The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-08 00:00:00

THE SUN

. made by Mr. Larking, allmled to a question which he
considered of more importance to British interests
than even the railroad ; namely, the introduction into
Egypt of what is called the " Tanzimut." :Now, the
Dacha had mada no objection to the introduction into
Egypt of the code of laivs known under that mime ;
but he Coj(lcted to being deprived of the power of
administering those laws, that is, of executing the
sentences given after trial and conviction by the proper
tribunals. The Porte wished to deprive the Paella of
this power, which would be toreduce him to a cipher
in the eyes of the half-civilized people he had to go-
vern. To take from him the power of capital punish-
ment would be to destroy that prestige which is in-
dispensable to enable him to govern, and there
certainly was never less causo for withdrawing that
po',ver than in the case of Egypt.
Lord J. RUSSELL said that he understood it was

very sparingly exercised.
Mr. ANDERSON replied that he had it from authority
on which he considered he could place reliance, that
the number of sentences of capital punishment car-
ried into execution during the last five years was only
three. Alluding to the published replies of
Lord Palmerston to various memorials which
have been presented to him on the sub-
ject, Mr. Anderson observed that his Lordship had
alluded (no doubt with the requisite official caution)
to the questions between the Porte and the Pacha as
being of mere form and etiquette, but there were
facts to show that what he Mr. Anderson would call
the aggre;sive proceedings of the Porte had a much
deeper design; that they were the result of an intrigue
at Constantinople, having for its object to deprive the
present Paella of the government of Egypt by first
taking from him the power necessary to maintain
order i❑ it, and then to make its disorder a pretext for
removing him from the governorship, reducing it to
the state of an ordinary pachalic, getting the appro-
priation of its revenue into the hands of the Divan of
Constantinople, and obtaining through its adminis-
tration a wide field for providing for the creatures of
the Turkish Court and Cabinet. In furtherance of
these objects, it was well-known that numerous
emissaries have been lately actively at work in Egypt
among the ignorant Fellahs and ferocious Bedouins,
depreciating the Pacha's authority, and prompting
them to set it at defiance; and that the result has
already shown itself in a serious insurrection in the
province of Sherkie, not far from the route of the
Indian mail, and which it required a considerable
body of troops to put down.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL, in reply to the deputation,
stated that subsequently to Lord Palmerston's letter
of the 14th ult., dispatches had been received from
Sir Stratford Conning on the 31st, stating that he
expected that a finnan of the Court, authorising the
construction of the railway in Egypt would be signed
in the course of a few days; and that Sir Stratford
gave such assurances on the subject as left but little
doubt upon his (Lord John Russell's) mind that it
would then be compelled. He further stated that the
matter bad engaged the .close attention of Lord
Palmerston, who had used every exertion to bring it
to a satisfactory conclusion ; but that he had had dif-
ficulties to contend with, inasmuch as the question
was one of some delicacy in arranging it with the
Porte.

In reply to a question from Lord Jourt RUSSELL,
relative to the last point referred to in the memorial,
Mr. ANDERSON explained that about eight years
since an agreement was proposed, but not concluded,
with Mehemet Ali, with a view to the permanent se-
curity of the India mail transit through Egypt, and
that the memorialists thought it advisable that a simi-
lar arrangement should be effected with the present
Dacha.
The deputation then withdrew, thanking his Lord-
ship for the courteous reception and the satisfactory
statement they had received from him.
On the folio wing day (Wednesday) the chairman
(Mr. Gregson) had the satisfaction to receive a fur-
ther communication from Lord John Russell, ac-

quainting him by letter of that date, "that more re-
cent dispatches have now been received, which con-
firm still further the statement which his Lordship
had the pleasure to make yesterday to the depu-

ation."

ST. ALBAIN"S BUIBERY COMMISSION.

The inquiry was resumed yesterdly at the usual
hour.
Mr. Thomas Harris, straw-hat manufacturer, was the
first witness called. He stated that he took an active
part in the election of 1847, on behalf of Mr. Willa.
He was the person through whose hands the money
passed. received, altogether, 6601. The first sum he
received was a chi quo to Mr. Gibb's and himself, which
they afterwards drew by their joint cheque. This was
given just before Mr. Wilks came down to St. Alban's.
Mr. Gibbs was a printer in the town. He had seen Mr.
Wilks himself, before that, but had not told him what
sum was required. The second payment was made on
the morning of the nomination by Mr. Wilks himself,
and amounted to 2001. Another sum of 150/, was given
him, by a cheque, from a friend of Mr. Wilks, on the
day of election. He did not know who that friend was.
This was all the money he received from Mr. Wilks by
way of a pros:Alt, befor.o he yet knew whether he would
become a candidate or not. Witness rendered to Mr.

Wilks an account of the expenditure. The 6601. which
he received was all expended, and a few pounds more,
which came out of witness's own pocket. He was, in

fact, a loser by the election to the extent of some 31. or
41. Witness was aware that money had been paid in
bribery. Witness himself had paid bribes to some six
or seven voters only. lie gave them 51. each. Witness
had never much haggling as to the price.
Mr. Slade-How do you account for Mr. Edwards's
great influence among the electors? Though his candi-
date was latest in the field in 1847, ho succeeded in
placing him at the head of the poll. How du you ac-
count for that?
Mr. Harris said that, in the first place, Edwards was a
greater adept in election matters than witness was; in
the next place, Mr. Edwards had more money at his
disposal than he had, and there was no doubt that any
man with a great sum at his command, and who was an
adept in the practices of bribery, whether Mr. Edwards
or anybody else, would be sure to carry the election.
Witness gave Mr. George Perry 751., but not for his
own vote. Perry said to him one day-" If you do not
come out you will lose the election." Witness perfectly
understood that by the words " coming out," Perry
meant bribery. Perry also said he knew fifteen voters
who had not signed the requisition to Mr. Wilks, nor
promised him their votes who might be induced to vote
for him if they received Si. a piece. Witness gave him 751.
for that purpose. Witness impressed upon Perry the ne-
cessity of returning soon with a list of the names of the
voters to which ho had referred, but he never saw him
again till after the election. Perry had since rendered an
account of his expenditure. The first name on the
list was his own for 101.-(Laughter.) Another name
was down for 101., and several others fur 51. each. It
did not, however, account for 15 voters, nor did witness
get 15 more votes than he had expected. Si. out of the
75/. were returned to witness. Witness was brother-in-
law of Mr. Edwards, and had sometimes acted with him
in election matters, but was opposed to him in 1847. He
understood that money was passed to voters in Mr.
Willis's interest by Mr. Webster. Up to within two or
three days of the election there was no money spent
upon votes for Mr. Willis. Oat of the 230 votes ten-
dered for Mr. Wilks 200 were unpaid for, so far as he
knew. The number of unpaid voters included people of
the lower as well as the better class. Mr. Willis was
supported generally by what was called the " Spencer
party," but that was a very small body indeed, and
never exceeded 70 votes at most. It was difficult to
trace political parties in St. Alban's, they were so
merged in money matters. There were, however, some
honourable exceptions, of course.
Mr. Webster was recalled, and stated that he acted for
Mr. Wilks in 1847. He received 201. from Harris, and
distributed it among nine voters. The highest sum he
paid was 81., and the lowest Si.
Mr. George Perry was then examined. He stated
that he received 751. at Mr. Wilke's election to give to
voters. He made no agreement to procure 15 or any
number of votes. According to his recollection, he paid
for 11 votes. He expended 70/. out of the 75/. He re-
turned the other 51. In some of the cases he paid 5/.
or better for votes. Some of the money went in general
expenses. He gave so much money away he did nut know
how much ho kept for himself, but he kept a little. All
the 11 persons to whom he paid money afterwards voted
for Mr. Wilks. Mr. Vass got 10/. from him to give to
a voter. That was one of the 11.
Mr. Vass was here called. He admitted having re-
ceived 10/. from Mr. Perry. He gave 11. to a man, and
the rest he put into his own pocket.
Mr. Alfred Bailly was next examined.-He stated that
he was on Mr. Craven's committee in 1847. Mr. Gibson,
the agent for Mr. Craven, told him that Mr. Craven was
coming to St. Alban's as a candidate, and said that
20 persons were to receive 20/. each to act as a
committee for him. Mr. Gibson asked if witness would
agree to act as one of the committee. Witness said he
held a situation on the County Press, and if the pro-
prietors consented he had no objection. lie was told
that there would be no opposition to Mr. Craven,
and that Mr. Repton and he would be allowed to walk
over the course. Witness said to Mr. Gibson,
" What is to become of Mr. Edwards, who has always
taken so active a part in these matters?" Mr• Gibson
said, " Edwards will have nothing to do with the elec-
tion this time. We are not to act either with him or
Mr. Blagg." Witness ultimately agreed to act on the
committee, but was never paid the 20/. Witness re•
ceived 6/., and one of these he paid to a voter, and the
other Si. he spent. Mr. Vasswas the person through
whose hands the money generally passed. Mr. Vass
told him that one member of the committee (Mr.
Richardson) had received 100/.
Mr. Vass was here recalled. He was a member of
Mr. Craven's committee, and received 3001. for the pur-
pose of promoting his election. He could never have
said to Mr. Bailly that Mr. Richardson, or any ono else,
had received 1001. of the 3001. which 'witness received.
fie spent 969/. 18s. in head-money
A great untidy of them received 1011por: 20 or 50 voters.
each. He put 30/.
of it in his own pocket for his services. Ho afterwards
got 201. more, making 50/. in all.
Mr. Bennett was here called, andon n osaid he had under-
stood Mr. Vass to have admitted
occasion that lie
knew Mr. Richardson had received 1001.
Mr. Vass explained that the circumstance was just the
reverse of what was supposed; the fact being tnat the
:MA which witness had received for the
Wilke's election, was partly made up purposes of Mr.
I y 100/, which he
had received through Mr. Richardso:-
Mr. LiChardSOLl WAS thou examined ou the aubjeot.

lie said he •received either from Mr. Craven, or Mr.
Gibson, his agent, a cheque for 1001,, which he handed
over to Mr. Vass for tee general purposee of the elec-
tion. Ho said nothing to Mr. Vass about the particular
mode in which the money was to be excendad. Witness
begged to be allowed to declare solemnly that, for the
twenty years he hal taken part in elections, he had never
received a sovereign himself; either fir his vote or his
services. He was not cognizant of the mode in which
Mr. Vass disposed of the money beyond the fact that
he understood that the twenty members of committee
were to receive 201. each.
Mr. Harris was recalled, and stated that Mr. Wilks
knew nothing whatever of the money he gave to witness
being used in any improper manner.
Mr. Blagg here produced a regular list of the electors
who voted for slr. Hepton, the Conservative candidate
in July, 1847, who did not receive head-money. The
number 136.—(Their names were road. It will, perhaps,
be remembered that the number who voted for Mr. Rep-
ton on that occasion was 276, so that 140 must have re-
ceived head-money). He also produced a list of those
who voted for Mr. Garden in 1850, and who had received
money for their votes at the election of 1847. The
number was 32. He also produced an analyss of the
register of 1850-51. The number of 10/. voters on
the register was 354; scot and lot voters, 66; free-
men, 63; total, 483. The number of 101. voters who
usually took money was 212; scot and lot voters, 65;
freemen, 31; total 308. Of these there were 141 Con-
servatives, and 167 Liberals. 'rho number of ten-
pounders who did not take money was 142; scot and lot
voters, 1; freemen, 32; total, 175. Of these 104 were
Conservatives, and 71 Liberals. The number who would
vote for a Conservative candidate without solicitation
was 74; and the number who would do the like for
Liberals was 44. The number of persons who voted at
the election in December, 1850, was 423; dead or re-
moved, 8; neuter, 52; total names on the register, 483.
Mr. Edwards stated that he had gone over the lists
with Mr. Blagg, and was satisfied of their accuracy:
Mr. Gresham was here put into the' witness-box at
his own request. He denied the truth of the statement
which had been made by Mr. Edwards in his first exa-
mination, that i❑ the conversation he had with him at
the outset of last election he offered his services for ten
guineas a-day, or, indeed, for any sum. Neither did he
say how he would vote. His object in calling on Ed-
wards was to know what candidates were in the field,
and in the course of conversation he stated that there
were many members of the bar who would be glad of the
position of member for the borough, and he mentioned
the name of Sir Fitzroy Kelly and others. He never
said he was determined to have a " slice" of what was
going on in the borough, but he admitted that he said
he would not be quiet, and he presumed no one would
say that he had.—(Laughter.)
The Commissioners then proeeeded to examine those
voters who were said to have received money for their
votes either at the last election or that in 1847. Between
50 and 60 were examined in succession up to the hour
of adjournment, most of whom frankly admitted that
they had received money (principally 5/0 for their votes.
in general they stated that they voted for Mr. Bell in
1850, and for Mr. Raphael and Mr. Repton in 1847.
One or two hesitated to say that the money was given
for their votes. On being pressed to say what they
had received it for, they replied that they did not know;
Mr. Edwards never said what it was for, and they never
asked. Others said they supposed they must have re-
ceived it for their votes. Several said that they had re-
ceived the money for their services during the election
as spies, messengers, Lc. The following are a few o
the more remarkable cases:—

William Brown stated that in December, 1850, Mr.
Edwards called and left 51. at his bedside. Witness was
then lying very ill. He believed that his wife took it,
and perhaps put it in her pocket, but he knew nothing
about it.

Mr. Agutter, sen., master tailor, said, that in Decem-
ber, 1850, he received 151. from Mr. D. Hudson. Mr.
Hudson did not tell him for what purpose. Ho kept
71. 10s. of it to himself and gave 71. 103. to his brother-
in-law, Mr. Simons, of Harpenden. Witness rendered
no Services for the money. He supposed he received it
for his vote. He had voted previously to receiving it,
but had not been canvassed by anybody. He received
the same amount in 1847.

J. King, publisher, said he received Si. at last
election, but not for his vote. He would not have taken
it as a bribe, for he detested the system. He received
the 5/. for 200 polling-cards which he had supplied to
Mr. Raphael's committee. The cards were printed for
him in London. He was not a printer himself. lie
paid 12s. for the card-paper, 7s. for cutting it the proper
size, and 15s. for printing; in all, 11, 145.; but to that
had to be added his travelling expenses to and from
Loudon, and his bed and board there for two days. The
curds were the size of an octavo volume, and wore worth
sixpence each. Fourpenoe each would certainly not be
an unfair price.
Mr. D. Hudson stated that ho had received nothing
for himself, but that he had received 151. from Mr.
Edwards to give to Mr. Agutter, sen., for the three
votes of himself, his son, and his brother-in law (Mr.
Simons).
Mr. Agutter said there must be some mistake about
his son; he did not receive anything.
Neptune Smith stated that he received 5L or 61. for
his services, which were principally keeping the peace.
Mr. Phin—ln short, you were a fighter; were you
not ?

Witness—Well, I believe I can do a little in that
way—(Laughter);—but I am a man of peace for
all that. During the election, when there was likely to
be any disorder in the street, I would go up to the party
and say, " Come, my lads, let's have pot of beer," and
I generally found that they were readier to fight a pot
of beer than to have a punch in the head.—(Laughter.)
He was usually employed at all elections to keep the
peace. _

Joseph Kentish (an old man of 76) received 51. in
550. Mr. Edwards laid it down on the table and he

picked it up. Mr. Edwards merely told him that h©
looked as young as he did ten years ago, and told him
that the money was for a Christmas dinner.
Francis Brown received 5/. i❑ 1850 from Mr. Ed-

wards, but not for his vote. It was simply for supplying
three pieces of music, worth in all perhaps 10s. When
he received that money he had not made up his mind
how he would vote. Ultimately he neither voted for
Mr. Bell nor any one else. He could only account for
Mr. Edwards's giving him so large a sum for the music
by supposing that it was a friendly act on his part at a
time when he was very much distressed, having a wife
lying dangerously ill, and a large family.
George Taylor, boot and shoemaker, admitted having
received 11/. at the last election from Mr, Low, but not

'or his vote. It was for his services. lle was out day

and night, and left his business for a month—" the more
fool I," he added. In 1847 he received 25/. from Mr.
Blagg, and 101. from Mr. Edwards for his services. He
received 101. of Mr. Blagg's money some few weeks
prior to the election, with the view of " keeping him
quiet," in other words to prevent him attempting to
bring forward a third man, and occasioning a contest.
He denied the truth of the statement which had been
made by Mr. Edwards on the previous day, to the effect
that, in addition to the 35/. just alluded to, he received 51.
from Mr. Blagg, and the same from Mr. Edwards, to
bring up a particular voter, which he failed to do. The
truth was, that ho received only 3/. from Mr. Edwards
for that purpose, and that he spent it all but 7s. 6d. on

the object.
Mr. Blagg and Mr. Edwards both admitted they
might have been mistaken in supposing otherwise.
Mr. Phin (to Taylor)—Why were you opposed to Mr.
Blagg at the last election?
Witness—Because I liked to soo a bit of fun, and
thought that others would like to see it also—(Laughter.)
Mr. Phin—Was it not because you wished to see
money flowing in consequence of a contest ?
Witness—Well, I did not object to the money, of
course.—(Laughter.)
Stephen Morris—Received 51. at last election. It was
said to be for his services, but he supposed it must have
been for his vote, for he did nothing more.
Mr. Phin—That is a very honest answer.
Witness added that he never had a vote before, and
did not want one again.
The groat majority of the voters examined on this
occasion seemed to be of the class of working men, and
rather advanced iu years. They almost all appeared
in their every-day attire, just as they had left their
work. The examinations seemed to be watched with

considerable interest by the inhabitants.
The Commission adjourned at a quarter-past three till
Tuesday next at halt-past ten, when the examination
of the remaining voters who are said to have received
bribes will be proceeded with. It is expected that the
inquiry will be brought to a close on Wednesday next.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS.
THE GRKAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.—(MiIes in work, 2411)
Return of Traffic for the Week ending Oct. 26, 1851:
Passengers, parcels, carriages,
horses, dogs, and mails ... .£5,r.:82 17 9
Merchandise and minerals 5,160 16 3
Cattle 280 6 5

Total .....£11,023 19 5
Corresponding week, Oct. 27,'1830 (236 miles):
Passengers, parcels, &c. ... £4,517 17 11
Merchandise, Cattle, &c. 2,593 0 7

THE EAST
AT:at
Return of Traffic for the week ending Oct. 26,1851 :
taILts...RAIL.I.v.AT.:(6£B7 1;11i1l0es1i8n w6ork.):—
Passengers, paicels, carriages,
horses, dogs, and mails ... £336 12 8
Merchandise and minerals ... 277 511
Cattle • ... ... 19 8 3

Total ... ... «. £633 610
Corresponding week in 1850 ... 727 3 0
King's-cross, Nov. 5.

„
THE LATE BOILER EXPLOSION AND Loss OF LIFE.
—BatsTor,, Nov. 7.—Yesterday afternoon the coroner for
the city of Bristol, J. B. Grindon, Esq., commenced an in-
quiry on the body of William Eacott, the captain of the boat,
who, it will be remembered, was not killed on the spot, but
died a few hours after his removal to the Bristol Royal In-
firmary. Evidence of the facts as stated yesterday having
been given, other evidence was adduced, showing that the
engineer had driven the boat at so fast a pace as to excite
terror in his companions, and that on one occasion he had
trigged down the valve. The Coroner having summed up,
the jury found that the deceased died through the bursting
of a steam-boiler. The Coroner intimated that had the en-
gineer lived, a verdict of manslaughter would have been re-
turned.

SYMPTOMS OF AMENDMENT.—The " Lion of
Judah" sends a letter accepting an invitation to "grace" the
banquet about to be given to the Mayo members, signed
simply ">4 John MtHale." This is the first instance on re-
cord of a similar act of humility and obedience to the law of
the land being perpetrated by "John, Archbishop of Tuam."
—.lrish Correspondent of the " Times."
METROPOLIS WATER SUPPLY.---A. Parliamentary
blue book of considerable dimensions was yesterday printed,
containing the evidence given before the House of Com-
mons on the supply of water to the metropolis. The evi-
dence given was very voluminous, as appears from the blue
Wyk; OW POW.

LONDON,

MAGAZINES, &c.—(CONTINUED).
BENTLEY.
The hero of Prefeesofereasy's series of "Unsuccess-
ful Great Men" ia for the present rneath Kosciu,ko, of
whom we have ashort but admirably written biogra-
phy; it is well, just at this present moment, when
the thrt e Brigand Powers are again menacing Europe,
that the history of the infamous partition of Poland
should he recalled to recollection. They are now
menacing and intriguing in and against the French
Republic as they were then against the Polish king-
dom ; let us hope that they may not find a second Stan-
islaus to betray his trust, since, should they not, they
will be driven back with disgrace across the Niemen,
and Poland will again be free. Mr. Alfred Cole
continues his interesting and valuable work on the
Cape and the Kafirs. He paid a visit to the Kafir
chief Macoino, whom he describes as an ugly
drunken reprobate, but shrewd, intriguing,
and like all Kafirs by nature, a thief and a swindler.
He describes the Kafir as a fine animal, tall, well-
formed, active and graceful in his movements, and
very muscular ; his features do not at all resemble
those of the Negro, and his cplour varies from
almost black to a light copper. The Hottentot seems
to be inferior both intellectually and physically to the
Kafir; the missionaries appear to have taken the Hot-
tentots under their elieLdal care, with what effect let
Mr. Cole, an eye-witness of their labours, narrate :
" Out of every hundred Hottentot Christians (so-
called) I will venture to declare that ninety-nine are
utterly ignorant of any correct notion of a future state.
I speak from experience. I have frequently been by
the bed-side of the sick and dying Hottentot, who has
been a constant attendant at some missionary chapel,
and Idlave asked him whether he has any fear of dying.
He has smiled, and said, None.' I have asked him
whether he expects to go to heaven, and he has answered
No." Where then?' Nowhere.' I have endeavoured
to explain to him that his minister must have taught
him the doctrine of a future state of rewards and
punishments. He has laughed, and said, that perhaps it
might be so for the master, but not for him; he lies
down and dies, that is all—that is enough.' This I have
heard over and over again from the lips of some of the
pet' Christians of missionaries—model men, whom
they talk of and point cut to every 'griffin' in the
colony, and write long communications about to their
societies in England.
" The reader, then, will naturally inquire, why these
men pretend to be Christians at all? I will answer him.
There are two grand inducements—in the first place,
the Hottentot Christian feels himself a more important
person, from the notice taken of him by the missionaries
and their friends: in the second place, it is of very great
pecuniary advantage to him. Each missionary station
has a tract of land belonging to it, on which are built
the chapel, the school•house, the minister's residence, &o.
A Hottentot has only to go and attend the school and
chapel regularly, and to play the devout well, when ho
will be allowed to erect a hut on the land, and a small
piece of ground will be given him as a garden. lie
will be supplied with implements and seeds, and by doing
a little work about once a week ho can thus live all the
rest of the time in idleness. In a country where labour
is so dear, he can at any time earn a few shillings on the
nearest farm, if he wants any little luxury, and will
condescend to da a day's work. But it is notorious, that
these people, living at the missionary stations, are the
idlest and most useless set of people in the colony. I
once knew a man who, at a sale, purchased sixty or
seventy head of cattle. He wanted a herd or two to
drive them home to his farm—a couple of days' journey
off. He rode to a missionary station hard by, and offered,
first, fair wages to any two men who would come with
him; he then increased his offers (seeing an unwilling-
ness on the part of the people) till they became absurdly
large. No ono would stir, though there were dozens
living there in utter idleness, and with no ties but those
of sheer laziness to detain them. He then called on the

missionary, and begged him to intercede and persuade
two men to accompany him. That gentleman, however,
declined to interfere: and when my friend asked him
whether he thought he was conferring a benefit on the
Hottentots by encouraging them in idle habits, he re-
plied, that he never interfered save for their spiritual'
advantage, which he thought would be more secured
by their remaining in that peaceful spot—where, by the
way, promiscuous intercourse between the SeXOS was
winked at, if not absolutely sanctioned.
" My friend rode away, leaving two or three dozen
able• bodied men behind him, living in a state of com-
plete idleness, and yet unable to procure even two ' for
love or money to drive home his cattle. Like a sen-
sible fellow, ho did it himself.

" The consequence of this system is, that you cannot
frighten a farmer more seriously than by telling him
that a missionary station is going to bo established near
him. Visions of daily desertion by his servants float
across his mind's eye, and he feels strongly inclined to
devote all missionaries to a place which is occasionally
coupled with Connaught.' '
There cannot be a doubt but that the ill-advised, al-
though no doubt well-intentioned efforts of the mis-

sionaries, encouraged as they have unfortunately oc-
casionally been by crochetty Secretaries and Under-
Secretaries of State, have contributed in no
small degree to alienate the colonists from
the mother country, and to produce the
present disastrous state of affairs at the Cape of Good
Hope. The anecdotal memoirs of Prince Kaunitz
and the Due de Choiseul are pleasant reading., and
" Major O'Shaugnessy's Adventure on the Duke's
Moors" is a rich story, racily told. A review of
Mignet's recently published Life of Mary Queen of
Scots is illustrated by a portrait of Mary when Dau-
phiness of France; which, if a portrait, is certainly
' not calculated to sustain Mary's reputation for
personal beauty; her features, as represented in this
engraving are hard, masculine, and coarse, and there-
fore we are inclined to doubt its authenticity,
although Niel gives it in the" Illustres Francais du
IGme Siecle." We have the commencement of a biogra- '
phical notice by the Count de la Merck, the friend of
Mirabeau, who managed the conduct of the negotiations
between Mirabeau and Louis XVI., to whom Mira-
beau on his death-bed confided the proofs of his per-
fidious betrayal of the cause of his country. The
present instalment, however, only gives the adven-
tures of De la Marck up to the period of his return
to Paris at the conclusion of the war of independence
in America, so that we must wait until next month
for the most interesting portion of the biography.
The " Zoological Notes' are continued, leopards be-
ing the subject of the present chapter. We have,
besides, several reviews of new books, and an ingeni-
ous defence of " Ballooning" by a lady.

• THE GREAT
dinsyownatsehat
The report agreed to RoyalbEt'lliißl TrIONi .i t
feature of their proceedings their meeting on Thursday not the only important
3:
They,,omm.aslss_oonhaad_
under their considerationg the da-
. question of their agree-
ment with Messrs. Fox and Ilenderaon, enderson, the contractors,
and the validity of those equitable claims founded
thereon to which the character of the work and the out-
lay in its completion have
given
which they rise. Before we state
the terms of the decision at
this subject, it is necessary to laiarrived
dwuhpicohn
ex
may help the public to a soundi 'sicloi? an" n
with
regard to
it. The original contract for theelocluil. buildingprovided that
a ,sum of 79,8001. should be paid for lthe use of it to-
wards the purposes of the Exhibition and and in the
event of ita purchase, the price was fixedl at 150,0001.;
but it also had attached to it a schedule of prices
according to which all additional work not included
in the specification was to be executed. The addi-
tional work so provided for and found to bo re-
quired in the progress of the undertaking raised the
contemplated expenditure of 79,800/. for the hire of
the building to 109,0001,, and
that amount has
been nearly paid under the strict terms of the contract.
When, therefore, the period arrived for a final settle-
ment with Messrs. Fox and Henderson, supposing that
the Royal Commissioners had determined to buy the
building, the price of 150,000/, fixed at the outset must
have undergone in conformity with their contract a pro-
portionate increase, and would have stood at about
205,0001. With the question in this position, it be-
came known that the contractors, pressed by time, by
the additional outlay which it rendered unavoidable, by
the increased work put upon ',them, which made the
whole still more difficult to accomplish within a limited
period—deprived, too, in a great measure, of the power
of effectually controlling their outlay for labour, and
driven, as the public will remember, to a day almost for
the completion of a work in which the credit
of the country for punctuality was deeply im-
plicated—it became known that if held to the strict
letter of their bond they would be heavy
losers. Then it must be remembered that the tran-
sept roof and the architectural decorations of Mr.
Owen Jones and Mr, Barry were executed gratuitously.
The Royal Commission could not, under the circum-
stances, have stood rigidly upon their contract in the
event of its being determined that the building should be
pulled down. The very novelty of the undertaking
pleaded on behalf of the equitable claims which the
contractors possessed upon their overflowing exchequer.
It was therefore foreseen that when the fate of the
Crystal Palace had been settled definitively, if its pur-
chase right out was not in some shape or other provided
for, the amount that the contractors were out of pocket
in its construction must be taken into serious considera-
tion. The Royal Commission have not, as yet, of course,
finally decided with reference to the building, but,
un-
less we are very much mistaken, they have approached
as near a conclusion as to render th© event certain.
Without waiting for the moment to which they might
have postponed Messrs. Fox and Henderson's equitable
claims, and when, had they been resolved to give up the
Crystal Palace, they could alone have considered those
claims advantageously to themselves and the public,
they, at their meeting on Thursday, adopted the follow-
ing minute :
It was resolved, that although under ordinary cir-
cumstances the payment of a higher sum than that
agreed upon for work executed under a contract, after
public tender, is highly objectionable and would establish
a very dangerous precedent, and although the Commis-
sion could admit no claim on the part of the contractors,
yet that they were of opinion that, under the circum-
stances
recapitulated in the report of Lord Granville
and Sir William Cubitt, Messrs. Fox, Henderson, and
Co. should be secured against ultimate positive loss, and
that the sum of ' 0001, as recommended in the above
Ireport, should e forthwith advanced to them, upon
their written ag ement to abide by such terms and con-
ditions as the Commissioners may hereafter prescribe.
" It was also agreed that the further questions raised
in that report, as to the final verification and settlement
of the accounts, and as to the conditions to be imposed
in case of the materials being sold for a higher sum than
that estimated, should be referred to the Finance Com-
mittee.

EVENING,