The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-08 00:00:00

'fin 50115___ LONDON' SAPPIi,DAY EVRWIXG, DVCEMBRIt 0: 1040

trio' mot,ts ...ere or would 11 oe inte
rup, t;w of ttie Loh• of Pub: naviglltioL; uhci io their
detnurr,r for eiiu,e or demurrer staft^d ttrit the Crown
strAorl such a as retitled the Crown to any
in a court of . (pity, or to uny discovery. Tito
Corp deicace of tho erections ou ihe
op,rii•o,s t f harbour-masters, -water-bailiffi, ;o Captja
Baii,)ch, drogr:lph,r to the Ac!aticalty, I:11,1er who,3e
inspection and approv,l they had been cons'.ructed,
al:eging that they improved, or would improve the
or the river; denying Ills° that the cirpoteo:i:n
Bth, peel or pr,iend.d they had a right to erect or create,

or give licence to erect or create, a comm,n nuisat:co on
the Thames, to the injury of the subjects using it as a
highway. On the 4th June, 1845, after argument, the
Master of the Rolls held the demurrer to be insufficient,
and it was overruled. Against that decision the corpo-
ration appealed, and the House of Lords affirmed the
decision of the Master of the Rolls. The subject was
referred to the Master to report %hat answers were to
he given as to the claim set up by the corporation, which
tho iuforwa'ion by the Attorney•Genetal sought to set
aside. The Master in consequence investigated the
subject and drew up his report, in which he stated the
defendants were bound to make discArery of their
alleged title. nod ordered inspection of the charters aril
pgp,rs. Exceptions were takers to that report
by the Corporation of LondLn, and upon those excep•
Lions being argued, the Master of the Rolls. after taking
time to consider his judgment, ordered them to be over-
ruled, and leom that decision the Corporaion appealed
to this branch of the court. _ _ _

Mr. Bethel', Mr. S.rgeant Mereweather, and Mr. Ran-
dall appeared as cout,sel for the Corporation and in
support of the appeal; and the Solicitor-General, Mr.
James, and Mr. Maule were on behalf of the Crown.
The arguments appear likely to occupy several days.

NriN GS' ii:k_NR.S.

The late Pariianieuriary investigation ou tne prac-
tical working of swings' • banks has elicited tome
striking. faccs relative to these institutions, which
tht serious consideration of Government.

it appears from the evidence taken before the Com-
mittee that the losses sustained during the previous
year by the sale of stock at a reduced price, compared
with be rate of purchase, amounted to 270,0001, arid
that had the entire of the deposits been withdra wn—
a contingency which might ha,.pen—the quantity of
Consols force.d on the in.:rket would have lowered the
quotations, and the deficit exceed four millions—a
liability which the State was pledged to discharge, as
sacred obligation, to the poor.
A total change in this viscious system is, therefore,
indispensable.
The separation of savings' bank affairs from the
Treasury has long been advocated on political as well
as financial grounds. According to the published
returns upwacds of twenty-eight millions are in-
scribed in their name with the Commissioners of the
Sinking Fund, and it is fairly objected that so large
a sum of a tangible nature, and capable of being
diverted from its oriOnal destination, should be com-
mitted to the undefined guardianship of the Exclieqw-r,
which may involve the Mmister in trouble and em-
barrassment at a season of diffieulty and distress.
The example just exhibited in France, under similar
circumstances, teaches an instructive lesson, and
indicates the remedy to be applied.
Nor is this the only point in which an amendment
is re quired.
The failure of several district banks in meeting
their engagements, and the abuses that have crept
into others, has entailed painful sacrifices on the cre-
ditors, followed with the usual consequences of
distrust in the stability of these institutions. In order
to prevent the recurrence of such evils, by supplying
safeguards for the future, and to rectify such glaring
defects, a scheme is suggested for the constitution of
imperial savings' banks, on a sure and solid foundation,
organized with modifications for a more extended
sphere of usefulness. The provisions embrace four
departments, with distinct offices, consisting of one
for deposits on Government guarantee ; the second for
deposits to be lent out on mortgages secured on landed
property ; the third for the negotiation of loans, and
the discount cef promissory notes, and the last for
conceding provident annuities. 'lie whole to be self-
supporting, without any cost to the empire.
The leading articles of the- project are comprised
and embodied in the following resolutions :-
1. That imperial Saving's Banks be established, and
a board of Commissioners appointed by the Crown
for their direction, control, and administration.
2. That the assets of all existing savings' banks be
transferred to the Commissioners in trust, and that
the selection of managers, secretaries, clerks, and
other officers, be confided to their discretion, as well
as the regulation of salaries, and the stipulations of
bail. The Attorney and Solicitor- General in each
Kingdom to be the standing counsel.
3. That from and after the day of s
1850, and on the first Monday of every subsequent
month, the Treasury shall be empowered to grant to
the Commissioners, imperial savings bank debentures,
specially appropriated for that purpose, and marked
" Unalienable;" equal in value to a similar amount
of money or stock, received in lieu thereof, and
bearing a fixed interest at the rate of 3/. 6s. Bd. a
year, and payable on the expiration of twelve months,
with the option of renewal, for which notice must
be given.
4. That the Commissioners be authorised to issue
in return for deposits imperial debentures for sums
not less than 11., or more than 201., entitled to in-
terest at the rate of 7d. per pound a year, and re-
deemable in twelve months. In case the principal is
not demanded, the interest paid to be stamped on the
back of the debenture.

5. That deposits miy be accepted by the Commis-
sioners, for sums not less than 1001, for which pro-
visional certificates shall be given. The proceeds to
be employed in the purchase of old mortgages, or
expended in contracting new ones, secured on landed
property, at an uniform rate of interest of four per
cent. The definitive bonds to be delivered for the
different sums subscribed shall be signed
and sealed by the president of the Commission, with
coupons attached for 3i per cent. dividends, payable
halt-yearly. The difference of interest will cover
arrears and defray incidental expenses.
6. That the sevesral loan societies be amalgamated,
and annexed to the banks established in their respec-
tive localities, and be placed under the management
of the Commissioners. That steps be taken to in-
crease the means at their disposal ; the surplus profits
already accrued, amounting to 354,636/, being ren-
dered available for that object; and loans to be
advanced on the lodgment of debentures, as well as
notes discounted.

7. That the Provident Annuity Department be
conducted by the Commissioners in accordance with
well-digested statutes and revised estimates. Tables
containing the rules and terms to be printed and
circulated.

8. That an annual report of the proceedings of the
Commissioners be presented to Parliament.
It is necessary to offer a few observations on the
details of the foregoing plan. As the duties of the
Commissioners will require assiduous application and
undivided attention, the remuneration awarded
should be adequate to the labours pc rformed.
The members chosen must be endowed with the
qualifications of energy, zeal, and capacity. En-
trusted with an arduous task, and armed with
extensive powers in the discharge of their executive
functions, they will of course be made amenable to
the Legislature for their acts.
With respect to the first department, it is well
known that the facility of obtaining a safe
and eligible investment, for the temporary and
permanent deposit of small earnings, encourages
honest industry, fosters economical habits, and
checks visionary speculation. The financial arrange-
ments are peculiarly adapted to accomplish these re-
sults. The substitution of Exchequer-bills for stock,
and of debentures for pass-books, which is the main-
spring of the whole movement, will free the public
from risk, and relieve the Government from respon-
sibility. The payments being spread over successive
periods, and due at stated times, can by easily liqui-
dated by the Commissioners, instead of being suddenly
subjected to weighty demands at moments the most
inopportune. One, at least, of the disturbing elements
will be removed from the Exchange, and a portion
of the floating debt withdrawn, influences so
sensibly felt during commercial panics and monetary
derangements. The debentures created under the new
law will represent real capital, and possessing un-
doubted solvency, which are the primary ingredients
of credit can never suffer the least depreciation, and
will aid in completing the uses of paper currency in
conjunction with a gold standard. Being readily
convertible into cash, through the medium of the
loan-office, no inconvenience can ever be felt by the
depositors. A plain and simple machinery will sup-
plant a clumsy and complicated apparatus, accompa-
nied with an interminable series of fractional accounts
and an accumulated mass of cumbrous documents.

By pursuing the course recommended the number
of the banks may be reduced without detriment, and
the staff diminished without impairing their effi-iency.
Confidence will be restored, the balances regu'arly
adjusted, and the national faith maintained inviolate.
With regard to the Loan Office, it is generally
admitted that a system of the kind, judiciously con-
ducted, has invariably proved eminently instru-
mental in developing hidden resources, and stimu•
lating individual exertion, which seldom fails in
reaping the accustomed fruits of contentment and
wealth. But these advantages being chiefly derived
from banks, the benefits have hitherto been almost
exclusively confined to the affluent ranks, the hum-
bler portion of the community receiving little ac-
commodation, except in Scotland, from bodies formed
for pecuniary transactions on a large scale. And
the same remark applies to Exchequer-bills. It
seems advisable, therefore, to abolish restrictions,
and to extend this branch, in a mode sanctioned by
experience, and conducive to the welfare of the
operative classes, by playing within their reach a
participation in its beneficial agency.
In furtherance of this view, permissiodshould be
accorded to discount promissory notes of an approved
description for sums not exceeding 201., or at a
longer date than twelve months, at five per cent.
interest, thereby avoiding all interference with ordi-
nary banking affairs, and by being enabled to advance
loans on the lodgment of debentures, the whole
design will be perfected.
As to the third department, it is certain that a
first charge by mortgage on fee simple estates,
held under a clear title, presents the most unexcep-
tionable species of security. In this instance mutual
gain will arise from a reciprocal interchange of be-
nefits. The burdens of the proprietors will be
lightened, and the interests of the tenants become
identified with the soil they cultivate, generating
harmony, and multiplying those artificial links which
bind and strengthen human society.
To facilitate the assignment of deeds and the con-
veyance of indentures, it will be expedient to confer
additional powers on the Court of Chancery in
questions affecting legal and equitable rights, by
which litigation may be prevented and costs avoided.
The Incumbered Estates Act passed for Ireland will
serve materially to assist the operations in that quarter
of her Majesty's dominions. By erecting a cheap
tribunal for the judicial decision of disputed claims,
searches of registration, and other impediments, will be
got rid of, and a final settlement of ownership decreed,
a matter hard to be ascertained amid conflicting
opinions and reversed judgments. With refe-
rence to the last department it is needless to
dilate on the utility of provident associations,
the merits of which are so fusty appreciated
whenever tried, holding out as they do inducements,
during the vigour of youth, to prepare moderate
camforts
;and independence under the infirmities of
age; but it is desirable that the direction should be

li-,g4liKoa an ler the mipvrintendence of the eorntnikt!
hioner, in preference to being left to the voluntary
care of private persons, however benevolent, prudent,
and correct.

This brief outline of the distinguishing features in
the proposed enactment is submitted for examination,
more to attract attention to the inquiry, than from
any reliance on its intrinsic worth. It remains for
statesmen versed in such matters, to legislate on this
import::nt subject. It is impossible to deny that
the prosperity of a country mainly depends on the
intelligence of its inhabitants and the wis-
dom of its institutions. An anxiety to better
their position in life is an instinctive feeling prevalent
among mankind, but the fault usually committed lies
in vainly aspiring to grand things which few can
attain, and erroneously neglecting minor things
which every one may command. For reasons like
these, it is essential that the policy of rulers, in the
guidance of domestic concerns, should be based on the
broad and comprehensive principle of opening equally
to all, without exception, sources of suitable occupa-
tion and channels of reproductive employmeW,
strictly to preserve internal order, to spread the arts
of civiliz ition and peace; and while the varied grada-
tions must ever exist and be upheld, to connect and
unite its component parts, when broken and
scattered, by cementing and moulding them into
the prop irtioned shape of a great joint-stock com-
pany, in which every citizen might hold a share.
When the body politic is thus healthy and sound,
poverty will decline, dissatisfaction cease, a salutary
tone pervade the national character, and that pure
patriotism, which is best evinced in genuine devotion
to one's native lan I, become universally cherished.
Much is expected from the present Cabinet. They
fortunately possess both the power and the will to do
good. Under circumstances so auspicious a confident
hope may be indulged that another session will not
be permitted to pass without their devising a matured
and well-digestAl measure, calculated to ameliorate
the condition of the people, and tending to promote
the progressive improvement of the United Kingdom.
MICHAEL J. KEATING,
Archdeacon of Ardfert.
Aug. 1, 1849.

WHAT SECURITY has a SAVINGS'

BANK DEPOSITOR ?
TO THE. EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Since the recent defalcation of the actuary of
the Rochdale Savings' Bank, I have been at the pains
to peruse carefully the whole of the statutes relating
to savings' banks, with the view to ascertain the pre-
cise position of depositors in those banks, as it respects
the nature of the security they possess for the money
they have lodged in them ; and I conceive, at this
moment, an essential service would be rendered to
the industrious orders of the community, more espe-
cially to such of them as stand in the relation of de-
positors in savings' banks, by stating clearly what
is the legal position of a depositor. This is the more
necessary, as a very erroneous notion generally pre-
vails that the Government is responsible to depositors
for any loss they may sustain by the fraud or defal-
cation of any officer or party connected with the i
management of savings' banks. This is a very great
mistake, though, as I shall presently show, depositors
do possess the security of the Government in a
scarcely less important sense.
It was shortly after the commencement of the
present century that savings' banks dated their rise in
this country ; and for some time after their origin
they were not the subjects of any legislative
enactment. The benevolent individuals in a locality
who associated themselves together for the establish-
ment and management of those laudable institutions,
and a ho were usually as efUuent as they were philan-
thropic, were in the habit, in the first instance, of
pledging their own joint and personal security to the
depositors. But in the course of time an aggregated
sum of money flowed into those savings' banks, far
greater in amount than their most sanguine founders
could have anticipated, and thence arose the necessity
for some more solid security to maintain the confi-
dence which had been shown towards those
institutions; and it was in the year 1817, when there
were about eighty savings' banks existing in Eng-
land, that the first Act of Parliament was passed
with the view to encourage and protect them.
That was the 57 Geo. 111., c. 130, under the
authority of which a fund was (inter alia) established
in the Office for the Reduction of the National Debt,
entitled " The Fund for the Banks for Savings,"
and to this fund the trustees of savings' banks were
bound, from time to time, to transmit the amount of
all deposits made with them, when the suns amounted
to 501. or more. For the sums so invested the
trustees received debentures carrying interest at the
rate of 41. 11e. 3d. per cent. per annum, payable half-
yearly. By a subsequent Act, passed in 1828
(9 Geo. IV., c. 92), that rate of interest was reduced
to 31. 16s. per cent. per annum, whilst the interest to
be paid to depositors was settled at 31. Ba. sd. per
cent. per annum, the difference being allowed to be
retained by the trustees to defray the necessary ex-
penses of carrying on the savings' banks. A still
later Act, passed in 1844 (7 and 8 Viet. cap. 23),
reduced the interest paid by the Commissioners for
the Reduction of the National Debt to the trustees-
still further, namely, to 2/. ss. per cent. per annum;
and the highest rate of interest to be
paid to depositors was settled at Si. Os. 10d.
per cent. per annum, the difference, as before,
going to defray the current expenses of the bank. I
believe the rate of interest which is at present paid
by savings' banks is 2/. 17s. 9d., and whatever sum
remain', after defraying all charges and outgoings, is
allowed to accumulate as a surplus fund.
This, then, is the state of the case. The depositors
in savings' banks hold the security of the Government
for whatever sums the trustees invest in its hands
under the terms of the Acts which I have quoted;
and those sums will, or ought, in all cases to consist of
the whole of the deposits beyond the sum of 501,
which is allowed to be kept in hand to answer the
exigencies of the bank. It can only be by some gross
and culpable negligence on the part of the trustees, as
in the case of the Rochdale Bank, that an artful and
fraudulent actuary or other officer can be permitted,
for a long series of years, to abstract an enormous
proportion of the deposits. But even with respect to
frauds of that description, the Legislature has
by no means left the depositor defenceless
or without remedy. The statutes to which
I have referred, mid others bearing upon the
same subject, provide that every paid officer, such as
a treasurer, actuary, cashier, or secretary, shall give
good and sufficient security, by bond, for the due
performance of his duties, and especially for his right.
eously accounting for any funds that may pass through
his hands; and in cases of defalcation, the depositors,
by their trustees, are not only empowered to sue the
sureties of the & flutter, but the statute of Victoria
expressly provides that he shall be adjudged guilty of
a misdemeanour. Nor is this all. The trustees
themselves, under certain circumstances, are made
responsible for defalcations. Section 6of the Act of
Victoria, to which I have referred, enacts, " That no
trustee or manager of any savings' bank shall be
liable to make good any deficiency which may here-
after arise in the funds of any savings' bank, unless
such persons shall have respectively declared by
writing, under their hands, and deposited with the
Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt,
that they are willing so to be answerable; and it shall
be lawful for each of such persons, or for such persons
collectively, to limit his or their responsibility to such
sum as shall be specified in any such instrument.
Provided always that the trustee or manager of any
such institution shall be and is hereby declared to be
personally responsible and liable for all moneys
actually received by him on account of, or to and for
the use of such institution, and not paid over or dis-
posed of in the manner directed by the rules of the
, said institution."

From all this it will be abundantly evident that
the depositors in savings' banks have no good or
reasonable ground of alarm. I have shown they have
an ample and solid security for the surplus earnings

:hey may have lodged in those institutions, namely,
security of the Government of the country itself,

than which none more certain or safe can surely be
found ; but, beyond this the Government is in nowise
responsible to savings' banks. This, being so, depo-
sitors may rest contented. Now and then an un•
principled actuary may practice fraud on those
benevolent institutions, but in general he will
never have scope or opportunity for so demeaning
himself. In no case of defalcation in the
savings' banks in England that I know of have the
depositors eventually sustained any loss. In the in-
stances of both the Nottingham and St. Alban's
savings' banks, a few years ago, the deficiency occa-
sioned by the dishonesty of certain paid officers was
made good to the depositors by the trustees, to their
lasting honour, out of their own private fortunes, and
it remains to be seen whether the trustees of Roch-
dale will emulate so noVe an example. The popular
mistake seems to have been that the Government was
responsible for the defalcations of the officers of
savings' banks, whereas the truth is, that it is only
answerable for the re payment with interest of such
sums as the trustees of those institutions shall iLTest
in its hands.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
MATTHEW SOULSBY.

Dec. 8, 1849.

We understand that the funeral of her late Majesty
the Queen Dowager will take place on Thursday,
the 13th, instead of Tuesday, the 11 th.— Times.
THE ETIQUETTE OF MOURNING.—Although the
deepest mourning has been ordered by authority, it
does not follow that persons attending the reunions of the
season are expected to appear in other than halt-
mourning. This fact may be fully relied upon, the
Messrs. Jay, the purveyors to the Court, in Regent-
street, having been fully instructed upon the subject,
and in consequence of which the acknowledged taste
and ingenuity of their artists are actively directed to the
production of recherche novelties for this express pur-
pose.—Post.

LurtttATLIRE.
DAVID COPPERFIE ID. No.
CAarles Dickens.

VIII. By

Decidedly- amongst all the numbers, the current
number for December is the very best that has
yet appeared of Copperfield. The closing chapter
04), although brief, is perfectly inimitable—alto-
tner it forms one of the most felicitous pictures
yet produced by the magic pencil of " Buz"—
none other than Charles Dickens could have de •
scribed as truthfully, or with such a miraculous
particularity, the effects of a " first dissipation."
As a delineation of drunkenness it is actually
marvellous, and may rank with the happiest descrip-
tive passages in the language. It falls out thus :
Daisy having been installed by Aunt Betsey in
certain furnished apartments in Buckingham-street,
Adelphi—chambers consisting of " a little half-
blind entry where you could see hardly anything,
a little stone-blind pantry where you could see.
nothing, a sitting-room and a bed rsoni"-- is
visited by his friend Steerforth, and thereupon 're-
solves to have a housewarming; to that end inviting
as bis guests the said Steerforth and two of his college
friends, Grainger and Markham. The latter personage,
who " al ways spoke of himself iadefinitely as a man, and
seldom or never in the first person singular," is a
slight outline, but one touched off to the life. Mrs.
Crupp, who is very great in her garments of nankeen,
with a flounce of flannel petticoat, comes out in grand
style on the occasion of the banquet, advising her
lodger to obtain the aid of a handy young man to
wait, and "a young gal" to wash the plates in the
pantry; recommending him also to obtain all the pro-
visions at the pastrycook's except two descriptions of
aliment—"leaving tier to 'oncentrate her mind, on
the potatoes, asd to serve up the cheese and celery as
she could wish to see it done." Among the more im-
portant features of the dinner are the circumstance of
the mock turtle soup proving what Steerforth face•
tiously calls "rather a tight fit for four"—Daisy
madly taking so much snuff out of Grainger's box,
that he was obliged "to go into the pantry and
have a private fit of sneezing ten minutes long,"
and the casualities arising from the inquisitive
disposition of the "young gal," who thereby
was unable to confine herself to the pantry, was
constantly peering in at the festivity, and
constantly imagining herself detected, "in which
belief she several times retired upon the plates (with
which she had carefully paved the floor) and did a
great deal of 'destruction." But the account of the
rise and progress of the various phases of' intoxication,
as evidenced in the person of Daisy, is the best of
all. , His declaring passionately, in two words, to his
principal guest, on the occasion of proposing his
health, " Steerforthyou'retbeguidingstaroftnyexist
enee"—his indignantly objecting to the toast of
" Woman " in lieu of " The Ladies "—his finding
himself smoking with the others, " and trying to sup-
press a rising tendency to shudder"—his resting his
nead against the cool stone parapet outside the bed-
room window, and remonstrating with himself for
smoking, by the name of Copperfield—his seeing the
resection of his face in the looking glass, where " his
eyes had a vacant appearance, and his hair—only his
hair, nothing else—looked drunk "—his turning the
lamp , off as they were about to sally
into the streets, when, " owing to some
confusion in the dark, the door was gone,
and he was feeling for it in the window curtains "
are all equally felicitous. As the four boon compa-
nions are going down the stairs, near the bottom
somebody fell and rolled down, somebody else saying
it was Copperfield. "I was angry at that false report,"
says Daisy, " until finding myself on my back in the
passage, I began to think there might be some foun-
dation for it." Further on, after being dusted under
a lamp-post, and getting his hat put into shape, he
observes that Steerforth then said, " You are all
right, Copperfield are you not ?' and I told him
.Neverberrer.'" His entrance into the theatre, where
" the whole building looked as if were learning to
swim,"—his recognizing Agnes in the same box,
with the exclamation " Lorblessmer,"—his say-
ing afterwards, " I'mafraidyou'renorwell,"—and his
finally wishing her " Goori," (which he intended for
" Good night,") and thereupon a stepping at once out
of the box-door into his bedroom,"—are only equalled
by the account of his subsequent sensations and repent-
ance in the morning. He remains at home all the
next day, when at night Mrs. Crupp, coming in to
take away the broth basin, "produced one kidney on
a cheese plate, as the entire remains of yesterday's
feast, and Daisy was really inclined to fall upon her
nankeen breast in heartfelt penitence." The last
chapter has so monopolized our attention that we
have left ourselves scarcely room to mention the two
preceding ones, though they are scarcely less excel-
lent. In the twenty second, entitled, " Some Old
Scenes, and some New People," we take leave once
more of Yarmouth and the Peggotties; previously,
however, making the acquaintance of a knowing little
blade of a dwarf, one Miss Mowcher, a vendor of
rouge and general renovator of hair and whiskers.
Her "Bob Swore" is almost as good as David's
Goori." Mr. Littimer is left at Yarmouth by
steerrOrth; whO has purchased a boat before his
departaxe=preparations,pyriikpay ,mado,towards the
Xi; ,twenty-thirdabduction of moo
chapter, Daisy selects his_profession, Auut, Betsey
meeting him in London, and conducting him for
that purpose to Doctors' Commons, in order that
he may learn the duties of a proctor. The sketch
of Mr. Spenlow—" Punch again'—is capital ; also
the following happy description of the firm under
whom Daisy is to be placed :

MESSRS. SPENLOW AND JOItKINS.
" I was quite dismayed by the idea of this terrible
Jorkins. But I found out afterwards that he was a
mild man, of a heavy temperament, whose place iu the
business was to keep himself in the back-ground, and
be constantly exhibited by name as the most obdurate
and ruthless of men. It a clerk wanted his salary
raised, Mr. Jorkins wouldn't listen to such a proposi-
tion. If a client were slow to settle his bill of costs, Mr.
Jorkins was resolved to have it paid; and however
painful these things might be (and always were) to the
feelings of kir. Speulow, Mr. Jorkins would have his
bond. The heart and hand of the good angel Spenlow
would have been always open, but for the restraining
demon Jorkins. As I have grown older, I think I have
had experience of some other houses doing business on
the principle of Spenlow and Jorkins!"
llere also is another admirable picture—Dickens's
description of the Court in Doctor's Commons :
"Mr. Spenlow conducted me through a paved court-
yard formed of grave brick houses, which I inferred,
from the Doctors' names upon the doors, to be the
official abiding-places of the learned advocates of whom
Steerforth bad told me; and into a large dull room, not
unlike a chapel, to my thinking, on the left hand. The
upper part of this room was fenced off from the rest;
and there, on the two sides of a raised platform of the
horse-shoe form, sitting on easy old-fashioned dining-
room chairs, were sundry gentlemen in red gowns and
grey wigs, whom I found to be the Doctors aforesaid.
Blinking over a little desk like a pulpit-desk, in the
curve of the horse-shoe, was an old gentleman, whom, if
I had seen him in an aviary, Ishould certainly,have taken
for an owl, but who I learned was the presiding judge.
In the space within the hone-shoe, lower than these,
that is to say, oa about the level of the floor, were
sundry other gentlemen, of Mr. Spenlow's rank, and
dressed like him in black gowns with white fur upon
them, sitting at a long green table. Their cravats were
in general stiff, I thought, and their looks haughty; but
in this last respk ct I presently conceived I had done them
an injustice, for when two or three of them had to rise
and answer a question of the presiding dignitary, I never
saw anything more sheepish. The public, represented
by a boy with a comforter, and a shabby-genteel man
secretly eating crumbs out of his coat pockets, was
vtarrning itself at a stove in the centre of the court.
The languid stillness of the place was only broken by
the chirping of this fire and by the voice of one of the
Doctors, who was wanderieg slowly through a perfect
library of evidence, and stopping to put up, from time
to time, at little roadside ions of argument on the j _Ra-
ney. Altogether, I hare never, on any occasion, made
one at such a cosuy, dosey, old-fashioned, time-for-
gotten, sleepy-headed little family-party in all my life;
and I felt it would be quite a soothing opiate to belong
to it in any character—except perhaps as a suitor."

The incident of Aunt Betsey's encounter with an
unknown beggar in St. Paul's Churchyard is unac-
countably mysterious.

THE ART JOURNAL.

Another volume of this splendidly illustrated pub-
lication is here competed by the current number for
December. From the Vernon Collection we have
before us copies by the graver of 11. Beckwith, of
the " Low Life" and " High Life " of Edwin Land-
seer. Everybody is familiar with these admirable
paintings, which the engravings will only tend to
render yet more popular. Sir R. I'Vestmacott's
Distressed Mother " is the statue represented in
this the 103 d number. From the editorial address,
which celebrates the conclusion of the volume for
1849, we gladly extract the following foot-note :

" In a letter written by Mr. Vernon in answer to an
address of the artists and engravers who had been em-
ployed at his house copying and engraving the pictures,
Mr. Vernon thus expressed himself—' The engravings
are most beautifally executed, and I trust that when
they are published in the Art-Journal they will be ap-
preciated by the public, and by their diffusion at so mo-
derate a cost, improve and increase the taste for the
productions of our native artists."'
_ _

The following paragraph likewise from the same
address is also worthy of particular consideration :
" The Art-Journal is at present almost the only Art-
Journal of Europe. In France L'Artiste lingers, but can
be hardly said to exist, with a monthly circulation of
about three hundred; in Germany the Kunst Blatt, so
long the organ and oracle of European art, has ceased
to be published; In Italy no publication worthy the
name has of late years represented the arts; and we are
not aware of the existence in either of the other states
of Europe of any work devoted to those ' Arts of
Peace' which struggle, oppressed and terror-stricken,
amid the turmoil of domestic war. Under such circum-
stances, therefore, the best talent of the Continent is in
a great degree at our disposal; and we quote the words
of one of the most eminent and accomplished of German
writers, Dr. Waagen, who, in one of the articles with
which he has honoured our pages, says, 6 I now look to

_ • .
Englnnd as the only country in which the tuts tan ba
I permanently and securely fostered.'
The Art-Jtourna/ altogether is one of the most brilliant
and deserving of our perioiicals.

I EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS.
(PRIVATE VIEW—THIS DAY.)
' In the admirable gallery, recently opened by Mr.
J. L. Grundy at Na. 130, Regent-street, a copious
and charming collection of " Sketches in Oil
and Water-Colour Drawings" has just been
' opened. The private view, which we have
had the gratification of attending at the very
commencement of the exhibition, has afforded us
very peculiar pleasure. Considering the variety and
multiplicity of the productions with which the walls
of the apartments are adorned, we have seldom
1 wiLaessed an exhibition displaying so little to
which we could seriously make exception. Having
t A.xamille.dipiese paintings and drawings almost before
1
theicowvA,:gdFfirifitive,ly placed in their positions, we
hiive,uptlirlut(atelS% .mie,sed the assistance of a cata-
logue iii"l6lDiditieiiiing upon the different com-
positions, and. must 'consequently for the present rest
contented with a general reference to their aUlity.
George Cattermole, as usual, has been eminently suc-
cessful, not merely in his mill scenes, but also, and
especially in his armorial and ecclesiastical groups—
groups, under his hand, law lys rendered strik-
ingly dramatic. " Columbus explaining his scheme
for discovering a new world to the monks assembled
in the Spanish convent," and another exquisite draw-
ing representing the farewell of a knight and his lady-
love, are admirable examples of his happiest style, the
latter being eminently graceful an I effective. Frost
in two small composiftins proves, to our thinking,
not so successful as is his wont even upon these
smaller occasions for the display of his peculiar
and indisputable genius. Poole, on the con-
trary, shows himself as ever marvellously
true to nature and loyal to art; his rustic
figures are charmingly felicitous, above all the
one pourtraying a little girl laughing slyly from
under her eyebrows, with all the archness of the little
Hebes, who seem to have been somewhat favourites
with the great Murillo. In one corner of
the principal room we observed a fine and
singularly clever specimen of Pyne, while on an
opposite wall hang three glorious little drawings from
the easle of Clarkson Stanfield. Tile centre one
forms a perfect I4ou of coast scenery. The
principal feature of the exhibition, however,
remains yet altogether unnoticed, namely, the
screen fronting the chief window of the
gallery. On this screen are arranged, besides
three extraordinary drawings by Edwin Landseer,
the most conspicuous production in the apartments—
namely, a very admirable and brilliant painting by
Topham, In this work he has been eminently successful,
whether in regard to colouring, grouping, manipula-
tion, sentiment, or character. The story is told
in a word, as it is recognized at a gllnce.
A poor Irish family, a young man and his
young wife, are seated by a " holy well,"
the mother is administering a portion of the
miraculous water to her sick infant, the father looking
on with a listless indifference singularly expressive
and characteristic. In every respect the painting
will tend to raise the reputation of Mr. Topham, and
cannot fail to prove one of the main attractions in the
present very interesting and must diversified exhi-
bition.

INDIA.

NORTH-WEST PROVINCES.

We copy from the.Mofussilile of the 18th inst., the
following programme of the intended movements of
Sir C. Napier during the period he has to remain in
India, which, we dare say, will be found correct,
should nothing turn up in the meantime to cause a
change in the arrangements resolved on. The state-
ment that Sir Charles is to be succeeded by Sir W.
Gomm may be doubted. It is towards Bombay the
present sojourner in Ceylon looks as the place on which
to rest the soles of his feet.

" We are at length enabled to announce that his excel-
lency the Commander-in-Chief leaves Simla on the morn-
ing of the 20th instant, and proceeds on his tour to Agra
and Delhi. His Excellency's camp starts from 'Wks on
the sth proximo, for Loodianah, where Sir Charles
overtakes it by dauk. He crosses the Stitl..j at Phillour,
traverses the Jullundhur Doab, and visits Lahore. He
afterwards inspects the several military stations and
posts between the Itavee and Indus, and proceeds as far
as Peshawur. From thence he returns by a cross route
to Moulton, where his Excellency dispenses with the
further atkniance of head-quarters staff, who returns to
the provinces, whilst Sir Charles pursues his journey to
lihawulpore, and goes down the Indus to the point whore
he crosses to Kurrechee. A steamer will be in attend-
ance there to convey Sir Charles to Bombay, and there
he takes his leave of the army in India, and embarks for
England in March next. Sir William Gomm, w© be-
lieve, will be Sir Charles Napier's successor."
BY lUS EXCELLENCY THE COMEANDEIt•IN CIIIET IN
INDIA.

Head• Quarters, Simla, Oct. 16, IS-19.
With the sanction of the Most Noble the Governor-
General, his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief is
pleased to direct the following movements and changes
of quarters of corps of the army, to be carried into effect
in the order specified :
ARTILLE RY. —lst Brigade.-Ist Troop, from Jullundur
Wuzeraba.l, to move when relieved by the 31 Troop
2l Brigade.

2d -Brigade, from Hoiheyarpore to Peshawur, to
move on the 15th November.

4th Brigade, from Wuz!erabad to Hoshiarpore, to
move when relieved by Ist Troop Ist Brigade.
sth Brigade, from Aluttra to ltawul Pindee, to move
on the 15th November.

2d Brigade, 3d Troop, Ferozepore to Jullundur, to
move on the 15th Novembcr.

4th Brigade, from It tieul Pindee to Ferozqwre, to
move when relieved by the sth Troop Ist Brigade.
3d Brigade 4th Troop, from Wuzeerabad to.Sluttra, to
move on the 15th November.

13t Battalion, 2d Company, and No. 14 camel battery,
from Nusseerabad to Mouatm, to move when relieved
from Bombay.
4th Company, and No. 8, bullock battery, :from
Nihow to Agra, to move when relieved from Madras.
2d Battalion, Bead-qaarters, from Cawnpore to La-
hore, to move on the 221 October, as already ordered.
6th Battalion, 2d Company, and No. 9 horse battery,
from Agra to Jullundur, to move on the 15th November.
4th Company and No. 10 horse battery, from Boodee
Pind to Peshawur, to move on the 15th November; to
halt at Jullundur, until the arrival there of 2d Company
6th Battalion and No. 9 horse battery.
ith Battalion-Ist Company, from Almorah to At-
tock, to move on the 3d of December.

2d Company and No. 6 horse battery, from Jhelum to
Boodee Pind, to move on, being relieved by the sth Com-
pany, 7th Battalion, and No. 13 horse battery.
3d Company and No. 5 horse battery, from Wurzeera-
bad to Bureilly, to move on the 15th November; two
guns of this battery to be posted at Moradabad.
4th Company and No. 1 horse battery, from Bareilly
to Wuwerabad, to move on, being relieved by 3d Com-
pany, 7th Battalion, and No. 5 horse battery.
sth Company and No. 13 horse battery, from Delhi to
Jhelum, to move on being relieved by 6th Company, Bth
battalion, and No. 15 horse battery.
6.h Company, from Attock to Meerut, to move when
raievt d by 15t Company, 7th Battalion,
Bth Battalion.-21 Company, and No. 2 bullock bat-
tery, from Neemuch to Lahore, when relieved from
Bombay.
3d Company, from Cawnpore to Govindghur, to move
on tbe 15th November.

4th Company, from Govindgliur to Almorah, to move
on being relieved by the 3d Company, Bth battalion.
ith Company, from Saugor to Cawnpore, to move
when relieved from Madras.

6th Company, and No. 15 horse battery, from Lahoro
Delhi, to move on the 15th of November.

LIGHT CAVALRY.-ISt Regiment, from Peshawur to
Cawnpore, to move when relieved by the 7th Regiment.
3d Regiment, from Muttra.to Nowr,ong, to move on
the 20th November.
4th Regiment (Lancers), from Cawnpore to Wuznra-
bad, to move on the 20th November.
sth Regiment, from Wuzeerabad to Nakodah, to
more when relieved by the 4th Regiment.
7th Regiment, from Jullundur to Peshawur, to move
on the 15th November.
9th Regiment, from Miaow to Muttra, to more when
relieved from Madras.
IRREGULAR CAVALRY.-I,t Regiment, from Nee-
much to Lahore, to more on the 15th November. If in-
dispensable, the duty of detachments from the corps to
be taken by the cavalry of the Mulwah eontigent, until
relieved from Bombay.
2d Regiment, from Iloshearpore to Jhelum, head-
quarters and right wing to move on the 15th November;
left when relieved by right wing of 7th Regiment.
3d Regiment, from Jhelum to Bareilly, to more when
relieved by head-quarters and right wing of the 2d Re-
giment. _ _

4th Regiment, from Segowlee to Jhansi (for civil
duties), head-quarters and right wing to move on 20th
November ; left wing when relieved by right wing of
10th Regiment.
sth Regiment, from 13areilly to Moultan ; left wing
to move 15th November ; head quarters and right wing
when relieved by 3d Regiment.
6th Regiment, from Saugor to Wuzaerabad, to move
when relieved from Madras.

7th Regiment, from Wuze?rabad to Hoshearpore,
head quarters and right wing to move 15th November ;
left wing when relieved by 6th Regiment.
9th Regiment, from Loodinah to Peshawur. One
wing of this regiment will join the escort with the
Governor-General's camp, and be relieved at Lahore by
a wing of the 17th Regiment; and one ressalah will join
the escort with the Commander-in-Chief's camp, and be
relieved at Peshawur; the head-quarters and remainder
of the corps to march on 20th November.
10th Regiment, from Jhansi to Segowlie; head-
quarters and right wing to move on 15th November; left
wing when relieved by right wing 4th Regiment.
12th Regiment, from Rawnl Pindee to Jullundur;
head-quarters and right wing to move on 15th No-
vember; left wing when relieved by right wing 16th
Regiment.
13th Regiment, from Pesbawur to Moiterian, to move
when relieved by the 15th Regiment.
14th Regiment, from Lahore to Hoshearpore (for
civil duties); head coarter3 and right wing to move on
18th of November; left wing on arrival at Lahore of let
Regiment.

Itth t 6 4ri-;41.1
bead-quarters and right wing to move when relieved by
right wing 14th Regiment; and left wing when relieved
by left wing 14th Regiment.
17th Regiment, from L'thore to Loodianah; one wing
of this regiment wlll juin th?, Govcrncr General's camp
at Lahore; the oth .r wi:•g will match on the arrival of
the Ist Regiment at Lahore.
18th Regiment, from slhow to Lahore, to move on
the 2 ith of Novea:bi.r, or as soon as relieved from
Madras.

EUROPEAN INFANTRY.—IIer Majesty's 9th Regiment
from Lahore to Pcshawur, to move on the 20th of
November.

Ho r. Companye Ist Fusiliers, from Agra to Lahore,
to move on the 22d of November.

.thi Regiment from LahoreToAgra, to MOTC when re-
lieved by the Ist Fusiliers.

NATIVE INFANTRY.

ht Regiment, from Lahore to Julluadur, to more on
the I2th of November.

23 lt4ment (Grenadiers) from Umballnh to Rlsrul
Pindee, to move on the 12th tel .November..

31 Regiment, from Hoshearpore to Jhtlum, to move
on the 1t January, 1850.
4th Regiment, from Jullundur to Rawul P;nilee, to
more on arrival of the Ist Regiment at Jul!andur.
5.h Regiment, from Dinapore tuLore, to move on
15th of November.

6.b R9gimi nt, from Nus,eetahud to Agra, to umves
when relic ved from Bombay.
9:h Regiment, from Umballah to Lahore, to wort the
Governor-General's camp to Lahore, and be relieved
there by the 56th Regiment.
11111 Regiment, from Bareilly to B trrsekpore, to move
on urrival at Bareilly of the 72,1 Regiment.
12th Regiment, from Allygurh to Muultan, t 1 move OD
being relieved by the 30th Regiment.
13th Regiment, from Rawul Pindce to Delhi, to move
on arrival at Rawul I'indee of the 21 Regiment.
14th R•girinent, from Berhumpore to D.napore ; left
wing to move on the 15th November ' • head-qusrltri
and right wing when relieved by the 59th Regiment.
15th Regiment, from We,:z erabad to Umballah, to
move on arrival of the 32d Regiment at Wuzeerabid.
16th Regiment (Grenadiers), from Barrackpore to
Benares, to move on arrival at Barrackpore of the 54:h
Regiment. _ _

17th Regiment, from Lahore to Hoshearpore, to more
on arrival at Lahore of the 9,h Regiment.
19th Regiment, from Lahore to Boodee Find, to more
on arrival at Lahore of the 57,1 Regiment.
20th Regiment, from Jhelum to Noorpoor, to more
on arrival at Jhelum of the 37th Regiment.
21st Regiment, from Bandah to Wuzeerabad, to move
when relieved by the head-quarters and right wing of
the 48th Regiment.
22d Regiment, from Rawul Pindee to Fercisepore, to
move on arrival at Rawul Pindee of the 2d Regiment.
23J Regiment, from Phillour to Peahawur, to Nicola
the Commander-in-Chiers camp to Peshawar, and be
relieved there by the 70ib Regiment.
25:h Regiment, trim Wuaeerabad to Hajeepore, to
move on arrival of the 32d Regime nt at Wuz.,erabed.
26th Regiment (Light Infantry) from 13arrackpore to
Dinap,)re, to move on the 20th of November.
27th R giment, from Barraekpore to Benares, to more
on the arrival of the 44th Regiment.
28th Regiment, from Hosheytrpore and Kangra to
Peihawur, to move on being relieved by the 17th Re-
giment.

29th Regiment, from Nonrpoor to Pe!hawur, to move
when relieved by the 20th Regiment.
30th Regiment, from Meerut to Allyguhr, tomc)vo on.
the 12th November.

31st It,giment, from Peihawur to Jullundur, to movo
on being relieved by the 29th Regina( nt.
32d I.egitnent, from Ferozeporo to Wozetrabad, to
move 12th of November.

33d Regiment, from Neemuch to Benares, to move on
being relieved from Bombay.
34:h Regiment, from Hejeepore to Wuzaerabad, to
move when relieved by the 24th Regiment.
35th Regiment (Light Infantry), from Barrackpore
to Lucknow, to move when relieved by the 42A 114,gi-
Ment.

37th Regiment, from Jullundur to Jhelum, on arrival
at Jullundur of the let Regiment.
38th Regiment (Light Infantry), from Lucknow to
Barrackpore, to move on the 12th of November.
39th Regiment, from Dinapore to Lahore, to move on
arrival of the 60th Regiment from Cawnpore.
40. h Regiment, from Barrackbore to Allahbbsd, to
move on arrival of the 11th Regiment.
' 41st R-giment, from Delhi to Moulton, to move on
arrival of the 68th Regiment from Meerut.
42d Regiment (Light Infantry), from Delhi to Bar-
rackpore, to move on the 12,h of November.
44th Regiment, from Allahebad to Bsrrackpore, to
move by water as soJn after receipt of order as tonnage
can possibly can be procured.
45th Regiment, from Umballah toßareilly, to move on
arrival of the 15th Regiment at Umballah.
48. h Regiment, from Senores to Bandah; head quar-
ter.; and right wing to more on the 12th of November ;
left wing when relieved by the 16th Regiment.
49th Regiment, from Nakodab to Phillour, to move
12th November.

53d Regiment, from Wuzeerabad to Delhi, to more
on arrival at Wuzeerabad of th© 21st Regiment.
54th Regiment, from Agra to Barrackpore, to move
12th November..

55th Regiment (right wing), from Nagode to Now-
gong, to move to rejoin the head quarters of the regi-
ment, when a wing of the corps will be detached to
Jhansi, to relieve the detachment of infantry from the
Gwalior contingent now there.
56th Regiment, from L.thore to Umballah, to move
with the Governor-General's camp.
57th Regiment, from Dinapore to Lahore, to move on
arrival of the 26th Regiment from Barrackpore.
sSth Regiment, from Lahore to BoDsheyarpore, to
move on arrival of the sth Regiment from Dinapore.
.59th Rvg,itnent, from BaroiLy to Berhampore, to move
12th November.

60th Regiment, from Wuzeerabsd to Cawnpere,t
move Ist February, 1100.
61st Regiment, from Govindguhr to Lucknow, to
move when relieved by the 66th Regiment.
63d Regiment, from Agra to Wuverabad, to move
when relieved by the 66th Regiment.
65th Regiment, from Ronan s to Lahore, to move when
relieved by the 27th Regiment.
66th Regiment, from Lucknow to Govindguhr, to move
on being relieved by one of the regiments of Oudo local
infantry, to be ordered to march so as to allow the 66tk
to move from Lucknow cn the 12th of November.

67th Regiment, from Cawnpore to Dinapore, to move
by water as soon as tonnage can possible be procured.
68th Regiment, from Be rut to to move on the
Bth of November for temporcry duty until the arrival of
the 13th Regiment at Delhi, when the corps will return
to Meerut.

69. h Regiment, from Jhelum to Agra, to move on the
arrival of the 37th Regiment.
70th Regiment, from Pe3hawur to Umballah, to move
from Peshawur with the Commander•in-Chiet's camp in
relief of the 2.3 d Regimen*.
71st Regiment, from Boodee Find to Polley/or, to
move on the 12th of November.

72d Regiment. from Ferca .pore to Bareilly, to more
on the 12‘11 November.

74th Regiment, from Nlhow to Dacca, to move on being
relieved from Madras; to march to Mirzapore, and to go
by water front thence.
N.B.—One of the regiments of Oude local infantry to
be ordered into Lucknow so as to admit of the 6th Re-
giment of Native Infantry marching from thence on the
12th November.

The Madras and Bombay troops at present serving
on the Bengal presidency will be relieved by Ben-
gal corps as follow, and seat to such stations as may
ba allotted to them by their respective Governments:—