The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-21 00:00:00

Peat for Fuel.

The New York Weekly Tribune gives upwards of 10
columns to the history, locality, formation, and character of
peat, the result of a special mission sent by the Tribune into
Massachusetts to ascertain " Facts upon peat." To esti-
mate the importance of the subject the reader should be a
resident on the Western prairies, whore wood is naturally
scarce, or else whore, as in all Eastern States, it has boon
wickedly wasted, until fuel is one of the costliest items of
house-keeping. Whore wood was got rid of as a nuisance
fifty years ago, it is now valued at $6 to $l2 a cord.
Even in Delaware County, Now York, the centre of the
lumber region, wood was selling at $2.50 a cord, stove
length, that is 16 to 20 inches. It is of the utmost impor-
tance to distinguish peat deposits from the swamps of no
value for fuel. Fire is essential, in fact a necessity for
comfort and luxury, and also the greatest agent for trans-
muting crude materials into a condition serviceable to
man. In all the older States the supply of fuel is insuffi-
cient; in all of those the supply of peat is inexhaustible.
To utilise it, all that is necessary is to learn what peat is,
where deposited, how to obtain it, and holy to prepare it
for use.

The peat of temperate climates comes from the growth
of mosses of the genus sphagnum., which have the peculiar
faculty of continually.growing at the top, while laying at
the roots by which basins have been filled to the depth of
20 or 30 foot, into which a hole had been dug 10 foot
deep, the peat growing stronger and better. In some peat
beds so long a time has elapsed since the formation ceased
that tho substance has nearly lost its fibrous character,
and has the appearance of black mud. Such is often the
best, and is good solid fuel without any preparation. It
is equal in value to some fibrous peat after it has been con-
densed. In Ireland, valuable timber is dug from peat
bogs where it has been buried for ages. In that country
peat is also found climbing sides of hills. Such slopes are
always wet, and the peat-like sponge has the power of
retaining water, but its spongy nature is the greatest
obstacle in converting it into fuel. Peat deposits may be
examined by digging or ploughing with an instrument
made on purpose. The most valuable kind will appear
like a smooth plastic black mud. Tests will show this
mud to bo pure carbon when freed from water. Dr.
Macculloch says the odour of burning peat is caused by
an essential oil, and in Ireland it is traditional that the
odour is a preventive to consumption. One of the dis-
tinguishing marks of a good peat bog is that the water
never stagnates. It may be coloured dark brown, but yet
pure enough for all culinary purposes. Forty cubic feet
from the bog is estimated at one ton ; IGO cubic feet aro
required to make a ton of dry fuel.
The value of peat in iron work has been for years
thoroughly tested by an establishment in Worcester,
Massachusetts, which manufacture a largo portion of
piano wire, and other wire of first quality used in Ame-
rica. 1,500 to 2,000 tons of dry peat are there consumed
every year, being cut, cured, and charred in the ordinary
manner without condensing. Their great popularity is
due in part, at least, to the quality of their fuel. It con-
tains no sulphur, and on that account stands unrivalled in
all manufactures.

‘s'neCschhaa
arhrcicogoahal
hmme
aaatdidene g
ff
rrpoo
power,
ehcr oa, nr dd e
suitedwn sooodtd peao
t
d d iltsi
hn
egmr
eoff ruoor
furnaces
ed
aepcnoessse:
tshesa
where the very finest grade of iron is made, as well as in
all works of steel, for softening or welding which it is
especially valuable.
"Peat is used in France, Germany, and Bohemia, in
producing those beautiful iron-castings which we have
all seen and admired for their exquisite fineness and
strength. The Bohemian peat is so pure that by drying
it under cover one year, it answers quite as well without
charring as with ; and wo believe that this will be found
to be true of all condensed pure peat in this country.
"As iron made by peat fuel is tougher than any other
it would be of the highest value as a war material. Peat
iron guns, if burst, would not fly about in fragments, kill-
ing friends instead of foes, nor would iron armour break
and splinter by concussion."
American peat must be condensed, as a general rule, to
be utilised. Tho process adopted at the manufacturing
works at East Lexington is as follows:
" Tho peat is dug in ditches through the marsh, which
is pretty wet, so much so that only a small portion of the
peat can bo dug—a mill dam hindering drainage. A light
railway is laid along the edge of the ditch, and thence to
the foot of an inclined plane the cars are pushed by
manual labour. Up the piano, to an elevation of about 25
feet, they aro drawn by a wire rope and power of steam.
At the top of the plane the cars are dumped into the
hopper of an iron mill, which breaks up the crude peat
into small fragments, combing out any sticks, roots, or
sods that cannot be reduced to a homogeneous mass, which
are carried through a spout outside the building. This
waste material, when dry, is burned under the boiler of
the steam engine. The plastic peat from the grinding
mill is again elevated to a tank 35 or 40 feet high, where
it is rendered still more homogeneous and plastic by agi-
tation in water, and is then forced by hydrostatic pressure,
after losing a portion of its water, through gases at the
bottom of the tank, falling upon a revolving bolt, whore it
is cut by hand knives into suitable sized pieces, which aro
placed upon shelves under a drying shod, or upon a porous
brick floor in the sun, or else upon the grass sod, where
they will dry enough to pile in 48 hours of good weather.
Sometimes, when the peat is of a compact quality, and
pretty free of fibre, it is taken directly from the mill and
spread on the ground to dry, and afterwards cut up in
blocks. This process is more expeditious, as the peat in
the tanks requires some time to digest, and part with
about forty per cent, of its water before it attains the
proper consistency to flow out in a dough state, stiff
enough to cut into blocks which can be handled.
"These works have been in operation, experimentally,
some threo years, and, like all experimental works, have
undoubtedly cost a good deal of money that others, profit-
ing by their experience, may save. We are told that this
plan embraces live different patents, and wo suppose the
patentees consider the whole perfect. They certainly
make good fuel ; almost as dense as mineral coal, and
quiterrhe co
asugdooendso4for making steam. Indeed we never saw a
bettor fire than it makes ; and possibly it makes power
cheap enough to do all the elevating of the heavy material
to such a great height to make the manufacture profitable.
peat, when dry, sells readily at $8 a ton
at the works, or $lO a ton in Boston."
Mr. Betteley, whose patents the mill works gave tho
cost of digging, preparing, and getting the peat ready for
market.

The writer next describes the works of tho Boston Peat
Company.

In a small work, untitled "Facts about Feat" is an

excellent cut, illustrating the exterior of the machine, the
engine-room, and mode of operation, almost as clearly as
it could be seen by a visitor.

" In the upper part of the box an iron grate occupies the
whole space, with openings between the bars, perhaps an
inch wide. About an inch above this grate a knife at-
tached to the shaft continually revolving cuts the peat into
such small pieces that by the rubbing motion of the flat
blade they are crowded through the grate. These pieces
fall successively upon other grates, growing finer and finer,
and arranged upon alternate sides of the box so as to give
a spiral motion to the passing mass, which undergoes a rub-
bing or grinding operation until it is reduced to the con-
sistency of plasterer's mortar, and that, too, by the same
process of first breaking the lumps, rubbing, and thoroughly
mixing ; and all the roots and fibrous matter of the peat
bears a close analogy to the hair in mortar. However
light, porous, or fibrous tho peat may be, it is reduced to a
perfectly homogeneous mass, and the fibre has nearly all
disappeared. Any peat from a well-drained mass is in ex-
actly the right condition as to moisture for working in this
manner. If very wet, it would be necessary to let it lie
a day or two after digging from the bog, to evaporate
a portion of the moisture, as it sticks to the mill and
moulds when extremely wet. If tho peat can be drained
so as to retain no more than about 60 per cent. of moisture
it will be found to be in the best possible condition for this
process of manufacture, and the product of hard, dry fuel
will be 40 per cent., by weight, of the crude material
brought from the bog.
" There is beneath this grinding and mining mill a long
platform and endless chain-carrier, operated by a shaft
and belt independent in some measure of the main driv-
ing-wheel.
" Upon one side of the mill, moulds—something like
those for brick—are placed upon the carrier, and aro car-
ried under a hopper, which receives the mortar from the
mill, and aro there filled and pass out on the other side
about as fast as one man can take them off and place them
upon a barrow. Each block of moulds contains six bricks,
8x4x21 inches. Thero is attached to the mill a box con-
taining dry powdered peat, which is sifted down upon the
empty moulds as they are passing under the hopper, so
that the plastic mortar does not adhere."

No attempt is made to squeeze out the water, therefore
no pressure is exerted in any stage of condensation. Dry
condensed peat does not occupy more than one-fourth the
space it did in the bog. The only injury by rain to peat
manufacture is to retard the work in drying and stacking ;
after one day's exposure to the sun it resists the rain as
though coated with tallow. Although these machines
have so lately been brought into working order, thorn are
thirty of them in operation in the States of Maine, Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Virginia,
Wisconsin, Illinois, and ono has been shipped to New-
foundland, and contracts are made, or negotiating, for up-
wards of a hundred more, widely scattered over the whole
country. Four have just been ordered by one company at
Rockville, Connecticut. A recent trial of peat in running
a locomotive between Hartford and Springfield has de-
monstrated to Connecticut people the value of their nume-
rous and extensive deposits.
The Tribune strongly advises its readers to see these
machines and judge their worth for themselves, and not
upon the recommendation of others.

It is estimated that the cost of setting up an establish-
ment for producing 25 tons of peat a day will bo about
$5,000. When several machines are run in the same esta-
blishment numerous simple contrivances can be used to
reduce the expenses. At Lexington the peat sells readily
at $8 a ton ; in competition with coal, about $lO 25c. ; but
oven at $3 the peat would show a profit where labour is
cheap. An engineer to keep the machinery in good work-
ng order can bo had at $5O to SGO a month. Sunshine
and wind aro the best drying agents, and they cost nothing.
Peat condensed by machinery is worth 25 per cent. more
than the crude dried in the ordinary way.
In some of the Western States fuel is so expensive that
ears of Indian corn are burnt to cook another portion of
the same grain for food. There peat exists, but the people
are ignorant that the " black mud" will burn. It also
affords a pure and wholesome fire even where burned—as
in Ireland—in a room without a flue. Peat must not be
closed under cover till thoroughly dry, as it is liable to
mould and be injured, as wood would be by being wet in a
close pile. When stored damp it has generated heat
enough to produce spontaneous combustion—some cases
have occurred on board ship. The great trouble in all
hand-working of peat is to got rid of the water
that remains shut up in the interior of the blocks
after the exterior is dry. For domestic use peat
is superior to all other fuel, except that the fire must be
replenished oftener than with coal, less so than with wood.
It is of the greatest advantage for a locomotive from its
intense heat, and it throws off no cinders. Another great
benefit anticipated from its extensive use is that it will
save from further destruction the timbered land of the older
States as well as the prairie regions of the West, which
add so much to the beauty, health, and wealth of every
country when duly proportioned with the lands under cul-
tivation. Peat is found in all moist level districts in North-
ern regions, such as in the prairies of Ohio, Michigan,
Indiana, Illinois, and frequently in all the valleys of moun-
tainous regions, as in the States of New York, Now Jersey,
and New England. There is scarcely a line of rail that
does not cross peat beds enough to furnish the locomotives
that ply on thorn. The ease with which peat can be ob-
tained being almost as wide-spread as wood, and as easily
converted into fuel by the poor and unskilled labourer,
makes it a national blessing. Among the general
localities whore peat is found wo may mention several de-
posits in Nova Scotia, some of which appear to be passing
into bituminous coal. In Canada, also, we are told a peat
bog exists covering 1,100 acres, which, if the country were
entirely stripped of its forests, would supply it with more
fuel than it could ever consume. On Anticosti the deposit
is simply immense. This island alone could supply the
whole fleet of ocean steamers. One continuous bog ex-
tends 80 miles, with an average width of two miles and a
depth of from 3to 10 feet. This is all solid peat, of excel-
lent quality, easily drained and worked. On the summit
of Mansfield Mountain, 4,348 feet above tide, there aro
beds of peat and sphagnous moss, rapidly increasing the
fuel for future ages. Ono paragraph, at this portion of the
notice in the Tribune, is so amusing that wo transcribe
it :

" The greatest interest has been excited in peat,
mainly through the researches and energy of T. H.
Leavitt, now of tho firm of Leavitt and Hunnewell, No.
49, Congress-street, Boston, to whom we would refer all
inquirers for any further information, particularly request-
ing readers not to address the Tribune for more particulars
about peat. We have given all that any live Yankee will
need to set his wits to work, to inquire whether the long-
neglected and perhaps despised swamp is not the most
valuable portion of his farm. Such has already boon the
result of thought and inquiry upon this subject in a groat
many places in Massachusetts."
A few years ago Professor L. W. Johnson, of Yale
College, published a valuable pamphlet on Connecticut
peat, more with a view to its merits for manure than for
fuel. Some of it is naturally as solid as the condensed
fuel. A description follows of the quantity and quality of
this substance to be found in Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, &c.; but
with all peat we aro told that it must first be ground in a
mill mixed into a mortar, even if necessary to add more
waver, and it will then dry much faster for this manipula-
tion. In Orange county and in the adjoining portion of
New Jersey there is an immense tract known as the
" drowned lands," which is believed to be one of the
largest peat bogs in America, except that in Anticosti. In
Indiana one bog extends sixty miles, with an average
breadth of throe miles ; in some places known to be 40 feet
deep, average depth 10 to 15 feet. Chicago itself is sur-
rounded with peat bogs ; all that is wanted is the enter-
prise to convert it into fuel. We are satisfied if it fulfils
all the following advantages, every railroad will endeavour
to have its own peat bog and fuel manufactory, not only
in America, but in all other parts of the world.
" For railroads, we say confidently peat is the fuel. It
is easily handled ; a tender can carry enough for two
hundred miles ; it is easily kindled • it requires no wood for
kindling ; it burns freely and steadily to the last, leaving
no residuum; emits no sparks to burn wood land and
fences; nor does it drop coal to burn bridges ; it never
annoys passengers with smoke, smell, or cinders ; and as
the grate bars are always clean, the engineer will never
say to the conductor, "I can't make steam." We speak
from knowledge when we say that there is no better fuel
known to generate steam than condensed peat. It would
answer au admirable purpose for dummy engines' upon
city railroads ; and nothing would be bettor than peat for
the fuel of fire engines. It could be saturated with petro-
leum to make it more instantly inflammable for the first
fire.

It is a great advantage in all small engines to have a
fuel that makes no clinkers, such as aro produced by
anthracite coal, and which clog and spoil the grate-bars."
The Rartford Times says the actual cost of preparing
peat fuel is $1.50 per ton, and coal costs $7 to $8 a ton.
Upon a trial trip the engine burned 1,4001b5. of peat-52
miles, and made "express time," without an effort to force
speed; the last six miles were made without any addition
to the fuel. Gas companies will bo compelled to use peat,
because it not only gives a bettor gas for light, but it is far
loss offensive in odour, and much cheaper.

•
That it is also actually equal, if not really superior, to
the best charcoal itself for smelting iron ore, and for pud-
dling iron, has been demonstrated with equal certainty.
The iron thus produced is tougher, finer, more malleable,
freer from flaws, than any other. By this use of peat,
iron from English mines of admitted inferiority to the
famous Old Hill mine in Salisbury, Connecticut, and the
equally celebrated Swedish charcoal iron, has been pro-
duced of a quality equal to either."
" When the peat is converted into charcoal, a metro of
it weighs 6601 b., showing a greater density than charcoal
of wood ; and from some specimens of charcoal of con-
densed peat, which we saw at Boston, we are satisfied th tt
the comparison would be still greater in favour of the peat,
and produce a still more marked result in its use. Indeed
the charcoal of condensed peat is the best we over saw,
and we predict it will take a place in various manufac-
tures whore the most expensive wood coal is now used. It
has been proved by gold workers to be the very fuel they
need."

All that had boon wanted in peat was density, and this
has been supplied by Yankoo ingenuity, without increasing
the cost of tho fuel ; the heat produced by condonsed peat
is intense. At Utica, New York, 612 foot of good illumi-
nating gas was obtained from 1601bs. of peat.
One cubic foot of crude peat, fair quality,
weighs about solb.
Ono cubic foot, same material, condensed,
wet, weighs about 7olb.
This last will ordinarily be reduced by
drying to about lB to 251 b.
One block, as it comes moist from the
moulds, measures 8x4x21 (80 cubic
inches), and weighs about
" The machine turns out easily 25,000 of these blocks
per day, and with small additional power can as easily turn
out 50,000 blocks per day."
After a general ream; of the general importance of the

subject, and the claims it has on public attention the New
York Tribune thus concludes its voluminous article :

" And now a word more to our ieaders. Perhaps you
may think we have exhausted the subject of peat. You
are much Nistaken. Long as this article is, it has only
furnished you a text for thought. We beg of you not to
neglect the application. Think, talk, act upon this great
subject—the subject of making fuel cheaper and the poor
more comfortable. If the writer lives long enough to enjoy
some of the genial fires that peat may produce in your homes,
he may write more about it as the fuel of the million. The
subject is far from being exhausted."
We also commend the subject to the attention of our
readers—especially at a moment when much interest has
been excited on account of the continually exhausting
drain upon our coalfields. If it be proved, as this
article asserts, that the peat prepared on the American
principle is not only equal to but better adapted than coal
for the supply of our locomotives, what a subject for in-
vestigation is opened before us, and one meriting the most
careful and impartial inquiry.—Anglo-Americnn Times.

The Great Yarmouth Election Commission.

GREAT YARMOUTH, Aug. 20.

Tho Commissioners for inquiring into corrupt electoral
practices in this borough sat again this morning at the
Town-hall.
Mr. J. H. Wolton was the first witness. He said—l am
a hop merchant, and reside at Peckham-ryo. I lent Mr.
Nightingale a sum in July, 1865. Ho applied for the loan
at my house at Peckham-rye ; it was not on a Sunday.
Mr. Nightingale asked me whether it was convenient for
me to lend him £3,000. I said, " Yes ;" and I afterwards
wrote a check on Barclay's for the amount. The check was
cashed in gold. Mr. Nightingale, whom I had known for
20 years, gave me his bill a. security. The bill was drawn
on him. It was paid at maturity. Mr. Nightingale took
the money in a cab and went away. I did not know what
the money was wanted for. After I had given Mr. Night-
ingale the money he said, " I may want this for election-
eering purposes." I have lent Mr. Nightingale money once
before. I think the first loan was in 1859. That loan was
made upon special security—Groat Western Railway scrip,
I think. The first loan was paid in gold and handed to
him. I have an idea now of what the first loan was wanted
for. I have not been in Yarmouth since 1860. I have
only a business acquaintance with the town, and it was
through my business as a hop merchant that I know Mr.
Nightingale and Sir E. Lacon. I have never discussed
with Sir E. Lacon the loans which I made to Mr. Nightin-
gale. I don't know that Sir E. Lacon was acquainted with
him. Tho bill of 1865 was paid at Glyn's, I believe•
Glyn's are the correspondents of Lacon and Co. lam not
a nolitician, and I have voted on both sides. I don't know
which I admire most, Mr. Gladstone or Lord Derby. It
was friendship for Mr. Nightingale which induced me to
lend him the money, and I would lend him a much greater
sum. Tho interest was about the Bank rate.

Sir E. H. K. Lacon, M.P., examined.-1 am one of the
members for this borough, in which I have a brewery and
a bank. .1 have contested the borough four times since
1852. I have been opposed by gentlemen supposed to be
of largo fortune. In 1852, 1859, and 1865, I was returned ;
in 1857 I was not returned. There were petitions after
each election. In 1857 I unseated the Libor-al members ;
in 1859 and 1865 I was seated. In 1865 the committee of
the House of Commons reported the existence of corrupt
practices. I cannot remember whether they made a similar
report in 1859. In 1865 my share of the expenses sent in to
the returning officer was £446. It was understood that I
should share the expenses with Mr. Goodson. Besides the
£446 thus expended I don't know of anything further
having been spent on my behalf. I have been in Scotland,
and have only seen a reportof the first day's proceedings in
the Times. If LMr. Nightingale has stated that he spent
£4,000 on my behalf, he made the outlaywithout my know-
lodge or authority. Mr. Nightingale is on terms of inti-
macy with me and a partner. I have no reason to suppose
from what has since transpired that bribery took place at
the election of 1859. I am not personally aware of any
bribery having been committed. I understand that Mr.
Nightingale has stated that ho spent £l,OOO in bribery in
1859. lam not aware that Mr. Nightingale has been re-
paid that £l,OOO. I have paid Mr. Corry his bill for ser-
vices rendered with reference to the petition of 1859, an
action for defamation, and proceedings in the Court of
Queen's Bench. The amount of his bill was £2,300. I de-
stroyed the bill; 1 was so disgusted with the animus shciwn
against me. The bill was paid in four instalments of £l3l
10s., £368 10s., £5OO, and £1,500. I never asked Mr. Cory
the expense of the petition. I was perfectly satisfied he
would do what was right. It was never intimated to me
that I had better not look at the bill. I was not aware that
a farthing had been spent in bribery, and, therefore, I bad
no occasion to look at the bill. For the last three elections
there has been bribery. I believe the election of 1852 was
pure. The election of 1857 was pure except as regards
Messrs. M'Cullagh and Watkin. I know bribery was
practised on the other side at the last election. It was
two or three days before the election that I made the
discovery ; I found some who had promised me their
votes had become a little "shaky." (Laughter.) I never
had so good a canvas as on the last election, and I
polled within 30 of my promises. I was not in Yarmouth on
the Sunday before the election. I certainly was not at Mr.
Aldred's meeting. I don't know when Mr. Goodson made
up his mind to stand what sum ho put down as his share of
the expenses. I think £BOO about the legal expenses of an
election in Yarmouth, and a gentleman ought to be returned
for that amount provided ho resides in Yarmouth. I told
Mr. Goodson his share of the legal expenses would be about
£ooo. Mr. Goodson never asked me what the illegal ex-
penses would be; not of me, certainly. Ho never made
such an inquiry in my presence. I don't know whether Mr.
Goodson has tho reputation of being a man of wealth. He
was chairman at the time of the Groat Eastern Railway
Company. He generally attended me in my canvass. No
voter ever hinted to me that he must be paid for his vote.
It was understood that Mr. Goodson should share the ex-
penses of the petition. It was not understood that Mr.
Goodson was to share any legal expenses. I did not con-
sider that any illegal expenses would be necessary, tho can-
vass having been so good. During the canvass I was in
communication with the leading Conservative gentlemen
of the town. I attended meetings at the Star, the Feathers
(at Gorleston), the Duke's Head, and the Crown and
Anchor. I met Mr. Preston frequently. I was not aware
any illegal expenses were being incurred. I don't consider
myself indebted to Mr. Nightingale for the sum he ex-
pended on my behalf. I have had no application for pay-
ment from him.

The Chief Commissioner—l won't ask you whether you
consider yourself morally and legally indebted.
Witness—l cannot remember a bill drawn by Mr. Night-
ingale for £l,OOO in 1859, payable at Glyn's. I never knew
about a £3,000 bill in 1865. I was not aware of the trans-
action. I have been connected with the town all my
life, and my father before me. I have heard about very
expensive breakfasts to the freemen. I was abroad a great
deal, and did not take much interest in the borough until
1840. Mr. Rumbold stood:with me in 1852, although our
opinions did not quite coincide. I understood that ho was
in the habit of putting by £l,OOO a year for the borough,
which ho represented from 1818 to 1857. Mr. Sandars
sat with Mr. Rumbold from 1848 to 1852 ; they were of
opposite politics. I don't know of any illegal expenditure
having been made in 1852. I canvassed with Mr. Sandars
in 1848; I did not then contemplate becoming a candidate.
I had reason to anticipate being returned in 1857 from my
canvass. I believe I should have been returned in 1857
but for the bribery committed by Mr. Watkin. I retired
in 1857 because I could get no one to stand with me, and
because, when a person petitions, as I did, ho becomes un-
popular. In 1859, having got Sir Henry Stracey, to stand
with me, 1 stood again. I had no communication with Sir
Henry Stracoy as to the expenses. In 1859 I believed
that I should be returned without illegal expenditure. I
know Mr. Cooper ; he is a printer and bookseller; I know
him as a very zealots partisan. I never heard of him as
the recognised illegal Conservative agent. (Laughter.)
Never conversed with Mr. Cooper upon illegal expendi-
ture or with Mr. Nightingale. I was aware that Mr.
Cooper was very active in connection with the registra-
tion. I was rather surprised by Mr. Cooper's evidence in
the Times. I had not the slightest idea where the money
he spent came from. (Laughter.) I don't think it is very
likely that the money came from the Carlton Club, they
are not so liberal as all that. My friends were very much
annoyed at my defeat in 1857. I don't know that they
then resolved I never should be defeated again. Mr. Wat-
kin must have got in in 1857 by bribery. I don't think
the Liberals would have had much chance without bribery.
My position and expenditure in the town must have a cer-
tain legitimate influence. It costs me about £7O a year
for the races, regatta, &c. Mr. Cooper never canvassed
for me, or came to the committee-room, although I know
him to be a very active partisan. It did not strike mo as
being remarkable. I know that he attended chiefly to
the registration. I did not surmise that he had any in-
direct way of promoting my interests. Some of the "shaky"
voters had voted for me previously. Some of those who
had been " shaky " did not towards the close promise
for me. I struck the " shaky " voters off my promises.
I first heard of Mr. Nightingale having advanced £l,OOO
and £3,000 last night. I was rather astonished at
the sum. I was not altogether astonished that he should
have advanced some money. It would have been better,
perhaps, if it had been a smaller sum. On the evening of
the election my belief was that nothing had been spent ; I
had heard of nothing. I continued in the same belief up to
the petition. Because there was bribery proved in 1859 I
did not think it followed that my party would bribe in
1865. I prosecuted a man named Fayermau for perjury
after the election of 1859 in consequence of statements
which he made respecting me ; he was not convicted. Mr.
Duncombo was suggested to stand with me in 1857. I don't
think I had personal conversation with Mr. Duncombo as
to the expense. He came down with Mr. Spofforth ; he
came down about mid-day, and went back to Yorkshire in
the evening. No other gentleman was introduced. I wrote
then to Mr. Mellor and Mr. Young to inform them that I
should not contest the borough. I gave no reason for this
course. We told Mr. Buncombe that we did not want a
mere temporary man, and he said he was going to stand at
the next election for the North Riding of Yorkshire. It
was the common talk of the town that Mr. Watkin brought
down oyster barrels filled with sovereigns in 1857. I have
heard in conversation that Messrs. Young and Mellor paid
something to Messrs. Watkin and that re-

member whether I heard this before I made up my mind
not to stand; probably afterwards. I have heard that the
election of 1857 cost Messrs. Watkin and M'Cullagh a large
sum. Mr. Mellor was Mr. Watkin's brother-in-law. I never
hoard that there was any connection between Mr. M`Cul-
lagh and Mr. Young. I never returned ray personal ex-
penses to the returning officer. Living at home, they were
almost nothing. The whole would be under £2O.
Mr C. Corry, recalled, said—l have destroyed the draught
of the bill which I sent in to Sir E. Lacon in 1860 and 1861.
Mr. Nightingale applied to mo personally as to the £l,OOO
which ho had advanced. I understood that the cost of the
petition was £2,600, but Sir H. Stracey paid half. It vvan
done partly in London. I never keep election papers. I
cannot say how the £l,OOO was included in the bill. I
should have put it in a shape in which Sir E. Lacon would
have detected it. It was a very uncommon transaction
with me. Mr. Nightingale told me what ho had expended
the money for. Sir E. Lacon never objected to the large-
ness of my bill. His partner was authorised to advance
money to me. I should say positively I did not put the
£l,OOO in the bill in one sum. Mr. Nightingale applied to
mo for the money in 1861 or 1862. No remark was made
to me as to the hirgoness of the balance paid to me. From
Sir E. Lacon's demeanour to me I thought he was annoyed
at the largeness of the bill. Sir Edmund is not very fond
of paying theso things. (Laughter.) I paid Mr. Night-
ingale in cash, not by check. I did not communicate the
payment to anybody. I cannot justify the distribution of
the £l,OOO over the bill, except as an election matter. I
consider candidates severally liable for such matters, I can-
not remember whether anything was said about Sir
•
Stracey paying half the £l,OOO. I and Mr. Nightingale
came to the conclusion that Sir Edmund was liable for
the whole. I think if Sir E. Lacon had known the £l,OOO
had been spent for electioneering purposes he would hare
refused to pay it. I believe Mr. Nightingale would bare
lost it. He is a rich man and might not have thought
much about it. I never heard Sir E. Lace; in addressing
the electors, allude to bribery either on his own side or the
other. I looked upon Sir E. Lacon as liable for the
£l,OOO. If Sir E. Lacon had knowingly paid the £l,OOO
he would have been liable to misdemeanour under the
Act of Parliament. I have presented no bill to Sit
Lacon since. I was not surprised at Sir E. Lacon's
examining the items. Ho had never examined bills Pre
viously. Mr. Nightingale told me he had spent the £l,OOO,
and I suggested means of recovering it.
The examination of the witness was still proceeding
when our report was despatched.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

- -411. -

CHELMSFORD—AuG. 17. t
With a good supply the market for wheat was about
tho same as last week. Several samples of new wheat
were on offer, and white was sold at 56s per qr.; red, 52S*
Spring corn of all descriptions remained without alters'
tion.
Wheat, old white.... 468 578 Peas, Partridge ...... 40S 4,..s
24
•• • new .4ls 56s White 320 '
old red. 418 52s Boiling .. ..... . - 4 O 4O
new. 40s 51s Dun..
Barley.... 2ss 33s ditto, new....-8 04
Chevalier --s —s Beans, Tick, 01d......400 42,
Grinding 25s 308 new.. —3B° 451
Malt 58s 60s Harrow ricks 42s
Chevalier 608 62t new
....400
. Vs 26s Mazagan.e .....4308: LI

GRANTHAM—AUG. 18.
Old white wheat, 53s to 58s; old red, 50s to 53s ;
white, 52s to 565; new red, 47s to 52s per 36 stone. J°6 't
ley for malting, 36s to 42s per qr. ; grinding, 30s to 3311,
30 stone. Oats, old, 30s to 32s ; new, 25s to 30s per
stone. Beans, old, 48s to 51s; new, 44s to 46s per 38 stouv*
Peas, 36s to 40s per 36 stone.

COLCHES TER--AuG. 18.
To-day wheat was in tolerable supply, and met a Tnod„4.°-
rate demand at previous ratos. Not much doing in boa"
peas, and oats at late prices.
.Q 446
Wheat, white 5,s 56s Beans, Hazagan.......,A6 486
red. 44s tas Middle and 5n1a11..44s •
42S
Barley 348 43s Peas, white. 380 2,0
Oats grey ...360 4

.NOTTINGIIAM—AnG. 18.
There was a less supply of wheat at our corn market he
day, and the demand was dull at rather less money.
supply of barley was limited, and the demand was atoll,
grinding sorts commanding fully late prices. Oats 0131.`,0
and rates pretty well supported. Beans dull, and pv—
not much changed.
Old white wheat, 55s to GOs ; old red, 54s to 568 LllBO4
white, 568 to 62s ; new red, Ms to 56s per 36 stone. uBia,
old, 34s to 355; new, 25s to 34s per 24 stone. Beans, °43
51s to 53s ; now, 48s to ols per 38s stone. Fine flour,
to 41s per sack.

. 17.
tl
The attendance at marketABERDEEN—AuG to-day was small, and lit e
business doing. Prices remain unaltered.
46s Octto 48s 0ct).621b v bus
White wheat oh l•
Red wheat 45s Od to 48s Od
Potato oats 22745 s Os
ttoo 22475 s 66dd1 "lb /31)11611°1' Common oats
Bore 30s Od to 31s Od t.
"""' „„,, ~ wool,
Barley • 32s Od to 32s 6d) '
Oatmeal
Flour, fine 19s Gd to 20s Od ift boll of 01'
38s Od to 39s Od Vsack of 280'

KIRKCALDY—Auo. 18. bold'
Good supply of wheat, small of oats, and no
Prices unchanged.
____
Barley. Oats.
—8
Od I 29s 6d
—sod 318 Od
—8 Od —5 Od

Wheat.
146 6d
second.... 15s 6d
Tuird . 17s Od

COAL MARKET.

Price por ton at the close of the market. J.
s. (1. s. 0
South Iletton
Iletton Lyons
Walls End Hetton ... 20 6 Original Hartlepool
,
_ _

East Hartlepool
Eden Main
Caradoe l9 9 Pittington ............... g 0
Trimdon Grange lB 6 Cassop ........... 9 6
Hough Hall l9 6 Braddyell's Hatton.... 19
Ships at market, 82—sold, 76.