The Sun.
London, England, 1848-10-28 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 28, 1848.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
OLD CO UR7.
THE CHARTIST TRIALS.
(The trial of Mullins, continued from our Afternoon
Edition of yesterday.)
Inspector Russell, and several other policemen, proved
finding in different places where some of the prisoners
who were tried and convicted last session resided, a
quantity of pikes, pistols, gunpowder, and balls.
The Court here adjourned for half an hour.
Thomas Barry, a shoemaker of Lisson-grove, was
ono of the members of the shoemaker,.
Association in
August last. Had seen the prisoner Mullins at several
meetings, and heard him address them. On one
occasion he said it was necessary for every one
to prepare for the crisis that was coming,
and it was also necessary for every one to make a small
sacrafice to aid the Committee of Progress in their un-
dertaking. On the 16th of August recollected Mullins
coming into a meeting that was held in witness's
locality, when a man of the name of Smith
tapped him on the shoulder, and said, I was afraid
you was tuken; to which Mullins replied, " No, they
will only take me with my life." A man of the name
of Cruikshanks followed Mullins into the room, and laid
a musket on the table; there were several guns and
pistols in the room. Smith said that they must
prepare to go to the Seven Dials. A question was
asked how they were to take their arms, which were
called toothpicks, to which a reply was made, "in the
best way they could." Witness then went to Crown-
street, Suho, where he saw many persons ho had seen
at the meeting.
Cross-examined by Mr. PARRY—Did not join the
Chartists to betray them. Had had 11. a week since he
had been unable to work at his trade. Had been in pri-
son for the unlawful possession of a pint pot. Had
also been in prison about four years ago for
taking some bread out of a baker's cart for
a drunken spree. He had four months' imprisonment
for it, as his companions ran away. He was living at
Willesden at that time. Had never been found in a
wine-cellar at Willesden. When he was an apprentice,
about nine years ago, he bad been sentenced to a month's
imprisonment for trespassing after game. Knew a man
of the name of Russell, but had never been charged by
him with stealing a cape.
John Baldwinson, tailor, of Webber-street, Blackfriars-
road, proved that he was a class leader of the Chartists
meeting at the South London Chartist Hall, and that
on the day Ernest Jones was tried he was at the George
public-house in the Old Bailey, in company with the
prisoner Mullins and others, when it was agreed that a
meeting should be held of secretaries and delegates.
Witness was not allowed to sit with them, as he was
neither a secretary or a delegate. The prisoner Mullins
wrote something on separate slips of paper, which
he handed to each of them, and one to Pedley, who
was then elected a delegate to the secret com-
mittee in Milton-street, On the following Wed-
nesday, the 12th of August, witness wont with
Pedley and Mullins to Milton-street, and in going
there the prisoner took them through some courts and
alleys, which he pointed out as good places from which
to fire upon the military and police. The prisoner re-
marked that if the alleys had not thoroughfares, they
would not do. The witness detailed further proceed-
ings of the Chartist body up to the 15th August, and
proved that he gave information to the police on the
16th of August, after he and the others had been taken
into custody at the Angel public- house..
Cross-examined by Mr. PARRY—Did not intend to
have given up the men at the time he acted with them.
Had a pike and a pistol, both of which he bought for
'himself in the month of June.
Henry Jones, a police-constable, proved that at four
o'clock on the morning of the 17th of August, he found
a basket containing 280 rounds of perfect ball-cartridges,
and 50 imperfect ones, in Clerkenwell Church-yard.
After the examination of Inspector Black, and several
other members of the Metropolitan Police, who gave the
same evidence they did on the trials of Dowling and
Cuffey, and the others tried at the last session, several
chemical gentlemen were called, who proved that the dif-
ferent balls and articles found in the houses of the pri-
soners who were tried last session were of a most dan-
gerous and combustible character.
Sergeant Thompson stated that he apprehended the
prisoner on the 18th of.. September last at No. 4,
Tatham's-court, John-street, East-street, Old Kent-road.
The prisoner came down stairs dressed in female clothes,
and witness thought he Wfte a female, till the prisoner
held up his finger and said " I surrender."
This closed the case for the prosecution.
Mr. PARRY then addressed the jury for the prisoner,
and, after some preliminary observations, he said ho
must admit that the case for the prosecution had been
most fairly conducted by:the Attorney-General, and if any
man had ever had a. fair trial the prisoner at the bar had
certainly had had that fair trial. While admitting this,
however, he expressed his opinion that, if the jury came
into the box without being prejudiced by what had
already taken place, or by the circumstances of the
country, or the comments of the public press, they must
acquit the prisoner, upon the ground that the charge was
not proved against him by fair, proper, and legal evi-
dence.of the He
law,
wouldwh richo t d say
oe ia
rao word
d this regarding
offeooewt
offence—which,
ieo
h! altera-
tion
cer-
tainly, substantially amounted to the crime of high
treason—only to be an ordinary felony. It was
the law, and it was his duty as an advocate,
and it was their duty, and the duty of them all,
to obey it ; but he would repeat that if this case was
treated as an ordinary case of felony, the prisoner
must be acquitted upon the evidence that had
been adduced. It was perfectly clear that the evidence
was not of a character to demand any favourable consi-
deration. The Attorney-General, in the performance of
the high duty cast upon him, could only make use of the
materials within his power to support the charge he
sought to make out, and he bad no alternative; and he
must say that the evidence which had been brought for-
ward on this occasion was as tainted as any that had
ever been adduced upon a State trial. The jury would
remember that he had cross-examined the witnesses
Powell and Davis at considerable length, and that his
Lordship had expressed an opinion that the facts which
he had endeavoured to establish were not material, and
that it was an unnecessary waste of time. That this
inquiry had occupied a very considerable time, and had
cast onerous duties upon their Lordships and all who
were concerned in it, he would admit, and he regretted
it, but it was no fault of his; it was a most important
and solemn inquiry, requiring serious and deliberate
consideration, and with all respect for the judicial
character of his Lordship he could not help feeling that
in the course he had pursued he had only performed his
duty. They were aware that a great many unfortunate
persons had already been convicted of taking a share in
this transaction, and he could not help entertaining an
opinion that many of these men ought more to be re-
garded in the light of victims than criminals, and if this
were the case surely it was most important to show the
jury that these men, Powell and Davis, were goading on
men to their destruction for the purpose of earning their
wages—their blood money from the Government, and
that their evident object was to increase their title to that
blood money by increasing the number of their victims.
With all due deference, therefore, to the Bench, he must
repeat his opinion that the course he adopted was not
only not irrelevant, but that it was perfectly relevant,
and german to the question at issue, and that he should
have neglected his duty if he had not adopted the course
he did. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to com-
ment upon the course adopted by the Government
in employing such men as Powell and Davis, and
giving them the opportunity of going among people who
entertained perhaps extreme political opinions, and goad
them on to commit the crime which the Government
was anxious to punish. The prisoner, he said, had been
introduced to them by the Attorney-General as a sur-
geon, a man holding a responsible position, and this was
made an aggravation of his guilt; but what was the
fact? He should show them that the prisoner was
merely a surgeon's apprentice, only twenty-two years of
age, and just entering upon manhood, and therefore this
topic of aggravation could hardly apply. With regard
to the conspiracy, he considered he should be insulting
their understandings if he were to attempt to deny that
such a conspiracy as had been suggested really existed;
but the question which the jury had to decide was*
whether the prisoner had taken a guilty share in that
conspiracy, and whether the evidence which had been
adduced made out that fact to their satisfaction. He sub-
mitted to them that the charge rested entirely upon the
evidence of the infamous accomplices who had been ex•
amined, and although several of such persons had been
examined to prove this fact, the jury ought not to rely
upon such testimony unless it was corroborated by in-
dependent and uncontaminated evidence. In this case
he contended that there was no such corroboration, and
that the only attempt at it which had been given was
the production of the letter to Davis and the plan of the
Seven Dials, about which he would offer a few observa-
tions in the course of his address. He then referred to
observations made by Mr. Baron Alderson, Mr. Justice
Littledale, and Lord Abinger, to the effect that the cor-

roboration given by accomplices to each other ought not
to have any weight with a jury, and that they should
only give effect to sue!) testimony when it received
corroboration in some material and essential particu-
lar by unimpeachable testimony. The only corrobo-
ration of this kind was the letter and the plan to
which he had alluded ; but he asked them
whether they could rely on the proof of the hand-
-writing upo❑ the evidence of a man who had only
seen the prisoner write his name once ? If this had been
a charge of forgery, he asked them would they for a mo-
ment think of convicting the prisoner upon such evi-
dence ? He therefore called upon them not to place
reliance upon this testimony, and said:—Thus, then, the
evidence of the accomplices would be altogether uncor-
roborated,.and, this being the case, he submitted that the
prisoner, both by tho law, and, he would add, by the
dictates of common sense and proper feeling, which would
direct them not to place reliance upon such tainted testi-
mony, would be entitled to an acquittal. The Learned
Counsel then went on at some length to comment upon
the absence of anything like direct or conclusive testi-
mony to connect the prisoner with the conspiracy, and
concluded a very able address by expressing a confident
opinion that the jury would acquit the prisoner.
At the conclusion of the speech for the defence the
Court adjourned.

NEW COURT.
John Hadland, 25, porter, was indicted for intermar-
rying with Caroline Amelia Bassett,
his wife, Lucy
Green, being then and now alive.
Mr. Parnel prosecuted, and Ntr. Ballantine defended.
It appeared that the prisoner and his first wife had
been fellow-servants, and they were married in October,
1842, at Islington Church. He being unable to provide
a home for her, they lived apart, but corresponded until
January in the present year; when, on the 17th of that
month, he was married to his second wife at St. Mary's,
Mortlake, Surrey.
The jury found the prisoner Guilty, and he was sen-
tenced to three months' imprisonment.
John Hayes, 19, tailor, was indicted for stealing a
handkerchief from the pers'on of Richard Parker.

V. _ .

The case was most -clearly established. The prose-
cutor, who resides in the Old Bailey, felt a tug at his
pocket, and an officer saw the prisoner throw the hand•
kerchief away, and then run off.

Amidst naiTiCh laughter, the Prosecutor complained of
his having been compelled to prosecute against his
will, more especially as he wished the magistrate,
if convinced of the prisoner's guilt, to convict him sum-
marily.
The RECORDER said he could not help it.
Prosecutor (with some warmth)—l would not have
appeared against a man for picking my pocket of a hand-
kerchief, when I am robbed by the rich and cannot ob-
tain justice. I ca❑ button up my pockets against the
poor, and stop them from robbing me ; but not against
the rich—their position protects them.
The RECORDER-.-It is not our province to inquire
into these matters. The grand jury are now sitting.
The prosecutor, with increased warmth, asserted that
he was daily being robbed by the rich, and if he could
not be protected it was not lair to compel him to prose-
cute a poor man.
The RECORDER said if he could adduce evidence of
the fact of his being robbed, he could bring it before the
Court. .

The prosecutor said it would be of no use, for men in
their position he could not bring evidence against: they
were bankers, merchants, and other rich people. He
then left the witness-box in high dudgeon, and seemed
very averse to identifying his handkerchief.
The jury found the prisoner Guilty, and being an old
offender, he was transported for seven years.
Jane Charltjn, 26, spinster, and James Langley, 29, a
cabinet maker, were indicted for stealing a quantity of
plate and wearing apparel, valued at 801., the property of
William Wier Marshall.
Mr. Huddlestone appeared for the prosecution, and
the prisoners were undefended.
Mr. HUDDLESTONE stated the following case to the
jury:—The prosecutor is a bookseller in the Edgware-
road, and the female prisoner, who had lived with the
male prisoner, had entered that gentleman's service, by
means of a false character, in June last. O❑ the Ist of
September the prosecutor left town to meet his wife at
Lewes, in Sussex, and remained there until the 4th,
when he received a communication from town stating
that his house had been broken open. He immediately
returned, and found the plate chest had been opened by
means of a false key, and that the whole of the property
named in the indictment was stolen. He the❑ learnt
that the female prisoner stated that the place had been
entered by some one between the hours of nine
and eleven in the evening, but by whom she did not
know. The police, •however, feeling convinced
that the robbery -had been effected with the
connivance of some ene-inside of the house, took the
female into custody, and subsequently they discovered
that a man named Churchill :had been employed by
Langley to call at the prosecutors after the shop was
closed, and fetch a carpet bag, which was handed out at
the door to him by a female. Langley having left his
lodgings, information was sent to the provincial police,
and he-was apprehended at Warminster with a large
sum of money and a portion of the stolen wearing
apparel upon him. Other portions of the stolen property
were also found to have been in his possession.
The prisoners, who declined making any defence, were
both found Guilty.
The police stated that at a former place where the
female lived 80/. worth of plate was stolen under similar
circumstances, and there was no doubt but that Langley
had been concerned in that robbery.
The RECORDER said that it was a most flagrant case,
and he should make an example of them, by passing the
sentence of fifteen years' transportation.
The female left the dock pouring out a torrent of
abuse against the prosecutor,

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
GUILDHALL.

INSULT TO THE NATIONAL GUARDS.—Yesterday
William Smith, a private in the Scotch Fusilier Guards,
at present at the Wellington Barrack, was charged be-
fore Alderman Gibbs with being drunk and disorderly
and assaulting the police in Fleet- street.
Previous to going into the case the sergeant of the
prisoner's company reported that it was the wish of the
officers of the regiment that if he were not dealt with by
the magistrate he should be handed over to be tried by
a court-martial, and he should have to request the at-
tendance of the police at the Court to prove the prisoner's
drunkenness.
Alderman Glues said he would consider it after hear-
.

ing something of the case.
William Price, the constable, said that on behalf of
himself and brother officer- he did not wish to press the
charge heavily, as the prisoner, in their opinion, was
so drunk, that he was quite unconscious of what he was
doing.
Alderman GIBBS said he should like to hear what had
taken place.
Price proceeded to state that about half-past twelve
o'clock the previous day he observed the prisoner in a
state of intoxication, annoying and insulting some Na-
tional Guards who were making purchases in Fleet-
street. He was quite drunk, standing on the kerb of the
pavement, flinging his cap about in front of them, ex-
claiming, " It's against my religion to see any of you i❑
this country." The National Guards took no notice of
it, and witness interfered and made the soldier go on.
He did so, when he encountered another National Guard,
whom ho assailed in the same offensive manner. A
crowd of people were following the soldier, and ex-
citing him by their observations, and for the preser•
ration of the peace he took him into custody, when
the prisoner made a sturdy resistance, threw
himself on the ground, kicked and struck him, and
it was with the greatest difficulty he, with the assistance
of some other officers, conveyed him to the station-house.
On coming to his senses, he exclaimed that he had been
treated by an old friend, and appeared to be exceedingly
sorry.

Alderman Grass asked if he had any money in his
possession? Price replied that he had not.

.....
Alderman Gins wished to know whether the pri-
soner struck any of the National Guards? Price said
he did not.

Police-constable 367 corroborated Price's evidence,
and said they were pelted by the lookers-on with all
sorts of things while on the way to the station-house.
Alderman Grass asked the prisoner what he had to
say in defence? Smith replied that he was very sorry for
what had occurred.

Alderman Glass—Without taking into consideration
what course your officers may hereafter pursue, I shall
fine you los., or fourteen days' imprisonment.—He was
locked up.

BOW-STREET.
ROBBERY OF GOLD DUST.—Yesterday a seaman,
named James Lewis, was charged with being concerned
with others in custody, with stealing five cases of gold
dust, value 9,0001., from the ship Lemuel, at the Elmina
roadstead, on the coast of Africa.
A gentleman from the office of Messrs. Oliverson and
Co., solicitors, said that the prisoner was sent up by the
authorities at Bristol, and as it appeared that another
seaman, named Watts, and Powell, the mate of the ves-
sel, were on their way to this country on the same
charge, he was at a loss what course to pursue with
regard to the prisoner until their arrival in London.
Mr. JARDINE said he was quite ready to hear the state-
ment of the officer who had the prisoner in custody, with
a view to have him remanded, but it appeared to him the
best and most direct course would be to take the prisoner
before the Lord Mayor, in order that he might undergo
an examination with the others when they would arrive
in town.
The prisoner was then removed in the custody of the
officer.

MARYLEBONE.
EXTENSIVE ROBBERY By A RAILWAY PORTER.—
James Howse, a porter in the e
t
ofrei , theh r 0
bGreatbery
Western Railway Company, was caPrgkeYd
to a considerable amount.
Michael Giles, yard clerk and time keeper at the Pad-
dington terminus, deposed that
between eleven and twelve o'clock, hteh the
hpsreervrieodu previous nightbottle,
of brandy lying under some grass close to
himself
wall at
the back of the porter's room, lie secreted near
at hand, and at five in the
i approach and take up the bottle in
morning saw theprisoner
deposited in one of the pocketsofhis
q tureoswt question,
trowsers;
whhei c(wit-
ness)captured him as he was walking away, and gave
him into custody, at which period he had also a bottle of
capers concealed beneath his apron. When stopped he
denied having any property of the kind in his possession.
Mr. Collard stated that, in consequence of informa-
tion which he had received, he repaired to 27, liamPlen-
street, Hampstead-road, where, in a box in the prisoner'a
room, he found numerous bottles of wine and brandy, as
also a quantity of fish-sauce, sealing-wax, pencils, lace,
bonnets, and a variety of other articles, all of which had
no doubt been stolen from hampers and parcels in-
trusted to the company for delivery in different parts of
country.htheeshouidbe
He (witness) said that upon a future day
wnoouwldp,rhoe.
quite expectedp, r
ee
reaarrel pd
showwith sou ca ht
the
eh ve i dper no epee
rat sy
duced had been abstracted from that part of the com-
pany's premises to which the prisoner had, from the
nature of his situation, access.
The prisoner who seemed much dejected, and had no
ansh.sreorogtohtup
i'
make to th question as to why he should clot
be
again on another day, was remanded for
further examination till to-morrow (Saturday) week.
1

NAVAL ' INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, FRIDAY.—John APDonald, the marine
sentenced by court-martial in July to transportation for
life, for having struck Captain Baynes, of the Bolloro-
phon, whilst in the execution of his duty on board the
said ship, has received a free pardon, and has been set at
liberty.
The Driver steam-sloop Commander C. R. Johnson,
went out of harbour this' afternoon, and anchored at
Spithoad. She is ordered to be kept ready for an imme-
diate move as soon as her final orders arrive, but not to
get up steam. Her movement to Spithead is understood
to originate in the desire of Commander Johnson to
keep his crew in
sadly a state of perfect efficiency, which was
endangered by the cupidity of the vagabonds, male
and female, who
Make a living by selling deleterious
compounds, called spirituous liquors, to the seamen, and
whose nefarious practices, in the present state of the law
it is difficult to guard against.
The Orestes, 14, is ordered to be commissioned at this
port by Commander Henry Samuel Hawker (1846), with
130 men. This officer is not related to Admiral Haw-
ker, but has been most strenuously qualifying himself
for command by study at the Royal Naval College for
some time. He enjoys the reputation of being a smart
and zealous officor.
The Encounter screw-sloop, tried yesterday, made
10.178 knots per hour, at the mean of six runs at the
measured mile in Stokes Bay, with 71b. of steam to the
square inch, making 78 revolutions, at a draught of 12
feet
inches aft, and 10 feet 6 inches forward, at which
the slip of the screw was rather more than 11 per cent.
She will be commissioned shortly.
In Port and Fitting.—Victory, 22, flag-ship; Illus-
trious, 10, ordinary guard-ship; Victoria and Albert
Royal Yacht;. Luellent gunnery exercise-ship; Bleu-

heim,s6, guard-ship of steamers; Kingfisher, 12; Orestes,
14; and Rolla, boys' exercise-brig; Stromboli, Sharp-
shooter, Rifleman, Reynard, Black Rigle, Fairy, Myrtle,
Fire Queen, Bee, and Echo steamers; Fanny and Ports-
mouth, Admiral's yachts.
. .

At Spithead.—St. Vincent, 120; Prince Regent, 92;
Powerful, 84; and Driver steam-sloop.
In the Old Basin.—Ajax, 56; Defence, 72, convict-
depot; Dauntless, steam-frigate; Reynard and Plumper,
steam-schooners.

In Dock—Princess Charlotte, 104 ; Collin wool, 80;
Pembroke, 72 ; Malabar, coal depot ; Flying Fish, 12 ;
and Fairy steam tender.
In the New Basin—Centaur and Retribution, steam-
frigates ; Cormorant, Salamander, Phcenix, and Strom-
boli, steam-sloops ; Otter and Jackal), steam-vessels.
Wind, S.W. Strong breezes, and squally, with heavy
showers.

PLY:IIOI7TH, OCT. 26.—Her Majesty's steam-sloop
Hermes, with jurymasts and gear for the frigate Are-
thusa, and gear for the steam-vessel Magicienne, sails
to- day for Pembroke.
Her Majesty's ship Impregnable will be docked today.
Mr. James Meek, Controller of the Victualling Board,
arrived yesterday, at ten o'clock, at the Royal William
Victualling-yard, Stonehouse. Mr. Meek inspected the
bake-house and mill, the Melville slop store, cooperage,
and Clarence spirit store for revenue goods, and then re-
tired to the office of the Master-Attendant, Mr. Arm-
strong, with whom he was in conference all day.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
CELEBRATION OF THE OPENING OF THE
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.

BOSTON, FRIDAY.—The festival commemorative of the
opening of the Great Northern system of railway
throughout Lincolnshire, was celebrated here last even-
ing on a grand scale. For years the good old town of
Boston has not been the scene and centre of so much at-
traction as on this occasion. All the shops were closed,
and a general holiday was observed both here and at
Spalding. Excursion trains heavily laden ran through-
out the day to Peterborough, Lincoln, Louth, and Great
Grimsby. The mayor and corporation and gentry of
Boston visited the latter place, now a chief point of at-
traction in Lincolnshire, for its port until the railway
*me there was comparatively obscure, but will now be
converted into a groat deep water harbour for the East
Coast and Baltic trade. After viewing the coffer-
dam and other structures they returned to dine at Boston
at four, when upwards of 500 sat down to a sumptuous
banquet in the theatre, which was boarded over to a level
with the stage and decorated as on the occasion of the great
dinner in 11141. Besides the guests, there was a gallery
full of the fair sex. Mr. James Hodges, the Mayor of
Boston, occupied the chair ; supported by the Earl of
Yarborough, the Hon. Oct. Duncombe, Sir James Duke
(the Lord Mayor Elect of London), Lieutenant-Colonel
Colquhoun, Mr. Denisen, M.P., chairman of the Great
Northern ; Mr. B. B. Cabbell, M.P. for Boston ; Mr.
Christopher, M.P. ; Captain Straubenzee, Mr. Peto,
M.P. ; Captain Laws, R.N. ; Mr. Cubitt, C.E. ; the
Mayors of South and Great Grimsby, Mr. Fowler,
C.E., &c.
The cloth having been removed,
The MAvon proposed, amid the most enthusiastic
cheers, "The Queen, Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales,
and thereat of the Royal Family," which was immediately
followed by a fire of artillery from the river-side, and
the National Anthem.
Mr. F. W. WHITE proposed " The Bishop and Clergy
of the Diocese." This was responded to by the Rev. J.
H. OLDRID.
" The Army and Navy," proposed by Mr. T. GARPIT,
banker, was responded to respectively by Captains
STRAUDENZEE and LAWS.
Mr. DENISON, M.P., in responding to the toast of the
evening, " Prosperity to the Great Northern and East
Lincolnshire Ralways," which was drunk with all the
honours, after alluding to the unparalleled prejudice and
opposition the Great Northern had encountered in its
progress through Parliament, its cheapness and national
importance, and the promises it held out of prosperity,
said that by means of its opening, a passenger from
London would now be enabled, either by means of the
London and North-Western or the Eastern Counties, to
get to Boston in five hours, toLincoln in six, and Hull
in seven or eight. It was well known that the shares of
all companies at the present moment were in an unrea-
sonably depressed condition. He said unreasonably, for
he would defy any man to show him any good and suffi-
cient reason why London and North-Westerns should
be below par, why Midlands should be at 66, and why
Great Northerns should be at 13 or 14 discount. He
had tried to read the causes of this unreasonable de-
pression, and had come to the condo-don that it was
owing to a sudden panic, created, he believed, by de-
signing persons, whose object was to drive down the share
market as low as they could, in order to make fortunes
from the ruin of those who were unfortunately com-
pelled to make a sacrifice.--(Cheers.) Under these cir-
cumstances he need scarcely observe that the state of
the share market was no criterion, and he would advise
shareholders in the Great Northern and all other lines
not to despond, but do their utmost to stand by the in-
vestment they had made, iu the confident hope that they
would be handsomely remunerated for the risk they had
run.--(Cheers.) As regarded the Great Northern he
might state that the Government inspector, who had ex-
amined it, had been heard to say that "he had never
passed over a line in such good condition on a first
opening." It was smoother than any other he had ever
inspected, and would take less to keep in order than any
other line he had ever seen. Whether it would be as profit-
able as the London and North-Western it was impossible
to say, but its local and national facilities could not be
overrated.—(Cheers.)
Mr. T. GEE, banker, in proposing " The Members of
the County of Lincoln," said it was to be regretted that,
owing to the interference of the Admiralty, the Boston
station was not more in the town; and observed, as a
practical illustration of the already developed advan-
tages of the Great Northern to the agriculturists of
Lincolnshire, that the other day a friend of his went to
Lincoln and sold 800 quarters of wheat, and returned
within an hour to Boston, ready to meet any further
demand.—(Applause).
Mr. CHRISTOPHER., M.P., in responding to the toast,
said that when at first so many railways were proposed
to run through Lincolnshire, he felt great difficulty in
deciding to which he should give his support. He ulti-
mately determined to give it to the Great Northern; and
the sanction of it by both Houses of Parliament, and the
celebration of its opening that day, was a gratifying proof
that he was right.—(Cheers.) It was a duty he owed
to his constituents, and a personal pleasure to himself,
to co-operate in great national works like the present,
believing them to beneficial to all classes in the kingdom,
whether engaged in manufactures, professions, agricul-
ture, or commerce.—(Loud cheers).
Mr. W. 11. ADAMS, barrister, in an able speech, pro-
posed " The Earl of Yarborough, and the Manchester,
Sheffield,. and LincolnshireltitiliVay," and after enlarg-
ing on the advantages of the newly-opened commaudnviacoa--
tion to the great agricultural districts, said thod- b
the
otaogn
the
ense xwi oenr eo fe atlheeu at
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, ofwhich the
Noble Earl was chairman, and w
Greated t o
Northern
tibnecrroe a
withsecl t e
int fso I
ally, y'
once united the
commercial—the
ts.—(Cheers.) The de-
pressionwas merely tempoDavisonagricultural with the hiehatgreat producing
with the great consuming districts.—(Cheers.)
alluded to by Mr. a
tempo-
rary; they had only to take
min yet.—(Cheers.) To
g
'
maintain its high position in the scale of commercial
courage, and hold on, for
there was " a good time co
railways should have men of unimpeachable
and in this respect
affairs, it was absolutely necessary thatthedirienctteo,ryrityof
h
pre-
sident.—(Cheers, with three times three.)
The Earl of Yannoßonan, in responding to the toast,
company that had the
were more fortunate than the
i the Earl of Yarborough for
tbe.sountry which his family
sustain that character In
the He had once held high
had earned before him.
said that it would always. be his chief aim and object to
position of Member for the whole county, and he hoped
an idle one.—(Cheers.) His long ac-
quaintancehe had not been
bl d him t
' of what were its necessities, and more espe-
cially what were its railway wants. When he saw that
vesselswere actually carrying cattle from Scotland to
London, and that almost every other part of England
had been thought of by the promoters of railways, he
felt that it was high time that something should be done
for the richest agricultural county in the kingdom.--
(Cheers.) Great and gigantic as the scheme of the Great
Northern appeared to him at first, he felt that it was
his duty, as the representative of the county, to give
all his support to the measure.—(Cheers.) It was a
great national project. Year by year he could not fail
observing that the other great trunk lines were getting
so overloaded with traffic, that it was high timo to do
something to relieve them.—(Cheers and laughter.)
While, at the same time, he was sure that sufficient
would remain to remunerate the shareholders in those
lines, he felt that the public would not be adequately ac-
commodated unless new lines were made.—(Hear, hear.)
From a practical knowledge of the district that it tra-
versed, he knew of no line more calculated to benefit the
manufacturing and agricultural districts than the Man-
chester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire. It was a project
of the greatest national importance, giving as it did a
direct communication from Liverpool to Grimsby and
Newark to the Baltic—(Cheers)—and thus enabling
Lincolnshire, the producing county, to carry to
Lancashire, the manufacturing district, its corn, beef;
and mutton.—(Cheers.) A grand point not to be
overlooked, was, that all this could be done
so much cheaper than by any other means. It had
been rumoured that the coffer-dam at Grimsby had been
falling in, but this was altogether without foundation.
It was true there had been, as in every great work, such
as railways, occasionally a slip; but he spoke advisedly
when he said that the works were going on to the full
satisfaction of those who were responsible for them.
(Cheers) As to the policy and propriety of construct-
ing these docks, he would ask, was it not of the greatest
importance to such a railway as theirs to have, instead of
a land station, what might be termed a great water
station at the end of it?—(Loud cheers.) Such would
their docks be. Docks had hitherto been constructed
inland; now they were constructing them almost out at
sea; and the great advantage of all this wou:d
be, that coasting steam-vessels would be enabled to
enter their docks at any time of the tide. The lock
gates were so large, and the water so deep, that the
largest coasting steamers would be able to enter them at
half-tide; and as a convincing proof of their national im-
portance, he might state that the Admiralty had insisted
on the dock-gates being so large as to accommodate the
largest war steamers.—(Cheers.) Why was this? Be;_
cause they saw the importance of the station in case of
war. Though the railway world was depressed, he felt
perfect confidence in their undertakings. He trusted
that by that time next year the whole line would be
completed from end to end, and he wished that their
policy would be such as to ensure friendship from ati
and enmity from none, and that the result would be the
most friendly terms of alliance with other line
(Cheers.) They had been told what Lincolnshire
now
possessed—a network of railways. He would tell them
now what it did not possess, and which, in truth, it did
not require—for it W43ll9less singular than true, that al-

though Lincolnshire was one of the largest counties in ,
England, it had neither rural police, military,
nilm
nor p_-
manry, and yet there was not in her Maj-estyVaoons
a more peaceable and contented population.—(Loud
cheers.) Mr. George Stephenson had stated in his evi-
dence before the House of Commons, that he thought
the locomotive engine might be propelled at 12 miles an
hour; and when asked why he restricted it to that rate,
replied, " Why, if I had told them what I thought
might be done, they would have put me down as a mad
man."—(Laughter.) What had they succeeded in doing
that day ? They had succeeded in carrying the inhabi-
tants of Boston from place to place, at between 30 and
40 miles an hour, and enabled them to recipri:cate feel.
ings of friendship between different parts of the country.
The Noble Earl
_resumed his seat amid vociferous ap-
plause.
Mr. W. GARFITT, jun., proposed " Sir James Duke,
M.P., and Mr. B. B. Cabbell, M.P., the Members for the
borough of Boston."
Sir JAMES DUKE, M.P., said that, although not con-
nected with the Great- Northern Railway, he had given
it his support in the house.—(Bear.) The international,
let alone the internal effects of railways, was really won-
derful, when they looked at the intercourse, unexampled
in the history of nations, that was now going on be•
tween England and France.—(Loud cheers.) It was
only yesterday that the French Ambassador had re-
quested the Lord Mayor of London to be pleased to re-
ceive a deputation of officers of the French National
Guards, now in London, to express their thanks for the
cordial reception, kindness, and hospitality with which
they had been welcomed in London, and in the repeated
visits they had recently made to this country.—(Cheers.)
This would never, perhaps, have been accomplished
but for the freedom of railway intercourse.—(Cheers.)
Railways were emphatically national undertakings, and
as such were entitled to national support. He had that
day left London at half-past ten, and was at their dinner
table in Boston by four. If railways gave such facilities
to members to come and see their constituents, they
would give no less equal facilities for the constituents, if
they came not, to look after their members.—(Laughter
and cheers.)

Mr. B. B. CannELL, M.P., was glad of every oppor-
tunity to meet his constituents on such occasions as the
present, when they met to celebrate an event divested
of all political feeling.—(Cheers.) Next to that of
printing, the invention of steam locomotion was one of
the grandest discoveries of the age. This and the press
were the right arm of our strength. It gave facilities
for disseminating the broad sheet everywhere, enabling,
through the medium of an independent press, public
opinion to be guided and controlled throughout the
kingdom.—(Cheers.)
The Earl of YARBOROUGH, in proposing " the Mayor
and Corporation of Boston," alluded to the subject of
Sunday travelling. There were, he could not help think-
ing, certain works of charity and necessity, which oc-
casionally required that there must be some traffic on
Sundays. He was one of those who thought that great
moral effect was to be traced to Sunday travelling—
(Cheers)—and be hoped to see that effect re fleeted
in the conduct of the people by being a means, he meant
a restricted means, of giving to the poor, whether in
town or country, an opportunity of going to see their
friends at a distance.—(Cheers.) He knew that in the
north;of Lincolnshire, on Sundays, the labourers with their
wives and children came down to meet the trains for no
other purpose than this.—(Cheers.) He held it to be a
great advantage that the young on Sundays should have
the opportunity of seeing their parents, so that they
might not, as they otherwise would do, lose their
wholesome control and advice, or be prevented seeing
them in cases of emergency or sickness.—(Loud cheers.)
The advantages to be conferred by this means on the
poor, were, he thought, equal to any they had derived
from penny postage, in being able, at a cheap rate, to
keep up a cordial ccmmunication. Ile felt it his duty
to make these remarks upon a great public question,
seeing that in some districts of the kingdom people did
not seem to have considered the reasons that justified
travelling in a limited manner on Sundays, but .had
at once blindly decided either that there was no ne-
cessity for it, or that it was sinful to do so.
The MAYOR of BOSTON having returned thanks,
The next toast was, " Agriculture and Commerce,"
with which was coupled the name of Mr. C. Chaplin,
who returned thanks.

Mr. VETO, M.P., said he had great experience in as-
certaining the great advantages that railways in course
of construction had been to this country, and he believed
there did not exist a more devoted and industrious pea-
santry, or one more deserving of good feeling and treat-
ment, than the working men connected with railways.
He had recently occasion to visit some of his works on
the Midland Counties, where 5,000 workmen were en,
gaged, and he was waited on by the superintendents of
the men, who said, "If you want us, and these Char-
tists are troublesome, there are 3,000 of us ready to
make ourselves useful to the country in any way you
may think proper."—(Cheers.) He had mentioned this
fact to Sir George Grey, to show what a source of gra-
tification it must be to know that there was this tendency
among such large masses of the labouring population to
uphold the institutions of the country.—(Cheers.)
Other toasts then followed. The company separated
at an early hour, and many attended the ball which was
held in the assembly rooms.

(From the ,Post.)
A correspondent of much intelligence, who addresses
us, in reply to remarks we have lately offered, on the
subject of railways, enters into some interesting and
useful calculations, demonstrating the fact that, while this
class of investment has declined to an extent that creates
surprise, and, to the holders, dismay, the proprietors
of other kinds of negotiable securities have at least
equally felt the pressure of the times. He says, " The
railway cross lines, as intimated by you, have done
much mischief. Look at them still opening in all di-
rections, and let us ask, have not the former, and almost
unerring, guides been wholly lost sight oft The re-
ply mast be, that in too many cases they unquestionably
have." " Why, railways are," he proceeds to observe,
" now opening on roads which could not support one ill-

equipped stage, or a few half-starved common carriers.
For example, how many coaches ran between Brighton andSouthampton, and, now is opened, this very week, be-
tween Reading and Basingstoke, a cross country line.
Again, the Hastings line never supported more than a
single coach, and that indifferently. The Lewes por-
tion, however, is an exception; but, independently of
the cross lines, if an accurate account is ever laid before
the public, what enormous sums will be found in some
casesto have been paid for property or privilege of way?
Take the Eastern Counties line, and, if report speaks
truly, one wealthy commoner received for his share little
11
hort of 30,0001. as some compensation for right of. pss-
sge and the surrender of a little land. A rich noble-
man,a if, indeed, the fact be as currently asserted and be-
lieved, received for his allowance 120,0001., and yet he
sacrificed to the objects of the company only a few acres.
These sums would have gone far towards making many
lines of rail complete; but this capital is of course en-
, tirely absorbed—not merely expended, but literally sunk.
Many other oases of a similar kind might, no doubt, be
cited. To return to the subject of railway depreciation
in the market, let us take a cursory glance at the position
of the holders of some of the foreign stocks. The in-
terest-paying descriptions have, on the whole, kept up
Russ an
About a year ago (perhaps rather more)
uss ian stock (Five per Cent.) was quoted 115: it is
sow less than 100. Brazilian (Five per Cent.) was 85:
it is now 72. The Dutch Four per Cents. were 95, and
the Two-and-a-Half per Cents. 62 : they are now re-
spectively 68 and 44i. Danish stock (Three
per Cent.) touched upon 90 : it is now 68.
The Chilian Six per Cents. stood at 105,
the Three per Cents, at 55: they are now
respectively at 84 and 46. But the great and unaccount-
able fall—a fall out of all 'proportion to the facts influ-
encing the markets, for few of the number have at any
time been punctually paid upon, and some of them not
even a fraction—has been in some of the following
stocks:—The Spanish Three per Cents, were at 43, the
Five per Cent. Indemnity bonds, guaranteed by the
British Government, at 70. They are now, respectively,
at 22 and 53. On these funds the dividends have, so
far, been paid up. The Five per Cent. Actives, which
were at 30, are now at 11; and the Passive bonds,
which were at 5, are now at 2to 3. Portuguese stock,
which only two years ago pushed up to the high price of
71, for the Four per Cents. is now at 23. The Three per
Cents., which were at 70, are at 21. Buenos Ayres
Six per Cents. have fallen from 47 to 22; Venezuelan
Two and-a-Quarter per Cents, from 46 to 14, the
Deferred Debt from 13 to 4; New Granada One per
Cents. from 22 to 12; the Deferred Debt from 8 to 2;
the French Fibre per Cents. from 126 (in 1844) and 118
(in 1847) to 68; Peruvian Stock from 40 to 32; English
Three per Cent. Consols from 100 to 85i (the price this
day). Mexican Stock, just before the American war,
and the last conversion, which nearly doubled the active
debt (the dividend on the deferred being provided for, as
on active, by the law of the Republic) was at 37 to 40,
and is now 204 to 4. It should be remarked that arrears
of dividends enter largely into the prices quoted in many
instances. In the case of Buenos Ayres, the accumula-
tion is one of twenty-two years, in that of Peru one of
twenty years, in that of the Spanish Active Debt one of
eight years, and in that of the Portuguese Four and
Three per Cents. one of two years. Mexican and Vene-
zuelan are equally in arrear."

BRITANNIA METAL AND ITS IMPROYEMENT.—It is
now nearly half a century ago since the then Mr. Dixon
took up the Britannia metal trade at Sheffield—literally
" took it up," for it had fallen to so low an ebb, that
meddling with it at all was viewed as a speculation
fraught with danger and ruin—and its present state of
prosperity is solely owing to his spirit and enterprise,
aided by the important discoveries he made in the more
perfect composition of that metal. The Britannia 1 Tea-
pot, so familiar to the middle classes, owes its
origin to the same source, and its successive improve-
ments in material and shape to the well directed judg-
ment of the sons of that gentleman, who carry on a fac-
tory of most extensive ramification, with a due regard
for the tasteful requirements of the period. The ap-
proximation to the appearance of silver by Britannia
metal has often been alluded to by the
,Solicitor of the
Mint, who attributes much of the success of th© coiner
to the free use of Dixon's spoons—an unwilling com
pliment it may be, but one which nevertheless testifies
to a close imitation of a valuable ore. These cursory
remarks have been induced by rumours current amongst
the trade, that some attempt is being made to injure the
deserved reputation of the firm of Dixon and Sons, by
the surreptitious fabrication of its name to Britannia,
metal, and plated goods, of which they are also large
manufacturers; and against so serious a purpose it be-
comes the journalist to call into action the powerful
warning voice of the press.
CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY —Traffic for
the week ending Oct. 21, 1848:—Coaching traffic, 1;218/.
ls. 11d.; parcels, 53/. 2s. 11d; goods and cattle, 217/.
8s.81; steam-boats, 1541. 14s. 6d. Total 1,643/. Bs.
Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from the
Colonial-office, for the Governors of the North American
Colo4ies.

.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.

. BRISTOL, OCT. 27.
Si.6-61-t-nrc-tntAurr..3.-11TelnItly quiet.
Bristol and Es eter) New Shares, -14

LIVERP 004-, OCT. 27.
STOCI: EXCE •.!..ticre..-.-The.sharemaiket Ists-been dutch im-
proved to- day ; a fair business has been. transactiel, and
prices are hig;:er. Me sales are -Birken4oakl, Lancashire,
and Cheshire juo,l,tion, 31/. Shares, 9V,"din..«.rEast, Jaanca.-
shire, 64 -.Preference is. Bd. p.-Great.Northein (A Shares;,
:s
Deferred, 3 -Lana 'shire and Yorkshire' -Gate 111-ati;;:bester
and Birminghai7l), p, rths, 51. . 3d. dis.-I.YittO, Sixtgintba.
4-Ditto, 321. She es (_ late Exttinsion),ll-dis.-:-DittO.
Quarters, IV c.-Ditto .p.; 'fths, 61A, clis.-LlaintiOn4nd:l3:orth.
West Riding Union),2t) - ,Thirds, Midland
Western, 1071,4-Ditto,Ne. w
New Li arses, 123/4 dis.-r North, Western,
dersfield and Manchester),
Stock, 731,2-Ditto,
dis.-South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, Third4'6A dis.
-G. N. E. Purchase, 3% dis. • •
MANCHESTE.II, OCT. 27.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are-Caledpniani.Prefer-
ence, 11/2 c. dis.-Great Northern, 1334 c. (I.- London and
North-Western, I 0 7 -Huddersfield and Maveliest4_,r, 204-
Scottish Central, 21-South-Eastern and Doveri No. 6
5-16-Shropshire UniOn, 31/, dis.-Sheffield and Lincoln,
141/2 dis.-Great Northern (A), 3 1-16-Leeds, 'Fifths, 514
dis.-Manchester and Uirmingham, Quarters (C), 1 15-16 p.
North Staffordshire, 7- Nth Union (A), 198.
BIRMINGIIAM, Om .27.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are-Birmingham Wolver-
hampton, and Stour Valley,
.81/2--North Staffoidilire, 7%
dis.-Shropshire dis.

YOliK, OcT. 26.
STOCK ExcHANox.--The business transacted, to-day was
as follows : —North British,. Quarters, 234—Yurk, Newcastle,
and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 4—York any,. North Mid-
land (East and West Riding Extension), 20.