The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-03 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

MALTA, JUNE 23.—The engineers of her Maj esty's steamer
llecla, at Constantinople, have got themselves into a sad
scrape, and are at present under arrest. They will b6relieved
by others from Malta, and, till then, the steamer cannot leave
that station.

It appears, from what can be collected, that on going on
shore Lieutenant Hire ordered the forge to be brought on
deck, and on his return found that the first engineer had
ordered it below, as the deck Vas not the place for it, and
refused to allow it to be brought up again. His conduct
being reported, he was placed under arrest. The second
engineer was then ordered to have it brought on deck,
but he stated it was under the control of the first engineer,
and could not bring it on deck without his order. He was
placed under arrest, and a similar scene was enacted with
the third.
It would appear that these three men have been offered
employment under thl Turkish Government, and were con-
sequently anxious to be dismissed her Majesty's service to
enver that of his Ottoman Majesty. They have, however,
miscalculated their strength, and may be tried for mutinous
conduct instead of disobedience of orders. _

The French steamer from Constantinople arrived this
morning, and proceeds direct to Marseilles at ten A.m. The
direct boat from Alexandria is expected to-morrow, and will
proceed to Marseilles. The India mail may also be expected
to-morrow.

Her Majesty's ship the Orestes, from Cor:U, arrived here
this morning; she will proceed home in a few days, carry-
ing invalids, &c., and the Boudroom marbles will be shipped
on board her. On mooring, the Orestes saluted the Vice-
Admiral.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON.
In Malta harbour—The Ceylon, 12, receiving-ship, bear-
ing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir L. Curtis, Bart., second in
command, and Superintendent of Malta Dockyard; the Lo-
cust, steamer, Lieutenant-Commander Eden ; the Wee Pet,
steam-tug; and the Orestes, 18, Commander Cannon.
On Surveying Duty—The Bonetta, Commander T. S.
Brock, and the Research, cutter, Lieutenant Spratt.
At Sea—The Hibernia, 120, Captain Peter Richards, C. 8.,
bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, Bart., G.C.8.,
the Commander-in-Chief.

At Gibraltar—The Virago, war-steamer, Commander Sir
G. G. Otway, Bart.; the Fantome, 16, Commander Sir F. W.
E. Nicolson, Bart.; and the Phcenix, steam- vessel, Com-
mander Dennis.

At Corfu—the Jackall steamer, Lientent-Commander W.
M. J. G. Pasco, and the Tyne, 28, Captain W. N. Glascock,
At the Piraeus of Athens—The Syren, 16, Commander H
E. Edgell, and the Bloodhound steamer, Lieutenant R
Phillips.
_ _ _

En- route to Ileyront—The Inconstant, 36, Captain C. H.
Fremantle.

En route to Smyrna—The Amazon, 19, Captain J. J.
Stopford, and the harlequin, Commander Curry, touching at
Corfu.

At Constantinople—The Hecla war-steamer, Commander
J. Daffill.

MAIL STEAM-PACKETS.

At Malta—The Volcano, Lieutent Crang; the Flamer.
Lieutenant Lavie; and the Meteor, Lieutenant-Commander
Buttler.

En route from Malta to Marseilles—The Acheron, Lieu-
tenant B. Aplin.
En route from Malta to the lonian Islands and Greece—The
Spitfire, Lieutenant J. A. Macdonald.

PENINSULAR AED ORIENTAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY'S
FLOTILLA.

At Southampton—The Pottinger.
En rte to Southampton and Gibraltar from Malta—The
Royal Tar and the Achilles.
En route from Southampton and Gibraltar to Malta—The
Oriental. _ _

En route to Constantinople and ports of the Black Sea from
Malta—The Tagus.
En route from Constantinople and the Black Sea to Malta
—The Duke of Cornwall.
En route from Alexandria to Malta—The Iberia.
FOREIGN SHIPS OF WAR AND PACKETS IN PORT.

The French steamer Rlaamses ; the Anglo-Maltese
steamer Scotia ; and the Neapolitan Maria Christina.

PORTSMOUTH, JULY I.—The Albatross, 16, Commander
Yorke, sailed last evening for Chatham to be paid off.
The Vixen steam-sloop, Captain Giffard, remains in har-
bour to disembark her specie, after which she will proceed
to the eastward to be paid off. She looks in admirable
condition, and infinitely more like a ship just fitted out than
one from a long distance after five years' commission.
The Nelson, 120, advanced ship, is being masted.
The Java, 50, having been completely prepared for the
pendant, was removed from under the sheers to mJorings in
ordinary this morning.
Mr. Charles Brown, late Assistant-Master•Attendant, is
appointed Master-Attendant of this dockyard, vice I'urdo,
retired. Mr. Brown is pm-eminently. qualified for the
office, as he has proved on many highly important occasions
of an especial character, as well as by hii experience during
the time he filled the office of Assistant.

Mr. John Davie, overseer of the ticket department in the
Merchant Seamen's office, is appointed Master-Attendant of
Clarence-yard, vice Town, retired.

HOP INTELLIGENCE.
(From the Maidstone Journal.)
MAIDSTONE.—The hops appear to be getting the upper
hand of all their enemies, the unusual strength of bine re-
sisting every adverse influence, and giving promise of a
larger crop than could possibly have been imagined a few
weeks back.
EAST FARLEICIL—The hops in this parish are doing won-
ders ; there are a few lice to be found on a few hills in
some grounds around the outsides ; but, on the whole, they
cannot appear more healthy. A full average crop may be
expected.
Wzar FARLarcat.—The hops here are in a very precarious
state; some grounds are very full of vermin. The result is
very liatertain.
Banmixo.—The hops in this parish are in a very uncertain
state; there is a great increase of vermin.
OTHAM.—Many of oar plantations are tolerably clean, and
promise an average crop, while others remain foul ; among
such a half crop is very doubtful. The midsummer branches
are unusually forward, fast putting forth the pin ; among
some of the early sorts burr may be found, consequently we
anticipate a very early hopping.
Ltornam.—The hops in this neighbourhood have gone off
very much during the past week. Some grounds are quite
past recovery, and all the rest are so infested with vermin
that anything like a crop is extremely doubtful.
CRANNROOK.—In the Weal district the plantations are
improving.
SEVENOMES.—AIbeit the refreshing showers and heavy
thunder, we are sorry to notice but. little, if any improve.
nient in the " Belew-hill ' plantations; the bine still is short,
and as full of vermin as ever, in fact, looking worse instead
of better. Several pieces we have noticed in the adjoining
parishes, where the bine has been cut up and the poles pulled
up. above the hill ; on the ridge we are, however, happy to
say there is a most decided and great improvement ; but as
to laying the duty, as stated by some of your contemporaries,
at 130,000/., we? should feel under all circumstances disin-
clined to back 100,0001.
WROTIIAM, PLAXTOL, SIIIPBOURNE, AND IGIITHAIL—The
hop plantations in the upper part of Wrotham, above the
London-road, continue to suffer vary considerably from the
effect of the blight. The plantations round Crouch, Crow-
burst, Clagate-cross, and Plaxtol, present a more healthy
apmarance. The plant around Shipbourne, and some parts
of fghtham is very much cut up. Generally, where the
bine is weak, the vermin have stuck, and little hopes can be
entertained of its recovery; but where the bine is strong
and vigorous, there certainly is not much fly, and some
evident improvement may be seen. The cold nights of the
past weak have, however, had a chilling effect upon the plant
generally.
The good-humoured critical correspondent of the Sussex
Express, on whose musically-attuned ear irregularity of
number appears to sound gratingly, and whose highly re-
fitted taste cannot allow of extravagance of comparison, or
anything approaching to hyperbolic description, poetical or
prosaic, if at all sceptical relative to the state of the planta-
tions in this locality, would probably be gratified in walking
over the Cherry House Field of Mr. R. S. Thompson, of Plax-
tol, and the grounds around generally, particularly those of
Mr. 'l'. Knowles, of Roughway, and the Messrs. Goldings, of
the Tree and Alendea Farms, where the bine may be seen
over the 14ft. poles and down again to the ground, blooming,
healthy, vigorous, and gay, we wish we could add, free from
vermin.
Ti NBRIDGE.—Great improvement has taken place this
week In the quality of gardens about us. There is a great
deal of vermin still, but not a tithe of what we had three
weeks back. The thunkder-storm a few weeks since seems
to have cleansed them and done great service. Still only
a small crop is expected, as the bine is very weak generally.
SUSSEX.—Our accounts from this district are still as un-
favourable as ever.
FAceirAar.—There is a general improvement bare, which
also partially extends to the country around. By some the
duty is rated at 200,000/.

COMPARATIVE CONSUMPTION
OF CATTLE IN LONDON AND PARIS.
Previgus to the proposed re-construction on more
convenient and extended plans of the public markets of
Paris, a commission was appointed to visit several
neighbouring countries in order to inspect and report
upon the manner in which market accommodation was
elsewhere provided. The market-places of Liverpool,
Birkenhead, and Newcastle-on-Tyne attracted particu-
larly the attention of the members of this commission.
Those of London appear to have surprised them by the
inferior, inappropriate scale on which they are eon_
structed for the greatest metropolis in Europe. The
cattle market of Smithfield, in the very centre of a large
city, provoked on the part of the commissioners certain
rdmarks, which, courteously couched as they are, do
not redound to the credit of the corporation, whose
"feudal prerogatives" these inquiring foreigners soon
found were the principal obstacle to the transference o
the market to a more commodious locality. " Smith-
field," they observe, "is the beau ideal of disorder. The
driving off the oxen sold, the departure of troops of
sheep, the frightened animals which escape, the barking
of the dogs, the shouts of the drivers, all produce a
racket and confusion the most frightful to hear, and the
most tumultuous commotion that can be seen. We may
add that the streets in the vicinity, which are on the way
to the slaughter-houses of Newgate-market, and the
stalls where the unsold beasts are kept, are encumbered
with animals, and rendered filthy with ordure, which the
foot of the citizen cannot escape." The following is the
comparative statement of the number of cattle brought
to Sthfield, and to the markets for supplying Paris,
in the year 1842, but doubtless a misprint for 1844, as
given by the commissioners:--
Bullocks. Sheep. Calves. Swine.
Smithlleld 169,995 1,707,196 30,489 30,000
Poissy
Sceaux 54,621 381,354 13,068
Paris
The excess of cattle brought to Smithfield over the
three Paris markets was, therefore, 28,037 bullocks,
1,024,372 sheep, and 30,000 swine ; the Paris markets,
'on the other hand, show an excess of 63,876 calves
The pork consumed in Paris is probably killed and pre.
pared in the provinces, for the consumption of ham,
:alone, which is a favourite food of the Parisians, must
Jae very considerable. Assuming that all London was
eupplied from Smithfield, the disparity of animal food
go brbed in the two capitals would disappear at once,
consiJaking that the population of Paris at one million,
is half that of Londda only. The different gastronomic
preferences Dr the tw• peoples are sufficiently indicated
by the animal races on which respectively they feed, I
and will be readily appreciated by those conversant with
the nature of the living and culinary preparations of each.

Tit ship Carolina has arrived in the East India
Docktrfrom Brest, having on board 5,000 slates, 70 boxes of
tin plates, six bundles of leather, 135 bales, 18 casks and 186
.cases general merchandise, 100 kegs of paint, and 149 bottles
of oil, saved from the vessel Elizabeth, which was wrecked
.off Brest, on the coast of France, during her outward.
lbound voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, with a cargo of
Xritish merchandise.

OUTRAGE on BRITISH SUBJECTS

The following documents have been communicated to us
for publication. The petition, we understand, is to be
presented to Parliament by Mr. O'Connell this evening :
PETITION.

"To the Honourable the Commons of the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, in Parliament
assembled.
" The humble petition of Thomas Brodigan, of Piltown
House, in the county of Meath,
" Showeth,—That petitioner having a desire to visit Syria
and Palestine, left this country in November last, under a
foreign-office passport, which he had vised at Athens by
the British Ambassador, and by that of the Sublime
Porte. That on landing at Beyrout he had it further
vised by Colonel Rose, the British Consul-General. That
in addition he procured a firman from his Excellency Kiamed
Paella, the Turkish Governor-General of Syria, and was
thus perfectly en regle.
" That thus supported by ambassadorial, consular, and
vice-regal authority, petitioner reached Jerusalem during the
Holy week, for the purpose of witnessing the religious cere-
monies of the Latin clergy in common with the numerous
European Christians there assembled. That on the sacred
occasion of the ceremonies of Good Friday, petitioner joined
in the religious procession, and had proceeded to the chapel
on Mount Calvary, which contained a great number of per-
sons of the Greek Church. That when the vicar president of
the Latin convent and his clergy had moved in front of the
spot where our Saviour had been crucified, an objection was
made by some of the Greeks present to the removal of the
cloth that covered the marble table, which stands over the
hole in the rock in which the cross was inserted. That there
is a hole in the table corresponding with that in the rock be-
neath, and, unless the cloth that covered the table were re
moved, it was impossible that the cross carried in the Latin
procession could be inserted in the rock according to ancient
custom. That such objection amounted to a virtual defeat of
the ancient right of the Latins to use the left, or Greek side
of the chapel on that occasion.
" That petitioner was standing close to this table when
the Greeks interrupted the service by their objections and
their clamours. The,Latin clergy asserted their right to
proceed as usual, and from high words blows were given,
which ended in a general engagement. That petitioner,
having no wish to interfere, was pushed forward by the
Greeks from behind, and was thus thrown into the midst
of the fight, where he came in for a share of the blows of
the contending parties ; that he was grievously assaulted,
and, with difficulty, extricated himself in an almost fainting
condition. That in the violence of the conflict, knives were
used, wounds were inflicted, and petitioner's life seriously
endangered.
" That there were present a good many British subjects,
ladies and gentlemen ; that this sudden attack filled them
with horror and consternation ; that many of them were
assaulted equally with petitioner, and all were outraged to
an indescribable degree by the desecration of a place so
sacred in the estimation of Christians of every denomina-
tion.
" That this fight was only quelled by military force; that
the numerous guards on duty in the chapel being unable
to keep the peace, an express was sent to his Excellency
Mamoud Pacha, who promptly attended at the head of a
battalion of GOO men, and it was this force alone that sepa-
rated the combatants. That had his Excellency not been so
prompt, there is no knowing the extent to which life might
have been lost; for the tocsin of the Greeks, and that of the
Latins, was sounding, calling on the respective nations to the
combat and the rescue.

-‘‘ That petitioner has heard that such scenes of violence
and barbarity are of frequent occurrence, and had he anti-
cipated such an outrage he would not have gone to Jerusalem
at that season, however strong his desire to witness the
theatre of man's redemption during the anniversary and
celebration. That this liability to assault and personal injury
will amount to an interdict against the visit of Christians
of distant nations, where the free access to the Holy
Sepulchre is secured by the treaties of Christian princes with
the Sublime Porte.

" That the King of the French is the protector of the con-
vents and Christians in the East; that his Majesty is their
especial guardian; and on this responsibility of the great and
powerful nation of France, Christians of all countries have
hitherto visited the Holy Land in the full confidence of pro-
tection from outrage or personal injury.
"That petitioner has shown that this protection is inade-
quate; that the Latin clergy are assaulted and interrupted
in the performance of their sacred ministry, on the most
sacred spot, and most solemn occasion.

"That effective means must be resorted to by the Sublime
Porte for their protection, through a separation of the sects
in their respective ceremonies, and that the civil governor of
Jerusalem must be invested with and made to exercise a
more repressive anthority.
Your petitioner, therefore, humbly prays of this Honour-
able House to take such measures as will secure the fulfil-
ment of the vari'us treaties securing to Christians of every
denomination a safe and free access to the Holy Sepulchre.
History proclaims that this freedom of access was established
through the chivalrous blood of England in the Crusades,
and petitioner prays that through the peaceful agency of
diplomatic interference British subjects visiting Jerusalem
and the Holy Land may be hereafter protected from outrages
similar to that of which he was a witness.
" And petitioner will ever pray.
(Signed) " THOMAS BRODIGAN."
" On board the Egyptus, May 11, 1846.
"My Rev. Father,—ln common with all other Christians
who were at Jerusalem, I was very much grieved at the de-
secration which took place in the chapel of Mount Calvary,
in the church of St. Sepulchre, last Good Friday.
" It was a circumstance much to be regretted by all pro-
fessing Christianity that such a sacred place should have been
profaned in so deplorable a manner. I sincerely desire to see
an end put to these differences between the Greeks and Ca-
tholics, and it appears to me possible that a religious and po-
litical influence might be exercised in order to arrange the
rights of each worship, to separate their ceremonies, and thus
to put a stop to their differences, which are quite opposed to
the spirit of Christianity.
"You, reverend father, have been an ocular witness of all
that took place, and I rely upon your goodness to favour me
with all the details, in writing, of this unhappy affair. Have
the goodness to excuse this liberty, and accept the assur-
ances of my sincere respect.
" Believe me, 14ev. Sir, your very devoted servant,
"THOMAS BRODIGAN.
"To Father Gio Battisla da i%londovi,
of the Order of Capuchins."
(Translation from the Italian.)
"On board the Egyptus, May 11, 1846.
"Mv most Illustrious and most Worshipful Mr. Thomas—
I hereby hasten to give you as concise a description as
possible of the sanguinary, horrible, and scandalous tragedy
premiditated and concocted by the religious portion of
the schismatic Greeks, in concert with their Patriarch,
and the Greek consul of the Morea resident at Jaffa,
against the Catholics, and particularly against the person
of the Very Rev. Father Paolo, commissioner apostolic of
the Holy Land from Moretta, which took place on the
evening of Good Friday, in the very site where the Divine
Redeemer deigned to fulfil the redemption of the human
race. On the said evening the procession commenced from
the church of the Minor Fathers superintending the Holy
Land, and residing in the Holy Sepulchre. There a brief
but fervent panegyric oration, adapted to the procession
and ceremony, was recited in the Italian language, and at
the usual stations several other orations were successively
delivered in divers languages ; that is, the second one in
French, the third in Polish, the fourth in Greek, and this
last at the very site of the Crucifixion. This being over, an-
other one in Italian was about to commence, after which
the ceremony of the placing of the cross on the altar (where
the hole in which the cross was fixed with Christ crucified is
to be seen) was about to be performed ; but, lo ! the riotous
and seditious Greeks—a faithless and irreligious people—not
knowing how otherwise to interrupt so beautiful, mysterious,
and in every respect touching ceremony, infringed the ancient
established custom, not only by their presence, but what is
still worse, by placing on the said altar a carpet and a lighted
candle. a circumstance never known before. In consequence
of which the Catholic sexton, after having begged of the
Greek sexton to remove the said two obnoxious articles, and
having seen him absolutely pertinacious in wishing them to
remain where they were, such being his instructfons from
the Patriarch, he (the Catholic sexton) at length, after find-
ing that all entreaties proved ineffectual, resolved to take
them away himself, which he did. Scarcely had this taken
place when a mob of Greek priests and pilgrims burst forth
from the side of the chapel, all of them armed, some with
daggers, some with sticks, some with whips, and others with
stones, which were all used against the Catholic fathers of
the Holy Land ; and, what is still more remarkable, in the
height of the conflict a voice was raised, exclaiming, " Lay
hands, lay hands on the Papa!" that is, "Kill, kill the
Father Superior !" who stood in the midst of the chapel, clad
in his pontifical robes, and at this instant a Greek priest
rushed against the said father superior with a candlestick, to
kill him with the spikes of the same, and the attempt would
certainly have succeeded had not M. Gaetano Tognetti, M.D.,
and principal of the Damascus Hospital, who was present,
averted the mortal blow. Meanwhile most of the Catholic
fathers of the Holy Land, together with the secular pilgrims,
rushed cut in the greatest confusion; and what appears
moat disgraceful, the French Consul, representing as he
does the protecting power of the Christians in the Levant,
who, as in duty bound, should have used his influence
to allay the disturbance, was the first, together with
his family, to decamp. But if he proved himself by
his flight a coward, and altogether indifferent in an affair of
so great moment; I must not, however, fail highly to com-
mend the magnanimous conduct of the Sardinan consul, who
not only remained immoveable, but took measures to apprise
the Pacha. As soon as the Pacha received notice, although
out on pleasure, he hastened personally, at the head of a
battalion, to the most Holy Sepulchre. Providential inter-
position! Certain it is, that had he delayed his interference
in the least, a great massacre would have succeeded ; for at
the sign of the ringing of the bell, both by the Greeks and
Catholics, these two sects would have rushed against each
other, and God only knows bow much blood would hare been
shed; and, notwithstanding this interference, some of the
Catholic fathers of the Holy Lsnd were wounded, No sooner
bad matters been allayed by the Paella in person, than the
ceremony recommenced without further interruption, both in
the chapel of the Calvary and the Uction Stone, as well as
ingract hee
and c ha
hp ee
p of
of theGedH, SepGr
Greek
kc hrreeb;elasnsd a
uffeltrhedoumgoh, more
eby h
in
tthise
e ow
onufll idc,t
ht ho awne
vt
ehre, Cbaethhioglihclyfaltahuedrsabinie daenfdenhdoing noutrhaebmleseilfvseosmoet
check were put to such like continual disturbances caused by
the Greeks, and which are even scandalous to the Turks them-
say" Here, then, you have Mr, Thomas Brodigan, my
dearest fellow traveller, an impartial account of the above
profane act front an ocular witness, and although greatly
phauoassffveeirbailLeg.
eainlvacooucnoreasnecqltuuoseineocxne p, of tlheamevyes agitation of the vessel, still I
ietlfsowlietlhy
fasormyouuch(bifrevityas
desira-
ble) to impart to the subject whateverstyloLyolit may deem
proper, and beg to offer you my services
atever you
may tbihk I am capable of performing for you.w I have the
honour to konviu, with the greatest respect, and to subscribe
servant
myself as your moat humble, devoted, and obedient se
" FATHER JOHN BATTISTA DA MONDOVrI,
Apostolic Missionary and Capuchin of Syria."

ADVENTURES Op A. CAT.—Many wonderful stories
are told of the astonishing instinct displayed by cats in re-
turning to places from which they have been removed, but
we think the instance we are about to record, and which we
can vouch for as perfectly authentic in every partictfiar, is
equal in strangeness to any anecdote of the feline race now
extant. A tine large grey tool.eat was, in November last,
brought in from Innerleithen, per carrier, packed up in a
basket, to a family residing in Leith-walk. It remained
there for about three mouths, and had become thoroughly
domesticated in its new abode. At the end of that time,
namely, early in February, it was transferred to a family in
Scotland-street, but with them it remained only two days,
when it found an opportunity to escape. No more was heard
of Tom till about three weeks ago, when, to the utter astonish..
ment of his original owner, he made his re-appearance at In-
narleithen, worn and weary, but bearing unmistakeable
tokens of his idendity. How he managed to subsist through
the Interval of four months, or what guide he had through
the thirty miles of country between Innerleithen, over hills,
and streams, and cultivated fields, and barren moors, which
he bad never traversed before, save in the covered basket,
must, we suppose, remain for ever among the mysteries of
natural history.—Edinburgh Advertiaer.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, July 2.

Their Lordships met this day shortly after five o'clock,
when the Earl of SHAFTESI3URY took his seat on the
W o'sa-:k.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Messengers from the House of Commons brought up
certain Bills.

FORMATION OF A MINISTRY.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said, that, under-
standing that the Noble Earl opposite (Earl Powis)
had given notice of a motion respecting the second
reading of the Welsh Bishoprics Bill, he would rise
for the purpose of suggesting to him some little delay
in consequence of the late resignation. He was authorised
to state that his Noble Friend Lord J. Russell had received
her Majesty's commands, and had accepted the commis-
sion to construct an Administration. He need not state to
their Lordships that if that Administration be con-
structed, it would take some little time before those
Members in the other House, whom her Majesty
should appoint as members of her Government, could
take their seats. He would, therefore, suggest that he
should adjourn his motion to this day fortnight, and he
could assure the Noble Earl that his Bill should receive
a full consideration during this session of Parliament
should he adopt the course proposed.
Earl POWIS said, in consequence of what had fallen
from the Noble Earl, and in order to suit the conveni-
ence of some other Noble Lords, he would adjourn his
motion for the second reading of the We!sh Bishoprics
Bill to Monday fortnight.
Their Lordships at half-past Five o'clock adjourned
until to-morrow, nearly the whole of the sitting having
been occupied in receiving Bills, which were brought up
to the Bar b) Messengers from the Commons.
The only members of the Government present were,
the Duke of Buccleuch, the Earl of Ellenborough,
and Lord Hawarden. Neither the Duke of Wellington
nor the Lord Chancellor were present. The
Opposition benches (if they may be so called) were
occupied by Lord Monteagle, the Marquis of Lans-
downe, Lord Beaumont, Lord Denman, Lord Redesdale,
the Marquis of Clanricarde, and other Noble Lords.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES
(YESTERDAY)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
GROUP D.

AXHOLM, GAINSBOROUGH, GOOLE, YORE

AND NORTH MIDLAND =NOTION.
(Continued from oar Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)

_ .
Mr. Sergeant WRANGHAM alleged that, inasmuch as Mr.
Childers was a joint owner of lands with others, and had a
freehold and equitable property in the lands, he was clearly
entitled to be heard, although his co-owners did not join
him in the petition.
After much dispute, the CHAIRMAN stated that there was
much difficulty in the minds of the Committee, and they
thought that the matter had better be referred to the Earl
of Shaftesbury to decide.

A reference; was made to his Lordship, but the reply- ap-
peared to be conditional, for after much further dispute and
reference to petitions, the room was cleared.
Some time elapsed before the parties were re-admitted,
when

The CHAIRMAN declared that the Committee decided that
Mr. Childers could not be heard except as a landowner.
They had also decided that the London and York Company
could not appear as competitors of the Bill.
_

Lord Worsley was then called to show the necessity for,
and the value of, the line. His Lordship stated that the
country through which this line passed was altogether unac-
commodated by railway. The whole of the Isle of Axhohne,
which, like Thanet, retains the title of island, but is, in
fact, no such thing, but a portion of a reclaimed district of
alluvial soil, rich in the produce of potatoes, turnips, carrots,
and other vegetables, to the growth of which it is chiefly
devoted as well as wheat. The line is intended to connect
Gainsborough with York, and will reach Selby to get to
Leeds, nearly six miles nearer than by the London and
York line to "Lincoln.

His Lordship was cross-examined at considerable length
by Mr. PAGET as to the necessity and advisability of thi,;
line, and with a view to show that a better line might have
been chosen. It was stated that the chief markets for the
produce of the district, are London, Leeds, and Sheffield.
The chief country markets for this produce, are •Doncaster,
Epworth, and Haxey. The potatoes, the princiral export,
went generally down the Trent, from Gainsborough to
the Humber, vessels of 300 tons being able to get up to
Gainsborough. The examination was continued to show
that all the means of communication necessary for the dis-
trict are always provided for by the River Trent and the
Great Grimsby and Gainsborough Railway.
Mr. CHRISTOPHER, M.P., confirmed Lord Worsley's tes-
timony as to the nature of the country and the necessity for
the line, especially speaking of the culture of onions, fur the
growth of which, the soil being exceedingly rich, and four or
five feet deep, the district was particularly adapted. Having
the advantage of railway transit, this produce would be con-
veyed to distant markets in a sound state.
Sir Robert Sheffield also confirmed the testimony. The
navigation of the Trent is open, and much used, the• land on
the banks of the river being exceedingly fertile, and the
main portion of the population residing upon it; but there
st:11 is a considerable number of inhabitants residing west of
the proposed line.
On cross-examination, Sir R. Sheffield stated that, generally
speaking, the line would be about five miles within either
the Ouze or the Trent, the navigation of the former river,
being like that of the latter, both exceedingly open and
free, giving access to Hull and York, and by canals
to Wakefield, Todmorden, and the whole of the manufacturing
district.

On re-examination, the witness stated this line ran
directly through the district, and was, in his opinion, the
best that could be devised.

Lord de 31aulay being obliged to attend another Committee,
their Lordships adjourned until to-morrow.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
GROUP XLII.
This Committee re-assembled to-day at twelve o'clock.

LIVERPOOL, ORMSRIRR, AND PRESTON.
After some discussion on an objection raised by the counsel
for the opponents of the Bill (the preamble of which was
proved on Tuesday), the remaining clauses were proceeded
with, after which the Committee adjourned.

GROUP XLVIII.
TAPP VALE.

The Committee on this group met again today, at twelve
o'clock, Mr. Aldam, chairman.

The promoters proceeded with the evidence for the preamble
of the Bill.

Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE appeared for the Aberdare Rail-
way Company, the Bill for which passed into law last year.
Sir T. PHILLIPS was heard at some length against the
locusstandi of the opponents.