The Sun.
London, England, 1852-08-04 00:00:00

WEDNESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 4, 1852

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE
AMENDMENT OF THE LAW.

tteereehs.etiasTihbujesetthe las', student would have an opportunity
bodies and i
this subjeae,t,dw
London,
tohfeceernna,eneirg and afberhwerds coruitinuing. !es studies
under fl.We prOtessors 0, in the ntrereities and is
justice,
and
porotauhenetthr:wees:ii
presence
fi
liesgalerihnialeklexaminationp advantagesTo phelprrut:htilacdite:itrthz:oes v,c
ie; a
:I:he ol
laws
wthus®
neinnsstrolfetcwo,u,rt could command. Whiie on
hothyfeumnievae isbtae
,evroys,f
knowledge of • - given at aseet,aeies' Institutions
.throw out the euggestion that in-
t e client
nr universal
saanlodifbr ;htoeshv:uoree.cfoPshuctet:aloh'ocimea"flea.and
lectures,
m uj
nut:,
iretyyire. which
e branches
l ro
ae fellow-esc
hat e,beurfsontoui
jolrn:ifdi csm:thmelolenra,
obey
rwelaastiobnros
attorney,them.
hglahettwbeeeranrathtehabsaorc,iettive
in a report which
which the f 1i was much eunsidered, and as to
()now
adopted:— ng resolutions were eventually
That any prac•iee ehi
the public from obtaining ch has a tendency to prevent
rept through the Compulsorycounselex-
should intervention of an attorney
e That so much of the
10th Victoria, c. 95, as 91st section of the Act 9th and
the causes of suitors
a barrister from advo-
catingrs in the county courts
unless
instructed by an attorne
The letter resolution lLshould be repealed."
Houses of Parliament, whischnow been adopted by both
extending the jurisdiction of by
a Bill
of
this
session for the
re-
pealed this clause of the forme county courts has
bar tocousider whether it aillr Act. It will be for the
act on the first of the
above resolutions, which it has
see fit, and should the occasion power to do, if it should
require it.
The other principal measures
which, either in the form of Bills or of law amendment
have been before Parliament and in that,,of reports,
the country
last annual meeting of our society, since the
of the Commissioners of the House have been the report
laws of partnership, and the bills for extendingefCommons on the
risdiction of the county courts, for the ju-
,amending the patent
laws, end for diminishing the
exp
under commissions de lunatico ieguiremses of proceedings
deration of these several measures this seciede. In the conei-
ty has taken
an active part, arid we may reasonably
experience that its labours will have expect from past
a beneficial effect in
determining the course of legislation.
Local administration of justice is now established, and
has been found of infinite practical
benefit,
council hope to see it gradually extendw extended as and your
ell to suits
of an equitable nature as to those of a
legal
and that in locel courts, at least, both character,
jurisdictions will
be amalgamated.
We should ale, call your attention to an effort that is
din the •tir* • •
in progress cot
exten g j tsdiction of the co t
courts in Scotland, the precursors of our own countyroving the procedure of sheriff's sups-
courts, and for imp
rior courts by introducing vial voce evidence, and making
other reforms."
We entirely concur in the propriety of these changes,
and we call on the law reformers of England to aid
their fellow-labourers in Scotland in effecting them. It
is only just to say, that among the "hole body of judges
of different degrees in the United Kingdom, we know of
noue_siore zealously or usefully employed, or more de.
genera aeesp ratifying
than th resident sheriffs of
serving of
Scotland. It ?mustb gratifying to e the society to In Beet
that %bile their president was mainly instrumental in
VI popuar county courts •
the no l in England,
introducing
another of their members (Lord Murray), now one of :he
Lords of Session, brought forward the Bill for establish-
ing these courts under the name of Small Debt Courts
in Scotland.
The proposed reforms of these courts would also bo
steps towards assimilating the law of the iwo countries—
an object your council have mh at heart, and on which
they base already bestowed mucuch attention.
Since our last general meeting the important Act for
admitting the evidence of parties in suits in the supe-
rior courts, which originated in a report of this society,
has come into operation. At first, as might have been
t,ratiee wag followed by
expected, the al some cases of
perjury; but we doubt whether in a single instance the
fraud was successful; and we are happy to say that tes-
timony has been borne in favour of this Act by many of
the judges of the superior courts, some of them
in their
places in Parliament, M addition to the evidence re-
cently
given at the request of this society by the judges
of the cuuuty Courts.
The chief subjects in which our society has taken
part, in which no movement has been made during the
last year, are the laws of debtor and creditor, of divorce,
and those relating to deceased persons estates. But al-
though there may be some matters in which little pro-
gress is making, the general cause of the amendment of
the law was never in so promising a state before. Hap-
pily law reform is beyond the region of party politics,
and we therefore can count within our ranks distin-
guished men belonging to all the present divisions of
the State, whose opinions on many other subjects are at
variance. At the beginning of the session the Speech
from the Throne, expressing. of coarse, the views of the
party then in power, recommended the emertdment of
the law; and scarcely was another party installed in
office tan it announced law reform as one of the prin-
cipal features of its policy.
Under such favourable circumstances every measure
of law amendment on which there is a general agreement
of opinion should be pressed forward for immediate
enactment.
To turn to full account the present opportunity the
powers of law reformers must be gathered and conct,n-
trated. The organiz Aion of the Law Amendment So-
ciety affords the means of examining and bringing for-
ward any measure of legal improvement, and the names
of its members, not to speak of its past acts, present, we
trust, a sufficient guarantee for the work being don
efficiently., Such being the ca,e, it seems quite un-
necessary and a loss of strength to have separate so-
cieties fur isolated objects.

'I he chits übj, eta that hive occupied the atiseoion
NINTiI ANNUAL ItEletsit OF THE COUNCIL.of the seeiety durttee the past year have been the ree
tee -
vel of the chitieetion between the procedure of th
tioe of the M.isteri, tact-, involving its
c ,urls of' law end f, quiry in this couetr) ; the seem:4;l;lc:
tion ; the 6;
of eopytiolds; the situp!' cR -
lion of the Its/1,74r sf land; the relations between the h_rt;
the attorney, and the client; and the estabilshmente.l
liw school, with a prevision for an effective examination
before granting a law degree on admission to the bar.
Oa the first subject—the fusion of law:and equity—our
sewed a third report. not only
special committee on law and equity procedare have pre-,
gradual aboli-
tion;
measures for the ire media.° adoption of the L,Sisiwerf''
but giv"ng the outlines of a cod, by means of which this
great change might be effected.
Th© sub7equeut appear:ince of the first report of the
Chancery Commissioners, and the introduction of the
Bills founded upsn it, have afforded us the gretificetion
of seeing not only vii,ws, but in some cased the very'
We therefore trust that in procedure
words of our reports and resolutions proposed for the
sanction of Parliament under the high, at auspices.
We severe,
at least, as
eventually we hope in all other respects, law and equity
will soon be wholly united.
On this subject we refer with pleasure to the second
visit which our society receiv.,d last autumn from its
distinguished member, Mr. David Dudley Field, of
New York, and to the additional evidence which he has
supplied (and which has since been increased by a oore' municatioa from the State of Missouri) of the satisfac-
tory werking of the conjoined courts of law and equity
in America. Your council have no wish to hasten
prematurely a change so extensive and important as
this. They have only to
'xPress their conviction that
it is as practicable and advisable in this country as it
has by
ci
yteexpSetraiteens of ad-
visablecetoAbweeprriacc3t.icabTlehaeynd
wil-
lingly
c i
pt. as au instalment of justice the following
opinion of the Chancery Commissioners in their first
beenn provedptthe
u n
report, defied as it i 3 by three equity judges, one
common law judge, and several eminent counsel, and
stet* smen not of the legal profession:
o We bave arrived at the conclusion that, without
aboliehieg the distinction between law and equity, or
practical and eft', ctual remedy for many of the
blending the courts in.() one court of universal jurisdic-
question may be found in such a transfer or
et ivoinl
ian
blending of juti.cliction, coupled with such other practi-
cal amendments, as will render each court competent to
administer complete justice in the cases which fall under
its cognizance.
may be conferred upon courts of law,
e ove allele that the jurisdiction now exercised by
thecie jurisdiction now exercised by courts of law
m
conferred
upon courts of equity, to such an ex-
tent as bhstrttas' that
f
tto render both courts competent to administer
entire justice without parties in the one court being
onligeti to resort to the aid of the other."
These are valuable admissions, and are surely suf-
ficient jus'itleation to this society hit. introducing the
great question of a fusion of law and equity in this
cuuntre to the notice of the Legislature and the public.
A Bill has been since brought in to effect the altera-
tions proposed by the Commissioners, and both in its
provisions and in the debates respecting them in Par-
liarnr nt the principle of a fusion of jurisdictions had re-
ceived great support. It wes indeed, generally admitted
that its accomplishment in effect, it' not in name, is
not far distant. By this measure also several improve-
ments suggested and recommended by this society as to
the printing of legal proceedings, and the introduction
of viva voce evidence into courts of equity, will be-
come, 1 iw.
With respect also to the office of Master in Chancery,
we have to congratulate the society on the introduction
by the Lord Chancellor of a Bill containing pro-
visions almost identical with those which our equity
committee have recommended, and in execution
of the plan reported by the Chancery Com-
missioners, and fully adopted by the late Govern-
ment, which issued the commission. This measure
will prevent the delay now arising from proceedings
commenced before a Judge being referred either in
whele or in part to the Master. On the 12th day of
January last a resolution was carried at a meeting of
this society recommending this change, and the gradual
abolition of the office of Master in Chancery, and we can
only express a hope that its doom is sealed, and that a
procedure so mischievous both in theory and practice is
practically swept away. Although a specific resolution
for the abolition of the Masters' office was only come to
by the society en the 12th of January. yet the proposi-
tion for the abolition of the Masters' office, and•the com-
pletion of the whole business in a suit by the Judge,
has been for many years before the society, where it
Was gradually advanced in favour, and has at length
proved triumphant. It is right also to say that it was
much considered and much evidence adduced upon it in
a Committee of the House of Lords, which sat last sum-
mer, and reported the opinions as well as the other evi-
dence of witnesses in its favour.
A Bill for the improvement of the procedure of the
common law courts has also passed through most of its
stages. It rests on the authority of the Common Law
commissioners, and hes received high professional sane-
fiat). This Bid doubtless contains many important and
useful provisions, but your council are desirous of stat-
ing their opinion that the remedies proposed leave many
of the evils in the procedure of the superior courts of
common law still existing, and that until these are re-
medied the county courts wilt be preferred by the suitor,
who will demand, and with justice, the extension of their
jurisdiction. Considering the loeg period allowed for the
preparation of this Bill, the high authorities under whose
sanction it was introduced, tiled the many revisions it has
undergone, it was riot unreasonable to expect
something
complete in conception and careful in execution. Some
partial improvements have been made, but ttte leading
principle—the abolition of forms of action—
hat; been an-
critic d. The Bill may be allowed to be a slight iniproyer:
went, but not a permanent settlement of
common. la
procedure. There is, moreover, a very serious defect in
the execution, which will be the certain cause of endless
disputes and enormous expense. In order to save a few
weeks' labour to the draughtsman it is left quite uneer
tido which of the innumerable statutes appi) lug to IN?'
cedure are repealed, and which are still in force. The
old rules of court are also left in the same position. In
order to understand the new system the practitioner
must muster the old, and then, after careful comparison,
qualify the enactment by introducing into its congtril-
tton all those principles which it does not abrogate by
necessary implication. The amount of expense, uncer-
tainty, and vexation thus introduced is incalculable. Tb
present system, faulty as it is, is at any rate well under-
stood. It is distressing to contemplate how much money
must be spent in clearing up mere points of forte before
the new one can be placed in an
equally satisfactory
position. These considerations become
yet more imPOI
taut when it is remembered that this new code is
in-
tended to enter into competition with the county courts,
in which the litigant is not called upon to expend °lO
farthing for any purpose except the very merits of the
suit.

Since the last general meeting 44 new members have
been admitted, making the present number 340, and the
balance of income and expenditure, instead of being
against the society, as it was last year, is now in its
favour. Still, the exertions of the society are crippled
for want of larger funds, and its potency diminished by
the want of a greater body of associates.
With a larger income two important objects at least
might be attained—the formation of a good library of
reference and news-room, with some of the social advan-
tages of a modern club, and the engagement of a paid
asoastant secretary, to be in daily attendance at the
rooms, and qualified to give aid to Members of Parlia-
ment and others who might want information on ques-
tions of contemplated legal changes.
A freer use of the power of printing would also be
of much service, and would much facilitate the proceed-
jugs of our committees.
To supply these and other deficiencies we call on
our fellow-members each to exert himself in his own
sphere to make known the objects of the society, and to
obtain for it recruits who sympathise in those objects,
and who by their personal efforts and pecuniary contri-
butions, or, yet better, by both combined, will aid in
their attainment. Especially we would call on the lay
members of our society to endeavour to increase the
number of those who do not belong to the profession.
The combination in due proportion of the two ele-
ments of professional and non-professional members is
most desirable, and would, we are convinced, produce a
result far better than can be attained by either class at-
tempting to act alone.
_ _

Our fears may be unfounded, but there is some
ground to apprehend that the new element of "Peptise
.
and uncertain'y thus introduced without any cent-spoil h
ing noneltorwion, together with the references whiche
may be made to the court, amounting to es Talli Y a-'
three and forty in a single sui,, wilt finally decide I❑
and local judicature.
favour of the county
Th:) present state of the ecclesiastical courts loudly
calls for largo alteration and amendment, and your
council have made a reference on this subject to a com-
mittee. Courts the qutstion between central

To the honour of the legal profession its memly,rs
have come forward in the cause of law reform in a body,
powerful alike by number and by position; but while we
count many honoured names among our lay members the
whole number of such members is but smell. _ _

As a means of extending a knowledge of oar society's.
proceedings, we recommend that the annual reports of
the council should be wide y ciiculated, and we advise
that the council should be empowered to adopt such
arrangements as they may deem expedient for establish-
ing a connexion between the sociery and such town-
councils, chimbers of commerce, justices at quarter-
s-ssions, and other bodied unconnected with party po-
litics as may be desirons of entering into relationship
with it.

Your council have witnessed
the - •
introduction of a Bid this session compulsory
entranchisercent of copy holds
to the lord
as to the tenant power to' tfeimvinugda6suwch enfranchise'
y considered, and your councwili't
enfranchise-
ment. This all, after pas•ing througha the 110tiae of
u Daimons wiqiout opposita a Soleot
Cow •• ", was referred to
matte° of the House of Lords by whom it was "re--
full
fits from tho adoption of a raea %tab there is
sure as to w . , is cal.
so general a concurrence of
cultmed to remove opinion, and vrhlcl3
Of
the l a great obstacle to the cultivation
and and to the erection of-buildings. A elaborate
raliort on this •
by
ne of
subject was lately present" '''" •
Yuur cum • .
mit!eei, which gave rise to much interes!ing
discussion. IL Wds received , and elicited
a resolution ffi' . oy the society,
alsory en-
frsoch• a ming chi, advantage of a ecniP- h„
isement of copy holds. Here also this society
tu to
endeavoureddiscuss
to act ns a pioneer to the 1-49gi'llt •Tei; to
flloss the legal difficulties of the subject with
6 'Tsileature
ruttascertain the true principle on which the Legl efforts
of y properly and safely proceed; and again the
the society have been succestful.of
With the subjectof •Connected that
the transfer. copyholds is its inci-
of land,
dent the copyhold tenure a ,
g D vy tax
on i frequently imposing, as is well Iteaw-' - eag
' 11
itssuch transfer. On this subject, so import:an
tua a
.e bearings, one of your commistee—'the commit
.e,. on
the law of property_h. submitted. to the society a
Paper in which a former recommendation . ~.... of the same
ormer recommendetw"
committee for
assimilating the transfer of and to that
oft .stock has been egainhrought before the society. If
who would be
his can be effi-cted, it is difficult to eV
most benefited, the' owners of land by the increase of the
at large by the
valuel. of their property, or the people
afro •g motive winch g of possessing land
the prospect
would tifford • -
nainationi,
for ;greater frugality. proposed in
the
Your council consider that the Plan
are lo,c tiling deserving of the utmost
paper just mentioned is not only
atteuli'm, but, as coming from au eminent and. expe-
tbat this difficult
rienced solicitor, affords great hope
and most ii_sp„,.,„, qu stin may be solved, and may be
conducted to a prat; i".•1 arid satiotaetory result..
coun;citlheclatneotbatconsidermode towards the Ludo real progress-bas yet been
establishment of a good law school, with effdetiv,e exa-
ink.ntiont,d in the re-
port ealaievse
ot of the necessitynns of oo fur
trust, that both the profession and the public at large
such a Provision, and that the h
:he
hee"`niag more aware of the scrious,,responsibility
wore end more
‘.n which rests upon them in this respect. 'r e are glad to
n d the sch;e.er
port of the Commissioners oppouited to inquire into the
state 01 the revenues of the University of Oxford, and
are ;
"'"ed at seeing the opinion of this si,ciety ad-
aced in support of it proposal by the Commissioners to
apply. a portion of the /and, of die university to itnuart...
of le al education
'"g a knowledge of the laws of the country. vvv_ ' hope.
to see
~ '
‘ue suno recommendation in the report on the
University of Cambrid,e, and that in the course of a
lean Years there will be at each of these seats of learning
nu cffieiPnt law school.
Still or a i believe
the store your council hope an .. that from
Pr.-sent inns of court w 11 at length arise a complete
and sat.
isfactory law university, endowed with the funds
originallyun Vested in those societies for legal education,
of t which, Cannot be he'ter devoted than to the purpose
'athing th,, 1,‘„,,. Nor can your council entertain a
doubt
that it the benehers do not so apply these funds,
their Proper application will be enforced by the Legibla-
recommendationsaahnsti, anticipate
tupuhffica,ht.
c i
inns
eg satisfactionri
great
a;(t)' 111 ii)ueBn(t ,tiwx.
we

The interest in the objects of our society which our I
treasurer found to exist in different parts of Scotland,
which he visited last autumn, is evidence of a wide-
spread feeling of sympsthy and concurrence of opinion,
which under good arrangement may serve to create for
us powerful auxiliaries. Such a connexion as we have
referred to would, we believe, be mutually advantageous;
and among other benefits to our society—benefits which
would ultimately be partaken in by those who conferred
them—would be increased means of collecting informa-
tion on the actual working of our laws, and practical
suegesiions for their improvement.
Your council have shown that this society has assisted
in the settlement of several questions of the most diffi-
cult and complicated nature—the Court of Chancery, the
Musters' office, the procedure of the superior and county
courts, the enfranchisement of copyholds, and the trans-
fer of land. It will be the duty of this society to watch
over all these alterationas and the new state of things in-
troduced by them, and thus to obtain the speedy, cheap,
and sati4actory administration of justice for all classes
of the cummunity.
But the society has also a still higher duty, which is,
if possible, to obviate the necessity of law-snits, or, at
all events, to diminish their number. Under any
much
ycuicrh
a -
cumances a law. suit must often be productive o
expense, anxiety, and distress. Prevention is better
than cure, and if the law were presented to the public in
a more intelligible and accessible form many law-suits
which are now rendered necessary from the present ill-
declared state of the law would be prevented.

It is needless to remind the society that the rules re-
ladrig to the law in this country are scattered through
1,000 volumes, and that it is thus difficult for the prac-
titioner, and often impossible for the unproiesaiunal
man, to ascertain the exact state of the law.
The council, therefore, urge on the society that it
cannot better employ its influence and exertions than
in attempting song remeoly fur this state of things.
This is to be found in a comprelvmsive digest. conso-
lidation, and codification of the while of the statute and
common law. A pert (if this, the criminal law, has al-
ready been effected, and only wants the final stroke to
complete it. But the whole of the other branches of thee
atainte taw, and the whole of the other branches of.ot
common law, in accordance with the recommonch!tjng
be,
of the learned Criminal Law Commissioners, f it
subjected to this process; and it there be talFrghar:the
which more calls for it than another it i 8 e
h a already
commercial law, as to which some wp3 has been
indteres 6
been taken, and as to whi::l4 a great in England
expressed as well in Scotland and Iro3:_dameetings•
by many important commercial bodiebs.:
fain which all our
Hero then is a worthy chj,et,
idic:o devoted. Nor do
exertions are required and ab?e' the other subjects
the council believe that, considor the society diving the
already successfully dealt with Y
course of its nine years' mist loved as on former ()cu.
firbion, if the same zeal.
•
boldness, and judgment be
.. • _ •,3
sions,jia exertions will

Se 9 Scotch County Court'' watia and Ritchie, Edinburgh,

out any flat part, as in small rifled arms. The rifled
mortar weighs upwards (.f 114 cwt.

NAVAL IN TELLIGENCE.
THE NEW RNAR-A.DaIIRAL.
The Commatelessin-Caiet of the coest of Africa Oa-
--
tion, now Rear-Admiral Bruce, who has attained hi.; flag SPIRIT of tie I' Ulale IC JOURNALS.
by the death of Sir T. W. Ineaug, at present as c sae- 'a a= TIMES.-It is said to have been a practice with Ens-
dore of the first ch.se enjoys all the pritilesse, of his terii po•eutates, wlsen they wished to effect the ruin of
new era& ses ee presume that lase lesar-Admiral any. particularf man, to make h m a present of an elr-
Psnshaese, (t.B , his predreessor, who aho succeehtsdwitirli ' t.,paet-i the animal were white so much the better.
hi; flig wnlist esnernanding in chief on the coast,
neThere was no getting rid of the honourable encumbrance.
pient of the gift and his family might
continue in the commsnd, with the hue et the min .n ;
be re-
instead of a red pend.." R,ar.Atiestral Bruce has seen .
folly would
their last grain of rice; or, as the Duke of Nor-
seine dashing service since he entered the navy, as will
be seen by the following epitome of his career, to which but thewo!" :ay,
to their last pinch of curry-powder;
'to
interesting animal must have his four meals
and his various attendants to take him on his air-
w add that he came-needed the Qaeen, 116, for a a day,
maye and that since he has been on the coast of
him,
in
fact, shampoo him, to small-tooth-comb him, to do
promntealelletphhonsne t
ine countless
comfort.
Africa, the sanguinary affair at Lagos, for which the e
little
Conceiveservices
th whichnfe
eli n
gso
s
most niggardly promotion was given, took place under much
of the wretched Indian as he gazed upon the vast crea-
Henryhis direetion,
passi,n iinterhior all his earthly possessions were by
William Bruce, born Feb. 2, 1792, is third tare into whoa( '
• ?Eliseo of tit-bits such as might be
and, oily surviving Con of the hue Rev. Sir Henry degrees
Sgu!ltnaat's gar. There was, however, no escape
Hervey Aston Bruce, Bart., by Letitia, daughter of offered to the
the late Rev. Dr. flenry Bernard, granddaughter of -ruin was a mere
Prince
ehaht that elephant was in the
questionsn of time-at all events, the
Wiliiena Barnard. Bishop or Dsrry, and mice of animal must lee fed.
Thomas Barnard, Bishop of Litueriek. Ile is uncle of hands of the Eastern Pl' t e office of " sheriff" is at
This this moment to a citizenof
the present Sir Henry llervee Bruce,
would have done-they can't
London. They can't ostra-
officer entered the navy towards the close of 1803. a 3 a vise him, as the Athenians
Bart.
boy, on board the Euryeluss 36, Captain Hon. Henry have him shot from behind a stone d
131ackwood, and on Oct. 21, 1805, vests present cs mid- is with deliberative assembles of -
I ryi
skhe,
133 a s the practice
shipman, at the beta) ef Trafalgee. In 1806 he him to be stilettoed or poisoned, as was lohn-nor cause
joined the Ajax, 74, commanded by the same officer, Sterne and Borcias-but they can " make"
way of the
end, on her dcstructise whichn by fire off the Dardanelles, Feb. They can force him to accept an offic him Sheriff'
will inter-
-14.
1807, became attached to the Endymion, 40, Captain fern with the necessities of his business, with
h•
is ordi-
HotelTnoccas Capel, part of Sir John Thos. Duckworth's nary avocations, with his comfort, and his
peace of mind.
force at the passage of those shag
s. After further as- They can compel him, under heavy pecuniary penalties, *
Meting at the embarkation of Sir John Moore's army at to take upon himself duties which may be most distaste-
Corunna, in January, 18u9, Mr. Bruce rejoined Captain ful to his feelings as well as damaging to his fortunes .
Blackwood in the Warepite, 74, stationed in the North If once nominated, however reluctant a candidate he
Sea, and on Jan. 5, 1810, he was promoted front the may be known to be, there is no escape from the &brie,-
&Alone, 74, Captain John Erskine Douglas, into the alty or the payment of 4001. In point of tact, it is idle
Prospero, sloop, Captain John Hardy Gody, from which to enlarge upon the disagreeable nature of the office;
he was, however, removed on the 17th of the same for there are plenty of men forthcoming who are
month to the Belvidere, 36, Captain Richard Byron. willing to accept that as an honour which others
While in that sbip he in part commanded her boats, in are as anxious to avoid as a painful responsibility and a
conjunction with those of the Nemesis, 28, at the very serious lose. It is this consideration which renders the
gallant capture, off the coast of Norway, of 2 Denise conduct of the citizens more preposterous. Granted,
gun-vessels, the Bolder rind Thor, of 8 guns and 45 men that some person must needs serve the office of sheriff,
each, and destruction of a third, July 23, 1510; obtained Granted, that the office should only be intrusted to per-
the r Sael notice of his captain fur his skilful manage- sons of station and respectability; but, when it is matter
naent of the Belvidera's main deck stern-chasers, when of uotority that there is an abundance of persons, both
she
ably escaped, after a long rcnnit.• fight, and a loss of good station and high respectability, who are willing
of 2 men
killede and 22 wounded, from powerful Anaeri- to discharge the duties of thesnrievalt why should the
can squadron under Commodore Rodgers,- June 23, 1812, citizens go out of their way to select thosei very persons
a
on winch
occasion
he was himself slightly wounded; who ate most reluctant to undertake it? Even under
again served in the boats with those of squadron cur new Militia! Bill we are and
ose a • to try the bounty first,
under Lieut. Kelly Nazar, at the boarding and cap ure, fall back upon the hellcat afterwards. One volunteer is
on Feb. 8, 1813, after a most ob- • resistance, of the worth twenty pressed men,-wry, y then, press the twenty
American letter-of-marque Lotter
er of six 12-pounder and kick the volunteer out of doors? Why, without
carronades and 28 men-an exploit, • ledged by the especial which was acknow- any colourable pretext, or shadow of necessity, drag that
chief; and !I-inks of the commander-in- which should be a dignity through the mud? Whenever
the privateers subsequentlyßunkers atded in taking and destroying we find any paucity of willing candidates-whenever
Mars, of 15 guns and 70 Hill,
of 7 guns and 72 men, and duties which obviously must be discharged by somebody
advanced to the commandmeonithe Manly
Bruce, who was are neglected by everybody, it will be time enough to
1814, next, in August of that Manly brig, May 27, visit the recalcitrants with fine and indignity- As yet
Admiral Cockburn up thea;year, accompanied Rear- no such necessity Ins occurred; but, still the practice is
ham, and, on the return of the unl;i9t as
far
as
N°lting- to elect the unwilling, and to let the willing go free. The
ington, there hoisted the fla of that
army from Wash- fact is that the annual election of sheriffs to serve for
ribose acknowledgments for flog tat gallant officer, London and Middlesex has degenerated into a pretext
honour, with others, to receive. serviceslas he had the for the most paltry extortion. There is no expectation
ing the Manly was employed up the Paetptember follow- that the unwilling nominees will serve, but there is a
ing the advance of Major-General Rossaposntoir3inver dur- certainty that they will be compelled to pay 4001. into
W soon afterwards find Captain Bruce returninglt!more. the hands of the City Treasurer. The nature of the
England with dispatches in the Rover sloop, slon tol proceeding appears to be somewhat as follows. Under
paid off in S>ptember, 1815, successively employed in theh Common Council Act of 1748 the Lord Mayor has
escorting the outward-bound East India trade to the notte privilege of putting in nomination a number of names,
southward of the equator, in convoying home a fleet of onseaeeding nine, of persons for election by the livery
merchantmen from Berbadoes, and cruising off Dieppe City took Midsummer-day. If the Chief Mai trace for the
for the purpose of intercepting Napoleon Bonaparte, plied by the elan ordinary
Pains-us much pains as may be im-
should occasion offer. On March 16, 1821, he was ape penny post-there would of
two lines in writing by the
pointed to the Sappho sloop, and, being the senior corn- in such an
arrangement,
be nothing very unreasonable
mender on the Cork station at the time of George IV. 's even this slight gement. The proof, however, that
degree of trouble is not taken, may
visit to Ireland, was promoted to post rank, by commis- be gathered from the proceedings dated Nov. 16 in the same year. He subsequently, lion. On that occasion, two gentlemeninga of the recent elec.
Gris-
from Oct. 4, 1823, until April 3, 1824, officiated as flag- sell and Moore, were put in
unmina Messrs.
captain in the Britannia, 120, to the Hon. Sir Alexander Hooper, who was acting as deputy for
nomination by Alderman
Inglis Cochrane, commander-in-chid: at Plymouth ; under a mistaken impression that they wereeLord Mayor,
commanded the Imogene, 26, on the South American serve. It is not our wish to make out any willing to
st'ttion, from June 7, 1836, until paid off at the close of Alderman Hooper, for he has since done all casetha agayinst
1839; and, on Feb. 1, 1842, was selected by his brother- his power to repair the consequences of his errlo le-
in
in-law, Sir Thomas John Cochrane, to be his flag- doubt he acted just in the same way that others. have
captain in the Agincourt, 7e, on the East India station. done before him, and the consequence was, that the two
Captain Bruce married, first, Feb. 9, 1822, Jane, second unlucky nominees were elected. What takes place upon
daughter of Admiral Hon. Sir Alexander Inglis Cech- sucn an occasion may, perhaps, best be gathered from
rane, sister of Rear Admiral Sir Thomas John Cochrane, the description given a few days back by two Common
and sister-in-law of Rear Admiral Sir Edward Thomas Councilmen. " I was at the Common Hall the other
Trowbridge, Bart., by whom, who died June 22, 1830, day," said Mr. Dakin, " when twe gentlemen were re-
he has issue two sons and two daughters. He espoused, turned by the Livery, and I never witnessed so mon-
secondly, March 13, 1832, Mary Aliochia, youngest strous and complete a farce. I saw a party heading
daughter of the late Colonel George Dalrymple, and by and directing a number of persons who acted under his
that lady be also has issue. control, no doubt upon an understanding with
THE SAFETY or THE HARPY,-We are glad to find other parties, and caring nothing whatever about the
' that the Harpy has been heard of at Fayal, which place dignity of the office, and I saw the persons who had
she had reached in great distress, from Rio, with inva- thus been marshalled make the return in conformity
lids, bound to Englaud. The Harpy is one of the " nee with the arrangements by which other persons were fa-
torious half-dozen" iron squadron, and one of a class voured with exemption." Mr. Deputy Lott, who fol-
that has been reported Officially to bo unfit and unsafe lowed this speaker, backed up his statements in every
for a sea voyage. We are not at all surprised to hear of particular, and declared that be had never witnessed
disasters befalling any of the half-dozen, and alter the more " disgraceful jobbery where all was jobbery." He
repeated warnings the Admiralty have bad, officially had seen " hundreds of dirty. hands held up for the re-
end otherwise, they incur a fearful responsibility in turn of a junior alderman, in order to free the senior
trusting them at sea. The Harpy has been on the south- alderman, who had particular raasona for knowing the
east coast of South America for some years, and customers, from the obligation to serve." Despite of all
was one of the squadron engaged iu the Parana. She is these declarations, and despite of a motion made before
badly designed, and is incapable of carrying her intended the Court of Aldermen, the two unfortunate nominees
weights. She is very much overpowered with mschi- have been compelled to pay the fines, which they have
nerv. She is under 350 tons, and Net she lass engines done under protest, and the fines have been maintained.
of 200-horse power. She is one of the disgraceful Navy- A report will be found in another portion of our
office blunders.-herald.. columns this day which affords ample proof that per-
MALTA, June 27.-For the last few days we have sons of respectability and station in the City are forth,
been anxiously looking for the Indian mail, and as the coming who are eager to solicit that very office which
Medina did not appear, apprehensions of accident were others so strenuously repudiate. Why then this silly
generally entertained. The French steamer Loughor, degradation of what should be an honourable poet? The
however, has just arrived, and by her we learn that the remedy in a case of this hind is so very simple and ob-
mails had not yet reached Suez, although the East India eious that one is ashamed even to offer a suggestion. We
Company's steamer Victoria, from Aden, had arrived presume there can be only two objects in view; the first
OD the 20th.
that fit and propr eersons should be chosen as sheriffs;
On Sunday laet the Prince Ferdinand° Maximilian, the second, that their choice should received the assent
d approbation of the citizens. It is only necessary
arrived • •
brother of tint Emperor of Austria, hero in the an
shouldcertify • "'
. wiling candidates
Volta steam-frigate, from Malaga and Algiers, and lett that
L d Mayer, estl3--
as it is said. lie is a nese to the ur ape-, or to any other City owner
us again last night for Naples,
and earnestly dwho should propose the names for the approbation'
. entreate _
very unassuming young lhan,aslant on his arrival of the citizens. Nothing more is wanting if willing
that all the official ceremonies attendant
he visited all candidates are forthcoming. On the other hand, if
his short stay.
might be waived. During 'when the chain
notice, and amused him- the time shouldever errive
tee places he thought worthy of . .
gaudy appendages of this high of a numismati- other
self in his apparently favourite pursuit
ciao, addin several coins to
• his store, and more espe- have lost their attraction, and if the office is universally
g
He would not be felt to be a thing which must be avoided at all hazards,
chilly the coins of the olden day'
Inot even freoem. then it would tee a most scandalous . oppression to force it
compo.nied by any one in his rambles,
enjoyingabsolute upon this or that obnoxious individual merely arbitrio
the Consulate, being desirous of
popularis auroe.a;! If the duty is freedom, so detestable, let,. it be
who is slowly recover- compulsory on all in taHis Excellency the Governor,
to the Prince, son to ro, or, still better, let some per-
ing, was too unwell to pay any attention discharge the disagreeable responsibli
ties of an odious office. We do 1 -
had he been disposed to accept it. not, however, think that
• tion of the 22d inst., this contingency has as
With reference to my communication yet occurred. As the report of
Tripoli of the arrival ibis thy proves, many
news has reached this place from persons covet the distinction; it
the French- is, '
tneretore, a mere scan
dal to make the election for
given up, the Ad- the ehrievelt an • • men still ret dned by the Pacha were
hostility. y exause fur extorting
money. The
miral had threatened to proceed to acts of The practice is most dishonest, and discreditable in the
Yachts is resolute, and when the mail left pertinaciou-Iy highest degree to the citizens or Ln • erten.
refused to give up the men.
PORTSaionTH, TUESDAY.-The Edinburgh, 56, Cept.
Chad:, C. 13. (screw gunnery ship), returned into tido
harbour from her Channel cruise this afternoon. She
returned to Spitheed yesterday. Since she loft Queens-
town, last Wednesday, she has been at sea, meeceavring,
drilling, and exercoing her crew in gunro ry. she has
proved, under steam, sail, and steams and sail, a most
efficient vessel, realizing, under certain circumstances,
upwards of 10 knots per hour. On coming up to Spit.
head she dressed ship, manned yards, and saluted the
royal standard as rho passed Osborne.
The Fairy, Res al yacht, Cummander Crispin, em-
barked the Queen and Court last evening, about halt-
past five, from Osborne, and steatned with them round
the squadron at Spithead, which dressed ship, tend
manned rigging and balwarks as the Sovereign passed.
No gunpowder compliments were paid, her Meiony
having countermanded the salute.
The Royal yacht Victoria and Albert returned to
Cowes yesterday, after coaling in this harbour fur the
Antwerp trip.
The Fire Queen seam yacht has been regularly
put
in commission by Mr. Paul. master, but when
on particular set vice a lieu errant ail' emPl"Yed
command her, read
at present she is command, d by Lieutenant
the Victory (the S,nior Lieutenant ;,l 'a Mason'
of
0, to attend
upon her Imperial Highness the Grand. Duchess
Cathe-
rine of Russia, now in the Isle fW •
° Wight.
The new steam-frigate Furious, 16
1,266 tons, designed and built by mr, 400-horse power,
master-shipwright of this dockyard,. Fincham, the Wet,
harbour to. day to make her firt . was taken oat et'
mile in Stokes'-bay. Henderson
at the'e .mßea d
Captain corn-
mending the steam squadron in ordeinsaerniat this Port;
and
Captain Warden, of the steam department afloag;
• ment
Mr. Hughes, of the Surveyor of the Navy's depart.
per
at Sc.imerset-house and Mr. Murray, the chief 17,11.;:rva
of this dockyard, and staff, went out in her tcPolations,
and report upon her qualities. She made " r" cir"
and averaged 10.12.6 knots, under the unfavourable..
ot trial. All
cunestances of violent winds the whole time..
her sea stores and provisions were on loa_srilsos morn-
The
Tiger, 16, Captain Giffard, beat
ing, and will go to Spitbead to-tat:6%7
eander Weolrige,
The Inflexible, 6, steam-sloe on
Thursday, and her
will be paid wages to EiX months
. _no.
crew will be granted leave of Et .
tbis morning from the
The Cornelius Grinnell arrived
eer ea The sentence of the
Thames.
AitTILL.- '
ROYAL "ifARINE l upon First-Lieutenant Henry
general court-marts on a charge of having b en
Watson Hall, of t„holy dressed when on duty as efficer
drunk and ianfr°,lbamberland on the let ult., has this
of the day nu
day` He is sentenced to be cashiered. I
day been plena eepoesreteNTs.
hs., Ana. 3-Surgeon John Davidson, M D.
wool:Io 1,7
ourgeon-Superintendcht of the Lord Auck-
(lB4s), tvet.shi_.
land "e I as Flennell and W M Ch am
am era, have been
je. Thom
...at as third class.as:istant eeninesrs, end pieced on
the books of the I.4.egieleitne steena-frigste, Capon Ora es
haul Ramsay, in charge of the advance scriedron et war
steamers.
The Julius stesm-sloop, Commander Powell, recently
areivt d et W.eilwich, from GiOreltar, is to be paid off at
this tort on Fader nr xt.
RIFLED MORTAR -A large piece of ordnance, of --n
petit-, le new con toucan!), has just bsen finish
he
et the
R ,ytil Arsenal, and will shortly be cenveytd to Shoe
buryneee to try experiments with it of that long range-.
Some idea may be formed of the strength of the mortar
when
two inched it is stated that it is thirty- in diameter,
and has thirteen inches of solid mend round the bore,
which is only eight inches in diameter, and from its
great depth, compared with other inertars, it is probe-
oly intended for firing solid shot or shells of the o lon-
gated or eugarloef shape, had smaller to the Minis nails.
The grooves in the mortar are only two, pieced hori-
vntaily opposite each oth t-. Ontl Of an oral shape, with-

- - _ ,
VICTORIA LONDON DOCK.
Yesterday the ordinary half-yearly meeting of the
above company Was held at the offices of Messrs.
Butchell and Parson, 47, Parliament-street, West-
tniuqer.

SAMUEL M. PET,,, Esq., having been elected to the
chair, edited upot, Mr. Smith, the secretary, toer
report
the notice convening the meeting, and also the
formationrp
of the diree'ors, which states that ince tih,:
of the cemputiy, which ham for i
ment of a commodious cock north ?to
Woolwich,
the immediate neighbourboxl of North
Aged in negotia-
tions directors bad been aciivplYa 'vli'egw to strengthen-
tions with various parties with
its obje.ctt the
Tnesstntaebei7ishi;
in, it upon such a basis as
ing the company, and placing
to insure the carrying
of
until there was a reasonable
would not be commenceol the undertaking, which
would be continued, and
assurance that thef
completed. Mr. Bidder,
the engineer of the company,docks,
having matured his plans
end works intended in the first
speedily and satisfactorily
of the proposed dno6ctru
cted, and which comprise an
instance to be
"crnmodation of 90 ncres, with a mile
area of water tide
quay room, and 160,000 feet of proof
tictworily
of wharleaegee 'lre submitted to Meshre. Pew, Betts, and
sheds; t—e.,:rd the directors congratulate the tors
praetor the— reqult. Those eminent contractors
• fors on -undertake the completion of the
prle-
red to
are PrePa
f,,r be sum ot 400,0001., which is the amount
works --- t capital of the company; and
so cone
share
of the-; ~d are the contractors of the return which may
viac-anticipated for this outlay, that they have offered
be
'to lease the docks for 21 years, at a rent of 5/, per
cent. per annum on the amount of the contract. The
report adds that a body of capitalists have volun-
teered to join the company, so that the completion of
the share list is guaranteed.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the re-
port, congratulated the proprietors on the present
aspect of the great national undertaking in which they
had embarked. It was satisfactory to the directors
thus early to be able to introduce the important un-
dertHlting to the public with every prospect of success.
—(Hear.) The best test that could be given of the
probability of the ultimate success of the venture was,
1 that the contractors offered to complete the works
for the amount of capital raised upon the shares, and
to guarantee a dividend ot 5 per cent. per anntimj-e-
-(Hear, hear.) It was only necessary to look to
part
great increase in the number of our ships, rnowresif
at
ticularly of large steamers, for which thereelate the
present no suitable accommodation, to
completion
of a dock
good that would result from the complbee
company.
of the dimensions contemplated by
the
the existing
(liar.) Looking at the working
dteason to look for
ck:ek companies, the directors %%foul
place the Vice
such a co-operation from cllbas
position as to be se-
toria Dock Company in
such
veculaticn.—(Llear.)
crud to no other as a 1153-susly adopted, and a vote of
The report was unts:niniou
to the chairman and di-
thanks having been given to
i the businen of the
rectors for their Ps4 at an cud.
ordinary meeting. ,0_
e the company was then held,
A special meetingl1g gentlemen were unanimously
when the f0112.7._
Charles Morrison Esq., David.,
elected directors ,
George Peabody,' Esq., and J.
Waddington, x
d Esq. It was also unanimously
IleYw" t f
Pemberton
th in future three should form a quorum o
resolved --aTt be meetin g then separated.
directors.
-

PROGRESS OF EMI
GRATION. It said lOU of
1,500 weavers at
Pre'e it unemployed Paisley, 1.200 are
desirous of emigratin
g--represeuti,g, At the "least, 6,000 in-
diyicluitisfmNATorth 'British Plait.