The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 9, 1844.

THE LATE OTWAY CAVE, M.P.
The funeral of the Hon. Robert Ote'ay Cave, M.P.,
tie k place on Saturday, from zitamf-rd Hall, attended by
a numerous assemblage of the friends and tenantry of
the family.
Mr. Otway Cave was only son of the late Henry Otway
and the Baroness Braye, heir to this peerage, the
patent of which had been lately revived, after some cen-
turies of abeyance, on the late Duke of Bedford resign-
ing his equal claim to it. He was in the 49th year of his
age. lie married in 1838 the eldest daughter of Sir
Francis Burdett. Between Sir Francis and his son•in-
law there existed through life an affectionate friendship.
Mr. Cave was highly distinguished for classical pro-
ficiency both at Eton and Oxford. Some of his Latin
compositions (which, as an amusement, he occasionally
indulged in even till recently) were much admired by
one of the best judges—the late Marquis Wellesley.
He was eighteen years in Parliament, represented
Leicester, Hastings, and Tipperary ; and as his talents,
discernment, and information were of a superior order,
he would probably have been an influential speaker,
had not the extreme delicacy of his health prevented
the possibility of regular Parliamentary attendance and
practice in debate. The last time he addressed the
House was in support of the motion condemnatory of
the prosecutions of the union repeal leaders. In his
political principles he was staunch, undeviating—
pure and fearless in their advocacy. Of Catholic eman-
cipation, West Indian emancipation, tithe modification,
Parliamentary reform, and every other measure offering
the hope of benefit to his fellow-beings, he was an
ardent supporter ; and though a man of great benevo-
lence, and though his pecuniary sacrifices in support of
party politics (which he considered it his duty to incur)
were great, so modest, self-denying, and unostentatious
were his habits, that he has left his property without a
shilling of incumbrance. The humbler the condition of
those who sought his assistance, the more fervently and
with the more sympathy was it rendered. Of the ulti-
mate distribution of the extensive estates in England and
Ireland which were in his testamentary disposal (amount-
ing to at least 20,000/. a year) we have not heard. By
his death there will probably be no vote lost to his
party, but the void left in the Liberal ranks will be
sensibly felt.
But it was in private life, and by those most allied to
him, that the loss of Otway Cave will be most tenderly
and poignantly deplored. Nor do we think that we
exceed in quoting the words of one who knew him for
thirty years—that " a disposition and amenity more en-
dearing, or a heart more devoted to those whom he
deemed deserving of his affection, more disinterested,
kinder, or more amiable was never inclosed in any
human frame." To omit on this melancholy occasion
some brief tribute to the memory of one so consistent
and honourable in public, so good and benevolent in
private life, were to be wanting to justice and proper
feeling, and to one of the most grateful duties of public
journalists.

THE FROST.
The frost still continues, but with rather diminished
severity, although, from the keen and cutting wind from
the north-east which prevailed throughout yesterday, the
cold was most intense. The thermometer at seven o'clock
in the morning, at the receiving-house, Hyde-park, was
not lower than 29 degrees (3 degrees of frost), and
during the day it varied only from 29 to 30 degrees, and
at six o'clock the mercury was still standing at 29 de-
gr
of a fall
of snow before ces, vvithad enseand e cloudyrethe
morning.
The every probabi-
lity
The parks and Kensington-gardens were throughout
the day thronged by respectably-dressed persons, appa-
rently from all parts of the metropolis, in anticipation of
witnessing or participating in the healthy exercise of
seating, in which they were not disappointed.
The Serpentine was entirely frozen over. It was,
however, extremely thin, not being in any part more
than an inch and a half thick, and was therefore most
dangerous. During the day full 5,000 persons ventured
at the risk of their lives upon the ice, notwithstanding
the repeated cautions they received from the icemen of
the Royal Humane Society, whose exertions to prevent
accidents were most praiseworthy. The number of ice-
men was twelve, with a deputy-superintendent, the whole
being under the direction of Mr. Williams, the active
superintendent. Shortly after four o'clock an accident
occurred which had nigh proved fatal to no less than ten
persons. The first that became immersed, a young man
named Charles Pane, residing at No. 3 (Harris's), Ox-
ford-street, broke in about the centre, between the re-
ceiving-house and the bridge, into six feet water. Sparks
and Highmore, two of the icemen, instantly hastened to
his assistance, but, on approaching the edge of the
breakage, the ice gave way under their feet, and
they also become immersed, the sinking man cling-
ing to them, and dragging them under the ice. At
that juncture, others of the icemen, with other persons,
came to their aid, when a third breakage tookplace,
through which seven other persons were im-
mersed. At that instant a sailor, who happened to be
present, most courageously jumped into the hole, and got
out three men, while the others were got out by the ice-
men, and then, jumping out himself, walked off, wetted
to the skin, without his name being ascertained. One
of the men got out by him, named Martin Connell, living
at 3, Barrett's-court, Oxford-street, was in a very faint
state, and both he and Pane were instantly conveyed to
the receiving-house, where they received every attention
that their state demanded from Dr. Woolley, one of the
honorary surgeons of the institution; and after a hot
bath, &c., were able to proceed home.
On the Round Pond in Kensington-gardens the ice
round the edges was very thin and insecure, although in
the centre it is very firm. About 1,500 persons were on
it during the day without any accident of a serious cha-
racter occurring. Two of the Humane Society's icemen
were in attendance with the necessary implements for
saving live. On the Long-water, that portion of the ice
between the islands and the Bayswater end is most
secure, while the portion towards the bridge, owing to
the strong action of the north-east wind blowing through
the arches, was slight and dangerous. About 2,500 per-
sons were during the day on the upper part, amongst
whom were several members of the Skating Club, whose
practised and elegant evolutions excited great admiration
from the numerous and fashionable assemblage which
crowded both the banks. Two icemen were in attend-
ance but fortunately no accidents occurred.
The Ornamental Water in the Regent's Park yester-
day, from as early as 8 o'clock in the morning till dusk,
was literally thronged with skaters and sliders. Se-
veral members of the Skating Club were present. The
ice was in excellent condition, in thickness about two
inches, and far less dangerous than in the other parks,
which will account for no accident whatever having oc-
curred, although no less than 10,000 persons had ven-
tured upon the ice throughout the day.
In the event of any accident the Royal Humane So-
ciety have had marquees erected, with the usual appa-
ratus, baths, beds, &e., and also medical attendance,
besides nine men, a boy, and the Deputy Superintendent
Ilerwood, whose services were fortunately not required,
the latter having succeeded in keeping persons from
going on to the broad and dangerous ice, and confining
them to the narrow and stronger.
On the lake in St. James's-park there were also from
an early hour in the morning crowds of persons con-
tinually thronging to the ice till nearly dark in the af-
ternoon. The numbers who were on the ice throughout
the day were upwards of 10,000, hut, unfortunately, the
day did not close without several serious and, it is
feared, some fatal accidents. The first which took place
was at about half-past 12 o'clock, when Mr. S. Pendall,
of No. 5, Parliament-street, broke in up to his middle, but
he fortunately got out without help, and atter receiving
scene assistance from Mr. M'Cann, the surgeon attending
the Humane Society's marquee, proceeded to his resi-
dence. 'rhe most serious casualties took place between
three and four o'clock. The ice generally was in a very
dangerous state, and about the time in question there
was upwards of 6,000 persons engaged in skating and
sliding. A portion of the ice gave way on the north
side of the island at the east end. and seven or eight
persons immediately became immersed in 14 feet of
water. Iceman Jost ph Clapstone immediately repaired
to their assistance, with breaker, ladders, &c., but these
from the rottenness of the ice, giving way, he fearlessly
sprang into the water, and with the aid of Ferrer, one
of the park-keepers, and some of the bystanders, suc-
ceeded M extricating five persons ; but the other two or
three it is feared have met with a watery grave. Drags
were used for their recovery up to a late hour. Poor
Clapstone, the iceman, nearly lost his life, three of the
persons struggling in the water having clung to him and
carried him several times beneath the surface, so that he
became completely exhausted ; he was then assisted by
iceman James Wood, and on reaching the surface the
last time brought up a gentleman, who was thus saved
and was able to proceed home immediately. The four
others rescued were immediately conveyed to the Royal
Humane Society's marquee, and were promptly at-
tended by Mr. M'Cann, and Mr. Laslett, his assistant.
They were each put into warm baths, placed in warm
blankets, and stimulants were administered. Scarcely
had this been effected when a similar accident
took place at the west end of the lake, near
Buckingham Palace, where the ice broke completely
across from the northern to the southern shore, and about
fifteen persons were suddenly thrown into ten feet
of water. Icemen James and Richard Wood, and Jo-
seph Knight, instantly repaired to the spot with ropes,
sledge, breaker, ladders, &c., but the sledge got under
the ice and was stove in. While extricating it the
ladders broke in, and became useless, and the ropes
which were thrown across broke several times before,
with the aid of poles, the immersed persons could be got
out. This having been fortunately effected in each in-
stance, about half of them were able to depart homewards
instantly, but seven or eight were taken to the marquee,
where a scene ensued which baffles all description, there
being only two beds with two persons in each, and but
one warm bath, with the tent literally crowded and the
mob outside pressing in, mostly attracted by curiosity,
but many inquiring for friends and relatives. In this
state of things, however, every exertion was used by the
medical gentlemen, as well as by Mr. Deputy Superin-
tendent Petrie, and the Society's men generally. It
was, however, necessary to put three or four of these
shivering patients at one time into the warm bath and
also in each bed, The whole of these persons were able
to proceed homeward in the course of the evening. The
whole of the ladders and other implements were ren-
dered comparatively useless, and it will be necessary for
Mr. Superintendent Williams to send another supply
this day.
The following is the list of persons who were brought
to the marquee :—Thomas Wattin, 49. High-street,
Bloomsbury; William Valens, 45, North-street, Sloane-
street; Richard Taylor, 6, Baldwin's-place, Baldwin's-
gardens; Henry Bragg, 2, Kinaston-street, Lambeth;
John Jones, 83, Chancery-lane; William Elish, 6, Ame-
lia•street, St. Olave's; John Burden, 55, King-street
Soho; Alfred Clark, 4, Leigh-street, Red Lion-square;
Samuel Harvey, 31, Brewer-street, Pimlico; James
Conquest, ditto; William Hutchins, Paris-street, North
Pimlico.

THE LATE EARL OF LONSDALE:—The subscription
for the memorial to this nobleman aluounta to 8621.35, 6d.

DREADFUL MURDER.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
BRECON, DEc. send you particulars of one of
the most foul murders we have ever heard of, and which
took place last night, about midnight. I should inform
you that in this country there are many men who obtain
their livelihood by purchasing butter and other provi-
sions, in Cardigan and Carmarthenshire. and taking
them to the iron districts for sale ; and they are often
compelled to travel at very late hours of night, to avoid
the payment of back tolls, which in this neighbourhood
are enormously heavy, it being 9d. for a single horse and
cart. The poor victim alluded to was one of these men.
lie had sold his butter, and was returning to Cardigan-
shire. lie left this town about eight o'clock on Friday
evening ; he was in, one cart, and his son, a lad about
thirteen years of age, was driving another. It appears
from the statement of the lad, that about two miles from
this town, they overtook a man, who asked his father
what he would take him to Lampeton for, and they
agreed as to the price. When about half-way to Tri-
castle, the man, himself, and his father, got out and
walked a little way. The man asked if they were near
Tricastle, and his father said they were but little more
than half-way (the distance is more than twelve miles).
He then paid his father what he had agreed to pay fur
taking him, and advised the boy to get into the front
cart, and let him cover him over with some straw and
tarpaulin, which he did, and he went to sleep. The
horses went on, until they came to the turnpike-gate,
about a quarter, of a mile from Tricastle. The boy
might have been here some little time asleep, when a
man with a waggon came up in the opposite direction,
and woke up the gate-keeper. This awoko the boy,
who immediately inquired for his father, but he was not
to be found. The poor boy was much distressed, and
the toll-gate keeper took him to an inn in the village.
It was now about twelve o'clock. In a very short time
the waggoner returned riding one of his horses, saying
he had found the man about a mile on, lying by .the
side of the road murdered. Assistance was given, and
the body was brought in. At that time he was quite
warm. His death was occasioned by a pistol-shot, which
passed through his hat, and entered his head just over
the right ear. The ball lodged in the head, and has
since been extracted. Death must:have been instanta-
neous. There is not the slightest mark of any struggle.
It is to be hoped that the stranger is known, though he
is not yet apprehended ; and a person answering his de-
scription bought a pair of pistols of a tradesman in this
town a few days since. It is supposed the deceased had
about 701. with him, the proceeds of his two loadsof butter,
but there was not a farthing in his pockets when he was
found. I should add that the boy says he saw the same
man in Brecon, in the afternoon, and he then asked
what time his father would leave for Tricastle. He
told him about eight o'clock. This proves that this was
a most deliberate, cold-blooded murder.

LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN
RAILWAY.

On Saturday afternoon a specal general meeting of the
Shareholders in the London and South-Western (London
and Southampton) Railway was held at the station, Nine
Elms, Vauxhall, for the purpose of assenting to the va-
rious important projects which the Directors contemplate
bringing before Parliament in the ensuing session.
There was a very numerous attendaece ofi Proprietors.
Mr. Chaplin, the Chairman of the Board of Directors
presided.

Mr. ALFRED MORGAN, the Secretary to the Company,
submitted a lengthened report, detailing the various pro-
jects in contemplation by the Directors. These projects-
are as follows A branch from the present Nine
Elms terminus to the vicinity of the Hungerford and
Waterloo Bridges and to the Thames, and from Wimble-
don to Epsom. 2. From Weybridge to Staines and
Windsor. 3. Front Woking-common, by Guildford,
Godalming, and Chichester, to Portsmouth and Fare-
ham, including the purchase of the Guildford Junction
Railway. 4. From Hook Pit Farm, on the main line of
railway, to Mottisfont, on the Salisbury branch, and
from Salisbury to Sherborne, and Yeovil to Dorchester
and Weymouth. 5. From Basingstoke to the Great
Western Railway at Didcot and Swindon. And also to
amend and enlarge certain powers of the Company under
their existing Acts of Parliament. The necessary sur-
veys, notices, and deposits have been made and given
according to the standing orders of Parliament with
respect to all these lines, except that from Weybridge to
Windsor. With respect to the first of these, the Hunger-
ford and Waterloo-bridge Extension, &c., the report
stated that the Directors had made arrangements with
the parties who originally contemplated the continuation
of this line in connexion with a railway to Richmond,
the effect of which is that the South-Western Company
will construct the line from Nine Elms to Waterloo and
Hungerford-bridges, and the branch to Richmond will
be undertaken by a separate company, and will join the
South-Western line at Wandsworth. The Directors
had resigned their contemplated junction of the London
and Brighton line at Croydon with their own rail-
way at Wandsworth in favour of the Brighton Com-
pany. The Directors again intend to renew their ap-
plication to Parliament for a branch to Epsom, feeling
confident that it can be worked cheaper than any other,
is shorter, has better gradients, and will be connected
with the best London terminus. The line from Wey-
bridge to Windsor the Directors have been obliged to
postpone for the present year. This project is designed
mainly with the view of completing the communication
between Chertsey and that vicinity with London, and of
affording to Staines, Egham, Windsor, and their popu-
lous neighbourhood the most direct communication with
the southern coast, either by the present snail line to
Southampton and the west, or by the projected line
from Guildford through Winchester to Portsmouth and
the Isle of Wight, Brighton, &c. The Directors some
weeks ago purchased the Guildford branch, granted
last session, the confirmation of which they now asked.
After alluding to the various " direct Portsmouth" lines
now before the public, the Directors went on to state
that they had joined in the promotion of a line com-
mencing at Woking, adopting the Guildford branch, and
passing through Godalming and near Midhurst and Pet-
worth to Chichester, from which city to Portsmouth and
Fareham the line will be the same as already sanctioned
by the Company. A Company has been formed for the
execution of this work, and the capital has been sub-
scribed under the guarantee of the South-Western Com-
pany, to work and lease the line in perpetuity, at such
rent as will give the Shareholders four per cent.
on their subscriptions, and an equal interest in the
surplus profits. By the proposed Hook Pit branch,
on the main line between Andover road station and
Winchester, to join the Salisbury branch at Mottis-
font, the distance between London and Salisbury
will be shortened nearly eight miles. They further re-
ported that they had caused surveys to be made of a
line from the Salisbury branch to Dorchester, Wey-
mouth, and Poole ; and on the necessary capital for the
line they propose to guarantee in perpetuity a return of
four per cent., and a moiety of the surplus earnings.
From Salisbury, also, they have caused a line to be sur-
veyed to Sherborne and Yeovil, which will provide for
all the northern parts of Dorsetshire, considerable por-
tions of South Wilts and East Somerset, and give all
these districts their shortest road to London and the
east, including the readiest communication with the
ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. With respect
to the lines from Basingstoke to Newbury and the Great
Western Railway, the Directors had failed in an at-
tempt to bring about an arrangement with the Great
Western Company, and they, therefore, felt that they
had no alternative but to undertake the schemes them-
selves, recommending that the requisite capital should
be provided by the Company. To provide the capital
necessary for these various undertakings, the Directors
recommended that there should be issued as many new
schemes of 50/. and of 40/. as there now exist shares of
those respective nominal amounts in the Company, and
that the option be given to each Shareholder (except
holders of the fixed five per cent. Gosport shares) of
taking one new share of the same nominal amount in
respect of every old share ; each such new share to
bear interest of four per cent. upon the calls paid during
the construction of the new works, to be payable out of
the new capital.
The CHAIRMAN, in a speech of considerable length, en-
tered into the details of these various projects, and endea-
voured to show that from the Guildford, Chichester, and '
Portsmouth, and Salisbury, and Dorsetshire lines, when
their resources were fairly developed, addditional profit
to the Company might be expected, and as respected the
branches for which the capital was to be raised by the
South-Western Company, although they might not
prove as productive as the parent line, yet they would
bring an accession of traffic that would be remunerative.
The report was warmly received and adopted, and a
series of resolutions confirmed the various recommenda-
tions of the Directors carried.
Mr. TAYLOR, of the proposed " Cornwall and Devon
Central Railway," then entered into an explanation of the
.weoxuel
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eu,e
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eo
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very well received by the meeting.
Mr. W. TITE moved a resolution to the effect that this
Cornwall and Devon Central scheme would be of ma-
terial advantage to the South-Western Company, and
that the Directors should be authorised to give such
support to it as they should deem expedient, which was
agreed to.
After a vote of thanks to the Directors the meeting
separated.

DEATH OF A GIPSY FORTUNE-TELLER AT WANDS-
WORTIL—On Saturday an inquest was held at the Ship,
water-side, Wandsworth, before Mr. Carter, on the body
of Harriet Lamb, aged fifty, a gipsy, who had obtained
her living by professing to tell fortunes. It appeared
from the evidence adduced that on Thursday morning
last a lad, named Cartwright, was going to his work,
when he observed the body of the deceased lying on the
shore opposite to the Ship. She lay between the moor-
ing shores, close under the wharf-wall, over the edge of
which she had apparently slipped. The lad obtained
assistance, and the deceased was removed into the

Ship public-home. Her body was stiff and cold, and
there was a wound on her head, as _ if she

had pitched with it on the spike of one of the moor
ing-stones. It was further proved that the deceased
had been in the Ship on the previous evening,
and that she left that place the worse for liquor.
Several persons who knew her saw her wandering about
up to half-past eight o'clock, but they took no further
notice of her, as she lived in the neighbourhood. After
this time she was not seen alive, and it is supposed that
she must have soon afterwards tumbled over the wharf
wall whilst making her way home, and being stunned
by the fall on the mooring stones, was incapable of call-
, ing for assistance. It was proved that the place from
which the deceased fell was a public footway, that the
wall was six feet in depth, but level with the path, and
that although the tide rose nearly to its level there were
no rails to protect people from falling over, and no
lights to warn them of the danger. Several persons had
been maimed for life by falling off this wall, but no
attempt had ever been made to prevent the recurrence of
such accidents. The jury 'returned a verdict of " Acci-
dental Death," coupled with a request that some repre-
sentation of the insecure state of the place would be
made in the proper quarter. The Coroner promised
that the suggestion of the jury should be attended to.
MAGISTERIAL COURTEST.—THE LICENSED VIC-
TUALLERS.—A few days ago Mr. Phillips, proprietor of
the Plasterers' Arms, in Seymour-street, St. Pancras,
and Mr. Deacon, of the George and Dragon, Bucking-
ham-street, Fitzroy-square, waited on Mr. Rawlinson,
the magistrate of Marylebone—the latter to transfer his
licence to the former, when the following most curious
scene occurred :—Mr. Rawlinson (to Mr. Deacon)—So
you have disposed of your interest in the George and
Dragon ? Mr. Deacon—l have, Sir. Mr. Rawlinson—
Why ? Mr. Deacon—On account of the ill-health of
my good lady. Mr. Rawlinson—Good lady, indeed 1
why don't you say your wife ? Mr. Deacon—The
ill-health of my wife, then, Sir. Mr. Rawlinson—To
whom have you sold the property ? Mr. Deacon
—To this gentleman (pointing to Mr. Phillips).
Mr. Rawlinson (in a rage)—Well, this is worse
than ever ; why don't you say that man ; who ever
heard of a gentleman being a publican ? Mr. Deacon—
Well, that man. Mr. Rawlinson.—How long had you
possession of the house ?: Mr. Deacon—Just seven
months. :Mr.Rawlinson—l suppose you had some money
from your brewer ? Mr. Deacon—l had, Sir. Mr. Raw-
linson (throwing down the licenses.)—Then take them
away. I refuse to transfer them. So, to the utter sur-
prise of the applicants, ended the scene ; and, in what
manner Mr. Rawlinson can justify his conduct we are at
a loss to conceive, as there was not the slightest ground
of complaint against those two named " gentlemen" pub-
licans, who, in their various transactions through life
hive been quite as deserving that appellation as the ma-
gistrate himself ; and if either of them sustain any loss
by the extraordinary freak of the latter, we advise them
to bring an action against him, to which he will certainly
be liable for damages. We would recommend a manda-
mus to be applied for against him, for his conduct seems
anything but that of a " gentleman."—Sunday Times.
SEVERITY Or THE WEATHER.—The weather has
been so severe the last few nights that the engine dri-
vers and stokers of the various mail trains, have arrived
in town with their great coats literally covered with ice
from the dew and steam freezing on them, although with
so large a fire at their feet. In consequence of the seve-
rity of the weather the Directors on the South- eastern
line have ordered that the engine-drivers and stokers on
the mail trains, shall be relieved every alternate night ;
and they now only run three times a week. This has
been considered absolutely necessary for the benefit of
the men's health.
THE BANK ROBBERY AND TWO WELSHMEN.—It
is not generally known that Daniel and John Forester
the celebrated Bow-street officers, are natives of Carmar-
thenshire. They were born at Nantycaws, three miles
from Carmarthen, their father having kept the public-
house now occupied by Levi Llewellyn. Another
brother was accidentally shot near Nantycaws.---
Welshman.

r THE RIVAL LINES BETWEEN
LONDON AND YORK.
(Prom the Atlas.)
Perhaps the most important, in a national point of
view, of all the projected railways, is that between Lon-
don and York, and as the interests, not merely of a lo-
cality, but of a fourth of the population of the entire
kingdom, are concerned in it, we trust that those inter-
ests will not be sacrificed to any erroneous views or
undue influences. As we perceive from the public ad-
vertisements, that the rival parties are prepared to enter
the lists against each other when Parliament sits, we
shall state our reasons for giving the preference to the
Direct Northern line on public and national grounds, as
well as on those of private advantage.
Since the publication of the prospectus of the Direct
Northern Railway, on the 4th of April 1844, the time
has doubtless been spent in preparing the necessary
preliminaries of the undertaking, such as the comple-
tion of the share list—the examination of the line—
the lodgment of the plans and sections—the finishing
of the books of reference, and other requisitions of
the standing orders of Parliament.
Convinced of the priority of their claim to the scheme
of a direct line from London to York, we have delayed
until now stating our opinion of their case, because we
deemed it premature to do so before it was ready to be
compared in all its integrity with its rivals. But the
Parliamentary notices of the various schemes of the Di-
rect Northern, the London and York, and the York,
Lincoln, and Cambridge lines being now published, it is
easy to sea the grounds upon which the Direct Northern
claims a superiority over its competitors.
The principle of the Direct Northern is to take the
straightest line from London to York that the engineer-
ing circumstances will admit of.
This principle has been steadily kept in view, and
minor considerations have not been allowed to interfere
with it.
The result is a line of about 178 miles in length,
which is eight miles shorter than the London and York,
and more than forty miles shorter than the London and
Birmingham. As compared with the line proposed to
be prolonged from Cambridge, through Lincoln to
York, it is needless to say that it presents infinite
advantages.
The comparison of the different schemes must rest on
the balance of national advantage.
By the direct principle, all Scotland and the north-
eastern counties of England will gain. Every extra mile
is a tax of two-pence upon each passenger and ton of
goods, amounting on the traffic of the line to 3,0001. per
mile. A loss of eight miles in the distance between
London and York, and all North Britain, would, there-
fore, amount to 24,000/. per annum levied on the
through traffic.
Against these advantages all that can be urged is,
that the Direct Northern does not pass through certain
second-rate towns situated on the old northern post
road, such as Grantham, Newark, and Doncaster, with
an aggregate population of 32,000: towns which can
only be accommodated •by sacrificing directness and
other towns on the same route.

Thus the London and York line sacrifices Stamford
for the sake of Peterborough; and Lincoln, Gainsbo-
rough, Thorne, and Snaith for the sake of Doncaster.
If the Direct Trunk Line is constructed, branches to
meet the local wants will be made to suit it, in addition
to those for the accommodation of Bedford, St. Ives,
Grantham, Sleaford, Newark, Doncaster, and Goole,
which the present projects includes; but if the Trunk is
spoiled to meet the local demands, it will be impossible
ever to remedy it.
If the principle of local accommodation is to be looked
to exclusively, the public must adopt Mr. Hudson's line
by York, Lincoln, and Cambridge ; but if a new direct
communication from London to York be the primary
object (as it unquestionably is), then the Direct Northern
clearly has the preference.
The Lateral Line with its branches, projected by the
London and York Company for the accommodation of
Wakefield, Lincoln, and Boston, in connexion with their
main line, is nearly double as long as the whole extent
of the Direct Northern's branches, and may therefore be
expected to involve twice the cost. In fact, it forms a
line three-fourths of the length of the main trunk.
In determining the relative merits of the rival lines, it
is necessary to look beyond the present, and to consult
the wants and capabilities of the people of Scotland, and
the large masses of population at the termini.
Now it is stated by Mr. Baxendale, and other compe-
tent authorities, in evidence before the Select Committee
on Railways, that the traffic generally doubles itself in
fifteen years. The through traffic will therefore greatly
increase.

If circuitous lines be sanctioned there will be constant
fear of new schemes, whereas, if the straightest line
be in the first instance adopted, it will be safe from
future competition. On the whole, we feel con-
fident that the direct principle is the only fair and just
one, and that the population of Scotland and London
will not suffer the monopoly of the Leeds and Manchester
line, who have coalesced with the London and York, or
the scheme of Mr. lludson to save his Midlands Rail-
way, to prevail over the obvious necessities of the great
mass of the population.

PRESENTATION OF A PIECE OF
PLATE TO THE REV. THOMAS DALE, A.M. _

On Saturday a deputation of gentlemen of the parish
of St. Sepulchre's waited upon the Rev. Thomas Dale, to
present to him a handsome piece of plate, which had been
subscribed for by his friends and admirers,
Mr. Deputy BEDFORD, in presenting the testimonial,
said he felt himself particularly honoured in being soli.
cited to present this tribute. On occasions in which our
grateful country rewards her distinguished defenders,
the pride which we feel in successful valour is alloyed by
the reflection that it has been exerted at the sacrifice of
human life, and that the richest laurels ever gained by
victory have always been—always—stained by a tear.
On the present occasion, however, we can have no such
feelings ; our satisfaction is pure and perfect, for we offer
up this tribute to religion and morality, to the good
pastor who, for sixteen years, has discharged the duties
of his sacred office with unwearied kindness and atten-
tion, who has constantly enforced our duty to God and
man, and inculcated the necessity of doing kindness to our
fellow-creature, and has pointed out to us that this world
is but the passage to another, but that it is by our con-
duct in that passage that we shall be received or re-
jected in the realms of everlasting life. Accept this tri-
bute, dear sir, as some proof that your labours have not
been exerted upon an ungrateful flock, but that the re-
collection of your eminent sevices will be impressed upon
our minds, though we be separated in future from your
ministry. " Absent though not forgotten" is our motto,
and our wish is that all happiness and health may attend
you.
The Rev.THOMAS DALE acknowledged the compliment
in a speech, in which ho said, that this handsome tri-
bute, while it filled him with the deepest gratitude, would
keep alive the feeling of regret at being separated from
such dear and affectionate friends. lie should ever pray
for their welfare and happiness in this and in a better
state, and the greatest blessing of his life would be to
find that his labours had been so affectionately remem-
bered and so eminently rewarded.
This testimonial has been executed by Mr. Turner, of
Ludgate-hill. It is an epergne of exceedingly chaste and
beautiful design. From an ornamental tripoi base rises
a shaft, expanding upwards like a convolvulus flower,
and terminating in a slightly recurved border of vine
leaves and grapes. The calyx of the flower supports a
rich and massive cut glass bowl, forming the centre of
the piece, while three branches springing from the lower
part of the epergne sustain three similar cups of similar
design. The upper part of the shaft bears the following
inscription :
" Presented to the Rev. Thomas Dale, M.A., Canon
Residentiary of St. Paul's, and Vicar of St. Bride's, by
a few friends of the parish of St. Sepulchre, London, as
a token of their high estimation of his ministerial ser-
vices as an evening lecturer, during the space of 16
years, and for his great and successful exertions in pro-
moting the interests of the various charities of the
parish-1844."
The design and execution of this beautiful piece of
plate reflects the greatest credit upon the highly-re-
spectable manufactory from whence it came.

Mr. Archer, the box-book-keeper at the little
theatre in the Haymarket, will take his annual benefit
on Wednesday next, for which occasion we perceive that
an overpowering programme of performances has been
announced. The kindness and conciliatory disposition
evinced by Mr. Archer in the discharge of his duties
would have secured for him a full attendance on his be-
nefit night, independently of any other attraction.
REINSTATEMENT OF A CONVICTED INSPECTOR OF
POLICE.—Our readers will recollect that several months
since a long investigation took place at Bow-street into
the conduct of an inspector of the A division, of the
name of Tierney, who had interfered in the must un-
warrantable manner with a constable named Weaver, of
the F division, while taking into custody a friend of his
(the inspector's), named M'Bride, for a brutal assault he
had himself witnessed upon a female. After two long
investigations, one before Mr. Hall, the chief magistrate,
and the other, which lasted two days, before Mr. Jar-
dine, the inspector was convicted, and committed to a
month's imprisonment without fine, Mr. Jardine declar-
ing him unworthy to hold any situation of trust or re-
sponsibility. The inspector served his time, and months
have rolled on, but it appears has not effaced his memory
from the police authorities; for, monstrous as it may ap-
pear, this same inspector, convicted of a flagrant derelic-
tion of duty. and held by a magistrate to be unfit for any
situation of trust under Government, has been lately re-
instated to all the honours and emoluments he lost, and
is now in the G division, which, we believe, is the first
vacancy since his release from his prison, and caused by
the promotion of Inspector Shackell to the Detective
Force. If the public are to rely on the police for pro-
tection, surely they ought to have confidence in those
who compose it. A grosser attack on the liberty of ,the
subject, and more direct insult to the magistrate who
convicted cannot be given; while it is a direct infringe-
ment of the Police Act, which declares no man con-
victed of crime shall be eligible to serve. This, however,
only falls on the men, it appears; it clearly is 'not very
scrupulous as to the officers.
LONDON JOURNEYMEN BAKERS.—Saturday night
a meeting of master and journeymen bakers was held at
the New Hall, Swan-yard, St. Martin's-lane, to hear a
lecture from W. Brooke, Esq., upon the nature and ob-
jects of the " London Journeymen Bakers Provident In-
stitution." He, at great length, dilated upon the object
and nature of the institution, and stated its objects to be
threefold, viz., to provide an asylum and relief for the
aged and infirm, and their wives or widows, and
orphans : to provide district houses for the accommoda-
tion, comfort, and mental improvement of the members
of the institution. According to the lecturer, the be-
nefits of the institution were confined to journeymen
bakers residing within twelve miles of SL Paul's ca-
thedral.
The Rev. W. Harrison (morning preacher at the
Magdalen) was on Saturday elected to the office of after-
noon preacher in the chapel of the Foundling Hospital.