The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-17 00:00:00

NEW CITY PRISON AT HOLLOWAY.—It is designed

SUN

SAVINGS BANKS.

SUICIDE OF MR. GEORGE SPENCE
Q.C., OF THE CHANCERY BAR.
Yesterday, at eleven o'clock, Mr. Wakley, M.P.,
coroner for Middlesex, and a jury of highly respect..
able inhabitants of the parish of Paddington, assembled
at the late residence of Mr. George Spence, Q.C., 42,
Hyde-park-square, for the purpose of inquiring into
the circumstances attending the death of that gentle-
man, which took place on Thursday last under the
melancholy circumstances disclosed in the following
evidence :
The jury having viewed the remains of the unfor-
tunate gentleman,
Henry Payne was first called—He said he was a
footman in the service of the deceased, and was pre-
sent at his death, which took place about twenty
minutes past two o'clock on Thursday last. Witness
was roused up about a quarter past two on the
morning of the Tuesday previous by the lady's maid,
who came to the door of his room and said that
something had happened to her master. Witness
got up directly and went to Mr. Spence's bed-
room, at the door of which he was met by Mrs.
Spence, who desired him to go immediately for
ItVhietnefassinwilyentinfoedrieDalr.aAttleancdkaennt-.
zmi
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Dr. Mackenzie arrived first, and Mr. Squibb came
very shortly afterwards. Witness had lived with the
deceased two years and eight months ; was aware
that his master had suffered from spasms for a long
time, and that he had not slept well lately. Tt:e
deceased slept in a room by himself, Mrs. Spence oc-
cupying the adjoining apartment. Mr. Squibb bad
attended the deceased every day for the last month,
and had sometimes seen him twice a day. During
that period the deceased slept worse and worse, was
constantly low spirited, and frequently said that he
should never get over his complaint. Witness went
into his master's bedroom about five o'clock on Tues-
day morning, and then saw the bedclothes deluged
with blood. Witness had never observed anything
extraordinary or strange in his master's manner ex-
cept the lowness of spirits, to which he had already
alluded, and this he always supposed to have arisen
from the deceased's sufferings. Mr. Spence was 63
years of age.
Anne Lancaster, lady's maid, said she bad lived in
the service of the family for 14 years. On Tuesday
morning, shortly after two o'clock, Mrs. Spence came
into witness's room and told her that Mr. Spence had
destroyed himself. Witness went immediately to the
deceased's room, and saw her master lying upon the
bed, which was covered with blood. The deceased
was sensible, and addressing witness said, "Anne,
my sufferings were greater than I could bear." Me.
dical assistance was sent for directly, as described by
the footman. Witness had never seen her master do
anything which could induce her to think him of
unsound mind. She was, however, aware that he had
been very low-spirited lately, and that he had com-
plained more than he was accustomed to do of inter-
nal pain and palpitation of the heart.
In reply to a question from one of the jury as to
how Mrs. Spence became aware of what had happened
to her husband, the witness explained that the de-
ceased had knocked against the wall, which was his
usual signal when he wanted Mrs. Spence.
Mr. F. W. Mackenzie, of Chester-place, Hyde-
park, said he was called in to see the deceased shortly
after two o'clock on Tuesday morning. He found
the unfortunate gentleman in a state of collapse,
with wounds of an incised character on both sides of
the neck, on the thigh, and on both wrists. The
chief hemorrhage was from the wounds in the neck.
The deceased was rational and collected when witness
saw him. He said he had been in a very desponding
state previously, and had inflicted the wounds upon
himself while in a fit of despondency. Ile added, that
it was useless to adopt means to save him, as he felt
that his life could not be preserved. Witness did all
that was necessary, and remained with the deceased
until Mr. Squibb arrived.
Mr. George James Squibb, surgeon, of Orchard-
street, said—He saw the deceased between three and
four on Tuesday morning. He was then in a
state of extreme depression arising from exces-
sive bremorrhage. Dr. Mackenzie was present when
witness arrived. On seeing witness the deceased
said, " You see what a dreadful thing I have done. I
am pleased I have been punished in this world, and I
hope I shall escape hereafter. The deceased never
rallied, and died on Thursday from exhaustion and
loss of blood. Witness saw the deceased on the Monday,
and he then appeared more calm than usual. He had
long been labouring under the delusion that he had a
disease of the urethra or bladder. He had none what-
ever. He was perfectly sound in those organs and
had no symptoms of such a disease. The deceased
had told witness that his father had died of suoh a
malady, and he believed that such would be his own
fate. This delusion had produced great despondency
of mind—a feeling which be could not surmount.
After he bad inflicted the wounds upon himself this
delusion continued with unabated force and pervaded
his mind to the last. It was quite clear that the
death of the unfortunate gentleman had arisen from
exhaustion produced by the wounds.
There being no other evidence.
The Coroner said, the facts of the case appeared to
have been so clearly proved by the witnesses who had
been called that the jury would probably consider it
unnecessary to subject the widow of the deceased to
the pain and anxiety of giving her testimony. After
adverting to the delusion under which the deceased
had been labouring for a long time past, and also to
his own statement when first seen after having in-
flicted the wounds, that the act had been done in a
fit of despondency, the Coroner said he thought the
jury would have no difficulty in arriving at the con-
clusion that the deceased had destroyed himself at a
moment when he was not accountable for his actions.
The jury concurred without hesitation in the view
taken by the coroner, and returned a verdict to the
following effect :—" That the death of the said George
Spence was caused by exhaustion arising from loss of
blood by and from certain wounds in his neck and
divers parts of his body, and that the said wounds
were inflicted by himself while in an unsound state of
mind."

TO LIE RIGHT HON. LORD JOIIN RUSSELL,
M.P., &c., &c, &c.

My Lonl,—lt must be quite unnecessary to trouble
your Lt,rdship with any observations upon the im-
portant benefits conferred upon society by savings
banks, and the consequent necessity of such institu-
tions being fostc red and encouraged by every sagacious
statesman, and by every wise Government; I there-
fore proceed at once to show you how the plan pro-
posed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last session
on this important subject may be totally changed
with the greatest advantage to depositors.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed to re-
duce the interest paid to depositors to two pounds
fifteen shillings per cent.; I propose to increase it to
three pounds fifteen shillings per cent.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer's plan consists in
blindly following the old Tory dogma, "That the
people have nothing to do with laws but to obey
them." My plan involves the necessity of adminis-
tering the affairs of the people in the same manner,
and with the same care, which men bestow upon their
private affairs.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer's plan has already,
cost the depositors of the savings banks several mil-
lions of money in the shape of diminished interest ;
and by the returns laid before Parliament last session
their capital has been diminished to the enormous ex-
tent of 2,815,573/. By my plan not a shilling of the
capital can he endangered, and the depositors would
receive an annual increase of interest approaching

to :00,000/.
My proposal is to treat the money belonging to the
depositors in the savings banks with the same anxious
care and vigilance employed by insurance companies,
or individuals having money to lend—that is, to lay
it out upon mortgage or undoubted security ; in the
firEt place enacting principles which must never be
departed from, three of which would be—
That no money be lent under four per cent.
That no money be lent unless the rental is eight
per cent, upon the money borrowed.
That no money be lent on railroad debentures un-
less the net income is double the amount of the in-
terest of all the debentures allowed to be issued.

I will now show your Lordship how easily and
cheaply my plan could be carried out. None of the
existing arrangements would be disturbed. One ad-
ditional officer alone need to be appointed, and his
salary and office would be the only increased ex-
pense, for borrowers pay all costs attendant upon the
transaction.

On application being made in writing for a loan,
the manager would first ascertain that all prelimi-
naries required by the Act were fulfilled; and if so,
the title would be examined in the usual manner ; if
valid, the transaction would be completed, the deeds
deposited in the Bank of England, and an order
given by the manager to the borrower upon the Bank
of England for the money lent,
The question will immediately suggest itself to
your Lordship—Why has not a plan so advantageous
to the honest and industrious depositor been acted
upon before 1850, and why are the comparatively
poor and friendless to be debarred from receiving as
good an interest for their savings as the wealthy
millionnaire? I know the reason, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer knows the reason, and, if your Lord-
ship be not equally well informed, inquire bow the
deficiency of 2,815,573/. has arisen, and the answer
will be at hand.

This proposal will be objected to by the millionnaire,
and by parties who have their own interests and that
of their friends to serve ; they will talk loudly about
the absolute necessity of every shilling of the money
in the savings banks being ready at a moment's no•
tice (which, by the bye, could not be the case under
the present system), and all that verbiage to which
men resort to hide a weak case.

The decisive reply to such maundering is the Par-
liamentary returns, which show the annual amount
paid to and on account of the savings banks since 1817,
and of course a sum exceeding the average so paid
would be kept, as at present, to answer such demands.
On the other hand, the adoption of the plan would
be useful to all borrowers with good security to offer,
and to such railroad companies whose debentures are
perfectly safe; so that the opposition would be fairly
met, and your Lordship would have little difficulty
in doing that which is just.
I have the honour to remain, _

Your Lordship's very obedient and faithful servant,
RIGB Y WA SON.

COURT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, DEC. 16.

Her Majesty and bis Royal Highness the Prince
Albert, with her Royal Highness the Princess Helena,
drove out in a pony pbaeton this morning in Windsor
Park.

Prince Albert afterwards rode out on horseback,
attended by Colonel Bouverie.
The Royal Family took their usual airings.
The Earl of Liverpool left the Castle to-day.

His Royal highness the Duke of Cambridge has
left Dublin for London.

A deputation from the Protestant Dissenting De-
puties to Lord John Russell, on the Church Building
Acts Amendment Bill, introduced last session by his
Lordship into the House of Commons, had an inter-
view with his Lordship yesterday at his official resi-
dence in Downing-street. The deputation consisted
of Mr. J. Remington Mills (Chairman), Mr. Pew-
tress, Mr. Offer, Mr. Conder, Mr. East, Mr. Gover,
Mr. Beddome, Mr. R. Terrell, Mr. Rennett, and
Mr. Bomletno (the Secretary).
Lord Monteagle had an interview with the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer yesterday at bis official resi-
dence in Downing-street. his Lordship had also an
interview with Lord John Russell yesterday.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governors of the Cape of Good Hope
and Van Dieman's Land.

Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from
,he Coionial-cffice for the Governors of the West
[ndia Colonies.

BOROUGH OF THE TOWER HAMLETS.--A general
conference of deputies from the several branches of the Na-
tional Reform Association, established in this borough, took
place a few days ago, at the Green Dragon Inn, Stepney.
About thirty delegates attended, and they unanimously
elected Mr. Matson their chairman. The object of the con-
ference was to adopt such steps as might be desirable for
protecting the interests of the Parliamentary electors of the
borough, and for extending the franchise to those who are at
present deprived of it, owing to technical difficulties. The
subject of compounded rates occupied a good deal of the atten-
tion of the meeting, and it was shown that no less a number
than 15,000 persons in the Tower Hamlets were deprived of
their votes, owing to the poor-rates of their several houses
being paid by composition by their landlords, whose names
alone appeared on the rate-book, and the tenants were
consequently held to be not rated. It was contended that
a remedy for this state of things was to be found in a provi-
sion of the Parochial Assessment Act, 6 and 7 William IV.,
cap. 96, which prescribed the form of rate, and required that
the name of both owner and occupier should appear in sepa-
rate columns in the rate-book. The carrying out of this be-
neficial provision had been made dependent on the order of
the Poor-law Commissioners, who had hitherto failed to:carry
it out, at least in the metropolis, thereby inflicting disfran-
chisement on many thousands of the industrious classes. It
was stated that the question had been raised before the re-
vi,ing barrister in October last, and after a very full discus-
sion, decided against the cliimants. The proper course,
therefore, appeared to be, to apply to the Poor-law Commis-
sioners, urging them to make an order for carrying this pro-
vision of the Act into effect. A resolution to this purport
ryas unanimously agreed to, and a deputation was appointed
to wait on the -Poor-law Commissioners on the subject.
Iflorstiny Advertiser-

The deceased gentleman was very much respected
at the bar and in his private circle. He has left one
son and one daughter.

STREETOGRAPIIY.—Set clown the cleverest country
gentleman in any part of London, to find his way to any
other part of it with the best map to be got, and he will be
only able to find it in a cab; for those who have the order-
ing of these things in certain districts of the metropolis,
believing that the names of streets ught to be known by
the world at large by instinct, take little care about getting
them written up. The other day a gentleman of Coblentz,
by dint of several cabs and endless inquiries, found out at
last the residence of a young baronet to whom he was
accredited, near Portman-square. Ile was unusually me-
thodical about trifles, even for a German, and had taken
very good care to note down the name of the street in
which he had fixed his temporary lodging. The baronet,
when he was taking leave, naturally inquired wherehe
should have the pleasure of returning the visit ? The
German produces his pocket hook, and gravely read from
it, "Number nine, Stick-no-bill-street." "Stick no bills"
being the only words he could find written up against the
houses, he, of course, adopted them as his proper address.
A similar mistake is recorded of an American, from Fourth.
street, Philadelphia. He, too, was in search of the ad-
dress on a letter of introduction; and, when he got into
the street, actually disbelieved the information given to
him, that he had arrived at his proper destination.
" Don't I see," be said, looking up at the corner, "that
this is F. P. Sixteen-feet Street ? " and returned to his
hotel without delivering his letter.—Dickens's Household
/Voids.

THE RISING GENERATION.-..-The tendency of mo-
dern taste, as exercised in boys' dress, is happily free from
the grievous folly to which girls are subjected for the im-
provement of figure and gait, as it is called. In the garments
made by Messrs. N i coll, of Regent-street and Cornhill, the
chest and limbs, although gracefully clad, are not improperly
confined, and the result is a better chance of having in riper
life a well-formed chest, with freer play for the lungs and
other vital organs. It may here be mentioned that a kind of
warm overcoat has been recently produced at the above ware-
rooms, which will doubtless prove an acceptable Christmas
gift, the general price of which is about one guinea. College caps
and gowns, with every kind of garment calculated for pleasure,
duties, or exercise, and such as are worn at the colleges and
great public schools, may also be met with at the warerooms
of El. J. and D. Nicoll, who are Merchant Clothiers, Paletot
Patentees, and Manufacturers of Cloth, Regent-street, from
114 to 120 inclusive, and 22 Cornhill.—John Bull.
SUICIDE OF A BEADLE.—An inquest was held by
Mr. Wakley, or. Saturday, on the body of James English,
beadle of St. John's, Notting-hill. Deceased was found,
on Thursday morning, lying on Notting-hill-terrace, in a
stupor. He was carried to a surgeon's, and died in five
minutes. On his person was found two small bottles, con-
taining laudanum and essential oil of almonds. A post
mortem examination showed that those drugs were the means
of death. Mr. Barnes, a guardian, explained that the de-
ceased had appropriated two cheques, value 121., the pro-
perty of the parish. A letter in the handwriting of de-
ceased, addressed to the chairman of the board of guardians,
expressive of remorse and shame for his conduct, was read;
it expressed the resolution of the writer to die by his own
hands, rather than become a convicted felon. Verdict—
" Temporary insanity."
IRON VERSUS WOOD.—Although experiments have
been made on board the Excellent to test the suitableness
of iron for war purposes, and the opinion of the committee
being unfavourable to it, nevertheless the public at large are
not satisfied with the opinions so formed, and are determined
to carry out a series of experiments at their own expense,
upon a much more extensive scale than has hitherto been
done. These experiments will, in all probability, be carried
out at Woolwich, when notice will be given, so that all those
interested in the question will have an opportunity of attend-
ing to witness the practice and form their own opinion as to
the capabilities of iron for war purposes Butts % ill be con-
structed representing a section of a first-class steamer built
of iron and wood, placed side by side, when after every three
or four rounds an inspection will take place, comparing the
effects of the shot upon the various butts. Other butts will
be constructed lined with hamptulicon, and other substance
to prevent splinters. The bow of an iron steamer will also
be constructed, to test the deflection or penetration of shot,
when engaged end on to an enemy. The results of this latter
experiment will be particularly instructive to the officers on
board her Majesty's ship Excellent, and the service at large.
—Devonport Independent.
ST. MART'S, SOUTHAMPTON.—At length the Earl
of Guildford's resignation of the rich living of St. Mary's,
Southampton, is in the hands of the Bishop of Winchester.
Dr. Dusautoy, the churchwarden of St. Mary's, has just re-
ceived orders from the Bishop to provide pro tem. for the
spiritual necessities of the parish. According to the present
I law, the Bishop of Winchester must present the living Of St,
i
hiftry'ri t 9 oule gio preyinfi t 9 it 4 bcipg diyided.

MURDER AND SUICIDE.--A desperate attempt at
murder was made, it will be remembered, in February last,
by John Lillingrap, a servant to Mr. W. A. Yeo, high sheriff of
Devon, who shot, and severely wounded W. Symmonds, a
fellow-servant, and believing he had killed the man, he im-
mediately took to flight and was never heard of afterwards
until last Wednesday, when his body was discovered in the
river Taw, by some gentlemen engaged in duck shooting. It
was only by his clothing, &c., that he was identified; the
body had evidently been in the water some months, and it is
conjectured that he had drowned himself in a short time
after his attempt at murder, his watch having stopped at half
an hour after the period of the event.

MR. ROUNDELL PALmEa.—Certain observations
having been addressed by a correspondent, signing himself
" An Elector," in the Plymouth Journal, imputing to Mr.
Roundell Palmer " Tractarian or Puseyite " opinions, the
Learned Gentleman writes to that paper a letter, in which
he repudiates the entertainment of such opinions. Mr.
Palmer, after dislaiming " rractarianism," in its ordinary
sense, says, ,that if it be Tractarianism to be earnestly
devote s 4 to the Church of England, anxious to vindicate
her rights and promote her spiritual efficiency; if it be
Tractarianism to believe (in their natural sense and with-
out reservation) all the doctrines expressed both in her
Articles and in her Catechism and liturgical formularies,
and to be well satisfied with the Prayer Book as it stands;
if it be Tractarianism to think that the mission of every
true church is from God, and not from Kings and Parlia-
ments, and that doctrines of absolute prerogative, which
have long been exploded in civil matters, are quite out of
place in spiritual, in this sense he shall not be careful to
disclaim being a Tractarian. But, then, he will remem-
ber " that in the same sense Ridley, Hooper, Jeremy Tay-
lor, Ker, and Beveridge, would also have deserved the same
appellation."

to accommodate 400 prisoners, and is in the castellated style
of architecture. The principal facade is about 340 feet in
length, and the ventilating portion 150 feet in height. It
is Laced with Bath stone and Kentish rag. The two dwell-
ing-houses at the entrance are faced with red brick and
stone dressings, and are the residences of the governor and
chaplain. The entrance lodge is also to be erected in the
same style of architecture as the main building. The west
wing will be appropriated for juvenile prisoners, and the
north wing for females. The centre of the principal front
contains the entrance, with porter's residence, reception
cells, liath rooms, and visiting rooms; also the governor's
offices, chaplain's rooms, and magistrates' rooms. The re•
maining four wings are for adult male prisoners, containing
separate cells, on the same system as that adopted at the
Model Prison, Pentonville. Connected with the several
wirgs of the building and in the centre is the chapel, fitted
up so that the prisoners are enclosed separately, and are un-
seen by each other; but all are under the surveillance of the
chaplain and officers. The area enclosed within the walls is
between eight and nine acres ; large workrooms are attached
to each floor o cells, and provision is made for either the
congregated or the separate system. The cells are arranged
on three stories, and are approached by galleries the whole
length of the corridors, which are covered with fire-proof
arched rook The cost of the erection of the buildings will
be about 80,0001. All the cells, chapel, corridors, and other
apartments, will be thoroughly warmed and ventilated. As
we have before stated, this prison is designed and built
under the superintendence of Mr. Bunning, the City archi-
tect, and is a striking evidence of the perfect adaptation of
means to an end. At the same time, this additional testi-
mony was not required to the high talents of one to whom
we owe one of the most finished specimens of architectural
designs, the new Coal Exchange.—The Ladies' Newspaper.
The works at Morcott trtnnel, on'the. Stamford and
Rugby Railway, have recommenced, anedrcitlys now said the
line will be completed and be Toady for opening throughout
before-the ensuing spring.—
as,ta •

- -
THE FEVER-STILLS AT WORK AGAIN !—We are
not only astonished, but indignant and disgusted, to see it
announced, that "the cholera having now entirely disap-
peared, and every fear on the subject of the public health
having subsided," several of the City graveyards are about
to be re-opened. What a merciless, remorseless pursuit is
that of money-making! How loathsome is the hollow show
of reason with which the unseemly actual motive is glossed
“cklessly over. This is winter: the cholera-agitation has
subbi'led : now is the time to mount again on the municipal
shoulders off which we were shaken in the time of fear!
Such is the secret thought of the traffickers in corruption.
Th,,t the bodies so trafficked in will only be ripe, rotten, and
ready for the stew and distillation of the coming summer, is

nothing to them. That thousands and tens Of thousands
will be tainted with the fever-poison, and themselves fer-
mented into rotten leaven of corruption to poison and fer-
ment still more and more—what is all that to them? Let
us eat, drink, and be merry, whoever may die. Siuve qui
peut. Even for these prescriptive rights we had some respect,
but what respect have they for our prescriptive right to live
and breathe untainted air? The move now indicated will,
we sincerely trust, precipitate the doom of the fever-stills,
one and all, within " the bills of mortality"—within the
limits of metropolitan life. The Legislature must look to it
witphuotutcufatiolie
so
lsoctrtoabasy
theit
ueglect he harpmeetsWhere founid
isllr.li_al.Btfkeler.ls
he

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 17, 1850.

LAW OF PATENTS.
(From the Morning Advertiser.)
The absence of rights of property in that intellectual
labour, which produces invention or scientific discovery,
is a disgraceful anomaly. Artificial property, such as
that possessed by individuals in the land that belongs to
all the nation, is jealously guarded by numerous sta-
tutes and legal devices, yet the title to this description
of property has its origin in violent robbery. The only
real property is the fruit of the labour of body or mind
in some honourable occupation; and of this real pro-
perty, that which consists in some means of benefiting
mankind by supplying their wants or increasing their com-
forts or pleasures, there is no recognised right, without
a formal bestowal of it by the Sovereign. In a free
country, the necessity of praying to the Crown for an
unques Unable right, would at all times be a ground for
serious complaint, but when we find it fenced round by
all sorts of contrivances to increase difficulties and de-
lays for the purpose of creating pretexts for fees and
other charges, it becomes an intolerable grievance.
When the expenses are thus meanly accumulated, until
the poorer class of inventors are entirely precluded from
obtaining the recognition of a right in their own pro-
perty, by which their inventions are lost to themselves
and the people, the necessity is converted into a great
public wrong.
Apparently, no sooner does a man of science and
genius produce a novelty, than he becomes a mark for
plunder by a swarm of all sorts of sharpers, official and
unofficial. A few years ago, a gentleman invented an
improvement of something fur navigating men-of-war.
As he had no interest at the Admiralty, he could not
obtain a hearing. After numerous applications, through
a series of years, he was abandoning his discovery in
despair, when one of the clerks of that immaculate
board offered to get it introduced, provided he might
share half the profits and give his name to the invention.
The gentleman indignantly refused these terms. What
ultimately became of the invention we do not know, but
believe it was lost. Everybody has seen the direction
to the nearest house fur receiving post-letters, placed
upon the gas-lamps, and most have experienced the
utility of that simple invention without knowing its his-
tory. We are solely and entirely indebted for it
to Mr. Geary, the architect, at that time residing
in Hamilton-place, New-road. He forwarded de-
scriptions of his design to the Postmaster-Gene-
ral, Lord Lincoln, we believe, accompanied
by drawings of lamps with the labels attached
to them, precisely as we now see them in the streets.
Difficulties were raised, come correspondence ensued,
and a great length of time elapsed, till,Mr. Geary thought
both himself and his invention were totally forgotten.
He was mistaken in one particular; for on walking out
one morning, he saw the lamps with the post-office di-
rections, just as he had proposed. On applying to the
authorities about it, he was told that some clerk in the
establishment had invented that design, and he after-
wards found that the clerk bad been rewarded with 500/.
We saw the correspondence on this subject.
The melancholy history of a poor patentee is given in
the Weekly Dispatch, and we abridge it as an instruc-
tive lesson, though one highly calculated to excite senti-
ments of disgust. William Darley, in 1830, invented
circular or oval tubes of terracotta tilery fur the lining
f chimneys, to prevent fires. He was very poor, and
struggled until 1840, before he could induce any one to
advance 1501., required for a patent. At last he suc-
ceeded, a patent was bought, and a wharf was opened at
Pimlico, where so few of the tubes were sold, that
it was abandoned in 1845, by the person who found
the means. The stock was sold to the Commis-
sioners of Sewers for pipes; but some of the flues
were sold to the authorities of Buckingham Palace.
In 1848 he discovered that his patented invention had
been applied to several great buildings in the metropolis,
and chiefly Buckingham Palace, of which every chimney
is constructed after his design. He also found that it
was applied to some of the chimneys in Windsor Castle.
Of course he now expected to reap some advantage from
his invention. He applied to the architect about the li-
censed use of his patent, on terms, descending from one
guinea per shaft in first-rate houses, down to ten shil-
lings for ordinary houses. He was refused, on the plea
that the patent was not known, and afterwards on other
pleas. He was then obliged to have recourse to law;
term after term has passed without a hearing, and this
present term the case was deferred on the application of
the worthy defendant, on a plea that a witness was ill.
One of the litigants, who dispute the poor man's natural
and patented right—a right for which he paid 1501., or
nearly thirty times more than it would have cost in
America—is a member of the new association lately got
up to assist poor inventors.
Several things deserving notice occur in this story.
The patent that costs so much money does not effectually,
protect the right, and but that the patentee applied vo-
luntarily for it, he might consider himself robbed of
1501. on false pretences. In the second place, through
the inefficiency of the patent system, which appears to
promote acts of gross dishonesty, and through the de-
ficiency of moral sentiments in some person or other,
her Majesty and the nation are made to stand in the
very pleasant relation of receivers and users of stolen
goods. In the third place the patent, which should
be decisive, does not preclude application to courts of
law, since it requires the costly decision of a
judge and jury to give it effect. What the poor and
royally protected Darley has to suffer under the
hands of English lawyers, who are so proverbial
for disregard of money in preference of justice,
cannot be made the subject of a guess. One patentee,
Mr. Newell, is now engaged in a law-suit to defend his
right, and states that he has already expended 2,0001.;
and the cost of defending Mr. Mun'z's sheathing patent
actually exceeded 10,000/.
We Lel that the facts respecting patents and the
rights, which they do not establish or protect, are too
eloquent to require comment; and that, for practical
lessons in disinterestedness and honesty, there is no
school like England. Apparently the leaven of corrup-
tion, which has long been visible in every department of
State, has fermented the whole mass of society. The
piracy of patented inventions does not appear, costly as
the defence undoubtedly proves, to be the most blame-
able part of the system.

BURNING IN EFFIGIES OF THE POPE, CAR-
DINAL WISESIAN, AND HIS TWELVE

BISHOPS AT BRASTED, KENT.

This village presented, on Thursday,' December 12, a
very animated scone, which manifested at once the
loyalty of its inhabitants to our Most Gracious Queen,
and their indignation at the atrocious aggression on her
Mnjesty's prerogatives by the Bishop of Rome.
At an early hour a procession made its appearance,
consisting of three cars drawn by horses; the first
containing the figure of the Pope, gorgeously appa-
relled in his rubes and triple crown, with Cardinal
Wiseman at his side, splendidly dressed in scarlet.
Then followed the twelve bishops, all appropriately
and richly attired, having each a mitre and a crosier.
These were preceded by a fine band of music playing
national airs, and several flags, some having " God
save the Queen," others " No Popery," " No Puseyism,"
and other uppropriate devices, followed, accompanied by
at k sit 4,C00 persons, who showed in various ways their
detestation of those intruders and their mummeries.
The procession paraded through all the adjacent villages,
and having completed the round, returned in the evening
to Brasted, where, on the village green, the figures were
placed in regular order upon a platform and then burnt,
amidst a grand display of fireworks and the shouts of an
immense multitude of persons.

A beautiful transparency was exhibited, having suit-
able inscriptions, such as "No Popery," &c., and every
houso was illuminated.

After the whole of the- figures had been consumed,
three hE arty cheers fur the Queen were given, and the
crowd dispersed quietly to their homes.

THE BANK OF AUSTRALASIA.

At the half-yearly Dueling of the Bunk
held yesterday afternoon, it was announced that the di-
rectors, having fully considered the position of the esta-
blishment, intend to pay in April next a dividend at the
rate of four instead of three per cent. per annum. The
statement laid before the shareholders on the present
occasion was considered in every respect satisfactory,
even those who had proved strong dissentients at pre-
vious meetings concurring in the views of the board, and
the discussion which arose was chiefly of a congratula-
tory character. The chairman stated that it was not
the intention of the directors to divide at a higher
rate than four per cent, per annum until they should
feel the bank to be wholly relieved from the encum-
brances and difficulties which had until lately inter-
fered with its progress. The suggestion for commence-
ing business at New Zealand was one deserving consi-
deration, and under the powers of the charter every
facility was given for embracing any opportunity
that offered; but for the present, and until the manage-
ment were further advised respecting prospects else-
where, it was not considered prudent to entertain the
question. A shareholder, speaking respecting the
opening of trade with California, hoped the directors
would not place too much reliance on the benefit to
accrue to the Australian colonies from this connexion.
As a new element of prosperity, the Chairman said he
regarded it with some interest, particularly as a source
through which agricultural produce could be rendered
marketable. A complaint was made that the premises
occupied were not sufficiently prominent for the business
of the bank, or easy of access to persons who were un-
accustomed to city localities. In answer, it was ex-
plained that the lease would shortly expire, and the
subject would then receive consideration. After the
election of a director to supply a vacancy, the meeting
broke up.

[ADVERTISEMENT.]—CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND.
—Bell's Life in London, Dec. 22.—Fu1l particulars of the
contest between the Tipton Slasher and Paddock, and all the
sporting features of the season. Price of Bell's Life, six-
pence. Office, 170, Strand. Average sale of Bell's Life
exceeds 29,000.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following
gentlemen, having undergone the necessary examinations
for diploma, were admitted members of the College, at the
meeting of the Court of Examiners on the 13th instant :
Messrs. Alexander Myall Robinson, Newbury, Berkshire;
Edmund Lord Hudson, Bacup, Rochdale, Lancashire;
Francis Henry Plumptre, Queen's-square, Bloomsbusy ; John
Phillipson Longhorn, her Majesty's Forest of Dean, Glou-
cestershire; Robert Rygate, Colet-place, Commercial-road;
Henry Meund, Bromsgrcve Worcestershire; John Davies
Weaver, Chester; John &oven, York •, James Charles
Dickinson, London ; George Webster, Dulwich, Surrey ;
Ashby Greenough Osborn, Northampton; and Joseph Earle,
Grosvenor-street West. At the same meeting of the Court
Messrs. George Everest, Michael Walling, and David Lloyd
Morgan, passed their examinations for naval surgeons.
Those gentlemen had previously been admitted members of
the College, their diplomas bearing date respectively April
29, 1842 ; April 25, 1845 ; and April 17, 1846.

APPOINTMENTS.-Mr. W. Garry Lettaom, now
Paid Attaché to the Mission at Washington, has been ap-
pointed, in the same capacity, to the Mission at Madrid.
Mr. J. Carter, Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of New
Brunswick, is appointed Chief Justice of that Court. Mr.
Godlouton is appointed a member of the Legislative.
Council of the Cape of Good Hope. * - •

NAMUR AND LIEGE RAILWAY.
The annual meeting of this company was held yes-
terday at the London Tavern; M. Bates in the
chair.

Mr. Grant, the secretary, having read the report,
The CHAIRMAN said, the reason they were called

together tit so late a period of the year vas to enable
the directors to have the pleasure of announcing to
the proprietors the opening of the Namur and Liege
Railway. At present the line was open for the con-
veyance of passengers and light goods, but shortly
they would be ready to carry goods of every descrip-
tion. From the appearance of the traffic on the line
the directors had no doubt that the estimate of revenue
laid before the proprietors in April, 1847, would
prove as correct with respect to the traffic on the
Namur and Liege line as it bad on the company'a
Mons and Manage line. He had no doubt that a con-
siderable increase would take place in the receipts,
and the line would also participate next year in the
traffic from the principal towns in Germany to Eng-
land which would be induced by the Exhibition of
the Industry of All Nations. The working plant was
supplied by the manufacturers on terms which en-
abled the company to spread the payment fur the plant
over a period of six years, and as all the engines and
carriages were of the best description' :they did not ex-
pect they would require repairs for a long time. Great
delay had taken place in the construction of the basin
at Mons, but they fully expected it would be opened
next month, which would tend to increase
the traffic. At present the gross receipts were about
700/. per week.—(Hear.) The utmost economy
would be exercised in the working expenses, and the
proprietors may rely that every exertion would be
made to develop the traffic, and it was their intention
to publish the traffic returns monthly. The object
of these remarks was to influence the proprietors to
ask any questions they thought proper, and he had no
doubt the directors would be able to satisfy them. He
concluded by moving the adoption of the report.
Sir F. SMITII, in seconding the motion, said that
he had recently examined the line throughout, and he
supposed they would admit that he had some know-
ledge of railway works, having inspected almost every
line in England, and several lines abroad, and he
must say that he never saw works on any line more
beautifully executed or more solidly constructed than
the works on the Namur and Liege Railway. He
had said on a former occasion that the works on the
Mons and Manage Railway were ably executed, but
those on the Namur and Liege excelled them. The
tunnels, the brickwork, and the masonry were con-
structed in a masterly way, and the permanent way
was so well laid that there was every probability of
its being maintained at a moderate expense. The
maintenance of the way and works had been let by
public tender, and it was their wish that the largest
and widest competition should be allowed to parties
desirous of making contracts with the company. They
would shortly be in a position to receive tenders for the
maintenance of the permanent way and works on the
Mons and Manage line, and it was intended to give
contractors in England an opportunity as well as con-
tractors in Belgium to tender for the contract, and
by that means to have the work done at the lowest
possible price. With respect to the Mons and
Manage line they would have a crowd of traffic upon
it from morning to night ; and he believed that
nothing could compete with the Namur and Liege
line when in full operation, and that the traffic would
yield a good return for the outlay.—(Cheers.)
Mr. RIDGWAY considered that the directors were
entitled to the highest praise for the admirable way
in which they had brought the company out of a
ruinous position into one of prosperity. It appeared
to him that after the payment of Interest on bor-
rowed money a comparatively small sum would give
them a dividend on their shares, which were reduced
in number by forfeiture to nearly one-half the original
number.

Mr. HARRISON congratulated the directors and pro.
prietors on the present position of the undertaking,
and said were it not for the exertions of the direc -
tors and the contractors, and the kindness of the
bankers and the Government, the line would not bare
been open at the present time. He believed that the
interest for three half-years was due on their shares,
which with the current half-year would amount to
eight per cent. due ; and he wished to know how the
directors proposed to pay it.
The CHAIRMAN said they admitted the debt, and the
interest would be paid out of the first available money
in their power.

Mr. HARRISON said the first available funds would
be out of the net profits, and to pay the back interest
out of present and future profits would be like taking
the money out of one pocket and putting it into the
other. He suggested that as they were authorised to pay
interest out of capital during construction, debentures
should be issued to the shareholders for the total amount
of the interest due, the debentures to bear interest at
five per cent. per annum until paid off. He believed
that the interest due was a legitimate debt, and if
the plan he proposed did not interfere with existing
arrangements, he would bring it forward at the next
meeting.
The CHAIRMAN said they were much obliged for the
suggestion, and in the meantime would give the mat-
ter their beet consideration.

Mr. WILLIS said he was happy to see several pro-
prietors near him on the present occasion who had
held their shares from the commencement, and he
trusted they would reap the benefit of their outlay and
perseverance. He had done everything in his power
to assist the company in its difficulties, and others had
done the same, and he took that opportunity of cor-
dially congratulating them on the promising
position of their affairs after all their trouble and
anxiety. He believed their property was as well
worth the money expended on it as any railway in
England, Ireland, or Scotland. The paid up capital
amounted to 523,0001., and the borrowed capital to
700,0001, and as the latter sum would have to be
repaid, they must not deceive themselves by supposing
that they have got over their difficulties by opening
the line, for a great deal yet remained to be done
before they could consider themselves in a sound
position. It would not require a large sum after
satisfying the claims of the creditors to pay a dividend
on their share capital ; 1001. per week would pay 1
per cent., and 5001. per week wculd pay them 5 per
cent. On looking over the traffic table in Herapath's
Journal, he perceived that there was as good a traffic
per mile per week on the Moos and Manage line as
there was upon one-half of the lines in the United
Kingdom. That line was 22 miles in length, and bad
cost the company about 250,C00/. He was quite sure
that when the time came for dividend the directors
would feel more pleasure in giving it than the pro-
prietors would in receiving it.
Mr. BELL explained that originally the company
was based on a capital of 1,000,0001, but in conse-
quence of parties not paying up the full amount on
their shares, the paid-up capital stood at 520,000/.,
and the borrowed money at 750,0001., but there could
be no doubt they would be enabled to capitalize the
greater part of that sum either by the reissue of the
forfeited shares, or the issue of new shares, and thus
reduce the amount of the loan to 250,0001.
The CHAIRMAN said, in reply to a question, that
he belived that 1,250,0001. would complete the un-
dertaking. If their traffic increased very much they
would have to provide more plant, for which, of
course, they would rt quire an additional sum to that
amount.

Resolutions were then unanimously passed, adopt-
ing the report, confirming the arrangement entered
into with the Belgian Government, in conjunction
with the Bank of Belgium, for the loan of 1,800,000 f.
(72,0001), and voting the best thanks of the meeting
to Mr. Storks, the engineer, for his valuable services. _

The proceedings concluded with a cordial vote of
,hanks to the chairman and directors.

THE EMEUTE AT BIRKENHEAD-APPRE-
HENSION OF THE RIOTERS.

LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.—The first step towards a
legal investigation of the late serious riot at Birken-
head has been taken. At an early hour yesterday
morning the police at Birkenhead, having obtained
warrants from the magistrates, were actively engaged
in apprehending various parties who were suspected
of being engaged in the recent disgraceful riot at
Birkenhead. On this business at least fifty of the
police, under the direction of Superintendent Haig,
were engaged, and they succeeded in capturing six of
the parties implicated.
The prisoners, who were for the most part Irish-
men and Roman Catholics, answered to the names of
Haggerty, a navigator ; Smith, a shoemaker; Feehan,
a coalheaver ; Fitzsimmons, a navigator; Griffen, a
labourer; and Brown, a master shoemaker. The
police also endeavoured to apprehend a seventh, but
he escaped.
The six men were brought up before the magis-
trates at ten this morning. Mr. Conway, barrister,
and Mr. Townsend, the magistrates' clerk, appeared
for the prosecution ; Sir George Stephen and Mr.
Brotherton defended the prisoners.
Mr. Conway opened the case for the prosecution,
and was proceeding, when Sir George Stephen re-
quested that all witnesses for the prosecution should
leave the court.

Mr. Conway made a similar request with regard
to the witnesses for the defence.

Sir George Stephen asked for an adjournment of
the hearing, in order that he might make himself
acquainted with the case.

The remand was agreed to, and the case adjourned
till Thursday, when the prisoners will be brought up
at Chester Castle. The prisoners Brown and Feehan
were admitted to bail, themselves in 501. each and
two sureties in 501. each. The other four prisoners
were removed to Chester.

- _
OXFORD AND WORCESTER EXTENSION RAILWAY.—
Yesterday, on settling the list of provisional committee be-
fore his honour Sir George Rose, those who did not appear
when called were placed upon the list. It is understood
that the case of the members of the managing committee
will be taken up on appeal in the case of Morrison, who WU
one of them.

ABSCONDING OF A SUPERIN_

TENDENT OF POLICE.

The town of Burnley has, within the last fortnight,
been the scene of much excitement, from the circum-
stance of a person holding a high and responsible
situation in the county constabulary, and resident in
that town, having been absent from his duties, with-
out leave, for upwards of a fortnight. It appears that
Mr. M'Cabe, the superintendent of the police force
for the higher division of the hundred of .Blackburn,
had applied for, and obtained, a few days' leave of
absence, for the avowed purpose of visiting London.
This privilege expired on the 30th ult., but up to the
present time nothing whatever has been beard of him,
and his return is not now expected. On it being
known at head-quarters that the superintendent had
not returned at the time he was due, the assistant
chief-constable, Captain Sheppard, visited Burnley,
and Captain Woodford afterwards went over to inves-
tigate the circumstance of the case. We regret to learn
that a sum of money, amounting to about 100/., given
to him to pay the rent of various station-houses, has
not been handed over ; also above 100/. for the wages
of constables. About 201. were in his hands belonging
to the Police Force Superannuation Fund, and 70/.
received by him in his office as inspector of weights
and measures, and which he ought to have paid over
to Mr. Moore Wilson, the county treasurer. It is
also said that some tradesmen in Burnley and the
neighbourhood who have supplied the force with goods
have granted him receipts to their accounts without
having obtained the money. On the circumstances of
the case becoming known, T. B. Addison, Esq., im-
mediately gave orders for the wages of the men to be
paid. Mr. M'Cabe has left a wife and six children at
Burnley. Such an occurrence has caused much sur-
prise, as Mr. M'Cabe has been upwards of ten years
in the office, was receiving an addition to his salary
on account of length of service, and was much re-
spected as an efficient officer. He formerly held a
commission in the British army, was afterwards an
officer in the service of the Queen of Portugal, where
he attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and more
recently served in Spai❑ in General Evans's brigade.
A meeting of the magistrates of the division has
been summoned for Monday next, to take the cir-
cumstances of the case into consideration.—Preston
Chronicle.