The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-23 00:00:00

THE SUN. LON 00N. WEDNESDAY MORN 1N(;, DECI4:MBE ft 23, 146

LABLACHE AT HOME

There is a house in Paris, No. 14, Rue Ta trout, at-
which, if you pay a visit between the Lours of half-past,
five and six, the door is opened ainv,,t lief'Gre you h
rung the bell, and a smiling, polite, Italian servantdi.
burthens you of your hat, your cloak, and your cane,
with a ready attentian, which plainly shows that your
visit will be a most welcome one. You traverse and
ante-chamber, a drawini.:-room, sumptuously furnishe,-,
and then find your..elf in a second room. where the
family and a ew friend- are waiting the announcement
of dinner. A magnificent Paul Veronese, lighted by a
lamp similar to those with which the Paris jewellei-s
illume their glittering &splays, adorns the walls at the
end of the ro.)m. Opposite this picture, between the
windows, stands the famous cupboard, which contains
200,000 francs worth of snuff-boxes, of every shape, of
every country, of every epoch, in golf, in shell, in porce-
lain, in agate, in rare woods, embellished with eiamonds,
rubies, emeralds, prtraits, landscapes, and groups.
Each sovereign, each minister of state, or celebrated
personage, has contributed his box to this gigantic col-
lection. Ever ..ince he came into the world, Lablache
has received no present, no souvenir, no new year's gift,
under any other form but that of a snuff-box. And yet;
in all this collection, the handsomest and the most curi-
ous are those that have been bought by the great Nea-
politan himself at private sales, at which he is the most
constant frequenter, and the most formidable bidder.
His eldest daughter, who is very handsome and witty,
was first married to Bouchot, one of the best French
painters, and after his death she became the wife of
Thalberg, the first pianist in Europe. She performs the
honours of the house, whilst her husband, standing in a
corner, torments his victims with his last calembourg.
Henri, Mulas, Dominique, Mdlles. Nanina and
Mimi, and, when he is able to leave London,
Frederic with his wife and children, complete this hand-
some and numerous family. Cottereau, a charming
painter, and the greatest inventor of paradoxes in the
world; the poet, Giannone; Accursi, the most intimate
friend of poor Donizetti; Garofolini, an amiable and dis-
tinguished professor; Doctor Marcrecelli, the brother of
the unfortunate companion of Pellico, and two or three
others—such are the ordinary guests of the illustrious
basso. They talk, they laugh, and discuss every imagi-
nary subject, except music. From a fastidious feeling of
delicacy the words, music, singing, theatre, are excluded
from their vocabulary by the master of the house and
his family. As to Madame Lablache, she is everywhere
and nowhere. Active, indefatigable, she sees that the
dinners and other substantial repasts are properly served,
she receives the bulletins from the theatre, she gives a
shake of the hand to the guests, orders to the servants,
and advice to the cook. Half Lablache's successes must
be attributed to this excellent persom. Give to Bartholo,
to Geronimo, to Leporello, an ill-tempered and cross-
grained wife, and Rusini, Cimiarcsa, and Mozart would
still wait for an interpreter for their exquisite music.
The husband of Xantippe would have made but a sorry
singer.
But six o'clock has struck, and the Amphitryon alone

is missing. All at once the well-known sonorous thun-
dering voice is heard on the stairs. He has but said
" Merci," to the porter who gave him his journals and
letters, but the cannon at the Invalides does not produce
a greater explosion. Lablache is received with noisy
and sincere acclamations of pleasure. He enters, with-
out seeing or hearing anything, with his hat on, and
smiling countenance. He is lost in ecstasy. The
pockets of his paletot are so inflated that he looks three
times his natural size. Each time his hand dives into

these depths he draws forth a statuette, a cup, a Chinese
ornament, a medal, a shell, or some rare or curious
article, that he has just bought at the Hotel Bullion, or in
the Rue des Flaneurs.
Dinner is then announced, and lablache tears himself
from the contemplation of his acquisitions, for the maca-
roni will not wait.

It is at Lablache's house only that genuine mccarOni
is to be met with. Everywhere else it is spurious.
There it may be had at any hour of the day. From
morning till night there is an unceasing consumption
of macaroni, and often has the unfortunate cook, who,
like the ancient vestal, never extinguishes his fires, to
melt, butter and scrape Parmesan at four o'clock in the
morning after the return from a ball.
Nothing can be more cheerful, more animated, than a
dinner at Lablache's table. This cosmopolite artist, who
has seen so many countries, known so many illustrious
personages, who speaks or understands so many lan-
guages, relates, when thus amongst intimate friends,
such a number of amusing anecdotes and singular his-
tories, as would make the fortune of twenty newspaper
editors. From the time, when extended on his back, he
made the Marionettes of Saint Carmo perform their va-

rious antics, until the present, when Sovereigns and Em-
perors tap him familiarly on the shoulder, what a host of
events and reminiscences has he stored up! One can
never weary of listening to him.
During dessert a few more uabitues drop in, and then
the conversation becomes noisy and confused beyond
_ _

measure. At times the stentorian voice of Lablacile is

heard thundering above the din. At last, during a mo-
ment's pause, Cottereau takes the opportunity of ask-
ing Lablache what is the best remedy for a cold. "The

be"st remedy for a cold," he replies, "is this.. --One

day I was at Vienna, there was a concert at Court. At
the moment when I approached the piano, I__was seized

with such terrible ho-aiseness that not only I could not
sing a note, but I could scarcely speak a word. The
King of Naples, old Ferdinand, who had always ex-
pressed great affection for me, kindly approached, and,
taking me aside, said, Will you cure yourself imme-
diately?'
"`Please Heaven, Sire !'
"4 I have an infallible remedy against colds.'
" ' Save me, then, your Majesty.'
Listen to me attentively.'
" lam all attention.'
" You will take a large black raddish—you know
what a raddish is ?'

"I know nothing better, Sire,'
" You will have it cut into thin equal slices."
" Very Good, Sire.'
" You will take care afterwards to powder it well with
sugar, and you will leave it during an hour or two, in
order that that sort of white liquid which exists in ra-
dishes may be entirely extracted.'
"`Certainly, Sire.'
"' Then you will drink a spoonful on going to bed,
and another when you wake to-morrow morning.'
"' And then ? '
"And then, that is all ; it is an immediate and com-
plete cure.'
" I very humbly thank your Majesty.'
"'Have you well understood everything ?'
" Perfectly, Sire.'
" That will do
and ou revoir.'
Two days after I sang at the theatre the ' Marriage
Secret.' I never felt in better voice, and was never re-
ceived with more indulgence by the audience, King Fer-
dinand being the foremost to applaud me. Between the
acts his Majesty sent for me.
Well, what did I tell you?' cried the King, in a
triumphant tone ; Did you follow my prescription?'
yes, Sire, murmured I, blushing in spite of
I never could tell a lie in my life. The truth is,
myself,•
that not having great confidence in hi% Majesty's specific,
Ihad thought no more about it after leaving the palace.
" Ah,' said the King, who apparently laid great store
by i! Bscuurr, cure,
Sire and u.s hear. how you set about it ?'
I first sent for a radish.'
" Well
cutry itg good.'
on d
:slices.'
Very
" TI
itEL'aTshaelnah.l, put pepper, salt, oil, and vinegar, and eat
Farceur !' cried the King,g
You merit that I should not ivben3r.ostuintghisouptreltatuyglinugff,-
box that I had intended for you:

" Oh ! Sire.'
" Take it, you rogue; and try in future not to laugh
at the doctors.' "
After dinner, when he has no other engagement, Le-
blaehe's greatest enjoyment is his rubber of whist. If
M Nr. Rothschild, Hopp, and Delmore, if the public—the
richest and most egotistical of all these millionaires—
could hear the heavy sigh he heaves when obliged to go
out, they would not have the heart to draw him from

family circle and his whist.
Like all the great artists, at certain intervals Lablache
is seized with the mania of solitude and retirement. He
has built a magnificent villa on Mont Pausilipe, where,
he says, he will finish his days in peace. This villa cc
copies all his thoughts, and at last he obtained leave of
absence for three months in order to go and visit his
laurels and orange trees. He arrives there with immense
delight. The first week he finds his Paradise rather
monotonous; the second he ennuyes himself; the third,
he discovers that he does so; and the fourth, he speaks
of it to his wite. This Paris life, which does not render
him happy, but which prevents any other from doing so,
when seen from a distance, inspires him with involuntary
regret.

DR. WWILLIAM.—We are happy to state that
Lord John Russell has given to this eminent officer the
valuable appointment of medical attendant to the Board
of Cthtbms, recently become vacant. This appointment
was conferred in the most handsome manner, without
any application on the part of Dr. 11• William, Lord
John's secretary stating, in the letter which announced
it, that the appointment was conferred on account of
Dr. 111‘William's distinguished services in the River
Niger, in the year 1841.

pit at Oldbury.
A STRANGE CASE OF MURDER.—In the Philadel-
phia Oyer and Terminer, Bridget Batmen was placed at
the bar, charged with the murder of her infant daughter.
She is a married woman, living separately from her hus-
band, and had two children, a boy of three years of age,
and an infant of nine months old. She lived in Shana-
gunk aed was seen to leave the house with the infant in
her arms. She passed down a lane, crossed several fields
and continued until she got into a wood, in which was a
secluded dell. No houses were near the spot. Five hills
rear their heeds around the dell, forming a beautiful am-
phitheatre. A small stream of spring water ran through
it which emptied itself into the Schuylkill. There was a
cascade of several feet, which fell into a pool, over which
a tree dropped its leaves. It was in this pool that the
prisoner held the infant until it was quite drowned. She
covered the body with a stone, returned to her home,
where she found a shovel ; with her little boy she went
b.sck to the place, and dug a hole, into which she placed
the child, and arranged the earth and leaves over the
little body in such a manner as to elude detection. She
was seen with the shovel passing one of the houses, and
told the woman of the house that she carried the child
to the Almshouse, where it was adopted. Suspicion that
:he had murdered it was excited, and she was arrested ;
she confessed thu fact, and te.,k three respectable citi-
Z 2133 to the spot whore the child was buried, and its body
was recovered. When it was examined she wanted to
carry it away in her apron. Although apparently insane,
she was found guilty.—Aew York Sun.

TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD JOHN
RUSSELL, M.P.
LETTER NO. 111.

My Lord,—llaving satisfactorily disposed of Mr.
Scrope's plan for the reclamation wssta lands in Ire-
land, by showing that its principle is f.aught with the
very evil under which that country at present labours,
and, even supposing his plan were not open to sneh in-
superable objection, that it could be impossible to bring
it into practical working, I now propose to lay before
your Lordship and the public the plan which I suggest
should be adopted, with the mode in which it might be
sattly, and, considering its importance, easily carried
into execution, and which is, in fact, the very plan which
I have successfully pursued here for the last ten years.
I trust neither your, Lordship nor any person will fancy
that I hold out the reclamation of waste lands as tbe
only panacea for Irish grievances. No: I only believe
it to be one of the most effectual. Equal laws—a strin-
gent poor-law enforcing the claims of industrious labour
to support from the land—an extension of the fisheries,
and a well-arranged plan of voluntary emigration Ere
all excellent, perhaps necessary remedies, and should
assuredly receive the best attention of the Government.
Before stating my plan, I would observe that another

.
great advantage it-has over that of Mr. Scrope's is its
comparative simplicity and cheapness. That gentle-
man's Bill proposed that there should be an entirely new
hoard, with commissioners in chief, assistant-commis
sioners, engineers, surveyors, clerks, collectors, re-
ceivers, and other necessary officers. But even this is
not all. The commissioners were to have model farms,
and appoint bailiffs ard superintendents thereof, and to
establish schools, and to plant and cultivate any of the
lands, and to execute such roads and drainings, and erect
such houses, cottages, buildings, and fences as shall be
deemed proper ard expedient lor the improvement of
such land. No person in the slightest degree acquainted
with the public or private character of Mr. Scrope could
for a moment imagine that he wished to perpetrate a
great job, entailing upon the country enormous ex-
penses, and those who have not the honour of knowing
him, and who, from reading his life, might be led to form
a different conclusion, would feel relieved by the 17th
clause, which lirni!-s the expense to a sum not exceeding
two millions; and for this amount the Honourable Gen•
tleman seriously proposed not only to perform the above-
mentioned work, but also to purchase the fee-simple of
the lands! Yet stern Cocker declares that 2,000,0001. of
money divided among 3,000,000 of acres would give
exactly 13s. 4d. per acre for these objects, a sum which
would not enclose the land.

My plan would only require the cost of commissioners-
in-chief, who, after personal inspection, would have to
report upon the several memorials which were presented.
These reports would be made to the present Board of
Works, who would require what further information or
explanation they might consider necessary. When they
were satisfied, the memorial and reports would go before
the Chief Secretary for his final decision. The com-
missioners would act perfectly independent of each other,
and, as the comparative success or failure of each recla
mation would in a great degree depend upon the cor-
rectness of their reports, Government would only ap-
point the most competent persons, whose several reports
annually laid before Parliament would secure an honour-
able rivalry between them.
_ _

The firsi step would be to lay down certain general
rules, upon compliance with which Government assist-
ance would be given.
The second, to divide the waste land in Ireland capable
of being profitably reclaimed into two classes.
Ist. Those belonging to proprietors who are willing
to take the reclamation upon themselves if assisted by
Government.

2d. Those which belong to proprietors who are un-
willing, or too incapacitated persons, who are incapable
of undertaking the work, and these lands would have to
be purchased by Government, under authority of au Act
of Parliament, and resold or let to persons willing to
embark in the reclamation.

The most important engagements into which the
proprietor wouli have to enter, as a condition of receiv-
ing Government assistance, would be—

Ist. That the land should be mortgaged to Govern-
ment for repayment of the advances with fair interest ;
such repayments to be made at stated periods.
2d. That the land should be divided into farms of such
size, and let upon such terms, as would induce men of
intelligence and capital to take leases, which ought not
to be for a shot ter term than 30 years.
Supposing the necessary Act of Parliament obtained,
there would be two classes of memorials sent in—one
from persons in the neighbourhood of waste lands, the

owners of which were unwilling, or incapable, of enter-
ing into the undertaking; and these would simply state
the fact, and pray that theland might be purchased for
the purpose of reselling or letting—the other from pro-
prietors desirous of entering into the undertaking upon
their own account ; and such memorial would set forth—

Ist. The number of acres, and the value per acre, in
its present state.

2d. The probable value per acre when reclaimed.
3d. The cost of reclamation per acre during the first
course.

4th. The probable value of the crops per acre during
the same pericd.
sth. The amount of assistance required.
Immediately upon receiving such memorial, Govern-
ment would send a commissioner to report thereon, and
if such report were satisfactory on all points, assistance
would be given, and the proprietor might immediately
begin. My next and concluding letter will enter into a
detail of the advantages which the country will receive
from the adoption of this plan.

I have the honour to remain,
Your Lordship's most obedient servant,
R. W.

DEATH OF SIR GEORGE H. BARLOW, G.C.B.—
We have to record the demise of Sir Geore Hilaro Bar-
low, Bart., who expired, after a lengthened illness, at
his seat, near Fareham, Hants, on Friday last, at the
advanced ay.e of 82 years. He was fourth son of Mr.
William Bit'low, of Bath, and Miss Butcher, daughter
of Mr. Robert Butcher, of Walthamstow. He was, at
an early age, in the civil service of the East India Com-
pany, and in October, 1805, on the death of the Mar-
quis of Cornwallis, succeeded as Governor-General of
India. After retaining that appointment till May, 1807,
he was then selected to fill the office of Governor of the
Fort St. George, at Madras. In 1803, previous to be-
coming Governor-General of India; he was created a
Baronet, and eventually, for his public services, had the
honour of the Civil Grand Cross of the Order of the
Bath. He married, in April, 1769, Elizabeth, daughter
of Mr. Burton Smith, county Wexford, by whom he had
a family of fourteen children, but he was divorced from
that lady in 1816. The deceased Baronet is succeeded
by his third son, Robert, now Sir Robert Barlow, Bart.
OrAHEITE.—Lord Palmerston has made the follow-
ing reply to the memorial from this city, respecting
this unhappy island, which was transmitted to his Lord-
ship:—

" Foreign Office, Dec. 5, 1846.
" Sir,—l am directed by Viscount Palmerston to ac-
kno Alt•dge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ult.,
transmitting a memorial from the Bath Auxiliary to the
London Missionary Society, requesting that measures
may be adopted for ensuring the independence of the
Society Islands, and for procuring permission from the
French Government to allow those natives of Otaheite who
may be disposed to withdraw from that island, and to
seek an asylum elsewhere. And I am directed to ac-
quaint you, in reply, for the information of the memo-
rialists, that her Majesty's Government will pay due at-
tention to the subject of their memorial.—l am, Sir,
your most obedient humble servant,
" W. T. Blair, Pa,q."
—Balk Journal.

" E. J. STANLEY.

METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.—On Monday the
second portion of the houses belongine• to the Mercers'
Company's estate in Long- acre were sold for the building
materials, all of them, including the extensive range of
factories occupied by Messrs. Horne, the coach-makers,
coming down for the proposed improvements at the north
end of Bow-street and Long-ante, opening a direct line
of communication between Waterloo bridge, the London
and Birmingham Railway, and all the northern districts
of the metropolis. The theaolition of the east side of
Upper St Martin's-lane, for the proposed new street, is
proceeding rapidly.
SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. HATCHER, THE HISTO-
RIAN OF SALISBURY.—It is with sincere regret that we
announce the death of our esteemed townsman, William
Beery Hatcher, Esq., author of the talented " History
of Salisbury," which forms one of the most magnificent
' volumes of that fine series of topographical works, Sir
Richard
Colt Hoare's history of Wiltshire. Up to
within a tow hours ofe t
iehvis
bodilydeath
mentalu rs u a de
exertion
icoun-
tornary routine of n
Herald.ho iv souv ae Ir
,d
he cea was
se rfeo
uv sdi bilbe
his
bedsh
riaturelaa• afternoon, Ir. G
DEATH FROM THE LATE TNEEje.IE:siTisIEAINsFEd
se
pCOLDuotFy cLoAIrNFoEDn.e_rT
LIFE.—On
THE
aalOvncnl. doNArnTipo, eno. d—F onuolE°T appearancescon 3gf,io
whose death it was g
aged 56 years,
ham-road,
mMiddlesex,i.oad Nheewl d
rno
poinquestn,
oant.tthhee body
lploee sf -eAtdanvnhe reandu,
obFyeeueeli-;
deceased was the widow 0, a soldier forward, that
It
a causedppe
appeared
thed
fromw an want
hoof
evidencethe
c common necessariesbroiungthh
that she usually
who died about two years ago, and .n
She had
te
Life Guards,
ob-
tained her living by washing and chart
latterly had Is. 6d. per week from
P sth instant,
George's in the East. On Saturday, the
No. 3,
she rented the back kitchen of the house,_
to
Yeoman's-row, Fulham-road, for which she agreeds e
the ga.rish of St.
pay Is. 3d. per week, and it was in this apartment h
was found on Tuesday last, by her landlord, stretched
upon two boards placed across a couple of chairs, without
anything under her or over her, and in a state of com-
plete nudity. She appeared to be very cold and faint,
and nearly insensible. There was a bit of fire in the
grate, but not bigger than could be held in the hollow of
his hand, and there was neither food nor a farthing of
money in the room. As soon as her wretched condition
was discovered, she was helped to a cup of tea and some
bread
o lying,lo a e
cd, nehda
ad butter,yion
having,
the
htei but shes;
fi
seen
boeu euo
nrtp graduallyosotshoneedh%f%,vaa
ylael
esednn
food
(su ,
07of
fvdnk n
deatrhy,
a):
boards.
closed l
eNa Vtiwsm woman,
morning,
cmTat
atnhhndsce.
(‘lslese In e wasftihe lodgingnever
and was not in the habit of speaking of her circum-
stances. She had often been asked To go into the work-
house, but she refused, saying, she would rather die in
the streets. Mr. Madden, the relieving officer of the
parish of Kensington, deposed that deceased had never
asked for more than the is. 6d. she received. On a post
mortem examination of her body there was not the
slightest particle of food found in her stomach. The
surgeon (Mr. Moulls, 45, Brompton-row) could not ac-
count for death from the appearance of the body ; but
from the la;story of the case, which he had heard, he
considered that death had been caused by exposure to
cold during the intense frost of Sunday, Monday, and
Tuesday last. The jury returned a verdict that the de-
ceased died from exposure to the intense cold and the
want of the common necessaries of life.

BANK OF AUSTRALASIA.
On Monday the half-yearly meeting of this company
-;
was held at the establishment in Austin Friars, and wits
largely 8., t ended. Oliver ',.lrrer,
Esq., presided.
Mr. MILLIKEN, the srcrctary, read the advertisement
calling the meeting.
The CuAramAN:said they were aware this meeting was
called in consequence of a resolution passed, and for en-
abling the directors to communicate anything of im-
portance to the shareholders as to the progress of the
bank. In this case the directors had nothing particular
to communicate ; it would therefore be his duty to give
a general outline of their progress since June. At
Sydney the affairs on the whole were in a satisfactory
state, and any loss there would be on the old transactions.
As to Launceston the directors were still in a state of
anxiety, and were sorry to say that one considerable
failure had taken place which might involve the bank in
a loss they did not anticipate. At Melbourne the busi-
ness had considerably improved, and if the other branches
had progressed in the same
ay, he should have had
to congratulate them on their prosperity. At Adelaide
there had also heft' a great improvement. The.
branch at Hobart Town had dune more business than in
the year before, neither was there a fear of any increased
loss in that quarter. He again repeated that the great
source of anxiety for the directors was the unfortunate
state of things in Launceston, but he hoped that, by the
attention of the directors, and a little more forbearance
on the part of the shareholders, affairs would right them
selves in that quarter, as well as elsewhere. There
was one fact of importance he would mention in respect
to the Bank of Australia, which was, that the papers
sent for had now arrived, and he hoped there was no
obstacle to their proceeding rapidly with the appeal be-
fore the Privy Council, in which case he had no doubt
of the judgment being favourable to the shareholders.—
(Hear, hear.) Should this be the case, and they only
got over the affair of Launceston, there would be the
commencement of the prosperity of this company.
Mr. NEWSOM said a report
was going about that their
loss just mentioned was about 60,0001.—(No, no.)
The CHAIRMAN replied, that the debts of the firm
were about 26,0001,, the loss upon which might be
10,0001.

Mr. NEWSOM said he understood the Bank of Aus-
tralia had made an offer to compromise the claim of this
establishment; if so, would it not be better than going
to law?—(Hear, hear, and " No no.")
The CHAIRMAN observed that'it would be very unwise
to stop now they were on the very threshold of a favour-
able judgment.—(Hear, hear.)
A SHAREHOLDER asked what guarantee they would
obtain for any compromise with the Bank of Australia?
He thought they should leave the matter to the discre-
tion of the directors.

Mr. J. WILSON was for leaving things in the hands
of the directors, in whom he had every confidence—
(Hear, hear)—or he was willing to break up the corn-
pany.—(No, no.)
After some observations from Mr. BRowNRIGG, Mr.
NEwsom, and ether gentlemen,
Mr. WooTToN moved a vote of thanks to the chairman
and directors, which was seconded, and passed without
opposition, when the meeting adjourned.

DEATH OF THE LANDG RAVE Or HESSE .—The
Frankfort Journa4 under the date of Carlsruhe, Dec. 10,
announces the death of the Landgrave of Hesse that
evening. He was born in 1779. He is succeeded by his
younger brother, Gustavus Adolphus Frederick, born in
1781.

CAUTION TO COUNTRY INNlEEEPERS.—innkeepers
in the country will do well to be on their guard against
the proceedings of a gang of fellows, members of the
London swell mob, who are supposed to be travelling
about the country committing plunder in all directions.
Various cases have come to the knowledge of the police,
and on Friday they succeeded in committing another
robbery of the same character at Esher, and to a very
considerable amount. Between four and five o'clock in
the evening of that day four well-dressed men drove up
with a horse and cart to the Three Mariners public-
house in that village, kept by Mr. Shorter, and called for
some gin and water at the bar, and after a short time
two of the fellows said they had some busin ‘ss to trans-
act in the neighbourhood, and wished the others to await
their return, and then left the house. The two who
remained contrived to divert the attention of the land-
lady while the other two were no doubt engaged in
committing the robbery, and, having effected their
objt ct, they rejoined their companions, and all four got
into the cart and drove off towards town. The landlady,
upon going up stairs a few minutes afterwards, disco-
vered that the bedroom had been forced open, and the
drawers ransacked, and 451. in gold and silver and a
quantity of jewellery and plate had been stolen. A
mounted messenger was dispatched in pursuit of the
cart, and he traced it to Kingston, when, finding there
was no chance of his overtaking the men from the dis-
tance they had got in advance, be returned to Esher, and
the fellows con•equently esc?ped with their booty.
COAL WANTED AT NEWCASTLE.---One of the many
difficulties which have beset us since the storm set in is
a want of coal for the consumption of the town. The
Manors depot, at the railway terminus, was beseiged on
Monday with claimants for this necessary article ; but
such was the state of the line from whence the supply
should come, that no waggon could travel, and it was not
until four o'clock, p.m., that any could be procured, and
then only a small quantity arrived. It is understood,
however, that the colleries have plenty on hand.—
Local Paper.
SURVEYING NO JOKE.—PRESENTATION OF PISTOLS.
—A somewhat ludicrous occurrence took place the other
day at the fashionable town of Leamington, where, as is
usual in other places which have so rapidly progressed
in public estimation, the inhabitants look with a jealous
eye on any projected innovation at all calculated to
destroy existing advantages. It so happened, however,
that a short time since a juvenile surveyor, employed on
the Rugby and Leamington line, armed to the teeth
with the insignia of office—flags, chains, bill-books,
'&c.—had the temerity, with two or three subordinate
officers, to march through the nursery gardens of Mr.
Cullis, an old and respected tradesman of the place ;
of course the damage done was considerable, and the
captain of the cross staff and his gallant band having,
unguardedly, left their weapons on the enemy's plan-
tations, immediate possession of them was taken by Mr.
Was. Upon returning to the field of action the fact
was discovered by the aggressors, and an order to "stand
and deliver " was formally made to Mr. C., who, in his
turn, insisted upon " an interview" with the commander
of the men before he would consent to a surrender, and
ere long, having retired into his castle just by, he was
bearded by one of the group,
" who, with a regular
North-Western " puff; demanded restoration of the
property. After a war of words, Mr. Cullis invited his
assailant into his strong-hold, and selecting from kis
armoury a brace of pistols, loaded ready for priming,
placed them before his antagonist, and requested him to
prime, and take his choice" so that their differences
tuight be speedily adjusted. Such treatment as this had
not been anticipated, and it is scarcely necessary to say
the adventurers precipitately retreated, leaving behind
them the spoils, which were not given up until an ami-
cable treaty was " signed, sealed, and delivered, at the
head-quarters of the company.
EXTENSIVE FIRE IN TEIE STRAND.--Yesterday morn-
ing, about one o'clock au cxteusive fire broke out in the
shop of Crow and Co., woolkm-drapers, corner of
Bedford -greet, Strand. For half an hour the firemen
used their utmost exertions, and finally succeeded in
arresting the progress of the flames by two o'clock, but
the interior of the house and a great deal of stock were
destroyed.

THE FORTIFICATIONS AT SHEERNESS.—DECEM-
RER 21.—Since we last reported progress theso works
-have continued to advance rapidly. Indeed, from the
nature of the works; being for the most part composed of
turf and clay, the winter months are quite favourable for
their construction, at least so long as such intense frosts
as we experienced during the last week, and which al-
most entirely put a stop to further progress for the
time, keep away. The large and formidable battery
opposite the dockyard gate, facing seaward, is now com-
plete, with the exception of the curtain or parapet wall,
which will shortly be proceeded with, after which beds
(ttlhhoeew
one
eh
phir'ahnteod mttoiul
estkhiees tlrodyl
ddwe walls
cr
kcs e osd
fur the platforms of from 40 to 50 guns will be laid
: i naater c(
)(t4i taagirsroithe
m.
pb
pao
lti
ent battery
,y
aa
and
ddn
present an excellent specimen of substantial workman-
ship. These land defences, which extend continuously
from the Thames to the Medway, interrupted only by
the drawbridge to Mile-town, are in course of being re-
paired and heightened by the soil procured in the
deepening of the moat which protects them. The ex-
cavations for the moat which surrounds the new bat-
tery, and which have been continued northward as far
the second angle of the old fortifications, and southward
into the moat surrounding the land defences, are very
nearly completed, and workmen are now engaged in some
parts banking it up with rubble stone. The greatest
number of men are, however, engaged in the construc-
tion of the ravelin on the Mile-town side of the draw-
bridge, round which the moat is to be conducted, thus
rendering a second drawbridge necessary. The excava-
tions for this extension of the moat intersect an old
convict burying-ground, in which, it is stated, repose
the remains of the notorious Parker, the mutineer. The
i ravelin is calculated to be able to contain 3,000 men.
The repairs and alterations of the old works are com •
pleted, the beds for the traversing platforms of the guns
are all laid down, and nothing now remains to hinder
the immediate mounting of the guns. The magazines
are in course of being filled with powder, large quanti-
ties having bean ordered to be kept in store. New bar-
racks, capable of containing 1,000 men, are to be erected
in the neighbovrhood of the present. The plans and
specifications are out, and we mistake if by this time the
contract is not taken, a party of Sappers and Miners
having been for some time employed over on the Isle of
Grain shore boring and sounding for a foundation for
three Martello towers intended to be erected there. •
HAZARD OF WEARING A GOLD RING.—A young
week appeared before the magistrates of Hall-
mfaxana
,
ulnsdter an affiliation summons, and while admitting
his liability pleaded poverty; but unfortunately for him,
he happened to raise his hand to smooth down his hair
from before his eyes, when one of the magistrates
espied, on the little finger of the defendant, a gold ring,
and an order for 2s. a week was made soon after, appa-
rently in consequence of the presence of the ring.—
Ala nchester paper.
RFIVARKABLE ARRIVAL.—A vessel arrived in the
West India Docks from Calcutta, had on board, in ad-
dition to an extensive c4rgo of East India produce, 71
cases of champagne, 53 cases of sherry, 15 cases of
claret, and 25 cases of red wine. It is well known to
be a constant practice to ship wines for the round, as it
is termed, that is, for a voyage to the East Indies and
back, which vastly improves the quality, and frequently
raises its value full 300 per cent., but this is generally
confined to sherries in casks. and wino the produce of
i the Cape of Gond Hope, and ve,s are not cognisant that
cased wines, (specially of the valuable description men-
, tinned, have been nitherto subjected to a similar process
I
for the same purpose.

THE TRIAL TRIPS WITH THE

OVERLAND INDIAN DIAIL

(From theAugsburgh Gazette.)

Tlte first raoiety of the six trial journeys' arranged by
the British Government for the conveyance of the Indian
dispatches through Germany is now completed ; and it
will not be considered inapposite to take a comprehen
sive survey of the events of those journeys, and to
glance at the further consequences that may result
from them. The ordinary consideration of this snbject,
as an interesting competition for the honour of the
greatest celebrity, as an adventurous neck-or-nothing
" steeple-chase," is equally absurd and incorrect. As
regards England, the object is nothing less than the
securing of a second route—one at least equal in point
of celerity to that through France, in the event of
a political quarrel with the latter country ; as regards
Germany, the restoration of the old, middle-aged Vene-
tian-Hanseatic commercial road—the construction of a
new public road along the banks of the Rhine, over the
Alps, to the Adriatic Sea and the East, and also the
freedom from useless intermediate traders"; and as re-
gards Holland, a more direct and rapid connexion with
its East Indian colonies ; and as regards Belgium and
the western and southerly parts of Germany, in particular,
a most important conveyance of goods, passengers, and
letters, which is already increasing in importance. We
can assure our readers, from the best sources, that the •
English Government and the East India Company are
perfectly satisfied with the results of the trial trips
hitherto undertaken with reference to Germany ; and
their zeal for this line is far more increasing than
diminishing.
The Cracow affair, far from restoring the entente cor-
diale, has only served to show that a fissure bas been
rent between the two Cabinets by the Spanish marriages,
which cannot be filled up again by all the opposite argu-
ments of the public organs on both sides.
The English statesmen are determined to command a
second continental postal line " at any price," and they
will assuredly call it into existence, no matter whether
via Trieste, Ancona, or Brindisi. Hitherto, all the facts
have told in favour of Trieste, where the Austrian
Lloyd has so powerfully united its efforts to those of
Waghorn, and is, moreover, perfectly prepared to offer
all the pledges of a regular service.
Unfortunatdly, however, the unhappy idea seems to
be cherished in Vienna of conducting the overland route
through the capital, and the construction of the Bruck
and Salzburg road seems to be rejected altogether (?)
The establishment of the Trieste route may be wrecked
in this opposition alone, but on no other obstacles.
Switzerland and Naples receive the project with open
arms, and the railroads just decreed by the Pope will
help the undertaking amazingly. Austria would then
have once more to regret that she had not embraced it
at the right time, but opposed to the unalterable geo-
graphical features of the country a centralisation mania
in this case utterly impracticable.
We hope, however, that the energy and tact which
have hitherto been manifested in the execution of the
great state roads by the genial Baron Kiibeck will not
abandon him on this occasion, and will point out to him
right speedily the only way in which the carrying into
effect of the beautiful idea of an Austro-Indian com-
mercial road is possible. Here we will lay betore our
readers a correct summary of the three trial trips
hitherto attempted, together with the preliminary trials,
from which it is clearly to be seen how the sea and land
journeys of the French and the Waghorn couriers were
effected:—

REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN
TRADE.

The demand for the coarser kinds of wheat for ship-
[ll,M to Ireland has in no degree abated; on the con-
trary each day has brought increased orders, at (n-
-hanced limits. And large as the shipments from Livk r-
pool, Lundell, &c., to the sister isle have lately bean, the
❑ecessity for further supplies becomes more and mo:e
urgent. We ventui el to give an opinion last week to
' the effect that a simultaneous rise in the value of
wheat might be expected in all parts of the kingdom,
and what has since occurred has proved that our im-
pression was well founded. Not only has wheat risen
materially at the principal consuming markets, but
even in the agricultural districts, though farmers
have brought forward good supplies, the rise has
amounted to fully 3s. per qr. The primary cause
this state of things is, unquestionably, the great
scarcity of food in Ireland consequent on the
potato failure. Admitting that the first accounts
of this calamity, which described the loss as almost
total, were exaggerated, and supposing that about
half of the usual quantity of potatoes have been grown
in the United Kingdom, what an immense amount
of food must be required to make good even that defi-
ciency! In Ireland millions of the people subsist almost
wholly on the patato; need we, then, be surprised at the
position of that unhappy country, knowing as we do
that more than one-half the ordinary food of a large
class of its inhabitants has been entirely lost? Substi-
tutes, under these circumstances, must be obtained some-
how; and England will be looked to in this emergency.
Nothing ca❑ afford a clearer proof of the urgent ne-
cessity of our Irish neighbours than the enormous
rise which has taken place in the value of Indian
corn. At first this article was received with great
prejudice, but it soon took a higher place in the
esteem of the Irish peasantry, and has lately been selling
at Limerick and other towns at prices not obtainable
for wheat. So long as Indian corn was procurable,
wheat was comparatively neglected ; but the stocks of
the first named article have been completely exhausted,
and still the people are without food. The natural col-

sequence has been a greatly increased demand for low-
priced qualities of wheat ; and so large have the pur-
chases for Ireland in the English markets been of late,
that a great clearance of the old foreign stocks in gra-
nary has already taken place. The rise in prices of
Odessa, Danube, and similar descriptions of wheat, has
within the period of a fortnight amounted to about Bs.
per quarter at all those places where these sorts are to
be met with.

At Liverpo3l the influence of the Irish demand has
been more felt thaa even in London; and notwithstand-
ing the great rise which had taken place there the pre-
ceding week, wheat was quoted 6d. to 9d. per 701 b., or
3s. 6d. to 4s. per qr. higher there on Tuesday than on
chat day se'nnight, Indian corn continued, however, to
maintain the lead in the upward movement, and for
parcels on the spot the extraordinary price of 70s. to
725. per qr. of 4801 b. were paid. On the same day
bonded flour was in great request at that port for ship-
ment to France, and for good brands of Western
Canal, 365. per brl. was obtained. Other articles
were equally dear. Later in the week the demand was
more or less checked by the extravagant pretensions of
sellers; still a fair extent of business was done on Fri-
day, wheat bringing a further advance of 2d. to 3d. per
701 b., and Indian corn being quoted 2s. to 3s. per 4801 b.
higher than on Tuesday.
From Hull and Leeds the accounts of Tuesday state
that some influence had at length been produced on the
wheat trade at those places by the advices from London,
Liverpool, and elsewhere, and that the millers had be-
come anxious purchasers at rates 3s. per qr. above those
previously current.

In the western and north-western markets the upward
movement has been more decided. The Birmingham
market, though plentifully supplied with home grown
wheat, was cleared at rates from 3s. to ss. per qr.
above those at which purchases might have been made
on that day se'nnight. A,t Bristol a large amount of
business aas likewise done :.the advance realised on
English being 35., and that on free foreign 4s. per qr.
The advices from Scotland give a very melancholly
account of the distress prevailing in the islands and
highlands ; and the value of food seems likely to rise
there nearly as high as in Ireland. Besides the demand
from the more destitute districts I.a. all low-priced
articles, a lively inquiry appears to have be:n ex-
perienced at Glasgow on Irish account, and rather
extensive shipments were in progress of being made.
Wheat was on Wednesday quoted 2s. to 3s. higher
at that port, and all other kiwis of grain were in
request at enhanced terms. At Edinburgh prices
have also rise❑ materially. Letters, dated Wednesday,
quoting an advance of Is. to 2s. per quarter on wheat, is
to 2s. on barley, and Is. to Is. 6.1. per qr. on oats ;
though in consequence of a heavy fall of snow, the
London accounts of Monday had not then reached the
Scottish capital.
The arrivals of wheat coastwise into London have
been quite moderate this week, and by land carriage
samples very little has been exhibited at Mark-lane
since Monday. The parcels offered from Essex and
Kent on Wednesday were speedily cleared off at an ad-
vance of Is. to 2s. per qr., while on Friday, with no in-
crease in the supplies from any quarter, factors suc-
ceeded in establishing a further enhancement of about
Is. per quarter. Foreign free wheat has been in
very lively request throughout the week ; the
extravagant pretensions of holders have, however, in
some measure checked business, or the sales would pro-
bably have been even more important. The bargains
closed on Wednesday were at rates quite 2s. per quarter
above those at which sales were made in the beginning
of the week, and this advance was paid without any ap-
parent reluctance in execution of orders from Ireland.
When, however, a further rise of is. to 2s. per quarter
was demanded on Friday, buyers became somewhat less
eager, notwithstanding which, considerable parcels again
changed hands. Having but little wheat under lock at
this part, and a lively French inquiry being calculated
on, the rise in bonded has kept pace with that established
on free ; and for moderately good Dantzic as much as
655. per quarter has been realised.
The town millers have again put up the top price of
flour, and the highest quotation had risen on Friday to
60s. per sack. All other descriptions of flour have felt
theinfluence of this advance, and good households were
at the close held at 2s. to 3s. per sack higher than in the
commencement of the week. For American flour the
inquiry has also been active, and owing to purchases on
French account, nearly as much money has been realised
for the article in bond as duty paid.
Of Indian corn we have none on the spot worth
naming, and having had comparatively few floating car-
goes offered, the transactions have been of less import-
ance than of late, but that higher terms would readily
have been paid cannot be questioned, the demand having
in no degree abated.
THE FOREIGN CORN TRADE.

By the steam-ship Acadia we have advice; of recent
dates from the United States. The New York letters
reach to the 30th of November. The weather had then

become winterly, and a speedy close of the inlandn;;i:

gation was expected. Owing, however, to the very high
rate of freight to Europe, business in flour and grain had
become dull, the difficulty in procuring ship-room having
thrown serious obstacles in the way of business. Good
brands of Genessee, which had at one time brought $6
25c. per barrel, had gradually receded to $5 371 e.
The supplies from the interior had been very liberal in
November, and notwithstanding the large shipment
made, the stock on the spot was then estimated at
500,000 barrels. From Canada we learn that winter had
set in, and that mo: t of the vessels had left the St. Law-
rence. Prices of flour appear to have been better sup-
ported at Montreal than at New York, and the latter is
certainly the cheaper market..
Owing to the non-arrival of the Hamburgh mail of Tues-
day, our advices from the Baltic are not of such recent
dates as we are usually enabled to furnish.
From Dantzic the latest accounts are of the Bth inst. ;
the weather was then severe, the thermometer having
been down to 18 degrees. The river navigation had,
consequently, been put a stop to, and no further arrivals
of grain were looked for down the Vistula till spring.
The animated English accounts had meanwhile caused
holders to raise their pretensions ; at 545. to 565. per
qr. fine high mixed new inland had met a ready sole,
and for 591bs. to 60lbs. mixed Polish 51s. to 525. per qr.,
free on board, had been paid. Stocks in granary are re-
presented to be small there, and with a continued English
demand prices would, it was calculated, advance during
the winter months.

Advices from Rostock, of the 10th instant, inform us
that after several days' sharp frost a thaw had set in, by
which the roads had been rendered bad, a circumstance
which might, it was thought, prevent supplies coming
forward. Only a oirgo or two of wheat had been shipped
from that port during a period of some week., so very
unimportant bad been the supplies. Good 611bs. to
62Ibs. Wheat was then held at 505., Barley of 51Ibs. to
52Ibs. weight at 28s. to 295., and boiling Peas at 395. to
40s. rer quarter free on board in spring.
At Hamburgh the weather appears to have been very
changeable up to the 11th instant, since when we are
without advices. Short periods of frost and thaw had
succeeded to each other; and though there was much
drift ice in the Elbe, its navigation was still
practicable. We are, however, disposed to attri•
bute the non-arrival of Tuesday's mail to increased
'severity of the weather, by which we think it very
likely that the river had become blocked up. In Wheat
the transactions at Hamburgh seem to have been of quite
a local character, but the town buyers had paid equal
to 545. to 555. per quarter for good 611bs. red marks of
Wheat. Several contracts had been closed to ship Bar-
ley from the Danish islar.ds to Ireland, at prices varying
from 28s. 3d. to 295. 3d. per quarter free on board.
From France the reports respecting the Wheat trade
become more and more exciting ; and unless the wants
of that country have been greatly exaggerated, a con-
tinued demand for bread stuffs may be reckoned on.
In some parts of the kingdom the scarcity of food
seems to be almost as great as it is in Ireland.—Mark-
lane Express.

SMUGGLING EXTRAUEDINARY.—On Thursday night
Syreen, a custom-house officer, apprehended a woman
named Eliza Smith, a passenger on board an American
vessel, on suspicion of having smuggled t.bacco in her
possession. Upon examining her dress, 1.71b5. of to-
bacco were found concealed under it ; but the most re-
markable of the expedients which have been resorted to
for the purpose of deceiving the lynx-eyed deputies of
the customs, was that of giving to the contraband weed
the semblance of a loaf. A quantity of cut tobacco had
been pressed into a tin, over which a thin layer of dough
was spread, which, being baked, had the appearance to
the eye of a veritable loaf. The quantity of tobacco
which the woman had contrived to secrete in this and
other modes, amounted to no less than 701bs. She was
brought before Mr. Rushton yesterday, and remanded
to Tuesday, in order to allow of a communication being
made to the commissioners of excise.—Liverpool Chrcm.
The price of wheat according to the six weeks
average which gaverns .the duty, is one shilling and
sevenpence higher than at the same period last year.—
Mark-lane Express.

1 ,
~Aleit-7':'
LAW INTELLIGE/ ,e
'..,4'4!----4,,q-s.: -.,; '
N VICE CHACERY COLTRT, I : ;iAT ~.,
(Be:ore Vice Chancellor Sir J. K. t : : ;a,•):Stet-ii-
IN RE NORTH.
._;41,6%.4
_____ ,
....A.4
The further hearing of this petition was tie ..,.(1113M.:62F
day. The argements on both sides having cone uded,
His Hoxoun. delivered judgment. This was a petition
presented to the Court ou behalf of four infant children,
there being no testamentary guardians and no real
estate. It was also prayed, in a petition from
certain paternal relatives of the infants, that
a reference should be made o the Master, but
that was opposed, on the ground that the infants had
a mother living. Such a ground of objection he ha
never heard b sna(restsd be:*ore. The reference i rayed
for might be made without affecting the right of the
mother to the guardianship, but it was quite a different
question whether the mother should he appointed a
guardian. It was also another and a dif-
ferent question as to how the children should
be educated with respect to religion. Upon the
petition he would make a common order referring it to
the Master to determine what guardian or guardians
should be appointed for the children. The next ques-
tion was as to what should be done with the shildren in
the meantime. Three of the children had been in the
charge of their mother, a lady of whose respectability
all parties had spoken in the highest terms, and of whose
kindness to her children he had not the least doubt. The
eldest daughter had been na, re under the grandmother's
care (the lady who abducted them) ; but that point
would not affect the subject-matter of con-
tention between the parties in this case. The
question with regard to religious instruction of the
infants was one that must not be disregarded. It was
therefore the duty of the Court to consider what was to
be the education of the children in doctrinal tenets, and
that nothing should be done in the interim to obstruct
that object. The father of these children had been
brought up a Protestant, from which religion he had
never departed. It appeared, however, that for two or
three months previous to his death, he attended a
Roman Catholic chapel with Mrs. Elizabeth North, his
wife. It was stated that his notions upon religious
points were latitudinarian, a circumstance which
might account for his attendance at a Catholic
place of worship. He returned to a part of the
country where he resided a few weeks previous to his
death, and where there was no opportunity of attending
a Roman 'Catholic chapel, or of seeing a Roman Catho-
lic clergyman. lie then fell ill and refused the assist-
ance of a Protestant rector. But it did not appear that
any proposal had been made to him, or that he had
made any request for a Roman Catholic clergyman to
attend him in his last moments, and he died without the
assistance of a clergyman of either the Roman Catholic
or Protestant persuasions. It did not appear that he had
ever received any instructions from a Roman Catholic
I clergyman, nor did it appear that he had ever departed
from the religion of his youth. It was certainly stated
that Mr. North was a catechumen, or person undergoing,
as it were, a noviciate in the Roman Catholic faith, but
under all the circumstances he must say that it did ap-
pear to him that he remained a Protestant until tee end
of his life. Mr. North died intestate, and did not
express any wish as to how his children should be
religiously educated. Under these circumstances what
was the duty of the Court with respect to the religious
education of the children? They should take care that
the same was not interfered with. The father had left no
instructions on the subject, and it is presumed that
he died in his own religion. He, therefore, felt bound,
under all the circumstances of the case, until further
evidence was produced, to direct that the children should
be brought up in the doctrines of the Church of England.
With respect to Mrs. North, cf whom he wished to speak
with the greatest respect, it appeared that she had be-
come a convert to the Roman Catholic faith. Ile was
bound to consider not only the rights of the mother,
but the rights of the father, which regarded the perpetu-
ation of his creed. It was likely that she would
exercise a very great influence on the minds of the
children, end he would order that they should
be placed under the charge (until the master's
report), of Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Frederica North,
and Miss Arabella North, their paternal aunts. The
mother, however, was to have free access to them daily,
and to spend two hours in their company every day, in
the ipresence of one of the above named persons, the
subject of religion not to be introduced at these inter-
views.

COURT OF L..v CH, Dec. 22.
NEWTuti AND CO. V. STEWART.-TIIE CANTERDCRY AND

HERNE BAY RAILWAY,

Mr. Crowder, Q C., and Mr. hell were for the plain-
tiffs, and Mr. Keane for the defendant.
This was an action brought by the plaintiff , Messrs.
Newton and Co., the well known advertiseictnt agents
of Warwick-square, against the defendant, Mr.
John Stewart, one of the provisional committee
of the Canterbury and Herne thy Railway, and a mem-
ber of an opulent firm in the City, to recover 2341. 13s.
4d., for advertisements which they had insert d in vari-
ous newspapers by the orders of the company, which
was registered on the 16th October. The offices of the
company were at No. 158, Strand, where the secretary.
(Mr. J. Wilson), who, with Mr. Daniel Keane, the soli-
citor to the company, were its registered pro-
jectors, but carried on the business cf an engineer
and patent agent. The defendant joined the company
on the 15th of November, and stated on that day, ac-
cording to the testimony of the secretary, that he had
given a Mr. Bayn authority to place his name on several
provisional committees, and justified the placing of his
name on that committee. The " panic" cut off the pro-
ject in its bloom. The accounts were audited, and the
sum for which the action was brought was audited
a 3 due to the plaintiffs. It was arranged that each of
the provisional committee should contribute 721. for the
purpose of defraying the debts incurred by the concern,
351. of which was to be paid in the first instance ; but it
appeared the defendant alone had contributed his quota.
The orders for the advertisements were given by the
plaintiffs in the ordinary manner, through the secretary
who had received orders to that effect from the com-
mittee. The defendant attended the various meetings
of the committee, and took an active part in the ma-
nagement of its affairs. The secretary, it appeared,
waited upon the plaintiffs, and handed them a prospectus
of the company, and asked them to open an account
with them, to which, after examining the names, they
assented. The defendant's name, amongst many others,
was in the prospectus, and it was proved, that he signed
the usual form of consent, and conseqently allowed his
name to be registered. _ _ _

Mr. Alexander, a clerk in the plaintiff's office, proved
the receipt of the orders, and the insertion of the adver-
tisments in the various nbwspapers.
Mr. KEANE objected to this proof as insufficient, and
held that the papers filed at the Stamp-office were the
only admissible evidence, and quoted the 6th and 7th
William IV. in support of his objection.
Mr. CROWDER said the whole of the papers in which
the advertisements appeared were in Court, and offered
to put them in evidence. He would not undertake to
produce the certified copies filed at ti e Stamp-office, as
those he proposed to produce were manifestly sufficient.
Mr. KEANE asked Lord Denman to take a note of his
objecti n,

Lord DENMAN acceded, and intimated that he consi-
dered the plaintiffs had proved enough.
Mr. KEANE, in addressing the jury, contended that
those who allowed their names to be put on provisional
committees did not pledge themselves to pay all the
expenses which the officers of the company might
think proper to incur in endeavouring to obtain an Act
of Incorporation. It could not be supposed that a rational
man would delegate this indefinite authority to others.
He should show that Mr. Bayn had placed the defendant's
name on the committee without his consent. They
would have to decids whether the putting down of his
name by the defendant made Lim liable for the claim,
and whether the act of b-,,coming a member of the com-
mittee made him liable for all the antecedent data of
incurred.t 1 e c
They ompanynndmutsht look
those which
the in
might afterwards
of a manfterwards in
be
taking such an office. No one who took such an office
in the autumn of last year ever intended to be respon-
sible for tie whole debts of the company with winch he
became connected. This he held was the p -cper meaning
of the Regis.ration Act.
Mr. Bayn was called, and stated that he was a friend
of the defendant's, and that he gave his name without
his consent to Mr. Keane as a provisional committee-
man for the railway. This was on the 16th of October.
He did not write to the defendant fur some time after.
He had placed his name, and the names of others, on
committees without their consent. Some had repudiated
his acts.

Mr. CROWDER replied, and held that the defence set
up was p3rfeetly inconsistent with the facts eltcited, as
the defen lat.t voluntarily became a member of the com-
mittee, as he had acted in that capacity, and as he had
confirmed the correctness of the plaintiff's bill in direct-
ing the secretary to annex it. after it was audited, to a
letter which was sent by his direction to the other mem-
bers of the committee respecting the debts of the
company. His consent was conclusive. Not-
withstanding the statements of Mr. Bayn,
he thought he was jutifiod in saying that he had
authority to add his name to the committee—at any
rate the defendant took upon himself the office. Great
stress was laid upon the fact that the defendant did not
join the company until Nov. 15, and that he could not
be held responsible for debts incurred before that period.
But he made no objection to the amount of the claim.
The advertisements after that period were simply renewals
of those which had been given, and were necessary for
the proper carrying on of the company.
Lord DENMAN left it to the jury to say whether the
advertisements were necessary for the purpose of esta-
blishing the company, and/ whether the defendant had'"`
made himself liable, by the part which he had taken in M.h.
the management of its affairs. There could be no doubt
that he was a provisional committeman. If they thought
he was liable, but not before the 15th of November, the
amount could be arranged amongst the parties.
The jury retired, and after an absence of two hours
and a half, rammed into court with a verdict for the
plaintiff for 2341.
FEARON V. THE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL STEAM

NAVIGATION COMPANY.
The jury were called in this case, which was expected
o have been a protracted one, but

Mr. COCKBURN, who appeared for the plaintiff, inti-
mated that the record had been withdrawn.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Dec. 22.
LAMERT V. HEATH.
In this cause (in which a new trial has been obtained)
the Attorney-Oeneral, Mr. James, and Mr. Baddeley,
appeared for the plaintiff ; Mr. Martin and Mr. Willis
for the defendant.

This action was brought to recover of the defendant,
a stock-jobber, carrying on business in the city of Lon-
don, the sum of 4321., being the amount of a sum of
money paid to the defendant by the plaintiff, in respect
of certain scrip shares in the projected Kentish Coast
Railway.
The case, which was in part heard yesterday, was
resumed this morning.
It appeared that the plaintiff had ordered the de-

- The jury, after a short consultation, returned a ver,
diet for the plaintiff—Damages, 432 L 10s.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, Dec. 22.
(Before Mr. Commissioner SHEPHERD).
IN ILK JOHN BADMAN (JOHNNY WALKER).
This insolvent came up this day to apply for his fine
order. lie was opposed by Mr. Buchannan, and sup
ported by Mr. Duncan.
Mr. BUCHANNAN argued on the objections taken at
the last examination, namely, that the insolvent had not
properly described himself in the schedule, as he had
contracted; debts under the name of John Badman
Walker.
On the last hearing it was shown that the insol-
vent had carried on business in Scotland as a licensed
victualler, and had taken out licenses in that name,
thereti,re that be was bound to insert it in his schedule.
Mr. Dineen, on the contrary, urged that the Insolvent
Act did not apply to Scotland, and that the creditors
had no right of opposition.
Mr. BUCRANNAN now contended, that under the Act
of Parliament, and under the orders of the Com-
missioner, which were tantamount to an Act, that ever 3
name under which he had traded or contracted debts
was to be inserted, and it had been so held by the Com.
missioners of the Insolvent Court.
The Learned COMMISSIONER, after some further ar-
gument, said he would not trouble Mr. Duncan to reply,
as he was of opinion that the insolvent had complied
with the Act, by describing his name, address, and
quality, for the last twelve months, he was within the
jurisdiction. Scotland not being within, there was no
reason to do it. Besides, no one had been deceived, as
it was publicly known that " Johnny Walker" was not
his real name.
Mr. BITHANNAN—Then if a man is christened A B,
and goes all his life as C D, till he gets in debt, then he
may go by his real name.
The CO3IMISSIONER-1 cannot help that. If there be
any wrong or hardship it is in the Act it.telf.
The final order was granted.
Mr. DUNCAN said, that although all the objections,
which were merely technical, had failed, and he was now
free from his creditors, he was willing to pay 53. in the
pound, and he would use his earnest endeavours to make
it up 20s. as soon as possible.
The court was crowded by friends of the insolvent.

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.
The December second adjourned sessions commenced
yesterday morning, before the Assistant-Judge and a
full bench of magistrates, at the Court-house, Cle:ken-
well -green.
The calendar contained the names of 68 prisoners, all
of whom were charged with felony, with the exception
of three.
The Learned ASSISTANT JUDGE, in charging the
grand jury, said he wished to make a few remarks in
reference to the fact of its having been determined on
the last county day to appoint a committee to consider
several presentments made by grand juries of the county
of Middlesex, which stated that these institutions, in the
opinions of their members, sere of compa-
rative inutility; considering the nature of the
cases brought before this court. Under the
existing state of things, when grand juries were
first established, they were a most important in-
stitution, both as serving to counteract any tendency to
despotism by the coroner, or to lessen the evils of popu-
lar excitement, and at the present moment the same re-
mark was applicable only as the appropriate sphere of
their utility seemed to be in the higher criminal courts.
Charges before being sent to this court were investigated
by the police magistrates, who had the fullest opportu-
nities for judging whether there existed a prima facie
case or not ; while the opportunities of the grand jury
at this court, considering the nature of the cases
t) be tried, are much inferior, and, he might
say, that one of the least evils of the system
was the inutility in a great measure of bringing 24 times
every year, sometimes as many as 72, but never less
than 36, gentlemen from different parts of the country.
Every person was familiar with the various means
adopted to pervert justice by making statements when
before the grand jury quite at variance with those made
originally, and within the last three months he saw a
document stipulating the payment of three sovereigns
for giving such false evidence. He need not allude to

the facilities afforded to that infamous class who live by
indicting brothels, for the purpose of getting "hush
money,' but he would state that a gentleman, an officer
of high rank in the army, and of the highest family con-
nexions, was indicted by one of those individuals for the
Purpose of extorting money from him through his fears,
merely because he resided three weeks with a female.
The Learned Assistant Judge concluded by calling the
attention of the gentlemen of the grand jury to the im-
perative necessity for taking some decided steps with
respect to the reformation of juvenile offenders, 500 of
whom, between the ages of seven and twelve years, had
been committed to prison within the last twelve months.
Robert Draper, a boy only eleven years of age, was
indicted for stealing a quantity of old iron ; and the jury
having returned a verdict of Guilty,
The Learned ASSIBTANT4IIDGE put several questions
to the prisoner, from which it appeared that his father
and
with mother
alive now, were dead, and he had no person connected
him except his step-father, and that he
(the prisoner) could neither read nor write.
The Learned ASSISTANT-JUDGE said, this was a case
of which, under the existing
the disposal to every person of ordinary feeling It
cause deep pain
_at
the only person responsible for
was quite evident that
the care of the prisoner had turned him into the stye -t,
to relieve himseif from the onus of his support, and,

adant to purchase for him 280 shares in the Kentish
Coast Railway, which were accordingly delivered, the
price of which amounted to the sum now sought to be
recovered. The Board of Trade had made a report
against the construction of this particular line of rail-
way, the consequence of which was, that out of the
whole 18,000 shares, of which the company consisted,
and all of which were allotted, only 600 were paid upon
by the allottees. In consequence the directors of the
company notified to the public that it was their intention
not to issue any more scrip, and that the company were
prepared to return the sum of one guinea upon each of
the shares already paid upon. Notwithstanding
this public notice, and the resolution of the di-
rectors, the engraved plate from which the scrip was
struck off was obtained by some persmi connected with
the company. The lines left blank for the names of the
directors were erased, and the scrip was sent out signed
only by the secretary. A large quantity was brought
into the market, numbers of them were actually sent out
upon sale or return, and large sums of money were re-
ceived from the sale of them. This circumstance
having come to the knowledge of the directors, meet-
ings were called, and Mr. Curling, the selicitor
to the company, was summoned to attend and give an
explanation of the circumstances, and to produce his
books ; he accordingly attended, but with the latter re-
quest he refused to comply. These circumstances having
come to the knowledge of the plaintiff, the present action
was the result.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL having addressed the jury
for the plaintiff, called
Mr. Thomas, one of the directors of the company,
who stated that he was entirely ignorant of the issue of
such quantities of railway scrip as must have been issued.
The minutes of the meetings were written upon separate
sheets of paper, and kept in the possession of Mr.
Curling,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (to Mr. Curling who was
present in Court)—You are subpoenaed to produce those
minutes. Do you produce them? Mr. Curling—l have
none.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL—Do you produce the scrip
or share-book ? Mr. Curling—l have none.
The ATTORNEY •GENERAL—Do you produce the Par-
liamentary deed or contract ? Mr. Curling—There was
none.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL—Do you produce the sub-
scribers' agreement ? Mr. Curling--A portion of it.
(Addressing the Court).—l hope, my Lord, that ycu
will allow me to make a statement.
LORD CHIEF BARON—I think you had better not
attempt a statement.
Mr. Curling—l( wish to offer a few remarks to the
jury. My character has been very much aspersed, and
I thinl, j ought to be allowed to clear my character be-
fore a jury of my countrymen.
LORD CHIEF BARON--Since you have provoked me
by your conduct to express an opinion, I must say that
I hope you will have the opportunity of clearing your
character before a jury of your country, and to answer
then and there such matters as may be brought against
you.

- Mr. Fellows and Mr. Daniels, directors of the com-
pany, corroborated the evidence of Mr. Thomas.
A person named Johnston stated that he had pur-
chased some hundreds of the letters of allotment at 3s.
per share, and sold them again to a Mr. Meeson, who
PM the authorised purchaser of those articles on ac-
count of Mr. Curling.
Mr. MARTIN, on the part of the defendant, contended
that to liability attached to him ; he was a " jobber,"
and distiaguished from the " broker," by the custom of
purchasing shares or scrip on his own account, whereas
the broker purchased on commission. If the present
action were to succeed, it would make the jobber, or
dealer in those documents, responsible for the acts of
every company, and over which he had not the slightest
control. The scrip, now complained of, was current in
the market as Kentish Coast Railway scrip, and as
such were purchased and sold by the plaintiff ; and if it
was Fraudulent scrip, the directors were clearly liable,
and nit the defendant.
The LORD CHIEF BARON, in summing up, said that
there were two questions for the jury to consider. The
first e a one of great importance to those parties con •
netted with the company—it was, what was the true
character of this scrip or share that was purchased and
sold by the deendant to the plaintiff ? The second ques-
tion was one of larger and more general importance,
which was—what, in such cases as the present, was the
undertaking into vihich the merchant or jobber entered
when he sold a commodity like the present ? Upon
this latter pint the question of fact which they would
have to decide, was whether, with refernce to what
had occurred in the issuing the shares, those shares
occupied such a position in the market as if
every person so purchasing them would be in a condi-
tion to know what he was really purchasing. Upon the
first of the two questions it was hit opinion, in point of
law, that if they found that these shares were really the
shares of the company, and that the directors authorised
the issue of them, and so conducted themselves as to
leave the matter entirely in the hands of Mr. Curling
and the secretary (who seemed to manage the affairs en-
tirely for themselves), then in that case the plaintiff
had what he bargained for, and their verdict must
be for the defendant. If, on the other hand, they found
that the shares were either fictitious or fraudulent in
any sense, then, in such ease, it was his opinion that
the plaintiff was entitled to recover back the money he
had paid, on the presumption that he was to receive, in
return, genuine shares in the Kentish Coast Railway,
and it would be their duty to find a verdict for the
plaintiff.