
(From the Times)
Upon the occurrence of the late change in one im-
portant department of the Government, it obviously
became the duty and the iuterest of Lord John Russell
to endeavour, if possible, to strengthen his Administra-
tion by the infusion of new elements to replace those
which he had lost, or those which are likely to fail him.
Hence a variety of rumours have been thrown into cir-
culation for the lest fortnight on the probable changes
to be effected in thee Government before the meeting of
Parliament; and some of our contemporaries have de-
eignat. d the very persons and offices thus conjecturally
thascertain b notee n
disposed of. We entertain no doubt that home such at-
atenredP indirectly
definite
m ad made
proposalsb ythe First
have
been Minister,
ad-
dressed to the surviving members of that party which
Lord J. Russell has sought on two former occasions to
unite with himself in power. But, whatever may have
been the precise extent of this negotiation, we also believe
that it has now been abandoned, probably because it met
with little encouragement or abSellt from the statesmen to
whom these communications were made. It may here-
after be a matter for consideration whether the cause of
this repugnance to share the responsibilities of Lord
John Russell's Cabinet arose from the inadequate nature
of this particular proposal at the present time, or whe-
ther any more permanent and insurmountable impedi-
ment to such an union subsists. But at present we
merely state the fact, as we believe it to be, that the at-
tempt to effect a partial improvement in the Ministry, by
the substitution of three or four new members for others
of the present Cabinet, who would retire, has not led to
any result.
It seems, therefore, to be the determination of Lord
John Russell and his colleagues to meet Parliament on
the 2d of February, if that be the day announced to us
by the proclamation of this evening, without any mate-
rial alteration in the composition of the Ministry; al-
though we suppose that neither the present Ministers
nor any of their adherents can look with much
confidence on the issue of such an undertaking.
If the Government was weak last session, it is
weaker now. If its authority over the Ministerial •
party was small and intermittent, that authority is
now likely to be assailed and divided by the hostility
of a former colleague and ally. If Lord John Russell
floated onwards last year, when no great or decisive dis-
play of power and judgment was required of him, will it
be the same when he has pledged himself to open the
question of Parliamentary Reform at home, and when
the most sudden and violent changes on the continent
may be directed against our foreign interests, or even
against the security of these islands? We have no dis-
position to underrate the public services which Lord
John Russell may render to the country in this emer-
gency. On the contrary, he has recently shown a deter-
mination to make his authority more distinctly felt in
the general policy of the Government; and perhaps no
man is at this time equally qualified, both as a Minister
and as a leader of the House of Commons, to maintain
the principles of progressive improvement vain
the legitimate sphere of the Constitution. But, in
the position in which he stands, and the country
stands with him, we look with anxiety to the prompti-
tude of his measures and the extent of his resolution.
Time, which it is often the object of statesmen to gain,
is now working against him; and it remains to be seen
whether that can be accomplished hereafter, under the
pressure of necessity, and after fresh defeats, which
might possibly be done at once by a vigorous and spon-
taneous effort.

The country may be disposed, as we shall be our-
selves, to give the Government credit for any measures
of salutary importance that may be announced upon the
opening of Parliament. Bat be those measures what
they may, it is a delusion to suppose that measures can
impart strength to a Government which has lost the
power to wield its weapons with efficiency. The Whig
Budget of 1841 was a memorable example of that delu-
sion, which recoiled upon its authors. The doctrines of
free trade, afterwards gradually and successfully applied
by Lord Melbourne's illustrious successor,were powerless
to prolong his own tenure of office; and the only effect of the
premature discussion of a scheme which the Cabinet of
that day could not carry was to render the ultimate tri-
umph of those measures more difficult, and their effect on
parties more mischievous. No greater offence can be
committed by a Minister than to let loose a force he
cannot guide, or to open a question he cannot hope to
terminate. It is for the Government to propose and
carry its measures, not for the blind momentum of parti-
cular measures to support the Government; and, before
Lord John Russell engages in new or arduous duties he
will do well faithfully to estimate and ascertain the
strength which he can bring to the discharge of them.
To act without such knowledge and conviction is to set
the tranquillity of the country and the (*oration of the
Ministry upon the cast of a die.
These and many other considerations arising out of
this subject all point to the same conclusion. It seems
vain to attempt, for it is already too late to effect, any
partial ameliorations in the structure of the Govern-
ment. It is equally vain to expect that the present
Administration should pass successfully through the
ordeal of another session; yet, in the event of
its defeat, we have an Opposition less than ever quali-
fied to take office, and Ministers more than ever disqua-
lified to return to it. Under such circumstances, the
only course which seems to offer a solution of the diffi-
culty, and to provide, as is most necessary, for the
dignity of the Crown, the efficiency of the public ser-
vice, and the safety of the nation, is the entire recon-
struction of the Government upon a broad and liberal
basis. It would be most desirable on all accounts to
sweep away and efface the shortcomings, the infirmities,
and the heart-burnings which necessarily accumulate
upon a Government of six years' standing ; to make
personal merit and actual services the only recognised
claim for a prolongation or renewal of power ; and to
include in this renovated Administration the most able
and popular representatives of all shades of opinion,
which concur in the leading principles of com-
mercial liberty and social reform. When Eng-
land fools th© want of a strong Government, she
does not appeal to the despotic authority of military
laws; but she has a right to demand the sacrifice of per-
power, or thrust aside her constitution, or forswear her
per-
sonal differences, and the patriotic union of those who
are not divided upon questions of vital import. We
know not whether Lord John Russell will rise to a true
sense of the highest duties of his office, and whether he
will choose the bold and manly course which might prove
his salvation; but we are confident that partial expe-
dients and narrow combinations within the circle of his
family connexions and his personal friends will not suffice
for the crisis now before him, and that the country asks
with amazement whether all British statesmanship has
we must be satisfied that they
played
dwindled to a small coterie. Before it can be affirmed
andsoughtcollected,
been
vernment has di aattr firmnessheadof
necessary to unite them.yed all the
The army will not be wanting
But, above all, since the strength.ff theof
promote, to direct, to command.
EGnegnleirshal be swif
and ready to act, to
Govern-
ments resides in their Parliaments, and in the last resort
general election,la
should takeap
in the nation, it is
sisuchtoof. paramount importance that the
which wo are rapidly approaching,
thosethn and hope.
an Administration that inspires
confidence To fight the electoral battle under
circumstancesn as the present slate of the Ministry
fightsa it under the greatest disadvantages, and
diminished
would b.e. ".rather increased
by the political passions con-
nected with a proposal for Parliamentary Reform. It
may still be time to anticipate these evils. The next
few weeks will decide whether Lord John Russell is pre-
pared to avert them, to encounter them, or to sink under
them; and the course he adopts in this interval will
show whether he be indeed one of those men of mark
who have gloriously governed the British empire, or a
mere Parliamentary leader raised by accident to the
highest office under the Crown.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
RAILWAYS OPENED IN 1851.

The following railways were opened in the year
1831:--Buckinghamshire, May 20, from Islip to Oxford,
4 miles; Cork and Bandon, November, from Ballinhas-
sig to Cork, 10 miles; Eastern Union, September (the
Trowse Extension to the Norfolk Railway), 16 miles;
Exeter and Creditor:, May, 54 miles; Great Northern,
August 1 (Shepreth Extension), 5i miles;
Gloucester
and Dean Forest, September 19, from Gloucester to
Grange Court, 12 miles; London, Brighton, and South
Coast (joint line at Hastings), 21- miles; Middles-
borough and Redcar, July 6 (branch to Eston), 2 wiles;
Midland Great Western of Ireland, August 1, from Mul-
linger to Galway, 76i miles; Newmarket, October 6,
Eastern, from Ashford to Hastings,South-
from Newmarket to Cambridge, 10 miles;
Tonbridge-wells to Robertsbridge, 27k18 miles,milesa; and from
19, from Grange Court to Chepstow,
Battle)—together, 42i- miles; South Wales, September
Barns;leYto'tBalm, 2i3le2sf;
Yorkshire, July 1, from Doncaster to
3 miles; Vale of Neatb,
HarbourStirling
o Tiiico Dunfermline,u, t r
yJr (3 3 (93b r amimsni
iiclernehs
siel (branches c too icohw, Allotsa nto
miles, September
of
w h2i3c,hNBe6ait hm toile
sAwbeerred are,
Irish,l
1424 miles English railways.
The French lines opened during the year 1851 were:—
The Paris and Strasbourg, May 27, from Vitry to Bar-
i°. Due, 19 miles; July, from Sarrebourg to Strasbourg,
54 miles; and from Metz to St. Avoid, 35 miles_o_
Letter. 108 miles; and the Tours end Nantes, July 1,
from Tours to Poictiers, 63 miles; total. 171 miles.

OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVER-
HAMPTON.
Mr. Bruners estimate for constructing this company's
prUpo;rd brauchts at Tipton, the approach to Stour-
proposed
sad the junciien at Welvc-rcut, including land
ip 16,000/., and the expense of the
gswinford and Dudley 56,0001, being
rtiteliiieC7len'xpense of the authorised line in lieu of
widubilrhild'ilt°:fitehsut siesuOgpiaelfoposed deviation s are made. The cost of
the extension to Wolvercot and now station at Oxford,
end the branch to join tie Buckinghamshire Railway
near Oxford, including laud and contingencies, is esti-
mated at 70,0001.

.dONSUMPTION OP TEA,—It appears from the
official tables of the Board of Trade, issued yesterday by
order of the House of Commons, that there has been an in-
crease in the quantities of tea entered for home consumption.
In the eleven months ended the sth December, 1849, the
quantity was 46,077,6391b5.; in 1850, 47,392,1731b5. ; and
in 1851,49,764,1931b5. There has been a decrease in the
quantities of wines and spirits entered for home consumption
1/1 the threa years mentioned.