The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 25, 1848.

gave it to Baskerville, with whom she had had some pre-
vious acquaintance.

The prisoners were both committed for trial.
Edward Swadling, a porter, was charged with a rob.
berg.

Trew and Storey, of the City police, in consequence
of information which they had received, watched the
house of Mr. Bcachcroft, of Mincing-lane. They saw
the prisoner come from the cellar and go into the office
and afterwards come out with a hamper and a basket.
They watched him until he went into a booking-office,
where he lett the hamper, which they afterwards found
was directed to Mr. Swadling (himself), and contained
eight bottles of wine, and from thence to another place,
where ho left the basket, which contained 61b. or 71b. of
candles. Just as be thought that all was right ho was
taken into custody. The bottles had been previously
marked by the owner of the wine.
The prisoner was committed for trial.
A man of decent appearance presented a shilling to be
deposited in the poor-box. He had, he said, found a
bill for 1501. in the street, and, after considerable trouble,
he learned that the person to whom it belonged was a
solicitor, to whom he, as soon as possible, conveyed it.
When ho handed the bill to the gentleman in his office,
that gentleman said it was right, and rewarded the
finder with ls., which, it was hoped, would be made
serviceable to some more indigent person than him who
had found it, and at the same time express the sense the
finder entertained of the liberality of the donor.

GUILDHALL.
Thomas Robotham, formerly iu the employ of Messrs.
Chaplin and Horne, railway carriers, was brought up
before Alderman Farncomb, for final examination on the
charge of embezzlement. _

•
It appeared from the evidence that the prisoner was
attached to the Hamburgh-wharf, at the foot of South-
wark-bridge, and his duty was to attend the various
wool sales, and solicit the purchasers to send what they
had bought by Messrs. Chaplin and Horne. As he al-
ways had to go with the carts to execute such orders that
he obtained, money was supplied to him for the purpose
of paying all necessary warehouse and other expenses,
instead of which, some time ago, an application was
made by a party for an account that had been running
for some time against Messrs. Chaplin and Home, which
account the prisoner ought to have paid. He was told
to go and see about it, as there was some mistake, and
he went for that purpose, but at once absconded, and
was not seen again until he gave himself up into the
custody of a policeman, at Berkhamstead, near Tring,
when he was brought to London, and remanded several
times.

Mr. Humphery, who appeared for the prosecution,
said he should only call evidence to prove one case of
embezzlement against the prisoner.
Mr. Walter Faithful, from Messrs. Maudaunt and Co.,
of Basinghall-street, linen manufacturers, said that on the
Bth of October, 1847, he gave the prisoner a cheque for
161. 18s. 6d., and he was about to cross it in the usual
way, when the prisoner desired that he would not do
so, as he had been directed by his employers to receive
the amount of the 'cheque himself. The cheque had
been paid.
John William Haycock, manager at Hamburgh-wharf,
deposed that the above amount had never been received.
The prisoner, who declined saying anything, was com-
mitted for trial.

Corporal Leslie said he was appointed by Captain
Yelland, and acting under the orders of the Master-
Genral of the Board of Ordnance, and the magistrate
would see, by looking at his (Leslie's) appointment, and
the abstract of the Act that accompanied it, that any
person assaulting another under such authority, was lia-
ble to a heavy penalty.
Mr. PAYNTER said the words of the Act were, " Any
person obstructing any person appointed by justices, un-
der the orders of the Master-General of the Board of
Ordnance, was liable," &c. It was clear there was no
direct appointment here either by the justices or Board
of Ordnance, and therefore, under the circumstances,
he considered it a most unwarrantable act for the com-
plainant to have gone to the row of bricks and take one
away. _ _

Corporal Leslie said the concluding words of the
clause were, " or any workman or other person acting
in aid of any such person appointed by such justices
as aforesaid, shall forfeit a penalty of 101., or not less
than 21."

Mr. PAYNTER observed that he did not consider the
corporal's appointment by Captain Yelland was within
the meaning of the Act.

Corporal-Leslie—Mullins has a written appointment,
and I can produce it another day, and that justifies him
going where I sent him.

- Mr. PAYNTER —Your opinion is that of a corporal;
mine is that of a magistrate and a lawyer.
Corporal Leslie—But, Sir, we must be protected, or
we cannot make the survey.
Mr. PAYNTER —You won't be protected if you go into
any place with such authority; and instead of the de-
fendant being here, I think it should have been the
complainant, and the defendant had a perfect right to
have given him into custody for the taking of the brick.
It would have been a harsh measure, but a just one. I
shall discharge the man.
Corporal Leslie—We may as well quit our duties.
Mr. PAYNTER—You are not to make any remarks of
that sort here.

ELECTION COMMITTEES.
(YESTERDAY.)
CHELTENHAM.
At the sitting of the Committee yesterday morning,
Mr. R. GURNEY applied to the Committee to substi-
tute the name of Mr. Gardner for that of Mr. Berkeley
in the return made by the Mayor of Cheltenham. He
grounded this application upon the fact, which he proved,
that a notice was given to the electors some days before
the election, that inasmuch as Mr. Berkeley had been
guilty of treating at the previous contest, he was inca-
pacitated from offering himself again as a candidate for
the seat.

Mr. JAMES, on behalf of the electors, resisted the ap-
plication on the ground that as Mr. Berkeley had de-
clared, both in print and at the hustings, that he was
not disqualified, they had no right to presume that the
notice given on the other side was legal, until a tribunal
had decided upon the truth of the allegation it contained.
The Committee took the same view of the matter, and
refused the application.
They then agreed to a resolution declaring the last
election for the borough of Cheltenham to be a void
election, and their labours terminated.

HORSHAM.
This Committee were engaged the whole day in re-
ceiving rebutting evidence of the alleged briberies com-
mitted by Mr. Fitzgerald, the sitting Member, and his
agents.

NORTHERN COUNTIES UNION

RAILWAY.

The usual half-yearly general meeting of the proprie-
tors of the Northern Counties Union Railway was held
yesterday afternoon at the London Tavern; Major Beres-
ford, M.P., in th© chair.
The report expressed the regret of the directors at
their being unable to obtain Parliamentary sanction to
remove the restriction which their original Act imposed
on the outlay of capital. A large amount of arrears still
remained due on the first and only call. The call was
made in April, 1847, and the arrears now due amounted
to 37,3951., out of a sum of 89,5051. Under these cir-
cumstances, the directors deemed it prudent for the pre-
sent to curtail all further outlay, and to economise every
expense. With this view the office establishment had
been reduced, the engagement with the engineer had been
terminated, and it was intended that the remuneration
hitherto paid to the directors should hereafter cease.
he balance-sheet showed that the expenditure of the
last half-year amounted to 18,7111.55. 6d., while the ba-
lance in hand was set down at 76,791/. 11s. 7d. The
total receipts of the company from the commencement up
to the present time amounted to 206,470/. 3s. 4d.
The report was adopted, after which the directors were
authorised to forfeit 162 shares upon which the calls had
not been paid.

This closed the business of the half-yearly meeting.
The shareholders then resolved themselves into a special
general meeting, for the purpose of deciding upon the
future proceedings of the company, Major Beresford still
retaining the chair. _

The &AIRMAN said it was the general opinion of the
board that there were three courses open to the adop-
tion of the shareholders, namely, to authorise the direc-
tors to make a heavy call and proceed with the works;
2dly, to dissolve the company; or, 3dly, to suspend the
works till the arrival of better times. In the existing
state of things the two first courses were impolitic, if
not absolutely impossible, and he therefore recom-
mended the shareholders to rest upon their oars, and
wait till they had an opportunity of seeing what other
companies would do.

Alter a lengthened discussion it was proposed and
carried unanimously, that the directors be invested with
full powers to treat with all parties for the suvension
of the works, and to enter into agreements for the sale
or leasing of the line, such sale or lease not to be fully
carried out without the sanction of a special general
meeting of the shareholders.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the
meeting terminated.

EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCK

AND BIRMINGHAM JUNCTION RAILWAY.

A meeting of the shareholders in this company was
held yestety at their offices, 12, Old Broad-street, when
Mr. Thomas Young the deputy chairman of the com-
pany presided.
The advertisement convening the meeting having been
read, a report was submitted by the directors, f rom which
it appeared that though some difficulty had been experi-
enced in obtaining possession of the property necessary
for the formation of the line, contracts had been let advan-
tageously for three portions, and six miles and a half in
length is now in the course of rapid construction. A
conditional agreement has been entered into with
the Black wall Railway Company, by which the traffic of
the junction line will be carried over that line, and in
consideration of the formation of a branch of about half
a mile in length by the Junction Company, so as to
meet the Blackwall extension line at Bow, the company
is to obtain the free use of the termini both in Fen-
church-street and at Blackwall.
•The balance-sheet showed that the receipts from
calls, interest, transfers, and other sources, were
242,1861. 18s. 2d. The disbursements were for the pre-
liminary expenses of the company, 11,2201. I Is. id.; for
the purchase of land, 182,083/. Bs. 3d. ; expended upon
the works, 18,900/. ; making a total, with some addi-
tional minor items of 234,9301. 2s. Bd. ; which left a
balance in hand of 7,2561. 15s. 6d.
The CHAIRMAN, after a brief recapitulation of the
several heads, and having pointed out the advantages
which must accrue to the property from working har-
moniously with the Blackwall Company, moved the
adoption of the report.
After some conversation the resolution was adopted,
and thanks having been voted. to the Chairman and di-
rectors, the meeting was dissolved.

NORFOLK RAILWAY COMPANY.
A general meeting of this company was held yester-
day at their offices in Guildhall-buildings; Mr. Dove in
the chair.
The report, which was very brief, stated, that in
accordance with the resolution passed at the special gene-
ral meeting of the proprietors of this company, on the 2d
May last, the agreement with the Eastern Counties Com-
pany was duly executed and exchanged; and upon the 7th
May all the lines belonging to this company were placed
in the hands of the Eastern Counties Company. A joint
committee, composed of three directors of the Norfolk
board and four directors of the Eastern Counties board,
has been appointed, and the traffic continues to be fur-
ther developed, while the expenses of working the line
have been considerably reduced. The amount to be re
ceived from the Eastern Counties Company on traffic
account, added to the receipts up to the 7th of May,
enabled the directors to diolare a dividend at the rate of
4 per cent. per annum, being at the same rate as that
payable by the Eastern Counties Company for the past
half-year and for the future. The proprietors of this
company will be entitled to receive the same dividend as
shall from time to time be declared upon the Eastern
Counties stock. _

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
stated, according to the terms of the agreement, the
Eastern Counties Company bad guaranteed a dividend
upon capital to the extent of 2,300,000/.
The motion having been seconded,
Mr. YATES was proceeding to express his want of
confidence in the management of the company, and to
show that the lines bad been constructed at a far greater
expense than was originally contemplated, it having
been held out to the public, on first starting the project,
that the line could be made for 10,0001 a mile, that
afterwards, when under contract, the directors had stated
that it would not, at the outside, cost more than 15,0004,
when the real fact was that it required more than 23,000/.
a mile for its construction. He was going on to impugn
the conduct of the directors, when
whether Mr. Cu
theste ri
matterinte
wasfer interfered,
not
and
altogetherput i to t
irrelevant the meti meetingotnhge
object of the meeting, and a motion was almost unani-
mously passed to prevent any further discussion.
Mr. PETO, who quite agreed in the propriety of the
resolution just passed, did not however wish Mr. Yates's
assertions to go forth uncontradicted, and asserted
that no increase of outlay had been decided upon by the
directors until they had first obtained the sanction of the
shareholders, and he eulogised in the highest terms the
conduct of Mr. Iludson, and those who acted with him,
on the part of the Eastern Counties Company. The
guaranteed amount of 2,300,000/, was sufficiently ample,
for that sum was never likely to be expended.
In answer to questions, Mr. PETO stated that with
the exception of two accounts, which might amount to-
gether to about 18,0004 all the debts of the Norfolk
Company had been discharged; that it was not intended
to make calls for any other purpose than to pay off de-
bentures,if tduringhe times the present
were
hyaeradr , requireand th the
about2s
O which might,
of a
new
shares
on
the and a resolution was
of
mortgageesmade chose to renew their loans, no calls would be
0 , andtha
passed for the paymentadopted,
dividend 2/, per cent.,
and two shillings a share on the 7th

of September, and thanks having been voted to the
Chairman and directors, the meeting separated.

THE EXPLOSION IN ALBANY-
STREET.
Last evening the inquiry, adjourned from Monday last,
concerning the dead) of Mary Bentley, one of the sut-
ferers by the explosion in Albany-street, was concluded
by Mr. Wakley, at the Chester Arms, in the above
street. A model was fixed in the inquest-room of nearly
the same dimension as the meter destroyed, and the Co-
roner and jury here viewed the situation; and the mode
adopted by the boy Lucas in putting in and taking out
the shutters was explained to them.
S. May said he was a gas. fitter, and worked for Mr.
Howell, in Albany-street, and had been frequently to
No. 60, Albany-street, to take water out of the gas
pipes. There was sometimes too much water in the
meter. He thought dry meters the best.
H. Larkin, an inspector of the Londo❑ Gas Company,
said—l have been twice to Mr. Loten's to inspect the
gas; the first occasion was in June last, and I went to
take the register of the meter by order of the office. No
complaint was made. I went again on the 20th of July
in consequence of an order from the office on account of
want of light. I found there was not sufficient water in
the meter. I put some water into it, and the gas in the
union burnt very well then, but the light of the side
burner jumped. I sent Mr. Cogan, gas-fitter of Mun-
ster-street, to see what was required.
By the CORONER-1 made no complaint about the
position of the meter. We use both wet and dry meters.
The choice of them generally depends upon the tenants.
The most modern invention is the dry meter. I should
recommend the water meter myself. There are more
of the latter used by the company than dry meters.
When I was at Mr. Loten's the second time no complaint
of the gas escaping was ,made. If there had been an
escape I must have discovered it, because I had a candle
with me.

W. Cogan, a gas fitter, examined—Went to No. 60,
Albany street, at the request of the last witness, to ex-
amine the meter and repair the pipes. That was about
three weeks before the accident. The complaint made
was that the gas-lights at the side of the shop jumped.
That was caused by the collection of water in the pipe,
which was corrected. Nothing was said about the gas
escaping.

. -
Mr. Hinde, the secretary of the London Gas Com-
pany,.put in a letter received from Mr. Loten, complain-
ing of being-nearly without gas for a whole week, but in
it be made no remark about the escape of gas.
Cogan was directed to examine the model, and in
answer to a juror said that it was perfectly possible for
shutters drawn in and out against the meter and the
main gas-key, to turn the gas off; a violent blow might
break the cock. In answer to the Coroner, the witness
said that he never complained to Mr. Loten of the dan-
gerous position of the meter. Knew plenty of places
where there were meters situated as Mr. Loten's, but he
could not say if the shutters were placed there in the
same way.
By Mr. Hinde—l am positive there could not have
been any escape of gas at the time I was there, because
I tried all the pipes, and used my blowpipe to solder a
part where I took water from.
Mr. Ilinde begged to observe that the company were
desirous of showing that there had been no complaints
made of an escape of gas.
Mr. Wm. Douglas, collector to this company, proved
that he called on the
,28th of July for payment, but no
complaint was then made. It was his custom, if com-
plaints were made, to make a memorandum of them and
report them to the board.

Georgeii.—Petitt deposed to fixing up the gas fittings
at No. 60, Albany-street, about nine years ago. He
fixed the meter under the shop-board by direction of
Mr. Hatfield. He had fixed many meters like it, but
could not'Say whether the shutters were taken in and
out of the shutter-box. When Mr. Hatfield suggested
the placing of the meter, he told him that some protec-
Lion of wood-work would be necessary, and ho said be
would do it himself.

Mr. Richardson, the superintendent of the Imperial
Company, said ho had caused the main pipes of the
London Company and also the imperial to be uncovered,
and he could assure the coroner and jury that there was
not the slightest escape of gas discernable.
This being the whole of the evidence,
The CononEn addressed the jury. lie trusted that
the melancholy event would teach a useful lesson to
those who were in the habit of burning gas, and that the
moment an escape was found means would be imme-
diately taken to remedy any defect. With reference to
the fixing of the meter, it was a matter of congratulation
—if, under the circumstances, they could congratulate
one another—that although strict search had been made,
no other meter similarly fixed could be found in the
neighbourhood. •

The jury, after an absence of half-an-hour, returned
the following special verdict—" That the death of Mary
Bentley was caused by a mortal fracture of the skull, oc-
casion by the accidental explosion of an admixture of
coal gas and common air in the house No. 60, Albany-
street ; and that whether the said coal gas escaped into
the said shop in consequence of an accidental blow given
to the meter or fitting thereof, by the removal of a cer-
tain window shutter, there is not before the jurors suffi-
cient evidence to show."
CO

MMITTAL FOR CONSPIRACY.
LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY.—This day a highly re-
spectable young gentleman of the name of Martin Boshill,
who for a length of time has been manager of the firm
of Orr and Barber, well-known merchants of this port,
was placed at the bar, before Mr. Rushton, the stipen-
diary magistrate, under the following circumstances:—
In the book found at the house of Murphy, who was
committed for conspiracy on Monday last, amongst other
names appeared that of the prisoner, and this circum-
stance, taken in connexion with other information in pos-
session of the authorities, induced them to issue a war-
rant for his apprehension. The warrant was executed
yesterday at the office of his employers, in South Castle-
street, and he remained in custody until he was brought
before the magistrate this morning, when the evidence
against him was produced.
Mr. Rushton said that the prisoner must be com-
mitted for trial, and stated that he much regretted to
see a young man occupying such a position as he did
placed in Such circumstances. He had been connected
with a society which had for its object an extensive and
deeply laid scheme of conspiracy. His handwriting had
also been spoken to, which proved that he had been a
member of the society up to the time he was taken. He
did not doubt that he had been made the dupe of older
and more designiag men; but he (the magistrate) had no
alternative but to commit him for trial, and he did so
upon the evidence which had already been brought for-
ward against the prisoner Murphy.
The prisoner was then fully committed for trial at the
present assizes.
There is a rumour in town to-day that Cuddy, who
was last week committed for conspiracy, has deter-
mined to turn approver, and some curious disclosures
are expected. Preparations are now being made for the
trial, which is expected to come on at the latter end of
next week.

CAPTURE OF PIRATES.
Her Majesty's sloop Scout, on her way to Foo-chow-
foo on the Ist inst., when opposite Chimmo Bay, fell in
with a fishing boat, the crew of which pointed out two
morning
nstanding
attacked
eoaff
somethe land,
trading whichve-
s-1 ttjuh e coast. 'rhe Scout immediately
ves-
sels les), suspicious-looking
stated
working
hia d
u that
gave chase, and fired at the smaller junk, which tacked
in shore. Three boats were then dispatched under the
command of the senior lieutenant, E. G. Blake, which
took possession of her. She was found to bo armed with
a two•pounder, gingalls, matchlocks, firepots, &c,, and
carried a crew of 32 men, several of whom jumped over-
board and were drowned. Four men were found
in her bold bound hand and foot, who said they
had been taken out of a fishing boat two days pre-
viously. The Scout having secured her prize, tacked
in pursuit of the larger junk, which she hailed, and
ordered to lower her sail, but as she still kept her
course the forcastle guns were fired from the Scout,
which being returned by the junk, a running fight
was kept up for nearly three hours, when the junk
got into shallow water and the wind fell. Two
boats were dispatched under Lieutenant Josling,
who commenced firing as soon as he got within
range. The boats pulled alongside under a shower
of bullets and stinkpots, by which one seaman was
killed, and Lieutenant Josling, Mr. Midshipman Stanley,
and four seamen were wounded. The wind having again
sprung up, the Scout ran alongside the junk, under
a heavy fire from gingalls and matchlocks, while
numbers of firepots fell on deck, wounding Com-
mander Johnston and two of the crew; another sea-
man was wounded by an explosion of gunpowder
on board the prize, which on being taken possession of
was found to have a crew of 120 men, with four
e pounder guns. and an immense number of gingalls,
p
matchlocks, and other Chinese weapons. Shortly after
she was captured she fell over on her beam•ends and
went down. Only thirty-six of the pirates were
secured, the rest having been either shot during the
engagement, jumped overboard of their own accord, or
gone down with the vessel when she sank. The sur-
vivors were banded over to the mandarins at Amoy. It
appears these two pirates were lying in wait for the
Amoy sugar junks, now daily going northwest; and the
destruction of them by the Scout is said to be considered
by the native merchants at Amoy as a most acceptable
service.—China Mail, June 15.

PERTH.--MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.—FOUR LIVES
• LosT.--;•Shortly alter three o'clock on Saturday after-
noon a most melancholy scene was witnessed at
the wooden bridge of the Dundee and Perth Rail-
way, now being constructed here. It appears that
eleven of the men engaged at the building, after
receiving their wages, were leaving for the week,
and, as is usual, they went into a boat for the purpose
of being conveyed from Moncrieffe Island to the Perth
shore, when seeing they could not effect a landing above
the bridge, as was their intention, in consequence of the
swelling of the river, from the rains which fell on the
previous night and Saturday morning and the bois-
terous action of the waves, lashed into fury by a teen-
pestuous wind, they went through the opening for
the draw. Here, however, there were some floating logs
of wood affixed to the piles, swinging to and fro with
the stream, on which their fragile barque struck, and,
turning round, shipped a quantity of water. Becoming
alarmed for their safety, from the fact that the boat
was already overloaded and rapidly filling with water,
three of the party leaped out. One succeeded in reach-
ing the shore in safety, but we regret to state that the
other two perished, while the boat itself went down with
the remaining eight, six of whom were saved, though
not without difficulty—a carpenter of the name of
Campbell, an expert swimmer, having succeeded in
rescuing one man, of the name of Bradley, while on the
point Of exhaustion.—Dundee Advertiser.
Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from the Colo-
nial-office for the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian
Islands, and also for the Governors of Hong-Kong and Ceylon,

A. HANDSOME OFFER TO LORD

JOHN.
(From Punch.)

85, Fleet. street, Aug. 22,
My dear Russell,--I perceive that Lord Minto, your
estimable father-in-law, has brought in his Bill for tra-
velling expenses to Rome, Naples, and Sicily (a journey
patriotically undertaken for the abiding good of the em-
pire), a little bill to the amount of 2,0001. The sure,
even for a nobleman and a Minto, is rather large; but
then, possibly, his Lordship—for the better dignity of the
English name—was very liberal to boots and waiters.
Now, my dear Lord, your guide, philosopher, and
friend, Punch, feels that be has some private business to
transact somewhere upon the continent. And being
desirous of combining public patriotism with personal
affairs—he Punch, will have no objection to undertake
any little mission for the Whig Government, by which
he may be enabled to lessen—or rather entirely to cover
—the travelling expenses of himself, Mrs. Juditha Punch,
and family.

Be it Understood, my Lord, Punch places himself
entirely in your hands. So that you send him a suffi
cient letter of credit, you may send him to any part of
Europe (Russia excepted, Punch having no desire to
catch weazels in Siberia)—any part in which the affairs
of this country may be a little out of order, demanding
a delicate hand in the diplomatic art of dove-tailing.
My dear Lord, let us take a glance at the map of
Europe. Ido feel that I might do something in Paris—
(Juditha, who has never been there, and is at this mo-
ment at my side, sewing on a shirt-button, says " she
is sure of it")—l do think that the country would
feel the benefit of any dinner I might be empowered
to give to Citizen Cavaignac at the Trois Freres.
It is my opinion that I could employ, say a couple
of hours after dinner, in a manner that would serve the
interest of England—at least in my own person—in the
article of French wines. And then for our iron ; I do
think that, sheathing the sword, I could induce the
French Ministry to take a knife and fork.
Leaving Paris, it strikes me that something very bene-
ficial to our interests might be effected in Belgium. At
all events I feel that I could pass, say three days, very
well at the Court of Leopold. With our present pros-
pect of a limited harvest, is it wise, is it politic, to leave
the question of the tariff unsettled in the matter of Brus-
sels sprouts? _ _

I am told that the discipline of the railway service
throughout Prussia and Austria is worthy the attention
of an observing mind, with a view to a probable
improvement of the railways of England. It may
not be generally known to the people of Great
Britain, that—in Germany the trains start to the
sound of a trumpet, and not to the ring of a bell.
Now, my dear Lord, as I have no objection to take a
few of the German cities—(Juditha will now consent to
visit Vienna, " the dear Emperor," as she says—poor
woman!—" having gone back to make it respectable")—
as I have no objection to Frankfort, Berlin, Dresden, and
so forth, I think a settlement—once and for ever—of
the bell and trumpet question, would be a considerable
boon to the railway interest—(and you know its strength
in the House)—bringing a harvest of gratitude to any
Minister.

However, should your Lordship see nothing to be
done in Germany, surely myself and family may be made
very useful in Italy. I shall be very happy to go into
the thick of the Austrian garrison (mv wife and daugh-
ters are delighted at the notion) in Milaa or elsewhere.
Again, an advantageous visit might be made to Genoa
(Juditha having resolved upon a plum•coloured velvet for
next winter), for it is now pretty well known that Mr.
Abercrombie has lamentably failed. My patriotic ad-
vice therefore is very brief —Try Punch.
Leaving Milan and Genoa, I feel that the country
could lose nothing were I to put up for a fortnight or so
at Florence. I have no doubt that I might pick up
something useful in the galleries there, for our National
Wigwam i❑ Trafalgar-square. However, should it be
thought otherwise, I will push on for Naples ; and (hav-
ing taken a bath of rosewater before and after the inter-
view) confer with his Perjury the King. It must, how-
ever, be distinctly understood, my Lord, that, on no
account, I am to be expected to dine with him.
In the present feverish state of our Inciter trade, I
may venture to suggest a visit to Sicily, with the view
Of taking stock of the sulphur of Etna. My daughter
Juditha (a promising but timid artist) is quite prepared
to illustrate her papa's report with a water-colour of the
crater.

Rome, of course we must see. It is not for me to
brag of the private friendship of his Holiness the Pope;
but if Minto has failed (and, indeed, my Lord, such is
the general impression), it is only that Punch might
triumph. Pio Nono has a yearning love for my Italian
origin, and will not consent to take the hand of Sir
Robert Inglis but from the hand of Punch. To serve
my country, I should have had no objection to become
resident Ambassador at Rome. But, alas! what would
Fleet-street do without me?

And now, my Lord, as I must leave England for a
few weeks—(for here we are upon the threshold of Sep-
tember)—dispose of myself and family as you will. I
don't know that I should even object to Turkey; though
Juditha insists, for safety sake, on lodgings at the Bri-
tish Embassy:
My Lord, I am aware that—in this application—l
suffer under disadvantages. I am not in the Peerage;
my name is neither HOWARD nor STANLEY—names ex-
pressly made to denote a race of politicians—it is simply
Punch. I have, nevertheless, one recommendation—
I'll very cheap; I'll travel at "a❑ alarming sacrifice."
NIINTO sends in a bill for 2,0001. Punch will go for
half that sum. Yes; for 1,0001. Punch feels that—for a
month—say a month—he can, in himself and family,
support the credit of England abroad, and smuggle a
few things to cur, a dash with at home.
I remain, my Lord, yours with esteem (and carpet-
bag), PUNC H.
P.S. Please send an early answer. Because, in the
unlooked-for event of Government refusing to pay my
expense to Rome, I shall be compelled to go at my own
cost to Herne Bay.

THE MURDER OF A WOMAN, AND ATTACK ON A
CLERGYMAN IN WILTS. PEWSEY, WILTS, AUG.
22.—The coroner's jury empannelled to investigate
the circumstances attending the murder of
Eleanor Laurance, near Collingsbourne, have been
placed in rather a difficult position as regards their
closing the inquiry, by the suspected murderer,
John Smith, having been transported for seven years
at the last Devizes Assizes, for a murderous attack on
the Rev. George Hadow. The evidence against the
prisoner touching the crime of the murder will be
apparent from the following summary of the prin-
cipal points :—lt appears that the murder was com-
mitted at Luggeshall, on the morning of the 9th in-
stant. The prisoner was proved to have been directed
towards the place where the body was found a short time
previous to the murder. About two hours after the oc-
currence, he presented himself at the door of the
reverend gentleman, and committed the assault for which
he has been convicted. He appeared agitated, and to have
been running. He tied been seen coming in haste from
the direction in which the murder had been committed.
When apprehended for the assault, on being asked if he
was not ashamed at what he had done, he replied,
"No; I have lately committed murder, and you will
soon hear of it." The police afterwards found a bundle
belonging to him in a field of oats close by the mur-
dered woman. He further made an admission to
the policeman who had him in custody, to the effect
that he had committed the murder, but that he did
not violate the deceased's person. Why the prisoner
was forthwith committed for trial for the attack on
the reverend gentleman, instead of awaiting the close
of the coroner's inquiry relative to the death of
the woman, has not transpired. As before stated,
however, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to
seven years' transportation, and the difficulty now
experienced is, the identification of the accused by the
witnesses. It has been at length arranged that the
coroner shall communicate with the Secretary of State
as to the necessity of directing the prisoner to be pro-
duced before the jury, and the investigation has been
accordingly adjourned to await his reply.
THE STORM ON THE EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.—
ABERDEEN, MONDAY, Auo. 21.—T0 the disastrous
results of the terrific gale of Friday morning, as realized
on the east coast, we have now to add at least as deploys
able an account of the effects of the storm at Wick and
other seaport towns on the opposite shores of the Mur-
ray Frith. From letters received hero to-night, it
appears that the storm overtook the fishermen when at
sea, about two o'clock in the morning, and there being
upwards of 1,000 boats exposed to the fury of the ele-
ments, many of them well laden with herrings, the loss
could not be otherwise than great. At the break of day
the coast was literally strewed with wreck. At the port
of Wick four or five boats' crews perished within sight
of their relatives and friends, and altogether more than
50 fishermen were drowned within a short distance of the
harbour. At all the other ports along the coast wrecks
have been cast ashore, and at the date of the last ac-
counts no true estimate could be formed of the actual
loss of life that had been occasioned by the storm. One
thing appears certain, that by the gale of Friday morn-
ing 200 fishermen have perished, about 150 boats have
been wrecked, and, taking into account the value of the
nets and other fishing gear, as well as the herrings de-
stroyed, 20,0001. would not cover the damage done by
this awful gale. From Peterhead we learn that 70 boats
are wrecked or missing, and the estimate of the sad con-
sequences of the gale is fully as large as was at
first
reported.
FATAL ACCIDENT.--A melancholy accident oc-
curred in the neighbourhood of Dairy on Monday morning
last, by which Mr. James Patrick, of Thirdpart, factor to
Captain W. F. Blair, of Blair, lost his life Mr Patrick
had left his home for a day's grouse-shooting T
acco.mpanied
by his cousin, Mr. David Patrick, banker,
ry. two
gentlemen had reached Blairpark moor, and win company with the gamekeeper and
anothereirned7vaidua when Mr. Patrick, crossing hastily before the party, his
leg,
came in contact with the muzzle of his in co us •'s gun, whereby
the deadly weapon was discharged, and
the contents lodged
in the calf of his right leg, a little below the knee joint.
The main artery was fatally lacerated, producing violent
hemorrhage, followed, of course, by a thorough prostration
of strength. Mr. Patrick was carried to the Park farm, on
the estate in a very exhausted condition. Messengers were
dispatched to Largs and Dairy for medical assistance. Dr.
Caskie, of the former place, arrives in about an hour, and
was joined by Drs. Peebles and Young, of Dairy; but the
sufferer was beyond the reach of their skill. Lockjaw
supervened, and he survived only four hours. He has left a
widow and four children to lament his fate.—Ayr Advertiser.
THE .HIGHLAND Moons.—The coaches, driven off
the south roads by the railways, have found abundance of
work on the Highland roads, no less than six plying daily
between this and Dunkeld, independent of those in con-
nexion with the Midland Railway. The accounts from the
moors continue to be favourable for the sportsman, especially
on the higher grounds; and the Inverness-shire shootings are
expected to give the highest return they have made for many
seasons. On the lower range of the Grampians the epidemic
last year thinned the parent birds so much that the coveys
are less plentiful. They are, however, healthy, and so far
advanced that the young birds nearly equal the old in size,
and second broods are not uncommon, so that this year's_
crop is likely to be divided into the two extremes of strop'
birds and cheepers.---Perth .Paper.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COJIMONS. ,iugust 24.

DIPLO3vIATIC RELATIONS WITH THE COURT

OF ROME BILL

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition yesterday.)
Sir J. TYRELL believed that the House of Commons
was sitting at the present late period of the year in
consequence of the long speeches of the lion. and
Learned Member for Youghal, added to which it was
popularly considered that the Noble Lord the Wmber
for London was not indisposed to protract the session.
It was also generally considered that it was the intention
of the Government to rule Ireland through the Bishop
of Rome, and that, he believed, was the reason for the
introduction of tlis Bill. •(The lion. Baronet here
read a letter he had received from a friend in Ireland,
which contained severe reflections on a Roman Catholic
priest at Kenmare River.)
Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL rose to order.
Sir J. TYItELL said that the Hon. Gentleman was so
seldom in the house that he was probably ignorant now
of its rules.—(Laughter.) fie thought the hest course
for the Hon. and Learned Gentleman to adopt would be
to return to Conciliation Hall.
Mr. J. O'CONNELL—I intend to do so.— (Laughter.)
Sir J. 'I'YRELL, after some further observations,
stated his determination to oppose the further progress
of the Bill.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, if the Hon. Member for
Youghal's statements were unintelligible, those of the
Hon. Baronet were far more so. The lion. Baronet
not having a illa at Richny.nd, which he considered it
a crime fur him (Lord John Russell) to have—(Laughter)
—could not attend the discussion on the second reading
of the Bili, and he wanted now to have that discussion
renewed; and therefore it was that he opposed the com-
mittal of the Bill, while he asked with the same breath
what were its objects. The lion. Baronet had read
letters that recommended the extermination of the
Catholic priests in Ireland. For his own part, he be-
lieved, and it must be known to many, that the Roman
Catholic clergy had used the utmost exertions to prevent
their flocks from joining in the late rebellion in Ireland.
He deprecated the course adopted by the Hon. Member
for Youghal and the Hon. Baronet, and trusted that the
House would not hesitate to go into Committee on the
Bill.

Mr. R. SPOONER opposed the committal of the Bill,
believing that they had not been dealt fairly with by her
Majesty's Government with respect to this Bill. He
thought this was an occasion on which they ought to tell
the Government that they had deluded the Members of
the House with respect to this measure. It was an
attempt to force, in a most unconstitutional manner, this
measure upon the House. fie would put the Noble
Lord to the test of his consistency upon this measure.
He asked him to delay the measure for a week, have a
call of the House upon it, and if Hon. Members did not
respond to that call he could assure the Noble Lord he
should have no factious opposition from him.
Lord J. RUSSELL denied that he had taken the
House by surprise in persevering in the Bill.
Mr. MACGREGOR would cordially support the fur-
ther proceeding with this Bill in all its stages, notwith-
standing the uncalled for, and, as he believed, the impru-
dent opposition that had been made to its further
progress. _ _

Mr. FORBES opposed the committal of the Bill.
Mr. J. O'CONNELL had be,,n charged with being
absent from the House. He admitted that he had been,
but the reason for his being so was his anxiety to do
all in his power to preserve the peace of Ireland—
(Hear, hear) —and he believed that there were very few
Members present who would not be ready to admit that
he had done all in his power to accomplish so desirable
an object. He opposed the further progress of the
Bill as paltry and impolitic.—(Hear, hear.) With-
out the intrigues proposed by the present Bill the
present Government might govern Ireland satisfactorily
if they would only do justice to Ireland. He believed
that the Sovereign Pontiff of Rome would not accept the
measure, but should he unfortuately be persuaded to do so
it would be rejected by the whole of the Catholic popu-
lation of Ireland. The Government might depend upon
it, if they alienated the Catholic clergy of Ireland from
the people, the worst results would follow, and as evidence
of that he might state that in those parts of Ireland
where the late disturbances had taken place the clergy
were estranged from the population. He could not con-
sider the opposition factious that was put forth to prevent
the further progress of the Bill.
Lord DItUMLANRIG supported the further progress
of the Bill, believing that its passing would be produc-
tive of the best results. He supported the Bill be-
because he wished to act in conformity with the two
undoubted champions of the country, common justice
and common sense.—(Hear, hear.)
Sir C. BURRELL hail such objections to the Bill,
that he was determined to give it every opposition in his
power.

Sir R. INGLIS then moved that the debate should be
adjourned, and stated that if he succeeded in that mo-
tion, he should move that it be adjourned to Wednesday
next.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL bad no objection to the de-
bate being adjourned, but could only consent to its being
adjourned to half-past five o'clock.
Sir R. INGLIS then moved, as an amendment, tha
the debate should be adjourned to Wednesday.
The House divided on the motion, when there ap.
peared—
For Sir R. Inglis's amendment
Against it _
Majority against the amendment ... —45
The debate was then adjourned till six o'clock.
Sir J. TYRELL wished to know if the Governmen.
intended to bring the priests to whom he had alluded to
justice for having turn down the Lord-Lieutenant's
proclamation.
Lord J. RUSSELL said that such matters were left to
the discretion of the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, and if
the llon. Baronet sent the necessary proofs to his Ex-
cellency, there could be no doubt proceedings would be
instituted.

... 28
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