The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-20 00:00:00

THE SUN,, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING JANUARY 20, 184 s.

stating the quantity of land on which such trials were
made, the nature of the soil, the mode of cultivation
adopted, the quantity and description of manure applied,
the seed, its kind, and quantity, harvesting, amount of
produce per acre, &c., &c. We desire, also, to facilitate
an intercourse among the member of farmers' clubs, so
that each society may avail itself of the experience of
the rest; by which means the direction of all may be
improved, and their prosperity promoted. The politics
and gossip of the day are excluded from the work. It
is a monthly record of everything that bears upon the
science and practice of agriculture; and includes, besides
a large portion of original matter on general subjects,
every interesting particular relative to the cultivation of
hops, and to agricultural science; such as draining, sub-
soil-ploughing, cultivating, cleansing, and manuring
land; the most approved alternation of crops, with the
best plans for their management, &c. The importance
of testing soils by chemical agency, and every informa-
tion as to the proper adaptation of the manures suited to
their natural requirements, is duly insisted on and de-
scribed; everything relating to farming and farm manage-
ment, faithfully recorded, and a review given of every
agricultural publication arid implement of husbandry
worthy of note. No subject of importance to the agri-
culturist, which may appear in any other publication, is
omitted; so that the journal may, with advantage, be
treasured up as a valuable book of reference.
" As the breeding, rearing, and management of live
stock form a most important item in the economy of the
farm, particular attention is paid to this department; and
the most approved rules are laid down for the successful
prosecution of this essential object, as regards dairy and
feeding stock,—horses, cows, sheep, pigs, and poultry,
Condensed, but accurate notices of the principal corn,
cattle, and produce markets, and fairs, that are held
during the month are given; as also prices of foreign
grain, and grain averages; reports of the meetings and
proceedings of agricultural, horticultural, and kindred
societies, with concise notices of the most important
business transacted at the meetings of similar asso-
ciations; with reports of cattle and green crop
competitions, ploughing matches, &c., &c.
" Besides the topics already enumerated, the Scientific
and Practical Agriculturist contains rural sketches of
domestic life, scientific and literary information, and, as
far as is practicable, endeavours to meet those intel-
lectual wants, which are to be found in every family:
and while it seeks to combine instructive variety for the
more experienced reader, it does not omit to glean for
the young. Its aim is to instruct by solid truths and
useful information, rather than to excite by flashes of
i
wit, and tales of imagination; to warm rather than to'
dazzle; to look to the use and perfection of the fruit,
rather than to the beauty of the flower. A monthly
summary of the most important national and continental
events is inserted, thus rendering the work the record
and repository of all that is interesting to the farmer
and general reader."

HOW far these promises will be realised must be seen
hereafter, but the first number begins well; it con-
tains, among other things, some excellent remarks on
the education of farmers, and a good deal of useful
advice on agricultural matters. But we are inclined
to believe that the most valuable 'feature of this
journal will be the reports of experiments which it
promises to contain, as they cannot fail to afford both
encouragement and assistance to the experimental
and practical agriculturist.

OUR ARTILLERY ESTABLISH-
MENTS.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE TIMES.

Sir,— The increase made to the number of men of
the artillery will furnish a valuable addition of gun-
ners for the service of our coast batteries and our
numerous garrisons : but, unless a considerable ad-
dition be made to the present establishment of horses,
the Royal Artillery will not be able to add a single
gun to its field batteries, or to carry out the system
of instruction for the new raised men beyond the
most ordinary standing duties of the artillery soldier.
The trained artillery horse is as necessary for the
service of a field-gun as the well-trained and disci-
plined gunner. Without horses accustomed to the
work a field battery cannot be manoeuvred.
_ _

Much speculation has been exhausted on the sub-
ject of a French invasion, and the probable strength
of an army making the attempt has, by professional
and non-professional writers, been estimated at 40,000
men.

Forty thousand Frenchmen, landing in Sussex,
would bring with them at least 60 pieces of cannon
—we will suppose French 8-pounders (their usual
field-gun), equal in calibre to our 9-pounder.
To oppose these guns we should require a battery
of fifty 9-pounders, Foot Artillery guns, each gun
drawn by four horses, and to each its ammunition
waggon, also drawn by four horses.
e should require, in horses
For 50 guns ►e 4 •••• • 2OO
For 60 waggons 11 4 ..
For spare carriages, one-eighth of all £0
—450
Add—

Spare horses to supply accidents ..... 25
To mount officers (3 per company)
being 1 officer to 2 guns

- 50

IRISH SPECIAL COMMISSION.

ENNIS, MONDAY, JAN. 17.—The Chief Justice and
Chief Baron sat this morning at half•past 10 o'clock.
CLEARY'S MURDER.—SENTENCE OF DEATH UPON
THE CONVICTS BUTLER AND HOURIGAN.—At the
sitting of their 'Lordships the two men, Michael
Butler and Matthew Hourigan, 'convicted of the
murder of Patrick Cleary upon Saturday, were
placed at the bar, and asked by the Clerk of the
Crown if they had anything to say why sentence of
death and execution should not be pronounced
against them.
The prisoners, both of whom exhibited the same
indifference as was displayed by all the other convicts
sentenced during the Commission, remained perfectly
silent, neither admitting nor denying their guilt.
Their Lordships having put on their black caps,
The CHIEF BARON proceeded to pronounce the
awful sentence of the law. He said that on the pre-
vious Court day it was his most painful; duty to
sentence two men to be executed for the wilful
murder of a gentleman, who met with his death in
consequence of a dispute which arose out of land;
but that case was of quite a different character, for it
appeared that the unfortunate deceased never held an
acre of ground in his life, and was therefore bar-
barously murdered for some other motive totally
apart from agrarian outrage. His Lordship having
recapitulated the facts of Cleary's murder, concluded
by imploring the convicts to make the beet use of
the short time left to them in this world in asking
forgiveness from Heaven, and sentenced them to be
executed upon the 17th of February.
The prisoner Butler, who still retained his self-
possession, here said, upon leaving the bar, " Well,
thanks be to the Lord, we are innocent before God
and Heaven."

The other prisoner, Hourigan, who seemed slightly
affected by the solemn announcement of his doom,
also addressed the Court, but in a weak and trembling
voice. He said, "We are, my Lord, innocent—as in-
nocent as the child unborn."

Claims Or CONSPIRACY TO MURDER.—John
Crowe, a man about 45 years of age, and of the more
respectable class of farmers, was placed at the bar and
indicted for having, on the 10th of May, 1847, at
Ballycorney, in this county, wilfully and feloniously
conspired with others to procure the murder of Mr.
James Watson. It will be remembered that Patrick
Ryan (Small) and James Hayes were sentenced to
be executed during the present commission for per-
petrating that crime in conjunction with Wm. Ryan
(Puck), who was convicted in Limerick of a similar
offence against another person, for which he is also
doomed to death. The prisoner is a man holding
upwards of 60 acres of land—and the best in •the
county—at a very moderate rent. The utmost
anxiety prevailed with regard to this trial, which
was generally considered to be the most important
upon the calendar.
There were two other persons, named John Wil-
kinson and Michael Kelly, against whom bills were
found by the grand jury, charged with the same
offence as the prisoner; but Mr. O'Hea, the counsel
for the defence, would not allow them to join in their
challenges, consequently Crowe was given in charge
to the jury alone.
When the panel was about being called,
Mr. FITZPATRICK, attorney for the prisoner, objected
to the name of a gentleman which was called, upon
the ground that he was one of the jurors who con-
victed Patrick Ryan and James Hayes for Mr.
Watson's murder.

The ATTORNEY-(LRNERAL said that this objection
could not stand, inasmuch as the case against the
prisoner was independent of the other case, although
relating to the same murder. There was no ground
to challenge the juror in question, but the prisoner
was, of course, at liberty to challenge him peremp-
torily if he thought proper.
Mr. FITZPATRICK said that in his county (Tippe-
rary) the Crown would not force jurors on the pri-
soners who had convicted men of a charge very nearly
similar.

The Curer JUSTICE having overruled the objection
to the juror, a jury was sworn ; those gentlemen who
acted in Ryan and Hayes's case, with one or two
exceptions, being challenged (peremptorily by Mr.
Fitzpatrick.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then briefly stated the
case for the prosecution, observing that the prisoner
was indicted for an offence, which, if not actually
amounting to murder, was equally penal, for the
punishment in case of conviction was death. The
indictment against Crowe charged him with conspir-
ing with others, and inciting others to perpetrate the
murder of Mr. James Watson, of Ballycorney, who
was agent over the property of Mr. Augustus
Arthur, to whom the prisoner was tenant, and a
tenant of a much better class than any of the men
who were placed at the bar during the sitting of their
Lordships. It would appear from the evidence that
would be adduced for the prosecution, that the pri-
soner used every means in his power to screen him-
self from the charge of murder, or being in any way
implicated in that crime ; but it so happened that
those very measures of precaution he used would be
the strongest evidence of his guilt. As far as the case
was investigated, or could be investigated, it would
come out in the evidence that three or four weeks
before the murder was committed, Mr. Watson, as
agent to Mr. Arthur, was obliged to distrain
the prisoner, and seise ten cows and a bull, which he
sold for the landlord's rent ; shortly after which
Crowe, with ether parties charged, and parties ac •
tually convicted, was heard to say, " Perhaps the
seising of those cattle will be a dear act for Mr.
Watson—perhaps he will yet pay for the cattle he
has distrained." It would also be proved that several
interviews took place immediately before the murder
between Crowe and the two men convicted of the
murder, and William Ryan (Puck), who was also a
party indicted together with the men yet to be tried
for conspiracy, in Crowe's house at Knockadereen,
about a mile from where Mr. Watson resided ; and
on the night before the commission of the murder the
murderers slept in Crowe's house, and the owner of
it (Crowe) took care to be absent. The Learned
Gentleman having detailed the circumstances of the
murder, which have been already published, said that'
the jury, if they had the slightest doubt as to the
prisoner's guilt, should acquit him ; but if they had
not, as he believed they could not have on the evi-
dence, they were bound to do their duty fearlessly.
James Lacey, one of the witnesses in the case of
Ryan and Hayes, was the first witness called, and
examined by the SOLICITOR.GENERAL.—His evidence
was similar to what he proved on their trial, and was
to the effect that he met Ryan (Small) and another
man he was not acquainted with, about 200 yards
from the scene of the murder, on the day it was com-
mitted, one of whom had the barrel of a gun in his
hand, the stock of which was broken.
Mr. O'HEA cross-examined this witness, but
nothing important was elicited, except that he did not
give information of what he knew until he was made
a prisoner himself.
James Crowe, nephew to the prisoner, was then
produced. He detailed the facts of the murder, which
he saw perpetrated, and next went on to give evidence
more particularly relating to the present charge. He
deposed that the prisoner's cows were seized by Mr.
Watson and sold for the rent, and that after they
were sold he heard a conversation as to their distraint;
the prisoner, William Ryan (Puck), James Kelly,
and others were present at the time ; and
Kelly then said, " Perhaps it would be a dear busi-
ness to Mr. Watson." Ryan laughed at this, and
the prisoner smiled. This occurred at his (witness's)
uncle's place at Knockadereen. Shortly after this
he saw William Ryan in his uncle's house, and knew
im to clean then. Tl. mieor. +UAW.,
e generally slept in Killaloe, where he kept a shop.
On the day of the murder witness found under Mr.
Watson's body, the stock of a gun, which he hid in
the Widow Kelly's haggard. It was stolen, but he
would know it again (gun stock produced). He
saw that stock before it was broken on Mr. Watson
with Kelly. After the murder Kelly saw it with
him, shortly after Mr. Watson's body was brought
home, and saw him hiding it. Next day he looked
for it, but it was gone, and he never saw it after-
wards until the last few days. The prisoner never
told him that he went to Mr. Watson s to get back
the cows. He was offered back the bull, but he
would not take it because they did not give him a
mulch cow with it, as he wanted the milk.

Cross-examined—l used to play cards, and often
took my grandfather's money to play without his
knowledge. The pistol I shot the dog with I ran
away with from a boy named Garret Walsh. The
pistol which Mr. Watson fired at Ryan (Puck) was
lost, and was never found after the murder ; but I
know nothing about it. I slept with Ryan (Puck)
after the murder of Mr. Watson in my uncle's house.
My brother John also slept with him. I never heard
the prisoner say, " It is a bad job for Mr. Watson
that he distrained me."

(Counsel here read the witness's informationss to
show that he did make this statement.).
To Mr. BENNETT—I heard Ryan (Puck) and Kelly
say that in presence of my uncle.
John Crowe (a boy aged about twelve years)—l
know the prisoner at the bar; he is my uncle; I am
brother of James Crowe ; the night Mr. Watson was
murdered, William Ryan (Puck), Wilkinson, and a
boy named Michael Cruise, slept at my uncle's
house ; Kelly, my uncle's servant, did not sleep in my
uncles house that night. My uncle came home in
the morning, and was home before breakfast; we
were then all up ; the children were all there, and
Ryan (Puck), Wilkinson, and the strange man ; my
uncle and he came to the house mostly together.
the strange man took five bullets off the dresser;
after that my uncle, the two boys (Ryan "Puck" and
the other boy), James Kelly and Wilkinson, went out
to the cowhouse ; they were there about half an hour.
They all came into the house again but 'Wilkinson ;
when they came hack I heard Ryan (Puck) say that
there were " good charges in them ;" I can't say
who was then present, but I was there when this was

said. and my uncle and Kelly, and the strange boy.
I went with Michael Cruise for the horses to go and
plough, when I brought them back, in half an hour,
none of them were in the house; my uncle and all of
them were gone. When I was coming back I saw
Ryan (Puck) and Kelly, and the strange boy going
down the field together, towards the high road. J\iy
uncle was at Ballyquin that day, at Mr. Arthur's.
Cross-examined—My uncle turned me out about
three months after this.
Andrew Quilinan—l know Fly= (Small). I re-
member lending him ls. 6d. I saw him at Killaloe
four or five days before the murder. We went into
Crowe's house, and he called for some spirits, and
when it was nearly dratee the prisoner.came up. lie
asked who I was, and eaid to Ryan he wanted to have
some words with him. I then left the place. Before
I left I asked him for the is. 6d.; he did not pay it,
but said he would have it in a very short time. After
Mr. Watson's murder he showed me 51., but he had
not change to pay me. I cannot read. Garret Shaughnessy—l live in Limerick; I was
committed to the gaol there before last Christmas.
The prisoner was in the yard of the gaol with me.
We slept in the same cell for three nights. I asked
him what brought him there ? He said it was sus-
picion of Mr. Watson's murder. On the next day he
said he was glad he had a friend to speak to, and told
me that when he was coming to prison he was going
to give his wife some money he had about him, but
the constable told him he might want it. We slept
together. He told me that there were 13 head
of cattle of his canted, and that before Mr.
Watson was murdered he brought his note to Mr.
Watson to raise money, and that he refused
him. He then said he expected " God or man
would not blame him to kill that ruffian ;" after that
11 stated that the went to Glonomera on the day of
the murder; he said his wife's cousin told him to be
there that day, and have good witnesses, or he should
suffer for all; the prisoner also spoke of his servant,
James Kelly, being charged with the business, and
that, "thank God, nothing was got out of him ;" we
used to talk together from breakfast to dinner; he
said something about a gun; he stated that he gave it
to Hayes, and only got the barrel of it back.
Cross-examined—I told all this in about three days
after ; I told it to a man named Forrest—a man who
is married to my own second cousin; Mr. Browne
then came to me, and I made the information; I
heard very little of a reward, and it had no influence
on me ; I was never charged about anything but the
butter; I am not tried yet; my trial stands over; I
believe Forrest was convicted ; I believe the prisoner
told Forrest something about the business.
Michael Whelan—On the day of Mr. Watson's
murder the prisoner called to see my master, Mr.
Arthur; he waited there, off and on, until the report
came that Mr. Watson was dead.
Mr. O'llz.t addressed the jury in a most eloquent
speech for the defence, and called
Michael Cruise—l remember the day Mr. Watson
was murdered, and the night before it ; the night be-
fore it no stranger slept with me. I slept in a loft,
my usual place of sleeping, with young John Crowe.
I saw the prisoner next morning ; there were no
strangers there next morning, the day of the murder.
My master had no gun.
Cross-examined by the ATTOUNEY-GENNRAL—I
don't know, and never saw Ryan (Puck) or Ryan
(Small) or James Hayes. I saw a man 1 heard was
Hayes. I know Wilkinson. He was not there that
morning. Kelly came to my master's on the day of
the murder, and said he had slept with the master in
Killaloe.—(Gunstock produced.) On my oath I
never saw that gunstock before. I did not hear of
the murder until I came to my dinner. I was work-
ing in a field not far from the scene of the murder.
The prisoner slept in Killaloe on the night of the
murder.

To the Jury—This is the Michael Cruise who was
in my uncle's service, and that slept with me, Ryan
(Puck) and Wilkinson before the murder.
Michael Cruise—l hear what this witness says—it
is not true.

Mary Kelly examined by Mr. am sister
to James Kelly, who is in this charge; I remember
the night before the murder ; no strangers slept in
the house that night, nor was there on the following
morning; the prisoner slept at Killaloe that night,
and he and my brother came back in the morning.
To the SOLICITOR-GENERAL—I know Johnny
Crowe; and remember his coming into the house
after th master went out; on my oath I never told
him I gave his uncle and the men their breakfast in
the parlour.

The boy John Crowe was also confronted with
this witness, and positively swore that on the morning
of the murder she told him, when he came in with the
horses, that she gave his uncle and the men their
breakfast.

Witness Kelly—On my oath that is untrue.
Witness Crowe—On my oath it is not untrue ; she
told me they got a breakfast of tea and bread and
butter.

Mary Crowe—l am daughter to the prisoner. I
lived at Knockadereen. I slept with Mary Kelly.
There were no strange men sleeping in the house on
the night before the murder or the next morning. My
father slept in Killaloe, and called in in the morning
for a few minutes, and then went to Ballyquin.
Cross-examined by Mr. BENNETT-I have seen a
man named Wilkinson. I remember the morning of
the murder, because there was a cousin of mine going
to America on that day. I do not know a man named
William Ryan (Puck), or Pat Ryan (Small). I
know Kelly. I never saw a gun with him or in the
house. My father came home from Glenomera about
one or two o'clock on that day. My father used to
sleep about three nights in the week at Knockade•
reen before the murder, and as often afterwards.
The CHIEP BAlsom summed up the evidence.
The jury then retired, and in a couple of minutes
returned with a verdict of conviction.
The Court, having ordered him to be removed, ad-
journed at half-past nine o'clock until the following
morning.

TUESDAY, JAN. 18.
The Court sat to-day at ten o'clock.
ANOTHER CAPITAL CONTICTION.----T. llPEnerney,
a young man about thirty years of age, was indicted
for having, on the 3d January, 1848 (since the open-
ing of the Special Commission at Limerick), at Car-
raghmore, in this county, with others, feloniously
attacked the dwelling-house of Martin M`Mahon, and
wilfully murdered him.
There were eight men indicted with the prisoner,
but as they would not join in their challenges he was
given in charge
to the jury alone. A person of the
name of James Halloran was, it is alleged, the person
who gave the deceased a blow on the head with a
stick, which caused his death, and the other parties
were charged with being present aiding and abetting.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL very briefly stated the
case for the prosecution, as it appears in the following
evidence :

Teddy M`Mahon examined by the SOLICITOR-
GENERAL--I remember the evening of the 3d of
January last; about nine o'clock that night the house
was attacked ; my two brothers Martin and Mick,
slept in the barn, and I slept inside ; Martin is dead ;
there were eight or nine men attacked the house, and
all I saw had their faces blackened and had arms ;
when my sister told me they were there I took up a
shovel and went out, and saw a man snap a gun at one
of the children ; two of the men presented their guns
at me when I was coming out of the room to the
kitchen ; I know the prisoner ; he is one of the men
who presented the gun at me ; I knew him before ;
he lived about three-quarters of a mile off; when I
saw the child frightened I ran out and knocked down
tho nign with th..h.,..1 ~-h.. .Liappea the gun at him,
and when down he put up hip gun to save himself and
I smashed the shovel on it ; my brother Martin then
came in to assist us from the barn, and he was mur-
dered before my face; they beat us all with guns and
wattles most unmercifully. [The witness, who was
a stout able young man, here became deeply affected
in giving evidence as to the manner in which his
brother was killed.] The prisoner desired me to give
him my gun, and said he would shoot me with the
gun he had in his hand if I refused.
To Mr. O'HEA—I was alarmed when the men
came in. The place was not very light. There was
but one candle lighting, I did not know M'Enerney
by his voice, but I could not he mistaken as to him,
for I saw him after three times in the week. I gave
the first blow.
To the COURT—I did not lose my senses; if I did,
I could not go to a neighbour's house to send for a
priest for my brother.
To the Soucrros-GENERAL—I could `not say how
long those people were in the house.
Michael INl'Mahon examined by Mr. BENNETT—I
lived with my brother 111artin when he was killed. I
was 'in bed that night with him when we heard a
noise and got up. We found the barn-door locked,
but we got into the haggard by the hack door, and
then went into the house. On going in we were
attacked and beaten most brutally by a lot of men. I
was struck on the wrist, and was not able to do any-
thing, so I went round to the window, and saw the
men inside beating the deceased. I saw the prisoner
there with a gun in his hand. The prisoner's face
was blackened, but I knew him well. I saw Martin
get two blows from Gearan (one of the prisoners not
on trial) with a gun.
To the CocaT--APEncrney was standing on the
floor. I saw no one lying but my brother, who was
killed.
To Mr. BENNETT—I found the stock and lock of a
gun in the house after the man left. I gave them to
the rtice. I went for the police, and they arrested
me when I met them on the road ; but I told
them my story, and went on with them until we met
the prisoner and Gearan in custody. We had a gun
in the house. The prisoner did not get it..
Cross-examined by Mr. was in great
pain when I got the blow on the wrist, but I was not
in a great fright. I had nut told the police who ar-
rested me that the prisoner was one of the party be-
fore we met him.

Thomas M'Mahon, a boy about fourteen years of
age, examined by r. PLUNKETT—I am a brotherto
the deceased. I remember the night the house was
attack :d. Seven or eight men lifted the latch and
wal2kied 'in. I was in the kitchen washing my feet.
I saw the prisoner there. Either he or Gearan pre-
sented a gun at me and snapped it. All their faces
were blackened. I saw ethem murder my brother
Martin.

To Mr. O'HEA—I was very much frightened, but
lam sure of the prisoner.
Mary Mahon examined by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL
—I am sister to the deceased. I was in bed when the
men came in and attacked the house. When they
broke the door, I looked out and saw Thomas
MEnerney present a gun at my brother Teddy; his
face was black.

Cross-examined by Mr. O'HEA—I know the pri-
soner perfectly well.
Constable Thomas Jones examined—l arrested the
prisoner. I was on patrol, and saw him crossing a
ditch with the barrel of a gun in his hand, and the
stock hanging off. He presented the gun at me, and
said he would blow my brains out, but I knocked
him down and took it from him • this was shortly
after M'Mahon's house was attacked.
To Mr. O'HEA—There was nothing in the gun the
prisoner was to blow out my brains with.
To the COURT—The prisoner was coming in the
direction of M‘Mahon's house.

Dr. M'Dermott having proved the cause of the
deceased's death, the case for the prosecution closed.
Mr. O'HEA addressed the jury for the defence.
The CHIEF JUSTICE then charged them. They
found a verdict of Guilty without leaving the box.
Patrick Gearan, John Griffin, and Charles Healy,
three of the men charged with the same offence, and
who had pleaded not guilty, have applied for liberty
to withdraw their plea, and admit ther guilt.
The Court granted the application.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE CLARE COM-

denplas close to the little room door, he asked me if
Mdlle. E. was already dead. On my reply in the
negative he abused me as a coward, told me he had
already killed the servants, ant;l asked me where was
Maidemoiselle. It was then that we hastily betook
ourselves to her room. VandenpL2s told me there
were two servants. I heard them grok:'ning. I found
one lying alongside the door, and the ether in the
kitchen, near the pump. I cut the throats: of both,
And dragged the body of one close to the other.
Subsequently Vandenplas informed me that he had
stunned the girl who had opened the door for him,
and that whilst he was busy finishing her (occupe
l'actever), he saw the other servant coming out of the
cellar with a light, and heard her exclaim, probably
because she had heard some noise, What is the
matter ?' He immediately ran towards the second
servant and knocked her down senseless, before she
had time to utter a single word." Such is Rossiel's
confession, but notwithstanding its positive nature,
Vandenplas still persists in declaring that he had no
hand, directly or indirectly, in the matter. It is
calculated that altogether the house of Mdlle. E. and
brother was stripped, after the murder, of property
to the value of 5,000 f. The trial of the prisoners
will soon commence.

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN'S ARCTIC
EXPEDITION.

Last evening an address was delivered at the Mary-
lebone Literary and Scientific Institution, Edward-
street, Portman-square, on the position of Sir John
Franklin's Arctic Expedition, and the means of af-
fording it relief, by Dr. King, medical officer to the
overland expedition in search of Sir John Ross. The
chair was taken shortly before nine o'clock, when
Dr. KING came forward and said that the subject
upon which he was to address to them a few obser-
vations was one of intense interest, namely, the ne-
cessity of an immediate effort for aiding Sir John
Franklin and his 121 gallant followers. The object
the expedition, had in view had engaged the attention,
not only of Englsnd, but of Europe, for three and a
half centuries—he meant the discovery of a north-
west passage.. He had placed before them ma-
nuscript charts illustrating the geography of
the polar regions. The northern line of the
whole continent of Asia had been laid down
by a systematic mode of proceeding, but the
progress of discovery in North America was all that
they had to allude to on the present occasion. !le
then proceeded to describe the various exploring
expeditions in that country, and pointed out in the
charts, not only the actual existing land, but what was
supposed to exist. He could not suppose that Sir
John Franklin had passed, or even reached the
mouth of the M'Kenzie River. If he had, it would
be a reflection upon that gallant officer to suppose that
he would not have communicated the grand discovery
he had made to the forts on that river. Therefore, he
must have been wrecked somewhere between that point
and Regent's Inlet, a tract of country full of inden-
tations. The question then rose as to what was the
best way of affording him relief. No effort that could
be made by sea would be certain as to its results, but
an expedition by land could be depended upon.
The probability was, that Sir John Franklin
would make up his mind to winter on the Great
Slave Lake, and there was no other road to reach
that than the Great Fish River, which must
be reached by land. Sir John Franklin had no pro-
, visions to pass through a fourth winter, and, there-
, fdre, if any effbrt was to be made, it must be done in
the course of the ensuing summer. There were only
two persons in this country who could take charge of
such an expedition with a probability of success—
namely, Sir George Back and himself. No one
could move in those regions without guides, hunters,
and fishers, and with all these Sir John Franklin
was totally unprovided. When he stated that the
nets had to be placed under ten feet of ice, and that
there was only one man in the expeditions he had
accompanied who could ever succeed in shooting a
deer, and that the Esquimaux never resided above the
latitude of 70 degrees, they could form some idea of
the difficulty of Sir John Franklin's present position.
His prospects were gloomy enough. He thought
it a misfortune that a second expedition had
been sent out in a steam-vessel, when the for-
mer one had proved so signal a failure. It
was that error which had got the expedition
into its present difficulties. As long as sailing vessels
were used in those seas a retrograde movement was
open to them, because the same wind which carried
them forward when it changed carried them the other
way. But it was very different with the steam-
vessels. He anticipated great destruction amongst
the people from scurvy; and considering the great
age of the gallant Commander, seventy years, he had
great fears for him. The evidence was not such as
to lead them to suppose that Sir John Franklin had
realised his great object, but the Government were
acting as if they supposed he had succeeded. This
' was not merely a question for the Admiralty, but for
the whole civilized world. He asked them whether
the life of such a man as Sir John Franklin, with the
lives of his 121 gallant men, was worth 2,0001,. which
was all that such an expedition would cost? There
was still a possibility of saving them, and something
should be done immediately for that purpose. Ile
concluded by thanking them for their patience and
attention.

THE EARL OF SHREWSBURY
AND W. A. BUTLER, ESQ.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE.
Sir,—As the expressions to which the accompanying
letter alludes have been mistaken by others as well
as by Mr. Archer Butler, I shall feel obliged by its
piblication at your earliest convenience.—l have the
honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
SHREWSBURY.
Alton Towers, Jan. 18, 1848.

TO W. ARCHER BUTLER, ESQ., DUBLIN.
Sir,—Though I hare taken the wise resolve, as I
trust it is, to eschew all controversies which may pos-
sibly arise out of my letter to Archbishop M'llale,
yet I am most willing to explain any misconception,
which may appear to have been honestly adopted, of
any expression I have used.
When I asserted that the existing Church Establish-
ment in Ireland was abhorred by the people, I had not
the most remote idea of speaking of the Establishment
otherwise than as a material church ; that is, a church
enjoying the temporalities of another by force of law,
in opposition to the will as well as to the interests of
the people. It never once occurred to me that the
expression could be otherwise understood, or I should
certainly have guarded myself against the interpreta-
tion you have attached to it, for I am most willing to
acknowledge the good services rendered to the
afflicted poor in Ireland, more especially during the
late and present famine, by a large portion of the
resident beneficed clergy of the Establishment.
You also inquire what I mean by asserting that
hundreds of thousands of the public money have been
lavished—l did not say " voted"—on the churches of
that Establishment; and in reply, I briefly observe that
upon that point I spoke largely, carrying my
observation over a large space of time (though not 'so
distant as not to be within the memory of us all), and
that I attach the epithet public to to the revenues of
the Establishment in whatever form collected, or
whencesoever derived, in conformity iwith the prevail-
ing opinion, that church property is lawfully subject
to the control of the public authorities of the country,
provided it be justly administered, and be not alienated
from ecclesiastical purposes; and here I will venture
to add, that I never have contemplated any change in
ths rlicpnaitinn of that propprty. baying, a just and
equitable basis for its appropliation, and which has
not been, over and over again, advocated by the most
distinguished Protestants.
I have the honour to remain, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
SHREWSBURY.

JEWSIAND GENERAL LITERARY

AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION.
The anniversary of the opening of this institution,
which has its " local habitation" in Sussex-ball,
Leadenhall-street, was celebrated last night by a
grand ball at Willis's-rooms, St. James's, under the
patronage of Baron Lionel de Rothschild, M.P.,
Baron de Goldsmid, Sir M. Montefiore, Bart., Mr.
Alderman Salomons, and other Jewish gentlemen of
consideration. This institute, which was established
three years ago, is succeeding beyond the anticipations
of its founders ; it has now 400 members, being an
increase of 135 upon last year. It appears to be con-
ducted upon a liberal scale. The expenditure during
the past year was no less than 7701., and the catalogue
of the library issued yesterday comprises 4,300
volumes, including a number of books in Jewish
literature not easily to be met with elsewhere. Lec-
tures on subjects of this class are given. But all
the usual advantages of literary societies are also
supplied at Sussex-hall. The list of lecturers
for the year 5608 (1847.1848) contains the
names of Dr. Letheby, of the London Hospi-
tal, Mr. Cowden Clarke, Mr. E. W. Brayley, and
other gentlemen not of the Jewish faith ; and, in-
deed, it is stated that more than a tenth of the
members profess the Christian religion. Eschewing
the graver style of anniversary adopted by some of
its learned brethren, the institute determined last
night to make a festival, and devoted the whole
evening to the dance—an amusement of which
the Jews seem to be at least as fond of as other
classes of our fellow-countrymen. The great room
at Willis's contained some 400 ladies and gentlemen,
among whom were the younger members of the
most respectable Jewish families in the metropolis.
There were in the room Mr. H. de Castro, Mr. Elias
Davis, Mr. I. L. Miers, Mr. IL Solomon, Mr. S.
Samuel (secretary to the board of deputies), Dr.
Loewe, Mr. P. Salomons, Mr. H. Guedalha, Lord
M. Hill, &c. Refreshments were served in an ad-
joining apartment. M. Jullien's band was in at-
teLciance, and Mr. Corrie was master of the ceremo-
nies. The dancing Ras kept up with spirit ; up to
the hour at which we left, the entertainment was pro-

ceeding with all hilarity, and enough of tL '0 eompar
were a " the mad age" to render it pretty certal
that the party would make a late night of it,

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENG'

NEER S.

Sir John Rennie, president, in the chair.
The annual general meeting of the institution h
held on Tuesday evening, the 18th intant, when. •
following gentlemen were elected to form the coun
for the ensuing year :
Joshua Field, president ; W. Cubitt, J. M. Rend' '
J. Simpson, and R. Stephenson, M.P., vice-presi-
dents 7 • J. F. Bateman, G. P. Bidder, I. K. Brune'
J. Cubitt, J. Locke, M.P., J. Miller, W. C. Myln,
T. Sopwith, J. R. M'Clean, and C. May, member:.
and J. Clutton and T. H. Wyatt, associates o
council.

The report of the council continues to be vet
encouraging, and showed that the progress of tl
society was steadily good.
Telford medals were presented to Messrs. Js.cksor
Richardson, Murray, Glynn, and Frodaham, and to ti.
two former gentlemen council premiums of bool
were added. Telford premiums of books were als.
to Messrs. Elliott, Keppel, Shears, and
awarded
Masters, for their communications made during thl/4.
past session.
Memoirs were given of the deceased members and
associates, -Messrs. Thom, Giles, Lipkins, Mushet,
Reynolds, Holtzapffel, Evans, Watkins, and Ball.
The career of several of these gentlemen had been
so varied, and possessed such points of interest, that
the memoirs were necessarily extended beyond their
usual length. The report noticed the increased at-
tendance of members and visitors as evidence of its
advancing career, and of the interest felt for the
science of civil engineering. A pressing appeal was
made to members of all classes to contribute papers
to induce animated discussions, which are the distinc-
tive features of the meetings of the society. The
principal events of the past session were touched
upon, and several private matters relative to the in-
ternal management of the institution were fully dis -
cussed. The council then explained the changed
form of the balloting papers, necessitated by the new
by. laws and the retirement of Sir John Rennie from
the post of president, which he had filled with such
credit to himself and benefit to the society for the last
three years. In conclusion, the report said, " Let the
civil engineers remember also that union is strength,
and that if they are true to each other, and use the
institution as the common centre and bond of unity,
they may set at nought all efforts to dislodge the civil
engineers of England from the proud eminence where
their talents, their practical skill, and their probity
have placed them."
Before leaving the chair, Sir JOHN RzzsmE, pre-
sident, addressed the meeting on the selection of the
president, and impressed upon them the claims of
Mr. Field—not only as one of the founders of the
institution, and one who had filled for many years a:'.
positions in the society, nor because he was univer-
sally respected and esteemed as an upright, honour-
able, kind-hearted man, but chiefly on account of his
acknowledged celebrity as a mechanical engineer,
particularly in that most imporant department, steam
navigation ; and because his election would unite
more firmly the two branches of the profession, which
to insure general prosperity must ever go hand in
hand, as they bad hitherto done in the in-
stitution, in spite of all attempts to make
it appear otherwise. He then reviewed the position
of the institution during his presidentship, offer-
ing his best thanks to the vice-presidents and the
members of council, and to the secretary,
for the support and assistance afforded him, and then
examined with much candour the relative position
of the civil engineers and of the Government boards
and commissions, which had appeared to clash more
than was desirable. This he showed not to arise from
any of the acts of the civil engineers, who had ever
been ready to afford their best assistance to the Go-
vernment in any capacity; and, further, that it would
be the interest of the Government to take advantage
of the talent, energy, and practical skill of the civil
engineers, by whom they had ever been well served,
rather than incur the hazard and the expense of form-
ing a corps that would require more time for edu-
cating than could be afforded in these active times,
when even hesitation was perdition.
This address was responded to very warmly by the
meeting, and a vote of thanks to Sir John Rennie was
received with cheers.

Thanks were also voted to the council and the se.
cretary of the institution for their services.
The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, Fe-
bruary 1, when the following paper would be read—
"On the sewage and drainage of Bristol," by James
Green, M. Inst. C. E.