The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-08 00:00:00

MINORITY-NOES, 67.

Adderley, C. E. Estcourt, T. G. Maunsell, T. B.
Alba, J. P. Finch, George Maxwell, eon. J. P.
Arbuthaott, Hugh Forbes, William. Meynell, Captain
Arkwright, G. Fox, S. L. Newdegatc, C. IL
Astell, William Fuller, A. E. Palmer, G.
Bailey, J., j un. Grimsditch, Thomas Plumptre, J. P.
Baillie, W. llamilton, J. H. Rashleigh, W.
Baskerville, T. B. Hamilton, G. A. Round, C. G.
Bateson, T. Hamilton, Lord C. Round, John
Beckett, William Hildyard, T. B. T. Sheppard, T.
Bell, Matthew Hope, Sir J. Shirley, E. J.
Bennet, P. Houldsworth, T. Sibthorp, Colonel
Deresford, Major Hussey, Thomas Stuart, J.
B'ackbnrne, J. I. Jones, Captain Tollemache, J.
Broadley, Henry Knightley, Sir C. Tyrrell, Sir J.
Broadwood, 11. • Law, Hon. C. E. Verner, Col.
Brooke, Sir A. B. Lawson, Andrew Waddington, H. S.
Butler, Sir Y. Lefroy, A. •Wyndham, Colonc
Christopher, R. A. Lindsay, Captain Yorke, E. T.
Churchill, Lord A. S. Lockhart, W.
Chute, W. L. W. Lowther, Hon. Col.
Connolly, Colonel Lygon, General
Douglas, Sir li. Mackenzie, T.
1 Douglas, J. S. Marton, G

TELLERS.
Colquhoun, John
Spooner, Richard

GRAIN CROP OF THE UNITED
STATES.

The Commissioner of Patents has published an esti-
mate of the harvest of wheat and Indian corn in the
various states for the last two years. As the com-
missioner has access to many intelligent individuals in
various parts of the country, it is probable his estimate
is as near an approximation to accuracy as can be made.
Wheat. Corn.
... 13,572,000 57,600,000
.. 12,580,000 17,126,000
... 7,044,000 30,625,000
~. 4,563,000 25,584,000
~. 16,200,000 13,250,000
... 11,885,000 27,272,000
... • 8,340,000 70,625,000
... 4,769,000 54,625,000
7,061,000 4,945,000
4,884,000 3,273,000
1,969,000_ 14,887,000
1,168,000 8,184,000
502,000 1,912,000
647,000 1,282,000
241,000 3,098,000
5,000 731,000
114,000 2,649,000
854,000 1,728,000
1,050,000 7,314,000
440,000 516,000
1,571,000 2,713,000
980.000 16,650,000
378,000 2,167,000
1,525,000 15,625,000
2,427,000 8,250,000
733,000
971,000 672,000
793,000 2,028,000
15,000 35,000

Ohio ... ...
Pennsylvania ...

Indiana

Illinois

New York ...
Virginia ...
Tennessee ...
Kentucky ...
Michiga❑ ...
Maryland ...
North Carolina
South Carolina
Maine
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island ...
Connecticut ...
Vermont
New Jersey ...
Delaware ...
Georgia
Alabama ...
Mississippi ...

Missouri
Arkansas
Florida
Wisconsin

lowa ...
District of Columbia ...

Total ... ... 106,548,000 417,899,000
The crop of 1844 was estimated at 95,607,000 bushels of
wheat, and 421,953,000 bushels of corn. There was a
material deficiency in the crop of wheat in the state of
Ohio last year over the preceding year ; but in almost
every other state, except the Carolinas, Georgia, and
Alabama, there was a considerable increase. In the corn
crop there was a falling off of one-third in New York
and South Carolina, one-fourth in Maryland, one-third
in Virginia, one-third in North Carolina, one-fourth in
Alabama, and a considerable increase in all the Alter
states, except Mississippi.—New York Journal of Com-
merce.

,

Saxony, 25,433 cwt. to Turkey, 23,210 cwt. to Sou'
Germany, and 20,542 cwt. to Prussia.
let f:
Prussia possesses 540 coal mines, giving emp , .A----via.---- --
to 25,000 workmen. The produce, in 1844, a 't
.?..1/V. _ , I>. ~.._
to 53,000,000 cwt., or a value of four and a hal 4 ~,,. aR kr.....1 )4,
dollars (675,0001.) In 1841, Prussia imported 3 O. :7;1 . , - ..,',,
cwt., principally from England. Her exportati st-vils -4-1-.% 1 _ ---.--N,
6,903,473 cwt. to Holland, France, and Poland. ~.. , 1 ..- AV
In Bavaria the produce is not what it might be; %elm -1, -(-1 1,4 Aka kr
are 40 extensive coal mines, principally in her Rhenistr
provinces; the produce is about 1,200,000 cwt.
In Saxony the mines are worked with zeal; the pro-
duce amounts to about 4,000,000 cwt.
There are extensive mines near the the forest of
Thuringen.
The Grand Ducy of Baden possesses some valuable
coal mines.
In the Duchy of Brunswick there is scarcely a mine.
In the kingdom of Hanover there are coal mines which
occupy more than 1,000 workmen.
Wurtemburg is poor in this respect. The Grand
Duchy of Hesse; the Duchy of Nassau, the Grand Duchies
of Mecklembourg and Olembourg do not possess coal
mines. In the Electorate of Hesse there are some valu-
able mines, producing annually about 900,000 cwt.
Generally speaking, the production of coals in Europe
is susceptible of being greatly developed, especially in
some parts of the Austrian dominions. It is true that
during the last few years much has been done, but there
is still much more to do.
The produce of coal in Europe amounts annually, on
&rough calculation, to 120,000,000 florins, or 12,000,0001.
sterling.—Lloyd's Austrian Gazette.

STATEMENT OF THE ABBESS
MIECZISLAWSKA.

The Journal de Debuts inserts the following answer from
the Polish priests at Rome to the second denial by the Rus-
sian Government of the truth of the recital of the Abbess
Mieczislawska, which we have published. The answer to
it is transmitted to the Debats by the Count de Monts,-

lembert :
" ANSWER TO THE ADDITIONAL. NOTE DATED FROM ST.
FETERSBUROH, MARCH, 1846.
" The venerable nun, whom it pleases the author of the ad-
ditional note to call 'the woman Mieczislawski,' never as-
sumed the title of Abbess of the convent of Kowno. We defy
the Russian diplomatists to cite from among the numerous
creditin
persons who have seen and conversed with her since her ar-
e r
of
l within the Prussian territories, a single witness worthy
made
eo heard her take this quality. In the first decla-
rationobfefosfre,
uernriorrersi.ntoTi:-hsicvha
publicationFthoef
tAhrecharbtiisehleopefofthPeojseeant,natwl
tohemTonhithrds
yth, she took her true title of Abbess of Minsk.
fallen, was rectified in the next journal, the Third of May, had
nishensextitiedfity
Abbess
to confess by that journal and by
part of addition num-
ssofnsk. The author
I thehe
bofertlis
sßecoemnadinnsotetheiliftolreceodf
that, in the first note,
it was carefully concealed that in the said town
did exist a convent of Basilian nuns, and to
o acknowledgeof Minsk there
that the mother Makrena did not arrogate to herself
im-
aginary title. Thus is confirmed by the admissions of Russia
herselfan
the existence of this convent, the reality of which
has been wilfully denied :—thus is confirmed the testimony ,
of the old inhabitants of Lithuania, and particularly that of
the Sisters of Charity at Wilna,as well as that of the Marquia
de Narp, an officer who was in the service of the French army
in 1812, now resident at Rome, all of whom attest the fact
from having been eye-witnesses of it, Driven to speak of the
convent of Basilian nuns at Minsk, the note gives its history
from 1834, and pretends that at that period it was converted
into a hospital. This assertion is completely false. In
1835, the convent still belonged to the Basilian nuns, and
by the fire which in that year reduced Minsk to ashes, the
convent suffered severely. All the wealthy inhabitants of
the town witnessed the mother Makrena, with the sisters
Wawrzecka and Conorska, demanding and receiving contri-
butions towards the reparation of the damages their convent
had sustained. It was not until 1838 that it was suppressed
by the violent expulsion of the nuns. As to the augmenta-
tion of revenue and other advantages of which the note

speaks, favours still enjoyed by the superior of the convent
transferred from Minsk, there is the same sophistry, the same

falsehood as was inserted in the first note. If it be true that
the revenues of some convents have been increased by fresh
grants, it has been most assuredly only for the benefit of such
nuns as have embraced the schism, and not of those who
have refused to do so ; since these last have Wen treated as
servitors and prisoners, and as no longer forming a legal
community. Besides it is literally false to aosert that any
new revenues have been conferred upon religious establish-
ments since the Russian Government, after having seized
their estates and property, has replaced the ample incomes
derived from them by very small pensions. Consequently
there is an evident falsity in this second part of the first ad-
dition. No person can be made to believe that the Russian
Government, which had seized the property of the convents,
can have augmented revenues no longer in existence, that
they can have been augmented in favour of nuns considered
to be rebellious heretics, and that these rants have been
continued up to the present day. The Last referred to in
the addition No. 5 has never been disputed. It has not

been denied that some nuns may, on account of the state of
their health, have been allowed to return to their Catholic
families ;:but it is affirmed that these permissions have all
been anterior to the cruel persecutions of 1838. Addition
12.—The note affects to give the names of the superiors of
the convents existing in 1839. Here, again, it falls into vo-
luntary error. Thus, the superior of Grodno was not Bai-
kowna, but Maliszweska ; that of Witebsk was not Kasi-
meraka, but Bublika ; that of Polock was not Kuleszawka,
but Kostrowna. From this let the confidence merited by the
writers of the note be judged, when they say that Ma-
krena Mieczislawska was not Abbess of Minsk. It may be
that in 1839 there were only nine convents of Basilian nuns
in Russia, for at that period persecution was already old.
It must be concluded that persecution had already borne its
fruits ; for previously there were at least fifteen of these con-
vents in Russia, viz., those of Wilna, Grodno, Pinsk, Orza,
Minsk, Polofock, Witebsk, Novogrodesk, Zyrovice, Slonim,
Boruny, Beresweez, Czaswiki, Biala, and Foczajow. These
convents were inhabited by 245 nuns, as is proved by the
Calendars of the order printed before the persecution. The
convent of Minsk alone reckoned 35. If, therefore, there
were no more than 55 nuns in all, there would remain only
20 for the other. 14 convents, or one anti a halt for each.
It is added that no change has been made in the interior dis-
cipline of the convents. Nothing, cei tainly, beysod the re-
ligious faith and the persons of their inhabitants—the old
faith has been made to give place to a schism, and the inha-
bitants have become Greco-liussians, or have been martyr-
ised for remaining faithful to their creed. With these ex-
ceptions, it is true that there has been very little change.
The note concludes with two allegations—the first of which
is founded on a slight mistake, which it vainly endeavours
to exaggerate ; and the second of which is branded with
flagrant bad faith. It is truC that the Governor of Minsk
was not named Uzakoff. The Mistake arose from the
similitude between the two names Stil.zkoff and Uzakoff,
and not Usrakoff or Souchkoff, as the note, with a view to
delude, wishes to represent. It was in truth General Suszkoff
who was Governor of Minsk at the time Of the persecution.
It may be easily imagined that the ear of the Abbess, or of
those who took down her testimony, may have misappre-
hended the sound, It will be easy to appreciate tiie. declara-
tion which the note attributes to General Suszkoff, Nzhen it
is known that this personage is a man of cruel and despotic
character, sent at that period to Minsk precisely to be the
executor of those pitiless orders against the Catholics, whoa
it was determined to force by whatever means to apostatise.
In the second place, the note joins irony to falsehood,
in affirming that the Princess Euphrosnia Giedymin, who
is brought to life in 1838, died at Rome more than six
hundred years ago. We inform the learned author of
the note, that Christina Clara Giedymin, who took the
name of Euphrosina on becoming a nun, was visitress gene-
ral of the order of Basilian nuns; that she is the person
designated under the name of mother-general—a title which
was gives to her according to custom—and that she it was
who perished miserably when she was being conveyed to
Siberia. It will be seen that the author of the note is
little versed in genealogies, although he pretends to have
consulted them. It will not be out of place to make him
acquainted with that of the nun whom he persists in calling
the woman Mieczislawska. Makrena Mieczislawska be-
longs to a distinguished family of Poland, allied to the
princely family of Wistgenstein. She is the dalaghter of
Joseph Mieczislawski and Anna Jagiello, daughter of Casi-
mir and Hedwige. She was born at Stokliszki, the estate of
her parents, in the ancient palatinate of Troki, in 1784. She
is not the only member of her family who has suffered for
religion. One of her brothers, Calixt Mieczislawski, who
took the name of Onuphrus on entering the order of St.
Basil, was, on his refusal to forsake his religion, put into a
cart, and so tightly bound, that he perished on the way to
Smolensko. Two of his companions, Szozerbwiski and
wherehich
fakrena entered the order (f St. Basi at
sokw,
expireddied Rolfh.
arriving
gn
th the
nsairieencsakrot. ; andNve awfiol
addrth,
Abbess Several
her Jagiello, was
her maternal aunt,
tZChh°alrtkY:wn mother 3
months
the age
aofftetrvizidty:stibieree
wentin to the tehecocnovnevnetnotfoßfiMalaLsokf,
she remained, and performed almost all the duties of the
establishment until the moment when the abbess Kulesza,
having become infirm, Makrena took her charge for three
yheerarqsimalnitdysoufee
aebebdessed
,hsehreaws
asabbpersseseantt heetrthdeae tehleiontiolBne23. of
the
aWlleilgnataioannsdoßf etrheeswoedczditioWneel have
note,
denesdtrowyeetilovneer
abybbesoneetshoef
the new errors with which it is filled, as its most cruel con-
demnation, to the indignation and contempt of all upright
and impartial minds.--Rome, April, 1846."

MURDERS IN ENGLAID.—Mr. John O'Connell, Men'
her for Kilkenny, moved on the 12th of February for a return of ail
murders that have been committed in England since the Ist of
January, 1642 ; specifying the county, &e., where such murder had
been committed, with other particulars. It appears that the ordinary
criminal returns received at the Home office, having reference to cri-
minals, and not to the parties against whom offences; are committed,
do not in any Instance state the condition in life, and not in all in-
stances the names of persons mnrdered or attempted to be murdered ;
nor do these contain any record of murders or attempts to murder
further than in cases where accused parties have been apprehended.
There was therefore no direct means of furnishing the particular in-
formation required by the address, A summary of
of the
From
is
e
totals given, it is proved that the number added, showing the number of inquests, wrnovfictinieqnue
wtehinn „ ch2,2Barwioet, infanticides. es.
Theretiejd wereFor
2 0 foundmurder the convictions ;
viscstielfon-dseni
were 58
for
&c.
manslaughter, 51 ; for concealment of birth, 27 ; and under the
ts wasro44mos, the
Bof
of the accused, 2 ; accused died in prison, 4 ; no bill or acquitted, 99 ;
and cases not ascertained, 190 : making the total stated. There
were of attempts to murder 65 attended with bodily injury, and 17
an
not attended with bodily injury, and 10 cases in which reward or
pardon was offered by Government and no results followed. There
were 29 convictions ; 16 of the accused found insane; 36 ewes in
which there was no bill found, or the parties were acquitted, and one
which the trial was postponed. Of rewards offered there were 35 ;
28 in cases of murder, and 7in cases of attempts to murder. Theron
were 8 of the rewards paid, and in 12 cases convictions follotwoed.
which 11 were in cases of murder, and 1 in case of attempt
rewards
mur-
der. In four cases where convictions took place tteofacquittal,offered
reward was claimed, but not paid. In one case
without pecuniary re-
pardon was offered
do not appear to have been claimed. In one
cases of attempt to murder,
ward on the part ef Goveniment. To murder, and '
four
THE CHOLERA.
Asiatic cholera had spread
t thr°iality in some of the principalgh several of the provinces of Persia,
towns.
and had given rise to great mortality —ln a late number we stated that the
it is reported Meshid, thence south of the Caspian to
from Riga, it has
d to have extended from Bokhara across the Persian
frontier to Herat an ,
Odessa
Tehe-
ran,state that it has crossed the Russian boundary, and has appeared at
and still further south to Ispahan. Recent accounts from
ppetaretersdbuonrghtlie
lEfutruoupseeaancesoiduentastaKreatsuanu,eatbeuttedl2,,ooothe
Tiflis, tuking a course northward between the Caspian and Black
seas, while, according to the latest intelligence
Broken out at Orenburg in the Uralian mining district, crossed the
dr"Visileigeassaerraloinmasd Stall:lien a somewhat irregular course, in a direction west by
north;
asandinittlleoesfurninoetratprpreuaprilotonloiafvellif2oBllo3wo.ed
II:: banksdi.seas eofwgrkteachyt
wlBas23 toe nlllBn3eBd. It
tutniapapcieuaarrted at
urfoOrraenpbeurtrgodfour the
ellyreast mertsi.litnrelaBp2p3 and
.;reappeared
reached England in 1831, prevailed in Persia for seven years, from
at Orenburg in 1829, and its prevalence and fatality in this province
were so great, that upwards of one-tenth part of the inhabitants
were seized with it, and one-fourth of those who were attacked died.
It reached St. Petersburgh in July, 1831 ; and England on the 26th
of October of that year. At Tiflis, where it is again reported to have
broken out, the mortality from the former epidemic was so great,
that three-fourths of these who were attacked perished. W cshall
take care to report any further Information which may react go
respecting the progress of the maled:f.—XerliceiGatete.

,o

A ILWAY COMMITTEES.

(YESTERDAY.)

GROUP IV.

The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills
comprised within this group re-assembled at the usual hour this
morning, and procectle I with their labours, Mr. W. B. Hope in the
chair.

PERTH AND iNITERNESS.
The business of the day was commenced with the cross-examina-
tion of Mr. Joseph Mitchell, the acting engineer of the line, by Mr.
B. ANDREWS, on behalf of the Great North of Scotland Company.—The
length of the line from Redgorton to Nairn was 1 l 1 miles, 3 furlongs,
and 5 chains, and from Nairn to Inverness 1531 miles. The line
would not run right into Nein', but there would be a short branch to
accommodate the main traffic of about 7 miles in length.
From this point of junction to Redgorton there would be only a
single line of rails, with the exception of a short distance, Athol
Valley, where there would be a double line of way. The highest
elevation of the line, which was about the station at Inverness, was
1,450 feet. The Caledonian line had an elevation of 1,050 feet, and
the Sheffield and Manchester an elevation of 800 feet. From In-
verness to a point near Nairn, a distance of ten miles, they ascended
596 feet on gradients of 1 in 84 for seven miles, 1 in 200 for two
miles, and lin 144 for one mile. They, however, adopted the alter-
native line, which increased the distance. The line descended till it
reached the Tinder river, where it ascended. Here there was a
curve of three furlongs radius, the gradient of the curve was 1 in
100. The bridge at this point was 1 in 331, on a straight line
crossing the river, and 1 in 100 alter crossing it of five miles,
hree furlongs, and ten chains in length. The total ascent
from the 100th mile coming from Perth, and going northward for the
first 29 miles, was 1,125 feet. From this point to Inverness they
were on an ascending gradient of I in 147 for 6 miles, 1 in 75 for 8
miles, lin 104 for 8 miles. There was always a good deal of snow,
rain, and mist at this point. There would be 15 stations on
the whole line. Between Inverness and Nairn they would
not occur more frequently than at other partions of the line.
They would be equAlly divided throughout the whole line.
From Elgin to .Nairn there would be four stations. He con-
templated running four passenger trains, two Sunday trains,
and onegoods trains each day. The mail coach from Perth toce
In-
verness was often sent round by the coast in winter, consequence
of the contractors finding it more profitable to send the bags on horse-
back, and somethn es i consequence of the roads being stopped up with
snow. The Edinburgh and Glasgow incline of 1 in 42 was
expensive stationary eneine ; and this ob. ervationThe line termi-
nated worked by an
applied also to the
Lickay incline on the Birmingham and Gloucester.
at Redgorton, where it joined a branch of the Scotch Midland.
He did not know whether it was contemplated to make the Scotch
Midland at this point a double or single line. He was aware that a
meeting of shareholders adverse to further progress of the Bill had
been held in Aberdeen, but he had been creditably informed that it
was got up by the Great North of Scotland Company. To make the
line a double one it would require 203,5611. more than his estimate.
The estimate for the Great North. of Scotland, with double llnes,
would be 10,562,0001., and of the Perth and Inverness, and Aberdeen,
Banff, and Elgin, 20,816,0001. The capital of the line from Aberdeen
to Perth was 1,500,0001. The Perth and Inverness, and the Aber-
deen, Banff, and Elgin, had 81 miles more of rail to make than the
Great North of Scotland. The price of the Scottish Midland from
Fettle to Redgorton would be 50,0001., which would have to be added
to the 20,816,0001. His estimate for working a double line was 401.
per cent., and a single said Nairn to Elgin 33/. per cent.
On re-examination he the Great North of Scotland included
in their system two branches to Frazerbergh and Peterhead, which
he had not taken into consideration in making the comparison he
had just made. He understood the Great North of Scotland line was
to be amalgamated with the Aberdeen and Perth Company, whose
shares were at an enormous discount, vrhile the Great North of
Scotland shares were not rateable at all I; and he was apprehensive
that, in the present state of the money market, if the two were
united, it would be some time before the, lines would be opened
for traffic. What he meant by his gradients being
favourable was that they could he worked by an ordinary engine.
There were many gradients already in existence of a similar charac-
ter worked by ordinary engines. But many of his gradients which
were considered objectionable might be avoided altogether. It WAS
not that a coach could not get along the Highland road that the mail
was not run sometimes in winter, but because the mail contractor
found they made more profit by sacrificing the passengers and running
the mails with horses, which they had in large numbers for posting
in summer, while in winter they would be idle were it not for the
mails. The detail of his estimates agreed with Mr. Gibbs's. His
own prices were somewhat ligher, while they were much higher than
what he was in the habit of paying. The highest point of the Great
North of Scotland was about six hundred feet.

Mr. Errington, who is associated with Mr. Lock as an engineer,
was the next witness called.—lle said he had, in conjunction with
his partner, examined tie roue of the proposed line, and he could
confirm the evidence of Mr. Mitch,ll in everyjespect. From the
nature of the country, the works were ofreinarkably small magnitude.
The gradients were good, there were few curves and slopes, and only
one tunnel of 400 yards long; and from the experience he had. with
estimates made out upon Mr. Mitchell's principle for Scotch lines he
had no hesitation whatever in saying the work could be completed for
the sum given la by Mr. Mitchell. There was no doubt that a sub-
stantial contractor could be got without difficulty to undertake
the works upon Mr. Mitchell's estimate; indeed, he had works under
his control which were being executed at much lower prices. He
had no hesitation In saying that the trains could run over the flue
notwithstanding what had been said about the gradients at the rate
,of 30 miles an hour. It would not take more than 3,0001. a year to
obtain the power on the Perth and Inverness, with its severer gra-
dients and. plains, that was proposed to be used by the Great North
ofls. Scotland , while, at the same time, there would be a saving of
1 2d. per ton on the thrott:th. traffic. In a through and a circu-
tious line, the one that had the end, or last link of the line, would
have power to decide which way die passenger traffic should go;
and he was afraid no regulations could be made which should insure
fair play to both companies. The best way was to leave the
last link in the limas of the through line, because there
could not be say doubt that the local ought to be
subservient to the through line. With proper precautions, it was al-
most impossible that a line could be obstructed with snow, for, in
fact the power of the railway was used for keeping it clear in snowy
!weather
On cross.examination by Mr. AUSTIN, he said he was decidedly of
opinion that sooner or later a direct line would have to be made, and
certainly tie the through line on: lt to be made before the coast
line. 'f here certainly were some gradients of no ordinary character
on this line, but this was all a matter of exnense. They were not such
as could not be worked by an ordinary powerful engine.
The Committee adjourned shortly after four o'clock.

r--past twelve o'clock, Colonel

CIZOUP V
This Committee met to-day at half
Fox in the chair.

FORTH AND CLVID.II ZUNCTION.
This, the last Rill in the group, was taken up this morning.
There Is no opposition to the scheme, the object of which is to con-
nect the east and west of Scotland in a diagonal direction to the
north of Glasgow.
Mr. LOGAN appeared for the promoters of this line, which he stated
commenced at the Stirling terminus of the Scottish Central Railway,
and proceeded ❑p the valley of the Forth, crossing over in the direc-
tiOn of Killearn and Dryinen. and terminating at Alexandria, in the
valley of the Leven, near to the point from whence the river issues
from Lochlomonti. The line was 30 miles in length, and presented
no engineering difficulties, the curves and gradients being generally
of a favourable character. It would be of great service in supplying
a very important and improving district of country with coal and lime,
and taking their produce to profitable markets, while it would, from the
fine scenery at its western terininue, in the neighbourhood of Lochlo •
mond, be attractive to tourists. There was only One tunnel 240 yards
long. The steepest gradient on the male line was one in too; on the
branch of the main line one in 93. The shortest radius of a curve
two furlongs. The estimated expense of• the whole line was 350,0001.
Evidence was then taken in support of the statement of counsel,
when the Committee declared the preamble to be proved.
The clauses were then gone through, and agreed to, when the
Committee adjourned.

GROUP
,VI.

SCOTTISaI CENTRAL (PER.TH TERMINI

AND BRANCHES).
The Committee to which this groan is referred met to-clay at 12
o'qlock at noon, in Room 29. Present, Sir J. C. Habhcuse (chairman),
Mr. Aldwrman Humphay, Mr. Dickenson, Mr. Mundy, and Mr.
Neeld.
The proceedings commenced by the Members going through the
clauses of this Bill, which, without any exception, were agreed to.

DUNDEE AND PERTH.
This was the next Bill for the consideration of the Committee, and
on its being called on,
Mr. Sergeant Muaray proposed for insertion a clause to the effect
that the promoters of this railway should be prevented from entering
upon the South Inch under any powers contained in their Bill of the
preceding ye-ir.

The room was cleared, and on our re-admi3sion
The CHAIRMAN said—l beg to say that the Committee have
come to the determination o: inserting the clause, if it shall
be found that it is not contrary to the standing orders of
the House of Lords. The. Secretary I.ss been dispatched to
consult with the secretary of Lord Shaftesbury's Committee upon
the point, and he will very soon let us know the result of his com-
munication. I think at the same time that it is right to let you
know that it is the unanimous feeling of the Committee, that you,
the representatives of the town council, should give every assistance
in your power to this company to establish a station upon the
Waterhouse. I should like to know whether that is your intention ?
The Lord Provost—Our intention is to give every facility in our
power to this Company in the carrying out of their Bill.
The Secretary, having returned from the House of Lords, informed
the Committee that the clause in question would be struck out of the
Bill when it reached the Lords,
Mr. Sergeant MURPIIIC prop,
which would avoid the
Lords. The clause was agreed

;e:1 another clause to the same effect,
objection that might be raised in the

The postponed clauses of the Pill were then gone through,
tumultuously agreed to.

The Com'initieethei; adjourned until Monday.

(I.:WUP
This Committee assembled to-day VI twelve ,at o'clock. Present, Mr.
B. Palmer, chairman, and the other Meiniters.

STIRLING AND 313UNPER.D17.1NE.
The conshteratiou of this Bill was resumed.
Mr. 31'Nsit., on behalf of the Bill, said that he would endeavour
to abbreviate the case as much as possible, and proceeded to call
Air. Robert Robertson, provost of Dunfermline, who stated that he
was a banker at Dunfermline, where he had lived for thirty-five years,
mid with the traffic of which he was wtll acquainted. The proposed
railway would be the means of affording facility for carrying the
traffic of that town to Glasgow. Anothei advantage that would result
from the proposed railway was the means it would give of conveying
troops from Stirling, where there was a depot, to Dunfermline, which
had been in a very disturbed state of la R.

This witness was cross-examined at some length, but withow
eliciting anything of importance.

The Committee decided that the preamble of this Bill .Into proved,
and then proceeded to assi,nilate the tolls, &c. to the usual standard.
EDINBURGH AND NORTHEAP7 (LOCH-
GELLY AND ZZSLI.II EXTENSION).

Mr. CLARKE opened the case for this Bill. He said that
he would be able to prove by evidence that this line was
one that would be of unquestionable public advantage.
It was only live miles in extent, and would afford
a much shorter communication through the town of Dunfermline,
as well as great facility of going to and from Kirkaldy, whence there
was a great quantity of coal imported. The Learned Counsel then
proceeded to call evidence.
Mr. Smith, examined by Mr. CLARKE—The proposed extension
would be or great advantage to Leslii•, where there were from 4,000
to 5,000 tons of coal consumcd annually. There were eight flax-
mills in work in the neighbourhood of Leslie.
Cross-examlned—These, mills were half a mile or less from the
village of Leslie. Did not consider ttic road from the bridge over the
Leven to Leslie asod a
de goodf
level road, though he understood that
there had been a goal om e
mills
about Leslie were in the valley of Leven.xpended on it. All the
Atter some further evidence in corroboration had been heard, the
Committee adjourned.