The Sun.
London, England, 1839-04-22 00:00:00

IRISH RAILWAYS.

Yesterday a public meeting of the landed proprietors
and merchants of Ireland was held at the Thatched

- -
House, St. James's-street, for,the purpose of adopting
measures to induce the Government to consent to thel
undertaking of three great lines of railway in than
countr„ instead of one, as at present intended.
The meeting was numerously attended ; and among
others who were present, we noticed Mr. O'Connell,
M.P. ; Sir Wm. Brabazon, Bart., M.P.; Dr. Lefroy,
M.P. ; Mr. J. Grattan, M.P. ; Mr. 11. Grattan,
M.P. - Mr. Vigors, M.P. ; Mr. licadingten, M.P.;
Sir William Somervillo, Bart. M.P. I' Mr. Archbold,
M.P. ; Mr. Blake, M.P. ' • dr. Fitzstephen French,
M.P. ; and the Knight of Kerry.
Mr. Ews, M.P. for Newry, in the chair.
Mr. BERMINGHAM said that as the meeting must na-
turally wish to know why they had been called together,
he begged shortly to explain that the great object of
the present meeting was to see whether some agree-
ment could not be come to which would facilitate the
Government in the good which they intended for
Ireland, and enable them to extend that good.
They must all feel grateful to the Government for
their willingness to grant such a suma s 2,500.000/., by
way of loan, for giving to Ireland the advantages of
railway communications ; and the question was, whether
that money would not be applied more beneficially in
the construction of three lines rather than of one? It
was oliTted against the proposed grant that it was
partial ; and, therefore, if three lines, running north,
west, and south, were undertaken, that would get rid
of this objection, and go far to satisfy all parti,s. If,
however, this course were adopted, it might be asked
whether the proposed grant would be sufficient? Un-
doubtedly it tvould not ; but then, if the works were
carried on by private companies instead of the Govern
meat, he did not hesitate to say that the rest of the
money which would be required could easily be ob-
tained. On this subject he had spoken to several of
the most eminent mercantile houses in the city, and it was
the,9pinion at Bainbridge's, Ladbroke's, and of Sir John
Eden Smith, that if the Government were to aid
the undertakings, to the extent of thirty pounds
per cent, which was about the sum the Government
proposed advancing, there would be no difficulty in raising
therest of the monies on stock shares bearing interest.
They were all well aware that Lord Morpeth was dis-
posed to benefit Ireland to the utmost extent in his
power ; and if an influential meeting like that were to
express itself strongly in favour of letting private enter-
prise participate in these speculations, there could be no
doubt that it would have great weight in his Lordship's
mind, and also in the House of Commons. He need
not point out to the meeting the advantages which such
undertakings would be to Ireland. They would, he
verily believed, not only ensure employment for the
labouring classes, but be the very best means of re-
storing peace and tranquillity to that unfortunate
country._

Mr. ENEAS 1114DoNNELL wished to know on what
authority Mr. Bermingham grounded his statement, that
if the Government were disposed to give the 2,500,000/.
by way of aid to private enterprise, the other money
required could be obtained by stock shares ?
Mr. BEammun tot replied, that he had no other au-
thority than the opinion of the commercial men to whom
he had spoken.
Doctor LEIROY, M.p., moved a resolution to the
effect ,that it was expedient that three great leading
lines of railway, running north, south, and west respec-
tively, should be simultaneously constructed in Ireland.
This resolution, the Hon. and Learned Gentleman said,
was calculated to produce unanimity ; and although he
did not wish to pledge himself to any course, he approved
of it, as tending to confer the same advantages on all
parts of Ireland. He certainly concurred in thinking ;it
desirable that three main trunks should be laid down in
the first instance, but whether by the Government or
private enterprise, he would not determine. When
these trunks had been laid down, they would then be in
a situation to form a proper judgment as to the extent
to which the works should he carried, and by what
means.

Mr. FITZSTEPIIEN FRENCH, M.P., said he'had no
objection to second the resolution, but he would not
pledge himself to any other part of their proceedings.
Ile agreed that no one part of Ireland should be ex-
cluded from the advantages given to the other ; but at
the same time he was anxious to see the recommenda-
tions of the Commissioners adhered to.

Sir Wm. SOMERVILLE, M.P., said that he attended
merely to obtain infortnation, and not to take any part
in their proceedings. He feared that if they were to
embark in so large an undertaking as three main lines
of railway, the expense would be 20,000,000/. ; and if so,
it would be absurd to imagine that the Government would
advance 30 per cent. on such a sum.

Mr. BIRMINGHAM, in explanation, assured the Hon.
Baronet that he was in error, and that, according to
the calculations of the Commissioners themselves, from
five to six millions would cover the whole expense of
three lines, terminating at Thurles, Athlone, and Car.
rickmacross.

Sir Wm. SOMERVILLE said that he was in error,
but still he apprehended that the amount required
would greatly exceed even the calculation of the Com-
missioners. He certainly should support the Govern-
ment proposition ; and his opinion was that in Ireland, at
all events, such undertakings should should be carried on
by the Government rather than by private enterprise.
Mr.PIM said that he appeared there as the representa-
tive of the sentiments of the large meeting recently held

in Dublin on this subject, andthat it was the decided opi
nion of that meeting that it was desirable to have three
great lines, ;hat they should be commenced simultane-
ously, and that it would La prudent to allow private en-
terprise to take part in the undertakings. He approved
of the resolution.
The resolution was then put, and carried unani-
mously.
Mr. REDDINGTON, M.P., moved the next resolution,
was to the effect, that the Government grant
should lie equally distributed in aid of the whole o the
undertakings, but said that no step should be taken until
full information had been obtained.
Mr. VIGORS, M.P., seconded the resolution, and said
that he had no doubt whatever that, when their feeling
became known to the Government, their views would
be adopted. It had been said that the security for the
Government grant was insufficient, and that, if it were
given, it would, like the million loan, never be repaid.
Sir DAVID ROCHE, M.P.—But that was a grant for
the Clergy of Ireland ; and baying been made to sup-
port the Established Church, it was to be regarded in
the light of a gift, and not as a loan.
Mr. VIGORS admitted this, and contended that the
security which was:offered for the repayment of the:pre-
sent grant was ample.
Mr. JAMES GRATTAN, M.P., said that, in his judg-
ment, works of this kind would be better carried on by
private enterprise than by the Government, and this, he
thought, was exemplified by the fact that Grand Juries
were able to execute public works at a cheaper rate
than the Government could. He was anxious to obtain
all the advantages he could for Ireland, but he much
feared any interference with the views of Government
would not only defeat its object, but throw the apple of
discord to those who were but too ready to seize it.
Sir DAVID ROCHE said that, although prepared to
support a single railway line, no matter whether it run
north, west, or south, he could not approve of the pre-
sent resolution. lie certainly was opposed to having
public communications in the hands of private compa-
nies, and he thought the experience of this country
ought to operate as a warning to them on the subject.
Mr. MAIIONY spoke in favour of the resolution, and
asserted that the apprehensions that the proposed grant
would not be repaid were groundless. All the money
that had ever been lent to Ireland for public works or
improvements had been repaid.
The KNIGHT of KERRY said that the best way to
ensure the re-payment of loans was to create the
ability to pay, and from his long experience he could
fearlessly assert, that all the grants which had been
made to Ireland had been duly repaid. He agreed
that it was desirable to lay down three trunks in the
first instance, and afterwards to consider how far they
ought to be extended.

Mr. H. Gaivi4AN,lll.P., thought that they should
go along with the Government, and that by doing so
they would best encourage the introduction of English
capital into Ireland.

The resolution was then carried unanimously.
Mr. O'CONNELL, M.P., said, that the great mistake
was not in the first it:stance to have embraced the
three lines in their proposition. No doubt a single line
was calculated to produce dissatisfaction ; but it was now
their duty, if possible, to strengthen the Government.
By now suggesting the adoption of three lines, he be..
lieved they would conciliate all parties ; but he thought
they would be acting injudiciously if they attempted to
dictate to the Government in any way. The Hon. and
Learned Gentleman, after some further observations
concluded by proposing a resolution to the eff...!ct that
the money proposed to be advanced should be appro-
priated equally in carry ing on three lines, one north;
another west, and another south.

Mr. BLAKE, M.P., seconded the resolution, which
was carried unanimously.

A deputation was then appointed to wait upon Lord
Morpeth on the subject, and thanks having been toted
to the Chairman, the meeting separated.

THE BRISTOL, BIRMINGHAM,
AND THAMES JUNCTION RAILWAY.

The works of the above Railway, by means of which
a communication will be opened between the river
Thames at Chelsea and the Great Western and Lon-
don and Birmingham Railways at Kensal-green, near
the Harrow-road, have commenced, and it is intended
eventually, with the London and Southampton Railway
at Wandsworth, for the trsnsit of goods and passen-
gers. The principal terminus is at first intended to be
situated on the south side of the Great Western-road,
two miles and a half from Hyde Park-corner, extend-

lug from the rear of Kensington-crescent to the basin
of the Kensington Canal, which latter property has
been purchased by the Railway Company ; from thence
it runs in a north-north-westerly direction, under the
high road, through the beautiful nursery grounds of Mr.
Lee, and from thence under the Uxbridge-road, close to
Shepherd's-bush, and across Wormwood-scrubs, to the
Great Western Railway, near and on the south-east side
of the unique and picturesque cemetery at Kensal-green,
gg nd crossing that railway it proceeds, by means of a tunnel,
nder the Paddington Canal, until it finishes by a
junction with the London and Birmingham Railway, a few
hundred yards distant. The works were first commenced
some months since at the northern extremity of the line,
close to the London and Birmingham Railway, and the
tunnel under the canal is already nearly completed.
An opening has also been made across the line of the
Great Western Railway, and an embankment has al-
ready been made, extending almost halfway across
Womi wood-scrubs. Within the last fortnight, that
portion of the line at Kensington has been commenced,
and a large body of workmen have during the past
week been actively engaged in stakinr, out the line.
The house at the western corner of Kensington-cres-
cent has been pulled down to make way for the railway,
a branch of which is, we understand, ultimately to be
carried to Knightsbridge-green, near the top of Sloane-
street, where it is in contemplation to establish an ex-
tensive market. The" Bristol, Birmingham, and Thames
Junction Railway" will, it is anticipated, be completed
by the time the whole line of the Great Western Rail-
way is ready to be opened.
A D

,eputation of the Directors of tho Grand
Collier Dock Company, together %vial Mr. Starling Ben-
son, Mr. Isaac Sewell, Mr. Newman, and other gentle-
men, advocatirg the construction of Collier Docks, waited
upon the Lord Mayor on Saturday. The result of this
interview was so satisfactory and so encouraging to
Collier Docks being constructed in the River 'Thames
flat the Directors have determined to commence the works
Tithout further delay.

The extraordinary run which Lady Bulwer's
novel of " Cheveley, or the Man of Honour," is having, is
as much attributable to the peculiarity of the interest in
the story as to the fact that all the characters represented
in the work are graphic sketches and portraits finished to
the life. This gallery embraces an exalted personage, all
grades of our nobility, and includes also the plain
squire. The ladies of England in particular are much
indebted 'to Lady Bulwer for the fearless manner in which
she has spoken out in the pages of " Cheveley," as well
as for her attack on the Clubs of London, so truly desig-
nated by her Ladyship " the hot-beds of masculine sel-
fishness."

Mr. G. P. R. JAMES'S NEW NOVEL
" CHARLES TYRRELL," is full of attractive qualities. We
have feeling, style, incident, verisimilitude, and touches of
humour; and a moral lesson fraught with more useful in-
culcation, while it is wrought up with admirable skill and
deep interest has seldom been presented to the reading
world. The characters arc drawn with a fine insight into
human nature, and are stamped with an originality which
shows the high creative, as well as the descriptive, powers
of the writer. The plot thickens to the end, and the
denouement is unexpected, instructive, and striking. We
have only to add, " that a clever portrait of Mr. James,
engraved by Greatbach, adds much to the value of this ex-
cellent novel.—Literary Gazette.
TILE HUSBAND-HUNTER. A new novel
under this title is announced for immediate publica-
tion. The principle character is, of course, the indefati-
gable aspirant after matrimonial honours—the Widow
Mersey, who, after mourning for three husbands in succes.
sion, appears upon the scene in full pursuit of a fourth.
There are two other heroines, who also put in requisition
their utmost powers of fascination to ensnare the heart of
the hero. The bizarre adventures, the ludicrous costre
temps, arising from this rivalship, are spiritedly sketched,
and will afford abundance of amusement. But certainly
the most entertaining personage in the novel is the Ger-
man fatalist, PrinceGruffenhausen. The mode in which
the dexterous widow contrives to turn his belief in fa-
talism to her own matrimonial purposes is inimitable, and
produces one of the most laughter-provoking scenes that
we have met with in any recent novel.—Morning Paper.
LIFE OF " MONK" LE wis.—These pleasant
and entertaining volumes have fully realised the expecta-
tions their announcement excited. The " Wonder-work-
ing Lewis" (as Byron calls him) was not only the most
" fashionable" writer of his day, but he was also the social
pet of that world of fashion to which his high connexions
and large fortune gave him access ; and, accordingly, his
life, as set forth in these volumes, is quite as effective in
affording us glimpses of the penetrable of high and exclu-
sive society as those (so-called) " fashionable novels" which
have, since Lewis's day, been so much in vogue. In this
instance, however, the pictures placed before us have the
singular advantage of being as strictly true as they are
characteristic and entertaining ; and they have the further
marit of needing no Key.

OTTER UNTI NG.-With the progress of
civilization, involving the necessity of providing for the
wants of an increased population, several descriptions of
wild animals, the pursuit of which engaged the attention
and occupied much of the time of our forefathers, have be-
come wholly extinct. Amongst these may be mentioned
the wolf, the wild hog, the wild cat, the bear, and the
beaver. Otter hunting, once a favourite diversion, has now
nearly fallen into desuetude, in consequence of the great
scarcity of the species, many of which, in several situations
have been exterminated, in consequence of their destruc-
tive habits amongst the fish of our rivers, preserved ponds,
and beautiful lakes. The otter, however, is still pur.
sued in some parts, especially in certain districts of
Ireland. The destruction of the otter cannot be mat-
ter of surprise or of much regret. The quantity of fish,
indeed, which a couple of otters will destroy in the course
of a week, is very considerable ; and hence they contrive
to take up their abode in those situations where the largest
number of fish abounds. Some of these destructive ani-
mals have been known to carry to their dens salmon of
twelve or fourteen pounds weight, especially during the
period when they hays) to provide for their young.
Donee:. ler Gezette.

E V

7,NING EDITION.

THE COAL MONOPOLY.

Mr. Northbouse's Pamphlet, with the correspondence
between the Lord Mayor and various parties, is now
out. We have not yet had an opportunity of going
through it. The following is the Ded.ication

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD
MAYOR.

MY Loan,—lt is a vtise msxim or the immortal
Bacon, that " MEASURES without mt:N arc but dead
imays." With regard to the Coal Trade we
have had " measures" in abundance, but unfor-
tunately there were no " men" honestly deter-
mined to carry them out. We have bad Corn-
mittees of both Houses of Parliament sitting from day
to day, month to month, session to session, hearing
evidence, making " Reports," issuing bales of blue
books, and yet there was no remedy ;—nay, worse than
that, the evil increased—the combination became
more stringent. an 1 universal—prices got higher
the poor were petishirg in our streets, and the
increased and increasing populatioa of Lo don in
1838 were nit a'de to pi osure, by upwards of 45,000
tons, ttre quantity of coal they did prccuro when .
they were probably 25,000 fewer in number in the year
1837 ; it bein at the same time proved, by Sir John
Hall, that in spite of all the Reports and all the reme-
dies, the Combinators hal contrived to increase the
prices since 1834 no less than 42 per cent.
My Lord, that which noble Peers and distinguished
Commoners, the " collective wisdom" of the country,
were unable to accomplish, your Lordship is accomplish-
ing, and Las almost accomplished. They talked—your
Lordship acts. Many of them were hollov in tbeis
professions, more were lukewarm in their desires ;
and the few who were honest, and who dared to
grapple with the evil, were outnumbered by the very
Combinators themselves who were placed on the
Committees, and who twisted, tortured, perverted,
mystified, mangled, and tediously spun out the evi-
dence, till the honestminority, who had no other interest
in the matter than the public good (which being " every_
body's business is nobody's"), were fairly tired out, and
gave way before the exquisite tact of their cunning and
selfish adversaries !
My Lord, I had opportunities last year of Ivshohliug
this. I was professionally engaged for Certain peti-
tioners against the Coal combinatiolk tend high priCes,
and the petition was referred to flit Committee of the
House of Commons then sitting, On that Committee
were Mr. Pease, acting for himself and other Coal
Combinators of Durham ; Mr. Bell, ditto, of North-
umberland ; Mr. Latribton, ditto of ditto ; Sir James
Duke, a Factor, and advocate of the Factors in Lon-
don, assisted by Mr. Alderman Humphery, then a
thick and thin supporter of the monopoly (though shat
he was befo:e, or what he may be now, I sannot
tell), with other friends who were unremitting in.
their attendance; while those who had no personal
interest in the matter, such as a few of the Members of
the great metropolitan districts, placed on the Com-
mittee from their position, rarely attended, leav-
ing the battle to be fought by Lord Granville Somer.
set, who was interested in the introduction of
Welch coal ; Mr. Finch, who was interested in the
introduction of Staffordshire coal ; and Mr. Hume,
whose motto is " perseverance," and who besides had
his Parliamentary reputation much mixed up with this
matter.

My Lords, before this Committee I had to act ; and
to show the animus of the majlrity present, one of
the first things I did was to request that I mi ;ht
be furnished with the minutes of each day's tvi-
dence as thou were printed, in order that I might
know how I should shape my case, and the evidence
I should offer on the behalf of the petitioners. This
was refused. I pointed out the probable results, i. e.
in repeating evidence twice over, intermixing uncon-
nected matters, and wasting the time of the Commit-
tee. It was of no use, the refusal was persisted in.
When the Committee broke up for the day, Mr. Hume,
after a compliment which it is unnecessary to repeat,
said in the presence of several gentlemen that the Com-
mittee might, if they chose, refuse to grant me a copy ,
of the papers, but he would most gladly entrust me
with his own copy, handing it over at the same .
time. On the part of my clients I took Mr. Huale's
papers, and at the next meeting of the Committee',
was engaged in perusing them, and comparing t horn
with evidence then being given. Mr. Bell observed
what I was doing, and stopping the witness from pro-
ceeding, demanded where I had got those papers, after
having had them refused by the Committee. I rose
up for the purpose of denying the right of the
Hon. Member to propose such a question to me, and
of course to refuse to commit a breach of confi-
dence ; but before I could do so Mr. Hume declared i
what he had done, which elicited undergrowls of dissa- I
tisfaction from many who had not the courage openly I
to attack him.

Shortly afterwards I found the minutes of evidence or-
dered for me by the very same Coinmittee, and delivered to
Inc at Messrs. Hansards'. Being then in legitimate posses.
sion of those papers, I prepared to print the essence of the
evidence in the public journals, and while I was so doing
Dr. Lardner and Sir E. L. Bulwer, 11. P., who had
requested me to write an article for the :Monthly
Chronicle on the " New Slave Trade," amked me to
furnish another on the " Coal Combinations " for the
same number. I did so. It was advertised some time be-
fore publication ; and then came letters of explanatio
and supplication, messages and menaces ; noblemen of
the most opposite politics joining most cordially together,
and by themselves, their stewards and their Seats,
denying the monopoly, and trying to prevent the
appearance of the article altogether. The article
however did appear, with some alterations and
modifications not made by me, but to please certain
parties whom it might have been inconvenient to dis-
oblige ; and your Lordship has now kindly permitted it
to be inscribed to " THAT MAN" who will not allow
"THE MEASURE TO RE A LIPAD IMAGE," by
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most faithful
and grateful Servant,
W. S. NORTH HOUSE.
4, Parliament Street, London,
15th April, 1839.

• Perhaps I ought to have stated in this dedication, that
ray motive for asking permission of the Lord Mayor
to inscribe it to him was to put on record the feeling
I entertain (and it is an unanimous ono, excepting only
those interested in the monopoly) of the very great ser.
vices of his Lordship, and in order, if possible, t 0
strengthen his Lord Lip's hands. I have inserted all the
scurrilous and disgusting attacks, whether from peer or
pedlar, though some of them could only bare been ex-
pected from the lion. Member, (if there were one,)
for Billingsgate ; satisfied, as I sin, that such miserable
weapons will only wound the hand that uses them.
When Peers forget to be gentlemen, and Members of
the Common Council to practise common civility,
they can little injure one who invites to his table
his bitterest opponents, and points to his hearth to answer
their arguments.

MURDER OF JULIA JotrzcsoN.--A report
has; been very prevalent that as deceased was an Irish
woman the neighbours celebrated a national wake over the
body ; but this was not the case. From inquiries made on
the spot we learn that nothing of the kind occurred, that a
few old women of the neighbourhood merely sat up with
the son to comfort him in his affliction, instead of leaving
him alone in the house with the corpse of his murdered
mother, and that the whole of the drink they had
was a few pots of beer. The deceased was doatingly
fond of her son, and is said to have been distracted
with grief at his leaving the town to avoid appearing before
the magistrates for assaulting a woman who had ill-used
his mother in a drunken quarrel. The young man has
been in a very desponding way since his mother's death
and the committal of his father on like horrid charge of
murder. lie has now no home of his own, fur tho
landlord took possession of the house immediately on the
removal of Julia Johnson's body, and is therefore lodging
with Mrs. Donnerl;, the old widow who lives opposite ter
where the Johnsons used to ieside. He neither eats nor
drinks any thing, nor does he go out at all. Ile is rather
more than eighteen years of age, was brought up to no
trade, but got a living by making fancy articles and painting
in water colours, such as colouring theatrical prints
and other chap engravings. The prisoner Johnson
himselfhas since his committal to Lewes gaol preserved a
moody silence. Ile had been married 30 years : both he and
his wife came from Dublin. They tramped into Brighton
about seven years ago, when Johnson wrote a letter
to the late King, detailing some essential service ren-
d:red to his Majesty )ears before by Johnson, (his)
father ; and in consequence of this communication Johnson
was ordered to the Palace,
and presented with 201. as a
token of Royal gratitude. Upon the receipt of this sup.
ply Johnson took the house, No. 81, Nottingharn-street,
and expended the King's present on furniture. His riciOta
hours give him the character of a good.tompi red, kind'
hearted little fellow, even when he was drunk, and state
that when he sometmes endeavoured to get his wife home
from the pnb!ie house or beer shop he would do it in a very
conciliatory manner, telling her that if she wanted a little
more liquor he would take it home for her : to this she
frequently replied by telling him, " You go home, Bryant...
which was a bye name she gave le her husband, if you
like, I'll come presently." She is said to have been head.
strong and of a most aggravating temper when in liquor.
Johnson is a Catholic, and has always been very regufar in
his attendance at the Catholic chapel : his wife wet a
Protestant. It is not true that Johnson has made a con_
fession ; on the contrary, he still asserts that he is innocent
of the crime imputed to him.—Brighton Gazette.
ALLEGED MURDER.—For several yearn Past
an old pensioner, named James Carrel, has been in the
habit of vending oranges, &c., to the coach passengers at,
the Bricklayers' Arms Inn. On Wednesday last he took
his pension, and on Saturday he was in the taproom of
the Bull public house in the Dover road, and towards the
evening get rather the worse for liquor. Between ten anti
eleven o'clock the same night the old man (who was up_
wards of seventy years of age) was found lying on 4:
pavement in front of the abovc.-aamtil,daesao house,tilrtods
tnKea eneatinlltyd.
advisedhor ieasndlr,oi
lyby'h,e‘ani
t
itlloiimg
eh,
adnredat:‘l
ifur.llyvaf)r.a, cat usruerdg.eonn ine
s
sent for, who promptly attended, and,
paidreoved on a
removal to Guy's Hospital, where he was
shutter. Every possible attention was him, but be
expred at one o'clock yesterday ( Wednes
Prior to and since his removal to the hospital tYll)c mdeocrningd.
said he should never recover, and that a personswhoemuhe
named was the cause of his death. It is alleged the orr
man was first knocked down and then, kicked by the party
in question. Information of the circumstance has bell'a
sent to Mr. Payne, the Coroner.