The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-30 00:00:00

REVELATIONS.

(From the Edinburgh Observer.)
The leaders of the Non-Intrusionists (as we have
often asserted) have long cherished a scheme of mar-
shalling the masses into a power which, under their
guidance, they anticipated would enable them to carry
into effect their schemes of clerical ambition, by over-
awing and bullying the constituted authorities of the
land. Amongst the many devices to which they have
resorted for this pious purpose, some of these leaders,
who are officials of a Committee of the General As-
sembly, recently concocted a " Statement respecting
the Non-Intrusion principle," &c , and along with this
a circular letter for the special information of their own
devoted supporters and tools all over the country ;
and this letter was intended only and exclusively for
the initiated. By some strange mistake, however, one of
these circulars, along with a copy of the statement (to
which we shall advert anon), was addressed to a Reve-
rend Gentleman who happens to be decidedly opposed
to the said clique--was transmitted through the Post
Office—and duly delivered as addressed, at the quiet
rural manse of a Moderate Minister. He opened the
packet, and, with more of indignation than surprise,
perused the contents ; and, being completely unfettered
by any obligation to secrecy—(which could not without
his consent be imposed upon him)—he felt it his duty
to give it publicity in a wider circle than seems to have
been intended by its authors. Hence we are enabled
to lay the subjoined document before the public ; and
of its contents, we doubt not the public will judge
righteous judgment.
Its object is the formation of a formidable and
widely ramified conspiracy against the peace and good
order of society ; and if proof were needed of the
perilous objects of these ecclesiastical revolutionists,
that proof is fully afforded in the Jesuitical production
which is subjoined. It bears the signature of Mr.
John Hamilton, advocate—the Secretary of the Non-
Intrusion Committee of the General Assembly, and
the select Ambassador and Coryphwur of that party
in all their " negotiations " and " centendings," and
may, therefore, be regarded as emanating from the dic-
tators in that cabal. So much for the letter and now
for the statement sent along with it.
This " Statement respecting the Non Intrusion prin-
ciple of the Church of Scotland, and the modes of its
legislative recognition," purports, on its title-page, to be
" respectfully submitted to the Members of her Ma-
jesty's Government, by the Non-Intrusion Committee
appointed by the General Assembly of the Church ; and
at the end it is said to be "Signed by appointment, Ro-
bert Gordon, D.D., Moderator of the General Assem-
bly of the :Church of Scotland, and Convener of the
Non-Intrusion Committee."

Thus companioned together, the letter of Mr. Hamil-
ton and the Statement by the Committee, are circu-
lated far and wide among the elect in all parts of the
Church—but the Statement alone (of course) sent to
the Government, and among Members of Parlia-
ment—and all this was done without the knowledge or
consent of the Committee from which it professes to
emanate! It was taken for granted by the dictators,
that all was sure, safe, and right, and that none of the
members of Committee would think of questioning
the " absolute wisdom" of the whole concern. A
meeting was held at which it was proposed to ap-
prove of the Statement ; but this was a little too
much even for Non-Intrusion stomachs. A rebellion
arose—a warm discussion—a dissent taken by one
or more—and suite a hurricane has been raised
throughout the ranks, both in the Committee and be-
yond it. What the issue of the schism may be we
neither know nor care ; but we are well assured that
this same Statement has gone forth as the approved
document of a Committee who had never been con-
sulted about it, and some members of which highly
disapprove of it.

As to Mr. Hamilton's letter, we opine that it is the
handiwork of the Select Committee—and that some
members of the 3eneral Committee will see it tor the
first time when they read it in our columns. And with
these explanatory remarks, we leave the epistle to tell
its own tale :

(PRIVATE.)
"3, Nortbunberland.street, Edinburgh, Dec. 14.
" Dear Sir—l inclose a copy of a Statement' which
bas just been despatched to the members of the Cabi-
net, and which we are a axious should be put into the
hands of all our brethren' and friends as speedily as pos-
sible. It has been prepared with the utmost care, and
we hope that it will meet the views of all our friends,
and that they will be ready to take up their ground,,
upon the basis which it lays down, and there stand firm
and united. When you have read it, pray write me
your opinion, and consider of the means of having it
forthwith in the hands of all in your quarter of the coun-
try. Copies will be sent in any number, and on that sub-
ject you may either write me, or to Messrs. Dalmahoy
and Wood, 69, Qtven-street.

" With respect :o the intentions of Government, we
have no official information. We have, however, strong
reasons to apprehead, Ist, That their present intention
is to propose and force through a measure having all the
essential defects of the measure which you will find de-
scribed in the Stztement,' pp. 17-20 ; and, 2dly, That
they may peremptorily insist on tho restoration of the
Strathbogie ministers, ece. In these circumstances you
will see the absolute necessity of losing no time in, Ist,
uniting all the brethren as one man, and, 2dly, securing
tor ourselves the intelligent and steadfast support of
the people.

" With regard to the union of the brethren, we hope
the Statement' may be of essential service, and, com•
bined with occasional meetings for conference, may effec-
tually attain the object.

As to the people again (who are not less important)
the plan is to avoid, unless where necessary, the hold-
mg of any public meetings for mere excitement, but that
each individual minister, supported by his friendly
elders, should summon for a week-day or week-day
evening a meeting of the congregation, and there explain
quietly to them the great principles and interests at
stake in the present controversy ; and invite them to
form themselves into an association in support of the
Church, and of her great principles. Previous arrange-
ments having been made, and the proper collecting-
books (which any be furnished in any quantity) having
been provided, the people are then invited to become
subscribers of a penny a fortnight (or more if they can
afford it) to the good cause ; and the association is im-
mediately set to work. In order to keep alive and in-
crease the intelligent interest, arrangements must also
be made for circulating to every hand, all the tracts and
other publications that are found suitable ; and still
farther, the minister should give a short series of two,
three, or four lectures, expounding the principles out of
Scripture, and by Scripture history and example, very
much as he would expound any other essential doctrines
of the Bible. In these exercises, as well as at the forma-
tion of the Association, he may, if necessary, have the
assistance of one clerical friend. Besides the tracts
already published, others will soon follow, and there will
be ❑o lack, in a short time, of abundance of exciting in-
formation and dscussion. But it is of great importance
to have all the Associations formed, and the principles
calmly expounded to, and instilled into, the people,
before the excitement and agitation have commenced.
" The formation of those associations is going on ra-
pidly here. Dr. Gordon and Mr. Buchanan are to form
one in the High Church next week ; and all the others
who have nct preceded will immediately follow. lam
told by those who have already formed them, that no-
thing can be simpler. Besides the friendly elders, a'se-
lection should be made of other steady and intelligent
individuals, including some labpurers and working men,
to be members of the Committee, so as to diffuse the in-
terest more effectually throughout the mass. The peo-
ple are found to go into the scheme heartily and at
once ; and, independently of still more important ob-
jects, a very large aggregate sum will be collected to
defray the local and general expenses. I understand it
is considered ►n essential part of the scheme that
(whatever it nay cost) some paid individual must ba
secured to look after the regular distribution of the
tracts, and the collection of the money.

. -
" I am not aware what is the state of organization in
your district, but you have already received communi-
cations on the subject from this quarter. I have
written in simlar terms to various individuals in differ-
ent parts of the country ; and I have ventured to ad-
dress you among others, in the hope that you will see
the importance of getting the brethren in your quarter
together, and taking instant steps for carrying out the
above plans. Pray, have the goodness to write me what
occurs to you, and what you contemplate doing. Messrs'
Dalmahoy and Wood will take charge of all details ;
but anything you mention to me I will communicate to
them. I have marked this letter private that you may
not communicate its contents to any but assured friends,
.e
and to let you understand that all publicity is to b
avoided, and that it is not to be considered on any part
as official.

as I had no choice nivh
" I beg you to excuse
will be the hand of an-
other,'..ut either to do so or omit
writing these letters altether. A copy of the ' State-
ment'employing
to every friendly clergyman throughout the country ;
despatched in a few days, by post, direct
but you may have co pies in any quantities you may de-
sire. I have written in similar terms to and —,
but not to any other person in your quarter of the
Country. Hoping to hear from you,—l remain, dear
Sir, your's very faithfully,
(Signed) " J. HAMILTON.
" P.S. The only effectual means for setting the plan
into immediate operation in all places, is that a few in-
fluentialat each central point, should divide
thesu:'r ministers,oundingcozotry into districts, each containing a
Presbytery or more, and that each of these individuals
should devote a week (from Sunday to Sunday) in going
over his allotted district, and visiting every Minister at
his own house, or several at a time, if they can be con-
veniently got together, and thus infuse into the minds
of each the proper spirit, and explain the proper mode
of procedure."

DUBLIN EL ECTION.—A gentleman named
Vance, son of a merchant who resides in Bridge-street,
has, we understand, signified his intention of a contest
vgainst the Conservative candidate. Mr. Vance was a
candidate for )3andon. some time since.

E VENING SUN

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY.—Iier Majesty. and Prince
Albert walked as usual in the New Grounds and Terrace.
Her Majesty afterwards 'rode out in a pony-carriage
and four, attended by the Countess of Sandwich and
Lady Stanley. In another carriage were the Hon. Miss
Lister, the lion. Miss Murray, Earl of Aberdeen, and
Admiral Sir Robert Otway. His Royal Highness Prince
Albert was on horseback, attended by Lord Stanle, Sir Edward Bowater, Colonel Arbuthnot, Viscount Sydyney,
Hon. C. A. Murray, and Mr. George E. Anson, to wit-
ness the uncarting of the deer in the Great Park.
The Chevalier Bunsen took his departure this morn-
ing, and the Earl of Aberdeen and Lord and Lady
Stanley left the Castle in the afternoon.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge, and the Princess Augusta of Cambridge, at-
tended by Lady Augusta Somerset, left town on Tuesday
evening tor their residence at Kew.
The Earl of Aberdeen arrived in town yesterday from
a visit to her Majesty at 'Windsor Castle.
Lord and Lady Stanley returned to their residence in
St. James's-square yesterday afternoon from a visit to
her Majesty at Windsor Castle.
The Chevalier Bunsen, his Prussian Majesty's Minister
ilenipotentiary, on a special mission, arrived in town
yesterday from a visit to the Queen at Windsor Castle

SUICIDES AT BRIGHTON.
BRIGHTON, DEC. 29.—0 n Monday night two frightful
suicides took place at Brighton. Last evening the in-
quests were held before F. H. Gill, Esq , the Coroner for
East Sussex. The first was held at the Reeve Inn, on
the body of Joseph Cheale, a labourer.
James Cheale deposed that he was son to the deceased,
and resided at No. 35, Edward-street. The deceased
had been low-spirited and rather deranged for the last
two years, from being out of work and in bad circum-
stances. On Monday night witness's mother was in the
bed-room with the deceased, and witness was in bed
in an adjoining room. Between two and three o'clock
on Tuesday morning deceased asked his wife to go
down stairs and make him some gruel ; she refused
at first, but havinc, repeated his request she went
down. Immediately after witness's mother had left
the room deceased jumped out of bed. Witness
watched him, and hearing the window go up, ran to him.
He was nearly out of the window, and-witness caught
hold of one of his feet, but could not hold him. After
the deceased reached the ground he ran across the yard.
Witness followed him as quickly as possible, and found
him at the well, partly in the bucket. He was not going
down, but apparently hung by the side. Witness began
to draw up the bucket, when the deceased slipped over
and went to the bottom. Assistance was procured, and
in about twenty minutes he was got out. Two sur-
geons were sent for, and the usual remedies applied,
without effect.

Thomas Clark deposed to getting the deceased out of
the well, which was very deep, and contained upwards
of twelve feet of water.

The Jury returned a verdict " That the deceased de-
stroyed himself whilst insane."

Ssecond inquest was held at the Queen's Head Inn,
on view of the body of John Way, aged 21, who de-
stroyed himself by jumping off a house.
Phillis Chapman stated that she was cook in the ser-
vice of Messrs. Lewis, Allenly, and Bedford, linendrapers,
of the Old Steine. Deceased was one of their appren-
tices, and was taken ill on Tuesday last, and kept his bed
from Thursday.
Susannah Wayne, of No. 132, St. James's-street, de-
posed that about ten oVock on Monday night she was
going down St. James's-street, accompanied by her
daughter. On passing the house of Messrs, Lewis and
Co., witness felt something brush her back, and heard a
fall with a groat crash. Witness, on turning round, saw
the deceased on time pavement. Witness was so dread-
fully agitated that she fell down. The deceased was con-
veyed to Dr. Hall's house, as also witness, who stayed a
short time to recover.

Henry Patching, one of the headboroughs of Brighton,
was passing the spot at the time. Witness assisted in
conveying the deceased, who was in his shirt, to Dr.
Hall's. Deceased never spoke.
Thomas Gray, an assistant to Messrs. Lewis and Co.,
after the occurrence examined the door at the end of
the passage Opening upon the parapet. It was open, and
witness observed the print of a foot on the dust, and the
candle and candlestick on the parapet. The door was
usually fastened by a latch. The deceased was very
steady, but rather an eccentric young man.
The Jury returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity."
SHOCKING ACClDENL—Yesterday morning a dread-
ful accident occured to an old lady, named Wilhnott,
aged 83. It appears that the unfortunate woman was
engaged getting her breakfast, when a spark fiew out of
the fire and ignited her clothes, which, befere assistance
could be procured, were nearly burnt off her back. She
was conveyed to the Sussex County Hospital, but soon
after her arrival expired. Mrs. Willmott was well known
in Brighton as an amateur performer, and performed at
the Brighton Theatre, within the last five years, for the
benefit of the instititution in which she died.

THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE
GREAT Wp:STERN RAILWAY.

READING, WEDNLSDAY EVENING.—WooIIey, of whose
recovery yesterday, there was but a very faint hope en-
tertained, died a little after three o'clock this afternoon.
The bodies of Richard Ralph, Jabez (;lee, and Joseph
Hands, were sent av, ay this morning by the six o'clock
goods train.

- The 1,000/. deodand goes, by a grant made in the
reign of James 1., to the Lord of the Manor, Mr. Palmer,
the Member for the county. From the well-known bene-
volence of that gentleman there can be but one conviction
as to the mode in which the money will be applied.
It is to be hoped that the Jury about to be summoned
to inquire into the circumstances under which the death.
of Woolley took place, will make that searching investi-
gation which all persons whose business compels them to
travel by the night or early morning trains have a right
to expect at their hands. Many such travellers are of opi-
nion that it e ould be perfectly legitimate for the Jury to
inquire—seeing that Woolley lost his life, in all proba-
bility, from the want of a night police on the line—in what
state of certainty or uncertainty the mail train, that
leaves the Paddington terminus at 55 minutes past eight
o'clock, proceeds upon its way. This train arrives at
Bridgewater on the fflowing morning at 25 minutes past
two o'clock, moving, it will be seen, at some 26 or 27
miles per hour, stoppages included. If a slip were to
take place at tell o'clock in the Sonning-hill cutting, or
an embankment in the vicinity were to give way at the
same hour, would or could the engine-driver know any-
thing of either till he was dashed upon the one or preci-
pitated into the other ? Does or does not this mail train
travel the whole, or nearly the whole of the 1.514 miles
in almost perfect ignorance of any accident that may
have happened upon the portion of the line in advance
it ? Many persons are of opinion that " the Lontlon
newspapers must be wrong in stating that the railway is
not watched by night." They are unwilling to believe
that the well-regulated police which they observe along
the line by day, are withdrawn by night, and that the.
trains are left to find their own way in the dark.

STANTON WOODHOUSE.—His Grace the
Duke of Rutland left his shooting box here on Thursday
last for Belvoir Castle, where he entertains u select party
during the Christmas holydays. During his ten days'
residence here, he and his friends, Lords Southampton
saenednForrester,by the t
had pretty.eterh o
good
the ods
killed : Hares,
1,255 ; rabbits, 361 ; pheasants, 289 ; partridges, 12 ;
and woodcocks, 8, making a total of 1,fi,28 head of game.
—Sheffield Iris.
DESTITUTION.—Last night,
at eight o'clock,
an inquest was held before Mr. Payne, —at the Old.
George Tavern, Snowhill, on view of the body of Wl-
btleiartt jheenNkvailissLialgleedd i6no.to speer.tLheyndeeiclea.osfedS,"wwhhomill'hdeepfoonsnedd
lying on the floor, with
a very little covering over him,
in a wretched hovel over the Fleet ditch. The body
was very much emaciated, and the lower extremities had
the appearance of jaundice. He inquired of the landlady
whether he (deceased) had had proper food,
and she said
he had not ; he had two turnips warmed for dinner on
Christmas-day,
and that he drank the water with salt in
it after she cooked a few potatoes. He said it was shock-
ing to see a fellow creature die of starvation, and not to
assist him, when she replied that they
were nearly in the
same state themselves, having had very little to eat for
By the Coroner—He died, in
the previous three days•
all probability, from disease of the heart ; but, without
doubt, his death was hastened from the want of proper
nourishment. Verdict—" Natural death." It is but
justice to Dr.
Lynch to state that he relieved the land-
lord and his wife from his own purse.
The Queen has sent 5/. to the parents of a little
child who fell over the cliff at Chudleigh, while dancing
round bonfire which was lighted by quarrymen ors
hearing
of
the Prince of Wales's birth.—Brighton GaGazette.
i
DISTRESSED PRINTERS.—It affords us
great p
leasure to state, that our two city Members
(Joseph Bailey, Esq., and Sir Thomas Wilde) have each
Contributed liberally to the fund now raising in this city
for the relief of the distressed printers of the Metropolis.
We beg to remind our readers that we still continue to
receive subscriptions.— Worcester Paper.
Lady Durham's remains are not expected to
reach the north for some days. Their arrival has been
looked for during the week ; but we understand there
has been some detention on the Continent, through the
breaking down of a bridge near Nice, occasioned by a
flood.— Vine Mercury.

The Dowager Lady Holland has removed from
Holland House, Kensington, to her mansion in South-
street, adjoining Viscount Melbourne's. Her Ladyship
gives her select dinner parties.
The equestrian statue of the late King George
the Fourth, in bronze, by Chantrey, nine feet high ti is
likely to be placed in the long walk, at Windsor.
The ranger's lodge in te Green Park has been
given up to the Woods and Forests, hut its demolition
has been delayed until early in the Spring.
On Monday evening an alarm of fire was given
in Motley-street, Curtain-road, Shoreditch, caused by a
woman, named Emma Wilson, resident at N'J. 99, having
set her clothes on fire while reaching something from
the mantel-piece. She was found enveloped in the
flames, which consumed her dress and burnt her most
dreadfully, and she was conveyed to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, where she died the following day.
Persons in the middle and upper ranks of life
would do well to look over their wardrobes at the present
inclement season, and see if anything can be found which
might be spared for the use of the poor.--Clambridge
Advertiser.

ANCIENT EGYPT.—Egypt comprehended an-
ciently, within limits of no very great extent, no
fewer than twenty thousand inhabited cities! This is
stated to have been the case under Amasis, when the
number of inhabitants in them, according to the same
account, was almost incredible. Its ancient kings are
said to have kept armies of 300,000 men in their service

THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.
( From the Times.)
In the evidence on the subject of the late
dreadful accident on the Great Western Railway,
Mr. Brunel mentions that " the reason for putting the
passenger trucks next to the engine, arises from the
danger to which a luggage train is considered most
liable--namely, its being overtaken by another train, in
consequence of its being slower, and unavoidably less
punctual than passenger trains." Mr. Saunders also,
another employe of the railroad, giving evidence in de-
fence of the Company, makes a statement to the
same effect. He informed the Jury, that " the gene-
ral opinion of scientific and practical men, and even
of the Inspector-General, was that the best place for
passengers in luggage trains was next to the engine.
Some trains went at the speed of forty miles as hour.
while others proceeded only at the rate of eighteen or
twenty ; and it wes impossible, where there were so
many cuttings and curves, to prevent a quick train
from sometimes running into a slow one, notwith•
standing every precaution. Accidents have been
avoided in consequence of placing the passengers in
front." And this obviously is the only excuse that can
be made for the an angement which has been the cause
of this miserable accident. Further, both these gentle-
men imply that, if left to themselves, they would make
ro change in that pert of the railroad arrangements.
"If the control remained in his (Mr. Saunders's)
hands, he should undoubtedly adhere to the practice of
placing the passenger-trucks in luggage-trains in front."
" The passenger truck," Mr. Brunel tells us, "was put
in the middle of the train on the Friday evening by my
order, merely as a concession to an opinion which
I knew had been frequently expressed." We
thought it better to place the passenger truck
' in the middle, lest it should be considered a mere
act of obstinacy if we adhered to the former
practice." We may suppose, therefore, that this prac-
tice will not be discontinued for any longer period than
is neceseary to avoid the imputation of obstinacy ; that
after such a " concession" as may seem to quiet the
tongues of the public, the system which is thought most
advisable by the authorities on the railroad will be re-
sumed. It becomes, then, not a little important to put
the justification brought forward by these gentlemen in
its proper light. Now, it is to be observed, that we
are not now inquiring what is the safest of two untried
courses ; we are not engaged in adding one additional
precaution to a set of arrangements already supposed
to be sufficient for all purposes of security ; a series
of distressing accidents have occurred on different
railways, and every one has remarked—we ourselves
have observed, in print, long ago—that it is in the
carriages next the engine that the fatal accidents
almost invariably occur. Nos before people have
over and over again made this observation, comes
the present frightful catastrophe. The passengers are
still crowded next the tender ; and now, at last, the
dreadful result is something throwing into the shade all
that has yet occurred. After all this experience, the
engineers come forward, and quietly (Mr. Brunel almost
contemptuously) tell us that they are quite persuaded
that the passengers would be even in greater danger
behind, and that if they had their way, no alteration
should be made. " Every precaution that could be
thought of," says Mr. Saunders, " to insure punctu-
ality and safety, bad been adopted by the Directors ;
and if the control remained in his hands, he should un-
doubtedly adhere to the practice of placing the passen-
gers' trucks in luggage trains in front." Let their
opinion stand as true—let it be the case that, if
passengers had been usually placed behind, the
sacrifice of human life would have been yet more
frightful—let it be true that the Directors have
adopted every precaution they could think of
to insure punctuality and safety—what follows, or seems
to follow, according to these witnesses? Simply this—
that we are quietly to sit down and resign ourselves to
the periodic occurrence of such catastrophes as this,
more or less. No admission is made that any thorough
change of system is desirable—that the times of start-
ing or the relative velocities of trains should be
altered, is order to obviate the necessity of these
collisions, which, it is said, if the passengers were placed
behind, would have even more tremendous consequences
thau the present catastrophe—no suggestion of the ob-
vious and simple remedy recommended by ourselves
amongst others, a day or two since, that without placing
passengers " behind," yet still they should- in no case be
allowed to travel without at least one, or, if necessary
to preserve human life, two or three, or half-a-dozen
empty carriages between themselves and the tender.
No. If the control remained in Mr. Saunders's hands,
he would still " place them in front ;" and Mr. Brunel,
the evening after the accident, orders the passengers'
truck into the middle, only, as he says almost in so many
words, by way of Jetting the prejediced public have its
will for once. This will not do. The plain common
sense of the public is not to be put down by the " Pooh !
pooh !" of an cue:Meer, however able he may be in his
profession ; lives must be looked after. These sacrifices
to convenience of locomotion cannot, and must not,
be taken quite so easily here as on the other side of the
Atlantic. Least of all can they he disregard©d when
there is any appearance treat the poor are being sacri-
ficed to secure comfort and expedition to the rich.
And let us tell the Directors that there is such an
appearance at present. We do not at all deny the
right of those who manage a railway to proportion the
comfort gieen to the price paid. 01 course we do net
call on them to make the lower classes so comfortable
as to draw passengers from the higher, though even
here Mr. Crawshay's proposed infusion of chimney-
sweeps, and the arbitrary rules which seem madie to
inflict inconvenience on tho cheaper class of travel-
lers, are rather more than we can stomach. It is
one thing to give to each passenger as much, and
not more convenience than his payment may fairly
claim, and quite another to nave recourse to a sys-
tem of deliberate, wanton, and insulting persecu-
tion—for the meaning of Mr. Crawshay's proposal is
nothing else—of those who only pay what they can.
But this worst of these petty means of annoyance arc
as nothing when compared with that carelessness of the
actual personal safoty of either class of travellers which
is implied in the alternative which Mr. Brunel coolly
leaves for them, of being-crushed by the luggage or by
the first class train. And this commeutary might be
extended to the surveyor's instructions, who is bound
only to see that all is safe and clear for the six o'clock
(feet) , train ; when a visit paid but half an hour earlier
would have done, the same good office for those who
have so dreadfully suffered from the want of it. The
ageets of the Railroad Company ore anxious to
show that there is no negligence in the
particular case. So much the worse ; the fault then
must be in the system. if under the present system
no precautions could have avoided the accident, no pre-
cautions can avoid it for the future, none at least that
the managers can imagine. A pretty avowL,l for those
to whose right management time lives of so many thou-
xands are from time to time intrusted. By seine change
or other they must be prevented, and if this cannot be
effected hy smell changes, it must be by great, even
though she nerchaleat Mr. Brunei's engines have to
travel five miles an hour slower, ur Mr. Brunei's em-
ployers to start twoeraina per diem the less, for it. The
managers of the Great Western deserve great credit
for a large part of their arrangements. Their speed,
their punctuality, the comfort of their first-class car-
riages, the env! of their motion, are all the result of able
management and well Judged expenditure. But all
these things put together may be rated too dear, and
they are rated very much too dear, when they ~
are
brought into competition %vita the lives of our fellow-
Creatures. We need not, however, fatigue ourselves
with mere weerds; whet) the eoore effectual remedy o
legislation may be so soca expectersle_

NITIONAL MERCANTILE uy,„
ASSURANCE SOCIETY.
•
The Anniversary Dinner of the cowmercial Duo,. •
men. connected with- this Institution took place at the
London Coffee-house, on last, Robert Currey,
Esq., in the Chair-.
After the usual loyal toasts were given, the CIIAIR-
MAN said he was about to propose a toast that came home
to the interests of all .present ; and it was to him a
source of high gratiiicatton to be enabled to assure the
meeting that the National Mercantile Life Assurance
Society was a safe, prwperous, and flourishing Instita-
tion. He was gratified in being surrounded by so nemo-
rous an assembly of commercial men, within whose
means and ability it Ras to render the Society one of
the first class and linpo.tance. The present moment
was neither the time nor place to enter into the details of
the financial progress of the Society ; but at,a proper
time it would be submitted to the Proprietors, and
would doubtless be highly satisfactory. After some
judicious remarks on the advatitages and progress of I
the science of Life Assurance, the Chairman concluded
by proposing " Prosperity to the National Mercantile
Life Assurance Society.
"The Health of the Chairman," " The Board of Di-
rectors," " The Actuary," " The Medical and other Offi-
cers of the lustitution," followed, and the meeting
separated.

. •
We are requested to state, that that fashionable
" Lady's Magazine," is about to
be pal)lished for the ne.v year,- with additional charms,
and en'isiderably enlargei ; am], a, tll 1; is the season
jewhen the public are sc-kiu for the best and-cheapest
monthly yorics, the -propric:ors of the "Lady's Black-
.lla;azine of F:tsii and Literature" are deter-
mined to tazie the lead, and publish a work whose pages
Hill be replete. with vigour and taste, calculated to enrich
the female mind, and to blend treasure's of information
with amusement. The embellishments are to be of the
first order of excellelice, and each number will contain
from three to four plates of the newest Parisian fashions,
a fine steel engraving of "Belgian scenery," and nearly
200 royal Svo. pages of letter-press, equal to four other
magazines for its brilliant literature and fashions. The
subscription is 2s. monthly, and the work is supplied by
all booksellers in the United Kingdom.
LEICESTER-SQUARE.--The enclosure of this
square is, and has long been, •in a most shamefully ne-
glected state. • There are at- the present' moment the
bodies of several dead dogs and of at least a dozen dead
cats (skinned by some adept in the art, the bodies being
-tied neck. and. Deis. together), lying within a foot or two
of the square railings. The state of the foot pavement
next the rails is ialscOeft: at 4isgusting cwl(l4ion.
' •
- •
•

MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.
FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.
POST.—In taking the course we felt it our duty to
do from the moment the metropolis and moneyed inte-
rest at large were first astounded by the admitted for-
geries of Beaumont Smith and his confederates, we
carefully drew the distinction that appeared to be just,
as between innocence and guilt. Tbis will be acknow-
ledged, upon a dispassionate review of our statements
on the subject, strongly as they have been assailed in
particular quarters. We have unquestionably taken a
little pains to put individuals on their guard against the
delusive expectation held out to them by some of our
Contemporaries, of it ready indemnification of their
losses in this business being afforded at the hands of Go-
vernment. There would, we considered, have been a
cruelty in the adoptiou by us, as impartial writers,
of any other policy. It would have been unfeeling
in the last degree towards the sufferers themselves,
though there was yet another consideration, the in-
fluence of which has operated forcibly upon our
minds. Let it be imagined that we, like the rest of
the public journals, at least a great number of them,
had given out to the world that indemnification could
not, and would not, be withheld, and jcined in the un-
patriotic recommendation, that conspiracies of Exche-
quer bill holders should be foraned for the purpose of
coercing the Executive into the mersure by the refusal
of further renewals. The consequence of such a pro-
ceeding would, we may assume, have been that of
setting on foot a fresh system of speculation, the effect
of which must be to involve in the fraud another class
of victims. A host of credulous and unthinking per-
sons would have been found but too ready to deal in
the Exchequer forgeries ; and, among the almost innu-
merable bubbles to be seen in the lists of the Stock
Exchange, it would have become necessary, in order
to afford a faithful report of the daily transactions
there, to include the quotation of " spurious Exche-
quer bills."
WIDe we have done our best to lead the public to a
right conclusion on the head of indemnification, we have
failci not to impress upon the innocent Exchequer bill
holders the expediency of meeting, ef consulting together,
and of forming a Committee of inquiry. Such a mode of
dealing with the case would, we conceived, be most
useful, whatever might prove the result. In a matter
of such deep importance it was not likely that the
Executive could take upon itself the responsibility
which it has been required to do.. Cases of grievous
hardship are heard of; and it cermet be supposed that
we would wantonly, and without the smallest provoca-
tion, step between innocent people unfortunately im-
plicated in them and justice.
ADVE RTISE R.—We have much pleasure in being
enabled to state that the emin sat East India firm of
Boggs, Taylor, and Company, vrhich suspended pay-
ment a week or two back, will res ume again to-morrow,
with the view of winding up. Its assets will be suffi-
cient to pay in full ; and but far delay in the arrival of
remittances from India, the necessity for the untoward
stoppage would not have arisen.
For some time past there hav e been frequent and
serious complaints of the disposition of certain officia!s
connected with a certain rails; my to enter into very
extensive Bear transactions, or, in plainer terms, to
depreciate the value of the shar as, in order to derive
a profit from such depreciation. These matters it is
always delicate to allude to; his t, in the present in-
stance, the subject, as a matter o f conversation, has be-
come so notorious in the City, t hat we consider it to
be our duty as faithful chronicl, rs to advise the public
of them, and at the same time t , afford an opportunity
for contradiction if the statemeri It is unfounded. For
the security of parties investing- capital in such un-
dertakings it ie of the first new., ssity that no kind of
jobbing, at least among parties a 3gnizant with, or en-
gaged in, the administration of affairs of this kind,
should for one moment be toler. ated. The Bank of
England effectually provides again st such jobbing, and
why not Railway Companies also.
CHRONICLE.—The holds rs of Pennsylvania
State Bonds will receive much satisfaction from cc-
rusing the subjoined communication , which emanates from
a highly influential quarter, and a aay be safely looked
upon as official : " Nov. 30, 1841.
" In reply to yours of the 29 .3 I instant, it gives me
pleasure to state as my firm bell e f that the interest on
our public debt, due on the Ist •of February next, will
be promptly paid without rec nurse to loans. The
balance in the Treasury this da3 ris 1,109,922d01. 24c.,
of which the sum of at least 7 ,50,000de1. is available.
The two heaviest months of ret eipts are yet to come
before the interest is payable ;; and the receipts for
three months, I think, may be sit; fely estimated at from
400,000d01. to .500,000d01. Int n therefore of opinion
that the resources of the Treasur: y will not only be suf-
ficient to pay the interest, but th a t all ordinary demands
of our Government will likewise be met.
" But to guard against any contingency that might
occur to injure the present pros pect, the Governor has
made a requisition upon the ban As, under resolution of
the sth of May last, to make up any deficit if such
there should be. Under all then w circumstances, there
cannot for a moment remain adi subs as to the interest
being punctually paid."
The assurance thus given 6; it the interest due on
Ist February will be punctually p aid cannot fail to tran-
quillize the fears of the English creditors of the State
of Pennsylvania ; and the explar action which the above
letter also affords of the cause of the further requisition
upon the hanks shows that, in se ead of looking with
alarm upon that step, they shauki feel greater confi-
dence from it, as it has been a dop ted, solely for their
benefit, to guard against any coating -encies.
Si; N.—The Stock Markets are Et !ady to-day, and the
quotations generally were fully set pported, in the ab-
sence, however, of any extensive trai asactions. Consols
for the opening were 88ii to 89i, en d for Money, 90.
PAeliequer Bills were 12s. to 14s. 'a :em. ; Bark Stock
was steady at 1651 to 1651; and lic duced Three-and-a
half per Cents. brought 99 to 99i.
The Foreign Market evinced m t animation for any
security but the Mexican Bonds, vi ich were dealt in,
both the Active and 2)efermci, at'roved rates. It is
supposed the Oividend will be forth. u ming. The Actives
were 24 to 27, and the _Deferred, :8 . • to 8-1- Brazil Old
Bonds were at 64, and dull. Sp aaish Actives were
steady at 24,+, to 24i, and Russia t at 114. There is
very little disposition apparently to --spemlate in Penin-
sular Stocks.
The recent accidents on the Rai. h 1 -ays have not had
the effect of checking the improvetn !ir Lt in Shares, and
there was again to-day a good deal di AI icr. The nearest
rates were these :—Great Western, 21 'to 21z ; New
Ditto, 10 ; London end Birmiughan I, 8 0 ; the Quarter,
20 ; and the York and North Itidd land, 42 rem.
Brighton Shares were 10; ; Mane est it and Leeds, 1 ;
Midland Counties, 15 ; and South Ear ;tern and Dover,
21:1E dis. London Joint Stock Bank SI tr ires were 2 pram.

THE ROYAL EXCI IANGE.
The Gresham Committee met on 1 Friday last, for. tl.e
purpose of receiving the Report of ti le Sub-Committee
appointed to make the requisite arrangement for the
grand ceremony of laying the first stone of the New
Royal Exchange ; Mr. R. Lambert J Vries in the Chair.
We believe the following particular: ; i o be correct :
Tne ceremony is to take place on A 2( inday, the 17th
of January, that day having been ; sp; pointed by his
Royal Highness Prince Albert, wb o, upon being ae-
plied to, graciously, and without her ei tat .ion, consented
to lay the first stone of the building.
The site appointed by the Comrrsi•tf;ea is the founda•
tion of one of the columns of the a icr chants' area on
the north side of the ambulatory, tb e p 'ticular column
being the one which is to be west 04, t he ee.sntre opening
or interval. This spot has been lire d upon, as being
relatively the seine as that adopted whe n Charles the
Second laid the' first stone of the old Exelnange, and is,
in point of fact, very near the actual site.
Round the stone the architect ha s constructed an
amphitheatre which will contain seats r 0 r 1,200 visitors.
These seats will rise from a platform, 4 0 feet diameter,
of a circular folio, to increase by ten Co acentric rows of
sittings to the diameter of 100 feet. 7 'he whole of this
large space will he roofed and decorate, I, so as to ap-
pear like an enormous tent, the roof bei og supported by
a pillar in the centre.
The access to the arena will be fro' n Cornhill, by a
!'"gfted way, descending gradually ;i .ous the level of
the street to the level of the platform.
Th company are to asserr:ole bete') :en the hours of
twelve and. two.
Prince Albert, it is expected, ve;ii I arrive at two
o'clock, at the Guildhall, where hit Royal Highness
will be met by the Lord Mayor andt Aldermen, and
will thence proceed with the Greyt it la Committee in
procession to the building, 'which he •
Cornhill. • will enter at
The Lord Mayor will. give
a S `boo banquet in the
present, besides P rince. pert, all her
evening, at the Mansion-gorse At of the occa-
sioo ; 400 cards n have been al, •eady issued,
ai‘niadietshteyr,se
ibsteere, the Judges, Oi Beers: of State, and
others.
The card of admission to the cer •emon] •of laying the
first stope of the Royal Exchanges is w
ant as a work
of art. It contains at the head of then suet words of
introduction a view of the New E zebra g e, surrounded
by a bold embossed border, having ;it tb ee top the arms
of Prince Albeit, Sir Thomas Gre: ;haul nd the shield
of the Corporation of London, n,d the Me/ eel s' Company.
Prince Albert is to use a silver gilt t ;row oh, which is
to be manufactured by Deputy Brook, th, e Poultry,
and will, it is expected, he a splendid spew :imen of chasing
and workmanship.

- - ---
tine latest
DUEL ON FOOT,—At Natcbtz ,at ,c ow.
advices, a duel between Judge Tenney and -L-N• - •
was to lake
ley, 'Esq., was in train of preparal2,oll. It
place on the 6th inst., on the Ari,car tss s shore, opposite,
to Princetown. Each of the pe,ncip „
t nd a bowie knife.
al: i was to be armed
with a rifle, a pair of duelling ' thirty
The rifles to be discharged a,. thirty pl ices distance, then
to advance at pleasure to "the fall c i. one or both. The
.
cause of the duel is said to be a decis' isl nof Judge TenneY:y,
at the last Circuit Court in Concordia, affecting Rowley's
property. Quite an improvement on the usual tardy
course of appeal. Should the Jud ,e re ceive a rifle ball
through the heart, we presume it 7a iii be held that his
decision was wrong, and ought to be sev aside. Oa the
other hand, should his Honour succeed is plunging a
bowie kr'c'e list deep into the thor am a Mr. Rowley, then
the 1.--7 of the Judge will stand a g and the equity
of his decision be unquestioned.—
_Guic,•aa Gazette.

SECOND EDITION
____."........_
THE FUNDS-(CLOSING PRICES)

BRITISH FUNDS.
Bank Stock 1654 India Stock —..
3 per Cent Red. 89;1 Ditto Bonds
3 per Cent Cons — ;Ditto Old Annuities ...
3i per Cent Red 99A- ;Ditto New Annuities...
New 3:i per Cent Ex. Bills, 1,000/....21d 12 pm
New 5 per Cent ; Ditto 500/
Long Annuities toexpire ' Ditto Small. 14 pm
Jan 11860
Oct 1859 lndia Stock f0r:Acct....245
Jan. 1860.
FOREIGN FUNDS.

Austrian, 5 per cent Portuguese, 5 per cent. 55
Belgian, 5 per cent — 'Ditto, New Ditto 33*
Brazilian 80nd5.......... 'Prussian, 5 per cent ;—
Buenos Ayres, 6 per cet Russian, 5 per cent —
Chilian, 6 per cert..... 'Ditto, Metallic —
Colombian, 6 per cent.. 'Spanish, 5 per cent 9571
Ditto, 1824. 2li Ditto, DefeiTed ... 12i
Danish, 3 per cent ,French, 5 pe: cent. —f. —c.
Greek, 18%5, 5 per cent — 'Exchange —f. —c.
Mexican, 5 per cent.... 27i 'French, 3 percent 7Bf. —c
Ditto, 6 per cent, 1837 'Dutch, 2i per cent
Peruvian, 1825, 6 per ct. 14h. ;Ditto, 5 per cent.
SHARES.
Cheltenham and Great Western (72!! paid) 20
Eastern Counties Railway (23 raid) ... —
Ditto Debentures ( paid) .... ....... . ...10/ 11 s 8d
Great Western Railway( 65 paid) B7
Ditto New Shares (50 pain) ... 61
' Ditto Fifth (4 paid)
London and Brignton (50 paid) 39
London and Blackwall r=ailway (25 paid)... 12
Ditto New Shares ( paid)
London and Birmingham (90) ......... ...
Ditto New Shares ( 2 paid) ... ........
Manchester and Leeds (70 paid) ... .. 71
Ditto New Shares (30 paid)
Midland Counties Railway (100 paid)
Ditto Quarter Shares ( lb paid) 27i
Northern and Eastern (35 paid) ...... .... 29.
South Eastern and Dover (43 paid)...
Ditto New Shares ( 5 paid)

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.
FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.
GLOBE.—There has been from time to time con-
siderable speculation as to the course that the Govern-
ment will pursue with regard to the forged Exchequer
bills ; and much has been said on the hardship of the
position in which " innocent holders" will be placed,
should the Treasury repudiate any liability to meet
such of the documents as are found to be fraudulent.
It has been, of course, a matter of much deliberation
in official quarters, what plan shall be pursued ; for
while it is felt that the parties who have given value
for their bills would have great reason to complain if
they should be made to suffer by the malsractices carried
on by a servaat of the Government, it would be no less
unfair towards the Treasury to be called on to discharge
in full the claims of those who could not but have
known, by the terms on which they took their bills, that
some irregularity must have attached to them. We
have every reason to believe that the Government has
at length resolved to meet the question upon equitable
grounds, and, taking for granted its non-liability in a
legal sense, it has determined to state to the House of
Commons the facts of the case, leaving it to that body to
deal with it. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will pro-
bably bring the matter forward, and, without deny-
ing the laxity that has hitherto been allowed to prevail
in the Exchequer bill department, will propose that the
parties who have really taken the forged documents
under circumstances showing no ground for believing
that they could have suspected fraud, shall be indem-
nified to the full amount of their fictitious securities.
It will, however, be urged that persons who gave
only 8001. for bills which, if they were genuine, were
worth 2,0001., and if not were of no value at all,
must be considered to have been merely gambling on
the chance of the documents turning out good or
bad, and that, the latter being the case, the stake so
improperly played for should be regarded as sacrificed.
It is clear that there are no funds out of which the for-
geries can be paid, and the House of Commons must
therefore be resorted to in the existing difficulty,—
though the Government will propose the plan for getting
out of it. The liabilities to the public, presuming them
to be equitable and not legal, may be adjusted with
greater facility than the question which will arise be-
tween the Bank and the Treasury, which in official
quarters is now creating considerable perplexity.
STAND ARD.—Lord Melbourne is more interested
than any other man in proving that the country which
he has governed for seven years is not suffering from the
ill effect of contemporary Government, or even from the
influence of preceding errors, which, during .seven years,
he surely might have repaired ; hence his unwilling-
ness to see the actual distress exaggerated. But Lord
Melbourne, true to his party practice, has still a
reserve of fallacy ; he talks of " lessons for the future,"
as if there were something to condemn in the system
which has brought Great Britain to her present state,
Now this must not be suffered to pass without a re-
mark. During 50 years the population of England has
doubled ; her territory has multiplied fourfold, and her
wealth, probably tenfold ; concurrently with a war, in
which she has had to battle for the liberty of the human
race, and has battled triumphantly. Does the system,
under which so much has been effected, present results
that are to be read as lessons as to what we ought to
shun ? Do not the effects of such a system, on the other
hand, point out in striking characters the danger of
every deviation ? If temporary distress is the result
of sueh a system—a fact which we do not dispute—a
great progressive prosperity is no less certainly. We
have again and again shown that temporary distress is
the necessary attendant upon rapid progress. This is
the lesson to be learned ; and if Lord Melbourne and his
colleagues had studied this lesson, they would not have
ensured by their New Poor-law that every temporary dis-
tress shall be exasperated into misery and torture, nor at-
tempted by their budget measures that that would
stay the national progress, and cause it soon rapidly to
retrogade. We repeat it once more, that you can-
not have progress without occasional distress ; but that
under the old Poor-law distress was so effectually miti-
gated as to threaten no danger to the community.
Prosperity causes the accumulation of capital—capital
becomes the competitor of labour, and for a time it
must prove the successful competitor ; but during the
interval that passes before labour can right itself, by the
opening of new markets, there must be distress. These
are plain propositions, a priori, and the evidence of ex-
perience warrants their soundness.
COURIER.—Few are the manifestations, and
scanty the measures of popular sympathy evoked by
the downfal of the Whig cabinet. A kind of sulky
silence seemed to have taken possession even of that
portion of the public supposed to be most favourable to
the views of Whig policy, which, being rightly inter-
preted, meant to say that in being cashiered from office
the Whigs had only met with their deserts. This, we
repeat, is the inference which we have drawn from the
indifference evinced towards the leading members of the
Melbourne Ministry by the country at large; their offi-
cial extinction appears to have inspired no regret ; the
change which has transmitted subtle, glozing courtiers,
into jealous and watchful, we will not add factious, op-
positionists, seems to have excited no hopes. In vain
they preach to the miserable remnant that still adheres to
them the virtue and magic potency of union—in vain
they labour to enforce the stale truism by references to
the achievements of their party in 1834 5. The temper
of the times has wonderfully changed since then ; at
that period the first indications of the ebb were only
given ; ever since the reflux has been rapid and steady,
and therefore to appeal to what Whig-Radicalism was
then enabled to effect as an illustration of what it might,
if similarly directed, be now able to achieve, is to betray I
a total inappreciation of intermediate occurrences—is to
confound vigour with debility, and the confidence of an-
ticipated victory with the discouragement of certain
defeat.