The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-26 00:00:00

CL E RK EN WEL L.

Yesterday Harriet Brian, a well-dressed young
woman, who was described on the police-sheet as
being 19 years of age, needle .woman, was placed at
the bar before Mr. Combo, charged w ith stealing 30
yards of silk, value 41. Bs., the property of Mr. James
Leonard Wilson, linen-draper, &c., of 53, St. John's-
street, Clerken well.
It appeared from the evidence of Wm. House, a
shopman in the employ of the prosecutor, that yester-
day morning, between eight and nine o clock, the
prisoner entered the shop and requested to be shown
some silks for drawn bonnets. He produced several,
which she examined, and she selected four or five
pieces, and purchased two, for which she paid
ss. lOid., and she requested that the others might
be sent to No. 21, West Smithfield. She then
requested witness to show her a third piece of silk,
and, whilst he was engaged in fetching it, the pri-
soner was seen to conceal the 30 yards of silk under
her mantle and leave the shop. Witness followed
her, and requested her to walk back with him. On
their return, he asked her for the piece of silk which
she had under her cloak ; and, on his putting the
cloak on one side, she dropped the silk on the floor,
and said, " Oh ! please let me go ; I do not know how
I came by it," or words to that effect. He instantly
called in a policeman, and gave her into custody.
Henry Williamson, another shopman, confirmed
this evidence.

Cornelius Farrell, 31 G, said he received the pri
soner into his custody when at the station-house ; she
refused to say where she lived. On searching her, a
duplicate for two gold rings, pawned for Bs. at a
pawnbroker's in Farringdon-street, yesterday morn-
ing, in the name of A. Smith, Blackfriars -road, and
2:i. 10d., were found in her possession.
Mr. CoMna asked her where she lived ?

Prisoner—l live in Chelsea near the Spread Rigle.
She did not know the name of the street—there was
no number to the honse. She had no friends in Lon-
don. The rings had been given to her by her sister,
who lived in Northampton.
Sergeant Gann, G, said he had reason to suspect
that the prisoner had been formerly convicted ; that
her real name was Hawkins, and she was connected
with a gang of shoplifters and swindlers. On inqui-
ries at West Smithfield, no such person as the
prisoner was known there.
Tne prisoner denied that her name was Hawkins
and the statements made by the officer.
Mr. COMIIE said he should commit her to take her
trial, and, after the usual caution, asked if she wished
to say anything in her defence?
She reserved what she had to say, and she was
fully committed for trial.
WORSHIP-STREET.

A woman, about 30 years of age, dressed in de-
cayed mourning, but of ladylike dress and deport-
ment, and who gave her name as Caroline Williams,
applied to Mr. Arnold for assistance under the follow-
ing circumstances :
The applicant stated that she was the daughter of
an officer in the army, and upon her father's death
whomof a captain in one of the death
in-
fantry she was ultimately mar-
was
ried, but her husband some time afterwards became
involved in such reduced circumstances that he was
compelled to enlist as a gunner in the East India
Company's service. She accompanied her husband to
India, and remained with him there for two years,
when the climate had such a destructive effect upon
his health that he was invalided and sent home, but
declined so rapidly during the passage that on reach-
ing the Cape he expired, leaving her with an infant,
and entirely destitute. Her infant died shortly after
reaching this country, and she (the applicant) had
been since charitab:y sheltered by a poor woman
named Collins, in Holybush• gardens, Bethnal-green,
and she had endeavoured to relieve her as much as she
could of part of the burden of her support, by work-
ing at slopwork for tailors; but that description of
labour was so badly remunerated and precarious,
that she had been obliged, to save herself from
starving, to part with all ber apparel, till she
had nothing left but what she then had on
her. She was anxious, if she could, to procure
an engagement as attendant upon a lady going out to
India, to which country she was desirous of return-
ing, and where she had made several friends, who
would render her assistance ; but although she had
entered her name upon the books kept for that pur-
pose at the Oriental Club House, it had as yet been
without effect, and even if she should be successful
she was at a loss to imagine how she should obtain
the necessary outfit, as she was utterly friendless and
penniless here. In authentication of her statement
the applicant produced several letters from Lady
Currie, which corroborated the facts she had men-
tioned, and Rowland, the warrant officer, who was
directed to investigate the case, having
his return that the result of his inquiries amongst
persons in the neighbourhood where the applicant re-
sided were of a very favourable character, and left no
doubt of the thorough propriety of her conduct since
she had lived there, and that she was really involved
in the extreme distress she had represented,
Mr. ARNOLD expressed his conviction that the ap-
plicant's unfortunate position was deserving of much
commiseration, and regretted that the funds at his
disposal were too limited to enable him to assist her
turtle.:r, ordered her to receive a sovereign from the
money in the poor-box, which the poor woman grate
fully accepted and quitted the court.

MANCHESTER RECTORY DIVISION BILL.—The
Select Committee upon this Bill re-assembled yesterday—
Mr. Deedes in the chair—when Mr. Talbot delivered an able
speech against the preamble, on the part of the Dean ani!
Canons of the Cathedral Church of Manchester. The
evidence of Mr. J. C. liarten, the Rev. Archdeacon Rushton,
the Rev. Canon Clifton, and the Rev. Canon Sargent, was
then taken to prove the allegations of the Learned Counsel.
Mr. Russell, who appeared for Sir Thomas de Trafford, stated
that an arrangement had been effected with the Counsel for
the promoters, in consequence of which he withdrew his op-
position to the preamble, with the understanding that
alterations were to be introduced in the clauses to save his
client's rights. The Committee, after some deliberation, then
declared the preamble to be proved, but directed that certain
verbal alterations should be made in it, which, it is said.
will re-open the whole qu stion upon the clauses. The Will-
mittee then adjourned until the 9th of April.

C.129.NALL113.,
1 Names of ;.; '; Dividend Dividend
Companies. 1 per "CC' Names of
Companies. 11 lAn nuner Price.
is 1 Annum.
- ---
£
X
Ashtn & Oldh 97 71. 113 Macclesfield. 100' 21. 10s. 50
Barnsley• •• • 160 121. 180 Neatk ••• • • • 1001 161. 340
I.lrknk&Abrg 150 51. 85 Oxford.. •• • • 100 , 20/. 155
Birmingham 40, 41. 85% Peak Forest. 78131. 18s. :0
Coventry,- • • 1001 251. 210 Regent's.... 331 11. 2s. 18%
Derby ••• • •1100 61. 63 Rochdale.. • • 851 41. 50%
Ellsmre&Chst 133 565. 41 Somrset Coal 150 (7/.lox. 130
ilrand.lu.nctnlloo 51. 85% Do.LkFdSt 19161. P. c. -
Grand Surrey 100 2/. Os. 30 Stfilni &Wore 140- 281. 400
Grand Union 100! 11. 10s. 24 Shrewsbury.. 125 151. -
Grantham - - - Stourbridge- 145 201. 300
Kenut& Avu 311, 7s. 6d. 5% Severn andi
Lancaster . 1001 21. 32% Wye Bail. j 26 21. u°'
Leeds& Livrp 100 301. 322 Warwick& 1
Leicester •••• 1031 Si. 63% I:inning. j 100 41* 63
Leicstr &Nth 83, 4/. 46 Warwick&
Louchhorogh 142' 701. 510 Napton..} 100' 31. 43
51onmouthsh 11001 81. - Worestr &}
78 3/. 42
111ntp.mrysh ' 100 - - Birming.
Meltnliwbry 100 - - Wilts & arks -14 s. 9
LEST 02' SCOTTISH COMPANIES' PRICES
-----
' Dividend Amount
Name of Company. per of Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
£ d. s. d
Hank of Scotland
Biltish Linen Company 81. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 230
Caledonian Bank ••••• 8 per cent. 10 0 0 210 0 31. 17s
City of Glasgow Bank 61. per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 12
Clydesdale Bank •• •• 6% per cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 13?,4
Commercial Bank .. • • 71. per cent. 500 0 0 100 0 0 170
Eastern Bank .• •• •• •• 61. per cent. 25 ti 0 10 0 0 9%
Edinb.& Glasgow Bank 61. per cent. 5 0 0 5 0 0 5/. 15s
totehangeßnk of Scot.. 41. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 14%
isle of Man. Company 71. per cent. 10 0 0 7 0 0 -liatis;nal Bank 6% per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 15
yorth of Scotland Bank 41. per cent. 20 0 0 5 0 0 3%
North British Bank • •
Royal:lank of Scotland 51. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 125
irnionßank of Scotland St. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 90%
Western Bank ••.•• • • • 71. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 74%
Alliance Fire and Life 8%1.pr cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 20%
B. Accord. Life aud Fire 20 0 0 010 0 -
British Guarantee Ins. 41. per rent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 16..; Gd
Caledonian Fire Insur. 101. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 23
Coonial Life ... 50 0 0 1 0 0 1/. Os.
City of Glasgow Lite- 6/. per cent. 25 0 0 2 0 0 21. 12s
Edinburgh Life Insur. 6/. percent. 100 0 0 12 10 0 20%
East of Scotland Life lO 0 0 015 0 -
Eng. & Scot, Law Life 51. per cent. 50 0 0 217 6
liarcules Insurance Co. 71. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 -
Insur. Co. of Scotlnd•• 51. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 -
Life Assoc. of Scotland 6/. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 1/. 108
Mercantile Life
National Fire and Life 5/. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 1225.0 d
North British Incur. 5%1.pr cent. 200 0 0 20 0 0 25
North k West of Scot. 61. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0
Scottish Life and Guar. 20 0 0 011 0 -
Scot. Mar. and Gen. Life 0 0 0 15 0 -
Scottish Union Inarnce. 6%1. pr cent. 20 0 0 1 0 0 i239.6d
Standard Life .. • ... • . 51. per cent. 50 0 0 4 5 0
United Dep. Assurance 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 16s 6d
MISCELLANEOUS.
Dividend Amount '
Name of Company. per of Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
X. a. d. s. d.
Auction Mart •••• • • . • 2/. ss. 50 0 0 25
Australian A,,riculturi 1/. 100 0 0 30 0 0 15
Anglo-Mexican Mint.. 11. 101. 10 0 0 10 0 0 -
Ditto, Half Shares.. 2 10 0
Canada ... • • 61. per cent. 100 0 0 32 10 0 25
17ppr Canada Bonds 51. per, cent. -
City Navigation .... 91
Gen. Revers. & Invest. sp. c.L bs, 2/ 100 0 0 100 0 0 94
Equitable Reversioary 51. pr cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 105
Gen.SteamNavigation 11.81. 15 0 0 14 0 0 27%
London Institution ... 78 15 0 -
Russell Institution.... 26 5 0 -
Peninslr& Orient.Stm. V. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 78
Reversionary Int. Soc. 4%1. pr cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 92
Royal Mail Steam- 61 18. 4. p. c. 100 0 0 60 0 0 51
South Australian •• 11. per share. 25 0 0 215 0 0 19
Van Dieman's Land.,. 100 0 0 29 0 0 -

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
CALEDONIAN.

The directors have issued the report they intend to
present to the half-yearly meeting of shareholders in
London, on Thursday next, to the following effect :
" The first step of the present board, on taking office
in London, was to require a statement of the bills then
falling due, and the cash balance in hand. The return
showed a list of bills either overdue, or falling due
within a fortnight, of 74,000/., while the treasury
we.; absolutely and literally empty, and there were
arrears due for coke, maintenanco of way, rates
and taxes. Nu provision whatever had been made
for the accruing interest on debentures, nor the
rents or dividends on th., leased lines, long since de-
manded, and land claims still remained unsettled, for one
of which engines had been seized in execution, a few
hours beores the change of directors took place. The
members of the new board had singly, but unanimou,ly,
and upon mature consideration, resolved nr t to grant or
renew any bills without taking the best legal opinion,
and though they regretted the inconvenience that would
accrue to the holders, they saw that, independently of
personal responsibility, it was not by the expedient of
perpetual renewals that the difficulties of the
company could be zr.et. The opinion of eminent coun-
sel, both in England and Scotland, completely justified
the resolution come te, and the directors, on receiving
that opinion, issued a circular to the creditors,
explain-
ingcreditors,
that while there was not the slightest intention of
disputing the ju,t debts of the company, but, on the con-
trary. a firm determination to apply all the available funds
purp,,s:,, the practice of giving bills, as being both
la,gprour, acid detrimental, stioulti not be continued. Tlis
de,dsion was not, of course, without its difficulties, as it at
once brought matters to a crisis; but your directors felt

that it was only lay some bold and comprehensive scheme,
not by little and temporary expedients, that they conk
hope to extricate the company from its unparalleled diffi-
culties. Though pressed by irresistible claims, such as
were never perhaps paid out of revenue before, the
board pas,ed a minute appropriating a weekly
sum eiTeLially t 3 debenture interest, and have
regularly paid that sum into the Bank of England
to ensure its punctual payment. The revenue
accruing for the last half year, upon a gross receipt of
159,5021. Os. 2d., or an average of 6,134/. 14s. per week,
shows an actual deficiency (after paying interest on
debentures and floating debt, but without any pay-
ment whatever to the Rased lines) of 5,423/. 143. lOid.
This, however, is partly owing to the improper
payment of a dividend on the preference shares,
and a sum paid to the Scottish Central Railway,
as also to other sums strictly chargcuble to
the previous half-year ; et allowing for these
irregulvrities, there would still have remained only
31,604/. to meet 66,381/. of guaranteed or preferential
claims. If this were assumed to be a c, iteriort of the com-
pany's future prospects, it is evident that the guaranteed
lined would have little to hope for; but your directors
believe that, by the introduction of the strictest economy,
and by devoting their whole energies to the develop-
ment cf traffic, they could pay a very fair, though, of
course, a reduced rate of dividend to al!. It is but just
and reasonable, however, that the Caldonian board
should have the inducement of some hope at least cat a
return upon the ordinary su ck of the company ; and
your directors feel sure teat, when the real state of atriirs
is known, a re-arrangement of liabilities, in the interest
of all parties, and under Parliamentary santiou, will be
agreed to."

-As respect the guaranteed lines, the directors state
their conclusions as follows:
" Upon a careful review ot all the circumstances, and
considering the fair right of the Caldonian shareholders
to some little interest in their own property, while still
conceding to the leased lines rates of profit far above what
they actually earn, the directors thick that a modifica-
tion of the guarantees, conformably to the ascertained
resources of the Caledonian Company, would best con-
sult the interest of all parties. They believe, however,
that the time ha 3 not yet arrived when the shareholders
in the leased lines will list,in to r, asonable terms.
If such an arrangement be not come to, the
completion of the line must be prevented ; and the
large amount of goods now lying without suf-
ficient shelter at Glasgow must continue exposed to
damage, the expense of which would fall upon the
guaranteed lines, causing them a loss far greater than
the sum required to complete the goods stations, and to
enable the Caledonian to sustain the dangerous competi-
tion which awaits it from the opening of the Nit hsdale
line in the autumn. But, further than this, the ruin of the
Caledonian Company will draw after it the ruin of those
lease-c 1 lines, which are nearly worthless in themselves,
but whose shareholders, grasping at the shadaw of an
impossible dividend, may sacrifice a fair return on their
capital, or rather their capital itself."
With regard to Bills in Parliament—
" The directors intend to petition Parliament fur an
inquiry into the present state ot the Caled nion Com-
pany, with reference to the various Acts aflec ing it, and
imposing liabilities beyond the power of the c ..,mpony to
meet, and Vac) circumstances under which such Acts
were obtained; and, further, to pray that such
petition be ri ferred to a Select Committee of the
House, with instructions to report thereon, and
that all bills affecting the Caledonian Company
may be deferred until the Committee shall have reported
upon the petition, when it shall be lawful for the peti-
tioners to bring in a Bill in conformity with such report,
for amending and explaining the various Acts affecting
the company. The Caledonian interest is at present
without an advocate in Parliament, but any independent
Member appealed to by a shareholder would probably
promote inquiry upon grounds of public interest and
justice."

Under the head " Traffic," the report suggests
that--

" The Caledonian shareholders, as a body, are pro-
bably not aware that, although the total expenditure on
the line has been 21,1651. per mile over and above the
16,50u1. per mile, which Mr. Lccke, the engineer, con-
siders to have been expended in the actual tormati3ta of
the permanent way and the cost of the rails, the lint. i
still, in many essential respects, unfinished, and in a
state that absolutely requires further outlay."
The directors conclude by a summary of their
" future policy and prospects ':—

" The directors, satisfied by their own experience of
the work to he done, that frequent board meetings are
necessary, have recommended an increase of one direc-
tor to the present number. In doing so, they have
kept in mind the fact, that the ordinary stuck being
held chiefly in England, it is desirable to select an
English dirtetir, and without an increased number it
would be difficult to secure attendance. It will, there-
fore, be for the shareholders to decide on the question of
increasing the number of directors, as well as of the
choice of a new one. It would be an advantage in refer-
ence to the attempts made by other companies to
extort further guarantees, if the Caledonian board were
represented in Parliameet, provided a director otherwise
qualified could be found. Residence in the North of
England would also be a recommendation, but above
all it is desirable that the new director shall not be a
shareholder in the leased lines. Mr. Potter having late'y
resigned, the bea-d, in conformity with a promise to the
preferential shareholders, have elected Mr. Wheeler,
who was put forward by that interest. The directors
regret that a combination adverse to the interests of the
Caledonian shareholders has forced upon the board the
expense of issuing proxies; but it is above all things a
duty which they owe to their constituents to prevent, by
every possible means, the attempt now making to deprive
the original shareholders cf all interest in their pro-
perty. To speak, in conclasion, of the future prospects
of the company is no pleasing task to your directors,
and they can only state that, in the present posit,on of
affairs, all depends upon a reduction of the guarantees
so recklessly given. If that reduction be made, the di-
rectors can yet Fee hope for all parties; if not, there
only remains endless litigation and certain ruin as the
necessary result cf the former policy and management,
which has had no parallel in railway history."
As regards the auditing of the accounts, the di-
rectors append to their report the following note :
"From the great increase in the number of returns
required, and the interruptions caused by the committee
of investigation, and the change of directors, it has been
found impossible to audit the accounts in a propr man-
ner in time for the directors' report; the uuditor will
therefore report to the shareholders when he is prepared
to do so.
GENERAL BALANCE SHEET AT DEC. 31. 1849.
To receipts, as per statement £4,720,061 9 3
Suspense account, 2171. 56. Bd.; bills
payable, 235,432/. 13s. 7d; sun-
dry debts due by the company,
192,2931. 17s. 7id.; due to bank-
ers, 168,495/. 16s. 1 lid.; ba!ance
cf revenue account (at 30th June,
Cr. 14,0141. 6s. op.; do., at Dec.
31, Dr., 5,423/. 14s. 1044.) 8,5901.

Ifs. 2d.

705,030 4 1 1 '43-

£5,425,094 14 2

By expenditure as per statement ... £5,326,143 11 7i
Sundry di bts due to the company,
73.7361. 163.51 d.; due by bankers,
1,109/. 15s. Id.; amount of store
account, 24,1041. I ls. Id.

£5,425,094 14 24
Under the " Loan Capital Account," the sum bor-
rowed is stated to he, 1,292.2321. 184. 7d.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, March 25.
ROYAL ASSENT.

The House met to-day shortly before Four o'clock, in
order that the Royal Assent might be given to several
Bills.

At five minutes after four Lord Langdale, the
Earl of Carlisle, and Lord Eddisbury, robed
as Lord Commissioners, took their seats below the
Throne, when the Commons having been summoned
to the tar, their Lordships gave the Royal Assent
to the Consolidated Fund Bill, the Mutiny Bill,
the Marine Mutiny Bill, the Registrar of Metropo-
litan Public Carriages Bill, and the Turnpike Roads and
Bridge Trusts (Ireland) Bill.
Their Lordships then adjourned during pleasure.

Their Lordships resumed shortly before Five o'clock.
The Earl of MOUNTCASHELL presented a petition
from a Presbyterian congregation in Ireland against the
Bill for authorising marriage with a deceased wife's
sister.

CASE OF MR. NASH.
On the motion of the Earl of GR.XNVILLE, the
order for calling Mr. Nash to the bar was ordered to be
discharged.
CHANCERY REFORM.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from the
Court ot
Equity Committee of the Metropolitan Lax Asseziation,
Chancery praying
rfo. rTaherNe
to move the second reading of a Bill he had laid
upon the table of the House, and which was calculated to
no
Noble e andin the
Learned
then the
proceeded
carry out to a certain extent the recommendations of the
petitioners, ho reeeet the Matters Jurisdictions in Equity
Bill. This Bill only applied to uncontested cases, cases
in which there could be no manner of doubt, but cases
in which under the present practice parties were exposed
to all the expense of a protracted litigation before the
Master, although there might be no tristalre whatever.
As a proof of the necessity of this measure he could
relate to their Lordships cases of the greatest hardship
and oppression, occaeioned:not by the fault of the Judges,
or of the Marters4or of the clerks, or t f the practitioners
in the court, but of the law, and of the Law
only. Indeed it was wonderful that under
the present state of the law any person
could be found who would accept the dangerous office of
an executor. The Noble and Learned Lord then entered
into a detailed statement of the usual steps taken
in as amicable Chancery suit, every one of
which was attended with enormous expense
and gr.( at delay, and which, when they
carne on for hearing, did not occupy one minute each.
The Vice-Chancellor had disposed of sixty such in an
hour, and 3e: from 2001. to 300/. had been expended in
each case before it had come on for bearing. But this was
only the vestibule. Well mieh t Vice- Chancellor Shad well
say, in one of these cases, " Let the usual decree go for
the ruin of the estate, according to law." There must
be something rotten in the state of things when a
Learned Judge was obliged to use such language in pro-
nouncing his decree. The amount of the costs of these
undisputed eases to which he had referred was between
2001. and 300/.; 3 et, notwithetaucling all this expense
about cases in which there was nothing to dispute, and
nothing to take, the first step had still to be taken, and
that was the Master's
.advertisement for the creditors.

The parties were ytt only in the jaws of the dragon.
Was not that expense enough Lv wear down any small
prof erty ? There were town in his way impedimenta
enough to prevent n poor man from getting in time what
p•rhans would have kept him alive, and spared much
hardship and miaery to le any who were now driven 10
mqd(.e:s and ruin by the inlay in their cases.

Vestibulum ante ipsum pritnisque in faucibus Orci,
Luctus et ultrices posuere cubitia Curse:
Pallente,que habitant Moroi, tristisque Senectus,
Et Metus, et malesuada Fames, et turpis Egestas,
Terribiles visu forma?: Letunique, Laborque:
Turn consanguineus Leti Sopor, et ma'a mentis
Gaudin
. • . . et Discordia demens,
Vipereusa crinem vittis innexa emends.'
He had the means, however, furnished to him of pre'
venting these mischiefs. There was a wise, judicial,
exi erimental remedy furnished, not by the striking 00
of any new ide e not by founding any new court. or es'
tablishing eny other jurisdiction, but in the healthy sr
plication cf an Act which had already been found to
work so wed, he meant the Winding-up Act. By adopt'
ing the principle and practice laid down in that measure
the expenses of all these cases he had stated, instead of
amounting to between 2001. and 3001., would not be
more than Sc. In addition to the saving of all the costs(
there would also be a large saving in every subsequent
stase of the case. He would then proceed to show their
Lordships, by a few illustrative cases from the Masters
office, how the present syate m worked. In one case the
costs had amounted to 7471., and it was three years and
a half in the office. Another suit, after four years' de,:,
lay, bed increased to the sum of 1.7001. costs ; and
what he then recommended was adopted the expense 01
the case would have been comparatively trifling. Another
hostile suit—that cf Dighy—had been 15 years peed'
ing, ald uas still under judgment. He wished neW to
allude to the effects of the Winding-up Act, in order
to show the inducement that existed for extending its
provisions to such cases as be had mentioned. No less
a sum than 270,000/. had been paid off under that Ad
in six months from the time the order was sent to the
Master's office. In fiurteen months debts amounting to
348,000/. out of 522,000/, and affecting no less than 600
parties, had been adjudicated upon. Since Christmas
one-half of t'e remainder of these debts had been din'
posed of, and in all probability the other half would be
adjudicated upon before the end of Trinity Term. le
fact, the change produced in the mode of proceeding by
the Winding-up Act had been incalculably beneficial.
Under the old system the adjudication on the enormous
sum of 500,0001., to which he had just referred, would
have lasted for the best part of a century. He might
mention another instance of the effect of the Winding-dP
Act. The proceedings commenced on the Bth January.
1850, the debt had been already ascertained to be
110,000/., and there was not the least doubt that within
a few months the case would be settled.
That was the case of " Walcot v. Hope," re"
garding which a suit had been instituted so long
as 1840. It was heard before the Chancellor, but it
was found impossible to wind it up, and recourse was
therefore had to a private Act to enable the court to
appoint a receiver, who from some cause had neither the
power *to make an order nor to distribute the assets. Au
order alas made on the Bth of January, 1850, with refer'
ence to this very case, which had been found so imprac-
ticable. The proceedings were conducted under the
Winding-up Act. The debt of 110,000/. had been es;
certiened, and there was no doubt that before the end 01
Trinity Term the matter would be settled. He thought
he had made out an irresistible case for the extension 01
the provisions of so beneficial an Act as the Winding.%)
Act. One part of the present system was most viciouss'
he meant the mode in which solicitors were paid. le.
man who brought talents, skill, industry to the service
of his employer, and whose education had been of se
expensive kind, ought to be well paid. At present
solicitors were compelled often to take steps, not only
wholly unnecessary, but often dangerous to their
clients. They were not allowed to charge for thee
for which they ought to charge, and they charged for
proceedings that might well be spared. They were net
allowed to charge for their labour in getting up evidence,
and they were not allowed, on taxing coats, to charge
fur consultations, though, as reipected both these points,.
be believed there had been sense alteration. They were
obliged to draw up a long statement of many pages ti
the great damage of their clients, instead of a short on&
Counsel had- therefore to read a long statement instead
of a short one, and had to be paid in proportion, ittna
there was, also, the charge for the engrossing clerk. ri,e
should not wonder if one branch of the profession gained,
not at the expense of another, but at the expense of the
client. Such was the way in which clients were fleeced
by the law. As the law now stood it was the interest of
the solicitor to protract the proceedings, while it wes
the interest of the client that they should he shortened,
for the greater the delay the larger the bill. He
thought the best way would be to pay the solicitor
reasonable sum for doing the work, and 13°
make it his interest to protract the proceeding&
A great improvement bad no doubt been made ca
this he ad two years age, when the Master, instead
of taxing costs, in certain cases awarded a sum according
to the amount and nature of the business done. T 1356
was the case in the Leases Bill, and he thought the rul,e.
might be extended. The question of how much should
be done by order and how much by bill would be better
considered after the delay which he prcposed. He was
clearly of opinion that it would be necessary to have an
Act of Parliament to make any considerable alteration
in that respect. A more respectable body of tam did
not exist than the bulk of solicitors and attorneys, but
how often did the Court see, and how much more (lid the
Masters see, that the suit went on by the malpractices of
the solicitors, and that but for these malpractices it would
have been shortened long before? At present there was
no power of mulcting the wrong-doer. He should pro'
pose t r give a power to the Court, subject, of course, v.)
the greatest guards against abuse, cf throwing the bur:
den of the costs that ought never to have been incurred
on the wrong-doer whose malpractices had created them'
In conclusion, he had only to state that he should be.
glad to receive suggestions from any quarter with rope.:
to this Bill, the second reading of which he now begged
to move.
Lord LANGDALE would not oppose the second
reading of the Bill if it was understood that he did 044
thereby commit himself to all its details.—("Hear,"frseua
Lord Brougham). If the principle of the Bill was oil
the expense and delay of proceedings in Chancery sbeu'a,
be lessened so far as was consistent with justice being
done to the parties, he should give it a hearty supPesel.
He agreed with the Noble and Learned Lord that to!
shortening the delay in the Masters' office was the fire;
step. He could not agree in all the details of the Bib,
but would reserve stating his objections for a future C'.,
casion. With regard to the proceedings under the Win'''
ing-up Act, the Noble and Learned Lord should 110'.
recollected that there was not so much occasion for cos'
sultations in the matters to which it related as in spies.
tions of estate and title before the Court of Chancel',
He believed, however, that some of the provisions of tbr
Act might very properly be extended. The mode 11.1,
which solicitors were paid was the root of the evil. Tbe/
were often paid for services of no value, and for mall
important services they were not paid at all. He was
very glad that the Noble and Learned Lord bad eel'
their Lordships' attention to the subject, and should b,e_
glad to support some plan which would remove the OW
of the present system.
After a few words from Lord BROUGHAM, eXPres;
sive of his satisfaction at the course taken by his Noble
and Learned Friend, the Bill was read a second time.
DEVONPORT HARBOUR.
The Earl of a .GERMANS rose to move for cartels
returns relative to the works in Devonport dockyard'
His Lordship stated, that in 1833 it was found necesseg
thoroughly to repair the boat-basin at Devonport.
1835 Mr. Hawkes, master shipwright in the dockyard'
laid before the Admiralty a statement of the deficieneil
of accommodation then and previously experienced, el
suggested a comprehensive plan for the enlargeislees,st
the basin and the erection of additional dock!. .1-Lid
suggestions were adopted, the works were commence
and for ten years they were proceeded with at en es.
pense of 90,0001. In 1848, however, it was proposed to
abandon this magnificent undertaking, and to substitute
an open basin for the basin planned by Mr. Hawkes'
The Admiralty so far entertained this proposition as ee
suspend the works, and to send down Mr. Rendell, 1!
civil engineer of great eminence, to make inquiry tol!
report. That gentleman, he believed, recommended that
the original plan should be carried into execution; bat,
the Admiralty were not satisfied with the opinion of
Mr. Rendell, and still suspended the works. They tbras
sent down three commissioners, viz., Mr. Walker, hit.
Cubitt, and Mr. Rendell, who, he understood, pro'
posed a third plan, different from the other trio.
That was the state of things at this moment, and
he was anxious that full information should be laid
before their Lordships on the subject. He did not ins'
pure any blame to the Admiralty in connexion with this
matter; but he wished, by obtaining the papers' e°
enable the House to understand the exact nature of the
case. The Noble Earl then moved for copies of all the
reports made to the Admiralty on the subject from 1833
downward.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE had endeavoured to
make himself acquainted with this matter by aPPIYiI3I4
to his Hon. Friend at the head of the Admiralty. C°ll-
- variety of opinion, it appeared, had been es'
pressed on this question by professional persons, includ-
ing some of the most eminent engineers in the country'
and his Hon. Friend at the head of the Admiralty had
therefore thought it right to refer the matter to other
professional persons, and persons connected with te
office of the Admiralty, who were to report on the 6,11 b:
ri
ject. In these circumstances he hoped the Noble kiate
would consent to withdraw his motion till a comp
iew of the subject could be obtained, which would ""he
be the case unless the report of the parties to wietTiose
had referred was laid on the table along Wit'
moved for by the Noble Earl.
The Eart of ST. GERMANS consented to thts 6r.
rangement, and withdrew his motion accordinglY• se
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved that the frou
do adjourn to Thursday, the 11th of April. d.
The motion was carried, and their Lordships
journed accordingly.