The Sun.
London, England, 1836-03-10 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

THE TIN TRUMPET.
11. THE LATB PAUL CHATFIELD, M.D.
London: Whittaker and Co., 1836.
There is a considerable resemblance between Paul
Chatfield' "tin Trumpet" and " Voltaire's Philoso-
phical Dictionary," although in the more laboured
articles the two works will admit of no comparison.
There is much of the same sort of graceful smart-
ness--of elegant foible-fencing—of satirical distortion
of the most familiar objects, so as to render them ri-
diculous
; and at the same time, of that constant play
urpon• words in the " Tin Trumpet," which every
Mere
must have observed in its French Anti-type.
litre and there we have a passage recalling our re-
Collection of cc
Bacon's Aphorisms," and the more
familiar articles in Boyle ;" but the deep solid foun-
dation is wanting ; and before the favourable impres-
kelt has sunk in the mind, we stumble over some silly
extract from " Joe Miller," so trifling in itself, and
l° completely out of place, that we are half tempted
to fling the book behind the fire, with an impreca-
tion
upon the head of every author who has the bad
taste to disfigure the fair creations of his own brain
with the
hil filthy habiliments scattered over the dung-
le of literature. The work is alphabetically ar-
ranged
in the form of .a dictionary, and the longest ar-
ticle does not extend over more than a couple of pages.
lad Mr. Jefferson Saunders, the editor, compressed
the •
two volumes into one, there would not have been,
tWo
years hence, a more popular book in England.
The following extracts from it will convey to the
Public a fair impression of the character of the book :
b " ACCOMPLISHMENTS—In women all that can be supplied
dancing-ma.ster, music-master,.. mantua-maker and
Lttier. In men, tying a cravat, talking nonsense, playing
atihlliards, dressing like a real, and driving like an amateur
ipbjemrneantl: The latter is an excusable ambition, even in our
for it shows that they know themselves, and have
"Ind properer place, and more congenial elevation than the
rersge.
Some there are, who, deeming dissolute manners
fthrl accomplishment, endeavour to show by their profligacy
at they know the world, an example which might be dange-
Ltly but that the world knows them. Accomplishments are
able---but nothing so sociable as a cultivated' mind.
ALICISTRT—
" They who on length of ancestry enlarge,
1„_ Produce their debt instead of a discharge. '
TlieY
search in the root of the tree for those fruits which the
,i7enes ought to produce, and too often resemble patatoes,
of Which the best part is under ground. Pedigree is the boast
Ater
who have nothing else to vaunt. In what respect,
k`ger all are they superior to the humblest of their neigh-
wars ? '
t„e, Every man's ancestors double at each remove in gee.
It:llea' proportion, so that after only twenty generations, he
dh.above a million of progenitors. A duke has no more—a
-7aan has no less.
A• river generally becomes narrower and more insignifi.
oot? as we ascend to its source. The stream of ancestry,
10e contrary, often vigorous, pure, and powerful at its foun-
ir bead, usually becomes more feeble, shallow, and corrupt
ohn,•lt, flows downwards. Some of our ancient families, whose
14;tein is lost in the darkness of antiquity, and into whose hungry
tows the tide of patronage is for ever flowing, may be coin-
tie il‘ et to the Nile, which has many mouths, and no discovera-
raq iead• Nobles sometimes illustrate hat name about as
ei"as an Italian Cicerone recalls the idea of Cicero.
4neiarirs—Deadbones used for the purpose of knocking
Wa live flesh. Every puny Samson thinks he may wield
pkiasa's jaw-bone in assaulting his contemporaries, by corn-
%mg them with their predecessors. If architects attempt
aired original, they are ridiculed for their pains, and de-
th,-0 stick to the five orders. This is the sixth order of
the public. If artists follow the bent of their own genius,
kLare tauntingly referred by their new masters to the old
AiTtlrs, and desired not to indulge their own crude capriccios.
Iti,`'Ors are schooled and catechized in the same way
r*hen either of the three conform to the instructions of their
livt.ies, they are instantly and unmercifully assailed as servile
nators, without a single grain of originality.
Ti
s invariably
eurry—Thestalking horse , on which knaves and
mount,sta when they want to ride over the timid
fikbond the credulous. Never do we hear so much solemn palaver
otirat the time-hallowed institutions, and approved wisdom of
Rariancestors, as when attempts are made to remove some
ng monument of their folly. Thus is the youth, nonage,
lirnance, and inexperience of the world invested by a strange
Y€l.7.ler, which Bacon was the first to indicate, with the re-
-4;e due to the present times, which are its true old age.
kin(' Antiquity is the young miscreant, the type , of corn-
teled ignorance and tyranny, who massacred prisoners
&,.,!° in war, sacrificed human beings to idols, burnt them in
4101tbfield as heretics or witches, believed in astrology, demo-
tit gY, sorcery, the philosopher's stone, and every exploded
b 4.21 and enormity ; although his example is still gravely
iia;',ebd as a rule of conduct, and a standing argument against
Iter 'ation•—that is to say, improvement 1 If the seal of time
'jot,: to be the signet of truth, there is no absurdity, oppres-
th ,cl' falsehood, that might not be received as gospel ; while
giiilr°spel itself would want the more ancient warrant of Pa-
Risestn• Never was the world so old, and consequently so
14;4 mason o-day ; but it will be older, and therefore, still
ith- ow.
filly :1 One generation the most ancient individual has gene-
Yot, "ue most experience ; but in succession of generations, the
To 4est, or last of them, is the real Methuselah and Mentor.
ahipi,ll.B obvious distinction, nothing can blind us but gross
of th"ltY, or the most miserable cant. To plead the authority
litilaneients, is to appeal from civilized and enlightened
Mierla,ns, to fierce unlettered Pagans ; for no one has decided
Plat ':,,tds boasted wisdom begins or ends, though all agree
bin f° is of great-age. Every elderly man is an ancestor to
b,.uer self. Let him compare his boyish notions and feel-
torre"ltil his matured judgment, and he will form a pretty
ellike.t notion of the wisdom of our ancestors ; for what the
ALs to the man, are the past generations to the present.
bor,rl'EmiaNeas—keeping up. A moral, or, rather um-
%l : Uttering of counterfeit coin. It is astonishing how much
Ptessli bad money is current in society, bearing the fair im-
ttei,,h nf ladies and gentlemen. The former, if carefully
eet:eedf will always be found light, or you may presently
gang rnent ipti I You
Bo th ring them though this istheir a somewhat • perilous
. may' be by assuming a more
thari, and showy appearance than their neighbours, as if their
4,4 eters were brighter, their impressions more perfect, and
Boers
more pure, than all others."
7/t VALE OF LANGHERNE, AND OTHER
POEMS.
Br HENRY SEWELL STOKES.
TL • London : Longman and Co., 1836.
eh The author of this volume has feeling and fancy in
....If 'ince. His love of the moral and the picturesque
h.aPpreciation of the beautiful and the good—
will , 41 admiration of the grand and the magnificent,
tilt be readily admitted by every reader of cultivated
too 'e and sound critical judgment. But he has faults
dn;wtollich in justice to himself we consider it our
nrder Point out. The greatest of these is a want of
eiosh. and classification in his ideas, the result of
sahielllg, and, half-formed opinions, upon a variety of
oh. etB* The next is the want of aim, or end, or
Jact
her 11 his larger poem, and indeed in all the verses
ore
the us- The last is the natural consequence of
tw
410„t °--nainely, a frequent interweaving of the
ttee_ulleordont materials, which has by no means an
corrable effect upon the reader. These may be all
rte correct effect
u. With care, for they are all within the province
a
koo Presuming Mr. Sewell Stokes to be a young
tee,L and as such amenable to good counsel, we would
happy himap to get rid of his admiration for the
et
the „•Y condition of our savage ancestors—to fling aside
his a
P.traP sentimentality, or rather maudlin cant of
Whichorder--and never to turn aside from the course
ell his
lance genius may prescribe for him, to break a
The
cincwitßlue-stocking either Blue-stockin or Boroughmonger.
erity
ed with which we address him may be re-
etpec,ation a proof of the interest which we take in the
l
2!kfp of his ultimate success.
r.IL WAR IN PORTUGAL, AND TEE
SIEGE OF OPORTO.
By A
- BRITISH OFFICER OF HUSSARS.
This London : Maxon. 1836.
°f the h afair, impartial, and rather minute sketch
nt
LorY of the various movements and political
Vi* "tilrthi: Portugal, from the death of Don John
actor • accession of Donna Maria. None but an
th these
all the scenes, and a more prominent one too
author •
thinks proper to represent himself in
the he
'lye rtisem e
satiric t,_ lit, could have given so detailed, and at
ite portu:ne so interesting a narrative, not only of
actions Vern 6ll"e war, but of the intrigues of the several
Whose aim it was to seize the reins of the Go-
b et.
th In his sketches of individual character he
ISeelts r,e_ in.nst Part very happy, chiefly because he
qtthitB ,ls
not in the isolated acts but in the
Sk °/ rhoy4 e whom he describes. Of John VI. he
i_
44:eohds. Ls Passion was the amassing wealth in
Pair He was careless in his person. The
of
- boots he would not change until patching

them was of no utility ; and the same nankeen
trousers must be washed and ironed every night
for the morning's use, so darned and mended,
that frequently the washerwoman's complaints were
loud. His embroidered uniform coat was in constant
'use, emblazOned with thirteen stars. He ate with his
fingers. Withal he was a good man, and died beloved
if not respected by his people."
_ _

The conclusion is not warranted by the public or
private life of that Prince, unless imbecility be a elm-
racteriStic of goodness, or rather goodness itself. Don
John was neither good nor bad in any positive sense.
In plain English, he was little better than an idiot—
spiritless, purposeless, opinionless, and morally power-
less as a new-born babe.. He was the creature of
his Court, and if he sometimes violently opposed the
schemes of his infamous Queen, Donna Carlotta
Joaquina, the cause is to be found in his secret dis-
like of her, rather than in any conviction on his part
that her Councils were fraught with danger to his
throne. The future historian will find this work well
worthy his attention.

MEETING AT GUILDHALL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR, I am instructed by the Society of Cogers, held in
Bride-lane, Blackfriars, to inform you that the account
given in The Sun of last night, of the proceedings of the
great meeting of the London constituency, assembled yes-
terday in the Guildhall of this city, for the Repeal of the
Taxes on Newspapers, was. read to that Society ; and, as
several of its members attended the meeting in question, I
beg to communicate to you the testimony they then gave,
" that your account is a faitliful, full, impartial, rand able
report of the speeches and proceedings that took place at
that Meeting."
I am directed also, to acquaint you, that this Society
passed a vote of thanks to you for the great talent and
dispatch with which you, in a few hours, gave nearly six
columns of your intelligent Journal to the narration of the
proceedings of this interesting Meeting.
I have also further to communicate to you, as a small
tribute of their approbation, that they have resolved to add
your valuable Journal to the three daily papers that the
SoCiety now read, namely, the Morning Chronicle, Daily Ad-
vertiser, and Globe ; and I trust that the same love of truth
and liberal principles, which has hitherto characterized your
Journal, will continue to regulate it in the discharge of
the valuable and important duties of a Proprietor of a
public Journal.
I have the honour to subscribe myself, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
R. WILLIAMS, Hon. Sec.
Cogers' Hall, Tuesday, March, 8, 1836.

[We beg to return our best thanks.—En. Sun.]

THE ARMY.

The Bth of March having been the anniversary of the landing
of the British troops in Egypt, in 1801, under the command of
Sir Ralph Abercromby, the surviving Officers of both services
assembled at the Senior United Service Club, according to
annual custom, to celebrate by a grand banquet the victories
gained over the French in that glorious campaign, under their
immortal Chief, who fell in the battle of Alexandria, on the
21st of March, and whose portrait (a work of. great merit, as
well as an excellent likeness of the hero), painted purposely
for the Club, was appropriately placed at the extremity of the
table, having only arrived the preceding day from Edinburgh:
Lieut.-Gen. the Hon. Sir Lowry Cole, G. C. 8., took. the
Chair, having for his Vice-President Col. Reeves, C. 8., and
the following distinguished General and Superior Officed:—
The Commander of the Forces (Lord Hill), Lord Dunsaney,
Gen. Sir James Kempt, Admiral Donelly, Lieut.-Gen. Sir
C. Egerton, Sir T. Cochrane, R.N., Major-Gen. Sir J.
Barnes, Lieut.-Gen. Sir J. Lyon, Major-Gen. J. Ramsey,-
Lieut.-Gen. Sir W. Houston, Lieut.-Gen. Sir H. Low, Sir
J. Lymond, Major-Gen- Clitherow, Sir J. Coghill, R.N.,
Major-Gen. Sir T. Reynell, Major-Gen. Sir C. Doyle, Col.
Toliff, Major-Gen. Sir C. Phillips, Captain Kelly, R.N.,
Col. Bromhead, Capt. Lloyd, R.N., Capt. Forster, R.N.,
Col. Duffy, Col. Munro, R. A., Col. Arnold, R.N., Capt.
Plumridge, R.N., Dr. Hume, Major Austin, Admiral Sir C.
Adam.

MURDER AT CONISBRO'.—On Monday night
last, an atrocious attempt at murder, with the view, it is sup-
posed, of effecting a robbery, was made at Conisbro', near this
town. John Goodlad, an industrious and frugal labourer, up-
etrds of 60 years of age, was sitting alone in his house, in the
act of writing a letter to his wife, who was from home, on a
visit to his daughter. About ten o'clock, the cottage was en-
tered by a young man, about 21 years of age, an apprentice
(nearly out of his time), to Mr. Laughton, of the same vil-
lage, tailor, in an apparently friendly manner, as he bad been
in the frequent habit of doing. He placed himself behind the
chair of Goodlad, as if he was looking over his shoulder, for
the purpose of reading the letter which Goodlad was writing.
He in a moment seized him by the neck, and drew from his
pocket a butcher's knife, and attempted to cut the throat of
his victim. Goodlad, observing the weapon, instantly seized
the wrist of his assailant. A severe scuffle ensued, in the
course of which Goodlad received several wounds in the neck,
face, and hands. He called out " Murder" very loudly, and
Beckett thrust his hand into his mouth to seize his tongue,
which, from the violence of the attempt, was much injured.
In the course of the scuffle, the back of the chair on which
Goodlad was sitting broke, and he fell upon the floor and
rolled, fortunately, underneath a large dining table ; and
whilst in that position, being partly projected, his repeated
cries of " Murder" brought several neighbours to his assistance.
Beckett was the man by whom he had been so atrociously at-
tacked, and he was instantly taken into custody. On the way
from the cottage to the residence of the officer, he was ob-
served to take from his pocket a butcher's knife, which be
threw away, in a bloody condition.—Doncaster Gazette.
Mr. Frederick Clifford, whose performances of mock
epilepsy, poison-drinking, &c., have recceived honourable
mention in the Gloucester, Bath, and Bristol papers, during
the last week, has favoured Taunton with a visit. On Satur-
day last he was brought in custody to the Guildhall, Taunton,
charged with attempts to excite compassion similar to those
above alluded to. It appeared that he had, on Thursday even-
ing, been found performing an epileptic fit in the street, and
had been brought by a humane medical gentleman to the work-
house, where he had been kindly received, and placed in a
comfortable room with a good fire, and every necessary. Re-
marking, however, that " that place did not suit him," he
quitted it, and was soon found re-commencing his grimaces in
the street, when he was lodged at the mendicity office ; and
here the manager, having seen an account of his attempts at
Gloucester, ordered that he should be kept in custody, and
taken to the Guildhall. Fortunately felt him, from the ab-
sence of a witness, no act of vagrancy could be made out
against him, and he was dismissed with a caution, and wisely
left Taunton forthwith. He is a handsome tall young man,
with light brown hair and mustachios, and small tuft of beard
on the chin, and has the air and language of a person of some
education, and is very plausible ; he professed to be on his
road to Plymouth, to join the Spanish expedition ; his dress
consisted of a long cotton jacket, a figured silk double-breasted
waistcoat, neat blue trousers, and an oil-case covered cap.—
Bath Herald.

GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN MODERN SCHOOL
Booxs.—Mr. Guy, the popular author of School Geography,
British Spelling Book, School Question Book, &c., has just
published three very valuable works on General History, at
a price so moderate for such a fund of information, as cannot
fail to insure their introduction into all respectable schools.
The first is called " Elements of Ancient History," including
Greece, Egypt, Persia, Carthage, Rome, the Philistines,
Phoenicians, Jews, Goths, Huns, &c., with a copious list of
questions for examination at the end of the volume, numbered,
to correspond with the figures placed to each paragraph
throughout the work. It is neatly printed in 12mo. and con-
tains upwards of 300 pages, at the moderate price of 3s. 6d.
very handsomely bound and lettered. The second is " Ele-
ments of Modern History," containing France, Germany,
Spain, Portugal, Poland, Russia, Prussia, Sweden, Denmark,
Italy, America, &a., and is arranged with questions for exa-
mination in the same manner, printed and bound in the same
form, and the price only 3s. 6d. The other volume is called
" Elements of British History," including England, Scotland,
Wales, and Ireland, with a copious store of questions for exa-
mination at•the end of the volume, arranged in the same way
as the two preceding, price also 3s. 6d. handsomely bound.
Hitherto even in the most respectable schools, it was only
thought necessary to make youth acquainted with the histories
of Greece, Rome, and England ; indeed no work in a
moderate compass embracing the other interesting portions of
general history could be found. Conductors of schools are
always unwilling to give their pupils large and expensive vo-
lumes, and having no other, that portion of general history has
been left out of school education. How Mr. Guy has supplied
this deficiency these very interesting volumes will sufficiently
prove—they fill up a void in the school library which has long
been wanted ; and it may be asserted without fear of contra-
diction, that so large a portion of history has not in any work
been exhibited within the same compass; the object has been
to compress as much as possible, authentic, valuable, and in-
teresting history inseach volume, and Mr. Guy has never been
more successful in accomplishing this object than in the pre-
sent instance. The volumes are perfectly distinct from each
other, and may be purchased separately to meet the wants of
the pupil, who may one half-year be studying ancient, another
half-year British or modern history.
Great curiosity was excited in the city on Saturday
morning, on the passing along Cornhill of the frame for an
engine now constructing for the London and Greenwich Rail-
way Company. This frame is formed on the model of an an-
cient Roman galley, and when flying along the line will pre-
sent to the spectator no bad idea of those vessels of war by
means of which the masters of the world pushed their con-
quests even to this island.
HALLEY'S COMET. Various Captains of vessels
lately arrived here, report that Halley's comet has been visible
in this hemisphere for the last six weeks ; and we hear it was
seen from this city on several evenings of the last week, until
Saturday, when it entirely disappeared. —Buenos Ayres Paper,
Dec. 14.

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1836.

Monday, from Belvoir Castle, to attend his Parliamentary
duties. His Grace will see company at his seat during Crox-
ton Park Races, which will close the hunting season in Leices-
tershire.

The Duke of Newcastle has employed Sir Robert
Smirko to effect great improvements and alterations in his
mansion at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire. His Grace will
shortly commence his parties in Portman-square.
The Duke of Devonshire has had his bust exe-
cuted by M. Dantan, jun., a French artist, and has also or.
dered him to make him one of Bellini, in marble, which he
intends to place in his magnificent gallery."—Galignani.
The Marquis of Lansdowne has a grand dinner
party to-morrow, at Lansdowne House, Berkeley-square.
The Marchioness of Lansdowne gives a splendid
rout this evening, at Lansdowne House, Berkeley-square.
The Earl of Meath has left town for Paris.
The Earl of Munster does not intend to return to
the Continent during the spring. His Lordship has taken a
house at Brighton for three months. As Governor of the
Royal Castle of Windsor, his Lordship is entitled to apart-
ments in the round tower ; but he has not taken possession of
thorn.

The Earl and Countess of Burlington are expected
to continue at liolkard, and not return to town till after
Easter.

The health of the infant Lord Petersham con-
tinues in a very precarious state, to the great grief of the
Earl and Countess of Harrington. It is said the Hon. Lady
Jane Blanche, only daughter of his Lordship, is a very pro-
mising child. _ .

Tile Lord Chancellor gave a grand Cabinet dinner
yesterday, at his house in Bruton-street, Berkeley-square.
The Countess of Carlisle (sister to the Duke of
Devonshire) arrived in Grosvenor-square the night before
last, from Paris. The Noble Earl continues indisposed with
the gout.

Dn. M'CRIE.—We understand that his Majesty's
Government, in consideration of the importance and national
character of the writings of the late Dr. Al' Crie, and as a mark
of public respect for the memory of that distinguished author,
have, through the Chancellor of the Exchequer, authorised a
grant of 2001. to be made from the Royal Bounty Fund, to
assist in the publication of his intended works. We believe
that Lord Minto has much credit in the above grant.—Edin-
burgh Courant.
_ _ _

With the exception of attending the Newmarket
Spring Meeting, the Duke of Rutland will continue at Bel-
voir Castle until the middle of May, in order to be present at
the splendid fetes which will take place in honour of his eldest
son's (the Marquis of Granby) attaining his majority. Those
given on occasion of the present Duke's coming of age were
of an unusually magnificent character. Open house was kept
for several days, and the ball on the first night was opened
by the Prince of 'Wales and the beautiflil Isabella, Duchess of
Rutland.

The new Reform Club is in treaty for the purchase
of Lady Murray's former residence in Pall-mall, next door to
the Carlton Club House, for the purpose of taking it down
and erecting their club-house on its site. The Commissioners
of Woods and Forests have been applied to on the subject,
and also for the space adjoining, on which the former National
Gallery stood. The club will consist of 1,500 members, 500
to be balloted for.

One of the richest heiresses in the kingdom at pre-
sent is Miss Wright Wilson, daughter of the late Sir Henry
Wilson, Bart., of Chelsea-park, and who, on the demise of
her step-mother, Lady. Frances W. Wilson, has succeeded to
the large property which was bequeathed to her Ladyship some
years since by a stranger named Wright, who had merely seen
her at the Opera, the details of which remarkable bequest we
gave recently. The house and grounds at Chelsea-park,
which are extremely beautiful, pass into the possession of Sir
H. Wilson's next male heir.

Poor Barnes is a victim to rheumatism, and repeated
illnesses had caused involvements which occasioned the Pan-
taloon to sojourn in Banco Regis for the second time. A
Job's comforter addressed him with a sigh, regretting to see
him in Surrey again. ". Where would you expect to see
Barnes but in Surrey?" replied the merry sufferer.
FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE GREENWICH RAlL-
ROAD.—Yesterday an inquest was held at the workhouse, Ber-
mondsey, on the body of Henry Holmes, aged twenty-one,
who was killed on Monday last, in consequence of injuries he
received by one of the steam carriages passing over part of his
body on the Greenwich Railroad. It appeared in evidence,
that about three o'cicck on Monday, as a train was coming
from Deptford, the engine parted from the train of carriages,
and continued its course across a branch leading into the other
tram-road, where other carriages were then about to start for
Deptford, and to which it was to have been affixed ; the engine,
on getting into the other tram-road, struck with great force
against the first carriage, and had the effect of driving the
other carriages back about a yard, when it stopped ; the de-
ceased was standing on the right hand tram-road after the en-
gine had separated from the train, and before he had time to
get out of the way, the wheel of the engine passed over his
body. He was immediately taken up, but expired in a few
seconds afterwards. The Jury returned the following verdict :
" Accidental Death, occasioned partly by the indiscretion of
the deceased. placing himself in a dangerous situation, and
partly owing to the great velocity with which the engine ar-
rived at the usual stopping-place."

EXTRAORDINARY • APPLICATION. Yesterday
morning, at the Chelsea Petty Sessions, which were held in
the Board Room of the Workhouse f the parish of St.
Luke's, Chelsea, before Messrs. France and Flood, junior,
county magistrates-, a young Lady of about twenty years of
age, and most fashionably attired, stated to the Bench
that she was the wife of Mr. Denbigh, a clerk in the firm of
Messrs. Barclay and Perkins, the celebrated porter brewers,
and resided in Canterbury-place, Lambeth. She had lately
lost her first and only, child, whom she had been doatingly fond
of, the deprivation of which had grieved her much. She had
a great penchant for children, and the nature of her applica-
tion was, that the bench would be pleased to interest them-
selves with the parocial authorities in her behalf, in order that
those Gentlemen would allow her to select an orphan infant
of not more than seven months old to adopt. In the event of
her application being granted, she was prepared to convey the
babe instantly from the workhouse to her own residence.
—( Here Mrs. Denbigh exhibited a complete suit of baby linen,
which appeared to be of a superior quality.) Several Gen-
tlemen expressed their surprise that such an application should
be made to a bench of magistrates. The applicant then bad
a long conversation with Messrs. France and Flood, who after
a discussion of some length with the parochial authorities, Its
to the propriety of granting the application, informed Mrs.
Denbigh that her request had been complied with. The fair
applicant on hearing this appeared much delighted, and after
politely thanking the magistrates for entertaining her applica-
tion, withdrew in the company of Mr. Rose, an overseer, to
select an infant from the workhouse. The search, however,
was fruitless, as not an orphan child of the before-mentioned
age could be found, much to the disappointment of the ma-
ternal applicant.
Last Thursday, between six and seven o'clock, the
house of Lord Dunally's wood-ranger was besieged by six
armed men. .He who was the apparent leader of the ban-
ditti, having placed three of the gang as sentinels outside,
then entered himself with the other two. Having commanded
his accomplices to compel the inmates to stand each and all
in position with their backs to them, he proceeded into the
room, opened a small chest, and took thence a bill of ex-
change for 'BOl., half notes for 251., and from forty to fifty
sovereigns, with a number of silver pieces. Having secured
the booty he came out, drew up his men after the manner
of the military, and departed without offering either insult
or injury to the plundered, beyond that of ordering him and'
those with him to make no alarm at their peril. There
were in the house at the time these men entered—Ryan,
(the wood-ranger), his son, two daughters, and a servant-
boy. It being dusk, they could not (even if allowed to
scrutinise) distinguish any more than the shadowy outline of
the robber gang. Their voices were the voices of strange
men ; they came perfectly undisguised ; and they used no
other precaution than that of making the occupants turn
their faces in a contrary direction.—Conmel Paper.

On Friday last an accident of a serious nature hap-
pened at Brocklesby, the seat of the Right Hon. Lord Yar-
borough, in this county. A hearse, drawn by four horses, be-
longing to Miss Walkden, of the Aiigel Inn, in Brigg, was
returning from Imingham (to which place they had been con-
veying the remains of the late Mrs. Richardson, of Limber,
for interment), and having to pass by the canal in front of his
Lordship's mansion, the driver (who was driving four in hand)
incautiously drove into the canal, without loosing the bearing
reins, when the horses wanting, it is "supposed, to drink, turned
suddenly round and rushed into the deep water, where, after
struggling about five minutes, the noble animals all perished,
it being impossible to render them any assistance. The hearse
sunk and filled with water, and the driver and postillion (who
were both on the box at the time) had a miraculous escape
from a watery grave; the former was thrown from his seat, and
although unable to swim, the great coat he had on buoyed
him up, and enabled him to reach the shore in safety. The
postillion climbed upon the roof of the hearse, and remained
there breast high in water, until a rope could be got to his
assistance. He was almost exhausted when brought to the
land ; but from the prompt and kind attention given to him by
the direction of his Lordship, he is now nearly recovered.
The horses, which were remarkably fine animals, were, to-
Lether with the hearse, afterwards dragged out of the canal.—
incoln Gazette.

SUPERSTITION OF WESTMORLAND.-011 Thurs-
day the 24th ult. an inquest was held before R. S. Stephen-
son, Esq., coroner, on view of the body of Elizabeth Thomp-
son, aged 75, the wife of George Thompson, of Shaws, in the
township of Langdale, in the parish of Orton, Westmorland.
The circumstance of the deceased coming to her death in
this melancholy case, are in no ways particular—but the pro-
ceedings adopted by parties after the accident, make one look
round and inquire, " Is the schoolmaster abroad or at
home ?" The deceased had been' baking some bread in a
frying pan, and whilst looking at it, her clothes took fire. She
was much burnt about her thighs, back, and her right arm.
Instead of applying to a medical man, the husband went to
one Jonathan Shepherd, residing a distance of three or four
miles from Shaws. He made Shepherd acquainted with the
accident, who, placing his hands upon his forehead, and mut-
tering some few words to himself, told the simpleton to go
home again—he had " blown" the fire out. Such is the su•
perstition in the neighbourhood, that not only the sufferer, the
husband, and many other persons have given credit to the old
fellow having a power to effect a cure in the manner above de-
scribed, without seeing the patient or going near—indeed,
only a few months ago a child of Shepherd's met with a simi-
lar accident, and died in consequence. Had a professional man
been called in at the time, it is probable that the deceased
would now have been living.

.

r '-i,B;
'?,~\1.,

M ~'

TAXES ON KNOWLEDGE.

BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK.

A public Meeting was held yesterday at the Town-hall,
Southwark, for the purpose of preparing petitions to Par-
liament, praying for the total repeal of the Stariip Duty on
Newspaper:.
At one o'clock the High Bailiff, JOHN HoLmEs, Esq.,
took the Chair. He said—Gentlemen, punctuality is my
motto ; I was here at one o'clock, and if such is your
wish I shall wait 'for a short time for our Member, Mr.
Humphreys. I have received a letter from Mr. Harvey,
stating that it is impossible he can attend, but I expect Mr.
Humphreys every moment.—(Cries of" Wait.")
After some little delay, the CHAIRMAN said that the
Meeeng had been called by him in consequence of a requi-
sition very numerously signed by the inhabitant house-
holders of the Borough. He had always felt great pleasure
in attending to their wishes, because he know from experi-
ence that on all public occasions they had uniformly con-
ducted themselves in a manner that (lid credit to them, and
reflected honour upon those who presided over them.—
(Loud cheers.) He would now read the letters that had
been received from their Members, and the requisition, and
they would then proceed to the business of the day.
The letters of Mr. Harvey and Mr. Humphreys were
*then read—both gentlemen pleaded the great pressure of
business, and being obliged to attend a Committee of the
House of Commons at twelve o'clock that day.

The requisition, which was signed by about 150 inha-
bitants of the borough, having been read,

Mr. SHARPE felt ireat pleasure in being called upon to
propose the first resolution. He was glad to find, that the
requisition upon such a subject as the present had been so
numerously signed, as it showed the interest taken in the
question by the inhabitants of Southwark.—(Hear, hear.)
The- taking off the taxes on knowledge would tend much
to remove the wretchedness and ignorance which at present
prevailed, and which was one of the great causes of crime.
—(Cheers.) He hoped the petition on this subject would
be unanimously adopted and signed, so that it might be
presented to the House of Commons that evening. If
knowledge was within every man's reach they would not
have the pot-houses and taverns courted every night as at
present, while the families of such persons were in want of
food and clothing, and the landlord without his •rent.—
(Hear, hear.) He trusted that, ere long, they should see
these taxes taken off, and the useful information which
Newspapers contained within the reach of every man.—
(Cheers.) He begged to propose the first resolution, which
was as follows :

" Resolved, That this meeting is of opinion, that ignorance is a
chief cause of the poverty, crime, wretchedness, and degradation
of great numbers of the working classes ; and that it makes them
an easy prey to designing and cunning men of every description."
Mr. THOMAS seconded the resolution. As one of those
who felt that he would be benefitted by whatever would tend
to diffuse information among the working classes of the
people, he should give it his cordial support.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. SIMPSON, in moving the next resolution, observed
that it was the ignorance which prevailed that had obliged
them to meet on the present occasion, and if knowledge
was more general, the condition of the working classes
would be far superior to what it was. The present Meeting
was a practical proof of the necessity for cheap knowledge
that existed among the working men, and all should lend
their assistance in endeavouring to accomplish this object.
Society was all linked together—one class assisted and lived
by the other—and therefore it was their duty to do all in
their power to assist one another. At present the Stamp
Duty put the Newspapers out of the reach of the
working classes.-4 Cries of " Hear.") If the tax were once
taken off, they would have new Suns and Stars to supply
the people with that information they so much needed.—
(Cheers.) He felt confident that the present Government
would take off the tax ; because every good Government
should be anxious that its proceedings were generally
known, and would have no object in hiding its light under
a bushel. As the law at present stood the public were
kept in the dark as to how the business of the country was
conducted ; but if these taxes were once taken off all men
would be able to distinguish right from wrong, and know to
what men and to what measures they shoed give their
support.

and against them, so that a wise Government could scarcely
decide what was the feeling of the people ; but now while
the tables of the Houses of Parliament were loaded with
petitions in favour of the abolition of taxes on newspapers,
not one was presented against them. He might suppose
then that all who had not petitioned were in their favour.
It was known that the great inconvenience of repealing the
duty altogether arose from the machinery in the Post-office.
Now, supposing a friend of his in Manchester and he were
joined in taking the Tinzcs newspaper—(Groans)--each
paid threepence-halfpenny, but if the duty were taken off,
his friend would have it for three-halfpence, and would
thereby be enabled to pay a penny for postage, and yet have
the paper cheaper than at present. After a few other ob-
servations, Mr. M'Connell concluded by seconding the re-
solution.

'Mr. SAUL next rose to address the Meeting.

The High Bailiff said, according to custom, the gentle-
man had not the right to address them ; he would put it
to them whether they would have him or not. A show of
hands was taken, and

Mr. SAUL proceeded. He came there for the purpose
of supporting the cause of general education, and he trusted
the sentiments he might deliver would be received as from
a warm friend to the cause. From the present Government
they had a right to expect Liberal measures, and he was
sure that nothing would so surely indicate their good inten-
tions towards the country as the abrogation of those odious
laws which now trammelled the Press—(Cheers)--and
tended so to prevent the spread of useful knowledge. What
was it which was the cause of the lamentable scenes which
were seen in that and other Courts where Sessions were
held ? Nothing but ignorance : the people were kept
in ignorance of their rights.—( Hear, hear.) Let
the Press be free and unshackled, and then it would be
seen that fewer cases would come before those whd pre-
sided in such Courts.—(Cheers.) Public opinion was now
much alive to the question. A glorious meeting had been
held that week, at which fife Lord Mayor presided, and at
which the Governor of the Bank and other eminent men
supported the measure. He was sorry to see so thin a
meeting there. The men of Southwark ought to unite
and combine for so good a purpose, in spite of all the ob-
loquy which might be cast upon them. There was a
senseless cry got up that property would be in danger if
they succeeded in removing the odious tax upon Newspapers.
He had some property, the produce of his own industry,
but he wanted to exercise it for the benefit of all—for the
education of all, and then his property would be secure.—
(Cheers.) He trusted such sentiments would become ge-
neral ; he saw them becoming more and more so every day,
and it gave him the most heartfelt pleasure. The inse-
curity of property depended only upon the ignorance of the
people. Educate them, and property becomes safe.—
(Cheers.) What was the cause of the mighty incendiary
fires of which an account was given in almost every paper.?
It was in-norance alone. Let the working man have his
paper ; he would study its contents, and property would
become safe.—(Hear, hear.) Ignorance was the cause—
the destruction of property the effect. Remove the cause,
and according to the soundest philosophy, the effect would
cease.—(Cheers.) He was most anxious for the time—
which, he was glad to say, was no! fast approaching—
when every child which was born would receive an educa-
tion from masters who were paid by the State.—(Cheers.)
All men, whether born in high or low life; were susceptible
of the finest and the most noble feelings, which education
alone could call into existence. He was certain of that,
and therefore he wanted to see every child instructed and
well grounded in moral sentiments at the earliest dawn of
reason, when the impressions given were most lasting.—
(Cheers.) He knew that even where the doors were
opened to the people for public instruction, that they were
remiss ; but let it follow them to their houses, till they were
grounded in it, and then they would become fond of it.—
(Cheers.) The working people would then put their pence
together, not for the purpose of spending in a public house,
but for the purpose of affording mutual instruction to
themselves or their children. He was most happy to have
been called upon to move—
., That in the judgment of this meeting, the Stamp Duty on
Newspapers contributes to perpetuate ignorance amongst the work-
ing classes, by placing the price of such Newspapers out of their
reach ; and that to read such papers they are induced to frequent
public houses, at which they spend much money, and of which
money their wives and children are defrauded: and that this meet-
ing is also convinced, that the working classes are ignorant of many
of the laws of the land which they are bound to obey ; and that
the law is frequently violated by them in ignorance."
The last paragraph was deserving of the most serious at-
tention on the part of the Meeting. They were almost all
workmen, and ought to bear in mind the fate of the Dor-
chester victims. They.must lend their support to the re-
peal of the tax upon knowledge, so that all might be aware
of the laws to which he was called upon to pay obedience. It
was with pleasure that he proposed the resolution.
A GENTLEMAN seconded the resolution, and it was passed
unanimously.
Dr. WADE said that the excuse made for not bringing
forward a measure to repeal the taxes on knowledge in the
last Parliament was that it was then too late, and the excuse
now was that it was too early.—(Hear, hear.) The imme-
diate reason he believed of its postponement was the neces-
sity which existed for getting through the Irish Municipal
Bill, and he was quite sure there was not an individual
present who would not at once acknowledge the validity
of the excuse.—(Cheers.) He believed that the great ma-
jority of the people of Southwark were favourable to the
the objects of the Meeting, and although the smallness of
the building in which they were assembled had prevented
many from attending, still it was not on that accouat to be
inferred that the inhabitants of that borough were indifferent
to the question.—(Hear, hear.) He was sorry to say that
there existed a great diversity of opinion amongst the Mem-
bers of the Government as to the expediency of abolishing
taxes upon knowledge. Mr. Spring Rice was opposed to
it on financial grounds. Indeed, in a late speech of the
Right Hon. Gentleman at Cambridge, he said he was a
" taxing animal." Now, in one sense, they were all animals ;
but he did not think that the minds of the people should
be debased by reducing them to the- state of animals of the
brute creation. The Learned Doctor proceeded to prove
from Scripture that it was against the ordinances of religion
and morality to keep the people in ignorance ; and what
was morally wrong, could not be politically right. He con-
cluded by proposing the following resolution :
That in the judgment of this Meeting, Newspapers are, from the
novelty and variety of their contents, the best vehicles for commu-
nicating necessary and suitable knowledge to the working classes,
the greater part of whose time is taken up in bodily labour, and that

The resolution. was then put and carried unanimously.
The petition, which embodied the sentiments contained
in the resolutions, was then read and agreed to ; and after

a vote of thanks to the High Bailiff the meeting separated

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

MIDLAND CIRCUIT.—LrNcoLm, M4RCH 7.

Mr. Justice BOSANQUET arrived in this city above five
o'clock on Saturday afternoon, from Oakham (where there
was a maiden assize, there being neiteer a cause nor pri-
soner for trial), and proceeded immediately to open the
commissions for the city and county. The cause paper con-
tains nine common jury cases ; and there are on the crimi-
nal side the names of nineteen prisoners for trial, charged
with the perpetration of the following crimes :—One for
arson, five for burglary, two for highway robbery, three for
unnatural offences, one for bigamy, one for cutting and
maiming, One for knowingly receiving stolen goods, two for
horse-stealing, and three for minor offences.
CRIMINAL COURT.— William Wells, aged thirty-five, and
Ishmael Croft, aged twenty-eight years, were charged with
burglary in breaking open the house of William Johnson,
and stealing therefrom various articles, and Richard Sellars
was charged with having received part of the same, know-
ing them to have been stolen.

The Jury having found a verdict against them, and it
appearing that Wells had been on four different occasions
tried at the bar for similar offences, the Court sentenced
Wells to transportation for life, Croft to fourteen, and
Sellars to seven years' transportation.

Anderson Wa;d, alias George Ward, aged thirty years,
was found guilty of having intermarried with Sarah Turner,
his former wife, Lucy Ward, being then alive, and was sen-
tenced to eight months' imprisonment.

TUESDAY, MARCH 8.
ALLIS V. LEE.

This action Was brought to recover the sum of ten gui-
neas. The defendant who is an extensive farmer residing
in this county, had, in June, 1835, lost thirty-five sheep, all
of which he, however, succeeded in recovering except
nine ; and, suspecting them to have been stolen, he printed
handbills, wherein he offered to pay ten guineas to whom-
soever would give such information as would lead to the
discovery or conviction of the offender or offenders. The
plaintiff had called upon one Osborn, and told him that
three sheep had been left on the premises of the plaintiff's
master in Bennington allotment, which he said there was no
doubt bad been stolen ; and he desired Osborn, if he heard
of any one having lost sheep to come and tell him, and he
would pay for any trouble or expense Osborn might be at ;
and Osborn having heard of the defendant's loss informed
him of the: above circumstances, when Lee said there was
no doubt but that they were his sheep safe enough, and he
would send his grandson on the following morning to look
at them. The sheep were subsequently identified by the
defendant as his property, and having been traced to the
possession of a man of the name of Lupton, he was ar-
rested, tried for the offence, and convicted. A question
then arose between the parties, as to who had been chiefly
instrumental in tracing the other six sheep, and whether the
information given in respect of them had not principally led
to the arrest and conviction of Lupton ; and, there being
several claimants, Lee offered to refer the question as to
which claimant was entitled to the reward to the decision
of any of the county magistrates, which offer was refused.
The Jury found a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages ten
guineas.
In the course of yesterday the Grand Jury threw out
the bill against Thomas Theakstone, for setting fire to a
corn stack at Waltham, in this county.

NORFOLK CIRCUIT.-.AYLESBURY, MARCH 8.

The business of the Circuit commenced yesterday.
Soon after two o'clock, Mr. Justice Park and Mr. Justice
Gazalee entered/ the town, escorted by the high sheriff,
T. T. Drake, Esq., of Shardlowes, and a numerous retinue.
After opening the Commission, the Learned Judges pro-
ceeded to the parish church, where an excellent sermon
was preached by the Sheriff's chaplain, the Rev. J. Drake,
rector of Amenham.

This morning, precisely at ten o'clock, .Mr. Justice Ga-
zalec took his seat on the bench in the Nisi Prius Court,
and at eleven o'clock Mr. Justice Park entered the Cri-
minal Court, and after the Grand Jury were sworn (Sir
Thomas Aubrey, Bart., foreman) the Learned Judge ad-
dressed them in an able and elaborate charge.
The calendar contains the names of thirty-nine prisoners;
one case of murder, one of arson, and several burglaries
and highway robberies.
The Commission will be opened at Bedford, on Thurs-
day, the 10th.
In consequence of the important business in the House
of Commons, none of the Members were present at the
Assizes.

Friday, Patrick Flanigan and Thomas Flanig6anUn-
derwent 'the final sentence of the law at Waterford..
.Patrick
of
Flanigan was condemned for hastening the death his wife
by leaping on her body, and Thomas Flanigan was found
guilty
aos f
first
rtshte s
tmo
oudrc loenr
thoef
drop, and,
nll,dl,ulal odwa
rnehesysi n
gn ear Tramore.
the multitude
murder of Mary
Mullowney, but he had abused her, and deserved his death.
in Irish, declared he was
tpreigaotlpt,illetny.
gthuielrtehaandybepeenrsoinn-
dPiasptrui ctakbldyi dproved
a dud reosns
itilitse
who doubted it. Patrick appeared to die at once without
orofwilis
ast e
pain ; Thomas, a younger, stouter, and more masculine man,
struggled convulsively a short time. Patrick was about
thirty, but Thomas
of scarce more than twenty. It rained
heavily all the time
wastheprecisely execution,
sucahnad
one persons
a s
thatw were
which heard
to say the entire day
the murder of the young woman was committed.

therefore this meeting decides to petition Parliament for the tots;
repeal of the Stamp Duty on NewsWrs.
Mr. M'CONNELL said theri„;was one thing to.be re-
marked in reference to the character, of the Meetirriwhich
had been omitted by former speak • 0tr44711 e wished
to bring under their notice. The re • signed by
all the men of influence and of property in the borough ;
that fact sufficiently showed that the sentiments of the
higher classes were in favour of the object they had in view
—while the attendance of the working classes, at an hour
when leaving their daily occupations should be attended
with inconvenience, proved the deep interest they felt in the
success of the question then under consideration.—(Hear,
hear.) The resolution proposed by Dr. Wade stated the
opinion of that Meeting, that Newspapers were the best
vehicles for conveying necessary and suitable information for
the mechanics and labouring portion of the community.
Pamphlets might be published free of any duty, and on any
subject of politics or of finance which the writers might
choose to notice ; but pamphlets were generally too abstruse
in their reasoning, and too lengthy in details, to be read by
those persons whose time must be devoted to labour and in-
dustrious pursuits. The reading of. books would be, in his
opinion, too great a drawback on the time of the poor, who
could not stop to inquire into abstract discussions, while
Newspa-ers abounded in novelties, and almost always con-
tained facts which were useful to understand.—(Hear,
hear.) The people wished for information, not reasoning,
which was only contained in the editorial articles of the
public journals. It was not, he thought, necessary to enter
into arguments in proof of the benefits of any system ; the
people would judge of it by the effects which it produced.
They ascertained the value of a tree by its fruits ; and
when they saw the working of any law, they would be
enabled to decide whether it was a good or a bad one.—
(Hear.) He was of opinion that the reading of police re-
ports in the daily newspapers would‘teach the lower orders
how to avoid the evils which they saw brought down
punishment on those who infringed the law. It should be
remarked, that the circulation of cheap newspapers would
not interfere with pamphlets, because they had quite a dif-
ferent class of readers, and for one who took up a pamphlet,
there were one thousand who would read the newspapers
of the day. It was stated that the law had been frequently
broken by the working classes through ignorance, as was
the case with the Dorchester victims—(Hear)—whose fate
they had occasion frequently to recur to, and painfully to
reflect upon. But if it was the duty of a Government to
see that good laws were obeyed, it was equally their
duty that these laws should be known.—(Hear, hear.)
He knew that a perfect acquaintance of the law was
compatible with a violation of its dictates, but if the
people were not aware of its provisions, how could it be ex-
pected that they should observe them ?----(Cheers.) The
Magistrates at the Police offices would have but half their
usual business when knowledge was freely disseminated--
idleness and drunkenness would be done away with, and
the beneficial effects of cheap publications would soon be
found in the improved lives and conduct of the humbler
classes of society. Cabmen, and those of that grade, from
whom nothing refined or polished could be now expected,
would, by the diffusion of cheap information, have rubbed
off a great share of that coarseness which may now be found
among them—as the enlightened head and the feelingheart
generally made the honest man.—(Cheers.) He hoped they
would not be content with any reduction of taxation on this
subject—that they would cry out for its total abolition.
When the Catholic question and other great measures
were brought forward there were numerous petitions for

(THIS EVENING.)

ton in favour of the Bill.

L, „
_.

SECOilk D EDITH) N.

SUN OFFICE, S6ven o' Clock.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT,

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The SPEAKER took the Chair this evening at four o'clock.
MIDLAND RAILWAY BILL.
Mr. VERNON SMITH, in pursuance of his notice, moved
that the Members for Northamptonshire, and for the borough
of Stamford, be added to the Committee on the Midland
Railway Bill. He thought it necessar) to have upon the
Committee gentlemen who were locally interested, and had
a- local knowledge of the country through which the Railroad
pissed.
Mr. E. DENNlSON'opposed the motion.
Sir G. STRICKL AND thought any motion to increase
the numbers of the Committee extremely objectionable, and
he should, therefore, feel it his duty to oppose it. If the prin-
ciple were once admitted, they should have frequent motions of
a similar character.
Mr. C ART WRIG HT supported the motion.
Mr. FINCH was of opinion that investigation should take
place, and if on inquiry it should be found to benefit the people
of England, why let all private interests give way.
Mr. B ARC LAY thought the proposition decidedly objec-
tionable ; and that the House should adhere to the rule laid
down at the commencement of its sittings for the constitution
of these private Committees. If the course now proposed were
adopted, it would render these Committees nothing but parti-
zan Committees.
Mr. P. THOMPSON had on a former occasion called
the attention of the House at considerable length to the reso-
lutions and recommendations of the Committee, of which he
had the honour to be chairman. They had been most anxious
to effect whatever improvements were possible in that respect,
but they found themselves compelled in consequence of the
difficulties that would cccur to recommend that the list,Com-

mittces, as settled at present, should be the list Committees to
which these railway Bills should be referred. It appeared to
him that if the proposition of his Hon. Friend were acceded to,
it would open the door to the admission of further innovations,
Hear,)—and the House would be called on to act upon other
special circumstanccs,and attend to the claims of every other party
opposing a Railway Bill. It was for the House to say whe-
ther it would adhere to the recommendation of that Commit-
tee to confine these List Committees to the members who
belogged to them, and the members of the counties through
which the railways passed.—( Hear.) On these grounds he
would recommend his Hon. Friend to withdraw his proposi-
tion ; for even upon his own showing it would be premature ;
and the necessary result would be that counsel should be

heard at great length, and in that manner serious impedi-
ments would be thrown in the way of those Railway Bills
which were actually before the House.
Mr. C. ROSS made a few observations, as we understood
against the proposition.
Mr. V. SMITH said he and his Hon. Friend had not at-
tended the Committee as Members for Northampton, but as
Members appointed by the House. After what bad passed, he
would, with the permission of the House, withdraw his motion.
The SPEAKER thought that the best opporttinity of calling
the attention of the House to a point of practice. He had
read over thirteen petitions that morning, which had been
presented on the subject of the competing lines to Brighton
—he found that all of them prayed that one of the Bills
might not pass—that the other might be passed, and that the
parties who petitioned might be heard by Counsel. That
prayer was against the principle of the Bill, and according to
the practice of the House they ought to lay on the table.
It was for the House to decide whether, as they had imposed
new duties upon the Committee, they would not make a
special case of these Bills, and referthe petitions to them under
some limitations.
Mr. P. THOMSON did not think there could *he any ob-
jection to these petitions being referred to the Committee.
The SPEAKER suggested that they should be referred to
the Committee, upon the understanding that no counsel should
be heard by them.—( Hear, hear.)
Lord G. SOMERSET hoped the Committee would look
narrowly, to see whether the petitions were bona fide or not.
Many were presented out of very bad motives.
Mr. BRUEN presented a petition from Carlow, complain-
ing that the Standing Orders of the House had not been com-
plied with n the Dublin and Kilkenny Railway Bill.
Mr. LEADER presented two petitions in favour of Mr.
Buckingham's claims.
POULTER presented a petition from a gentleman
named Merrivale against the Exeter and Bristol Railway Bill.—

Referred to the Committee on the Bill.
SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY BILL,

Mr. HODGES presented four petitions in favour of 'the
South Eastern Railway 13i11: after which, tiu. Hon. Member
moved the second reading of the Bill.
S:veral Members suggested the Propriety of receiving peti-
tions for and ag4inst the Bill previous to moving the second

reading of the Bill.
Sir JOE-IN RAE RE ID presented a petition from Ashbur•

Sir E. KNATCLIBUULL presented a petition from the
owners and occupiers of lard in Gravesend, Rochester, and
Ashford, against the Bill.
Mr. BE Ft.N AL presented petitions from Chatham, praying
that time might be given to consider of the- best mode of
forming- a Railway from London to Dover.
Sir W. GEARY presented a petition from Tunbridge
Wells against the Bill.
Mr. CURTEIS presented petitions from Rye and Folke-
stone against the Bill.
Mr. HODGES then moved the second reading of the Bill.

Mr: BE RNA L said be would not take so strong a step as
to oppose the second reading of the Bill, but he said he
should give his decided opposition to every other stage of the
Sir E. ENATCLIBULL would not oppose the second
reading of the Bill ; but he came to this conclusion on very
different grounds from those stated by the lion. Member for
Rochester. He (Sir E. Kliatclibull)' did not mean to go
lat.) Committee with a predetermination either to oppose
or support the Bill.—(Hear, hear, hear.) He would give
the matter a full and fair consideration, and would set

accordingly, and this, he thought, was the way in which he
would most satisfactorily discharge his duty. When they were
aware that twenty-eight millions of money were already cra-
b irked in railroad speculations, and that .there wore from fifty
to sixty railroad plans before the House, he could not but
come to the conclusion that a great proportion of these schemes
must be founded on very insufficient grounds.—( Hear, hear.)
He could not at present say whether. this measure was orre of
them, but he hoped such was not the case.
Mr. HODGE S, as the second reading of the Bill was not
opposed, would only say, that when the Bill was placed in his
hands he stipulated with the parties that he should undertz.,ke
the conduct of the Bill upon principles of strict impartiality.
He was no partizan, and he undertook the management of the
Bill merely because it was connected with the county which he
had the honour to represent. -

The Bill was then.read a second time.
MIDLAND COUNTIES' RAILWAY BILL.

Mr. FRENCH and Mr. HALFORD presented petitions
against this Bill, but from the extraordinary confusionin the
House, we were unable to hear the names of the places from
whence the petitions came.
DUBLIN HARBOUR BILL.

Mr. C. EVANS brought up the Report of the Committee
on this Bill.

LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY.

Lord G. LENNOX moved that the Committee nn this
Bill might have power to send for persons, papers, and records,
to be examined.
The SPEAKER said that the Hon. Member'should state
some reason for his motion.
Lord G. LENNOX said he believed the object was to com-
pel certain persons to give evidence who refused to do so.
Mr. CURTE IS did not know that this was a power which
the House ought to give to a Committee on a Railway Bill.
The question was then put, and agreed to.
Mr. HARDY presented two petitions, but the noise in the
body of the House was so great that we could not understand
upon what subject.
Several HoN. MEMBERS presented petitions, and brought up
reports on private bills, but from the cause before stated, their
prayer could not be ascertained in the gallery.
An HeN. MEMBER having brought up a Report,
Mr. HAWES asked the Right Hon. the President of the
Board of Trade, if the Bill which authorised certain Incorpo-
rations was likely to obtain the support of his Majesty's Go-
vernment?
Mr. P THOMSON said he understood the Bill had un-
dergone some alterations in the Committee. He had not yet
seen it, and when he ascertained their nature, he would be
able to say what course Government would pursue.
Mr. RICHARDS thought a fairer case was never laid
before Government for allowing parties to be incorporated
under the Bill.
GREAT WESTERN UNION RAILWAY.

Mr. HALE presented a petition from a Gentleman in the
County of Gloucester, against this Bill, and praying to be
heard by Counsel against it.
An HON. MEMBER presented a petition in favour of the
Manchester and Stockton Railway.
Mr. ROBINSON presented a petition against the Glou-
cester Railway.
Mr. H. HUGHES presented a petition signed by 180

aensed victuallers of Oiforu against the extra 50 per cent. on
spirit licenses.
Mr. AG LIONBY presented a petition from South Shields
ro the same effeet.
Captain PECHELL presented a petition from Goring and
Preston in Sussex, against an increase of duty on spirits.
Mr. CHARLES WOOD brought up certain papers from
the Treasury, pursuant to order.
SHERIFFS (IRELAND.)
Colonel PERCIVAL wished to ask the Secretary for
Ireland when the returns respecting the appointment of Sheriffs,
for which he had moved about three weeks ago, would be laid
en the table of the House ?
Lord MORPETH said the Returns had not yet arrived
from Ireland ; when they did they
should be immediately pre-
sented.

CATHOLIC NUNNERIES.
Colonel PERCEVAL had a question to ask the Noble
Lord, the Secretary for the Home department, when the re-
turns which had been ordered during the last Session and on
the first day of the present, and which were required by the
Act of 1829, relating to the establishment of Catholic Nun-
neries in Ireland, and of other institutions of that nature would
be presented.
Lord J. RUSSELL said the Reports were not yet made
up, but they should be presented with as little delay as pos-
sible.

Colonel PE RCEVAL hoped there would be no delay, as
a motion on the subject only stood over for these returns.
POST OFFICE. - • . .

Colonel PE RC EVA L seeing the Right Hon. the Member
for Tauntan in his place, wisher to obtain on behalf of a friend
of his, who was unable to come down to the House, some in-
formation respecting the time when the Report of the Post-
Office Commissioners would be laid on the table.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said it was necessary before these
returns could be made up to obtain information from the Se-
cretary of the Post-office, who was at present in France. As
soon as he returned the papers would, without delay, be laid
on the table.