The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-30 00:00:00

TFIE SUN, LONDON, MONDAI EVE z_NG, DECEM w 30 264 i

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We cannot insert the letter signed " Isab-ella Lloyd," as
it contains exparte statements in relation to a matter
which may be again brought before a cow t of justice.

for its wholesale treachery to the rights of nations a
for its absurdity. He admits that Mexico had for-
mally notified to the United States her intention of
reducing Texas, as a revolted member of her empire,
to its obedience, and that again and again she had pro-
tested against the scheme of its annexation,
to the United States. He admits that not only did
the A merican Executive secretly encourage that
scheme, but that they negotiated a treaty for effect-
ing it 1 And then he desires to show, first, that Mexico
was not wronged by this conduct, of which he is
compelled to allow the Senate and the House of Re-,
presentatives have as yet no legal cognizance ; and
secondly, that Mexico will be benefited by the dis-
memberment of Texas. What would the old Flo-
rentine we have named have said to reasoning like
this :

THE WEATHER.-SEIN OFFICE, DEC. 27.

THERMOMETER, Lowest, 35 ; Highest, 46 ; Noon, 35.
BAROMETER, 30.08.—WIND, N.

NOTE.—The figures which follow the words "Lowest" and
" Highest" denote the lowest and highest state of the
Thermometer during the preceding twenty-four hours. All
the other observations are made at noon. Water freezes at
32 ; 55 on Thermometers is marked "Temperate," and on
Barometers "Fair" is geNerally placed opposite to 30, and
" Rain" at 29 ; but there is no certainty of dry weather
when the mercury falls below 30.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE THIS DAY.
ecr. in; ... 6 minutes after 5 I Evening ... 25 minutes after 6.

"Mexico has no right to jeopardise the peace of the
world by urging any longer a useless and fruitless con-
test. Such a condition of things would not be tolerated
on the European continent. Why should it be on this ?
A war of desolation, such as is now threatened by
Mexico, cannot be waged without involving our peace
and tranquility.
ground of displeasure against this Government or
people for negotiating the treaty. What interest
of hers was effected by the treaty ? She was de-
spoiled of nothing, since Texas was for ever lost
to her. The independence of Texas was recog-
nised by several of the leading powers of the earth.
The interests of Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be
better consulted than in a peace with her neighbours,
which would result in the establishment of a permanent
boundary. Upon the ratification of the treaty, the
Executive was prepared to treat with her on the most li-
beral basis. Hence the boundaries of Texas were left
undefined by the treaty. The Executive proposed to
settle these upon terms that all the world should have
pronounced just and reasonable."
But the best is to come. Feeling that he had con-
fessed too much, in owning that the annexation scheme
was not yet sanctioned by Congress, the PRESIDENT
has what we must call the assurance to say that the
favourable decision of the whole American people has
been abundantly manifested by the result of the late
Election ! An admirable contrivance, these Elec-
tions, for superseding the rights of nations and the
useless forms of diplomatic discussion ! But we do
not imagine for a moment, that the American people
arc to h. eniteht by elap-traps so palpable as this.

Within our recollection we have not known re-
corded, in so short a space of time, so many frightful
acts of outrage and violence, arising out of our
execrable Game-laws, as have been perpetrated within
the last six months, and of which the tragedy at
Croome Park forms the last acted scene. The layt
statute for the " protection," as it is called, of game,
was the labour, if we remember aright, of the pre-
sent Duke of RICHMOND. His Grace, at all events,
did not demur to its affiliation upon him in the
House of Lords. The ostensible object of the two
last Bills which underwent any considerable discus-
sion was—to legalise the sale of game. What was
their real design we suspect scarcely appears upon
their enactments, but is to be learned only from their
framers. The Duke of RICHMOND'S exertions in
this line have been as unfortunate as theirs will in
almost every case be, who attempt to build upon a
rotten foundation. What superstructure could that
code of penalties bear, which should either command
respect or acquire permanence and solidity—a code
which was the disgrace and reproach of the land—a
bye-word among all the nations of Continental Eu-
rope whenever it was sought to prove that the gran-
deur of Britain contained within its system some
elements of active decay ? It would have better be-
come the character and dignity of the House of
Lords—it would have spoken far better for the
genuine and disinterested principles of their legisla-
tion—standing as they especially do in the capacity
of large landowners, and especially as breeders and
preservers of game—to have kicked out every Bill on
the subject of protection to game which did not go
to the root of the existing evils connected with the
laws those Bills professed to amend. The Game-
laws, as they stood at the beginning of GEORGE the
FOURTH'S reign, for example, were partial, arbitrary,
fraudulent, and oppressive. They were a premium
on treachery and perjury, by reason of their •ma-
chinery touching the laying of informations and the
recovery of penalties; but being so clumsily drawn
and of such conflicting enactments, they were easily
evaded by unqualified bumpkin squires; openly defied
by sporting small attorney s, roue sportsmen, and
other such worthless and profligate gentry; and made
the subjects of clap-trap declamation in Parliament
by candidates for popularity and the fame of political
liberality, there, who were themselves the strictest
preservers on their own lands, the most vindictive
prosecutors at sessions, and the most inexorable ma-
gistrates at quarter sessions, whenever there was an
information to be tried for the unlawful destruction
of a hare, or a murderous assault on a pheasant.
These Agrarian Solons made up by their tendencies
to condemn, and their consistent severity on sen-
tencing, for the miserable technical deficiencies of the
statutes. The Act to legalise the sale of game was
one of the most sordid in its results—whatever its
real aim—that ever received the sanction of an as-
sembly of gentlemen of rank and fortune, surrounded
by all the proudest ancestral and historic recollec-
dons of their country. How the descendants of the
HOWARDS, the STANLEYS, the FIELDINGS, the Rus-
SELLS, the FIENNES, and the TUFTONS, could ever
have been brought to put themselves in the position
of poultry farmers fur the supply of the London
dealers, we cannot imagine. It is notorious that
some of our great landed proprietors absolutely pay
the expenses of their battu slaughters, signalised by
the presence of noble and even royal guests—by the
sale of the game victimised to those who retail them
to that large class of her MAJESTY'S subjects who
can get at no game but that which they bring down
with their own silver shot. This is an instructive
key to the solicitude and devotion with which Noble
Peers, as well as Hon. Members, attend to the busi-
ness of game-law making. It is also an instructive
lesson on the sort of compromise which pride in
high places sometimes makes with thriftiness. At
the end of the season, imagine a great landowner's
account balanced thus :

Dn.—To expenses of three grand battu days,
at 1001. per diem £3OO

CR.-By (so many) head of game sold this
season £3oo

Now, it is the legalised, merchantable, or commer-
cial value you have imputed to this commodity—game—
which is the great temptation to poaching. Poachers
can dispose of their plunder without difficulty, when
stewards and bailiffs can carry the same articles
to sell openly in the market. In these times of pres-
iure —of diminished occupation and miserably reduced
wages—is it not too much to expect that you can put
town poaching by legislation ? The more severe your
!aws, the more determined will be their violation.
the range of the covers, the woods, and the shaughs,
the concealment of night, the excitement of the occu-
pation, to say nothing of the means of satisfying at
once the claims of hunger and the desire of making a
little money—are temptations too strong for the stal-
wart peasant who would labour, it may be, but can-
not procure employment; who would be honest if you
would only permit him to live. By every degree in
which you exercise the severity of your penal visita-
tion on this crime —(a crime undoubtedly it is, inns.
nuch as it is a gross trespass on other men's property)
—in a similar ratio you tempt the offender to aggra-
rate his offence. You exaggerate violence into blood-
,hed, assault into murder. The poacher and the game-
keeper look upon each other, not as brother men,
but as animals, the contact of whom must be fatal to
the one or the other. It becomes, with every fresh
struggle, a more desperate, because more certain,
question of who shall soonest dispatch the other. How
long will the Legislature permit this hideous state of
things ? How long will the nobility and gentry of
Britain consent to retain the " protected" enjoyment
•)f a luxury or an amusement, at the inevitable price
if tempting men into crime, and punishing their crime
;n blood, or the loss of their liberty for life ? The
only remedy must be found in the utter abolition of
the Game-laws, or in the treatment of poaching,
according to the modification and variety of the cir-
cumstances under which it shall be committed, as
simple trespass or as larceny. It cannot be borne
much longer that human lives shall answer for the
,afe keeping of partridges and pheasants.

We learn from the Helvetie of the 24th inst., that
the Government of Lucerne has issued a decree order-
ing the re-organization of the landsturm, " to protect
persons and property against the attack of foreign
hordes of brigands." All men able to carry arms were
to be incorporated with the landsturm, and to assemble
n the chief town of their respective districts at the
first sound of the tocsin, and " march to destroy the
invaders." Dr. STEIGZIt, one of the prisoners taken

during the last revolt, had been permitted to visit his
patients, accompanied by two gendarmes and eight
soldiers. The authorities of Lucerne had seized a sum
of 80,000 E in specie, deposited by M. JULES SALZ-
MANN in the hands of a banker of that city. Colonel
GUGGENBUHLEZ had died at Lenabourg in the arms
of his wife and sister. Confined by illness during
the whole summer, he left his bed to defend the cause
of liberty, and the fatigues he experienced in the out-
break of the Bth inst. had completely exhausted his
strength.

Accounts have been received by the Levant Mail
from Constantinople to the 9th instant, and from
Alexandria to the 7th. At Constantinople, on the 9th,
one of the Sultanas was confined of a Princess, to
whom the name of Manias (Brilliant) was given.
The birth of the Princess Murilaz was celebrated
with public rejoicings.
The postal treaty between the Pacha of EGYPT and
England had not yet been arranged, but hopes were
entertained that it would be speedily settled.
The new dry dock at Alexandria had been opened,
but its efficiency could not be judged of.
The PACUA has left Alexandria for Cairo, where he
will remain for some months.

The Madrid papers of the 20th and 22d have been
received. On the 21st, in the Chamber of Deputies,
the Minister of Finance, in reply to a question of M.
OR ESSE, stated that if the conversion of the Five per
Cents. had given rise to any stock-jobbing transac-
tions, the Government was perfectly unconnected
with them. On the same day a scene occurred in the
Chamber between M. Moat and the Marquis VI-
LUMA, in which the former, after making a violent
attack on the latter, was at length obliged to apolo-
gise. Notwithstanding the apology, however,
El Tiempo, of the 22d instant, announces that the
Marquis DE VILUMA, the Duke D'ABRANTES, and M.
EGUIZABAL, had resigned their functions as Members
of the Chamber of Deputies, in consequence of some
expressions used by the Minister of Finance during
the debate in the Chamber of Deputies on the pre-
ceding day. El Clamor Publico of the 22d instant
states, that notwithstanding the P irt s made to pre-
vent a Ministerial orisiS, such an event is inevitable,
and that it will take place at the moment of the de-
bate on the Clergy Bill.
It would appear, that in consequence of the resig-
nation of M. DoNozo CORTES not having been ac-
cepted, Goieral NARVAEZ had resigned his office of
President of the Council ; but, at the request of the
QUEEN-MOTHER and the members of the Cabinet,
had consented to withdraw his resignation.
It was generally believed that a treaty with Great
Britain, for the suppression of the slave trade, would
be shortly laid before the Chambers.

THIS DAY'O M
~it

THE LATE CALAMITOUS Fl RE IN
GUILDFORD-STREET.

The Paris papers of Friday and of Saturday have
been received. The only business of importance
transacted in the Chamber of Peers was the election
of Secretaries, and the nomination of Members to
draw up the address in answer to the Speech from the
Throne.

INQUEST ON THE SUFFERERS.—(THIS DAY.)
Mr. Wakley, Coroner for Middlesex, Mr. G. J. Mills,
Deputy-Coroner, and the jury empanelled to inquire
into the circumstances connected with the late fire at 67,
Guildford-street, Russell square, by which four unfor-
tunate individuals lost their lives, re-assembled this day
in the Angel Inn, High-street, St. Giles, for the purpose
of further prosecuting the inquiry.
Fairey, Esq., the gentleman on whose premises
the fire occurred, Mr. Braidwood, superintendent of the
London Fire Brigade, and others interested in the
evidence, were preseat.
Precisely at ten o'clock the Coroner and Deputy-
Coroner entered, and the names of the jurymen having
been called over, they were sworn, and the court was
opened in the usual form. The names of the unfortunate
men, it will be remembered, were Robert Birkmyre and
John Wright, police-constables of the E division, Charles
Jenkins, a groom, and William Robinson, a clerk.
The first witness, Frederick Perrier, fireman No. 78,
said that he found John Birkmyre in the ruins, on
Saturday, the 21st. Found him in the front kitchen
alive. Heard a cry of "Here, here ! Help ! For God's
sake, save me !" I crawled under the fallen wood work,
and asked if any one was there. He said " Tres, Jack's
here." With assistance I got him out in about three-
quarters of an hour. Found the young man, William
Robinson, about half-past three the same afternoon, on
the top of the ruins, between the rafters, with
his face towards Russell-qsuare. The body was greatly
burned. I also found a drunken man on the premises,
but he was recovered.
A young man stepped forward, and said that some
remains had been found, which were supposed to belong
to the deceased Robinson.
Witness—l cannot say how the drunken man came on
the ruins. He was apparently insensible, and could give
no answer to the questions asked him. I did not know
John Birkmyre before he was burned.
Gregory Cole Dudley, inspector of the E division,
knew Birkmyre. Saw his body at the 'ruins, but cannot
say how he came by his death. Saw also the body of
John Wright, aged 30, brought out. He was also a
police constable.
William Miley, coachman to Mr. Fairey, knew
Charles Jenkins, and saw his body brought out of the
rums. The deceased was a stranger in the house, and
merely came in to " lend a hand."
Police-constable 52 E found the body of Charles Jen-
kins on the 24th in the ruins of the kitchen.

The Chamber proceeded to the election of the per-
manent Secretaries, and Count D'AUDIFFRET, Presi-
dent BOULLET, Viscount CAVAIGNAC, and Count DE
COLBERT, having obtained the greatest number of
votes, were declared duly elected.
The Marquis DE LA PLACE, Count PORTALIS, M.
Marnisou, Baron GINOD DE L'AIN, Count ROY,
Count BEUGNOT, and M. BARTHE, were nominated to
draw up the address.
In the Chamber of Deputies on Friday, the order
of the day was the election of President of the Cham-
ber. The number of votes was 331, giving the re-
quired majority at 166. M. SAUZET obtained 164
votes, M. DUPIN 95, M. 0. BARROT 63, M. DU-
PONT (de l'Eure) 3, M. de SALVANDY 3, and MM.
BEN/ITER and HERNOEX 1 each. None of the candi-
dates having obtained a requisite number of votes, a
second ballot was proceeded to, in which the number
of voters was 323, and the absolute majority 162.
M. SAUZET received 177 votes, M. DUPIN 129, M.
0. BARROT 15, and MM. BERRIER and M. DUPONT
(de l'Eure) 1 each. Consequently M. SAUZET was
proclaimed President. The smallness of the majority
by which M. SAUZET, the Ministerial candidate for
the Presidency, has succeeded, is considered by the
Opposition press as an indication of Ministerial weak-
ness. In the organisation of the bureaux, the success
of the Ministry was complete. Of the nine Presidents
chosen, eight are Ministerial, and only ace of the
Opposition party. Of the Secretaries, six are Minis-
terial, and three belong to the Opposition.
On Saturday the election of the four Vice-
Presidents took place.
The following is the result of the first ballot :
Number of votes, 303—Absolute majority, 152.
M. BIGNON
M. DE SALVANDY
M. DUFAUEB
M. DE BELLEYME
M. BILLAULT
M. LIPELLATIER D'AULNAT ll3

The first three candidates having more than an ab-
solute majority, were elected. A second ballot took
place for the fourth Vice-President, when neither
candidate having an absolute majority, the election
was adjourned till Monday. Of the three chosen, two
are considered Conservatives, and one is of the
Opposition.
THE BOURSE--SATURDAY, DEC. 28.
First Highest Lowest Last
Prim. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents...... 120 75 .. 120 75 .. 120 60 .. 120 60
• Four-and-a-Half.. •• 113 .. 113 .. 113 .. 113
Fours ..•• •••• ••• • •• 104 •• 104 104 .. 104
Three per Cents.— •• 85 45 .. 85 50 85 45 85 50
New Loan •••••••• 86 75 .. 86 80 .. 86 70 .. 86 75
Bank of France • 3200 ••3200 .. 3200 ..3200
Laintto Bank, 1,000f.f.
sharSharesegsloo79s ..5100 .
5 ..95 .40
10N
5000 ..5100
Belgian 8ank...—.•... 615 .. 620 •• 615 •• 620
1841.... ll2O ..1120 ..1120 ..1120
Belgian Fives, 1840 104/ .. 1041 .. 1041 041
1842 •• •••• •• 1061 .. 1061 .. 1061 •, 1061
Threes ••• • • • •_• ... • 79 80 .. 79 80 79 80 79 80
Two-and-a-Ralf— •• 62 40 62 40 62 30 .. 62 30
Spartsh Threes •• •• •• 39 .. 39 .. 381 .. 38;
Active.... •• •• •• •• 361 •• 37 •• 361 .. 37
Passive ...... .• •••• 61 • • 6; •• 61 .. 61
Portuguese Five per Cents • • 611 •• 611 • • 611 .. 611
Row., ..... •• •• 1041 .. 1041 1041 1041
RAILWAY SHARES.
St. Germain ..1027 50 ..1027 50 "1027 50 ..1027 50
Versailles, R.B .... ••• • • • 100 • • 500 . • 495 .. 495
390 .. 390 375 .. 381 25
Rouen
Rouen to Havre... ..... •• 822 50 .. 825 822 50 .. 825
..1143 75 ..1140 ..1143

.• 75
Strasburg to Bale.. •• •• •• •• 310 •• 310 . 308 75 .. 308 75
Avignon to Marseilles.... 932 50 .. 935 .. 932 50 .. 935
;RAILWAYS FOR THE ACCOUNT, JAN. 3.
St. Germain ..............1028 75 ..1030 ..1028 75 ..1028 75
Versailles, R. 8... —•••• • • • • 495 • • 500 • • 495 • • 500
L. 8.... ....... :1309065
....1310
•••
18063:520
50 ..• 18038260Ronen
51 25
Rouen MI Havre.. ..... 822 50 .. 825
Orleans 1137 50 "1145 ..1137 SO ..1142 50
Strasburg to 8a1e.......... 310 .. 310 .. 307 50 .. 308 75
Avignon to Marseilles.... •• 932 50 .. 935 . 932 50 .. 935

Miss CLARA WRBSTXR.—A nearly similar acci-
dent occurred to Miss H. Cawse, during the perform-
ance of the White Maid of Avenel, at the Theatre Royal
Covent-garden, some years ago, by her dress catching
fire in the last scene.

Edward Payne, Upper Clapton, identified the body of
Uharles Jenkins.

Police constable 52 E (continued)—The deceased, Jen-
kins, was in the slime room with Birkmyre, but on the

opposite side of the place. He was buried beneath the
timber.

Mr. Fairey—No other of my household is missing.
I have not seen the body of the deceased lad, Robinson.
He used to sleep at the uppermost middle window of the
premises. His age was 15.
Mr. WAxLEr —Now, gentlemen of the jury, if you are
satisfied of the identity of the bodies, the next ar d only
inquiry will be to ascertain how the fire originated.
The coachman was called with this view, but he could
give no account of the origin, as he slept over the stables.
Mr. Fairey said the cook was the first of his domestic
servants awake. (A section of the house was exhibited
here, with the exact position in which the bodies were
discovered.)

The female domestic of Mr. Fairey and a boy who
used to sleep with the deco ased Robinson, were then
sworn, and
Mary Hall, the cook, was first examined—l went to
bed at ten minutes before eleven. The parlour-maid
and another girl were left up. I was alarmed soon
after by finding that the room was filling with
smoke. I mean the third floor back room. The two
girls slept in the same room. One came immediately to
me but the other did not fer some time. I smelt a strong
smell of fire about a quarter after thi oe. I leaped out of
bed and opened the door, and found myself almost suffo-
cated on the landing. I awoke my fellow-servants and
screamed " fire," and then ran up stairs to the boy's
room. I then came back for I met my master. The
fire was coming up the staircase, and I tried to descend
but could nut. 1 then got up the stairs again and caught
hold of my boy, who said " Oh, it is me, mother—
and he then added—" Oh ! poor Robinson." We then
all escaped except the last-mentioned. There was no fire
left in the kitchen, and the last fire in dhe stoves
had been on the previous Wednesday. The laundry is
on the ground floor, with kitchen rather detached, the
only communication between it and the house being a
water-closet.
Mr. WAKLEY—Mr. Braidwood gives it as his opinion
that the heated air in the communicating flue had occa-
sioned the occurrence. What is your opinion, Mr.
Fairey ? Mr. Fairey—Such is my opinion, and that the
heat communicated with the woodwork near. (The wit-
ness then explained at great length the direction which
the flue took in its passage through the house, and the
dangerous nature of the connecting woodwork.)
Mr. WAKLEY—Tben this fire would have originated
on the ground floor ? Mr. Fairey—No, on a landing
above it.
Mary Hall—There were no fires left in when I went
to bed. There ways nothing unusual in the fires in the
house that day. Master was very careful of his fires
himself.
Mr. Fairey—l sat up till after two o'clock in my
study. I went down stairs after the time that cook
says sae mesm., -0. 1.0.1, _al 0.10 I..aing L havo .1:00.ay
I mentioned. could not see mach flame, for it resem •
bled the gas-lights burning through an intense Lon-
don fog.
The other servants were examined, but added nothing
to the evidence of the cook. They could form no further
opinion of the origin of the fire than that it arose on the
back ground floor, and was occasioned by the flue of the
ironing-stove.
Mr. WaHLEY—It has been said that there was com-
pany in the kitchen that evening. Is it so ?—The wit-
nesses said such a report was altogether false.
Mr. WAKLEY—It has been also said that policemen
were in late at night. It is as well to remove such an
impression.
An Inspector—lt is altogether false, for inquiries have
been made, and the policemen, who were also stated to
be drunk, were perfectly sober.
Mr. Fairey—There had been scandalous disorder
somewhere, for the wine cellar had been broken open,
and bottles of strong French brandy, gin, and wine,
stolen and drunk, and the empty bottles thrown about
the kitchen, where these men were found dead.
Thomas Wenman, the chimney-sweeper, saw the
sparks coming from the roof of the study in the morn-
ing, just as he was going to work.
Mr. Wakley—The study is not burned down.
William Dilley, coachman to Mr. Fairey, slept over
the stables, and was roused by people knocking at the
door. Saw the fire first inside the pantry windows. It
was not in the house then. When he next saw the flame it
had communicated with the bottom staircase window.
Saw the man who was brought out tipsey. He lives on
the Colonnade, and I have observed:him before. W hen
brought out he was taken to the station-house. I have
seen the wine cellar since. The panel of the door was
broken open, and also one of Chubb's patent locks.
Police constable 5 E— Got to the house at about four
o'clock. Saw fire then from the second flour front room.
Sergeant Dyer and witness gut over the area into the
ground floor. The door was broken open, witness was
told, by Wright, one of the deceased constables, The
flames were over witness's head, and on trying to get up
the staircase the pieces of wood were falling doWn.
Wright, Birkmyre, and Jenkins, were looking under the
kitchen table for a dog at that time. The men were
quite sober. The cellar door had been before that
broken in witness's presence. Saw no bottles handed
about, but heard Wright say that " this cellar must be
looked to, or they would be at it." Wright broke open
the door under the impression that it was the plate
room, but finding it the wine cellar they left it untouched.
He could swear that all were perfectly sober.
William Quait, carpenter, was alarmed by fire, and
went into the house by the coachman's back entrance.
That led into a passage, and the kitchen door is just
there. The fire was burning very briskly there, and it
communicated with the staircase window. The fire ap-
peared to him to have broke out in the pantry at the
back of the house. There was no fire in the front
kitchen then, and soon after the policemen came; and
they were quite sober. Witness told them several times,
"If you don't come out now you will never come
out alive." Soon after witness left the roof fell in.
Mr. Went,Ev—l think it is quite evident that these
poor men were not intoxicated, unless, indeed, the jury
wished to multiply evidence.
The jury express id their full satisfaction that the
constables were quite sober.
James Mullett was examined, but nothing material
Was elicited.

Tins FOG.—Yesterday morning, a few minutes be-
fore 12 o'clock, the metropolis and its environs were
visited with so dense a fog that, though mid-day, it had
the appearance of night. At many of the churches and
chapels it was necessary to have the lamps lighted to
enable the clergymen to proceed with the service.
The steamers and other vessels proceeding up and down
the river dropped their anchors, it being totally impossi-
ble to discern objects ten yards distant. About two o'clock
the wind shifted, when rain commenced, and the fog dis-
persed.
THE OFFERTORY AT HURST.—We are authorized
to state, that the steps taken by Mr. Cameron " in
giving up the use of the proper concluding portion of the
morning service, has, though not directed by the Bishop,
since received his Lordship's full sanction and approval,
in consideration of the extreme evils to be apprehended
in the parish if another course were persisted in."—
Berkshire Chronicle.

PIGEON FLYING MATCH BY NIGHT.-011 Monday
night last the following unusual and extraordinary pigeon
flying match came off between two gentlemen for the
purpose of deciding a wager :—lt appears that some
doubt existed as to the power of the pigeon travelling
through the air by night, consequently the above match
arose to test the fact. The night was somewhat cloudy,
but, notwithstanding, the match took place, attended by
a vast crowd of persons who had been attracted to the
spot. The bird was to fly a mile between the hours of
ten and eleven o'clock at night. The pigeon having been
marked in the usual way, NJ as tossed at the door of the
George public-house, Gravel-lane, Southwark, where
the match was made, but was soon out of sight, reaching
its home in a few seconds in apparent ease. The bird
passed through the bolting wire of the trap into the
pigeon-loft, where it was secured by the owner, who pro-
duced the bird at the house where the match was made
under ten minutes, to the great astonishment of a large
assemblage of pigeon fanciers and others. The pigeon
alluded to is the property of Mr. T. Braddock, of Win-
chester-place, Southwarh. The same bird has flown
from Windsor Hampton Court, Gravesend, and many
of the principrl race-courses in England in extraordinary
quick time.
REFUSAL OF A. CHURCH-RATE AT HELSTON.-011
Friday last, a mpetiug took place at nekton for the
purpose of snaking a church-rate, when a rate of a penny
in the pound was proposed and seconded ; after which an
adjournment for six months was carried by a large ma-
ionty.— West ,Briton.

' The next witness called was the man who
had been found in the house intoxicated. Mau-
rice Williams, coachman to Mr. James Hacking-
man—l heard a cry of fire, and went down to the back
of the house. I went by the back door to search for a
dog which was said to be inside. I saw a policeman
break open the wine cellar with a poker. He put in his
lamp, and said, This is the wine cellar; I thought it
was the plate room." The policeman then went away.
I drank something out of a pot. I don't know what it
was. I don't know who gave it me. The only light
was from a policeman's lamp. There were two in the
kitchen then. It was not the liquor got over me. It was
the fright and the smoke that did it. There wits ne time
for nothing. I was taken to the station-house en a
stretcher, and thrown into a cold cell for four hours
and a half, and when I was brought out the water ran
from me.
Mr. WAILEY—It has, I think, been sufficiently proved
that these men were sober ; but there seems to have been
something wrong about the protection to property, cer-
tainly. I cannot see the necessity for having broken
open the door at all.

Mr. Fairey examined—l am an engineer, and on the
night of the fire went to bed between a quarter and half-
past two o'clock. Told William Robinson, and the other
boy, Hall, to put the fire right, and saw the boy Robin-
son with the fire-screen ready to do so. I then left to
go to bed. My first impression was of a scream of fire.
I went outside, and then saw the smoke. I went up
stairs to alarm the servants and met the cook. 1 told
her to alarm the servants, and then went to my study, to
save my papers it they should be on fire. When I got
down nearly to the level of the study I found that the
fire was lower down. I came back to my room where
my wife was, and called out " Fire !" I told my wife to
try to save nothing, not to speak except in casa (If abso-
lute neeet4sity, and to do all I told her. I then took her
up stairs to the third landing, and then got them iiro
the open uir by die leads.
Mr. Warm;

got all togeth...,r, weli as I .fould. feel [hem on the
(riper lauding, and it ooiy zitzrne. seconds ;014:4' we
were ouoide that I diseevereil imfortimate boy was
lost,. The whole iransactioa might have occu-
pied four minutes.
By the ConoNEn--Our occupation for that night was
to prepare a report for the Vice. Chancellor, and the bays
were engaged in copying the rough draft,. I had an
Arnott stove heated from the wash-house and passing
through the conservatory. I had an ordinary stove also
with a fire, but there was not the smallest connection
with wood work. There was indeed less fire than ordi-
nary. The Arnott stove iu the washhouse was to heat
the conservatory and the back dr.oving room beneath
my study. I had a vertical flue passing from the stove
through the wall to the outside, then straight up outside
the wall of the conservatory. The conservatory is a
half circle or bow, and the flue went round that. It had
other branches, one to the back drawing-room, coming
in under the window, the other branch was near the
stove, and the floor of the pantry was the ceiling of the
washhouse, and in that floor was an iron pipe about
eleven feet above the stove. The size of the main flue
at the stove, might be nine inches by four inches, all of
brickwork.

Mr. WAILLEY—Now, Mr. Fairey, do, if you please,
describe the other flue communicating with the ironing-
stove ? Witness—There is another flue from the iron-
ing-stove also in the laundry,. going upwards to the
pantry, and ending in what I believe to be a chimney in
the next house. I think it cannot be cleaned on account
of the very acute angle which occurs in its line, and that
angle corresponds with the place w here I observed the
appearance of gas-lights on a foggy night. In one part
of the wall, where an arch was firmed in order to admit
the pipe, a very nicely fitting piece of wood-work was
inserted, and nothing was placed between that wood-
work and the heated pipe itself. I believe now, that the
fire originated in the small closet where my sertant kept
his boots, and that it then entered at the staircase
window, thus, in fact., at first arising in the wooden arch
referred to already by me.
Mr. WAKLEY—here is a fireman belonging to the
Brigade, who arrives at a different conclusion. It may
be as well to examine his reason for this opinion.
George Calf, a fireman, put in the ground plan of the
premises by direction of Mr. Braidwuod. He believed it
to be a correct plan, and he agreed with Mr. Braidwood
in his opinion from the appearance of the premises. The
house was as bad a house as aver was built. The floors
had sunk from not having proper support. He only
called out five of his men a few minutes before the floors
fell in, and it was next to miraculous that the whole of
them were not buried in the ruins.

Mr. Fairey said the house was a very handsome one,
but not of substantial materials. A former owner had
greatly beautified it, but he removed some main beams.
The house w.. .11 lathe and plaster, not unlike a scene
in a- play. Two pilasters which were intended to sup-
port the ceiling, and made of strong materials, he had
found since the fire that they were made of wood and
plaster, and consequently combustible.
The youth Hall was then examined—He said he went
to bed about half-past two o'clock. He was employed in
writing up to that time in the drawing-room. At that
time there was neither fire nor smoke, and nothing pe-
culiar.

Mr. WARLEY remarked that it was next to impossible
that the fire could have beau in that flue next to the
conservatory without Mr. Fairey or the youth's know-
ing it.
Hall continued—Put the guard on by the desire of
Mr. Fairey, Slept in the same room with Robinson, but
Lot in the same bed. Shook him and called him to get
up. lie never made the least motion. Witness did not
dress himself. Came back to the room twick, in the hope
of saving him. Ttle East time he could not venture into
tOe iooni. He was generally a very heavy sleeper.
When witness avl (Ace the room was full of smoke.

Mr. W AKLEY satd that a small quantity of smoke in
some of the small passages of the lungs would cause
death.

Mr. Fairey said Robinson had difficulty in breathing,
and generally did so with his mouth open.
Hall said iie did not hear him breathe.

The CORONER said it was very desirable that while
one body of men paid proper attention below, another
party should pay attention to those upon the roof. In
this case, it appealed that Mr. Fairey and his
family had been upon the roof six or seven mi-
nutes without any one coming to their assistance. If
any objection were made to admit persons for that pur-
pose at the next door, he should, if a policeman, have no
hesitation in breaking them open. Ile thought no fur-
ther witness need be examined, for he did not think that
were they sitting there for a fortnight they could come to
any more satisfactory conclusion than they might with
that before them.

There being no further evidence,
The CORONER proceeded to address the jury. He said
there was nothing peculiar in the circumstances. There
was a difference of opinion between Mr. Fairey and Mr.
Braidwood and the firemen in regard to the
situation of the premises in which the fire origi-
nated. In the opinion of all it originated in a flue.
Consequently a difference of opinion only existed as to
the particular flue in which the fire first happened.
The inquiry, however, would have the effect of directing
the public attention as to flues in general, and in his opi-
nion it was a subject which could not receive too much
attention. Now even in this case, though an engineer of
great celebrity had resided in the house for many years,
he was not aware there was a flue communicating with
a stove in which a large quantity of soot might have con-
gregated through the peculiarity of its construction, and
yet it excited no suspicion and attention even from the
experienced mind of the occupier of the house. It only
showed in what situations' of danger one might by placed
unsuspectedly. It was not known that the flue opened
into a chimney of the next house. That was certainly a
curious circumstance. Mr. Fairey stated that the flue
was so constructed that it was actually in contact with
wood-work, and with nothing to separate them. Now,
in the state of that flue, nothing was more easy
than the heat from it communicating with the wood, and
so originating this lamentable occurrence. In his own
opinion the fire originated in the western flue of the
laundry, for, if it had originated in the eastern one,
those in the room must have seen it. If this inquiry
directed attention to the construction of flues, of what-
ever kind, very great good would be derived from it,
and much security to life and property would accrue,
and occurrences of this painful kind entirely prevented.
In nearly all cases fires occur from the improper con-
struction of flues, and too much attention could
not, therefore, be paid to the subject. The
flue in which this fire occurred had been in use
eleven years without having been once clear at the point
in which it found an angle with the chimney of the next
house. In this case he thought no blame could be at-
tached to the policeman on the ground floor as regarded
intoxication. If the jerynien were convinced that the
fire had originated in the western flue, and that it was
accidental and the cause of the deaths of these unfortu-
nate men, then they would bring in a verdict accordingly;
and he himself thought that the evidence adduced was
sufficient to justify such a verdict. If, however, they
required further evidence, he should be most happy to
produce it before them.
The jury expressed themselves satisfied, and without
retiring, at once returned a verdict of " Accidental
death," giving it as their opinion that the fire had origi-
havd in one of the two flues adverted to in the evidence.

Before the Coto t finally broke up, a model of a build-
ing, indestructible by fire, was exhibited by Mr. Geary,
architect, of Hamilton-place, New-road, in which the
pile was divided by party walls instead of lath and plas-
ter partitions, and the additional cost was said to be a
mere bagatelle.
The CORONER said that some of the professional gen-
tlemen around the table would perhaps think of so de-
sirable an improvement on the present defective mode of
building.

CLERKEN WELL.—( THIS DAY.)
Mr. Benjamin Taylor was charged with the following
outrageous conduct.

Th—e prisoner came home in a cab on the previous
night, and, although he had a key in his pocket, knocked
so violently at the door as to alarm the whole neigh-
bourhood. He was admitted, and immediately went up
stairs and beat his wife in a cruel manner. He then
came down again, went out, and continued his violence
in the street, so that all the inhabitants of the street were
aroused from their beds.

The wife said the prisoner had treated her in a most
cruel manner and had threatened to murder her, and she
earnestly implored the magistrate's protection.
The prisoner was ordered to find good bail, which nct
being able to do he was locked up.

SOUTHWARK POLICE-COURT.
(THIS DAY.)
The business was opened at this Court by Mr. Edwin,
the chief clerk, reading the order to that effect from the
Secretary of State, and also the boundary comprising the
district.

John Buckley was charged with committing an as-
sault on James Bryant.
The parties were present at an Irish funeral the pre-
ceding day, and as soon as the ceremony concluded they,
with several others, adjourned to a public-house. where
they became intoxicated, and this led to a "regular
row." The defendant, who seemed to be the ringleader
in the disturbance, struck the complainant a violent blow
in the mouth.

The defendant begged the Magistrate would make
due allOwance for the funeral of a countryman, and said
that; it was an " ould Irish custom to take a little
spirits when an ould friend departed this life."
The defendant was fined, and in default he was com-
mitted for 14 days.

LAMBETH NEW POLICE COURT.

(THIS DAY.)
This morning the New Police-court in Kennington-
lane commenced business for the first time. Mr. Henry
took his seat on the bench at eleven o'clock. The court,
though small, is replete with every convenience,. and
furnished with great neatness. Attached to the court is
a range of small cells, for the accommodation of the pri-
soners, which are exceedingly well ventilated, and
thoroughly warmed with hot air. There are also win-
dows, which admit a good light into each cell, and the
prisoner can communicate with his friends by a small
opening in the door.
The only fault to be found with the fitting-up of the
court is the small portion allotted to the public. nor has
the convenience ot the reporters been in the least con-
sulted, the only accommodation provided for them is a
small box, scarcely large enough to hold otle person.
George Cook was the first prisoner brought up and
placed in the felons' dock, charged with passing bad
money on Saturday aitcrnuon, at Mr. litnp's, chemist
and druggist, Lambeth,
prisoner o a r,ilmtude,l until Saturday. in order
for the atteadanc(.! ot the Mint solicitor.

___,EY-11uw do you account for the boy
Robinson not being saved ? The Earl and Countess ofEgremont are surrounded
Witness—l did not miss him till we were outside. I by a circle of friends at Coombe Satchville, Devon.

-7------- .----- —7----- ---- .- w 8
AWN Ste 1M N Le' (--.,',,l,Yitit,i 1,1;14.1, ;-I Aie k..,
CI 7-r. el /JeII:I:TER TO Tiiiii..NN, 1
e Theee eAs a eteeey demed foe Cotton at Liverp°'
ee Sanirdey, and prices were firm, but not hieler.
Sales, 7,000 bales, iecluding 2,000 beles on epeculatiorea
In general, the Message of the President of the Unit,'
States on. the opening of Congress, is held to be SO'S;
factory ; but there is one point upon which it is deemed
to be not favourable to the claimants upon the repll-
(listing States. Not a word is, in fact, said upon tbei
dishonesty of the repudiating States—not a won'
of admonition to them ,to pursue in fates!
a more honest course, by which the honots
of the a bole Ueion would be relieved freer
the stain that has been cast upon it. In the Message
there is a paragraph which ought to tell on our Prime
Minister. The American President thinks, and wit''
truth too, that. the reduction of taxation ought to be the
main point to be considered when there is a surpllll
revenue. On this side of the Atlantic there are tbeE
sands of persons who think that it would
better to reduce direct taxation, rather It
by laying out any of the surplus receipts of the kinge°'i
over expenditure, in taking out of circulation driblets,?
the National Debt. Sir Robert Peel should look le wi
subject. If carried out to the full extent possible' I
will give satisfaction to the " millions."
The speech of Sir Charles Metcalfe on the Weep-
ing of the Session of the United Colonial •L'i
gislature has been well spoken of in the course 0
trade this morning. The election of Sir A. M' 'lb 1
the Speakership is considered a favourable feature, 101
is thought to demonstrate that there will be less of pox ,y
l
spirit in the discussions that were to come on in the '..:
gislature. The weather was rather mild than otherw'-,
The navigation of the lakes and portions of the St. Law-
rence was partially closed.
Information has been communicated to us this Owl;
ing corroboratory of the advantages of the fruit trs
taking Southampton as their point of arrival and dePor..
time. The Elenor sailed for Fayal on the 24th NeY,eine,-,
ber; reached there, took in her cargo, and returnee %
the 28th December. The Styx steamer departed from
Southampton for the same port, and reached Socthsler
ten yesterday with a full cargo.
The market for the public securities has been seln,_
what heavy to- day, a few speculative sales of Consol:
having been made. The price for the Account has reed:
from 100 to 100* ; the Reduced Three per Cents. ft° r
100,i to 1001; and the New Three-and et-Quarter?,
Cents. from 1031 to 1034. Among the speculaters.pod
the Stock Exchange the President's Message 011,
little remark. The premium upon Exchequer-bills
steady at 625.; Bank Stock for the Account is at 211. .
In anticipation of the settlement in the Foreig;
Market, which is fixed for to-morrow, there has beenvery good amount of business transacted to-day. gel„,2
Bonds have fallen from 361, the last price of Satarde/,',
to 351 4-. Portuguese Converted have declined to D"
but are now I per cent. better. Spanish Coneols ;lir,
down to 27 ; and the Three per Cents. to 371. I"
Brazilian, and Chilian are rather lower also.
re on
The Shares of the chief Railway Companies s•- , 0
the rise. London and Birmingham have been 01%.
129 premium ; the Birmingham and Gloucester at 1
__.,,,' i
count ; the Bristol and Gloucester at Hi to 14 preslil7,o
and the Great Western to 76 premium. There were -
quotations for Banking Shares this morning.
BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOO5'
(From the Official List.)
Bank Stock 2lOl
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities lOOl
New 3* per Cent. Annuties lOl
Consols for Opening
Bank Stock for Account.
ludia Stock 2871
Exchequer Bills. led. lid.
1,0001
5001. .
Ditto Small —
Ditto Advertised ..... ...
FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'UlA'w,
Mexican Bonds, 1837, 5 per Cent 3510,
Ditto for the Account ... 36 351
• Ditto Deferred
Peruvian Bonds, 6 per Cent
Ditto for the Account 291
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent ...
Ditto Converted 6Ol
Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent., 1840 27/ 27
Ditto Passive Bonds 6O
Ditto 3 per Cent 3B 371
Dutch 21 per Cents
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates
Ditto 5 per Cent.... 99
PRICES OF SHARES THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLI-1'
RAILWAYS. PAID. PER 514015.
Birmingham and Gloucester 100
Ditto, New.
Bristol and Gloucester
Caledonian 5 411...... to
Chunaet Valley... -
Dublin and Belfast Junction 21
Eastern Counties
•.. to
e.
Great South and W. (Irish)... sto 11
101 •• •ei
Great Western
London and Birmingham ...100 2261...... to lee
London and Blackwell
London and Brighton.... ...
.... 50 -
London and South Western.. 411
Ditto New
London and Croydon
London and York... ..... ...... 21
Manchester and Leeds 3 0
52
70 12111 ......... isi
Ditto i Shares
Midland lOO ll5 ..... to 1194
Birmingham and Derby lOO 85......... to --
Newcastle and Berwick -
South-Eastern and Dover... 338
Yarmouth and Norwich ..... 20 -
York and North Midland... 50 lO 3
Ditto Scarbor?' Branch lO 3l,*

Ditto Selby Scrip 2O 67*
Boulogne and Amiens
Orleans and Bordeaux ... .. 2
Paris and Lyons 9 3ia...... to --
DUTCH FUN 05 —An STE RDA M, Dn. 27.
Money. 011/L
Actual Debt, ,2% per Cent 641 f„4
Ditto, ditto, 3 per Cent.
Ditto, ditto, 4 per Cent.
atro, onto 5 per cent.
A mot t Syndic, 44 per cent ..... .........
Pato, ditto, *4 percent...—. ....... ..." 91% j 45%
Commercial Company, liNi per cent 147
....
Loan 1837, 4)4 per cent. —
Exchange ou London, Onemonth ....
s. . --
Two month...
At sight. l2 20
Dutch Papers, Dec. 28.
BELGIAN FUNDS.—BauesELe, D.C. 97.
Aetna Debt, 9,i per Cent., .......... .........•
Rothsehild's Loan, Five per Cent.. ~.............. goi
Loan of Thirty Millions,.. '
Four per Cent.
....
w Three per Cent........... -
----- Thirty-seven Milli, ns, ditto ....».».»».7..1iz
(1841).....».»..... ;V'
-
Loan of City, 1843, Four per Cent.. ....... ............
1832 ...•
Society of Commerce, Four and a Half per Cent r;
Bank of Belgium, Five per Cent... ...........
....
Issue of 1841...,
—Brussels Papers. Dec. 28.
LIAMBURGH BOItSENHALLE, Dsc. 20. .ioney.
Sills. P.
...•
Austrian 5 per Cents.
Bank Shares — 111len.
-
Ang 10-Ruseian Lean --1
Russian 5 per Cent., Ist series, Certificate lO5. , 105
vb
Inscription, Ist series _-1 1
Russian a per Cent. Hope and Co., 3d and 4th
Series ,
tog! rDitto in Certificates -•• 914
New 4 per Cent. (1840) ...••• gs
Dutch Actual Debt, 2% per Cent. .... 634
Ditto 5 per Cent. .......... ..... PA
Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent. 87)4 19*
Spanish, New 5 per Cents. ........ ............. ...... 20 ...-
Pollsh Bonds --,
New Tickets ....
Exchange on London.
Hairnburgh, One month .... —. ...*

Tw------ ----
o month 5, ...--... 13 I

THE COMMISSION OF THE PEACE -FOR DlJObeeni
—The names of the following gentlemen have to
just included in the Commission of the Peace fe.rooo
county of Durham, viz. :—Viscount Seaham,
Eder.
Standish Standish, Esq., of Cocken Hall ; Johnisse,
Esq., of Baamish Park ; and the Rev. Henry D°llg,„efe
8.D., Canon of Durham. The whole of these gentle'-ybe
with the exception of Viscount Seaham, qualified, :0
late adjourned sessions of the peace to act as magig
for the county.
POLLOKSHAWS. SCENE IN A CHURCH.
siderable excitement was occasioned here on Sau_Aw-ifs
last, in consequence of an occurrence which happenie
the Rev. Mr. St
the church. The managers 0' 'tbs
church had for some time past been considering to
most suitable method for heating the church, and i° the
course of lat week two small stoves (constructed es she
consumption of smoke principle) were placed ill.„eret
body of the church, and on Sabbath morning "fel;
lighted with charred wood. No bad effects were
aft
until about the close of the forenoon service, when pet-ar
twenty individuals were so much overcome by the isp
from the stoves that they fainted ; one of the e
was dangerously affected, so much so, that hevse;•
obliged to be carried home in a chair. . that
-'-'1;18
Mr. Smith was also affected to a very considers,,oo
extent. When the congregation met in the, aftern,"-is
(although the stoves had been previously removed)' to
was found that the vapour was still so powerful 58.44
compel the congregation to remove to a neighbell'itc,
schoolroom, where Divine service was performed,illte.
Smith, who was so far recovered as to be able to of j 1
The most remarkable circumstance was the fact, that
the afternoon a great number of the congregation
affected in the schoolroom in the same manner as the othe_s
had been affected in the fore part of the dayin the chntwo
and upwards of a dozen fainted, or suffered so much this
be obliged to be carried home. It is supposed that
was occasioned by the noxious vapour or gas adlleri;3
to their clothes, and the heat of the schoolroom eau 0,
it to produce similar effects to those felt in the forenOch
A good many of the congregation were still so neeit
indisposed as to be prevented from attending
respective occupations on the Monday. We are g
however, to learn that all are now fairly reiever`".
Renfrewshire Advertiser.
TRAGICAL EVENTS AT YORK.—Considerable col
citement has been occasioned in York by the -tber
deaths of two persons of the name of Coultate, a In t„0-
and her son. The son was a young man, in the s,""
tion of a groom, and it was suspected that he hold bo
poisoned by a person of the name of Emmerson,
was supposed to have mixed a large quantity of laudanu;
with his ale, in a low public-house in Walmgate. Fa
the evidence of the medical men, however, it aPPI„re
that the deceased had died from the effects of a get
injury on the head, which might have been of t,"aii,
three days standing, and no trace oi laudanum Was
covered in hi: stomach. The same night that the de,
ceased was taken home, the mother, who was 70 yeah
of age, was so much shocked by the death of her
from poison, us she supposed, that in about an hour frni!
that time, she herself expired. The jury returned ;
verdict that she had " Died from excessive grief. An
thp shock occasioned by the melancholy death of her sell'
Jelin Coultate.--Leeds Times.
. FANG or z>tt RATTLFoNAK..---A roan has
!litten through his hoots by a rattlesnake, ,And
The bouts aterAards descended into the successive poia
session of two other persons, and killed them both ;,1/3„,
it was then ascertained that an envenomed fang had
'-
mained sticking in the leather.--Rogskin's Australia.

~.,, A-- ki,,Vri.--..,,,1)e'' .0
,„ ',.....,,,,,-,,,,, • , ~,
*,-,z
"wr 01l
I,44.'''''' Q.i.tij
' 4d-, ,-7,, „- ..,,,,,e•,r :% , -''
4*
u-i-Ir ,y,m-7-14 ' 4' A' 1'754 74
...k.------
' 4.
-e-go; s

ISECOND EDITION.