The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-27 00:00:00

%Min Ant

LONDON. WEDNESDAY? MAY 27, 1846.

According' to all anticipation the last monopolist battle
hen commenced, the Peers have launched boldly into a con-
sideration of' the great measures of commercial change now
awaiting their Lordships' decision, but, above all, the acknow-
ledged champion of the protectionist party in the Upper
House has delivered his philippic against any alteration
in our mercantile code. We know not whether to ad-
mire most the ability or the audacity evinced
by Lord STANLEY in the elaborate and monster harangue
uttered by him overnight; yet was it melancholy to behold
so much talent squandered upon a system, the foundations of
which are foolishness, and the existence of which is nothing
less than the perpetuation of injustice. The daring of Lord
STANLEY'S address consisted in the fact of a nobleman who
bad so recently been amember of the Cabinet Council presum-
ing to adduce to that Right honourable amenably

arguments, the refutation of which has long been the pastime
of the merest tyro of political economy, arguments as clearly
untenable and obsolete as they are in every essential particu-
lar irrelevant to the circumstances of the matter under dis-
cussion. The ex-Secretary for the Colonies might as lieve
have been in a subterranean trance (like the dervise in the
`'Arabian Nights' Entertainments") during the last sixteen
years for all the proportional advancement he has made with
the advancement of his age during that interval. He protests
against an innovation like the one propounded by the Prime
Minister, and he enforces his protestation by—what? By a
resort to arguments applicable to the present condition of the
tvrohemispheres? By keeping in recollection the habitual,
poverty of thousands upon thousands? By viewing,
the relative position of commerce as it is now-a-days, and
the consequences which must inevitably result from the
mutual mercantile dependence of nations upon each other?
Not at all. He battles against the sledge-hammer facts of
our free-trade orators with a handful of cobweb! ;he revert,
to past generations for his authorities, quotes the wisdom of
anti-
quity for our guidance in 1846, and puts forward the preamble ti
a Bill passed during the reign of EDWARD IV. as a decisive
reason why the Government of VICTORIA 1. should be
actuated by similar principles. The whole gist of the Noble
Lord's harangue, the whole secret of his adherence to a
protective policy, and of his abhorrence of any contrary
system is summed up in his reverence for our ancestors, and his
partiality for imitation. Because the agricultural interests were
'hampered by a nominal protection many centuries ago; be-
cause the Government of this country, and that country, anc
the other country have been fatuous and imbecile enough to
bind themselves in similar fetters; because an iniquiton,
impost has been persisted in during successive ages, until it
has Lecome more truly than FALSTAFF—

" An aged vice, a grey Iniquity"—

it must, as a matter of necessity, continue in the same
old-fashioned course without modification in any single par-
ticalar. In the name of logic and of common sense, are
such reasons valid, are they admissible, are they philoso-
phical? As well might we retails the old be-rutted
and be-mudded bridle-paths of our progenitors a,
a medium of transit, in preference to macadamised
highways and chemins de firs. As well, like-
wise, might we endeavour to render oil-lamps im-
mortal after the introduction of coal-gas. When telescopes
were first invented it was discovered by cele.-tial observa-
tions that this globe was part of a system revolving.
round the sun. GALILEO declared the truth of the Coper-
nican theory; the Aristotelians denied his declara-
tion. Precisely, with a like arrogance, do the opponents
of the proposed measure boldly contradict facts with mere
words ; they act upon the hypothesis that the belief of all
past times is a decisive rebuttal even of ocular, demon -
stration to the contrary. " ARISTOTLE says so-and-
so, in page so-and-so, therefore the earth is sta-
tionary, and the heavenly bodies move round it," said
the Italian peripatetics. " Husxissox says so-and-
so, in page so-and-so, therefore protection is both advisable
and beneficial," say the English monopolists. Not all the
unanswerable facts of the free-traders, not all the telescopic
revelations of the Copernicans, could convince either to the
contrary. Successful experiments repeated again and again
are altogether unworthy of consider •tion, though the written
opinions of ARISTOTLE and Husseissolg are infallible. As
to Lord STANLEY calling the adoption of the proposed mea-
sure an exile i iment, it is a glaring and impudent fallacy.
Those experiments have been tried repeatedly, the principle
is now altogether established. Has not the commercial
career of Holland been an experiment of free trade ? Were not
the reduced tariffs, introduced by the Ministry of which Lord
STANLEY was himself a member, so many free-trade experi-
ments ? And have not these same experiments been so far
successful as to render the mercantile position of Holland most
prosperous, and to cause in Great Britain the total
conversion of our most eminent statesmen ? As-
suredly, then, Lord STANLEY is somewhat behind time.
in saying, " Fiat eaperimentum in corpore pane ;" that re-
commendation has been followed long since, and the conclu
sion at which the experimentalists have arrived is that free
trade is requisite in justice, and is necessary for our prospe-
rity. Obsolete and flimsy, however, as are the arguments
adduced by Lord STANLEY, his Lordship has displayed in
their utterance much ingenuity and much rashness.

The fate of the Ten Hours' Bill was decided by the divi-
sion on Friday night. A majority of 10 obtained by the
Government may be regarded as a virtual defeat, and no
prudent Ministry would venture a second time to oppose on
their official responsibility a measure which is supported by
men of such weight and numbers in the House of Commons
which has the general voice of the country in its favour, and
is sanctioned by the laws of mercy and justice. We find the
leading statesmen of the Whig or Liberal parties voting
in the minority, not from any selfish or fac-
tious purpose, nay possibly with regret that at the
present moment they should he found on any division by the
side of the Protectionists, but from a firm conviction that
the measure is desirable for the safety of the health, morals,
and the good conduct of the persons employed in factories,
and that the experiment can be made without any mis
chievous results. The names of Sir GEORGE GREY, Lord
rAL3IERSTON, LOrd,IiANDON, Lord JOHN RUSSELL, Mr. MA-
CAULAY, Mr. CHARLES BULLER, and many others that could
be adduced, all appear in the list among the " Ayes." Such
an accumulation of authority, whether we regard the abilities
of the parties, their political station in life, their earnest
application to the subject, their practical experience, and
theii knowledge of what is called political economy, cannot
fail to make a deep impression on the country, and direct the
attention of all who have hitherto remained apathetic or
neutral to one of the most important questions of the day.
In the arguments on the other side we can find nothing de-
cisive or calculated to make an impression unfavourable to
the Bill. They abound in doubts, and fears, and misgiving.,
for which no reasons are given except the uncertain results
of any great change, which might have been used with equal
effect against the Catholic question, the Reform Bill, cad in-
deed all the numerous remarkable measures which have re-
ceived the sanction of the Legislature within the last 203 ears.
Sir R. PEEL seems to admit that he is groping in the dark
while he anticipates, at the same time, a voluntary agreement
between the masters and the employed. " 1 intreat the
House," said he, at the conclusion of his speech, "to post
pone taking this irrevocable step, for irrevocable I think it
will be, until you have better ground than you have at the
present moment for drawing safe conclusions as to the effect
of the measure." And the concluding argument of Mr. BRIGHT
against the Bill was in our - opinion strongly in it
favour. He looks forward, and very justly, to the working
of free-trade principles, and the ,abolition of the corn-laws
as remedies for many of the sufferings that oppress the
operatives—nay, he anticipates that they will work the
very cure for which the Bill is intended, that the menu-
tacturers would become more kindly and gentle t , their
labourers, and both would feel the conviction that they
could gain by a voluntary arrangement all they could
gain by legislation. The speech of Lord JOHN RUSSELL
was very brief, but it contained not a few striking
arguments, and showed that, under all circumstances, the
master manufacturers were the last that should oppose
this boon to the working classes. The abolition of the duty
on raw cotton had caused them-a saying of not less than
thirteen per cent., and Mr. ASHFORD admitted that the tax
On corn absorbed the labour of two hours a day, equal to at
least fourteen per cent. loss ; and cannot, therefore, the ca-
pitalist, with this twenty-seven per cent. saving, afford to
risk a change which, according to the widest calculation of
Sir JAMES GRAHAM, will not endanger his property beyond
sixteen per cent.? In the opinion of many it will not en-
-1 danger it at all. We lean, therefore, to the side of mercy,
and encourage the hope that some measure of the kind wilt
yet be carried into effect, and that, among other blessings, it
will substitute for the present stinted race that fill these
great national workshops, men possessing the bodily strength
a..d the healthy appearance of Englishmen.

One of those extraordinary and lamentable occurrences
peculiar to Ireland lately took place at Bird Hill, in the
county of Tipperary, when two human beings lost their lives
in a resistance to the execution of an habere, under which the
sub-sheriff was about to deliver the possession of lands from
which the tenants had been ejected for the nen-payment of ren t.
The circumstance was chiefly remarkable from the fact that
the tenant whose interest had been evicted was of a better
class than those who ordinarily are the victims to a similar
Process and it strongly exemplifies the deep-rooted antipathy
which exists' throughout Ireland to any interference with the
soil by driving out the present occupant, when a number of the
people can be found readily to undertake au organised re-
sistance to the execution of a legal process attempted by the
sub-sheriff in person, backed by a strong force of military
and police, and to persevere in that resistance, although
requested to abandon it by the 'very persons on whose behalf
it was undertaken, until fatal results had occurred. The
case is strongly illustrative also of some of the evils incident
to the relationship of landlord and tenant in Ireland which
peculiarly attrae:Lefl the attention of the Commission, at the
head of wlslch was Lord DEVON, and for which we hope to
see ere ions a legislative remedy.
the. Goth principal parties in this case were what is termed
m Ireland "middlemen"...t persona who take large tracts
of land for the*.posand underletting them.
They become :numerable for dividingllert
tare rent to the head land
eto deal only with one
lords, who frequently are glidet
tuftriorn the wants
responsible person, and they extort al::
and necessities of the occupiers, who are3frie7ue
the utmost degree of oppression and misery inYcsubjece tedt°
The system has entailed upon the country the mo°sntsignjuuernioceu:
consequences, and it has ever been the greatest source of
difficulty to persons who have devoted their consideration to
the improvements necessary to place the occupation of land
in Ireland upon a safe and wholesome footing. Mr. ATKINS,
the ejecting landlord himself, held a large tract of land from
the proprietor in fee, at a rent very nearly, if not entirely the
value. About twelve years since
he sublet the arm it'n ques-
tion,sE which contained about 70 acres, to Mr. MA
the person recently evicted, at the yearly rent of 21.123 4 tALid:
per acre. On the farm so obtained it appears that.
JIauNSZLL expended his entire capital, amounting to 1,5001. or
thereabouts, in erecting a good and substantial dwelling-house
and out-offices, and in other permanent improvements, so as to
render the farm one of the most perfect in every department,
and most desirable throughout the county. In this country,
before a farm is let, it is generally placed in good condition,
with suitable buildings and offices, and in fact everything
necessary for the proper cultivation of the land. In Ireland,
however, this is seldom the car ; the person about to enter upon
the possession of premises, is frequently obliged to devote
the greater portion of his available capital to repairs and
improvements necessary for the beneficial occupation of the
land. He also generally receives it in a worn-out and ex-
hausted condition, so that much time and expense is neces-
sary to bring it into good order. From these causes, the
capital which would be necessary for the sufficient stocking
and cultivation of the farm, is, in many instances,
expended, and the tenant becomes unable to manage
the entire land, and he again becomes a middleman,
subdividing and sub!etting the farm, the whole of
which was intended to have been occupied by
himself. Such appears to have been the case in the present
instance ; for Mr. MansisaLL had no less than fourteen un-
dertenants to whom he had let portions of the land. Un-
fortunately he did not retain a sufficient sum in hand to
defray the losses incident to a failure of crops, and be con-
sequently got into arrear of rent. His landlord, being
himself a middleman, could not afford to make
any allowance for the expenditure which bad
taken place, and by which undoubtedly the value of the
holding was much increased. He was proceeded against by
ejectment, the most objectionable by far of the remedies
given to the landlords for the recovery of rent, and which
should never be resorted to under any circumstances until
there is a failure of every other means..of obtaining payment.
The unfortunate tenant who, by being deprived of the land
on which he had expended his all, would, with

his wife and children, be reduced to a state of
beggary, attempted to negotiate for a sum of money
ro be paid to him as some compensation for the
improved value of the farm ; this was absolutely refused,
probably from the circumstance of his immediate landlord
being himself a middleman, who could obtain no allowance
himself therefore, and the result was that he was so ill-advised,
-o mad, as to attempt a resistance to the law, and to barricade
the house, and to place a number of persons in it in order to
maintain forcible possession. Such an act on his part cannot
, be sufficiently reprobated : he was in such a position as to be
well aware of its inutility, of the impossibility of its success ; he
was however driven to desperation at the idea of the misery and
destitution he saw before him, and by these means attempted
to extort from the fears of his landlord that which he found
,t vain to hope for from his iustice. Such appears the correct
view of the unfortunate transaction.

Had the recommendation so strongly urged by Lord
DEVON'S Commission been carried into execution, and a power
given for the registration of such improvements on the lands,
mud a provision made that if the tenant should be ejected, or his
r ant raised within thirty years, the landlord should be bound
-o pay such a sum not exceeding the maximum fixed as the
work should then be valued at, we should have been spared
this painful and melancholy case ; further indulgence would
probably have been accorded to the unfortunate tenant, or, if
removed from his holding4te would have had to receive a
sum which might enable him to exist until he could turn
his attention to some other means of livelihood; but such
unfortunately is not the case, and although the report of the
Commission to which we have alluded has been
übltshed since the month of February, 1845, and the whole of
one session and more than half of another has since elapsed,
we are still without any legislative measure having been
a -en introduced for the purpose of carrying such recommen-
a ins into effect. We trust that this may be remedied,
a d that no such apathy may be persevered in. Every
iwnilir case to that of which we have just spoken chides the
,telav, and trumpet-tongued demands an immediate enact-
ent. We can make every allowance for the great attention
e e+sarily devoted by the Government to the vast and im-
por a it measures of commercial reform introduced within the
present session, but these have now practically been carried,
and no excuse can be found if measures of such vital im-
nortance to the peace and tranquillity of Ireland should be
longer delayed.

The Augshurgh Gazette publishes a letter from a correspondent
in Circassia, which states that the news of the Insurrection at Cra-
cow had produced a great impression among the soldiers of the
Caucasus, many of whom had served as officers in the Polish Na-
tional Army in 1841. and had been farced by Russia to serve in
the army of the Caucasus as privates. Count WoaoNzow was very
uneasy on the subject, until the intelligence arrived that the insur-
rection had been suppressed ; for had the insurrection spread to the
banks of the Vistula, its effects would have been manifested in the
army of the Caucasus. Several Poles had de►erted and joined the
Circassian tribes.

Madrid papers of the 18th inst. have arrived. Their contents
are unimportant. CHRISTINA still continues her intrigues to bring
about the Trapani marriage, which It would appear is as opposed
to the personal wishes of the Queen ISABELLA as it is to the desires
and interests of her subjects. Queen IsasELLA herself is favourably
disposed towards the suit of Don ENRIQUB, her cousin, now in
exile at Bayonne.

MADRID BOLSA, MAY 18.—The Three and Five per Cents. were
not quoted at the Bourse, but the first privately sold at 32% %
for cash. The shares of the Bank of San Fernando were done at
370, and those of Isabella at 200.

We have received the Paris papers of Sunday.

A motion was brought forward on Saturday in the Chamber of
Deputies, the object of which was to ensure the keeping up of relays
of post•horses in the neighbourhood of railways by levying a small
tax for the purpose on railway passengers. On the assurance of
the Minister of Finance that the question was under the considera.
tion of the Government, the motion was withdrawn.
It is expected that the Chamber of Deputies will rise on the 10th
of June.

According to the Patrie, there will be a new creation of Peers
at the end of the session, which will include the following persons :

—Marshal Bugeaud, General Jacqueminot, General Count de Mt y-
nadier, Count Cornudet, Baron Duprat, Count Emm. de Las
Cases, M Barbet, M. Calmin (Director-General of Registration
Dues), M. Chutes, M. Debelleyme (President of the Tribunal of
the Premiere Instance of the Seine), M. Haile, and M. A. Vigier.
The KING returned to Neuilly, from Dreux, on Saturday.
Five of the Members of the Committee of Peers on the Western
Railroad have declared in favour of the project. Two only voted
for its adjournment.
The Committee of the Chamber of Deputies on the Bordeaux
and Bayonne Railway Bill have reported in favour of the grant of
16,000,000 f. demanded by the Government to construct certain
portions of the works at the public expense, and have decided that
it shall pass through the upper country, instead of the valleys.
At Elbeuf a riotous mob assembled on the 23d, in consequence
of the setting up a machine to card wool, and destroyed several ma-
chines and looms. 300 soldiers were sent affront Rouen by rail-
road to repress the riot.
The Three per Cents. were done at Tortoni's on Sunday at 841. 10c.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
(From The Sun','of last Night.)
The sales of Cotton at Liverpool yesterday were 3,000 to 3,500
bales, at steady prices, though the market was by no means buoyant.
Egyptian 6d. to 6%d., Surat 2nd., Sea Island 11%d. to 14d., and
American 4d. to 5%c1. per lb. Shares were heavy.
There have been recently so many arrivals that scarcely any are
now due, and we have only continental advices which are of but
minor interest compared to what is passing at home. In fact, then
in business or out of business seem scarcely to think Just now of
anything but the corn-law, and the probable majority for
or against, while those of a less political turn of mind
have their attention fully occupied by the attractions of Epsom, to
allow of attendance at which, according to custom, there will be a
horday to-morrow in the produce markets.
The English Stock Market is not very fully attended, for the causes
above stated, but there is no weakness. On the contrary, we have an im-
provement of fully 34 per cent., Consols being 96% % for present
transfer, and the same for Account. Exchequer-bills have been marked
at a fall to 17s. and 125. ; the sales to arrange the Consol Account, and
to Bear the Exchequer market, with a view of inducing an enhance-
ment of the rate of interest, being sufficient to account for
the reaction. New Three-end•a-Quarter per Cents. have
been 97% to 97%, and the Three per Cents. 953 E %.
Bank Stock has advanced to 20534 and 20634.
The Foreign Bonds are very passive, and speculation is scarcely
thought of. Spanish Three per Cents. have been 3734, being rather
flat, and Mexican Actives have not been higher than 3134. The
Deferred have been 17% to 17%. Brazil New Stock is worth 82 to
82%. Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. have been steady at 59%
to 60.
The Share Market is quiet this morning, but prices are well sin- -
Forted, and even rather firmer generally.
BRITISH FUNDS. ONE CLOSING
O'CLOCK. PRICES.
Bank Stock .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20634 20534 20534
Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities .. .. 9534 % 9534
Three per Cent. Consols Annuities .. .. 96% !,,fi % 96%
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cent. Alms. 97% % % 97 %
Long Annuities, Expire Jan. 5, 1860 .. 10 3-16 34 10%
India Stock .. .. . .• • • .. .. 26434 2643 Q
India Bonds, 1,000/. .. .. • • • . .. 28 28
Ditto, under 1,0001. .. .. .. .. 28 20
South Sea Stock .. .. .. • • • . .. 10734 10634
Ditto, Old Annuities .. .. .. 9414 94%
Ditto, New Annuities .. .. .. 9534 9534
Consols for Account • - • • • • •• . .. 96% % 96%
Exchequer Bills. 1% d. 1 % d.
1,0001... .. ' •• • • 12 —— pm. 15
Ditto. Small •• • • 17 pm. 18
Ditto, Advertised •• • • 10 15 10 pm. 15
ONE CLOSING
FOREIGN FUNDS. O'CLOCK. PRICES.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent .. ~ —.—
Ditto. New Bonds, 1829 and 1839 .. 82% 82 82
Mexican Bonds, 1837, 5 per Cent .. 3134 3134
Ditto, for the Account .. .. .. _ 31%
Ditto, Deferred .• • • • • • • 1734 % % 1734
Portuguese Four per Cent .. 5634
Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent .. ..
Ditto, Three per Cent .. .. ~ _ 27%
Ditto, for the Account .. .. .. 37% 37 34
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cent .. 59% 60 60
Ditto, for the Account • • • . 60%
Ditto. 4 per Cent. Certificates .. 921 A 92 92
PRICES OF BUSINESs
CLOSING
RAILWAY SHARES. PAID, DONE AT
PRICES.
ONE O'CLOCK.

Aberdeen .. .. 10 .... 4 ......., 4
Bristol and Gloucester .. 30 .... t 1 5l
Buckinghamshire 425. .... % p % p
Caledonian .. .. 10 .... 11% 11%
Ditto, Half Shares .. .... 1%
Cambridge and Oxford.. .... ... 94
Derby and Crewe .. • • .. .... 5% 6!g 6
Direct Manchester (Rastrick's) t 3%
Direct Northern .. .. • . .... ..
Dublin and Galway .. .. 4 ....
Eastern Counties .. 141. 16...... 23% %• • 23%
Ditto New .. .. • • .. 8/. 16s ... . 7% p
Do. Perpet., 5 per Cent. No. 1.61. 13s. 41. ........., % p
Ditto, ditto, No. 2. 61. 13s. 4d. %, p 34 p
Ditto, York Extension .. 105..... 11A
Edinburgh and Glasgow .. .. 50 .... /5 . • 75
Ditto IA Shares .. . .. 12 y 6 .. • • 1734 .•••• . • • • 17%
Glouc., Aberyst., & Cent. of Wales 1% •• • • ••• . • • ty
Great Southern & West. (Ireland) 20 .• • • •• • • 23 %
Great North of England . ..100 • • 220
Great Western .. 85 •• .. _ • 147

Guildford, Farcham, & Portsmoth 5 .... 4%
Leicester and Bedford .......... 225..... 4 p par par
Liverp., Manch., & Newc. Junct. 2% •• • • 2% ••• • • • 2 4
London an' Birmingham . —lOO 228 .... ••• • • • 228
Ditto Quarters -. 2 .... 28% ..... 28%
London and Brighton ~ .. 50 ••..65 % • ..... •• • • 65 4
London and Croydon .. 131-15 s. 9d. 22% 22%
London, Hounslow, & Western .. 2 .• • • %•• • • • ... 34
London and South• Wes• ern .. 411. Gs. 10d. 79 ••• • • • ••• 79
Ditto, New Consol. Eighths .. 34
Ditto, New . 17%•••• 29% .. •
Ditto, New .. .. 14 ... •

London and York 2%,••. . • • • • • 2%
London, Salisbury, and Yeovil .. 2% .. • . 2 ..... 2
Manchester and Leeds .. .. 82 .... • •
Ditto, Fifths .. 3 .... 12% . ..... 1234
Manchester and Birmingham .. 40 . 80 ••••• • • • • • 80
Manchester, Buxton, & Matlock 425. .. • • I p••• • ..
Midland ..100 ....148 150 148•• 148
Ditto, New 18 30% 31 .. •• • • 32;
Midland and Eastern Counties .. 2ss .. • • • ••• ••• • • •
Newcastle and Darlington Junet. 25 .... 443 s •••• • • • •
Ditto, New . 1 .... 9 ••••• • • • • • 9
Ditto, New, Brandling 25 •• .. 44 .
Newcastle and Berwick .. .. 15 •• .. 251 ••••• • • • • • 254
Norfolk .. 20 .... 26 25% . . 251,4
Ditto, Half Shares • • .. 5 • • • 8_ ..... •'• ' •
North British 22% .... 29% • • - •• • • . 30
Ditto, Half Shares .. 8% .• .• II%•••• • • • • .. 1154
North Staffordshire 425. •• • • 43% ••• • • 434 'p
Portsmouth Direct 3% •• • • 354 ••••• • • • • • 314
Scottish Central . .. 10 .... 16% ...... 16%
Shrewsbury and Birmingham .. 234. •• • •• • • • • 2%
Shropshire Union .. 425. .. • . 1% di5...... 114 die.
South Midland 425. •• • • %34 dis is
South Eastern and Dovor .. 33 %•• • • ••• • • •• • • 3914
Do., New (do. 30/.) .. No. 3. 15 .• .. 1714 ••••• • • • • • 1714
Do., New (do. 151•) .. No. 4. 214 • . 2% •••• .. • . 2• • 234
Warwickshire and London . 425. •• • • 14 dig •••• • • • • par
Waterford and Kilkenny _ 8 • • 412
Wexfd., Wick., & Dub. 1% •• • • %••••• • • • • • lre
Welsh Midland .. 2% •• • • 134116 •••• • • • 134
West Riding Union 425. •• .. 234 P••• • • • • 2% P
York and Lancaster .. .... 1% ••••• • • - • •
York and North Midland .. —.........—
Ditto, Selby .. .. 30 .... 75 ••••• • • • • • 75
Do. E. and W. Riding Eaten.— 1 ... 111,( 11 . lll
FOREIGN* RAILWAYS.
East Indian . 53. % • • • • • • • • • •
36
Kamm and Liege .. ..6 _ 4 .. • • •..... 4
Orleans and Viemen ..10 15%.. 15%
Paris and Strasbourg Constituted 5 .... ••• • • •• • • 5
MINES.
Real del Monte, Unregistered —3% •• • • .• ... 4

THE DEATH OF THE DOWAGER COUNTFSS OF ROTHES.
—This estimable Count( ss expired on Thursday last, at her residence
near Dorking. The deceased was daughter of Colonel John Camp-
bell, and was second e fib of George William, 121'; Earl of Bottles,
maternal grandfather oft he present Earl. Her Ladyship was mart led
to the Earl of Eothes on the 21st August, 1790, but did not have any
family by his Lordship.
LOSS OF LIFE ON THE SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.—
DovEn, MoNnAY.—A serious accident took place on the South-
Eastern Railway yesterday afternoon. The express train left the
tows terminus at a quarter -past three o'clock, with but few pas-
sengers, comprising, in addl., ion, to the engine and tender, a luggage
van and two carriages. It stopped at Ashford at its proper time,
near four o'clock, and on its departure the engine which is num-
bered 123, appeared in proper working order. On its arriving about
midinay between Fluckley and Headcorn, distant from town about 60
miles, and just as it had verged into a cutting, the passengers were
startled by a sadden jerk. and an imraediate cloud of dust and smoke
enveloping the train. In a few seconds it was brought to a dead
supposed,
'scene around too clearly
considerable alarm was
M stopaßi fa:sited amongstaama
told that an accident had happened. On looking out, tkey discovered
that the engine and train had got off the line, and the former
was lying on its side across the rails, it having struck the bank of
the cutting and turned over. The vast quantity of steam that was
y beth
enat
passengers.uraiiy e
a
issuing from the engine, and the ground being strewn with lighted
coke, for a time prevented an examination as to the fate of the en-
gine-driver
and fireman. In a few minutes, however, the unfortu-
nate engineer was discovered under the engine. The poor fellow, we
believe, was found alive, but ere he could be extricated, which occu-
pied some time, life was extinct. It was evident that he had made
a struggle to escape, and had caught hold of the safety-valve with
both hands, thinking that the engine would remain upright. Over-
turning, however. he was swung over and the engine fell on him.
The stoker was thrown by the concussion on his feet on the siding,
miraculously escaping the least injury. The guard was thrown from
his seat, and also providentially escaped. None of the passengers
were hurt. As soon as possible assistance was procured from Ash-
ford and Tunbridge, and in the course of a few hours the line was
cleared, the passengers being taken on by the next train. The cause
of the accident cannot as yet be ascertained,
CAPTURE OF A GANG OF BURGLARS.—The notorious
gang of thieves who have for the last twelve mouths infested this
neighbourhood have at last, thanks to the vigilance of the Bristol
police, been apprehended. Notwithstanding the many robberies
these men have committed they have, till now, carried on their ope-
rations with complete impunity, their ingenuity and cunning com-
pletely baffling discovery. They were possessed of housebreaking
implements made expressly to facilitate their depredations ;
among these was apeculiarsort of instrument, with which the thieves
cut large round holes in shutters, doors, &c., and thus introduced
their hands for the purpose-of drawing back the bolts and fastenings.
The names of the parties apprehended are Edward Williams, Abra-
ham Michael, Charles Ilillborn, Ann Williams, and Louisa Hillborn,
charged with being concerned in various robberies, committed in the
counties of Gloucester and Somerset. They were brought before the
magistrate on Monday week, when, for the purpose of eliciting more
information, they were remanded.— ifeen's Bath Journal.
THE GRAND Foust" BALL.—From the efforts made
by the Ladies Patronesses, as exemplified by the meeting they held on
Saturday, the ball bids fair to be one of the most brilliant of the
season. Among those present there were the Duchess of Leinster,
the Marchioness of Sligo, the Marchioness of Allesbury (in the
chair), the Marchioness of Lorn, the Lady Caroline Ashford San-
ford, the Lady James Stuart, the Hon. Mrs. George Dawson Darner,
who announced that various quadrilles costunzie arc already ar-
ranged, or is progress of being completed. The Lady Allesintry will
lead the minuet, and will dance in it with three other stare of the
aristocracy. All the Ladies Patronesses are to appear in the fancy
dresses worn at the ball of the Court last year ; and the piece of
tapestry worked by the ladies of Poland, and presented by them to
Lord Dudley Stuart, will also be exhibited on this attractive occasion.
DREADFUL FIRE IN LIVERPOOL —About half-past
five o'clock yesterday morning a dreaffltil fire broke out at the
corner of Slater-street and Wood-street, contiguous to the Music-
ball, which, for about two hours, crated the greatest alarm among
the inhabitants of that neighbourhood, and caused the destruction of
property to a very large amount. The premises, which have now
to a great extent been reduced to a heap of ruins, were the property
of the late Mr. William Calloway, painter and paper-hanging manu-
facturer, of No. 26, Brownlow-street, who died a few weeks since,
and who willed them, we believe, to his widow. They were
erected five or six years ago on the site of the old Deaf and
Dumb School and Eye and Ear Institution, and formed alto-
gether a very spacious and elegant building, extending
along Slater-street and Wood-street a considerable way, ival
being four stories in height from the level of the pavement. The
fire seems to have been first discovered in that part of Mr. Callo-
way's third story which looks into Slater-street, and is on a line with
Mr. Hunt's shop, but so rapidly did it extend, that the whole of the
upper part of the premises was in a blaze when Mr. Hewitt, with
the engines and fire brigade, reached the spot, about ten minutes to
Mx o'clock. The flames quickly comraunieated upwards with the
fourth story and the roof, and downwards also with Mr. Dreaper's
show-room ; and for some time the conflagration threatened the most
alarming consequences to the surrounding property. It was eight
o'clock before the fire could be said to be completely subdued, and
long before that time the entire of the roof Lad fallen in, and the
beams and floorings of the second and third stories, as well as the
frames and sashes of twenty-six of the windows, hadbeen completely
burned away. The loss of property is heavy.—Liverpool Albion of
yesterday.
THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND MR.
W. SMITH O'BRIEN.—The following is the Speaker's reply to the
letter addressed to him by Mr. Smith O'Brien, which appeared in
our paper of yesterday :—" House of Commons, May 25, 1846.
Sir--I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23d inst.,
which you desire me to submit to the House in case a motion for
your release, subject to the payment of fees, shall be proposed ; and
I regret that I cannot, consistently with my duty, comply with your
request. I felt myself justified in making the House acquainted with
the contents of your former letter, in which you claimed your
discharge on the ground of as informality in the proceedings of the
House, and raised a question on which the House was called upon to
express an opinion; but it is wholly without precedent for the
Speaker to be made the organ of communicating to the House the
views or opinions of any individual upon a question about to be sub-
mitted for its consideration, although in form of a protest or remon-
strance against it on personal grounds.—l have the honour to be your
obedientfaithful servant, C. S. LEFEVRE.—W. S. O'Brien, Esq., M.P.'
ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—We under-
stand the Illuminated Marine Cave, which has occupied that distin-
guished artist, Mr. Danson, for some weeks, will be added to the
other attractions for the Whitsun holidays ; and we advise all holi-
day folks to pay the gardens a visit while the present wonderful
exhibitions are to be seen, for if the managers of that really awful
spectacle (the Eruption f Vesuvius) do not make a blow-up in
earnest one of these evenings (clever dogs as they are), we are not
the editors of The Sun. A. real eruption is a fool to it, besides the
trouble of going all the way to Naples to see it.
MONDAY'S EDITION OF THE " OBSERVER."—The
happy announcement of her most Gracious MaJesty's accouchement
appeared in the whole impression of Monday's Observer. Monday
edition of the Observer is best adapted For the country and readers
abroad. The Observer is printed on the largest sheet allowed to be
stamped which contains forty folio columns.
TO THE SPORTING WORLD.--SOlO of Bell's Life in
London during the past four weeks in May :
May 3 ........ ....
.... 25.096
May 10 ..
May 17
May 24 . , " 25'
d
528
Making
an
average sale e7l/1 publication of twrenty-sh six thonsan s
hundred and seventy. Bell?, Life is regularly publied in time for
all the Saturday afternoon railways- For the most correct reported
particulars of the four days' Epsom Races, see Bell's Life,udy next,
May 31. A sixpence enclosed to Mr. Clements, iun.,Strand, will
insure, at all napes, f, to art of the Ilitigdom by return of
- copy to any P
post. -