The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-10 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 10. 1844.

churches—effective services of national offence and
defence, as well as liberty of conscience and argu-
ment in polemical divinity and political controversy.
War, therefore, may be mai= per se, even where it
secures victory for the right; but what is peace,
where it shall only confirm and invigorate power to
the wrong ? What is the condition of a humbled and
enslaved people under the grinding oppression and
insults of their warlike conquerors, to have them-
selves eschewed and protested against war, " upon
principle ?" They turn from such bootless contem-
plations of ethical maxims which they have fallen into
whilst attempting to uphold against the unreasoning
arguments of artillery and bayonets, and raise the cry
of despair common to all in their unfortunate condi-
tion. Vcs victis

The Reading petitioners are deeply concerned at
the practice of sending our soldiers to foreign and
colonial countries, because, among other reasons, " a
large proportion of the troops so sent abroad are young
men who have left civil pursuits through the oppres-
sion on industry." Would these young men remain-
ing here, still engaged in civil pursuits, have dimi-
nished that • " oppression on industry?" Is it not
clear that their departure from a market already over-
peopled mint have proportionably lightened it ? But
it is urged, moreover, that these poor fellows " have
entered the army, ignorant of the sufferings attendant
on military life." Doubtless could they know these
beforehand, by any intelligence of instinct or pro-
phecy, nine out of every ten men would decline the ser-
vice. What then ? We have shown that if war
is not good, nay, if it be bad in itself, it is
an unavoidable necessity, at present, incident
to our imperfect nature and more imperfect
institutions. Now it is pretty evident that if we
must have war, it is better to be prepared, than not
prepared, to wage it ; and that of the two conditions,
of those who beat and those who are beaten in hostile
operations, the former is certainly to be taken for
choice. All these considerations result in confirming
our own impression that in this instance as in others,
" where ignorance is bliss 'tie folly to be wise ;" so
that it is well that our young military aspirants
are ignorant of all the sufferings of the lot
they select. How far the statistics of the
petitioners are correct, that, during the last
three years, 12,000 natives of the United Kingdom
have perished in the British dependencies and adja-
cent countries ; that the annual mortality of 1,000
European soldiers, under thirty years of age, sta-
tioned in Jamaica is upwards of 140, the average
of similar ages and numbers in Great Britain showing
a mortality of only fifteen ; and that in various gar-
risons of India, China, and Bermuda, deaths are
so frightfully numerous, that, comparatively
speaking, few British soldiers ever return home
alive from these settlements :—how far these
statements are borne out by authenticated
data we cannot, at this moment, undertake to examine.
If the allegations be founded on facts, they are calcu-
lated to excite in every mind feelings of the utmost
pain and regret, though, taking the aggregate of these
averages of military mortality in connexion with the
extended amount of the military force on which the
per centage is to be reckoned, we might be justified in
arguing, perhaps, that the results are not so ap-
palling in their disproportion to the mean mor-
tality in civil occupations, as the petitioners imagine.
But when the latter entreat the House of Commons
"as trustees of the people," not to sanction any
money votes on account of, or authorise, any fur-
ther embarkations of, troops of the United King-
dom, "to our colonial and foreign possessions,"—
we must be permitted to ask what is the alterna-
tive they contemplate ? That we should throw up
our commerce ? We could not maintain it for one
twelvemonth without our colonies. That we should
abandon our colonies? We could not exist in our
national integrity or independence for two years with-
out them. To say nothing of the solemn, the beneficent,
the ennobling destiny which Providence has charged
us with the duty of fulfilling to human civilisation, in
retaining the dominion over and administering the
government of so vast a colonial empire,—scattered
through both hemispheres, diffused over every quar-
ter of the globe, assembling under the paternal pro-
tection of our flag, races of almost every variety of
the great family of man ; exchanging the spices and
rich products of the tropics for the ocean spoils and the
paltry of the Poles—the infinite abundance of nature
fruits and treasures yielded by one temperate region
for the industrial manufactures and the productions
of art and luxury yielded by another; to say nothing
of all this—colonies to our commerce—commerce to

our colonies—both to our national force and indepen-
dence—our national force and independence to the
peace, the happiness, and the permanency of all civilised
States and institutions,—have, each to the other,inde-
feasible and absolute relations, the preservation of
which, in all their strength and harmony, is an object
ches ply purchased, indeed, by the maintenance of an
adequate army, and the constant supply of periodical
relfifs to those detachments which are stationed in
our " colonies and foreign dependencies," even under
all the disadvantages inaccurately (as we think) as-
suusted by the Reading petitioners.

All the Paris journals of Sunday contain articles on
.he 'QUEEN'S Speech, and the settlement of the Ota-
heite affair. The Opposition papers are in a tower-
ing passion with M. GUIZOT for having yielded one
iota, to Sir ROBERT PEEL ; and one of them madly
decLares that never before did France submit to such
a disgrace. Let us see on what grounds this com-
plai)o t rests. The Journal des Debats, the organ of
the :French Government, says the two Cabinets have
come to an understanding on the subject which
leav les the honour of both untouched. Some time
sincu it was announced that Mr. PRITCHARD was to
be scnt back to Otaheite, and the vessel which was to
carry him to his destination was ready to sail. At
anon her time it was said that M. GUIZOT had
con., ented to recal the Governor, M. BRUAT,
and Captain D'AUBIGNY. But the facts are—
Mr.. PRITCHARD will not return to Otaheite, M.BRUAT
will_ retain his post, and Captain D'ATJBIGNY alone be
recr 1:11ed. " The French Government," it adds, "has main-
tain r d with energy the right of its officers to remove a
turl ) ulent foreigner from the settlement, yet this will not
pre r ent the Opposition from exclaiming against such
infi &my and such cowardice. The Government has
blat c ed an act which it was just and proper to blame;
the s iolent manner in which Mr. PRITCHARD was ar-
rest e d and his close confinement. The right of removal
is OS e thing, the manner in which it may be effected
is ar) other. Mr. PRITCHARD, in having been sum-
marl' iy expelled, may have suffered not only in person
but n property, and if such is the case, an indemnity
will : be granted. These are the conditions ofthe arrange-
merAt, an illusory satisfaction for the English Opposition
and st.n enormous concession for the French Opposition:
but in reality an equitable arrangement, which does
equ a;1 honour to those who offered it, and those who
acre I ted it. Thus the two Cabinets have a claim to
the ratitude of men of sense—they have not allowed
ther a selves to be stupified by the clamours which
wer, s: poured forth against them. They have exa-
min 311 the affair, as it really exists, with a sincere
desii •E, to grant reciprocally what was just. The false
point: of honour was thrown entirely out of view, and
true dignity satisfied." If these are the conditions of
the I rangement, with what reason can the French
Opp( )s ition complain ? England has yielded more
than France. Mr. PRITCHARD has been banished
from tthe island after a cruel and unnecessary im-
prisc .n ment. M. BRUAT remains, and Captain

in lIGNY is simply recalled. But the fact is, these
La Is wish for a universal war, and they would
it a against the French Government with equal

fury .b ad it agreed to any terms of peace, however
humil'i ating for England.
The• following extract from the National is a spe-
cimen 43 f the rage displayed by the war journals :

" Tlia s the sacrifice is complete. That disgrace
which tits friends of the Government declared to be im-
possible,, which even its enemies thought improbable, has
fallen opt a France. Weary from indignation, we have
only to, ix iw down our heads, and to lament with the
bitteres t anguish over the fall of our country. Yes !
amidst the tumult of feelings which this new humilia-
tion am %kens in our heart, that which predominates is
not ang( T--it is grief. This act is one calculated by its
very nat an to provoke against the Government a re-ac-
tion so violent, so terrible ; that they dared not have
perpetrat *1 it, had they not felt assured that the heart of
the count) f.) was frozen—that greatness of feeling was
extinct—tit at its arms were invincibly enchained. The
series of 421 =illations which we have suffered for the
last fourtele t years is long and lamentable. But there is
not one o 1 them which can be compared to this. In
1840, it iriv2 s before united Europe that we retired. Now,
we bend. lye fore England alone. In 1840 it was in the
cause of a fk reign prince whom we had abandoned—now
we dese rt tt ►e cause of France herself. It might have
been co tended then that the right of the Sultan was

paramount to that of the Pacha of Egypt—now it is im-
possible to deny but that right is entirely on our side.
And we abandon our right—we sacrifice the honour of
our flag—for what ? To preserve the insolent and pre-
carious favour of England.
"It was formerly the glory of France to uphold the
law of nations against the violence of England. If war
has become more humane—if some notions of justice
have made their way among the laws which regulate in-
ternational relations, the glory of it is due to us. It is
our blood which has sealed all , these conquests of civili-
sation over barbarism. Now it is our shame which
seals the triumph of force over right. That immense
moral force which extended over the world—which op-
pressors found everywhere before them—which carried
France on to victory, has disappeared now—or has
passed into other hands. But is it possible that
France resigns herself to such a fall ? Can all
those sentiments which formed her greatness be
so weakened that she remains unmoved. If we give way
again this time, the secret of our weakness is apparent.
The world will think that, in order to obtain from us
every possible species of concession, it is sufficient to
menace us with war. If this is truly the fact—if France
is really an accomplice in the cowardice of the men who
govern her—if the hour of her decline is irrevocably
come—ah ! let us curse our past glory, let us curse the
grandeur of our recollections. The higher the fortunes
of France have been, the deeper is now her abasement."

The Commerce, though in a more calm and digni-
fied manner, blames the French Government for the
concession; and M. TRIERS' journal, the Constitu-
tionnel, thus closes a few brief remarks on the humi-
liation of France :—" No explanation is given as to
the details of this arrangement, but we know with
too much certainty that the reprimand of one of our
officers is the price of this act of conciliation, and that
for the second time within the last six months,
France has yielded, and humbled herself before Mr.
PRITCHARD."

MARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.)

RAY MARILETIS.
SMITIIFIELD.—COArSe Meadow Hay, 3/ 15s to 41 4s ;
Useful ditto, 41 6s to 4116 s ; fine Upland ditto, 41 18s to
518 s ; Clover Hay, 418 s to 616 s ; Oat Straw, 116 s to
11 8s ; Wheat Straw, 118 s to 11 10s per load. A limited
supply, and a steady trade, at the above quotations.
CUMBERLAND.—Coarse Meadow Hay, 3118 s to 4110 s;
Useful ditto, 41 12s to 51; fine Upland ditto, 513 s to
51 10s ; Clover Hay, 4112 s to 61; Oat Straw, 118 s to 11
10s; Wheat Straw, 11 lOs to 11 12s per load. Sup-
ply tolerably good, and trade firm.

-WHITECEIAPEL.—Coarse Meadow Hay, 3112 s to 414 s ;
Useful ditto, 41 6s to 41 18s ; fine Upland ditto, 51 t•
51 8s ; Clover Hay, 41 12s to 61 lOs ; Oat Straw, 1/
is to 11 8s ; Wheat Straw, 11 8s to 11 10s per load.
Both Hay and Straw met a steady inquiry at full prices.
COLONIAL
SIIGA.R.—The market for British Plantation has been
firm, but only about 400 hhds found buyers at previous
rates. The public sales have contained 6,603 bags Mau-
ritius, and 2,197 bags Bengal, nearly the whole of which
was disposed of, at and after the sale, at 46s 6d to 54s
for low to fine brown ; Mauritius, 54s 6d to 66s for low
to fine yellow ditto, and 53s 6d to 64s for mid soft yel-
low to good mid white Benares ; Bengal being in some
instances fully 6d dearer fur the better descriptions. The
quantity of British Plantation landed last week at the
East and West India Docks was 3,070 hhds, 428 tierces,
689 barrels.

COFFEE.-110 casks 103 barrels British Plantation
(chiefly fine Jamaica) at auction, only part sold at 49s to
72s for ord to fine fine ord, even palish Jamaica, 82s to
108 s for low to good mid ditto, and fine at 1203 to 128 s ;
one small lot extra fine, brought 1365.
Rust.—The quantity landed last week at the East and
West India Dock was 854 puns 63 hhds.
SALTPETRE.—Of 1,528 bags at auction only a small
portion found buyers at 25s 6d for 54 per cent, refrac-
tion, being rather cheaper ; the remainder was taken in
at 26s 6d to 27s for good 41 to 3s per cent, refraction,
which is the previous value, but at which there were no
purchasers.
TALLOW.—P. Y. C. is 41s 9d for new, and 41s to 41s 3d
per cwt for old on the spot and Town 43s 6d per cwt.
TEA.—The market is rather dull, and the deliveries
have not been quite so large.

MONE Y AND COMMERCIAL NEWS
CITY, QUARTER TO THREE.
The Cotton Market at Liverpool was rather active
yesterday, and prices were rather firmer. About 7,000
bags were sold, of which speculators took 500 American,
and exporters 500 American and 500 Sura,.—There was
a fair business doing in Shares, at steady rates, except
Dover, which were rather lower. Dublin and Belfast
Junction, 31 ; Ditto and Cashel, 81 ; Graad Junction,
Half, 108 ; Great Western, Fifths, 264 ; Liverpool and
Manchester, 204 ; Ditto, Quarters, 51 ; London and
York, 41 ; Manchester and Leeds, ex div., 1231 ; Ditto
and Birmingham, 52 ; Midland, 107 ; Sheffield and
Manchester, 921 ; South-Eastern, 391 ; Ditto, New,
121 ; Paris and Lyons, 2 ; Paris add Rouen, 39/1 ;
Newcastle and Berwick, 44.
The Gibraltar Chronicle received this morning states
as follows :
" There having been a question of certain letters, com-
promising the Spanish Consul-General in a plot to per-
suade some refugees, resident in Gibraltar, to quit the
fortress, in order to have them seized and shot on enter-
ing Spain, we have much pleasure (without entering into
the question of whatever blame may or may not
attach to Spanish agents, or others, on much
lighter accounts) in being able to say that
this particular report, founded on a partial know-
ledge of a portion of the papers above alluded to, is
not borne out by the general and complete infor-
mation that has been given to us of this correspondence ;
and we state this with peculiar satisfaction, because such
a plot would be as repugnant to all our ideas of justice
and humanity as to those we have entertained of Mr.
Estefani, who enjoys the reputation of a gentleman and
a man of honour."

The intimation which we gave yesterday under this
head that a forgery had been discovered at the Bank of
England in the transfer of stock appears well-founded.
Late in the day some of the facts connected with the
delinquency transpired. It was done by the connivance
of a clerk in the Reduced Three per Cents. transfer
office of the name of B---, who, on a forged
document, identified the party selling the Stock as the
real owner. The amount is stated at from 8,0001. to
8,2001. Stock Bank notes were taken for the Stock, and
these soon converted into gold. The delinquent clerk
and his coadjutor have, it is believed, left the country;
the former, having asked for leave of absence, not re-
turning in the time allowed, his department was hauled
over, and the forgery and transfer discovered. It is
stated that the party who connived with the Bank clerk
has been connected with the Customs.

A party whom we have just conversed with, and who
arrived last night from a tour in Scotland. describes the
progress of the harvest there as most satisfactory. Fine
weather in most quarters of the North came just in
time to prevent injury being done to the crops. The
general yield, it is confidently believed, will be a full
average.

The Consul Market has been somewhat heavy this
morning. The Bull party does not like the order of
fresh troops for Ireland. The Commissioners bought
5,000/. Consols at 991. For the Account the price must
back to 99k—a fall of one-half per cent. on yesterday's
highest point. The present ♦alue of Consols for Ac-
count is 991. It has just been mentioned to us, that the
fraudulent transfer already referred to, was in the Three
per Cent. Consols, and not in the Three per Cent. Re-
duced. The delinquents are far off, and the probability
is that the Corporation will be the loser. Bank Stock
is at 2001, Exchequer Bills at 755. premium, and India
Bonds at 945. premium.
A slight decline has taken place in the speculative
Foreign Funds to-day. Spanish Consols have receded
to 22t; Dutch TWo-and-a-Half per Cents. to 62k; Por-
tuguese Converted to 46; Spanish Three per Cents, to
34; and Colombian ex Venezuela to 134.
The demand for Railway Shares has been rather in-
active to-day. The Shares of the General Steam Na-
vigation Company have advanced to 291 or 151 prem.
Joint-stock Bank Shares are nominally the same as yes-
terday.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
3 per Cent. Consols. Annuities 293{%36%
Long Annuities. Expire sth Jan. 1860.... .....
Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan. 186 a l2 5-16
India Bonds,l,ooo_
_... .............. ...............
Ditto under 1,000. .........
Bank Stock for Account .... ..... . 200%
Consols for Account ..... ....... •••••••••••••••••••••• 99%%%
India Stock for Account 252%
Exchequer Bills, 1301. 1d
1 0001. •••••••••••••••••"••••• -- • •......• 776
75 Pm.
Ditt0.5171"........ • .... •.......... 77 :5 pm.
Ditto Advertised' ".
FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK
Columbian Bonds. 133(
Mexican Bonds, 1637, 5 per Cent. ....••
Ditto for the Account. 35%
Ditto Deferred Stock 15%
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto Converted 46
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent IIS%
Spanish Bonds, Five per Cent 1840 23 22%
Ditto Passive Bonds.
Ditto Three per Cent. ..... .................
Ditto for the Account 34
Dutch 2% per Cents
613(,
Dutch 5 per Cent 5............... .............•., lOO% %%
PRICES OF SHARES THIS DAY AT ONE.
RAILWAYS. PAID. PAR XRARIL
Birmingham and Gloucester.... 100 ......... 113 ..... to 111%
Bristol and Exeter ..«.......... .. 70 ...... ..• PO .• ..... to _...
Bristol and Gloucester 3O .... ..... 56% ...... to 56
Chester and Holyhead ....... 5 ..... 6%
Dublin and Cashel.... ........ ..... 236 ......... 104 % to
Eastern Counties .............. ..... 23 .„.•..• _
Ditto New Registered.... Sl. Go. Rd. ..•••• 134
Great Western
Ditto % Shares • ••••••••• 50 ...OM SH% to
Ditto Fifths l2 ........ 27 .....«,. to •
London aid Birmingham. lOO .219% 213 to 21$
Dit s % Shares
London and Blackwall
is •••••• 7 .•... ... to
London and Brighton .....
Ditto Loan Notes
London and Greenwich
London and South Western 41% ..... 754 to 76%
Ditto Eighths
••••••••• 2 "• •• %
to
London and Croydon
Midland Counties lOO 105 to
Birmingham and Derby......... 100 .....«., 75 , to _
Newcastle and Darlington Junet. 21 ........ sg 14 _to
North British
Northern and Eastern ...... ......... 45
Ditto Scrip l5 25% ...... to
Norwich and Brandon . ...... ...„. 0
South Eastern and Dover 33% 2S% 4 % to —.
Ditto New
York and North Midland ..... .... 50 ........
Ditto % Shares
Ditto Selby Scrip — 06% to
Orleans. Tours, and Bourdeaux
_1 ...... ... 114 to
.

Parisand .......... 90 ssi to
MANCHESTER STOCK EXCEANGE, SEPT. 9. —The
market has been active, and late prices are well main-
tained. Blackburn, Burnley, and Accrington, 8i ;
Chester and Birkenhead, 4i ; Churnet Valley, ;
Huddersfield and Manchester, 28 4 ; Manchester and
Leeds, 123 1224 ex div. ; ditto Quarters, 1 ex div. ;
Manchester and Birmingham, 524 53 ex div. ; Sheffield
and Manchester, 89490 ; South Devon, 6i ; South
Eastern, 391 39; ; York and London, 44 ; York and
Selby, Scrip, 37.

THE NEW BASTARDY LAW.—By this new enact-
ment (which is full of blunders), a woman may swear a
child before, as well as after birth ; but, when sworn
before birth, no order can be made upon the father until
the child has been born. Therefore, where the mother
of a bastard child dies before order can be obtained after
birth, the man will be " Scot free."
LIBERATION OF O'CONNELL.—The Liberals of
Finsbury are determined not to be behindhand in cele-
brating the triumph of free discussion and the assertion
of the right of the people to combine for redress of
grievances in the liberation of O'Connell and his col-
leagues by the final tribunal of appeal. A preliminary
meeting has been called for to-morrow (Wednesday)
evening, at the Belvidere Tavern, for the purpose of
appointing a committee to make arrangements for a
public dinner, at which the honest and truly independent
electors of the borough of Finsbury shall have an oppor-
tunity of expressing their feelings on the important
event which has just occurred.
FIRES.—On Saturday evening, about half-past
seven o'clock, an alarm of fire was brought into Exeter,
from Exminster. The West of England and other en-
gines were on the spot as quickly as four horses could
draw them. The fire was found to have taken place in
a straw-rick, of about 300 seams, belonging to Mr. Joseph
Rowe, at Exminster, which was consumed. Fortunately
the wind blew the flames off the rick-yard, which was
very near. lt is said the straw was set on fire. A shed
in the bonhay, at the end of the rope-walk, was burnt
the same evening.—North Devon Advertiser.
DISTRESSING DEPRIVATION.—A daughter of Mr.
Stephen Stephens, smith, of Llamlilo-fawr town, named
Anne, aged ten years, died after a few hours' illness on
Sunday, the Ist instant, at ten o'clock, also Thomas, a
son, aged three years, at three o'clock of the same day ;
and on Tuesday, the 3d inst., David, another son, aged
six years. Oa Wednesday the three were buried in the
same grave in Llandilo Churchyard. Thus, soddenly
Mr. Stephens was deprived of all his children, who, a few
hours previous were pictures of innocence and health.—
Cambrian,

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.--(THIS DAY.)
LONDON, SEPT. 10.—Wind N.V., moderate breeze,
and cloudy.
DEAL. SEPT. 9.—kVind
—Arrd. Jeannett,., Ilalfoig. Batavia, for ;
Prince of Wales, Wilson, Calcutta, for Shields. Ski.
Lalla Rookh, Algoa Bay ; Montezuma, Trinidad
Swan, Boston ; Stokesby, St. John's, New Brunswick ;
Protomelia, Calcutta.

RAMSGATE, SEPT. 9.—Arrd. Henrietta, Newcastle, for
Exeter, with damage, having been in contact with the
brig Abbotsford last night, off the Foreland.
PORTSMOUTH, SEPT. 9.—Wind N.E.—Arrd. Mohawk,
London, and sailed for China ; Persian, London, for
Sydney, with loss of topmast in a squall ; Queen, Lon-
don, for Calcutta ; Concordia, Swansea, for London,
with damage, having been in contact with a ship off
Brighton.

KINGSTOWN, SEPT. s.—Arrd. Southampton, St. John's,
New Brunswick.

DONEGAL, SEPT. 6.—Arrd. Ann, Henderson, Quebec.
GALWAY, SEPT. 6.—Arrd. ,Clarence, Thomas, Quebec.
NEWPORT, SEPT. Garrow, Jamaica ; Fellow-
ship, New York.

LEITLI, SEPT. 7.—The Fergus, of Hull, got ashore in
the Pentland Frith on the night of 4th inst., but got off
the following tide.
LIVERPOOL, SEPT. 9.—Wind N., light.—Arrd. Superb,
Short, Calcutta ; Magnificence, Whitty, Bombay ; Ber
nice, Cundy, Coquembo, sld. May 19 ; Janthe, Porter,
St. Stephen's. Sld. Resolution, Maranham ; Robert
Syers, St. Thomas ; Flora,. Latham, Ireland ; Shenan-
doab. Philadelphia ; Parana, Montreal ; Bess, New-
foundland. Off, Kingston, Burt, Calcutta ; Kathleen,
Africa ; Rosalind.

OFF BALTIMORE, SEPT. s.—Mequesta, Calcutta for
London.

FALMOUTH, SEPT. 9.—Wind N.E., moderate.—Off,
Lively, Martin, Algoa Bay ; Ocean, Antigua.
BRISTOL, SEPT. 9.—Arrd. Randall, Smith, Nevis.
HULL, SEPT. 7.—Sid. Elizabeth Holderness, St. John's,
New Brunswick.

OFF PORTLAND, SEPT. 7.—lda, RUSSCU, Rio Janerio
for Hamburgh Boning Rocquette, Batavia.
OFF CAPE CLEAR.—Carib,Ca!lcutta for Liverpool.

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT

AGAINST SENDING SOLDIERS TO FO-
REIGN AND COLONIAL COUNTRIES.

A petition from 1,240 of the inhabitants of Read-
ing, including ministers of various denominations, and
a large number of freeholders and other electors, was
lately sent to London for presentation to Parliament.
The petition is as follom :
" To the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Par-

liament assembled

" The petition of the undersigned inhabitants of Rending
and neighbourhood
Respectfully sheweth,
" That your petitioners observe with deep concern that
the practice continues of sending soldiers from these
kingdoms to various foreign and colonial stations.
" That a large proportion of the troops sent abroad
consist of young men who have left their civil pursuits
through the oppression on industry, and entered the
army, ignorant of the sufferings attendant on military
life.

" That your petitioners are informed and believe, that
during the last three years, or thereabout, there have
perished in the British dependencies and adjacent coun-
tries upwards of twelve thousand soldiers, natives of the
United Kingdom.
" That the annual mortality among one thousand
European soldiers, under thirty years of age, stationed
in Jamaica, is upwards of one hundred and forty—and
that in the various garrisons in India, China, and
Bermuda, the deaths are fearfully numerous—so that
comparatively few British soldiers from 'these settle-
meats ever return home.

" Your petitioners desire to express their conviction,
that no Government has a right to require of citizens
services so dreadful, and attended with such awful
sacrifice of human life.

" They, therefore, beseech the House of Commons—
as the trustees of the people—not to sanction, by votes
of money or otherwise, any further embarkation of
troops from the Unitcd Kingdom to foreign or colonial
countries."

BOY DROWNED.-011 Sunday last, about one
o'clock, a little boy named Briggs, about seven or eight
years of age, was drowned in the Clyde, immediately
below the old bridge. He had been attempting to cross
the river, immediately underneath one of the arches of
the bridge, on the south side, and having fallen, was
carried away by the stream into the smooth water below.
A small boat with several individuals in it happened to
be near the spot at the time, and those on board made
an ineffectual effort to save him. One of the party
stretched out his hand and all but caught hold of the
drowning boy ; he missed him, however, and imme-
diately the poor fellow sunk. The circumstance was
observed by a number of people from the shore, who
formed the impression that the boat's crew did not
exert themselves so energetically as they might have
done, and they were in consequence loudly condemned.
One thing is certain, that the appearance of the boat at
the scene of the accident prevented some persons from
rushing at first into the river to the boy's assistance, as
no doubt was entertained that it would be the means of
saving him. The moment he sank, however three or
four men stripped, and swimming to the spot used the
most strenuous exertions to bring him up. These offorts
were, however, found unavailing, the body having pro-
bably been carried quickly down the channel. The un-
tortunate boy was the son of a man named Briggs, for-
merly resident in Gorbals, but who sometime ego ab-
sconded, on being charged with the murder of M'Peak,
the nailer.— Glasgow National.
SAVINGS'-BANKS.—At the present period, the Act
which was passed on the 9th ult. is under the considera-
tion of the managers of several savings'-banks, on the
subject of the rate of interest to be allowed to depositors.
The interest payable to trustees is to be at the rate of
31. ss. per cent., and by trustees to depositors it is " not
to exceed 31. Os. 10(1. per cent.," the difference of 4s. 2d.
a year in every 1001 being allowed to the trustees for
the expenses of the respective establishments. It is
understood that a good deal of diversity of opinion pre-
vails with managers, and that the absence of any fixed
sum to be allowed to depositors will cause a good deal of
confusion. It is said that the savings'-banks cannot pay
to depositors 31. Os. 10d. per cent., as the remainder
allowed by the National Debt-office would not cover their
expenses, and that 21. 18s. 4d. would be a fair sum to be
allowed as interest to depositors, which rate, it is consi-
dered, would yield an immense sum to offices where the
amount deposited consists of a large sum, and embraces
within their grasp a number of fractional sums on which
they would pay no interest, but reap all the advantages
of the same. It would have been much better if the
Government had fixed the sum to be paid to depositors,
for of all persons those who have recourse to savings'-
banks to provide for what they call theic old age, should
not be left in any doubt of their rights under an Act of
Parliament. The provision mentioned is to come into
operation on the 20th of November-next. There are 23
sections in the Act. By the sth section it is provided,
that in the rules of every savings'-bank every depositor
therein shall, once in every year at least, cause his de-
posit-book to be produced at the office of the said insti-
tution for the purpose of being examined. Two copies
of rules, to be made or amended by the savings'-banks,
are to be submitted to Mr. Tidd Pratt, who is to return
one copy, and to send the other to the National Debt-
office. The practice of depositing rules with clerks of
the peace is now repealed.
EXTRAORDINARY FORTITUDE.—Late on Friday
evening Mr. Payne held an inquest at St. Thomas's
Hospital on the body of Frederick Cockle, aged thirty-
six, late engineer to the Belfast steamboat, running be-
tween London and Calais. It appeared in evidence that
on the morning of the 24th, as the vessel was about leav-
ing her moorings at Calais, deceased was just descend-
ing into the engine-room, when his foot slipped on an
iron grating, distant six inches from the floor, and he fell
into the room with his right leg doubled beneath him.
The consequence was severe fracture of the principal
bone of the limb. The mate not being aware of the
severe nature of the injury, did not put him on shore,
but dreading some accident to the vessel in her home-
ward voyage, entreated him to work her through it. He
did so, and on the vessel arriving in the river, deceased
(the injury having been augmented by his labouring at
the engine during the voyage) was removed to the above
hospital, and underwent immediate amputation. The
operation did not succeed from the first, and deceased
died on Thursday evening last. The Coroner eulogised
the courageous patience of the deceased under the pain
he must have endured during the labours of the voyage,
and trusted the owners of the vessel and the passengers
by it on the occasion would not forget his widow and
large family, which it appeared he had. Verdict—Ac
cidental Death.

THE Moons.—Partridge shooting is so little
thought of here that no active preparations were made
for the Ist of September. Our fields are not yet suffi-
ciently clear of crop to give room for this amusement ;
but we hear that there is abundance of birds, all strong
and vigorous on the wing. At Beaufort F. M. Seel,
Esq., bagged 25 brace in a-few hours, From the Moors
there is no further intelligence of stated numbers having
been shot ; but judging from the quantities of grouse
which daily make their entrance and exit by every con-
veyance to and from Inverness, the bills must still be
yielding abundance to those able and willing to endure
the scorching rays of the sun.-- Inverness Courier.
A blind carrier from Stainton, in Cleveland, well
known at Stockton and the neighbourhood by the panic
of " Blind Sam," has been ellgaged at harvest work in
the fields during the last week, binding sheaves, &c.,
which he has done in a very workman-like manner.
The Little Western, belonging to the General
Steam Navigation Company, having upwards of 600 pas-
sengers on board coming from Ramsgate, observing the
royal yacht, diverged from her direct course to give the
passengers the pleasure of witnessing the departure of
the Queen. The Little Western came alupgside the
royal yacht, a little below Blaek-tail Beacon, and accom-
panied the royal yacht for about two miles. The Queen,
from the cabix window, and his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, on the quarter-deck,graciously bowed in acknow-
ledgment of the hearty cheers with which the passengers
on board the Little Western greeted her Majesty. The
noble appearance of thi,, fine vessel attracted the parti-
cular attention of all on board the royal yacht.

SUPPOSED MURDER, NEAR LLANDILO.—On Sunday
last, in a field belonging to the farm of lihydygwith, in
the parish of Llandilo-fawr, Camarthenshire, the body
of a girl, about eighteen 3 ears of age (a servant of the
house), was discovered dead, and her throat frightfully
cut. About forty yards from her body a knife was
found, supposed to be the weapon by which the fatal
deed was accomplished. The knife, when found, had no
..y
marks of blood upon it, but was quite clean, which cir•
cumstanct rather remarkable.
.{~ coroner's jur sat
on Tuesday, and was adjourned to Wednesday, when a
verdict of " Wilful Murder," against some person or per-
sons unkown was returned.—Cumbrian.