The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-06 00:00:00

ART-UNIONS.

Mr. T. SHAW presented a petition from the Royal
Society of Dublin in favour of Art-Unions.
SOUTHAMPTON IMPROVEMENT BILL.

On the motion of Mr. GREENE, various amendments
were agreed to on the Southampton Improvement Bill,
and theßill was ordered to be read a third time on Friday.

BIRKENHEAD DOCKS.

On the motion of Mr. BROTHERTON, the Birken-
head Docks Bill was read a third time andpassed.

DISSENTERS' CHAPELS BILL.

Lord ASHLEY presented several petitic is against
he Dissenters' Chapels Bill.
Mr. E. TENNENT presented five petitions from Ire-
land to the same effect.

Lord SANDON presented several petitions from
Church and Dissenting congregations in Liverpool to
the same effect.

Mr. CRAVEN BERKELEY presented a petition
from a congregation of Protestant Dissenters in Chel-
tenham to the same effect. _

Mr. GREENE presented a petition from the mayor,
clergy, and inhabitants of Manchester, to the same effect.
Sir R. INGLIS presented several petitions to the same
effect.

Mr. Sergeant MURPHY presented a petition from
the Roman Catholics of Dudley, in Worcestershire, in
favour of the Bill.
NOTICE OF MOTION.

Mr. HUME gave notice that he would, to-morrow,
move for a return of the population of the British
colonies.

POOR-LAWS.

Mr. WILLIAMS said he wished to know, from the
Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary for the Home Depart-
ment, when he would bring forward the New Poor-law
Amendment Bill ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said that he was unable to state on
what day the measure would be brought forward. The
Dissenters' Chapels Bill would come on to-morrow ; on
Friday they proposed to proceed with the Scotch
Parishes Bill ; on Monday they would proceed with
the Sugar Duties Bill, and on Thursday he intended to
proceed with the Bank Charter Bill.
Mr. FERRAND said that the Right Hon. Gentleman
the Secretary of State for the Home Department had
been in the habit of postponing the Bill from
day to day throughout the last session of Par-
liament. He was now adopting the same system
in the present session. There was great anxiety abroad
concerning the measure, and he should like to have a
distinct answer from the Right Hon. Gentleman as to
the precise day on which the Bill would be brought for-
ward, or whether it way. the intention of the Government
to press it forward at all during the present session.
Sir J. GRAHAM said he could not give a more dis-

tinct answer than he had already givens: The Bill had
been read a second time, and it stood at present for com-
mittal. As far as the Government was concerned, it
was their intention that the Bill should pass during the
present session.
IRISH REGISTRATION BILL.

Mr. M. O'CONNELL wished to know from the Right
Hon. Gentleman when the Irish Registration Bill would
be brought forward ? It would be only fair to inform
Irish Members whether it would be necessary for them
to remain' t 6 'oppose the measure.
Sir J. GRAHAM said the Government would state
on Friday next what was their intentions with regard to

the measure.
The Orders of the Day were then proceeded with.
COURT OF CHANCERY (COUNTY PALATINE

OF LANCASTER) BILL.
This Bill went through Committee without discussion;
report ordered to be received this day fortnight.
COMMONS INCLOSURE BILL.
On the Order of the Day for going into Committee on
the Commons Inclosure Bill being read,
Lord WORSLEY apologised to the House for
having kept the Members so long in suspense with
regard to this measure, in consequence of his indispo-
sition; but he was still very anxious to proceed with
the measure, because several parties had been
put to inconvenience by the delay. He had
that day, however, had a communication from
the Government with respect to this Bill, and he found
that, though favourable to it generally, her Majesty's
Government wished it to be materially altered. He
would therefore suggest that those . Hon. Members who
were opposed to the Bill would withdraw their opposi-
tion, and allow the Bill to he committed pro forma ; he
would then fix another day for proceeding with it, after
having communicated with the Commissioners of Woods
and Forests as to the alterations that would be required.
He hoped the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman opposite
would not feel it necessary to persevere in his opposition
on the present occasion, but that he would permit the
Bill to go into Committeeproforma.
Colonel SIBTHORP said that no one could regret
more sincerely than he did the indisposition of the Noble
Lord. He had put down 46 clauses in this Bill,
on each of which he was determined to take
the sense of the House. He protested against the Bill
as a measure calculated to effect serious injury to that
class which the House was most bound to protect. But
as the Noble Lord had expressed a wish to have the sill
committed pro forma, for the purpose, as he understood,
of expunging some of the clauses—and amen thmm,
perhaps, the 46 clauses to which he objected—he (Col.
Sibthorp) would not object to the Bill being committed
pro forma, if the Hon. Member for Montrose did not
object. If, however, the Hon. Member for Montrose
persevered in his opposition, he (Colonel Sibthorp)
should undoubtedly support him in it.
Mr. HUME said it was not often that he agreed with
the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman, but he did so on the
present occasion. This Bill had been brought in without
due consultation with the public authorities of the coun-
try. The Bill would require a great deal of pruning
before it could be made even passable. Such a
measure as this ought to be a Government
measure.—(" Hear, hear" from Colonel Sibthorp.) It
was a Bill that would affect the whole country, and if
passed it would be a great injustice to the labouring
classes. Already had 2,000 Inclosure Bills been passed,
and the only effect of them had been to give an additional
quantity of land to the squirearchy of the country. No
one could be more willing than he would be to support
any measure of the Noble Lord's (Lord Worsley's), be-
cause he knew the Noble Lord was actuated by the
best intentions.—(Hear, hear.) But all the best
land of the country had been already inclosed, and
there was no necessity fur new powers to enable persons
to inclose land which was worth cultivating. He hoped
the Noble Lord would withdraw the Bill for the present
session; as he could assure him that the working
classes throughput the country looked upon the measure
with great suspicion. If there was any necessity for in-
creased powers of inclosure, let the Government take
the matter into their own hands.
Lord SANDON recommended that the Bill should be
allowed to pass through Committee pro forma, and that
the details might be discussed at a future stage.
Mr. AGLIONBY supported the Bill. He believed
that the interests of the poorer classes would be much
better protected under it than they were at present.—
(Hear, hear.) He thought the more land that was inclosed
and brought into cultivation would be pro tante an ad-
vantage to the working classes. He knew himself a
neighbourhood in which, by the system of inclosing,
much good had been done. Those who wanted work
were 'amply supplied with it. They had draining and
planting, and other work of a similar character, and the
result was, that what had been an uncultivated waste,
was now well laid out as arable land or in plantations.
He hoped, therefore, that the Noble Lord would proceed
with his Bill.

Mr. HENRY BERKELEY thought that the Bilrgave
the Commission such arbitrary powers as were never
given to a Commission before. Was he to be told that
the poorer classes were to depend upon any Commission
for the liberty of taking their wives and families out for
the exercise that was absolutely necessary for health and
comfort? The Bill introduced by the Noble Lord last
year would never have passed to a second reading had
it not been for the very remarkable language of the
Right Hon. Baronet, the Member for Tamworth. He
had many objections to the Bill ; he said that it was
very bad in many points, but he said also that the Noble
Lord had expended a very great deal of industry upon it,
and that the House might therefore allow it to pass the
second reading.—(Hear, hear.) He did not question
the Noble Lord's industry, but he thought there were
other Members in that House whose zeal had not been
similarly rewarded. He would say to the Noble Lord
that before touching the parks of the pnor,-he ought to

N, THURSDAY EV

begin with the parks of the rich. The flower plucked
on the uncultivated waste was just as valuable to the
poor man and his child as was the rose, or rich exotic,
grown in the nobleman's hot-house.— (Hear, hear.) They
would, by passing this Bill, be debarring the working
man from the pure air of heaven, and condemning him,
instead, to receive into his system the dust of their car-
riage wheels.
Lord JOHN MANNERS supported the Bill of the
Noble Lord. He thought the country owed him a deep
debt of gratitude for having had the boldness and deter-
mination to bring forward this measure ; and he hoped
the Hon. Member for Montrose would withdraw the
amendment.

Colonel WOOD opposed the motion. He thought
that there was no necessity for instituting a Commission,
as desired by the Noble Lord. If a waste were worth
inclosing, it was worth coming to Parliament for powers
to do so. He had heard -objections against the enor-
mity of the expense, but he begged to say that these
were very trifling after all. He would, therefore, he
repeated, oppose the Bill of the Noble Lord.
Mr. C. BULLER said that they must remember,
when speaking of commons, that the term embraced not
only fields really waste, but such as were not properly
cultivated. He knew a very large tract of waste land,
and it was proposed by all those interested in it to
parcel it out in allotments, in order to its cultivation. It
was found, however, that under the present state of the
law such could not be done. Then, surely, it were well
that that state of things should be altered. He thought
that by Commissions—he did not care whether it
were the Tithe Commission or any other—but surely
those matters could be better inquired into and arranged
by them than by coming up to that House. He thought
they ought not to throw the Bill overboard without well
considering its details. It was one of the utmost im-
portance to the weal of the country, and therefore en-
titled to the consideration of that House.
Mr. MILES thought they might read the Bill pro
forma, and then take leisure to consider its provisions.
Mr. WARBUItTON thought that the Bill could be
easily carried into effect without encroaching upon
places of amusement in the neighbourhood of large
towns. He supported the motion.
Mr. HUME said, that as the motion was merely for
going into Committee pro forma, he would not oppose it.
The Bill was then committed pro forma, and the House
resumed.

COUNTY CORONERS BILL.
The House then went into Committee upon the County
Coroners Bill, the clauses of which were agreed to with
verbal amendments, and the House resumed, when the
report was ordered to be brought up on Wednesday next.
The House then adjourned at a Quarter past Seven.

REGENERATION OF THE HUMAN

RACE.

ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY VICTORIA,
QUEEN OF THE BRITISH ISLES AND EM-
PIRE. By ROBERT OWEN.
MOST EXCELLENT, AMIABLE, AND BELOVED SOVEREIGN,
Your memorialist, a man of seventy-three years of
age, with extensive experience in all the great depart-
ments of human life, an old friend of your Majesty's
much valued father, and one who has devoted his life to
discover the removable causes of human evil, and the
permanent causes which will produce good to man—
addresses your Majesty on subjects more .important, be-
yond all comparison, than have yet been brought before
the mind of any sovereign or people.
Your Majesty has been placed by natural events to
reign over an empire, made more powerful by a century
of extraordinary discoveries and inventions, than the
world has yet known.
These discoveries and inventions have already created
new and scientific powers for the use of man, sufficient,
if understood, and wisely applied, to ensure the per-
manent progressive happiness of his race; and these im-
provements are yet but in their infancy, and are capable
of indefinite increase.

But in consequence of these new powers having been
misdirected, there is now, among *the majority in your
Majesty's dominions, more ignorance, destitution, crime,
and severe suffering than exist in any other nation of
equal numbers—while, at the same
.time, there is more
wealth and more power in the minority than can be
found among the same number in any part of the world.
But these evils are, from the same causes, gradually ex-
tending through other countries, and the growing ex-
tremes of wealth and poverty are creating a conflict be-
tween the rich and poor, which renders a change in the
organisation of society,
.for the safety and prosperity
of all parties, now unavoidable. Hence the change be-
comes necessary through all the departments of life—
a change now required to open the floodgates of pros-
perity to the advantage of all the nations of the world.
And the means have been discovered to effect this all-
important change gradually and with substantial perma-
nent benefit to rich and poor of every rank and condition,
and to revolutionise all nations without any of the evils
of former revolutions.

as its empire now ex-
tends,accumulated and accumulating
withe po position ttiho
en
amount
oGurneta to
fßri tain
Th
scientific power within it, gives the lead in this glorious
change, naturally to your Majesty's Government, if
parties can be found with sufficient mind and moral
courage, well and wisely to direet it.
The undoubted immediate human causes of good and
of removable evils are now known : the means of secur-
ing and making permanent the good, and of removing
for ever the evil have been discovered ; all nations feel
the necessity for, and desire this change ; but especially,
is the necessity now felt by your Majesty's subjects, from
the effects produced throughout the British empire by
the extensive introduction of scientific , power mis-
directed. And this change, from all that is evil to all
that is good, may now be accomplished with order, in
peace, and most beneficially for all within the empire.
But should the Government be so unwise as to de-
cline to take the lead in this most necessary and most
desirable change, the glory of the British name and
power will pass over to the continent of North America,
where the people are preparing to make this change,
and to enter upon a new course of existence, in which
scientific power and knowledge shall be made subser-
vient to the population, instead of continuing to make
the population subservient to this unreasoning and 'un-
conscious power. It is true, that to accomplish this
`change, the greatest of all human changes, the preju-
dices derived from the past ignorance of our inexpe-
rienced ancestors must be entirely abandoned in like
manner, as civilised nations are now abandoning the old
roads for the new system of railway travelling.
But now to change from a complication of evils,
which are daily becoming more and more severe and
irrational, for a system beneficial to all, and which will
daily diminish the evils, will prove to be great foresight
and profound wisdom in your Majesty's Government;
because it will produce permanent, individual, national,
and universal good.
That which is now required is to know how to effect
this all-important change without alarming the ground-
less fears of the uninformed, and of those who will at
first imagine that their individual position and interest
will suffer from it.
The means, if they were wisely applied, sUperabound
in your Majesty's dominions, to accomplish this change
without permanent injury to any party, but with great
safety and lasting advantages of the highest order, to all
of every rank and station; and to delay now making
this change will daily become more and more dangerous.
For the people are intently engaged in learning the
great truths :
l. That the world has been hitherto governed by force
and fraud, and most unwisely for all parties.
2. That ignorance, the original sin of the world, is the
cause of all human misery ; and that this cause may be
now most beneficially removed from every population,
with the certainty of a law of nature.
3. That it is now the interest of all that ignorance
should be universally removed.
4. That the means abound to remove poverty and all
fear of it from every British subject, in a short period,
and at no very distant day from the population of every
other country. It is either ignorance or injustice that
maintains poverty in any part of the world.
5. That all crime, which is solely the effect of remov-
able ignorance, may be prevented at a far less cost than
it can be punished or permitted to remain.
6. That the British Government posse,ses now, by
the addition made to its scientific productive power, more
than ample means, wisely applied, to remove ignorance,
poverty, and crime, from your Majesty's dominions.
7. That this effect can be produced only by a re-
organisation of society on principles in accordance with
the well-ascertained laws of nature.

8. That this re-organisation may be gradually so in-
troduced that it shall produce benefit through every step
of its progress, without creating evil to any one.
9. That this re-organization will, of necessity, change
all the inferior external circumstances of man's creation
for superior : and man is by nature the creature of the
inferior and superior circumstances by which he is sur-
rounded.
10. That with these superabundant means to remove,
without injury to any one, the present crying adversity
of the population, which endangers the existence of the
present Government, and to establish permanent in-
creasing prosperity, beneficial for all, it will be far
worse than folly in the Government and people longer
to permit the present disorder of public and private
affairs to continue.

11. That the change by a common-sense union of the
Government and people, under a wise application of the
capital of the country, may be now gradually effected
with ease and incalculable advantage to both Govern-
ment and people.
12. That the writer of this address, regardless of the
deeply-rooted prejudices produced by errors of class,
sect, party, country, and colour, has devoted a long
life to secure this great change for the human race ;
that he has been most desirous to prepare the means
al-s i ; d
the to commence this all-glorious andimportantbuct a
change
he
geiins
his native country, previous to the adoption of measures
nowto about
extend
ptoonaillli
so
7th4et
hr cyoeuanrtri ,
continu-
ance of his life is therefore very uncertain, he presents
this address,to your Majesty, to ascertain whether the
and gradually
high
British Government is yet prepared for this peaceable
m e means,
in, sn
change, and whether it will now afford him the
easily
execution,to b obtained,
furth e
t o carry
permanent it q uie
advantagetl3,
benefit of all ; or whether, as was the fate of Columbus,
he must take his discovery of a new mental, moral, and
practical world, into that new physical world that Co-
lumbus was made to feel conscious existed, which (lid
exist, and which it is not now improbable may be des-
tined to be the immediate means to re-organise and
rationalise the old disorganised and irrational world.
13. That these great facts far more deserve the calm
investigations and deep consideration of British states-
men and of the Government, than the petty measures
which have so long engaged. and which now engage the
attention of the Imperial Parliament, and thus termi-
nate for ever, the childish party contentions about taxes
on corn, or any other taxes—about ten hours daily
toil and labour, or any other period of labour—about
repeal of the Irish, or any other union—or, about the
ignorant prejudices, forced into the mind in childhood,
of any class, or sect, or party, all of which prejudices, it'

NiNG JUNE .6, 18,

has been discovered, have emanated from imaginary
fundamental notions of our most ignorant and inexperi-
enced ancestors, notions now demonstrated to be opposed
to nature's unchanging laws, and therefore most injuri-
ous to humanity.
14. That the excitement now existing, owing to the
present anomalous and most inconsistent condition of
society, calk for immediate inquiry into its cause ; that
that being discovered, an effective permanent remedy
may be applied, and that your Majesty's reign may be
secured in peace, and made the era of the commencement
of a rational and happy existence for the human race.
15. That the time for the present maintenance of ig-
norance, poverty, and division of feeling and interest, is
rapidly passing, and cannot much longer be continued
without violence—while violence will be now most inju-
rious to all.

Your memorialist therefore prays that your Majesty
will direct this subject to be fully investigated by men of
superior mind, high moral courage and extensive ex-
perience, none others being competent to the task; or
by such other better means as may appear to your
Majesty's Government to accomplish the great object
of human redemption from unnecessary ignorance,
poverty, and division—evils which are the bane of hap-
piness to the human race.
And your memorialist will for ever pray.

ROBERT OWEN.
Harmony Hall, Hants, May 7, 1844.

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF YESTERDAY.
GLOBE.—Sir Robert Peel has been described, by
some of his eulogists, as a cool and cautious statesman—
not too communicative, even to his colleagues in tl,e Ca-
binet, of his designs, but watchful of the course of
events, and ready to interpose when the proper moment
arrived, to control and direct them to the advance-
ment and accomplishment of his contemplated pur-
poses. This is - especially claimed for his conduct
with referenee to O'Connell and the Repeal move-
ment. The Premier, we are told, seemed to be in-
sensible ; but he was really wide awake to the character
of the agitation, and to its consequences. He was only
biding his time to pounce upon the agitators, and thus
extinguish the agitation. This, it is boldly said Sir R.
Peel has done. O'Connell, and his coadjutors, are quietly
disposed of. The prison doors are fastened upon
them. Their adherents will now disperse. Repeal
will henceforth be heard of only as a by-gone delu-
sion. Ireland will henceforth be quiet, and not merely
tranquil, bat grateful for having been delivered from the
mischiefs which incessant agitation necessarily inflicts
upon a country. All this is said ; and, with a confi-
dence which, to persons utterly ignorant of the events
that are actually arising, would seem to warrant belief.
Sir Robert Peel, according to the glowing descriptions of
these persons, is a kind of political alchymist. He sits
by the side of the State crucible, watching, with steady
eye, the operation that is going on Within. At the
eventful moment he pours into the fused mass of anta-
gonistic elements his potent preparation. The striking
effect produced demonstrates his skill. The baser metals
are converted into gold. Ireland is restored—regene-
rated. O'Connell is in gaol. This Sir Robert Peel
has effected. O'Connell's incarceration is the mag-
netic power which has produced a calm and healthful
tranquillity throughout Ireland ! But does the fact har•
monise with the statement ? Is repeal set at rest ? Is
agitation subdued ? Do the Irish people assent to the
judgment by which O'Connell is imprisoned ? Are all,
or even any, of the wonders ascribed to Sir Robert
Peel's policy witnessed ? The only fact in the long list
of achievements celebrated by these imaginative his-
torians, is that of Mr. O'Connell's imprisonment. But
so far from the repeal movement having received " a
heavy blow and great discouragement" from the arrest of
its leader, we find it has thence gained an impetus which
has quickened its zeal and multiplied its energies. De-
prived of their leader, each subordinate seems to emulate
the qualities which rendered that leader the object of confi-
dence and the source of hope to his adherents. By entire
subordination to the object of the Asscciation, and paying
a religious homage to the constitution by which the object
is defined and the means of its attainment prescribed,
each individual repealer seems to have sworn renewed
adhesion to repeal. With a purer zeal, they have
consecrated person and influence to its cause. In-
stead of despairing of his success, they seem to re-
gard the accomplishment of their purpose as pro •
moted by the very means which Government employed
for its extinction. Look at the large sums subscribed
as repeal rent at the first meeting after the imprison-
ment of O'Connell. The weekly amount swelled six-
fold. Persons of influence in society increase the num-
bers of the association, and add to its moral power by
joining its ranks. A deeper hatred of the Govern.
ment—a more uncompromising determination to ad-
here to the purpose of separating the two
countries ; and a greater danger of that mischievous
project being forced upon the Legislature, or
only averted by a recourse to civil war—these are the
immediate results of the policy from which such valua-
ble advantages were to proceed. Every bad symptom
has been inflamed, every element of agitation has been
invigorated, and every hope of restoring social peace to
the agitated country has been weakened. So much for
Peel's potency as a pacificator. His powers of perpe-
trating mischief have been often displayed ; nor do
those powers seem to have lost anything of their
former vigour. But the pacification of Ireland must be
effected by other means, applied by other hands. We
fear the danger increases. We believe and hope that
brighter and better days will succeed to the dark and
evil times that have fallen on that long-wretched coun-
try ; for we see no reason to apprehend a protracted
term of office to those whose mal-administration of the
Government has interrupted the civil improvements
which Ireland had begun to put forth. But the time
is not yet, although it may be nearer than the majority
of observers seem to suppose. _ _ .

STANDARD.—The debate upon Lord Harry Vane's
motion for a Committee on the coal duties, extended
last night to some length, but it scarcely possesses a
corresponding public interest. The coalowners complain,
by the mouth of the Noble Lord, that their coals are
taxed 4s. a ton upon exportation to a foreign
country. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, how-
ever, showed that, notwithstanding this tax, the
trade is on the whole increasing, and Mr.
Warburton and Alderman Humphery gave some
explanations which must make the public a little indif-
ferent as to its increase or diminution. According to
Mr. Warburton, the coalowners charge seventy per
cent. more to the British consumer than they charge to
the foreigner ; as it cannot be supposed that they
sell to the foreigner at a loss or without a fair
profit, this seventy per cent. is clearly extor-
tion. Now, it is scarcely modest of these noble-
men and gentlemen, who extort seventy per cent.
from the public, to complain if the public imposes a
duty of about 20 per cent. upon their exportation, see-
ing that the foreigner will thus have the article 50
per cent. cheaper than the Englishman. Alderman
Humphery's explanation of the manner of enforcing
the extortion of seventy per cent. completes the
picture of the whole scheme of iniquity. The poor
sailors from the Tyne and the Wear are engaged at
41. the voyage to bring coals up ; but they are fre-
quently detained the time of two, three, four, and
even five voyages in the river, iu order to keep
up the market by holding back their cargoes,
and though detained for the time of five or six
voyages, the sailors are paid but for one. Lord
Harry Vane's motion was very properly refused.
There is no class of the community from whom the
coalowners are entitled to the least favour. Look
to the Mines and Collieries Report. The dame sys-
tem which yoked naked women and young girls to
trucks—we cannot particularise the arrangement of the
harness—is the same that charges the people of Eng-
land seventy per cent. more than the foreigner. We
believe that both the truck yokes and the extortion are
perfectly in conformity with the canons of political eco-
nomy, and happy illustrations of those canons they are,
no doubt.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
(YESTERDAY.)
MANSION-HOUSE.

THE DISSENTERS' CHAPELS BILL.—Mr. Richard
Taylor and Mr. Ashurst, the common councilmen, waited
upon the Lord Mayor in the justice-room, in conse-
quence of having seen placards borne about the streets,
and advertisements in the newspapers, intimating that a
meeting had on Monday taken place, at which his Lord-
ship presided, and a petition against the Dissenters'
Chapels Bill had been unanimously agreed to.
Mr. R. Taylor said the object Mr. Ashurst and he had
was to ascertain whether a bona fide meeting had taken
place at the Mansion-house upon the subject of the Bill,
at which his Lordship had taken the chair. They had
seen no advertisement stating that a meeting was to take
place, neither had they seen or heard of any public re-
quisition to his Lordship to call a meeting for such a
purpose. The advertisement stated that the meeting
consisted of merchants and bankers, but they had seen
several merchants and bankers who had never heard of
the meeting until the alleged proceedings had been pub-
lished ; and they felt that injury might be done to the
measure now before Parliament, which had been brought
in by the Administration, and was supported by all the
law lords and all the bishops, with the exception of two,
if it went forth to the public that the merchants and
bankers of London had assembled, and adopted an un-
animous oposition to the Bill. They had been given to
understand that no more than thirty individuals had
actually been present at the meeting.
Mr. Ashurst begged to be allowed to add a few words.
They considered the Lord Mayor to be the protector of
the rights and privileges of his fellow-citizens, and the
object of those who had assembled on the occasion al-
luded to, was to inflict a wound upon those who were in-
terested in supporting the Bill. If public notice had
been given of the intention to hold a meeting, the bankers
and merchants, who were in favour of the' Bill, would
have promptly attended to discuss its merits. (Mr.
Ashurst here read a paragraph of the petition, which
purported to issue from the meeting.) Ile said it was
quite evident from the matter of that quotation that the
persons who had drawn up that petition were totally un-
acquainted with the subject they pretended to under-
stand. He was anxious, under all the circumstances,
that the Lord Mayor should state whether the meeting
was, or was not, a public meeting?
The LORD MAYOR said the meeting certainly had not
been assembled by public advertisement. lle had been
waited upon by nine gentlemen of high respectability,
who wished to discuss amongst themselves the most ad-
visable mode of opposing the Bill in Parliament.rela.tive
to Dissenters' chapels. it was not by any means for the
purpose of discussing any religious or sectarian ques-
tion. They were unanimous in their opposition to the
Bill, and they brought with them to the meeting the
petition which had been previously drawn up. If the
application to him had been to preside at a discussion of
the merits of a question touching points of religion, he
certainly would not think of consenting, without throw-
ing open the doors to discussion by both parties; but
the meeting which took place did not occupy a longer
space of time than ten minutes, and, as he had said

before, merely related to the bes plan of opposition
amongst persons who were unanimous in the condemna-
of the measure.

Mr. Ashurst said it was obvious that the persons who
had got up the meeting had not the courage to discuss
the question. It was a private meeting, to effect the
object of which the name and station of the Lord Mayor
had been made use of.

Mr. Taylor and Mr..Ashurst then thanked the Lord
Mayor for the frank and candid manner in which his
Lordship had communicated with them, and retired. •

WORSHIP-STREET.
Daniel Rodriguez, alias Rogers, a Portuguese Jew, and
Charles Stewart, a young Scotchman, were placed at the
bar, before Mr. Broughton, for final examination,
charged on suspicion of having been concerned in break-
ing into the premises of Mr. Peter Hay, a watchmaker
and jeweller, in Leith-street, Edinburgh, and stealing
an immense quantity of jewellery, watches, and other
valuable property.
Mr. Robinson, the solicitor, attended on behalf of the
prisoners. . . . . .

The particulars of the former examination have
already been published, and it will be recollected that
the prisoners were remanded for the attendance of Mr.
Peter Hay, who it was supposed would be able to iden-
tify various articles of jewellery which were found in
their possession, and which exactly corresponded with
similar articles described in the advertised list of the
stolen property.
Mr. flay now attended, and stated that, in the early
part of May, he had occasion to come to London on
business, and soon after his arrival, he received a letter,
apprising him that, on the sth of that month, between
the hours of 10 o'clock in the morning and 9 at night,
his warehouse had been broken open, and plundered of
nearly the whole of its most valuable contents. On
receiving information of the robbery, he immediately
returned to Scotland, and on examining his stock, he dis-
covered that the miscellaneous assortment of property
which was afterwards advertised in the Hue and Cry
had been carried off, but he was happy to state that its
aggregate value, as estimated by the police, had been
considerably overstated. He had seen the various arti-
cles found by the police in the possession of the prisoners,
and felt quite satisfied that neither of them formed any
portion of the stolen property.
In answer to the magistrate, the prosecutor said that
the mother of the prisoner Stewart resided within a few
doors of his warehouse in Leith-street, and be had fre-
quently seen Rodriguez driving through the streets of
Edinburgh in a gig, but he had no personal knowledge
of the other prisoner.
The prosecutor was cross examined by Mr. Robinson,
with a view of ascertaining whether he himself had
given the police the particular description of the pri-
soners which had resulted in their apprehension, but on
being informed by the magistrate that he was not bound
to answer the question, the prosecutor declined doing so.
Sergeant Barker stated that he had made inquiries
respecting the two boxes which were found at the pri-
soner Rodriguez's house, and had ascertained, that in-
stead of their having been transmitted from Edinburgh
as was at first supposed, they were purchased by the pri-
soner on the day after his arrival in London,
Mr. Robinson then said that he was prepared with
abundant evidence to prove that the prisoners were
young men of unimpeachable character ; but he trusted,
after what had taken place, that its production was un-
necessary, and that the Magistrate would at orne dismiss
the charge.
Mr. BROUGITTON said, that as the description given of
the supposed robbers exactly tallied with that of the
prisoners, he considered that the police had acted strictly
m accordance with their duty in taking them into cus-
tody ; but there being an entire absence of evidence to
prove their participation in the offence, he had no hesi-
tation in ordering their immediate discharge.
The prisoners were accordingly discharged.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.

CAUTION TO MARINERS NAVIGATING THE

CHINA SEAS.

HONG-KONG, MARCH I.—The Alligator, Cook, ar-
rived here from Sidney, New South Wales, reports that,
on January 9, she fell in with an unknown reef; in lat.
7 56 N., long. 15 20 E., in form of a horse-shoe, to the
extent of at least ten miles. On the 15th January, in
lat. 13 N., long. 16 S.E., was thrown on her beam ends,
and cut away her masts.
VESSELS SPOKEN WlTH.—Lydia, Newport to Montreal,
26th ult., lat. 0, lon. 10, by the Constantine, at Live' -
pool. Pilot, from Palermo, 16th ult., lat. 45, lon. 14;
brig Zephyr, lat. 38, lon. 42 ; Lady Charlotte, barque,
lat. 49, lon. 8, by the Spheroid, off Falmouth. Acorn,
Villa Nova to London, out 52 days, and supplied with
provisions 24th ult., lat. 50, lon. 11, by the Snile, arrd. off
Falmouth. Dolous, Lisbon to Liverpool, 14th ult, by the
yacht Emerald, arrd. at Plymouth. Burrell, Liverpool to
Constantinople. 22nd ult. ; Jupie, Charleston, to Liver-
pool, 11th ult., lat. 45, lon. 95 ; Ocean Queen, Belfast to
Quebec, 24th ult., lat. 51, lon. 10, by the Oromocto, arrd.
atiWaterford. Unicorn, Viana to London, out 57 drays,
by the Swift, off Cape Clear. Edward Robinson, Jan.
22d ; Anna Eliza, 30th, in the Giloto passage, by the
Brahmin, arrd. at China. Don Juan, going into Chusan,
and Thomas Crisp, Feb. 27th, off Leage Montague, by the
Soundrapivy, arrd. at Hong-Kong. Wetherall, Singapore
to Batavia, Feb. 12th, in Banca Straits ; Slains Castle,
China to London, 16th, off Minto, by the Edward
Bonstead, arrd. at Singapore.

THE SUPPOSED MURDER AT
WIMBLEDON.

On Tuesday night information was brought to Great
Scotland-yard, that Charles Hall, the plasterer, of Wim•
bledon, who is suspected of having murdered his %%ire,
by smothering her with a pillow, had been apprehended
near Sevenoaks, been examined on that day before a
county magistrate, and remanded.
The following facts relating to the apprehension of
the accused have been obtained from the most authentic
source:—
On Monday afternoon, about three o'clock, a man
answering the description of Charles Hall, who is sup-
posed to have murdered his wife at Wimbledon, and
who afterwards absconded, went into the tap-room
of the Polhill Arms, New-road, Shoreham, which
is about three miles from Sevenoaks, in Kent ; he
sat down and had some beer. It was gener-
ally remarked by the company that he appeared
very depressed in spirits, and the landlord (Mr.
Vine) asked him what was the matter with him. He
said he was in great trouble. The landlord asked him
on what account ? and he replied through finding his
wife dead in bed on Wednesday morning last, and that
he had not heard of her since. He then admitted that
he was the man who had absconded from Wimbledon,
and stated that his wife was drunk on Monday night,
and they quarrelled ; that on Tuesday night when he
went home they fell out, and she pitched in to him, and
swore she would murder him ; to save himself from
her violence, he put his hand to the side of her
neck and pushed her. He then went to sleep, and
when he awoke in the morning he turned round
to kiss her, and found that she was dead. Hall con-
cluded his statement by saying that he loved his wife as
well as a man ought. Mr. Vine took every precaution to
prevent the man escaping, and then went to the constable
of Shoreham, to whom he communicated the above par-
ticulars. The constable proceeded to Mr. Atkins, a
county magistrate, residing in the neighbourhood, an d
that gentleman went direct to the Polhill Arms, and had
an interview with Hall, who, in answer to some questions
put to him, observed he had nothing more to say upon
the subject. Mr. Atkins then ordered Hall to be appre-
hended, and given into the custody of the superintendent
of police at Sevenoaks, and he was accordingly conveyed
to that town, and confined in its lock up.
On Tuesday morning, at ten o'clock, the prisoner was
taken to the office of Messrs. Austin and Holcroft, the
clerks to the magistrates, and placed at the bar before
Mr. Atkins, charged upon suspicion of having murdered
Charlotte Hall, at Wimbledon, in Surrey.
Mr. Vine, the landlord of the Polhill Arms, and his
ostler, deposed to the facts above mentioned, after
which—
Mr. Atkins, addressing the prisoner, said, " Have
you anything to say respecting the evidence these wit-
nesses have given ?" The prisoner answered, " No,
I've nothing to say more than I've nothing to do with it
more than anybody in the world. Besides, it is all set-
tled—the Coroner's jury brought in a verdict Died
from natural causes ;' therefore, what have I to do
with it."
The prisoner, who, throughout the examination, was
very restless, and continued plucking the beaver from his
hat, was then removed to the lock-up.

REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF CANINE AFFECTION.—
A boy belonging to Camlachie, when he was a little
urchin about twelve years ago, got a pup, which he
reared, and has since kept as his own, and the
warmest attachment has subsisted between them.
The boy, who is poor, has frequently shared his
scanty meals with his dog—and frequently the
dog's share was the largest. Some time ago,
the boy got employment in a dyework at Cain-
lachie, and at every meal and every morning,
the dog accompanied the boy part of the way, on his re
turn from his father's house in Crown-point, to the dye-
work at Camlachie-bridge. One day lately the poor boy
missed his footing while crossing a vat filed with boil-
ing liquid, tumbled headlonginto
that it , a de
hade was
bs so
severely and dangerously scalded
carried home. The dog, which was at home, no sooner
saw the boy in distress, than he set up a dismal
howl, and was with difficulty prevented from jumping
upon him. The boy.warsetsalLenaidmamngeedilaouteslys•
ttaotet.heTihne-
dog was forcibly prevented feruotinbt
eoryif'nos: lhoiownuiesneegs,t,
aahnnidtrn
firmary, where he still
cat in
dismal
dheespraeifrusaed littleagain
atyo
ferieitmer
itth,
cries. He was offered food and drink, and refused them,
could
and he continued all that day and the following night,
nd
sitting in one position, whining andr alyht(tw, ai e
mosti'l
piteously. In the morning he was pa
scarcely drag his hind legs after him. His brain was
evidently oppressed, and he died before mid-day a kictim
to intense grief.—Scotsman,
PRESENCE OF MiNn.—Captain Elliott and Captain
Herbert narrowly escaped a very dangerous accident. A
congreve rocket,. which had been placed in the proper
tube from which it is fired, and had been already ignited,
accidentally hung within it, instead 'of being projected.
In another second it would have burst in the
tube itself, and must have killed or wounded all
those who were standing near it upon the bridge
between the paddle-boxes. With instant coolness
and presence of mind, Captain Hall put his arm
into the tube, and forcibly pushed it out from behind,
although the rush of fire which came out of it burnt his
hand severely,' and caused intense pain. Indeed, it was
i not done without great personal risk. It is difficult to
calculate what disastrous results might not have followed
i had the rocket burst in the tube on board ship. It was
long before the use of the wounded hand was recovered.
—Voyage of the Nemciis.