The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-01 00:00:00

LONDON,. MON DAY MORNING, MARCH l, 1847.

As many of the shareholders had net had their attentoin
called to the matter, it would only be a matter cf
courtesy on so important a point, that they should have
a fortnight to satisfy themselves on it. lie would there-
fore move, as an amendment, the adj,urnment of the
meeting till that day fortnight.
Mr, MOSELEY wished, before the question of adjourn-
ment was put, to make some observations of lin explana-
tory nature, in order that no misconception might exist
as to the facts of the case. (Hear, he it )
The CHAIRMAN.—I have no wish to stop Mr. Moseley.

The more he speaks the better for us; but Mr. Mosel4
must be aware, that on a question of adjourning the
meeting it would be irregular to go into matters of the
nature which Mr. Moseley wished to bring before the
shareholders.
Mr. MOSELEY—I think it very extraordinary en the
part of the directors, that, having acted contrary to what
was believed to he the law of the case, and also in oppo-
sition to the interests of the shareholders, you should now
seek to shirk the question and get rid of the responsibility
you have incurred by availing yourselves of a mere ques-
tien of form.—(Loud cheers.) I should have thought you
would have been glad of an opportunity 4,f giving an
explanation. It is well known, at least it is believed,
that you, the directors, have parted with the greater
part of your interest in the company.—(Loud cheers.)
If you will tell the meeting on what grounds you attempt
to justify your procedure, when the meeting thought
that procedure contrary to law, the meeting will now be
glad to hear what you have to say in your own justifica-
tion. If you have nothing but the interests of the share-
holders at heart ; if having made all the profit you could
out of the property—(Loud cheers)—you are now de-
sirous of be' efiting the shareholders by the course you
have determined to pursue, you surely can have no ob-
jections to state the grounds on which you havegseted
and still mean to act.
A SHAREHOLDER (with much vehemence)— Why do
you conceal anything ?—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN—That gentleman need not gesticulate
so violentl3.
A SHAREHOLDER—Giva us the opinions you have
received from counsel.
The CHAIRMAN—This is not the proper time for that,
when the question of adjournment is before the meeting
.—(Cries of " Oh, oh.")
Mr. MosELEY—You must be aware that there are
reports current in Birmingham and everywhere else,
which are not creditable to your character as directors
of this company. It is currently stated that you have
purposely sacrificed the interests of the shareholders to
purposes of your own. and that—
The CHAIRMAN—The statement you make is false.—
(Cries of " Order, order," and a great sensation among
Mr. Moseley's friends.) I do not mean that what Mr.
Moseley says is false, but that the report to which he
alludes is so.
Mr. MosEeErt—l am glad, Sir, that you have with-
drawn that word. If you had not I should have sat
down. It made the blood rush to my face. Though I
do not belong to a certain assembly, I have the spirit
and sense to resent any insult, by whomsoever offered,—
(Hear.)
Lord HATHERTON—It was not meant personally. I
did not so understand it.--(Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN—I did not mean anything of a per-
sonal nature to the Hon. proprietor. I merely referred
to a statement of others which he was quoting.
Mr. MOSELY—I am glad to hear Lord Hatherton say
so, and also to receive a renewed disclaimer from you,
Sir. I will now forget the matter. I repeat that the
property has been sold much below its real value. It is
wi h the view of getting a fair price, and not getting the
line for the London and North Western, that I am pur-
suing the course lam now doing. If the Great Western
had given the full value for the property, you should
never have heard a word of complaint from nre It was
because the proper value is not given that I resolved on
adopting the course lam now pursuing.— (Hear.) It is not
as a shareholder of the London and North-Western that
I stand here. I stand in this place as a shareholder
only of the Oxford and Birmingham Junction. I have
to complain of the chairman of the Great Western
(Mr. Russell) representing me as having said at a former
meeting that I was the mouthpiece of the London and
North-Western. I beg to deny that I ever said any-
thing of the kind. It was a personality to attribute such
words to me. I ask the chairman of the Great Western,
as a gentleman, is he prepared to substantiate the words
he has imputed to me ?
The CHAIRMAN—We are not here for the purpose of
going into matters of this nature. The words Mr.
Moseley complains of were not used at any meeting of
this company.
Mr. MOSELEY—They were used by Mr. Russell, and
that gentleman is present. I should have supposed that,
as a gentleman, he would feel glad of an opportunity of
either substantiating oa retracting his words.—(Cheers.)
Mr. RUSSELL—I beg the chairman not to interfere
between me and Mr. Mosely. When he has finished his
observations I will answer birn.—(Hear.)
Mr. AOSELEY—It is the custom in the Rouse of which
Mr. Russell is a Member, for gentlemen to make any
personal explanations which may be necessary whenever
arpealed to for the purpose.
Mr. RUSSELL—The lion. Proprietor is quite wrong
as to the practice in the House of Commons. The
Speaker will not allow any such interruptions to the
usual proceedings to be made.
Mr. MOSELEY—Mr. Russell must be aware that such
is not the practice. Whenever a Member complains
that he has been misrepresented, the party of whom he
complains must get up and explain at once. The Hon.
Gentleman refuses. This is only a continuation of what
has before taken place. The directors are to be every-
.hing, and the shareholders nothing.—(Great cheering.)'
I will not submit, so far as I am personally concern-d.
to conduct of this nature. I demand a retractation or
substantiation of Mr. Russell's words.—(Cl.eers.)

The CHAIRMAN—I cannot see what I have to do with
a quarrel of tnis nature, which arises from what appetred
in the newspapers.
Mr. MOSELY—I give you great credit, Sir, for your
anxious endeavours to serve your colleague.—(Loud
cheers, mixed with a few faint hisses.) I should have
,xpected that Mr. Russell, as a gentleman, would deny
the chargh if not true. It is a matter in which all the
directors were interested, and they would have felt it so,
unless the profits they had made by their shares had
blinded them to everything else.—(Loud applause with
laughter.) lam Mr. Russell's equal in every respect.
and will not tamely submit to be maligned by him. I
wish that there may be no mistake on that point. I
state in the boldest, broadest, and "lost distinct manner,
that I never used such language, and I defy any breath.
ing man to prove that I did.—(Applause.) I will not
be daunted nor diverted from pursuing the course
which 1 think proper in reference to this company. I
repeat what I before said, that the sale of the line
to the Great Western was made when the real share-
holders were not in a position to vote.—(Deafening
applause.) I say that it was disgraceful to act :in this
manner. You may " Jump Jim Crow" as you will,
but you shall not be allowed to have matters your own
way. I warned you that when the registration was com-
pleted, we would undo what you have done. You have
::cted illegally throughout, and that you will find out
before a long time has elapsed. You have sacrificed the
shareholders. The value of the line, as being confessed
by yourselves the battle-field of the broadguage question,
must have been apparent to you. You could not have
acted as you have done from ignorance ; but we have de-
termined not to be defeated. I have entered on my
course and will pursue it.—(lmmense cheering.) We
have at least seven-eights of the shareholders with us.

I shall not retire from this contest so long as theWl;
one inch of ground on which to battle with you. Mr.
Moseley then sat down amidst greet cheering.
Mr. RUSSELL, M.P.—I will now answer the question
of the Hon. Proprietor. I was not present at the meet-
ing at which he was said to have made use of the lan •
guage imputed to him. In making the statement I did,
I acted on information communicated to me by gentle-
men who were present, and they assured me, and they
still believe, that he did use the expression, that he was
not only authorised to make the offer of 151. premium
on the shares of the Birmingham and Oxford ,
Junction Railway, but that he was the mouth•
piece of the London and North-Western Com-
pany. I have no right to doubt that gentliman's
word, after the disclaimer he has made, but it is right I
should say that the whole circumstances connected with
the conduct of the London and North-Western Company
in refers ace to this company, must come before a higher
tribunal, in order that the whole matter may be
thoroughly sifted. It will then be for us to get what
proof we can of what was actually said on that occasion,
and it will be for Mr. Mosely to disprove, if he is able,
his haying so expressed himself. But even supposing
the words had been erroneously imputed to him, I cannot
see what right hy has to complain. It is no imputation
on him. Good God ! am I to be prohibited from re-
peating language which I had been told by most respect-
able persons the Hon. Gentleman made use of at a public
meeting This, gentlemen, is perfectly puerile.—(Cries
of " Name your authority.")
Mr. MOSELEY—Give us the name of your informant
at once.—(Uproar and cheers.)
Mr. RUSSELL—I will give no answer here. I will
answer it in another place.
apnr,d)cteheednings. seeksLteot shheimltertalktiemsheislf
Mr. MOSELEY (with vehemence)—That, I say, is most
discreditable. Mr. Russell brings a charge against rue,
com-
mitted an offence, and h
punishment.—(Loud applause.)
Mr. SPOONER, MA' , said. the' mcboeyeutriasneg. threat
hlaide wandered
nsde future
re
ppeialunsme.s)eif shall have to bear the
with the wishes of thes
from the great question at issue. The
acted in accordance
o
choice of theirs ; on the contrary, theydirectors
ti rt,
hol(duei lry
were unwillingt
in selling the line to the Great Wet rn was s
at the time to dispose of the line at all. Th,), will now,as honest men, carry out the agreement under any cit.
curnstances.
The motion for adjournment till this day fortnight was
then put and carried, with only one dissentie..t voiee.
maior
pitrces dings of the day
thenn tdid not oppose the
aelsi
closed, dn had
n an
The friends of the Great Western, seeing their oppo-
nextraordinaryoverwhelming
customary vo.e of thanks
to the Chairman.
ietle
withoutlh
Theeven

"GREAT ----'----NORTHERN RAILWAY.
The usual half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this
railway was held on Saturday afternoon, at the Hall of Com-
merce.
We sent a reporter to the meeting, who, although well
known as the railway reporter of our paper, was refused ad-
mission, on the ground that he did not produce a card signed
by the secretary. What may be the object of the directors
in pursuing this unusual course it is impossible to guess.
The effect is that the proceedings of the meeting are un-
reported.

WEST CORNWALL RAILWAY.
A sufficient number of shareholders not having attended at
ther meeting called for on Saturday by the directors of the
es t Cornwall Company, the meeting was adjourned, sine
die.

Bowood, Wilts;
The Marchioness of Lansdowne has left town for
gill continuos at Roam
but is expected to return shortly. The
Earl of Shelburne

MAGAZINE-DAY.
FR .4 E 1?
The opening article of Fraser will be read with
great interest. It is a carefuliy digested resume of
all the various systems of National Education at pre-
sent in operation in the different countries of
Europe, and it contains more really useful informa-
tion on the subject than is to be found in all the pon-
derous octavos and lengthy letters with which the
public has of late been bored on the subject. This
article is followed by a romantic Mexican tale, " Mata-
siete, the Hunter ;" and then we have a paper on the
" Condition of Authors in England, Germany, and
ranee," from which it appears that pencraft in Eng-
land is more amply remunerated than in other
countries, always excepting those brethren of the
quill who devote themselves to the concoction of
dramas, for whom France is a very El Doraio, and
which fact fully accounts for the monopoly of
drrnatic manufacture which France at present
enjoys. Lord John Manners is the literary legis-
lator who sits for his portrait this month. The
article is elaborately written ; the author treats his
subject evidently con amore, but he rates far too
highly the talents and the influence of this interest-
ing, but, certes, not altogether disinterested enthu-
siast—if enthusiast he be. The political article for
the month treats of Lord George Bentinck's desti-
tute sharehol.lers' relief Bill, under the title of
" The Great and Comprehensive Measure." The
writer evidently began his article with the
intention of going " the whole hog " in
praise of the proposition of "the stable mind,"
but as he went on, his common sense revolted at the
stupendous folly (and if not folly the something
worse) of the proposition of his hero, and he ends by
confessing. that he "cannot much lament the issue."
He, however, throughout 2 agues as if that proposition
were to advance money to the Government to con-
struct national railroads, instead of being what it
really was—a proposition to advance money to share-
holders to rig the market with public money, over
the expenditure of which the Government was to
have no control. The question as to the propriety or
impropriety of the Government undertaking the con-
struction of railroads in Ireland as great national
works for the national benefit, was not brought be-
fore the House by Lord G. Bentinck. It was
brought before the House some years since,
by Lord Morpeth, at a time when it would
have been advantageously carried into effect, because
the private enterprise had not entered the field. At
that time the proposition was rejected by Lord G.
Bentinck and his party, out of the mere spirit of fac-
tion, and it ill becomes them now to complain, unless
they first cry peccavi. In the following observations
on the measures to be adopted for the social regene-
ration of Ireland, we entirely concur, and we trust
that landlords of Ireland, when they read the senti-
ments of this, the organ of the Tory party (they al-
ready know the opinions of every other party in the
empire) will, instead of indulging in vain complaints
or vexations, because fruitless, opposition to the Go-
vernment measures, set their shoulders to the wheel,
and aid and assist those who are doing their best to
regenerate their couutry. The writer says--
The tenures by which land is held, in property and
in occupancy, in Ireland, exhibit such a mass of confu-
sion and complexity as cannot be paralleled any where
else throughout the world. This; must be remedied.
The right of sale, in whole or in part, must be conceded
to every Irish proprietor ; and leases for nine hundred
and ninety-nine years, and such like, converted into pro-
perty. Nor is there any just cause why Ireland should
not in every other respect be assimilated to England. If
English rights and immunities be conferred upon her, it
is but fair that she should pay English taxes. Hereto-
fore her extreme poverty, and the backward state of her
population, have afforded excuses for a tardiness in le-
gislation which could not stand a moment's impartial
consideration. But the moment you nut her in a fair
way of getting rid of these evils, you have a perfect
right to deal with her, in other respects, as you deal with
the rest of the Queen's dominions. Probably the inter-
mediate result will he, a prodigious changing of hands
in the landed property of the kingdom. If we be rightly
informed, there are few estates in Ireland which are not
mortgaged to halt their money value ; there are many
which, if sold tomorrow, would leave no residue, or next
to none, to the nominal proprietors. Most of the
former, all the latter, will, of course, pass into new
hands, and many a family of historical note disappear.
But though we may lament this as a shock to private
feeling, on public grounds we are constrained to add,
that it is " a consummation devoutly to be wished."
Of all the incubi on the improvement of a people, a poor
but ancient gentry is the heaviest. The peasant looks
up to the descendent of a long line of proprietors, under
whom he and his fathers have worked for ages, with a
degree of reverence which he cannot feel for a new man;
and the poverty of the chief, as it keeps the serf poor
likewise, so it effectually hinders both the one and the
other from rising in the scale of humanity. Indeed, we
will go further. Though we are no advocates for the
French system, and the minute subdivision of landed

property which it occasions, we confess that very large
estates do not appear to us to be desirable in a country
circumstanced as is Ireland. Very large estates, embrac-
ing whole counties, or half counties, cannot be rightly
attended to by their owners, even if they be resident ;
and as in Ireland almost all such belong to absentees,
they operate as a hotbed for the growth of agents,—a
race not very popular or useful anywhere, and least of
111 in the Emerald Isle. We believe, therefore, that the
_ .

facilities tau-clod to Irish proprietors for disposing of
their lands will accomplish good is this respect among
others, that it will 1 hlr(Yely increase the numbers of the
resident gentry; and that the manners of the rich being
copied in the farm house and in the cottage, Ireland,
under a better sy stem of social management, may vet
h-come the most flourishing section of the United '
Kingdom."
And that it will so become if these measures are ho-
nestly- carried out, there can be no doubt. Then,
and nut till then, will be the time to consider the pro-
priety of giving Government assistance to railroads.
the remaining articles of this numbea are all good ;
the best, perhaps, being a paper by Sam Slick, enti-
tled " How many Fins has a Cod ?"

AN'S.
In accordance withDOL M
a custom which has become
somewhat prevalent with monthly publications,
Dolman is reduced in price by halt of its ori-
ginal charge. Otherwise there is scarcely any
perceptible alteration in the periodical. Saving
that its amount of
pages is slightly diminished,
the magazine is characterized by all itA previous excel-
hence, Under the conduct of its new srlitor, the articles
are, as heretofore, selected with care and discrimination.
Without lapsing into a merely ecclesiastical organ, Del-
man still continues the indisputable mouthpiece of the Ro-
man Catholics of England ; it combines agreeable com-
positions for the general reader, and contribions
essentially of a nature peculiar to the relig Fromion.
a paper entitled "Future prospects of Ireland," we would,
bad our space permitted, have made copious extracts,
seeing that the suggestions contained therein are sensible
and new. The editor continues his serial upon the Penal
Laws, a subject which has latterly acquired a peculiar
interest, from the gradual passage of Mr. Watson's Hill,
for their abolition, through the Lower House of Par-
liament. His eloquent predecessor, Mr. Miles Gerald
Keon, pursues his interesting paper up n
`• holy Week
it Oseott," it is written with a loving tenderness of pur-
pose, and a calmness of contemplation that occasionally
merges in philosophic profundity. The contribution
throughout is large from its thoughtfulness ; and the
miscellaneous contents are arranged with an attention
compatible with the excellence of the preceding portions.

'--
DOMBEY AND SON. No. VI.
By Charles Dickens.
As might have been anticipated, there is a mournful
description of the sorrowingof Florence for her " dear
dead brothel" in the present number. It is exquisitely
delineative of the woes and memories of a young
and lonely heart. The account of her mid-
night visit of conciliation to her inexorable
father, with his repulse of bar preferred affection is
beautiful but harsh. " Let him remember it in that
room, years to comer Div ones the " ridiculous dog,"
not the cynic philosopher, Mr. Toots, even Towlinson
and the wooden midshipman who is declared to be quite
a " callous, obdurate, and conceited midshipman"
in his way, are severally introduced. But
Captain Cuttle, the superb diplomatist of Brig-
place, the gentleman who wears a silver watch of such
plethoric dimensions, that it comes out of his fob like a
bung, the simple-hearted sailor, who sticks a small
sunflower in his button-hole "to give him a relish of
the country," the sympathetic listener, who sits
with a grin on his face and " a tear on hie
shirt collar,"
stupid, excellent, delightful, ab-
surd Captain Cuttle is the principal feature in No. 6,
from his interview with Mr. Carker and Mr. Perch
unaffected
sail to
his farewell with Walter on the latter setting forpensive
Barbadoes. The same lavish drollery, the same
rtTiceesdeint&peoeratdions
and pathetic sentiments, the same natural and
eloquence which havecharacterised tuhgehp ted
~f this inimitable work stream thro
tionalchapters. Is an advertisement prefixed to the number
we observe the announcement of a projected republics-
tion of the various writings of Mr. Dickens in at
orm as
colivewent as it is novel, and at a price which may
preeedengteednilest humanity,a
rich
noble casket of wisdom, wit, and thew
perfect truth be termed unprecedented. A
will thereby be opened indiscriminately to the people.

I nobler arena for the display of his peculiar abilities was
there than London ? London, the most venerable city
in the British islands, the most gigantic and extraordi-
nary of civilized times, the contemporary of Cmser and
Boadicea, the central point round which from age to age
the tragic drama of our national fortunes has revolved
and fluctuated. Whether wecont emplate London, in regard
to our sovereigns, as the spot in which our Edwards and
Henrys, and Richards, have dwelt, as the scene of
Charles's decapitation, of Lady Jane Grey's imprieon-
ent and execution, of Crommwell's summary vengeance
upon the Long Parliament, of James's flight, of
William's entrance, or of the fourth George's de-
baucheries; whether we consider it in relation to
the poets it has harboured, from old Chaucer to blind
Milten, and so on to lame Byron, or in reference to the
statesmen and philosophers who have been numbered 1
amongst its denizens, from Sir Thomas More to Lord
Bacon, and from Verulane downwerde; or, in allus'on to
its military reminiscences in the age of Marlb3rough and
Prince Eugene, or its artistic reminiscences in the ages
of Hogarth and Flaxinan; or its literary reminiscences
in the ages of Farquhar and Johnson, we most always
look upon it as invested with a charm in praise of which
the most extravagant psnegyric could scarcely be
counted as hyperbolical. Coder all aspects London is
fraught with interest, even in i s rookeries as come ctcd
with Turpin and Howard, and its prisons as associated
with Sheppard and Mrs. Fry. And even in these dege-
nerate regions investigation would prove by no means
uninstructive. From the western boundari, sof Houns-
low, to the eastern limits of Bow, from Highgate, aid
Hampstead in the north, to Dulwich and Peckham in
the south, taking in the whole circumference from those
suburbs, there is scarcely a single point which does not
prove attractive as the home or the haunt of some re-
markable individual. Mr. Smith, indeed, was so con
scions of the fruitfulness of his subject that he has
doubtless restrained his inclinations, arid has restricted
his antiquarian rambles to a continuous line beginning
with Hyde Park-corner, and ending with the Tower.
In his pilgrimage, therefore, he comes successively
upon Charing-cross, Waterloo -bridge, Temple-bar,
Blackfriars, Cheapside, and London- bridge, branching
off occasionally as circumstances required, or as the
opportunity so permitted, into the smaller thoroughfares
leading into Piccadilly, Trafalgar-square, the Strand,
Fleet-street, Ludgate-hill, St. Paul'. Churchyard,
Cheapside, the Poultry, King William-street, and
so on by " the silent highway " to the 'rower
of London. Only once does he diverge con-
siderably from the main artery of the capital, namely in
his chapter on Westminster Abbey, Westminster Hall,
and the Houses of Parliament. As may be readily con.
jectured, the main portion of the two volumes is corn
posed of recollections more or less modern, the m, re
antiquated parts of the city having been either consumed
by the great fire of 1666, or obliterated by the encroach-
ments of time, or the innovations and improvements
effected by the ingenuity of man. Some conception
may be formed of the difficulties which present them-
selves to the antiquarian is his researches through the
metropolis, when we remember that the birthplace of
Chaucer is a spot altogether undiscoverable, and that
the famous " boar's head" in Eastcheap, immortalized
by Shakepere, as the resort of Prince Hal and Sir Juhn
Falstaff, stood on• the very spot now occupied by the
statue of William the Fourth in King William-street.
From the restriction, therefore, of the present work,
, simply to the line running from Piccadilly- parallel with
the Thames, it is manifest that Mr. Smith's work can
only be regarded as one of a series in a delineation of
London. Those who bear in recollection the glorious
papers published some years since in BlacAwoods .Ma •
gazine, by John Fisher Murray, and entitled the
" World of London," will know how much may be
written upon the capital of Great Britain without ex-
hausting the subject. And that impression will only
he confirmed by the p rural of those two volumes.
The deficiencies of the wark as an antiqua-
rian ramble in the streets of London are
too apparent to require enumeration, but they are
such deficiencies as it would be impossible to cast in
deprecisoon either at the writer, Mr. J. T. Smith, or
the editor, Dr. Charles Mackay. Both those gentlemen
have performed their labour of love with industry and
talent. As far as the work is concerned individually it
is complete ; it is only as an antiquarian account of
London in the abstract that it is so marvellously incom-
plete and unsatisfactory. One word alone upon the
title-page redeems the production from a charge of in-
sincerity, namely, the word which designates it as a
Ramble." A desultory ramble enough it certainly is,
but a pleasact one withal, and from the beginning to the
end the author chatters away with a voluble and delight-
ful fund of information. It would be almost as super-
fluous, if hot as preposterous, as the presentation of a
brick as the sample of a house by scholasticos in the
" Witticisms of Hierocles," to quote a mere fragment
from the chapters herein contained about the streets of
London. We shall leave the literary fabric of Mr.
Smith unflawed by the abstraction of a solitary
brick, dismissing it from our consideration with send

ments of gratitude for the pleasure which its perusal
has afforded us. Tho author of " Nollekens and his
Times," has here presented his countrymen with a legacy
appropriate to both donor an donee.

THE SCIENTIFIC PI iINUMENA OF DO-
MESTIC LIFE, familiarly explained by C. F.
Gower. Second Edition.
This is a most interesting and instructive little work ;
its object is admirable and it is adrnirah'y carried out.
In his introductory observations, the author remarks
that, in the present intellectual age, while it is customary
to teach children every art, every science, and every ac-
complishment that the mind of mail can suggest, we
too often forget to teach them that which would turn all
these to good effect : we forget to teach them to think,
to reason, to observe. It is f',,r this purpose that this
little book has been written ; it is to illustrate the great
book of nature." In all books of instruction, the man-
ner of teaching is almost of as much importance as is the
'newt- that is taught. The ars cc...are artem is h're most '
necessary ; it is desirable to give inf -rmation without
see.ning to teac:i. Children, ar,d indeed persons of all
ages are generally willing, arid awn delighted to learn
but they cannot bear being taught. Hence there are
doubtless many who will experience much pleasure, and
derive much profit, from the perusal of Mr. Gower's
little volume, who would turn coldly and carelessly away
from the very same information, if conveyed in a m ire
preter ding manner. But perhaps the. most valuable
quality of this work is, its so ably fulfilling its author's
intention of inducing people to think. In ordinary edu-
cation, far more is thought of learning. by rote than by
reason ; it seems generally to be forgotten, that the
great object of education should be to cultivate the mina
rather than store the memory. It is not the absolute
knowledge of certain facts that is desirable, but the
improvement that the acquisition of such knovvlt dge
should occasion in the intellectual powers. To under-
stand one thing, however simple it may be, is infinitely
more advantageous than to possess superficial informa-
tion regarding a hundred. The best system of educa-
tion is undoubtedly that which secures both objects, af-
fording information in such a manner as to make it tend
to develop the reasoning faculties. Such is the system
pursued by Mr. Gower. Taking as the subjects of his
investigation the common occurrences of daily life he
enables us to understand. what is going on around us,
and by showing what wonders are contained in things
apparently the most simple, he induces a habit of thought
and inquiry. Thus beginning with the bed room, he
tells us how the frost is formed on the window ; why
the marble feels so much colder than the carpet, &c. ;
and so on through the succeeding chapters of the " Break •
fast Parlour," where the tea-kettle gives rise to an inte-
resting account of the discovery of steam ; the " Morn-
ing Walk ;" the "Study ;" the " Summer's Evening ;"
Navigation—Latitude—Longitude ;" and the " Sea-
shore," In each of these chapters the explanation of
any little incident or object imperceptibly leads the way
to some more important information ; thus we learn
what effect the moon produces upon the tides ; about
atmospheric pressure ; the barometer and the atmos-
pheric railway, &c., In visiting the kitchen we are
instructed in the mysteries of bread-making ; in the walk
in the fields some useful information is given about
evaporation—practically useful indeed. We are told,
that evaporation produces cold, and for this reason re-
maining in wet clothes is dangerous ; the evaporation
that takes place, during the time they are drying, carries
away so large a portion of heat from the body, as almost
certainly to induce cold, and all the thousand diseases
which follow in its train. When a person is obliged to
remain in wet clothes, the best method to adopt is, to
prevent evaporation, by covering them with a naakintosh
or any other garment that will keep the moisture
in." The perusal of this little volume, besides
affording useful knowlr dge on subjects of
which many, even educated persons are ignorant,
must necessarily have a beneficial effect upon
the mind and hearts of its readers; upon their minds by
habituating them to look around with a spirit of in-
quiry, and by enabling them not only to learn, but to
understand, how certain effects produce certain causes ;
and it can hardly fail to have a beneficial infla•nce upon
the heart, for it is hardly possible to contemplate the
wonders, and admire the beauties of creation, without
increased sentiments of veneration and love to the great
First Cause whose power and whose goodness has pro-
duced them. Such sentiments have evidently influenced
the writer, and, let us hope, will influence the readers of
these " Scientific Phenomena." As a brief epitome of
the wonders which surround us, we transcribe the
author's concluding observations, and dismiss the little
volume with a most cordial recommendation.

" To the observing mind an hour never passes with-
out food for reflection. The rich, though often unculti-
vated soil of human intellect, will be constantly furnish.
ing us with subjects for contemplation. The air in
which we breathe, the earth on which we tread, the
broad expanse of ocean, and the starry vault of heaven
above us, are all replete with wonders. The vegetable
kingdom alone would afford subjects for a lifetime. The
flowers that draw their nourishment from the soil, the
air, and the dew, are all furnished with functions suited
to their difTeient natures ; some turn their delicate heads
to the cheering rays of the sun, and seem to drink deep
from that fountain of light and heat, and close their
petals the moment he parts from their view ; whilst
others hide themselves in the shade, and shun the ap-
proach of day: to each Nature has appointed its proper
place, and proper powers for keeping in the station
allotted to it. In the brute creation we may observe
the same order. To the domestic animal she has given
strength and docility; to the beast of prey, the eya
eapable of piercing the darkness, and agility to seize on
its destined victim; to the bird of passage she has given ,
strength of wing, and a wonderful instinct to direct its
if we descend into the depths of ocean,
Right. Again,
fresh wonders meet our view—from the mighty whale,
the monarch of the deep, dos n to the diminutive min-
now, each as perfect as the other, though on so different
a scale. Then, turning to the insect world, we see the
laborious ant heaping up her store for winter consump-
tion; the bee, building her hexagonal cells with a regu-
larity equal to that of the nicest architect ; the spider,
weaving her delicate thread to catch her prey ; the
glow-worm, `with its modicum of light,' sparkling in the
dewy grass ; each with its separate sphere of usefulness,

(each separate insect affording a fresh theme for inquiry;
and, were it possible to exhaust all these, one glance at
t the microscope would again overv% helm in, in i ncliet;s ob-
jtcts of research. The secrets hidden in a single drop
of water, which the micra.c'pe has revea'ed, are alinoct
beyond our conception, discovering to us rnyrials of
beings filling every atom of creation, and forming a
world of which we scarcely know the existence. But
even all tin se sink into nothing when compared with the
wonders of the starry firmament, where thousands and
thousands of suns, each the centre of a system of worlds,
peopled perhaps with beings destined for immortality,
are nightly presented to our view. The extent, the
magnitude, the harmony of Nature, fill us with awe and
admiration, and we are lost in the contemplation of the
attributes of that Being whose Almighty arm supports,
controls, directs, and governs ell."

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
Coletti, the greatest of European baritones, made his
dtbut for the season at her Majest)'s Theatre on Sa• ur-
day evening, in the character of Nino. The
oeve-d him an omende honorable for the manner in Which
it had tamely suffered him to be victimised by an un-
principh d elitpw some four years >ince. (I he disar,,t e:ul
Tamburini row will be fresh in Cie I eydketion of
readers ) That amt.-tide w-as made Sa urday evet:ing.
It is seldom that so much ..n'hwiastr. exhibzte.i within
the precincts of this Tt.e,tre ag that watt which thy:

appearance of Co!e ti was hailed, and the applause was
richly deserved—a great actor, a great singer, and a
handsome mtn, he was the Dery Nino of the
author. His voice, of immense power, greet flexibility,
arid of fine qualify, is completely unitr r command.
His taste is exquisite, and he is an accomplished niusi
cian. Sanchi. 11, who was the Abigail, is greatly. im-
proved since last session—as powerful, as energetic as
ever—her rower and her energy are more completely
under command, and that detect of intonation which
last season marred some of her most meritorious efforts,
has disappeared. Mademoiselte Faggiani, who arpeared
in the part of Fenana, is a great improvement upon Ma
demoiselle Corbari. The choruses were magnificently
given. Full justioe is now done to the choral music of
Verdi. Those who base only heard the oil chorus
under the inbpirations of the Maestro can form but a
faint idea the beauties of his choral music. The or-
chestral effects, too, were splendidly brought out ; there
was none of that " jangling and jarring" which, from
whatever cause, was, last season, sometimes paiufully
apparent in the orchestra, but all went her-
tnorsiously. When it is ,*considered that the
present is almost entirely a new band, it must
be admitted that Balte has performed wonders.
His orchestra need not shrink from a ecmparison with
any in the world. The new ballet of Coralio concluded
the evening's entertainments. The house was crowded in
every part.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge,
accompanied by Prince Frederick of Hesse, arid attended
by the Baroness Hammerstein, the Baron Knesebeck,
and Mr. Edmund St. th,fin Mildmay, honoured the
performances at this theatre o r Saturday evening with
her presence. There were also present his Grace the
Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Ailesbury, the
Marquis of Donegal, the Marchioness of Douro, his
Excellency the Russian Minister and the Baroness
Brubow, and Mademoiselle Olga de Lechner, the Earl
of Lonsdale, the Earl of Granville, the Viscount Can-
talupe, the Earl of Munster, the Viscount Morprah, the
Hon. William Ashley (who occupied her Majesty the
Queen Dowager's box), Lord Ernest Bruce, Lord Mac-
donald, Lord Gardner, Lord Sandys, Sir William and
Lady Freemantle, Lady Curtis, Lady Grant, Sir George
and Lady Carroll, Lady Smyth, Lord Suffield, Lord
Adolphus Fitzclarence, Count Kondriaftky, M. de Borg,
Sir George Woombweli, Bart., the Han G. 13) ng, the
Hon. R. Cursor], the Hen. Sir T. Htrvey, S.r El. 11 ebb,
Bart., Sir LI. Meux, Mr. Hubert De Burgh, Mrs. De
Burgh, arid Miss De Burgh, Mr. l'ownley, Mr. H.
Broadwuod, M.P., Mr. Forde, Mr. C. Phillips, Mr. aria
Miss Trelawney, :air. Broadley, Captain Greville, Cul.
Bowers, Captain Murray, Captain Lynn, Mr. Sand-
ford, &c.

MISS CLARA SEYTON'S ENTER-

TAINMENTS AT AIISS PALMER'S SOIREE:
Miss Clara Seyton gave her entertainment on "Eng-
lish Comic Opera at Miss Paleuer's scientific and musical
soirée last week. These soirees are most delightful re
unions, combiribig the attractions of a pri,ate bocori
party with those of public entertainment. They com-
mence at eight o'clock, and some two hundred
ladies and gentlemen are assembled in a drawing-
room. There is music, singing, and then a lecture.
on some scientific or artistical subject. The lecture on
Wednesday last was delivered by Miss Ciara Seyton,
the subject English comic opera. Never did Miss Clara
Seyton appear to greater advantage ; she was full of
spirit and humour, was in excellent voice, and was much
and deservedly applauded, and as the soiree partakes of
the 'nature 01
ta private reunion, toe audience were at-
terwards of .rded the gratification of paying their indi-
vidual compliments to the peat talents which had been
so success! ully exerted for their gratification,

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
BETTING AT MANCHESTER.—FRIDAY.
CHESTER CUP.—Not a bet made to-day on either this
race, Derby, Oaks, or the handicaps.
LIVERPOOL STEEPLE CutAsz.-5 to 1 agst Brunette taken )
—8 to i agst St. Leger (taken)-8 to 1 agst The Roarer
—lO to 1 agst Culverth rpe (taken)— 13 to 1 agst Saucepan
—l4 to 1 agst Red Lancer-15 to 1 agst Avoca—loo 1,0 6
ag-4 Pioneer (taken)-LlOO to 6 agst Jerry (take:.)-100 to 6
agst Matthew (taken).
Loup SErros's 501. PLATE.-50 to 10 agst Nottingham
(taken)-30 to 5 agst Jovial (taken)-30 to 5 agst Ukraine
(taken) —4O to 5 agst Robin Burns-100 to 5 agst Robin
Burns winning this and Chester Cup.
WARWICK SPRING RACES, 1847.
Nominations for the Stakes which clo:,ed Feb. 24.
Warwick Handicap—Redstreak. .5 yrs—Godfrey, 6 yrs—
Susannah, 3 yrs—Buttress, 4 yrs—lnfringe, 3 yrs—Congress,
:3 yrs—Trifle, 6 yrs—ldolater, .5 yrs.
Willoughtiy Handicap—Roper's Daughter—b gby Young
Cadland—Satyr—Alexa Godfrey, 6 yrs—Pantasa, 5 yrs—
Perpetual Motion, 5 yrs—Columbus, 5 yrs—Trojan, 6 yrs—
Idolater, 5 yrs.
Handicap Hurdle Stakes—br g by Young Cadland—
Eagle, aged—Red Lancer—Belshazzar—The Parson—Gipsy
Queen—Adrian.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS,
Baron Rothschild's stghds., Thurs. Wing-11.
Mr. Brand's lids., Thurs., Ribley death ; Sat., Wrest Park
—loi.
Cleveland lids., Thurs., Capt. Cook's Monument-11.
Devon hds„ Thurs., Godstone Gate.
Mr. Drake's hds., Tues., Rliddleton Toll-bar; Thurs., Ry-
cute Kennel ; Sat., Warkworth Village-10i.
Bedale lids., Wed., Wood End ; Fri., Kirby Fleetbam—ll.
Durham County hds, Tues., Thorpe; Fri., Elmore-10h.
F. B. hds., Fri., T..ewithen Cross.
Ilaydou Ms., Wed., East Woodburn; Sat., Dlanetley.
Hurworth hds., 'rues., Hornby Village ; Thurs., Over Dins-
dale ; Sat., Kennels—lo!.
Mr. S. Lowndes' lids., Wed., Whaddon Common ; Sat.,
Beachampton Grove-11.
Oakley lids., Thurs., Kempston Wood ; Sat., Thuileigh
Windmill-14 to IL
Lord Parker's lids., Tues., Holton Park; Fri., Chequers
Court.
Raby hds., Tues., Mansfield ; Thurs., Winston Bridge;
Sat., Wakeriield-11.
Sinniugton lids., Tues., Dial Stone Inn ; Fri., Tylass
Bridge.
Tisdale lids., Thurs., Shortflat Tower; Sat., Warden-10i.
Mr. Watson's hds., Wed., 6altwick Village; Fri., Nun -
ny
York and Ainsty lids., Tues., Skip Bridge; Thurs., Pill
Moor; Sat., Copgrove.
Aikton hrrs., Thurs., Higham Leddie Inn, Aikton ; Fri.,
Blue Bell Inn, Woodhouse.
Carlisle hrrs.' Thurs., Victoria Inn, Hornmill Station;
Sat.. Stockdale Walk.
Eamont hrrs., Wed., Kirkbythore ; Sat., Longwathby-
-10%.
Mr. Fane's hrrs., Wed., Great Milton ; Sat., Postcomb.
Her Majesty's staghounds meet three days next week in
the Vale of Aylesbury.
Holderness lids., Mon., Lowthorpe Lodge; Thurs, Cavil
Hall ; Fri., Neswick ; Sat., Brandeshurton--1 to 11.
Brighton hrrs., Mon., Patcham ; Wed., Racecourse; Fri;
Dyke—i to 11.
Brookside hrrs., Mon., Newmarket Hill ; Thurs., Tels-
combe-tye-10%-
Findon lids., Tues., Michelgrove; Thurs., Kennel ; Sat.,
Thunders Barrow-11.
Eastbourne hrrs., Mon., East Dean Lighthouse; Thurs.,
Snap Hill; Sat., Willingdon Old Mill-14 to 11.
Glyndbourne hrrs., Mon., Newhaven Barn ; Fri., Broyle.
Worcestershire lids., Mon., Witley ; Wed., Old Hills; Fri.,
Bredon Hills-104.
Ledbury hds., Mon., Kennels ; Fri , Highwain.
Lord Redesdale's lids., Mon., Heythorp ; Wed., North As-
ton ; Fri., Moreton in the Marsh ; Sat., Blenheim.
Ludlow lids., Wed., Oaker ; Fri., Sowdle-10.
Herefordshire lids., Tues., Stoke Lacy Turnpike ; Fri.,
Harewood End.
Crawtey and Horsham hds., Mon., Monk's Gate; Wed.,
Braid Ridge; Fri., Kingsfold.
Essex Union lids., Wed., South Wood; Sat., Rettenden
Mr. Horndon's lids., Mon., Trebartha Villa; Thurs., Ta-
merton Brid,e.
Mr. Roe's hds., Wed., Babl :nd Gate; Sat., Ratisbon Cross.
Tiverton lids., Morebath ; Thurs., Dulverton ; Sat., Bick-
leigh Bridge-101,(2.
Wheatland lids., Mon., Monkhepton ; Wed., Willey Park ;
Fri., Harpsford.
Mr. Drax's lids., Mon., Horton St. Mary; Thurs., King's
Arms, Charlton Horethorne.
Burton Vale hds., Tues., Wall-bridge; Sat., Bishop's
Caundle Hill-11i.

Rear-Admiral Dundas received a circle at dinner,
on Wednesday evening, at his official residence in the Ad-
miralty.
PAINLESS OPERATIONS UNDER THE EFFECTS OF
ErHER. —On Saturday last, at the Royal Free Hospital, Mr.
Gay performed the difficult operation of removirg the foot of
a young female at the mesi• tarsal articulation, in the pre-
sence of Dr. Conquest, Dr. Jones, and several other profes-
sional gentlemen, an operation which requires that two
joints should be cut through. The time required to
produce perfect insensibility was one minute ; the
removal of the foot, including the tying of the
vessels was pei formed in another minute, and the girl
restored to sensibility without any knowledge of the opera-
tion, having been performed within three minutes after its
completion. On another occasion Mr. Gay performed a
serious operation on a man under the influence of ether; after
its completion, on being asked what his sensations were, if
he had felt any pain, replied," He had felt no pain whatever,
but thought he bad been at a public-house drinking, and
that his wife had come to fetch him." Mr. Gay, who per-
formed these operations, is one of the most rising surgeons in
London, and is one of the medical officers of the Provident
Clerks' Association.

AFFAIR OF HONOUR.—We regret to announce that
an altercation took place on Sunday last in Ballinrobe be-
tween two highly-respectable magistrates of the county, old
and intimate friends and near relatives, which led to an
assault. The parties were immediately arrested under the
warrant of Charles Arabin, Esq., km. I.
uy that very active
and efficient officer, Captain Buidon, S. I. of constabular
Mayo Telegraph. y.
DON CARLOS AND CADRERA.--A lette fro m Nice,
dated February 16, announces that Don Carlos r returned from Modena to Genoa on the 13th. Cabrera joined him there and
dined with him.