The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-18 00:00:00

THE- SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY-- EVEN'ING, 'MARCH, 181 1847.

the children in Glasgow were previously neglected, but that
was not an uncommon occurrence, and he did not see
that the Ten Hours' Bill would at all affect the evil
of which so much complaint was made. It had been
urged that with respect to young females they did not attend
to them after the business of the day was concluded ; but it
was plainly evident that, according to their constitution and
the state of their health, they would either partake of
dcmestic enjoyment or have the opportunity of improve-
ment in the lecture-room or reading classes. They
would, by shortening the hours of labour, give
them the opportunity of attending on Sunday-schools,
of which, from being so wearied and jaded by their weekly
labour, they could not now take advantage. By passing
this Bill, then, they would be very largely advancing the
morality of the people, for they would be affording to those
young persons the opportunity for acquiring domestic habits,
and thus not only enjoy a great benefit themselves, but also
enable them to confer benefits on others. Then, with regard
to wages, the Right Hon. Baronet, the Member for Tamworth,
had indulged in a long disquisition on the effect which this
reduction of time would have upon wages; but a greater fal-
lacy had never been put before an intelligent assembly.
That Right Hon. Member had entered into a calculation to
show, that, by this reduction, the working people would be
obtaining two holidays instead of one ; but the fact was,
that they were absolutely working seven days a week,
instead of six ; and the whole of the calculation on the reduc-
tion of the wages, by a sixteen per cent. income- tax, fell to the
ground. By a reference to the work of Mr. Porter, it would
be found that wages always bore a relative amount, not to
the time of the worker, but to the importance of the business
which he had to perform, and he ( Mr. Finch) was prepared
to show that, according to the evidence of expe-
rience, the reducti,n of the hours of labour would
in no way affect the rate of wages. The Right
Honourable Baronet had talked of giving the people cheap
mutton, cheap bread, and cheap beef; but this had better be left
to the people themselves, who, if they were allowed stifficiert
opportunity, would be able to take care of their own interests
in these matters without the intervention of the Legislature.
In America the manufacturers did not suffer by limiting the
hours of labour, and in point of machinery, coals, and capital,
they were in a much worse position than the munufacturers
of this country. He had no hesitation in saying that the
manufacturers of this country would have as much work
done by working ten hours a day as by working twelve
hours, and ha hoped the House would carry the Bill as a
Ten Hours' Bill.
Mr. AGLIONBY said that the principle of the Bill had
been debated over and over again, and been decided upon
by the House. He did not think it necessary, there-
fore, to take up the time of the House, but would im-
plore them to go at once into Committee. The
Hon. Member for Glasgow had stated no adequate reason
for postponing the Bill for a fortnight, and he hoped his pro--
position would be rejected. He thought it better therefore
to proceed with the question at once, and any amendments
Hon. Members wished to make could be discussed in Com-
mittee.

Lord J. RUSSELL agreed with the Hon. Gentleman who
had just spoken that the best course for them to adopt would
be to go into Committee at once. Had he had an opportu-
nity of stating his opinions before the House rose when the
question was last under consideration, he would have made
some remarks on the general question. It was
not, however, the fault of the opponents of
the measure that he had not had that opportunity.
The Honourable Gentleman who spoke towards the close
of the evening, had been carried away by his argument,
and was in consequence induced to prolong his speech till
nearly six o'clock. He was quite willing to forego the oppor-
tunity he had at present to enter into the question, and
he did so for the purpose of preventing delay and
avoiding a fresh debate. The House had pronounced
its opinion on the measure twice—first, on the second
reading of the Bill; and, secondly, on going into Committee.
He took the question, then, as decided, and he thought it far
better for them to go into Committee at once, when any
amendment the Hon. Member for Glasgow, or any other
Hon. Member, might propose, could be discussed. He
thought his Hon. Friend who had spoken last had made a
mistake with regard to the proposition which he stated as
having been made by the masters, and that it could not
be regarded with sincerity, inasmuch as it was made at the
eleventh hour. He (Lord John Russell) thought that so far
from its being a proposition of the manufacturers, it was a
proposition of one gentleman—(Cries of "Three ")—engaged
in the cotton manufacture.,. He thought it, therefore, un-
fair to charge them with bringing forward the question of
relays, or of introducing it at the eleventh hour. He
thought it quite unnecessary to discuss that propo-
sition now, and considered that the best course for
the House to adopt would be to go at once into
Committee. It was true that great anxiety and great ex-
pectations were felt on the subject, and he trusted they would
lose no further time.
Mr. FOX MAULE said, when the Hon. Gentleman got up
and used arguments for not delaying the further consideration
of the Bill, he thought he should refra:n from introducing
topics in his speech, which would have the effect of giving rise
to argument. The Hon. Member forCoekermouth stated that
the object of the amendment was to cause farther delay,
and that the minds of its advocates were so fully made up,
that it was quite useless to make any proposition to them
to forego the Ten Hours' Bill, and, secondly, that the propo-
sition now made was not a bowl fide one, inasmuch
as it was made at the eleventh hour.—(Hear, hear.)
The parties who had made this proposition were not only
honourable men in their calling, but also gentlemen who had
clone all they could to carry out in their manufactories the
provisions of the Factories Bill.

Mr. AGLIONBY said—Directly the opposite.
/dr. FOX MAULS—Then his ears never so mistook any-
thing which had ever been stated in that House. He thought
that the proposition showed something like a desire upon the
part of the masters to meet the wishes of the men; and he
thought it desirable to secure the willing co-operation of
both masters and operatives in carrying out the provisions of
the Factories Bill, shou!d such pass into a law. If good
feeling were not established between the masters and opera-
tives the greatest mischiefs would result from the passing
of the proposed measure.
Mr. AGLIONBY rose to explain. He denied having
made any reflection whatever on the character or conduct
pursued by any manufacturers with respect to this measure.
Mr. BROW NE thought that by passing this measure an
injury would be inflicted upon the country, equal in its ex-
tent to that produced by Louis XIV. upon France, by the
banishment of skill and labour from that country, while the
cruelty inflicted upon the operatives themselves would be of
the most serious and alarming kind. It was an undeniable
proposition, that a few hour's employment would be remune-
rated by low wages only. The present measure proposed to
rob the poor man of all the capital which he possessed, viz.,
his labour, and he should therefore feel it his duty to oppose
the further progress of the measure.

Mr. P. BORTH WICK opposed the amendment. The object
of the amendment appeared to litni to have been proposed for
the purpose of obstructing the progress of a measure which
hal virtually received the sanction of the House.
Mr. BRIGHT wished to make a few observations with
respect to the petition which had been presented by the
Noble Lord at the head of the Government. Some time ago
a memorial was presented to the Noble Lord and his col-
leagues, signed by nearly 400 master spinners largely en-
gaged in the cotton trade, representing, he might say, five-
sixths of the capital invested in that, trade, and employing over
120,000 persons; but the Noble Lord, he was sorry to sly,
did not accede to the proposition which it contained. But,
to• day, he had presented a petition in favour of the Bill,
which ho stated was signed by manufacturers in Lancashire,
York, Chester, and Derby. Tae first name in the petition
was that cf the brother of the Hon. Gentleman the Member
for Oldham, to which no one could object. Next came
the names of several persons who were stated to reside in
Rochdale; but, with the exception of about twelve, he was
in a condition to say that he never had the felicity of kno
ing that they were spinners. One signed himself John
Scholefield, a flannel manufacturer, who stated that he em-
ployed six persons.—(" Hear, hear," from Mr. Ferrand)—
' another, Josh. Wild, of Great Bolton, waste dealer, who em-
ployed four persons; but the majority of them employed
no more than two persons, and but few of them employed
three. Some of them signed themselves grocers and
drapers. At any rate the majority of those who had signed
the petition had little or no connexion with steam-power,
or in the capital invested in machinery, or any of
those trades which the Bill was proposed to affect. He
complained that such a petition had been presented by the
Prime Minister, because a petition presented by one in that
high office carried with it much authority. Perhaps not
one-hundredth part of the capital invested in the cotton and
other trades was represented by them. Either the Noble
Lord must have been at a great loss for supporters, or he had
been grossly deceived ; certainly it did not convey the views
of those engaged in that trade. He also complained that the
Noble Lord had not discussed the principle of the Bill. On
the first occasion he was asked to discuss it, but he declined
to do so ; he was in the second stage sought to do so, but he
again declined. Now they were about going into Com-
mittee he still adhered to his resolution not to speak.
He should not complain of this if the Noble Lord were not at
the head of the Government. He admired his talents and
his courage, and he, and those on that side of the House who
felt disposed to support the Noble Lord's Government, felt
grieved at his silence as to the grounds on which he sup-
ported the Bill.—(Hear.) He stated it did not resolve itself
into a question of principle but into one of degree;
but, whether it was a question of principle or of degree, the
Bill would, if passed, have the effect of stopping the ma-
chinery of the country to a great extent, and therefore
was one of paramount importance.—(The Hon. Gentle-
man then read a long extract from an article in the last
number of Chambers 's Journal, entitled " Two Days
in Dundee," by William Chambers—all of whose
writings, he said, could be relied upon—to show that
many parents had removed their children from the factories,
where they were earning ls. 3d. a week, for the purpose of
being sent out to beg. The industrial schools gave three
meals a day, and this led them to consider the question
whether this quantity of food, and what was made
by begging, was not of more value than the wages
they received. This showed that interference with
labour would do no good to those persons, whilst it would
do incalculable mischief to the employers. By the returns
of the factory inspectors, it appeared that from the year
1835, when this system of agitation commenced, down to
1839, there weie 30,000 fewer children employed under 13
yea-s of age. Mr. Owen was more entitled to the
authorship of this plan than any other person, as he
had suggested it years ago. From a paper he had
received from the United States, it appeared that a com-
mittee of Congress had, on his instigation, been appointed to
consider the subject, but they had reported that they could
not come to any conclusion on the subject. The Bill would
wantonly interfere with the capital of the country, and with-
out the aid of the great manufacturers, legislation could not
be carried on at all ; and if the master-manufacturers thought
proper to enter into a combination against this Bill it could not
be carried out. The Hon. Gentleman the Member for
Knaresborough had stated that if it was not passed the
working classes would revolt ; but they had found that every
ieduction of the hours of work had been accompanied with
a reduction of wages, and many of them anticipated
a like result from this measure. Why should the
manufacturers of cotton, who were anxious to make up
for the losses of this year by working more hours during
1848 be prevented from doing so ? He believed the
employers would rather have a ten hours than an eleven
hours' Bill.---( Hear, hear.) The employers who approved
of it, simply did so in order that it might be
tried ; and if it was found a good principle they
would maintain it.—( Hear, hear.) He, for one, wished
the matter decided at once.—(Hear, hear.) The speech of
the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Salford (Mr. Brother-
ton) had a great effect upon the House ; but since that Hon.
Gentleman was employed in a factory a great change had
taken place, as an enactment had been passed forbidding
the employment of persons ucder thirteen for more than six
hours a day, and the majority of the young persons in
other trades, who were apprenticed, were under thirteen.
they had more persons then in shops in this country under
hardly
were in
of fourteen than they had in their factories. They
them thanown
foepeplionsge itc,ter riltleer a twuroerkniontglesesitnjurious, and engaged in work
hurtful than in the factories. He had a strong
asses, and he would rather
deceive them, for he had a
convictions.
regard for hiapractical experience and con-
scientiouswas one which would be injurious,lallieved that the Bill
should support the motion of ilon
other vote which would retard the passing oe'fnr
and therefore he
and any
Her Majesty's Government had voted for this treasure umreeattrre.
years ago, and he (Mr. Bright) had predicted what would

happen. That prediction had since been fulfilled. He hoped
that, seeing the consequences of the vote, her-Majesty's Go-
vernment would not now assist in forwarding the measure.
Mr. lIINDLEY said that he had been a free-trader all his
life, and believed in the principle to its fullest extent, but he
thought that the Government should take care that the
articles produced should be made with a due regard to the
feelings and morals of the people. What had Mr. Cobden
said upon this subject? After commenting upon the system
of oppression upon trade, he had said, that if the
Government would take off the restrictions upon trade,
he would freely give his labourers the same wages
which they were then receiving, with ten hours' labour.—
(Loud cheers.) The Hon. Member for Oldham had not
always supported the opinion he had just given out, for upon
a former occasion he had agreed with the Hon. Member for
Stockport in his views upon this measure. He would no
longer trespass upon the time of the House, nor hinder them
from going into Committee upon this question.—(Cheers.)
Mr. FIELDEN was astonished at the assertions which
had been made by the Hon. Metaber for Durham, for he had
placed the petition against which this protest was entered in
the hands of the Noble Lord a fortnight since. That Hon.
Member had complained, in the protest which he had pre-
vented, that the mill -owners who had signed the petition
were not men of property, and that it consequently
was not entitled to the attention of the House, and had con-
tended that his own protest was a more valid document.
But if it were so, why were not the names of the several
partners in the different firms given, together with a state-
ment of the number of men employed in each factory, for
that would have given validity to the assertions which
it contained. There were 323 firms, whose names were
signed to this protest, and it was pretended that
they represented a constituency of 323.000 people, but lie
would like to know whether the Hon. Member for Durham
would make himself responsible for the respectability of
these firms, as he would make himself responsible far those
who had signed the petition presented by the Noble Lord,
and why throw the responsibility upon him of passing
this Bill through the House? He should like to know how
this protest was got up, and what part the lion. Gentleman
had taken in it. For his own part, he did not know but that
it was written by the Hon. Gentleman himself; for he found
that it was signed by Bright and Charlesworth, of Ashton-
under-Lyne.—(" Hear, hear," from Mr. Bright.) It was
signed also by Samuel Scotland Junes, of Rochdale, and by
several other persons whose respectability he would not
impugn, but there were other names for which
there were no owners in existence. There was Joel
Gee, of Dunkinfield, together with several other
the owners of which were nowhere to be found. While the
names of those who had signed the petition presented by the
Noble Lord were some of the most distinguished men in
Manchester, well known throughout the whole of the manu-
facturing districts.—(Hear.) And what did these people
say? Why they wanted to convince him that he did not
understand his own business.—("Hear, hear," and laugh-
ter.) More than thirteen years ago he bad stated the whole
of the case to the mill-owners, and had then recommended
them to adopt the ten hours' system. And look at the be-
nefit that would have arisen from it. There was the Hun.
Member for Durham himself, whose mills were at the pre-
sent moment entirely at a stand-still, and all his hands stand-
ing idle.—(" Hear," from Mr. Bright, and cheers from several
parts of the House.) lie did not hesitate to say, that if this
Ten Hours' Bill had passed last session, and was at pre-
present in operation, that every mill in Manchester would
be now at work. They had machinery now erected at such
an extent that they were enabled to supply all the markets of
' the world. And tnen with regard to wages, it. was his own
firm conviction that wages would be as high under a ten
hours' Bill as they were under a twelve hetes' system. In
1831 he had recommended that a ten hours' plan should be
adopted, and since then the House had passed a Bill
for preventing the use of relays of children, and
had hindered all under a certain age from working
more than &girt hours a day. But let bins finish
with the protest. (The lion. Gentleman then read several
names which lie stated to be fictitious.) The Hon. Gentle-
man had asserted that these parties were in possession of
fully five-sixths of the capital employed in the cotton trade.
Why a greater story never was told. Ha had to complain
that no notice whatever had been given to him of the inten-
tion to bring this motion forward, for if he had
received a note, or any intimation whatever, he should
certainly have been in his place to resist it. Nor had there
been more courtesy with respect to the protest presented by
the lion. Member for Durham, of which he had heard
nothing until lie saw it ore the table. The fact was, this
motion was merely brought forward for the purposes of
delay, for it could serve no other purpose whatever. If there
was any object really to be attained, why did not the Hon.
Gentleman meet him at Manchester, at Oldham, at Halifax,
and at the several other pieces which he had visited for the
promotion of this object?—(Cheers.) It was true that the
Hon. Member possessed the gift of the gab—(Leughter)--
but it was a pity that he did not use it in contarring a
boon on the people, instead of imposing an injury.
lie would not con,ent to any delay of the measure, even for
a single hour.
Mr. BRIGHT said that he had no doubt that the whole of
the mistake referred to by the lion. Member for Oldham
(Mr. Fielden) arose from a mistake in the printing of the
list of the names from the petition.
Mr. DENNISTOUN rose for the purpose of making some
explanations respecting a conversation which had passed
between himself and the Hon. Member for Oldham (Mr.
Fielden), to which that Hon. Member had referred.
Mr. STANSFIELD was understood to say that he would
support the motion.
Sir R. PEEL said that he was not quite certain what was
the actual motion before the House.
Mr. DENNISTOUN said, the motion was to postpone the
Bill gcing into Committee for a fortnight.
Sir R. PEEL could not then support that motion. It appeared
to him that it was only a motion for delaying the Bill. The
Bill had been already fully discussed upon every preceding
occasion; it was now proposed to delay the Bill going into
Committee for a fortnight, which would bring the House to
the Wednesday immediately preceding the adjournment, a day
which he did not think would be a very convenient one for
the purpose of discussion in Committee, and he thought that
the consequence would be the postponement of the Bill till
after Easter. He did not think that sufficient grounds had
been made out for delaying the measure, and he should,
therefore, feel it his duty to oppose the motion.
Mr. DUNCAN supported the motion for pcstponement.
Lord JOAN RUSSELL said that the Hon. Member for
Durham complained that he had taken no part in the discus•
slot'. He should now, therefore, state as shortly as he could
the reason which induced him to support the Bill.
lie hoped the lion. Member and other Hon. Gentlemen
would not forget that ott one occasion he did briefly state his
reasons fur supporting the Bill, and it he did not then go
fully into the question, it was because he was limited to ten
minutes to do so, the lion. Member who spoke before having
only finished ten minutes before six o'clock.—( Hear, hear.)
The Right lion. Baronet the Member for Taniworth
in a speech he made on the Bill, had also stated that lie
would like to hear him (Lord John Russell) express the
views which lie entertained on the subject, but the Right
Honourable Baronet was so led away that evening
by his argument, as to preclude the possibility of
his being able to state what his views were. Be-
tbre -he could now proceed to make any observations
on the general question, he wished to say that he did not
think the Hon. Member for Durham had any right to lec-
ture him upon his conduct in 1844.—(Cheers.) It was with
his eyes open that he (Lord J. Russell) then supported the
measure brought forward, and he was quite willing to bear
the responsibility of the consequences that resulted from that
step. If he recollected well, it was urged as an argument for
the abolition of the corn-laws by the Hon. Gentleman and
those who acted with him representing the Anti-Corn-
law League, that if these laws were abolished there
would be no necessity for prolonging the hours of factory
labour to the same extent as then prevailed. Now, if he
were disposed to retaliate on the Hon. Member, he would
say that those assertions were held out for the purpose of
securing the support of the working classes, irrespective of the
truth of the statement. lie would not, however, say that they
were insincere in their representations, but he thought that
a consideration of this should induce him to be sparing in his
taunts of his (Lord John Russell's) conduct in 1844. With
ertwoeoargusaldrtdshcateborecteyhinoyeouqnnuestion, it had been debated before, and it
gde co
e3u
peoplebsat yb uf
to for themuto
factories
limito et
hn
et
we rahsoi into it. iotefp e
rlTfaeblecoet
labour
legitimate object. It was stated, however, that the con-
sequence of this would be to limit the labour of adults, but
he could not assent to this objection, as it would be just as
reasonable to allege with regard to a proposal to
make a railway front a sea-port to Loncon that it
would injure the coasting trade generally. The principle
of the measure was good, and should therefore be carried
out, notwithstanding any inconvenience which might result.
—(Hear, hear.) He thought the object of the Bill was a
perfectly legitimate one, and it should therefore have his
support, as he believed' that great benefit would result
from it. The powerful argument for the limitation of
the hours of labour was the opportunity which would be
thus afforded to the manufacturing population of having re-
ligious and moral instruction, cultivating the domestic affec-
tions, and acquiring domestic habits. Now, the advocates
of these improvements in the social condition of the
working classes seemed to forget that they were incompatible
with the protraction of the hours of labour to 14 hours a
day. It was said, however, that the hours afforded for those
purposes would be abused, and devotod to vice; .but he was
not deterred by such an objection from supporting the measure.
He should be quite content if those who would be benefited
were left to spend the leisure which this Bill would give
them at their own homes, in kindly intercourse, instead o
imposing any restriction upon them as to how they should
spend it.—( Hear.) They next came to the great question
inserted in the Bill. Could they give these advantages to
the sons and daughters of the working classes employed in
factories, without at the same time injuring the manufac-
turer and the industry of the country, and thereby injuring
those classes whom the Bill was designed to benefit ? This was
a large and formidable question, and though the limitation
of the hours of work might be indirect, still if the practical
effect of such a limitation was likely to injure our foreign
commerce, the question became, as he said, one of a very
serious nature. Now, he did not think that a case had been
made out by the opponents of the measure to show that
serious injury to our foreign trade might be appreltendsd.—
( Hear, hear.) And, in considering the question, they must
not simply look at the value of the manufactures exported
from this country—namely, 37,000,0001., as for instance, one
of the largest manufacturers in this country—Mr. Marshall,
of Leeds, only worked his flax-mill eleven hours a day, and
they had a right to assume that he did so with profit.
They had also been told that many other manufacturers in
Leeds did not employ their workers more than eleven hours
a day; therefore the hours of work did not bear so materially
on the amount exported as many Hon. Gentlemen seemed to
suppose. The next consideration was, how many various
elements there were in the price of the article, in order to
show they would be affected by foreign competition. With
respect to cotton, there was the original price of the raw
material, the cost of its transit across the ocean, the
commission of the merchant at Liverpool, the expense
of working it into thread and into various fabrics.
It had then to be embarked again, and he would assume that
it was carried to China, where it would have to compete
with American and Swiss manufactures. The original cost
would not be affected by the Bill, and the manufacturers
would not pay their workers for twelve hours' work
if they worked only ten.—(Loud cries of "Bear, hear.")
The manufacturers would pay only for the quantity of work
done. The expenses of a manufacturer who had invested
100,0001. in his works had been thus estimated :-51. per cent.

interest on capital in the first instance ; wear and tear
6/. ; oil, tallow, and coal. about 12/. ; and 1/ for gas ;
making altogether twenty-fur pounds per cent.--( Hear.)
With regard to wear and tear, as far as the reduction of the
price of labour was concerned, there would be an equal re-
duction in this part of the expenditure. Less coal and tallow,
&c., would be used, and this, with the other item, would make
a reduction of about 12/. per cent.; so that there was only U. per
cent. on which any loss could take place—na-r:ely, the in-
terest on the capital.— ( Hear.) But look at the groat ad-
vantages which the cotton manufacturers had obtained.
There was formerly a tax of 700,0001 a year on cotton
in the raw material—( Hear, hear)—and the repeal of
the corn-laws must also be looked upon as a
great advantage, as, now the corn-laws had been repealed,
there could be no lo ger that difference between the price of
corn in other countries in Europe and its price in this
country;—(Hear, hear.) Thee would be in the same

position whether the price was high or low.
If the average price of corn in this country was formerly

555. per quarter, and 455. in France, for the future the prices
in these countries would be the same. If there was a time
of extraordinary scarcity—a deficient harvest—and the price
of corn was 70s. or 755. a quarter, the French manufacturer
would not have the advantage of obtaining his corn at 60e.,
whilst the English people had to pay 70e., as there would be
an equalisation of prices.— ( Hear, hear.) These advantage,
he thought, were equal to 700,0001. a year to those engaged
in manufactures.—(Hear.) But of this he was sure, that all
those who had contended in that House for the repeal
of the corn-laws urged in support of their repeal that they
were the greatest disadvantages with which they had to
contend, whether in China or Americassigainst foreign ma-
nufactures, because they were debarred from using the corn
And other provisions of the same parties.—(Hear, hear )
He said, therefore, that the manufacturers had received
great advantage by the repeal of:the cotton tax, and next by
the repeal of the corn-laws.—(Hear, hear.) The duty on
wool had also been taken off. It was stated, on behalf
0. the working men, that the passing of this Bill would
caws much lots to them, by reducing their hours of
work, and in consequence their wages. Now, as far
as he (Lord John Russell) could judge, the working
men were willing to risk a trial of a ten hours' Bill.—(Hear,
hear.) The manufacturers could not suffer, because they
would not give so much for less work as they would do fi r a
greater quantity. It was urged, in opposition to the Bill.
!hat the quantity of manufactures exported was equal to
mills working twelve hours a day throughout the year,
and that if the hours were reduced that the quantity of pro.
d action must be diminished. Now that was not correct.—(Mr.
Bright said it was correct.) Yet he had heard the llon.Gentle-
man state this fact, in connexion with his own Hear.)
There were many other mills working short time, and that
short time was ten hours or eight hours a day. That hap-
pened very often three times a week, or three days in the
week. He said that the production was not what it seemed,
hut it was diminished when there had not been suf-
ficient employment. It did seem to him that if
they introduced a Bill for eleven hours, die conse-
quence would be, that there would not be a strain to
produce the quantity that could be manufactured in twelve
hours, but that there would be a more steady employ-
ment throughout the whole year than there was at the
present moment. It might be that in a certain time there
would not be a sufficient number of mills to furnish the
demand, but at least he thought it was not the case at the
present time. No one could exclaim that there was at the
present time a deficiency of power to produce all the
manufactures of cotton which might be required for the
demand of the world—and if that were the case,
so far from :pinking it an inconvenient or a bad time for
entertaining this question, as they were told, it seemed to be
peculiarly a fit time, because the same production which
they now had in Lancashire and York would be continued,
and that without the addition of a single mill or a single
power•loom to the manufactures of this country. For his
own part he should expect, that if a Bid, limiting
the time of labour to eleven hours were to pass,
that the general production would be fully equal to that
which it then was. He believed that there would be fewer
fits and starts. He believed that there would be a more
equal employment, and the manufacturing capabilities of the
country would be brought in force—when it was not so at
the present time. It was said that after all they must look
to the keen competition that was kept up, and they
said that unless they had all the time which they
had at present they should be unable to meet that
competition. Why, if that were the case, he asked
how had these parties been enabled to meet that competition
hitherto. He was oblige .1 to ask that, because they said that t hey
were working under a disadvantage which, according to their
statement, had overwhelmed the manufacture of this country.
Let them take Russia. He believed that the Russian people
were allowed to work ninety hours to the week. At the
samn time, money was advanced by the Government for the
support of the cotton-mills in Russia, which were subjects
of especial favour with that Government. There was
no tax upon raw cotten. If such were the advantages given
to the cotton manufacturer of Russia, he must naturally ask
what had enabled the manufacturers of this country to keep
up the commercial prosperity which they had done. He
believed that this fact depended on somewhat more than
the mere circumstances attending the manufacture, which
were not in themselves of paranimint importance. His
belief was that this country • hail derived it from its
general freedom and from its manufacturing skill;
advantages of which it would not be deprived by reducing
the hours of labour, if these young persons were to work
eleven hours per day. He could say, that in those countries
where manufactures had sprung up, it was impossible to say
that injurious facts had followed measures of this nature, or
that the manufacturing prosperity could at all be estimated
by these measures. He would then take the case
of America. It was said that the competition
of America was very dangerous to this country,
but at the same time he believed that there was a law in
Massachusetts that persons under fifteen years of age should
not be employed more than nine months in the year, and the
owners are obliged to give them three menthe to attend
to their education. If there was such a law in this country,
by which every person under fifteen years of age should
have three months' absence from the mills, they would
be told at once that the measure would be fatal
to the manufacturer, and that it was quite impos-
sible to keep up a competition of such a description,
and yet America had kept it up, and he believed would keep
up the competition, and furnish a great part of those manu-
factures which go to different parts of the world. He be-
lieved that these things depended not on the general
nature of the institutions, but on the commercial enterprise
and manufacturing skill of different countries. It was clear
that such was the case, for Russia, with all its
advantages, was unable to compete with this
country; while America, which was under great
disadvantage in this respect and in wages, which were ls.3d.
more than those of Russia,bad been enabled to compete with
them. He believed that the rate of wages in America were
15s. to 153. 10d.—a much greater sum than they were here.
At all events it could not be denied that there were great re-
strictions. His belief was, that if they were to restrict the
hours of labour of young persons and of women to a period
not exceeding eleven hours a day, they would find that the
fears which had been so loudly expressed on this subject
would shortly after the alteration give place to confi-
dence. They had repeatedly seen that measures of this
kind had been introduced, and they bad seen them
obtain complete success. They had seen the people
better off, in every respect, after these measures
were passed. At the same time he thought that the con-
sideration was so very serious that it would be far better to
introduce a Bill to reduce the number of hours to eleven
than to go on with a Bill at present to limit
the hours to ten. He thought it would be
far better to adopt that which had been proved by experi-
ence, than to go at once to the extent of the limitation pro-
posed. He did not himself, think that manufacturing property
th'oautbilf iltwearlel possiblesuffe to
suffer
by
by
the change; and he did think
introduce such a change, that they
did owe it to the rising generation to make an alteration
which would be beneficial to them. He could not look with in-
difference to the statement that a great part of the people of
In this
hisco o
hadcountry
it was h
work,onlytote
eat, sleep, and die.—(Ctreers.)
duty
of the State to en-
deavour that they should have a people, in the tirst place,
asplatheee look up to the laws and
their protectors from undue op-
pressionaware of the doctrines of their religion. In the next place,
able to cultivate their domestic happiness and domestic
affc
and,un taibnueetchinoeflutbihettirriyodns upon the youth of the country.
1 Governmentleet ;
confessed and
of
that he did not see that that object had been
attained, or that it was likely to be attained, so long as the
they had !tit
ose young persons were permitted to be protracted
as herto been. He could not conceive himself that
houthrse
a girl of fourteen years of age employed for twelve hours at
at work, and for two hours after in the factory, coming
home every day tired and exhausted, would be able
to do anything but rest, in order to commence
the labours of the next day. He did not under-
stand how such a young girl would be brought
up to be a good wife or a good mother, and
he was willing, therefore, to incur the risk, in the
ho
itionpeconodfimproving the condition and alleviating
the of these people. He might be mistaken in that
view, but he would only go according to what had appeared
to him, after seriously considering this subject, to be the
case.
He was ready, when the Speaker left the
chair, to vote for the clause restricting the time of working
to eleven hours. us wished the Bill to remain in that shape,
as he thought it would give considerable advantages to those
onhis He
Bill.w a%
therefore, ready to go into Committee
persons who were the objects of it. He would be ready to
join those who were disposed to do anything fvr the welfare
of this country.
The House then went into Committee.
Mr. DENNISTOUN rose to move the adjournment, but
there were cries of "Go on, go on."
Mr. HUME said that in his opinion, if they were to go on,
they had better go on now, for he was firmly convinced that
the matter would not be settled in the country until the
eight hours were obtained. For his own part, he should
not move any amendment, awl be would advise all his friends
to abstain from doing so also.
Oa the first clause being put, the object of it being to limit
the working in factories to eleven hours each day after the
let of May in the present year,
Mr. BRIGHT rose to ask when these hours were to be
taken, for the Bill did not specify when the mills were to be
In operation. He presumed the Bill was to be perpetual. and
therefore this point ought to be settled.
Mr. FIELDEN answered that this Bill would, of course,
be regulated, as to its construction, by the other Bills which
had been passed for the regulation of factories.
Sir G. STRICKLAND wished to know whether it was in-
tended to limit the operation of the clause to two years, but
no reply was given to the question.
The clause was then passed.
On the second clause being put,
Mr. FIELDEN said that as there seemed a wish entertained
by several Hon. Members, he would propose that the time
for limiting the labour to eleven hours a day should be ex-
tended one year, and he wished therefore that the Ist of
May. 1849, should be substituted for the let of May, 1848.
Mr. ROEBUCK quite disapproved of the Bill altogether,
but, as it was to be passed, be should prefer that the ten
hours' system be adopted at once, and he would therefore
move that the Ist of May 1848 be inserted instead of 1849.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL thought that the Honourable
Member who had charge of the Bill ought to use
his own discretion as to what time he inserted, but, for his
own part, when the clause for limiting the hours to ten a day
came under consideration he should move for its omission
altogether.
Mr. BOUVERIE called the attention of the Committee to
what he considered would be the serious result of passing
this measure upon the children employed in factories,
by forbidding them to work, and not, at the same
time, providing for them any other kind of em-
ployment, cr affording them the means of education.
Cord MORPETH would not trouble the House at that
late hour with his reasons why he thought this clause should
be expunged. He wished, however, to say that he would
not consent to a greater reduction than one hour till he had
greater experience of the *ration of such a reduction. It
had been found by a number of manufacturers that the
eleven hours had worked well, and he was not disposed to
go further at present.
Mr. FERRAND thought that what the Noble Lord stated
was a reason why he should consent to reduce the hours to
ten instead of eleven.
Mr. DUNCAN supported the expunging of the clause, as,
if carried, lie was persuaded it wonld seriously injure the flax
trade of the town of Dundee, which he represented. The
Honourable Gentleman entered into some statistics with
regard to the flax trade of Dundee in support of his view.
The shortcbming upon all was no less than 2,332,0001b5.
(Divide, divide)—and in one article we had exported only a
few pieces of late, when we used to send out ship loads. It
they reduced the time they would be doing away with the
whole of the foreign commerce of the country, for if they
once lost their customers, they would never be able to regain j
them.—(Loud cries of " Divide, divide.")
The House then divided, when there appeared—
For the clause
Against it
Majority in favour of the clause —7B
The clause, therefore, stands part of the Bill. The result
of the division was received with loud cheers.
The remaining clauses were then agreed to without amend-
ment.

The announcement was received with loud cheers.
The House having resumed,
Mr. GREENE brought up the report, which waa ordered
to be taken into consideration on the 21st of April.

The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
House adjuurned at a few minutes to Six o'clock.

itAILVVAI coMMITTEES.

(YESTERDAY.)
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
GROUP, I.

The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of
the Bills comprised in this group reassembled at the usual
hour this morning, Lord Granvile Somerset in the chair.

THE SOUTH-EASTERN MID-RENT
SCHEME.

yoTurheofdatyhiswiajaneco. occupied in bearing general evidence in fa.

Mr. Alderman Lucas, a landholder on the existing line
from Paddock Wood to Maidstone, bore testimony to the
great advantage the South- Eastern Mid-Kent' scLeme would
afford to that part of the country.
The Rev. Mr. Cobb, of Ightham, said at present his part
of the country was entirely without railway communication
..ith London. He preferred the South-Eastern Mid-Kent
line, because considered it the b?st. It passed through
Bastel Valley, a very large hop producing district, and it
would derive considerable benefit from the construction of
this line.

Mr. Woodridge, of Tunbridge, proved that the majority of
the inhabitants of that place were favourable to the South-
Eastern scheme.

Mr. Wm. Harrison, of Hadlow, said it was absolutely ne-
cessary that Hardlow should have a better communication
with the metropolis. The South-Eastern line, he considered,
accomplished ►that object in the best possible manner.
Mr. Wm. Golding, a farmer on the route of the proposed
line, gave it as his opinion that no district was more in want
of railway accommodation than that lying between Ightham
and Tunbridge and London. The South Eastern was the
best line of the two.

Mr. Mercer, of Maidstone, Mr. David Bailey, of Seven-
oaks, Mr. Carter, a miller in the Bastead Valley, and a num-
ber of other residents, merchants, traders, and owners on the
line, gave concurrent testimony to the former witnesses.
The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at twelve
o'clock.

GROUP XII.

IPSWICH AND BURY ST. EDMUNDS (No. XX,

-NEWMARKET AND ELY.)

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Mr. AUSTIN, having gone at some length into the question
of the subscription contracts, proceeded to explain the lead-
ing features of the scheme, which he intended to establish by
evidence.

Mr. A. Ransome, of Ipswich, was the first wit-
ness called. He deposed that the two lines pro-
pused by the Eastern Counties Union Company
were much interior to the rival schemes, and were
unanimously supported by the Bury St. Edmund's inhabi-
tants. The present scheme had their support, because it
would give the town a direct communication with the estern
and midland counties of England.
Mr. Webber, of Ipswich, gave evidence of a similar
character. A line which would connect Bury St. Edmund's and
Newmarket was greatly to be preferred over, the schema to
Ely, and it would open up the midland counties to the agri.
cultural produce of the East.
Mr. Deck, auctioneer, of Bury St. Edmund's, gave evidence
to a similar effect.

The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow.

REGISTRY of BIRTHS and DEATHS
DURING THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 13.
1
Deaths registered in the week. Births registered in the week.
Males... ... ... 503 Males ... ... ... 740
Females ... ... 523 Females ... ... 695

Total ... 1,026

Total ... 1,435

SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY

COMPANY.

The twenty-first half-yearly general meeting of the pro-
prietors in this railway was held ye3teeday at the Board-
room, London-bridge Terminus, for the purpose of receiving
the report of the directors, and transacting the ordinary bu-
siness of the company. James M'Gregor, Esq., chairman
of the company, presided.
The advertisement calling the meeting having been read,
and the common seal of the company affixed to the registry
of proprietors,
The SECRETARY proceeded to read the report, of which
the following is a brief abstract :
" The Accounts of the South- Eastern Railway Company for
the half-year, ending on the 31st of January, 1847, show
that the gross Receipts of the Company on Revenue Account
have amounted during that period to .236,404/. Os. 5d.; that
the working expenses have been 61,1971. 9s. sd. • the
rent of the Greenwich Railway and the Whitstable Railway,
19,878/. 2s. 3d.; the Rates, Government Duty, and Toll to
the London, Brighton, and South-Coast Company, for
the use of the Croydon Railway, 31,0471. ss. Bd., mak-
ing together the Expenditure on Revenue Account,
112,1221. 17s. 4d. The Balance carried to the Account of
Profit and Loss, 124,2811. 3s. Id. ' • and the Profit and Loss
Account shows an amount at the disposal of the Proprietors
of 100,2041. 7s. 3d.
" The amount received for passenger traffic during the
half-year on the South-Eastern Railway, exclusive of the
Greenwich Branch, is 144,0001. 12s. 7d., of which
55,4231. 15s. Id. has been paid by 112,419 first-class pas-
sengers ; 54,683/. 12s. 11d. by 247,670 second-class pas-
sengers ; and 33,890/. 4s. 7d. by 381,708 third-class pas-
sengers.

"A comparison with the corresponding half-year of 1845-6
shows an increase during the last hall-year of 38,5701. Bs. 9d
in receipt, and of 16,040 first class: 41,186 second class; and
130,344 third class in number, in all 187,579.
"The comparison of last half-year with the corresponding
half-year of 1845-6, shows an increase of 7,241 of persons
carried over the Greenwich Branch, within that period, and
there is an increase of the earnings on this branch of
1,1131. Uts. 7d.
" The merchandise account has yielded 37,2451. 14s. 7d.
during the last half year, which exceeds by 13,3201. Os. 7d.
the amount earned in the corresponding half of last year.
" The directors gave up possession of the New Cross Lo-
comotive Works on the 31st of January, in accordance with
the agreement which had been entered into, and removed
the South-Eastern Locomotive Establishment to the new
works, at Ashford.
"The amount due to this company from the Brighton
Company, on giving up the New Cross Works, amounting to
nearly 40,0001., has not yet been paid.
"The branch from Minster to Deal will open so soon as
the swing-bridge over the Stour is completed. Its construc-
tion has been delayed by the severe winter.
"The contracts for widening the Greenwich branch and
extending it to Gravesend, and for filling up the canal in the
tunnel, and doubling the line of the railway from Gravesend
to Rochester, are all let. All the works are proceeding
favourably, and there is every reason to expect that they
will be completed according to the contracts, which require
all the works to be constructed and ready for opening within
twelve months after obtaining possession of the land. That
part of the North Kent Railway between Gravesend and
Rochester will, it is hoped, be opened as a double line in two
months.

" The directors have avrangei with the Board of the
Reading, Guildford, and Reigate Railway to vary the agree-
ment existing with that company, and instead of the South-
Eastern Company allowing 4►A per cent. to the Reading,
Guildford, and Reigate Company, on the whole outlay for
constructing the line end a division of profits besides, they
have agreed, subject to the approbation of the proprietors, to
allow 514 per cent, without division of profits, on a fixed
capital of 600,0001. The South-Eastern Company having the
responsibility of executing the works.
"The directors trust the arrangements they have made,
and are making, for the internal management of the com-
pany, will insure to them efficient aid in all departments of

its service, and they beg leave to tender to the proprietors
their assurance that no exertions on their part shall be
wanting to uphold the property and increase the prosperity
of the South-Eastern Company."
The CHAIRMAN then said that he trusted the report read
would be found satisfactory. On the 24th of February they
had an interview with the Brighton Company, which they
had hoped would terminate satisfactorily, were it not for the
expressed determination of the Brighton Company to proceed
with their Mid-Kent schemes. A copy of the corres-
pondence which passed between the Chairmen of the
two companies was read, and it appeared that while both
parties expressed themselves anxious to come to terms.
neither was willing to forego the schemes which they them-
selves were promoting. If he were asked why the negotia-
tion had not been proceeded with on their part. he should
say that, as the basis of all negotiation was founded on
the withdrawal of the Brighton Mid-Kent projects, the
South-Eastern Company, finding that this withdrawal would
not be conceded, and esteeming these projects, if finished,
to be non-paying ones, had deemed it prudent to reject all
overtures while these projects were insisted on.
A SHARENOLDIR said that there was one item of expendi-
ture generally found in the reports of other railways which '
he did not find in the South-Eastern Company. He meant
the amount due to directors for their own services. Were
the directors not paid. or was the omission a clerical error?
The CHAILMAN said that when the directors undertook
the management of the railway, they found that it was a
matter of absolute necessity to apply the pruning knife to the
salaries of all the officera. The secretary, for instance, was
only allowed 400/. per annum, and the others were propor-
tionably low. In adopting these reformatory measures, they
felt it to be their duty to begin at home, and a resolution
was agreed to that their services should be given gratuitously
until the position of the company could be made fully satis-
factory to the proprietors.—(Great cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN then moved the adoption of the report,
which having been seconded, was carried unanimously.
The CHAIM/lAN then proposed that a dividend of 21s. per
share on the paid-up shares be declared; of 13s. on the
shares created on the 19th of March, 1844; and of 7s. 6d.
per share on the shares created on the 7th day of November,
1844; the same to be made payable on the 12th of April,
1847.—Carried.
The retiring directors, Mr. Martin Luther Pritchard, Mr.
Alexander Randall, and Mr. Henry Lewis Small, were re-
elected.

A resolution, expressive of the obligations of the company
to Lord Viscount Torrington, moved by Mr. Pameow,
seconded by Mr. BLISSARD, and supported by Mr. D. SA•
LoxoNs, was carried with acclamation.

The CHAIRMAN said the business of the meeting was now
over, but he could not permit them to separate without ex-
pressing the thanks of himself and his colleagues for the
honourable confidence they had reposed in them, and he
begged to assure them that no effort would be wanting on
their part to carry the affairs of the company to a successful
termination.—(Cheers.)
Mr. 11Aiii.ow moved a vote of thanks to the chairman. _

Mr. COLEMAN seconded the motion, which was carried
unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and the meeting broke up.

TETE GANG OF CORN STEALERS TN KENT.—At the
Rochester Quarter Sessions, held on Saturday, before James
Espinasse, Esq., Recorder. Mathew Burgess and Charles
Smith, two of the men implicated in the extensive robberies
which have been recently committed in various parts of the
Western Division of Kent, were brought to trial, together
with Robert Jenkins, charged with being an accessory after
the tact. The trial occupied the greater part of the day.
Mr. Rose and Mr. Russell appeared for the nrosecution ; Mr,
Addison defended the prisoner Smith and Burgess, and Mr.
T. Hills attended on behalf of the prisoner Jenkins. Barns
and granaries around the neighbourhood of Rochester had re-
cently been robbed to a considerable extent, access to which
had been obtained by means of skeleton keys, 24 of which
were found in the possession of one of the prisoners, and an
inquiry being set on foot, it was found that small quantities
of corn Lad at various times been sold to Stephen Charlton,
a corn factor, at Strood, by William Gilbert, who has ab-
sconded. The case was clearly proved against the prisoners
Smith and Burgess, and they were sentenced to seven years'
transportation. Jenkins, through whose instrumentality the
principal offender, Gilbert, has for the present escaped, was
sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.
WooLviECii ACADEMY.—WiIIiam Racater, Esq.,
M.A., has been elected to supply the vacancy occasioned by
he resignation of Professor Barlow.

--ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
IVES TERN CIRC UI T.— Dorchester. March 16.
CROWN COURT.—( Before Mr. Jos! ice WILLIAMS.)
Robert Bridge, John Fetherstone, Samuel Mostyn, William
Barnes, William T,eve/ian, Thram Vivian, Samuel Palmer,
George Guy, Richard Martin, and Richard Rees were in-
dicted, and the bid ctment charg..i them with a•sembling in
a tumultuous manner, and with force and arms mAing an
affray to the terror and and disturbance of her Majesty's
subjects, wherein one James Bushrod, together with Ruth,
his wife, and Sarah Ann. his daughter, were assaulted, beaten,
and abused, and at the same time in and upon George
Groves, Jethro Waters, and Thomas Cake, constables, assault-
ing and beating them, the said constables bein then in the
execution of their duty at Upway.
?,Ir. Stock was counsel for the prosecution, and Mr. Fitz-
herbert defended the prisoners.
The prisoners are what are termed " navigators," and were
employed upon the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Rail-
way at Upway, between Dorchester, and Weymouth. On
Motility, the 18th of January last, s nne of the prisoners
went to a public-house at Upway, kept by Bushrod. In the
course of the evening the rest of the prisoners came to that
house. Atter drinking some beer a quarrel arose among
the men, and went on till it came to what was termed a
desperate row. They knocked down some of the pots which
supported the beams of the tap-room. This disturbance con-
tinued until sonic constables arrived, who recommended them
to be quiet and enjoy themselves. They, however broke the
table and drove the constables out, of the house. The pri-
soner Bridge dragged Bushrod out of the house, knocked hint
down, and kicked and beat him until he was tendered insen
Bible. Upon coming to himself he found that his passage
door had been broken, and the men were then endeavouring
to force the parlour door. His wife and daughter were lying
on the ground in a senseless state. His daughter's cheek was
severely cut. There then was a clamour for more beer. lie
was terrified, and therefore lie drew some, but the men broke
all the mugs. Bushrod at length contrived to lock up his
bar and left tha premises. He returned in about an hour;
most of the prisoners had gone away. The constables, who
had been driven out of the house, had now procured further
assistance and came to the spot. Two of the prisoners were
then lying in the tap-room asleep, and they were imme-
diately taken into custody, and the other prisoners were ap-
prehended on the following day. When the constables were
in pursuit of the prisoners Bridge threw stones at them, with
a view of driving the constables away so that they mightl not
be taken. Bridge had been heard to say that he would have
a row at Bushrod's. One circumstance is particularly worthy
of notice, because it has a tendency to create these lawless
acts, and that is—that it is the general rule to pay these
men their wages at public-houses, where of course there is
the inducement to get to drinking, which continually leads
to riot and disorder.

The jury found the prisoners Guilty of the assault upon a
peace officer, and they were sentenced—Bridge to four
months' and the other prisoners to two months' imprison-
ment, with hard labour.

(Before Mr. Justice CaEsswELL.)
Bartholomew Gale and William Reid were indicted for
entering the dwelling-house of George Lane, at Coracombe,
and stealing money.
Mr. Ffooks was counsel for the prosecution, and Mr. Ed-
wards defended the prisoners.
It appeared that the prosecutor kept a turnpike-gate at
Tollerdown. On the night of the 18th of February, 1846, he
was awoke by a cry of " Gate." He got up, and went uown
stairs, and opened the door. when two men laid hold of him,
and two others went into the house. They told him if he
did not bide quiet they would have his head off. The prose-
cutor's wife came to them, and they knocked her down, and
said. they would have her life if she did not tell them where
the money was. She told them the money was gone, but
there was some in the window. One of the men held her
down while the other took a lantern from his pocket and
went up stairs. The man who held her down had a hand-
-1 kerchief over part of his face, and the other part was black-
ened.' She had a black eye. They took away 11. Os. 10itl.
The prisoners lived in adjoining parishes, about six or seven
miles from Tollerdown-gate. Gale was seen in company
li with Reid about nine o'clock that night, and they were heard
talking together as to the best mode of disguising them-
selves to go to Tollerdown-gate and get some money ; and
the husband of one of the witnesses told them it would be a
good way to tie a handkerchief round the face and wear a
cap, and he gave them a bit of rag, and told them to black
it against the back of the fire. Gale blacked the rag and
put it in his pocket, and her husband gave him a cap be-
longing to one of his own children, and Gale put the cap on ;
the husband then took a lantern, and they all left the house—
her husband, the two prisoners, and John Reid, the brother
of the prisoner Reid. This witness stated that she after-
wards heard William Reid give an account of the robbery,
which corresponded with the account given by the prosecu-
tor and his wife. Her husband told her that while he was
holding the prosecutor he told him that this was a shocking
thing, and they must soon meet before the judgment-seat of
Christ. Her husband had been transported 12 months ago.
Gale was apprehended at Dorchester, and Reid near Brid-
port in October last.
Mr. EDWARDS addressed the jury on behalf of the pri-
soners, and urged upon them that they could not place any
credit in the story told by the woman.
The Learned JUDGE having summed up,
The jury returned a verdict of Guilty against both pri-
soners, and they were sentenced to be transported for 14
years.

Thomas Saunders, Il liam Larcombe, and William Lar-
combe the younger, were indicted for burglariously breaking
and: entering the dwelling-house of Edward Legg, at
Beaminster, and stealing therefrom divers articles, and
Maria Saunders and Ann Saunders were indicted for receiv-
ing the same.
Mr. Slade was counsel for the prosecution.
The house of the prosecutor was found to have been broken
into on the morning of the Bth of January, and some boots,
bags, a quantity of flour, silver spoons, and many other arti-
cles were missing. Some persons had entered by the window,
and six panes of glass were broken, and one of the cross-bars
had been removed. Thomas Saunders and William Larcombe
the younger were seen together on the road going towards
Mr. Legg's, about twelve o'clock that night, and about five
miles from their own residence. A search was made that
morning in the house of Thomas Saunders, and a great many
of the stolen articles were found in the bedroom. The two
female prisoners, who were his wife and daughter, were in the
house. While the search was being made Thomas Saunders
got out of the upstairs window. lie was immediately taken,
and then he asked if the constable had got Will Larcombe
all right. William Larcombe, the younger, on the same
day, took some of the articles to an ironmonger at Crew-
kerne, and sold them. The prisoners all lived at Moster-
ton. On the morning of the 9th of January some earth
near Larcombe's house was observed to have been fresh
moved. The spot was searched, and several of the stolen
articles were found buried. Maria Saunders was apprehended
on the 9tu of January. Four silver spoons which had been
stolen were found upon her. One of the constables said he
had worn one of the stolen handkerchiefs in the hope that it
might be identified. The judge told him he was a very
foolish man. Ann Saunders worked at a mill at Mostcrton.
Some of the stolen meat was found where she worked,
wrapped up in an apron. Ann Saunders admitted that she
had taken the meat to the place where it was found.

The Learned JUDGE, in st.mming up the case to the jury,
observed that there was no case against the elder Larcombe,
and he thought it would have been as well if he had not been
sent there. As to Ann Saunders, the maw considered the
wife acted under the control of her husband, and therefore
she was entitled to an acquittal.
The jury returned a verdict of Guilty against Thomas
Saunders, William Larcombe, the younger, and Maria Saun-
ders, and Acquitted the other prisoners. They recommended
Maria Saunders to mercy. A former conviction was proved
against William Larcombe, the younger.
The Learned JUDGE sentenced Thomas Saunders and Wil-
liam Larcombe, the younger, to be transported for seven
years, and Maria Saunders to be imprisoned and kept to hard
labour for two months.

There were no less than II witnesses to prove this case.

HOME CIRCUI I.—Maidstone. March 17.

CIVIL SlOR—(llefv.re the LORD I._ HIM' JUSTICE.)
HYDER V. DIXON.

This was an action brought by Captain Hyder, formerly of
the 10th Dragoons, against Mr. Alfrei Dixon, the son of the
proprietor of the well-known horse repository in Barbican, to
recover the value of a race- horse, known by the name of
" The Devil among the Tailors," sold to him by the defendant,
and warranted sound.
Mr. Mantague Chambers and Mr. Bovell were for the
plaintiff, and Sergeant Shee and Mr. Bramwell for the de-
fendant.
It appeared that "The Devil among the Tailors" had been
run by Mr. Dixon at Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, and
Chatham races in the autumn of last year, and was very
successful, being th.i winner on several occasions, and at one

of the meetingS.he ran as many as five heats. At Chatham
races he was again successful, and, according to the evidence
of one of th 9 witnesses. he bore the character of being a very
good "country plater," and upon this occasion he was
claimed-.by a person named Messer, according to the terms
of the race, for 801. ; but Mr. Dixon was unwilling to sell him,
and ultimately gave Messer 20/. not to press his claim. Capt.
Ryder, who had been steward at one of the races where the
horse had run, and was aware of his capabilities, afterwards
entered into a negotiation with Mr. Dixon for the purchase
of the horse, and it was at length arranged that he should
give 1101. for him, and a cheque for that amount upon
Messrs. Cox and Greenwood was liven to the defendant,
but it was arranged that the transaction should not be con-
sidered completed until the horse was delivered safely at
Brown's training stables in Lewes, and then the cheque was
paid. The horse was taken to Lewes in due course, and
when the cheque was presented for payment, the clerk
who cashed it, it appeared, took upon himself to require
the defendant to state on the receipt lie gave upon that
occasion that the horse was warranted sound. This, it
seemed, took place on the 15th of September, the original
bargain for the sale having been concluded on the 10th ; and
this interval formed a material point in the present inquiry.
It seemed that the horse arrived at Lewes on the 12th of
Sept ember, and it was very soon perceived that he was very
ill, and it was found necessary to call in the assistance of
a veterinary surgeon; but the remedies he prescribed
were of no avail, for the horse went on lingering
and wasting until the 21st, and thee died, and on his being
openad it was found that his kidneys were very much dis-
(skied, and this disease was time cause of his death. The
veterinary surgeon who had been called in stated his opinion
to be that the disorder existed for a fortnight or three weeks
before the death of the horse took place, and consequently
that the animal must have been unsound at the time the
warranty was given ; but it was admitted in cross-examina-
tion that horses were frequently attacked with inflammation
and other maladies very suddenly, which would cause their
death in a few hours, and that it was very improbable, if the
horse had been suffering from this fatal disease in the kidneys
at the time he was sold by the defendant, that he could have
aim five severe heats at the Chatham races, and have won l
the race.
Mr. Sergeant SHEE, on behalf of the defendant, com-
plained that by the proceeding of the banker's clerk he
was made answerable for a supposed warranty of the 15th
of September, when, if one had really been given at any
time, it must have been on the 10th, when the horse was
sold, and when, even according to the evidence of the plain-
tiff's own witnesses, he might have been perfectly sound.
He then went on to say that according to his instructions
the horse WAS, in point of fact, perfectly sound when he wars
delivered, according to the instructions of the plaintiff; to
the trainer at Lewes, and that the malady must have come
on suddenly, either from the change of stable or some other
cause, and hat, therefore, the defendant was not liable for a
breach of warranty.
The groom who took the horse from Chatham to Lewes
was examined, and he proved that the horse appeared quite
we:l during the journey between the two places, and that on
the following morning, after his arrival at Lewes, he cantered
him for an hour upon the downs, and did not oberve any-
thing the matter with hire.

S(;ine other witnesses were also examined in support of the
statement made by the Learned Sergeant.
The jury found for the plaintiff—Damages 112/., that sum
including some expenses that had been incurred by the plain-
tiff in doctoring the horse prior to his death.

EXTENSIVE FIRE AT SOIIAM —We have jUat re-
ceivc:l information of an extensive fire at Soharn, that
broke out on Monday nir,lit last, in hiall-street, on the op-
posite side of the street where the late conflagration burst
forth. We can furnish no particulars.—bury Herald.