The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEIN
RUAR

neither the wish nor the intention of the Great Northern
Railway to make the line. It was, however, their wish
to see a communication established between Cam-
bridge and Hitchin, and this Bill was only
brought forward to force on the Eastern Counties
to the completion of their line, which they undertook to
make three years ago, but until notice was given of this
Bill, they did not attempt to put a spade in the ground.
He would not put the House to the trouble of dividing.
The motion for the second reading was therefore ne-
gatived without a division, and the amendment agreed to.
SUPPLY OF WATER TO THE METROPOLIS.
Sir G. GREY moved that it be an instruction to the
Committee of Selection not to fix the sitting of the com-
mittees on any Bill connected with the supply of water
to the metropolis, or to any part thereof, till at
least one week after the Easter recess. The Right
Hon. Gentleman had observed that the Government
had considered the recommendations of the Board of
Health with regard to a better supply of water
to the metropolis, and they had prepared
a Bill—ho would not say founded on the
scheme of the Board, but which, if it received the sanc-
tion of the House, would render it extremely desirable
that no new Bills on the subject should go before the
Committee until this one was laid before the House.
He therefore proposed, as the fairest course which could
be adopted under the circumstances, that these Bills
should be deferred until after Easter.
Mr. V. SMITH hoped the Right Hon. Gentleman
would name an earlier period, as Easter would fall very
late this year, and the companies who had introduced
Bills would be delayed in carrying cut their, improve-
ments for a better supply of water if those Bills could
not be proceeded with at an early day.
In reply to Mr. W. PATTEN,
Sir G. GREY said the Bill was in preparation, and he
expected to lay it on the table of the House before
Easter. The Government were of opinion, with the
Board of Health, that it would be inexpedient and un-
desirable that the supply of water to the metropolis
should be made the subject of competition.
PETITIONS.
Sir J. YOUNG presented several petitions, from
places in Ireland against Papal aggression.
Mr. W. PATTEN presented petitions from Lancashire
to the same effect.
A great number of petitions were presented against
the window-tax.
Sir R. H. INGLIS presented a number of petitions
against Papal aggression.
Colonel CHATTERTON presented petitions from
various places in the county of Cork', to the same effect.
Petitions against the paper duty were presented by
Mr. Cowan, from Ulverstone; by Mr. Ellis, from Lei-
cester; by Mr. Staney, from Dover; by Mr. Osborne,
from Brentford; by Mr. Ewart, from Dumfries; by Mr.
H. Berkeley, from the proprietors of Felix Farley's
Journal; by Mr. Lushington, from Devonshire.
Petitions against the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill were
presented from the counties Monaghan and Antrim by Mr.
S. Crawford; from Youghal by Mr. Fagan; from county
of Dublin by Mr. Reynolds; and from several places in
Ireland by Lord Naas..
Lord RENDELSHAM presented a petition from a
place in Norfolk praying for the establishment of
county financial boards.
Mr. STANLEY presented a petition praying the
House to pass some measure for the relief of agricul-
tural distress.
Mr. BOOKER presented addresses from several
places in Ireland complaining of agricultural distress.
Mr. M'CULLAGH presented a petition from
Airdrie, in Berwickshire, and from several other places,
both in Scotland and Ireland, praying that the Roman
Catholic disabilities may not be increased, even if they
are continued.
Mr. Alderman Sidney, Mr. Tufnell, and Sir William
Abdy, presented petitions for the total and uncondi-
tional abolition of the window-tax.
Mr. HUME presented petitions from the seamen of
Sunderland and Great Yarmouth, complaining of the
effects wrought by the New Merchant Seamen's Act.
They stated that it had in truth reduced them to servi-
tude • they had no alternative but to apply for the benefit
of the poor-laws, for they felt that the law had done
nothing more nor less than place them in the position of
slaves.
Mr. HUME presented petitions from Hull, Mold, and
other places, complaining of`the monopoly enjoyed in the
printing of Bibles.
Mr. TENNENT and Mr. WELD presented several pe-
titions against the continuance of the income-tax.
Mr. MORGAN JOHN O'CONNELL presented
several petitions from Kerry praying that the Irish
Church might not be injured by the measures cf the
Government.
Mr. M. GIBSON presented petitions from Manchester,
and several other places, praying that the stamp and
advertisement duties might be remitted, and complain-
ing, especially on the part of one individual, of the Act
of the 6th and 7th William IV., that she had been
very much injured by it.
NOTICES OF MOTION.
Lord NAAS gave notice that this day fortnight he
should move for a Committee of the whole House to in-
quire into the law affecting the levying of duties on home
made spirits in bond.
Colonel SIBTHORP gave notice that if a Bill should
be brought in for a renewal of the income-tax he should
move an exemption in favour of officers in the army and
navy and of tenant farmers.
Mr. WILLIAMS gave notice that this day fortnight
ho should submit to the House the motion of which he
had given notice on the first night of the session, namely,
that no portion of the public money should be inter-
cepted on its way to the Treasury, nor should any be
expended without the sanction of Parliament.
Mr. lIUME gave notice, that should the House agree
to the income-tax, he would move an amendment limit-
ing its duration to one year, to admit of an inquiry being
instituted into the inequality of the tax, and the injus-
tice of levying the same rate on the terminable as on
perpetual annuities, and on flectuating means as upon
permanent property.
Mr. AN.STEY gave notice thet this day fortnight he
would move a resolution on the subject of the allegation
contained in a petition which was presented 014 the 14th
inst., by the Hon. Member for Montrose, from ,Rungo
Bapojec, the agent of the grand guardian of the infant
Raja of Sattara, complaining of a denial of justice before
her Majesty's Court of Privy Council.
PROPERTY AND INCOME-TAX.
Mr. MACGREGOR gave notice of his intention to
move iu the Committer; of Ways and Means, as an
amendment to any resolution or resolutions for impos-
ing a duty or duties on property or income, that rates of
duty not exceeding the following rates and proportions,
shell be levied, viz.:—
Upon the annual value of all property enumerated in
the Act 5 and 6:Victoria, cap. 35, under Schedule A, and
upon all the annual dividends or profits of all property
shares or investments enumerated under schedule C in
the said Act, and upon the annual profits or gains aris-
ing or accruing to any person residing in Great Britain,
from any kind of property whatever, whether situate in
Great Britain or elsewhere, there shall be charged
yearly—

A. For all such incomes exceeding the annual value
of 501. and not exceeding 1001., for every 20. thereof
above 50/. the sum of 21d.; exceeding 1001. and not ex-
ceeding 1501., for every 20s. thereof the sum of 2id., and
for every 20s. above 100/. the sum of 2.4 d. additional;
exceeding 1504 and not exceeding 2004, for every 20s.
thereof the sum of scl„ and for every 203. above 150/.
the sum of 2Ad. additional; execedin„,,, 200/. and not ex-
ceeding 3001., for every 20s. thereof the sum of 7id., and
for every 203. exceeding 200/. the sum of 20. additional.
For all such incomes exceeding 3001., tor every 203.
thereof the film of 10d.
LB. Upon the annual value of all such properties in
respect to the occupation thereof, as they are enumerated
in schedule B, 506 Victoria, for every 20s. of the annual
rental exceeding 751. and not exceeding 1501., the sum
of ld.; and for every 20s. of annual rental exceeding
150/. and upwards the sum of 2d.
C. Upon all annual profits or gains arising or accru-
ing to persons residing in Great Britain from any pro-
fession, trade, employment, or vocation, whether the
same be respectively carried on in Great Britain or else-
where; and upon every public office or employment of
profit, and upon every pension, annuity, and stipend
payable by her Majesty or out of the revenue of
the United Kingdom, except annuities charged as enu-
merated under Schedule C of the Act 5 and 6 Vic.,
chapter 35, there shall be charged as follows, viz.:-
For all profits, gains or income, exceeding the annual
value of 75/. and not exceeding 150/., for every 20s.
thereof above 751. the sum of lid.; exceeding 1501. and
not exceeding 2004, for every 20s. thereof the sum of
2id.; and for every 20s. above 1501. the sum of
lid. additional; exceeding 200/. and not exceed-
ing 3001, for every 20s. the sum of 5d.; and for
every 20s. above 2001. the slim of ld. additional; ex-
ceeding 300/. per annum,:for every 20s. the sum of sd.
Mr. WODEHOUSE gave notice of his intention to
move for certain returns connected with the le►ying and
assessment of the property-tax.
Mr. MITCHELL gave notice that this day fortnight
be should move the appointment of a Select Committee
to inquire into the constitution of the Board of Customs.
EXTRAMURAL INTERMENTS ACT.
Sir DE LACY EVANS asked the First Commissioner
of Woods when the Board of Health would be enabled to
commence giving effect to the Act of last session, for the
discontinuance of intramural interment.
Lord SEYMOUR said the Board of Health had lost no
time in taking all the preparatory steps which were ne-
cessary before the Act could be brought into operation,
but there were provisions in the Act which required con-
siderable deliberation as to the arrangements which
should be made under them. He hoped, however, before
long the Act would be brought into operation.
DUTY ON CARRIAGES.

In reply to an HON. MEMBER,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated
it vies not his intention to propose any alteration of the
duty on carriages.

SUPREMACY OF THE CROWN.
Mr. JOHN STUART asked Lord John Russell,
whether any of the law officers of the Crown, for Eng-
lund or Scotland or Ireland, had given any opinion to
the effect that, in order to the vindication of the supre-
macy of the Crown against the aggression of the Pope
of Rome, it was necessary or expedient that the
enattment of penalties and disabilities against
the P.rotestant Bishop h
s of te Scotch Episcopa Church should he submitted for the sanction of Parlia- l
ment. Whether, in case any such opinion had been
given, there was an
opinion before the y objection to lay a copy of such
Lord J.
Government to RUSS House.
LL said it was usually the practice of
ask the opinion of the law officers of
the Crown as to the state of the law when any occasion
arose for doing so, but it was not the practice
to ask their opinion with regard to measures which the Government might think it necessary to bring be-
fore the House. He had to state in reply to the Ron.
and Learned Member's -question that the Government
had not consulted the law officers of the Crown on the
subject to which he referred.

NATIONAL GALLERY.
Mr. CHARTERIS asked the First Lord of the
Treasury whether it was the intention of the Go►ern-
ment to take any steps in the present session of Par-
liament with reference to the National Gallery, either as
regarded that portion of the building at present occupied
by the Royal Academy, or with respect to the enlarge-
ment of the building itself?
Lord J. RUSSELL replied that it was the intention
of the Government to make certain proposals with re-
gard to the National Gallery, but he was not in a po-
sition to state at present the nature of them.
EXTENSION OF COUNTY COURTS TO
SCOTLAND.
Mr. HUME asked the Secretary of State whether
there was any intention of bringing in a Bill to extend
to Scotland the County Courts for the easy and speedy
recovery of debts under 501.?
Mr. FOX MAULE replied that the existing laws
in Scotland for the recovery of small debts worked very
satisfactorily, and no complaints having been made with
respect to it, the Government had no intention to in-
troduce any Bill to extend the County Courts Act to
Scotland.

NEW CLIANCERY ACT.
Mr. KEOGH asked the Attorney General for Ire-
land if any general rules had been framed in pursuance
of the Chancery Act of last session, and if not, what
had caused the delay, and whether there was any nu-
nhood that they would be soon published?
Mr. EATCkIELL said he had sent to Ireland for in-
formation on the subject of the Chancery Act of last
session, and as soon as he rec(ived a reply, he would
have no hesitatio❑ in conve3ing it to the House.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
EAST INDIAN.
The annual meeting of this company was held yester-
day, at the office, Old Broad-street ; Mr. J. Baxendale
in the cFair.

The SOCRETARY then read the report.
The CaAIRMAN, on moving the adoption of the report,
said that since it had bee❑ circulated they had received
a most satisfactory report from their engineer, Mr.
Turnbull, with regard to the works. It went into con-
siderable detail, was of great length, and contained a
great deal of information; but he (the Chairman) could
not give them a short account of it, the document would
lie at the office for the inspection of the shareholders.
From what he had read of it, he considered that it was
very satisfactory, so far as the works were concerned.
He had known the engineer for many years, and he was
satisfied they could place the fullest reliance on any re-
port they may receive from him.
Mr. FRANKLIN complained that some of the items in
the accounts were not correctly stated.
The CHAIRMAN said it was impossible for accounts to
be more correct. They were carefully audited, and the
directors could not spend a single penny without the
consent and authority of the East India Company. Ir
they were to go beyond the limit of exp:.nditure allowed
by the East India Company, the directors would have to
pay the money out of their owu pockets. '
A long conversation ensued v. ith regard to one of the
items in the balance-sheet for 60,442/, stated to be for
current expanses, and eventually it was agreed that
current payments would have been more correct, with
the addition fur rails, chairs, and other materials for the
railway.
The report was then adopted, the dividend was de-
clared, and the retiring directors, Messrs. J. Baxendale,
J. Cattley, and A. Nairae, were re-elected, as was also
the retiring atditor, Baron Goldsmid.
On the motion for confirming the forfeiture of certain
shares being put,

Mr. ADAMS said, he believed that many of those share s
belonged to parsons who had died in India, and in con-
sequence of the necessity and difficulty of obtaining pro-
bates in England the public in India were very much
dissatisfied, asd until that feeling subsided it was not
likely that persons in India would hold shares in the
company. He hoped the subject would receive the at-
tention of the directors.

The CHAIM-UN said,that so far as ho knew the di-
rectors would be most anxious to meet the question in a
proper manner, and deal with every case according to
its merits.

After some further observations the resolution con-
firming the forfeiture of certain shares was carried.
The proceedings concluded with votes of thanks to the
chairman and erectors, and also to the auditors.

NORTHERN AND EASTERN.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held
yesterday, at the Bishopsgate station; Mr. Paterson in
the chair.
Mr. BOURNE, the secretary, then read the report.
The CHAIRMIN having moved the adoption of the
report, _ _

Mr. DAVIS wished to know whether the proposed ar-
rangement between the Eastern Counties Company and
the Eastern Union and Norfolk Railway Companies
would affect the interehts of the Northern and Eastern
proprietors.

The Ciliunmix did not think it was a question for
the meeting to go into. The resolutions passed at the
late meeting of the Eastern Counties Company would
not affect them. The security the Northern and Eastern
Company held was of the most undoubted character, and
entirely secured them.
Mr. KENNARD, a director, said he agreed with the
Chairman that their property was as secure as any rail-,
way property could possibly be, but he considered the
course pursued last week by the Eastern Counties meet-
ing in reference to the proposed agreement between the
three companies to have been most prejudicial to the
interests of the Eastern Counties Company, surrounded
as it was by rivals. It had the Great Northern on the
western side, the Eastern Union on the eastern, and now
also the Great Northern to flank them on the north side,
and the latter company were working over to Dereham,
which was within 17 miles of Norwich. He thought the
appointment of a committee at the Eastern Counties
meeting, under all the circumstances, a most unfortunate
event. He was perfectly satisfied the Norfolk Company
would, if left to themselves, effect a union with the
Great Northern 'Company. He thought it too bad that
small shareholders, some of whom had been possessed of
their shares but for a short time, should be allowed by
the great bcdy of the proprietors to take a prominent
port in the proceedings of the Eastern Counties Com-
pany, and sway the decisions of a proprietary possessed
of property to the amount of so many millions.—(Ht ar,)
Mr. ROUTII did not quite agree with the views of Mr.
Kennard, although he was in favour of a working agree-
ment for conducting the tragic of the three companies.
After some fut:lher discussion the report was adopted,
and the dividends' of 5 per cent. and 6 per cent. per
annum on the guaranteed stocks were declared.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to
the Chairman and directors.

A WOMAN KILLED BY TIER HUSBAND.
BATES, WEDNESDAY.—A very melancholy occurrence
took place in this'city last evening, which has caused a
great deal of excitement. It appears that about eight
o'clock a carpenter, named Joseph Clark, living at 5,
Lampard's-buildings, returned home from his work at
Brislington, near Bristol. A violent quarrel and fight
ensued between Clark and his wife. Thy other lodgers
in the house heard blows struck, but unfortunately the y
did not interfere until Clark was heard calling out to a
Mrs. Langley for assistance. Mrs. Largley's husband,
accompanied by another man, named Wilcox, then ran
up stairs, and upon entering Clark's room they found
him in a sitting posture against the wall, supporting his
wife, and :shaking her, apparently for the purpose of
bringing her to a state of coesciousness. The room
was in great contusion, and the person of the woman
presented marks of great violence. Clark, on see-
ing Langley and Wilcox, immediately exclaimed
"I am afraid I have done a bad job!" and
when they removed the unfortunate woman from him
she gave a convulsive gasp and immediately expired.
On the floor was found a stick broken into three pieces,
and clotted with blood. Surgical aid was immediately
procured, but, of course, was of no avail. Clark, who
appeared deeply affected by his position, was given at
once into the custody of the police, and conveyed to the
central station, followed by a laige crowd, so speedily
had the melancholy,occurrence gained currency. This
morning the prisoner was brought before the magistrates
at the Guildhall, and charged with the wilful murder
of his wife. He is a respectable looking man, and, on
being placed at the bar, appeared greatly dejected.
Mr. M. Harris, solicitor, watched the proceedings on
his behalf.
The only wttnestuexamined was police-constable 35,
who deposedc—l was last-night, about a quarter-past
8 o'clock, called to No. 5, Lambard's-buildings. I went
up into the middle room, where I saw a woman in a
sitting position on the floor, supported by two men and
a woman, washing blood from her face. Mr. Hunt, a
surgeon, was also there, and ho said the woman
was dead. I asked him where the man was that did it,
and he pointed towards the prisoner Clark, who was
standing by. I charged the prisoner with killing his
wife, and he said I atn the cause of her death. He said
I first pushed her doivn (pointing to the foot of the bed,
where there was a large pool of blood), I then helped
her up, and set her on the ledge of the window. I after-
wards beat her with a stick. I asked where is the
stick? He pointed to the floor, where I found a stick
broken iu three or four pieces, on one of which was a
quantity of hair wciand round it, and blood. I then
found a woman's tap thrust into the fire grate. There
was no fire in the grate. There was a quantity of hair
in the cap. The prisoner said, that was there before I
came home, and the hair on the floor was there when I
came home. I took4he prisoner into custody, and con-
veyed him to the poliqestation.
The prisoner was then remanded for a week.
The case is rendered more melancholy by the fact
that the prisoner has three children, the eldest only nine
years old.

INSTITUTIONOF CIVIL ENGINEERS.
On Feb. 11 and 18, Cubitt, Esq., President, in the
chair, the discussion on Mr. A. V. Newton's paper, "An
Inquiry into the nature of Patent Law Protection, with
a view to the better appreciation and security of the
Rights of Inventor's" was renewed, and was continued
throughout both evenings.
An appendix to the paper was read, in which it was
submitted, that if the conclusions drawn from the paper
were correct, the spirit of the existing patent law, con-
sidering the Act of James I. as such, should remain in-
tact; in which case any amelioration would be re-
muAstndreftehratsaulllelsyu
of amelioration of the
re-
stricted to matters of detail;
patents, and must
That the patent laws, as at present interpreted and
administered, werb based upon the spirit of justice;
patent laws, to be judicious and beneficial to inventors,
suggestions
in no way touch upon the validity of patents when
tshaeongsrfaourtituhge
granted.
In the discussion, the subject was first examined
legally, and whilst it was admitted, that the present
patent laws were capable of improvement, it was urged
that the question should be very carefully argued, under
all possible contingencies, and the bearings of every
position be well considered, before any innovations were
introduced, as the most disastrous consequences would
result from any proceeding which increased the number
of useless patents, and interfered with the manufacturers.
It was argued that there was no analogy between the
copywright of a book, a picture, or a design, and the
protection granted for an invention; and that, therefore,
they could not be submitted to the same rules.
The existing facilities for offering opposition to the
demands for patents were considered to be productive of
benefit, for many applications bad been successfully con-
tested, which, it they had been granted, would have ma-
terially 'interfered with the public interest.
The present high cost of patents was deemed injudi-
cious, as having, among
.other objectionable effects, the
tendency to induce the introduction of several distinct
inventions under the same title, in order to save expense;
and thus the system almost offered a premium for liti-
gation.
The mere registration of inventions was then conten-
ded for, in order to reduce the cost and the tediousness
of the present system.
To this it was replied, that it was sufficiently difficult
now, for a patent agent to advise a client as to the
novelty of an invention, but that if registration alone
would suffice, it would become impossible for any man,
devoting his whole time to reeding, to make himself
acquainted with all that he should know, in order to
perform the duty of protecting his client's interest.
As to the cost of patents, it was urged that cheap
patents would render necessary cheap law, to defend the
rights of inventors; as all profitable patents were cos-
Min to be infringed.
It was contended, that the fact of so large a per
(mime of the patents applied for, never having reached

the last stage, could not be attributed to the expense. of
the di&rent stages, so much 2s to the present searching
inquiry with them, having shown, that they really pos-
sessed no intrinsic merit, and that it was only common
sense to abandon them.

It was as.:,erted, that there was always more available
capital at command, for working patents, than there
were good and useful inventions to be brought into
general use. Their registration was again ob-
jected to, on the ground, that in drawing
up the specification, the advocate frequently
brought prominently forward some important feature
of an invention which had not been considered
of any moment by the author, and whose interest would
probably have materially suffered if that point had been
neglected.

The appointment of a registrar, or board to revise
specifications, was objected to, as a moat destructive
measure, and it was asserted that juries very rarely de-
cided contrary to the justice and common tense of a
case. That the finding of a jury bad scarcely ever been
reversed in a court of law; whilst the ruling of judges
bad been almittcd by themselves to be erroneous. The
examination into patent questions by a jury composed
of men engaged in pursuits analogous to the subject of
invention, wuuld be dangerous, as bringing self interest
to bear egainst probity.
With respect to the practical operation of patents on
mechanical improvements, it was shown, that several
important inventions bad never been made the subjects
of patents at all, and that they had remained unused for
terms of years before the public had appreciated them.
The planing machine and the key grove engine were
examples of this position.
With respect to the assumed number of useless patents,
it was asserted that there was no instance of any ma-
chine whose perfection bad been hindered by the diffi-
culty of bringing into accordance numerous patents
taken for the several component parts of the machine.
Every successive patent might be for a progressive step
necessary tor the eventual combination of a perfect ma-
chine. This was demonstrated by recent cases of litiga-
tion on patents cases.
It was proposed, that the time for which a patent was
granted might be limited, subject to renewal in the case
of really meritorious inventions.

A graduated scale of prices ttppeared to be generally
approved, as it would enable the ingenious, poor in-
ventor, to obtain the due reward for the exercise of his
talents, without his resigning to the capitalist the greater
portion of the profit.
Although ne definite result was arrived at, the general
opinion appeared to be, that the present cost of patents
might be considerably reduced; the forms of proceeding
much simplified; and, by rendering compulsory the
depositing of the specification at the time of applying for
the patent, effective protection would be affbrded to in•
ventors, and the dreaded increase of useless patents
would be effectually restrained.
The meeting was then adjourned until Tuesday,
February 25th, when the tullowing paper will be read:—
" Description of the Royal Border Bridge, erected over
the River Tweed, on the line of the York, Newcastle,
and Berwick Railway," by Mr. G. B. Bruce M.
Inst., C.E. ,

GERMANY.
The following message has been communicated by
the King of Hanover's Government to the Diet of
that kingdom :
" The conduct of his Majesty Government with re-
spect to the affairs of Germany has been guided by
those general principles of justice which the Government
ascertained by a conscientious examination of the facts
of the case. The sudden and various events (Weck-
selfalle) have made such an examination difficult in the
extreme. But the conviction to which we always re-
turned remained unaltered—viz , that the law and the
constitution of Germany exist according to the contents
of the fundamental principles and the constitutional re-
solutions of the Germanic Confederation; that this law
excludes exceptional laws which have been repealed in a
constitutional manner, and that it includes the fulfilment
of promises constitutionally made and given. The Ger-
manic Confederation, though it indissoluble character
was recognised by fundamental laws, was, in consequence
of the events of 1848 and 1849, deprived of the organ of
its joint volition (Gesant•willen). The suspensions of
the functions of such an organ exerted a most lamentable
influence.
"To supply the want thus created, the Government
sent a Royal Commissioner to the Pieper Assembly of
the Confederation which was convened on the 10th of
May. 1850, and to the Federal Assembly which met on
the 2d of September of the same year. But when the
Government was summoned to take part in the Federal
Assembly, its consent was tacked to the solemn assurance
that it was not the object of that Assembly to return to
the old condition and the old forms, but that its object
was to re-model the Confederation according to the ne-
cessities of the time, and in the meanwhile to guarantee
the superintendence over the common affairs cf the
German countries, so as to assert their dignity and im-
portance in the system of European States, and to pro-
tect their interests according to the fundamental lame of
the Confederation. This wee the state of affairs when
the present Cabinet assumed the government of Hano-
ver. That Cabinet agreed with its possessors as to the
views which it ought to take of the existing law; but
the affairs of Germany presented, nevertheless, the most
embarrassing difficulties.
" A neighbouring country (Hesse) exhibited the la-
mentable spectacle of a rupture between the Sovereign
and his subjects. The intervention of' the Federal
Power was opposed by a third party (Prussia), and fur
the purpose of protecting its own interests and rights
this third party occupied the country without the con-
sent of its Sovereign. The Hanoverian Government had
been summoned to assist in an armed intervention.
"In the north, another Federal province (Holstein)
and its Sovereign were engaged in actual warfare. That
country, after an enormous sacrifice of blood and trea-
sure, pined for peace and repose. A peace had been
concluded between the Sovereign and the German Go
vernments, wad this peace protected the rights of Ger-
many. But still the combat was continued. In this case,
too, the Hanoverian Government was asked to take part
in an armed intervention for the purpose of disarming a
population which had fought and combated under the
same banner with the soldiers of Hanover.
" The part which, under these circumstances', the Ha-
noverian Government was compelled to take in the in-
terest of Germany and its own interest, was clear be-
yond the possibility of a doubt. Peace was to be pre-
served at any risk; the most active co-operation was
wanted to restore an acknowledged state of public law to
Germany. It was necessary to reconcile, but not to pit
against one another, the confl.cting elements in the
neighbouring states, to protect the rights of Germany
without prolonging a resultless and bloedy war, and, as
much as possible, to protect Hanover itself from new
burdens.

" The military power of Hanover cannot give that
country so much importance as a consistent and equit-
able foreign and domestic policy is sure to do. And in
this equitable policy the Government has been supported
by the resolution of the Diet of the 16th January, 1850,
which directs it to prccure a Constitution of Germany
by means of the development of the existing law. Nor
need the Government repent of the course which it has
taken. Relying on similar sentiments in its
mightier allies, even at times when the rights of
the Confederation seemed for the moment to
be misunderstood, the Hanoverian Government, assured
and confident of the justness of its cause, stood unmoved
amidst the warlike preparations which convulsed the
major part of Germany, and the expense of a mobili-
zation of its armed force was thus spared to the
country. The consequence has been that the Govern-
ment has had the extreme gratification to witness the es-
tablishment of amicable relations In the pluce of me-
nacing dissensions, and of a scission between the north
and south of Germany. The danger of a war, with all iii
fatal consequenoes, has been removed, and the two great
Powers are now united in the endeavours to remodel
Germany by means of a revision of the existing Fe-
deral Constitution. The fidelity of Hanover to the
existing Federal Law, and the pacific .attitude of
the north-west of Germany, have materially as-
sisted in obtaining these favourable results.
The Hanoverian Government has, moreover, readily
sent its plenipotentiaries to the Conferences, which
were opened for the durpose of revising. the Constitu-
tion. The instructions of that plenipotentiary contain
a distinct expression of the solicitude (eigene Sorge) of
the Government fir the fulfilment of the Constitutional
promises (Verfassungs Zusagen) which it has given.
Deeply imbued with respect for the existing law, the
Government has positively refused to recognize any
exceptional resolutions (Ausnahnis-Besehlusse) which,
according to its opinion, ought to be foreign to the
legislation of the Confederation. It has not lent
itself to any intervention in any neighbouring State,
and al:hough its attempts at a reconciliation of the con-
flicting interests have been void of success, the Hano-
verian Government still continues, and proposes to con-
tinue, to exert its influence for the above purpose. Re-
cognizing the obligations of a treaty of peace and the
injunctions of the Federal law, the Government
has taken part in the transactions of the Fe-
deral Assembly respecting the affairs of another
Federal province (Holstein). And while it assented
to the resolution of the Federal Assembly, by which
this question too was committed to the two great Powers
the Hanoverian Government advocated the protection of
the rights of Germany according to the Federal resolu-
tions of the 17th of September, 1846. The Government
hopes that the Diet will fully understand and appreciate
its conduct in the questions to which it has referred.
" VON MUNCHAUBEN, LINDEMANN, ROBBING, JACOBI
TH. MAYER, VON, HAMMERSTEIN.
" Hanover, Feb. 15."

---
The immense lump of Welsh coal (weighing be-
tween three and four tons), mentioned a fortnight since as
being expected to arrive for the forthcoming Exhibition, was
on Thursday disembarked from a collier brig in the Pool,
and conveyed safely to the wharf of Messrs. Jones, Sells,
and Co., Bankside, Southwark, and is an object of much cu-
riosity to numerous visitors.

POLIC.E INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION HOUSE.
William S. S. Heal:, a clerk in ihe banking-house of
Messrs. Cuuliffe and Co., of Lombard-street, was brought
before Alderman William Hunter, upon the charge of
having embezzled a bill of exchange for 1501, the pro-
perty of his employers.
Mr. Roger Cunliffe, clerk in the banking-house, said
it was the duty of the prisoner to enter all bills and
moneys received by him. There was a bill for 150/.
upon Messrs. Smith and Co., which was overdue, and
not accounted for in the bealu; but it would be necessary
so have a witness who was at present in the country to
establish the charge.
The prisoner was remanded for a week.
THAMES.
Rosins Herbett, a gocd-lcoking young married wo-
man, 26 years of
described as of 2, Turner's
-build-
ings, St. George'age,
s, was charged with illegally pawning
biz blouses, which had keen entrusted to her tvr making

20, 1851.

up by a poor woman named Elizsbelh Mercer, of 10,
Stone-street, Commercial-road. The prisoner is the
same person who a few months since was charged with a
similar offence, and whose statement as a distressed
needlewoman so excited the sympathies of the humane
that upwards of 401. were forwarded fur her, of which
she received a considerable portion; but it having been
subsequently shown that the off-,nce with which she w as
then charged was not the first of the kind of which she
had been guilty, the magistrates, conceiving that to ad-
vance her any more would be a bonus on crime, publicly
announced not only that they would not receive any more
sums ou her account, but would devote the residue in
hand to tho funds for the general poor, unless the bone-
volent donors chose to reclaim their respective advances.
In the case of yesterday, the prosecutrix stated that she
had employed the prisoner to make up linen blouses at
6d. to 7d. each, receiving herself Is. profit on
every dozen. About three weeks since the prisoner
had six blouses to make up, the valise of which might
be about 4s. 6d. each. Complainant's husband dying,
and she herself being very ill, she sent frequently for
the articles, being apprehensive that the delay would lose
her her own employment. On Friday last the prisoner
absconded from her lodgings. Yesterday she was met
by the prosecutrix in Rosemary-lane, who, as she re•
fused to give any account of the property, rave her in
charge to Smith, 415 K. Prosecutrix had• known the
prisoner since March last.

Mr. YARDLEY—I, not this the same Rosina Herbert
who was hero a sh ,rt time since, and on whose behalf
such considerable sums were advanced by a benevolent
public? Witness—The same, sir.
Mr. YARDLEY—And yet, knowing what has since oc-
curred, you have employed her?
The prisoner (who pretended to be much affected at
her positim), complained that the constable hail pulled
her about, and taunted her with what had formerly
taken place.

Smith denied the truth of this statement, and said he
did not know who she was until she was taken to the
statien•house.

Mr. YARDLEY—I am not at all inclined to credit any
assertion of hers. It is clear that she pawned six blouses,
value 4s. Gil. each, and I shall commit her on the pre-
sent evidence, but she will be brought up again on
Monday, so as to allow the officers time to trace the
property.

REPEAL OF THE WINDO W TAX.
Last evening a special meeting of the delegates of the
various metropolitan parishes took place at the Court-
house, Marylebone, for the purpose of considering the
declaration of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in re-
ference to the window-tax and the attempted Imposition
of a house•tax.
The most extraordinary excitement appeared to pre-
vail. Long before the hour appointed for bolding the
meeting the doors of the Court-house were besieged,
and every part of the spacious building, as well as the
gallery, was in a abort period densely crowded by a de-
termined tired enthusiastic auditory.
Amon.' the Members of Parliament present were—
Lord 1 „lean, Sir B. Hall, Mr. Wakley, Mr. J.
Williams, Mr. Mowatt, Mr. J. Bell, Sir De Lacy
Evans, Mr. C. Lushington, &c.
Mr. J. NICHOLAY, of Marylebone, the chairman of
the metropolitan delegates, having been called to the
chair, observed that there were delegates assembled, not
only on the window-tax, but with regard to the sewers
commission; but 'the latter gentlemen, feeling the vast
importance of the subject of the window-tax, had at once
adjourned their meeting. Although they had been
called together at a few hours' notice, the present as-
sembly indicated the feeling which the statement
of the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made upon
the metropolis.—(Hear, hear.) That assembly was, in
fact a council of war; and they meant to show the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer that they meant war, and no
mistake.—(Cheers.) What they bad assembled for was
to consider the Chancellor of the Exchequer's budget.
—(Groans, hisses, and cries of " We'll make him
budge-it.") It was such a budget as had raised the in-
dignation of all classes of the community—from one end
of the kingdom to the other.—(Hear, hear.) The time
had come when they must call things by their proper
names, and he pronounced the budget of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer the greatest insult and the greatest
piece of humbug that was ever attempted to be perpe-
trated upon the people.—(Cheers.) It was neither more
nor less than a downright swindle—(Loud cheers)—and
entitled the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the cogno-
men of " Thimblerigger-General " to her .Mujesty.—
(Hear, hear.) The game was in the hands of the peo-
ple of the metropolis. The position of the Ministry was
so tottering that the metropolitan Members could turn
the balance.—(Tremendous cheering.) The game was
in their hands, and, to speak in plain English, they
would not suffer themselves to be humbugged.—(Hear.)
They had not only been taken in by the Chanceller of the
Exchequer, but done for.—r Lord DuacaN—" Not yet."]
—(Tremendous cheering.) It depended entirely upon
themselves, and so far from accepting a house-tax as a
boon, they wore determined to fling it back in his face
with the contempt it deserved.—(Loud cheers )
Lord DUNCAN, on presenting himself, was loudly
cheered. Ile was delighted to see such an assembly of
delegates from all parts of the metropolis to express
their indignation and disgust at the recent proposal of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the house of Com-
mons. The Government was pledged to reform and
retrenchment; and if they departed from those princi-
ples, the time had come when the people would tell them
they were no longer worthy of support.—(Cheers.) lie
(the Noble Lord) was not going to mince tee matter. A
more disgraceful insult to the people was never proposed
by any Chancellor of the Exchequer. Instead of
according with the feeling of the people of England that
the window-tax should be totally repealed, he had
proposed what he called a house. tax.—(Shame.) Let
them not be deceived in tho matter. It wes nothing of
the kind; it was only the old window-tax back again.—
(Hear, and Shame.) He called upon them not to be de-
luded by names.—(Bear.) It was a complete humbug.—
(Cheers.) He repeated the word " humbug."—(Renewed
cheering.) The people had been deluded on this subject
before, in 1834 and 1841, and they hod borne it because
they were a patient and quiet people.—(Hear, hear.)
But the thre had come when they must uplift their
voices and show that they were patient no longer.—
(Hear, hear.) Not only were the people insulted by
this speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but it
now appeared that great care mast be taken that no ex-
pression should be conveyed to the House of Commons
which was at all distasteful to the Chancellor. He had
on the previous night presented a petition which he
(Lord Duncan) had received from his constituents at
Bath, stating that they viewed the Budget with surprise
and regret.—(Hear, hear.) He was called to order by
the Speaker, and was told that the people of England
had no right to express surprise and regret at any-
thing done in the House of Commons.—(Shame, shame.)
The Noble Lord at great length denounced the Budget,
and declared that whatever might be the result, he would
with his colleagues prevent the Government from carry-
ing out other measures if they would not.give the uncon-
ditional repeal of this tax. He called upon the metro-
polis to speak out upon this insult on their understand-
ing, and the sooner they spoke the better.—(Tre-
mendous cheering.)
Mr. HEALEY, of St. Pancras, urged that the dele-
gates who were the ratepoyers should express their
opinion first, and the members afterwards.—(Hear.)
Mr. GEORGE, churchwarden of Sr. Ann's, Soho,
moved the first resolution. The Government had not
only broken faith with the nation, but the proposal of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer was a delusion and a
swindle.—(Hear, hear.) He morea—
`• That the imposition of a house-tax as proposed by
the Government is not only unequal, unjust, but ob-
noxious and unnecessary, and this Inee:iug pledges
itself to oppose it in every legal manner, and never
to remain satisfied till they have obtained the uncondi-
tional repeal of the window-tax; and in the event of the
Government persevering in their measure in opposition
to general opinion, the various Members of Parliament
be requested to give such obstruction to the Ministers
as will show that they no longer possess the confidence
of the Government."—(Tremendous cheering )
Mr. GxESIL, churchwarden of St. James's, seconded
the resolution, and however unpalatable it might be to
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he hoped he would
read in the morning the public expression of opinion
that his proposal was unequal, unjust, unholy, and un-
Christian.—(Loud cheering.)
Mr. MlTcrtEae, of Oxford-street, said, so far from
this house-tax being a benefit, it would be a positive
augmentation of the window-tax.—(" Hear, hear," and
" Shame.") He paid now, far 48 windows, 1.51.16 e. 10d.
per year, and if he paid 9d. in the pound fur property-
tax return, it would cost him 161. I Is. 64.--(.e Shame !e)
The resolution was carried unanimously amid loud
applause.
Mr. T. M. NELSON, of St. James's, moved the second
resolution—
" That the Members for the metropolitan boroughs
and counties be requested to oppose the income-tax, or
any other tax, until the Ministers consent to the total
repeal of the window-tax, and no substitution of any
other tax in its place; and that a copy of this resolution
be transmitted to all the metropolitan Members."—
(Cheers.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer had thrown
down the challenge, and this was their answer to it.—
(Cheers.) The Ministerial whippers-in were already
crying out that the Government was in danger, and
that if the Ministers were beaten ou the property-tax
they would have a Tory Government.—(Cries of " We
can't have a worse.") Let them not heed that cry, but
call on their Members to pursue the course laid down
by the resolution.—(Cheers.)
The resolution baying been seconded,
Sir B. HALL, amid loud cheers, explained the course
he had already pursued with respect to being determined
to divide the House on the house-tax. lie viewed the
proposal as the roost delusive that over emanated from
any Chancellor of the Exchequer, and could answer for
himself and Noble Colleague, who was unavoidably ab-
sent, that they would both vote against the income-tax.
—(Tremendous cheering for several minutes.) The
Hon. Baronet called upon the metropolis to back up
their Members, whether the Government had to resign
or not, and sat down amid protracted cheering.
Lord DUNCAN pledged himself to be by the side of the
Hon. Baronet in his vote on the income-tax unless the
window-tax was at once repealed.—(Cheers.)
Mr. TOULMIN S3irrn denounced the proposal of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer as having for its basis fraud
and confiscation.
Mr.WAItLEY, M.P., was also received with tremendous
cheering. Ile had hardly recovered the surprise and
indignation with which ho heard the gross insult to the
feeling and the intelligence of the metropolis contained
in the Chancellor's speech.—(Hear.) Notwithstanding
the misty atmosphere of the House of Commons, he could
not but perceive the smile of satisfaction which pervaded
the countenance of some Members—not among the
supporters of the Government, but the enemies of the
Government;—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Gentleman
gave a humorous description of the political suicide
which the Chancellor of the Exchequer had committed,
and declared that, even at the risk cf. turning QUt the