The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-18 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

TEE CRIMES; A GOBLIN STORY,
Chapman and Hall, London, 1844.
iistAllr. Dickens's " Christmas Carol," which was pub-
ed about this time last year, was unquestionably
the most effective hit that this popular author ever
kade• The spirit that pervaded it was so thoroughly
Catholic; its purpose was so benevolent; its humour
obvious, unforced, and seasonable in its character ;
and its mixture of the imee'inative and the matter-of-
fact so dexterously
lidiov ; f an
deasily managed, the one
sli into tr:c other imperceptibly and without the
apparent effort, that it could scarcely fail to
Please all classes of readers. Then, too, there was
such abundant feasting going on in every chapter-
-401 boisterous merry-makings--such relishing de-
scriptions of Christmas dinners in high life, in middle
lire, and in low life—that so far from being surprised
that it reached a tenth edition, our only surprise is
that it has not yet reached a twentieth. It rarely
falls to the lot of even the most successful author to
make two such hits in a life-time; and accordingly
e amusing little story before us—though
it contains some passages equal in force and
,amour to any that Mr. Dickens ever wrote—
" a whole, inferior both in conception and excess-
°lli to his "Christmas Carol." In so saying, we
Itre far from meaning to imply that it is an indifferent
Production, but only that it is not to be put in com-
Par'
13on with the author's acknowledged masterpiece.
The hero is Trotty Veck, an elderly, simple-minded
ttiheket-porter, whose usual post is near the door of a
st, urch, to whose chimes—like Quasimodo in Victor
140315.°5 " Notre Dame"—he has long been in the
1
e I‘ of listening with a sort of vague, mysterious
11,8 e of mingled awe and pleasure. One day, while
hek!ing for a job in the convivial Christmas season,
is agreeably surprised by the sight of his only
„ughter Meg, with a plateful of tripe in her hand,
"jell, she has brought for her father's dinner. While
the
th old man is busy doing justice to this dainty on
Lea door-steps of an Alderman's house, Meg's sweet-
t) Richard, comes up, and a little innocent flirtation
C:S on between the young couple, which is, however,
rtlY interrupted by the appearance of Alderman
ate, and his two friends—one, a political economist,
and
hi the other a disciple of the " Young England"
rejult will enter into conversation with Trotty, the
of which is to convince him that he is a very
ached,b worthless fellow who has no business to be
the ing the earth with his presence. Soon after
Y leave him, he goes to the house of a pompous
rsnet who proclaims himself the friend of the poor
411 d talks with prodigious self-complacency of his dis-
:haltedveidntedoevotion to the cause of the lower classes ;
entraad
delivered the letter with which he was
zhiriendiesst,his pompous patron of the destitute and
Trotty returns home, and there, like
phi llnnyan, " dreams a dream" about the church
sisve"ra) which heimagines make all sorts of wonderful
146411°ns respecting himself, his daughter, and his
~,;:ed son-in-law, Richard. The story concludes
tri" his waking up from his dream, and finding his
thet'cls about him, anxious to celebrate the nuptials of
510 Young couple. This is but a faint outline of the
thltrt aeY, which, however, is exceedingly meagre in its
thit ter, and is far less'obvious and useful in its moral
n the " Christmas Carol." Nevertheless, it contains
clever, and some few brilliant passages, which
Lone but Box " could have written, and which are
taleui
stated to make a profound impression on the mind
eb`a, le
reader. There are also several admirable touches of
hi aster interspersed throughout it, and some caustic
at the pseudo-philanthropy of certain well-known
paticians
• The humour, too, is excellent, though it
not ezu, always free from the author's besetting vice of
tir:geration, who, in his love of drollery, is some-
" apt to run a joke fairly off its legs. As a fa-
th,lirfb, le sample of his more serious manner, we quote
tilb
t,;`)ll°wing speech of a destitute labourer, which is
of rtle(-1 to be delivered at a meeting of the Friends
ile poor.
to.oltsa lagged visitor—for he was miserably dressed—
' iliern'llud upon the company, and made his homage
e-ntrth a humble bow.
Loot at
tia'folks," he said, " You've drunk the Labourer.
44, jj"t cerne from gaol," said Mr. Fish.
the first come collie from gaol," said Will. " And neither for
191.11111;ime, nor the second, nor the third, nor yet the
kr
*,48 • Filer was heard to remark testily, that four times
11itnseif. orer the average ; and he ought to be ashamed of
Yo Gentlefolks I" repeated Will Fern. _ ‘h‘
hurt
tookr aitiamrme
14 11 see I'm at the worst. Beyond all
(~,),(-lad your help; for the time when your kind words
hi,kLlnci actions could have done Ms. good e. struck
upon his breast and shook his head—" is gone,
11'ith
4 the scent of last year's beans or clover OR the air.
to me e say a word for these," pointing to the labouring
111;11te in the hall ; "and when you're met together, hear
The Truth spoke out for once."
tt; re's not a man here," said the host, "who would
e,hirn for a spokesman."
15,44:'-'ike enough, Sir Joseph. I believe it. Not the
on true, perhaps, is what I say. Perhaps that's a proof
You Gentlefolks, I've lived many a year in this place.
4,7 may see the cottage from the sunk fence over yon-
a,,e'ti I've seen the ladies draw it in their books a hun-
.l)tit times. It looks well in a picter, I've heerd say ;
for there ant weather in pictcrs, and maybe 'tis fitter
thereat than for a place to live in. Well ! I lived
now hard—how bitter hard I lived there, I
t
Cali,,Say. Any day in the year, and every day, you
44,1tuge for your own Selves.
fotnA as he had spoken on the night when Trotty
"zoo ,kuinl in the street, His voice was deeper, and
Nitrh- "sky, and had a trembling in it now and then ;
rl, ever raised it, passionately, and seldom lifted it
',lll@ firm stern level of the homely facts he stated.
tip, 'S harder than you think for, gentlefolks, to grow
troweeellt : commonly decent : in such a place. That I
1,11 e,;(112, a man and not a brute, says something for
I WAS then. As lam now, there's nothing can
441" for me, or done for me. I'm past it."
401 --"' glad this man has entered," observed Sir
,
k /A,
eri looking round serenely. " Don't disturb him.
%aaears to be Ordained. He's an Example ; a living
it a,Tif le• I hope and trust, and confidently expect, that
ai not be lost upon my friends here."
;„citt'agged on," said Fern, after a moment's silence.
Qllt°-",e,now. Neither me nor any other man knows how: ;
;),!: en%,ray3', that I couldn't put a cheerful face upon it,
'oq-^e believe that I was anything but what I was.
bile„' gentlemen—you gentlemen that sits at Sessions—
you see a man with discontent writ on his face,
)11cibt'Lls to one another, he's suspicious. I has my
It)* says you, about Will Fern. Watch that fel-
-1 asl don't say, gentleman, it ain't quite nat'ral, but
doe 'tis ; and from that hour, whatever Will Fern
or lets alone—all one—it goes against him.".
Deelt!ertnsa Cute stuck his thumbs in his waistcoat•
„-'l, and leaning back in his chair and smiling, winked
;'el,ghbouring chandelier. As much as to say, "Of
bless I told you so. The common cry ! Lord
tad -hwe are up to all this sort of thing—myself
' ivittnan nature."
ast4'2w, gentlemen," said Will Fern, holding outf his
Ss, -Land flushing for an instant in his haggard ace.
We'r„ 'Ow your laws are made to trap and hunt us when
V ; 'Plight to this. I tries to live elsewhere. And I'm
tees';'°lld. To gaol with him ! I comes back here.
lii;L'ltittitig in your woods, and breaks—who don t?—f
Yoili",_"er branch or two. To gaol with him I One o
tateh"ePers sees me in the broad day, near ,
my own
has of garden, with a gun. To gaol with him .
agai a nat'ral angry word with that man, when I'm free
To gaol with him ! I cuts a stick. To gaol
Bch ! I eats a rotten apple or a turnip. To gaol
It's twenty mile away ; and coming back, I
til; a trifle on the road. To gaol with him ! At last,
doe.cmstable, the keeper—anybody—finds me anywhere,
am 111 g an thing. To gaol with him, for he's a vagrant,
ROO g4o,llird known ; and gaol's the only home he's
" 'l4 Alderman nodded sagaciously, as who should say,
'4 l'er.) good home, too !"
,t` WEI° I say this to serve MY cause!"
give m
cried Fern,
,c!,, can give me back my liberty, who can
Illee,.;1 good name, who can give me back my innocent
' Not all the Lords and Ladies in wide England.
akentlernen, gentlemen, dealing with other men like
honloegin at the right end. Give us, in mercy, better
hefts When we're a laying in our cradles ; give us
kin-aA°O(.l when we're a working for
,our lives ; give us
ander -
laws to bring us back when we re a going wrong;
tlon don't set gaol, gaol, gaol, afore us, every where we
Lah' There ain't a condescension you can show the
trat:llf.r,er then, that he won't take, as ready and as
I,lllliut as a man can be ; for he has a patient, peaceful,
him heart. But you must put his rightful spirit in
me, orst ; for whether he's a wreck and ruin, such as
i 8 like one of them that stand here now, his
I;arni 4,'s divided from you at this time. Bring it back,
N)in,:l°lks, bring it back ! Bring it back, afore the day
and
.when even his Bible changes in his altered mind,
times words seem to him to read, as they have some-
Roes read in my own eyes—in gaol : Whither thou
lod'Can Not go ; where thou lodgest, I do Not
rey[(3,c3 I
o;cith, ?r,
people are Not my people ; Nor thy God
Trot ""den stir and agitation took place in the Ball.
the Y
,thought at first, that several had risen to eject
lint . and hence this change in it 3 appearance.
all tiel'tlether moment showed him that the room and
his c. "mpany had vanished from his sight, and that
Itutl'tughter was again before him, seated at her work.
15. 1.4:4„ Poorer, meaner garret than before ; and with
"'an by her side.

heresy, which is now exciting such a commotion in ' FATAL STEAM-110AT COLLISION
the Church :—" Tractarianism is an error of the most OFF GREENWICH.
subtle and deadly character; it is a poison-drop in the Another awful accident (an announcement of which
cup of the water of life. It is not a party question; appeared in our Third Edition of last night),
it is one that affects the Church of Christ in its grant involving the loss of two lives end the ptrll;
and distinctive features, and which every member of ling of many others, ocCurred oh the river yester-
that Church is bound to repudiate. I speak strongly ; day afternoon, during the fog, by two steam-boats
I have reason to do so, for I shall never cease to bless coming into collision. The one is the Orwell, Rackham
and thank God that my eyes have been opened to see master, running from London to Ipswich, a steamer of
230 tons burthen, and SO-horse power, and the other is
my own danger. I know of no one whose natural
the Sylph, Swaisland master, of 32-horse power, be-
heart was more inclined to approve the doctrines of
the Tractarian party, or whose natural taste was more longing to the Woolwich Steam-boat Company, and
disposed to be captivated by the seducing appeals to plies between London and Woolwich. In this terrible
contact, it appears, the vessels did not meet each other
the imagination which they put forth." In his
stem to stem ; but the Orwell, more than double the.size
Sermons, which immediately follow the preface, the and power of the other, encountered with her bows the
Author takes every opportunity of impressing on his Sylph's broadside, about ten feet forward from the right
readers the danger of their paying the slightest atten- paddle-box, and, carrying that part of the vessel in, cut
tion to the jesuitical appeals of the Tractarians, and through the fore cabin, and brought up on the opposite
the absolute necessity of their strictly abiding by the side, nearly rending the ill-fated vessel in two.
Word of God as revealed in Holy Writ. These ad- Thus the yes els lay for some minutes, the water
monitions he enforces in earnest, energetic terms, and rushing into the wreck of the Sylph, and the only means
does not hesitate to repeat, whenever the course of of escape for the passengers in the fore cabin being en-
histirely blocked pip. When, however, the Orwell backed
argument leads him, directly to the condemnation
of Tractarian tenets. His Sermons are penned in astern, the Sylph was consequently inundated ; but her
water-tight compartments with which she was fitted,
plain, perspicuous language, without ornament or
metaphor, and can hardly fail to make a favourable which were not ruptured, kept her from going down
altogether; and when the water had drained into the
impression on their readers, if only from the evident foremost bulkhead, the sternmost parts of the vessel,
tone of unaffected sincerity that pervades them. For- including the engine-room, were afloat, and remained so
tunately, also, they are all short, and may be easily until she was towed ashore by the Witch, Young
read at a sitting, which is no ordinary recommends- master, another of the Woolwich Company's steam-
tion to compositions of this sort. boats, when she then settled, and the tide flowed over
her, showing her funnel, at nine o'clock, about ten feet
above the water.
The details were with much difficulty elicited, neither
the parties on board the Orwell nor those of the Sylph
showing any great willingness to talk on the matter;
but, as regards the crew of the Sylph, the sudden danger
which overwhelmed them, and their narrow escape from
destruction, had almost paralysed their faculties ; the
master fell into a state of stupor after the event, and the
crew knew nothinc, more than that they had to scramble
for their lives on board the Orwell and into the boats,
and finding them secure, they next turned their attention
to the salvation of the passengers. The statements by
each party as to the precise spot at which the accident
occurred are at variance ; but they will, doubtless, be
properly investigated at the coroner's inquest.
It appears that the Sylph was on her trip from Lon-
don to IVoolwich. She landed passengers at Greenwich
and embarked others, and, with about thirty in all, at
two o'clock, in a dense fug, had left the pier at Green-
wich, and was standing out to the middle of the
River towards Blackwell. They had just got outside the
vessels lying off Greenwich, and whilst opposite the
lower end of the Hospital Wharf, and proceeding
across from the southern or Greenwich side towards
the opposite shore, as her people allege, about the
middle of the River, the Orwell suddenly came upon
them with the terrific effects above related. One man
who was on board, and belonged to the Sylph, was in the
cabin at the time, taking the money. He states that
there were eight or nine persons there, and hearing the
captain of the Sylph call out suddenly, " Ease her—
stop her—run astern, in quick succession, he went on
deck just in time to witness the Orwell on board of them
He immediately jumped on board the Orwell, but seeing
that the Sylph did not sink, he returned tothat:vessel to
render all the assistance he could. Another of the crew
of the Sylph, who was at the wheel, saw just through the
fog the Orwell comins, on board of them, and imme-
diately the bows uf the Orwell cut through the side of
the Sylph. He also scrambled on board the former vessel,
thinking the latter would sink, and, on recovering from
the fright, assisted in saving the passengers. The Orwell
lay across the bows of the Sylph, and the passengers
in the forward part of the v:ssel rushed on board the
Orwell on her larboard bow, and as many of the pas-
sengers aft as could reach her also got on board. A
great number of watereien's boats had put off from
all the wharfs of Greenwich on hearing the tre-
mendous crash and the terrible shriek of the passengers
on board the vessels at the concussion, and re-
ceived as many of the crew and passengers as they
could get at, or who found their way to them. Some
passengers on board the Sylph, and the boatmen, then
begged the Orwell's people to go astern, and when they
did so, the water rushing into the cabin floated the bodies
of those out who had been there confined, the Sylph
lifting also when relieved of the weight. The scene
then was of the most heartrending description. The
poor creatures in the water were struggling to keep
afloat, and clutched at every thing they fancied within
reach. Four women who thus floated out of the cabin
were secured. One of them had an infant in her arms,
and holding the infant, and at the same time grasping
the splinters of the wreck in the greatest possible human
agony, turned to the people with the most piteous sup.
plication, saying, " For God's sake, save me." Her
appeal was not made in vain, for she was saved and her
child too. In the meanwhile the crew, who had returned
to the Sylph, with the assistance of the crew of the Or-
well and the watermen, picked up two or three other
females, one of whom was hauled out of the cabin by the
steersman ; and two children, floating on the water, were
also saved and taken on board the Orwell. Just as the
Orwell was coming on board, a woman was sitting on
the cabin skylight, and most probably owed her life to
one of the crew calling to her, " For God's sake, go aft.'
The Witch steamer, above alluded to, had passed the
Sylph just before the accident occurred, on her way from
Blackwall to Greenwich. She had scarcely got to the
pier at the latter place, when those on board heard the
crashing sound of the collision, and at the same moment
the thrilling shrieks of those whose lives were jeopardised
pierced their ears through the thick mist. The master
having left the Orwell some distance astern in his pas-
sage from Blackwall, instantly guessed the reason of the
awful sounds and cries, and, landing his passengers in
the quickest time possible, was at the scene of the disaster.
By the time he arrived there the Orwell had run astern,
and had got clear of the wreck. The Sylph had sunk
forward, but her aftermost part still floated, the water
not having reached the midships nor aftermost bulk-
heads. She was lying across the river, and lots of boats
:,
were round the vessel endeavouring to get out any bodies
which might have been in the fore-cabin, then under the
water. Eight persons had floated out of it and had been
secured. The Witch attached a tow-rope to the stern
of the Sylph and towed her ashore off Colechild's Wharf,
and while so doing the watermen hooked out two men
from the fore-cabin and continued groping for others.
When they got the Sylph ashore her afterpart was
then above water; but she gradually filled as she
grounded.
Of the passengers those who were so fortunate as to
get on board the Orwell, or to get into watermen's
er et
o takendi
ff er oe
nu
tt
ponfb
lthee. co au bs
ei cabin
aanndd
the t heD wr
eaat
de .
r
boats, were landed at the opposite wharf, or at the pier ;
twheorsee
conveyedw.l o iS.
nought, seamen's hospital-ship.
One of the men was dead when taken up, and his
death must have been caused by being jammed to the
side of the Sylph by the cutwater of the Orwell. He
presented a shockingly-mutilated appearance. Over his
left temple was a gaping wound, laying open the skull
for nearly three inches ; his shoulder-bone was protrud-
ing ; the left arm was broken, his hands were crushed,
and his right thigh was shattered. It would seem that
he was putting on or had taken off a boot, as he had but
one on, and the stocking en his other foot was sound.
He was a man about 40 years of age, and was neither
claimed nor recognised for some time. About half a
dozen duplicates were found on him, bearing the name
of Shepheard, and ls. Gd. in silver. He wore a smock-
frock and corduroy breeches, with leather leggings. lie
was taken to the Union public-house, where he lies
awaiting the coroner's inquest. It is said that he was a
hawker, and lived in Kent-street, in the Borough.
The other poor fellow was evidently drowned. He
exhibited symptoms of animation when taken up, but
when he was brought on board the Dreadnought, at
forty minutes past two o'clock, every means was used to
restore sensibility, but without effect, and the body was
given up to the parish authorities at Greenwich, and
conveyed to the bone-house. His name is unknown ; he
was a labouring man, and apparently about thirty years
of age.
The others were all females. Miss Williams, of
Woolwich, Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Morris, and Mrs. Rennelt,
were supported to the Golden Anchor public-house,
where they fainted on arriving. They were put to bed,
and restoratives having been applied by Messrs. Appleton
and Downing, snrgeons, they soon recovered. Their
friends arrived at the tavern for them, and at Woolwich
one or two had left, and the others were expected to
follow to their homes. To the Chest Tavern a female
was conveyed, slightly hurt, and at the Torbay Hotel a
woman and child were taken. The child was insensible,
but under care of a surgeon both recovered sufficiently
to be removed. On board the Dreadnought three
females were conveyed at twenty-five minutes past two,
named Maria Green, Rachel Tustin, and Esther
Sullivan. They were put to bed, and the two latter
left the ship as soon as their clothes were dry. Mrs.
Green, up to two hours after the accident, had bewailed
the loss of her infant ; but, to her great joy, which
mothers only can truly estimate, it was restored to her
in safety. This poor woman received a blow on her
face, but she was well enough to quit the Dreadnought
last night.
The master of the Orwell states that he anchored at
Sea-reach last night, in consequence of the weather,
and that he came slowly up the river yesterday ; that he
was on the northern side of the river, which was his
right course, and that the Sylph was going across the
river at the time of the accident, probably to feel her
way down to Blackwell by the northern shore. The
Orwell was as close to that shore as her safety would
admit, and if the Sylph had headed the Orwell she must
pidly
towards have run aground. He saw the Sylph, when within 100
the
Orwella ci nc
yards, and called out to stop the engines ; but the Sylph
dr
s masterhimwithf
igdt eshioei could
noto
he preventd the
place oeo tl lh ies theon
r way on h
.cv
eAI
lst
sooooknt
on
Off' es
his coat, and, with his crew, rendered every assistance in
their power to preserve life and property.
The Orwell went alongside the G. reenwich Pier,
landed her passengers, who proceeded thence to their
respective destinations, and also landed her cargo. She
starts again to-day for Ipswich, but the master remains
on account of the expected coroner's inquest. The
Or-
well has sustained no damage.
It was expected that the tide would leave the Sylph
dry at low water, at midnight, when it would be ascer-
tained if any more bodies were in the cabin. In all
probability, however, all who were there have been ac-
counted for.
This sad accident drew a great number of persons to
Greenwich from Woolwich, Blackwall, and London, to
make inquiries after their friends, and up to a late hour
last night the wharfs opposite the wreck were crowded
with people,

JOYS AND SORROWS.
Dorton and Clarke, London, 1844.

" Joys and Sorrows" is the apt title of a prose tale,
written by Mrs. Sherwood, expressly for the enter-
tainment and instruction of young people. It is no
easy thing, as has been often remarked, to pen a popular
child's book, but the authoress of the story before us
has, we think, succeeded in her experiment, and pro-
duced a work calculated, by the simplicity of its lan-
guage and incidents, to be a great favourite with
youth. The volume is neatly printed, and is embel-
lished with two pleasing engravings.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
(RECEIVED THIS DAY.)

ASHDOWN-PARK COURSING MEETING.
TUESDAY.

THE GOLD Cup.—Mr. Flesher's Empress ran a bye
(Mr. J. Parkinson's dog absent) ; Mr. J. Matthews'
Brilliant beat Mr. E. Jones's Jim-along-Josey ; Mr. F.
Palmer's Perseverance beat Mr. Etwell's Empress ; Mr.
F. Parkinson's !Pirate beat M. Meyrick's Cruiskeen ;
Mr. Fowles's Feathers beat Mr. Rake's Regent ; Mr.
H. Miler's Polly ran a byc (Mr. Dunsford's Daphne
absent) ; Mr. Etwall's The Winner ran a bye (Captain
Wyndham's dog absent) ; Mr. Lawrence's Leda beat
Mr. Bowles's Blacksmith's Daught( r.
THE CRAVEN PUPPY STAKES.—Mr. Etwall's Elastic
beat Mr. F. Palmer's Picknick ; Mr. Gordon's Crape
beat Dr. Sweeny's Gem; Mr. Fowles's Frighten 'em
ran a bye.
Coursing put a stop to by the fog.
MANCHESTER —TUESDAY.
DERBY.

10 to 1 agst Alarm—off
18 to 1 agst Idas
20 to 1 agst Cobweb colt
20 to 1 agst Kedger
25 to 1 agst Pam—t
25 to 1 agst Y. Eelipse—offd
30 to 1 agst Newsmonger

CHESTE
40 to 1 agst Portobello—t
40 to 1 agt Extempore
Very lit'

33 to 1 agst colt out of
Calypso's dam—offered
33 to I agst Rebecca c.—t
33 to 1 agst Old England
33 to 1 agst Weatherbit
6to 1 agst Scott's lot---
offers to take

EA CUP.
40 to 1 agst Ratan
40 to 1 agst Morpeth.
tle done.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, TUESDAY. —Their Royal Highnesses
the Duke and Duchess of Saxe Coburg and Gotha,
and the Duke Ernest of Wurtemberg, attended by
Baroness de Wangenheim, Baron de Alvensleben,
Baron de Wangenheim, Captain Vyner, and Captain
Francis Seymour (especially commanded to attend
the royal party to Dover), left the Castle this morn-
ing at a quarter before eleven o'clock, via Great
Western and Dover Railways, en route to Ostend.
The Queen and Prince Albert came to the door of
the principal entrance to take leave of their royal
relatives. There were also present the Marchioness
of Douro, the Hon. Misses Stanley and Hamilton,
the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, the Hon. and Rev. C.
L. Courtenay, Sir George Couper, and Sir Edward
Bowater.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent arrived
at the Castle early, to breakfast with the royal party
previous to their departure.

The Marchioness of Douro and Lord Charles
Wellesley were prevented from joining the dinner
circle yesterday evening, in consequence of the death
of the Lady Anne Culling Smith.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on
horseback this morning, attended by Major-General
Sir Edward Bowater.
The Countess of Charlemont has succeeded the
Marchioness of Douro as the Lady in Waiting on
the Queen.
Viscount Hawarden has arrived at the Castle, and
has succeeded the Earl of Hardwicke as the Lord in
Waiting on her Majesty; and Admiral Sir Robert
Otway has succeeded Colonel Berkeley Drummond as
the Groom in Waiting.
The three German Dwarfs, the Brockstead Family,
had the honour of performing before the Queen,
Prince Albert, the illustrious visitors, and the Court,
yesterday evening, at the Castle, when her Majesty
was graciously pleased to express her approbatien of
their performance.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of
Saxe Coburg and Gotha, the Duke Ernest of Wur-
temberg and suite, arrived at the Paddington terminus
of the Great Western Railway at twenty minutes
before twelve o'clock yesterday, by a special train,
from Slough. Their Royal Highnesses, attended by
Captain Francis Seymour, left the terminus, with
their suite, in four carriages, for the station of the
South-Eastern Railway, at the Bricklayers' Arms, to
proceed to Dover.
Lord Charles Fitzroy, M.P., the Mayor of Bury
St. Edmonds, Mr. W. 11. Sams, Mr. Eagle, Sir John
Rennie, Mr. Maltby, Mr. Leech, and Mr. Sparke
solicitors, a deputation from the London and Norwich
Direct Railway, bad an interview with the Earl of
Dalhousie on Friday, at the office of the Board of
Trade.
A deputation from the North Devon Railway, by
Tiverton, South Moulton, and Barnstaple, to Ilfra-
combe, bad an interview with the Earl of Dalhousie
yesterday, at the Board of Trade.
Dispatches from Sir Charles Metcalfe, Governor-
General of Canada, and also from the Governors of
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, were received yes-
terday a: the Colonial-office.

GAME-LAWS, AND THEIR ADMI-
NISTRATION IN SUSSEX.

UCKFIELD BENCH OF MAGISTRATES.
R. S. STREATFIELD, Esq., Chairman.
A little farmer, named Cornwell, occupying about
forty acres of land at Black Boys, was charged with
snaring a hare, by a gentleman named Ilughea, whose
land adjoins Corn well's.
The fact of the hare being caught in a hare-snare
being proved,
Cornwell, in his defence, said that the prockee of
his land being greatly damaged by rabbits and hares,
he admitted that he had set snares, as he believed he
had a right to do on his own land, for rabbits ; and if
the snare was a hare-snare, it was more than he knew,
for he neither was nor wished to be a poacher, and
certainly had no intention to use a hare-snare. When
he went in the morning to look at what he thought
his rabbit-snare, he was astonished to find a hare in it,
and threw it down. Mr. Hughes and his game-
keeper were, however, on the other side of the hedge,
on Mr. Hughes's land, watching him, and the moment
he threw the hare down they came over upon his
(Cornwell's) land and took the hare away ; and he
(Cornwell) now asked the Bench whether Mr.
Hughes had any right to come on his land and take
the hare away ?
Mr. STREATrIELD—We don't sit here to give legal
rdvice ? You had better ask Mr. Gell (the clerk) ; he
will only charge you 6s. Bd., or if in writing, only 21 s.
Mr. DONOVAN, jun., another magistrate, said he
thought that Mr. Hughes had no more right to go on
defendant's land than upon his (Mr. Donovan's.)
Mr. STREATFIELD then told the defendant that, as
the hare was on his own land, he was fined only 405.,
andeests 155., and that he must either pay the fine or
go to gaol for two months.
The defendant still delayed • paying the fine, and
expressed a desire to know if another person could
legally seize a hare on his land; but Mr. Streatfield
directed a policeman to remove him, upon which the
defendant paid the fine.
The circumstance has excited strong feelings in the
neighbourhood, and the conduct and tone of the
Chairman of the Uckfield Bench are freely commented
upon.—Brighton Herald,

TRACTARIANISM NOT OF GOD.
Longman, London, 1844.
l' his preface to this volume of Sermons, the
el:th°r3 the Rev. C. Taylor, of Chester, thus strongly
Presses himself on the subject of the Tracterian

rtiE SUS, LoNiYON, WEDNESDAY EVEN NG, DECEMBER 18 1344.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Yesterday afternoon the utmost sensation was created
along the water-side and at the various steam-boat piers
along the river, in consequence of one of those unfortu-
nate collisions which; though common do the tither side
of tin:" Atlantic, are of rare occurrence in this country.
'the ill-fated boat which has suffered by the event is the
Sylph, belonging to the Old Woolwich Steam-boat Com-
pany ; the one which has been the cause is the Orwell,
belonging to the Ipswich Company. From the meagre
particulars which the reporter has been able to obtain, it
appears that about half-past two, or from that to three
o clock, the Sylph started from London-bridge Wharf
for Greenwich and Woolwich; at London-bridge she took
on board 24 passengers; on her arrival at the Thames-
tunnel she took in 10; and with this number of passengers
she proceeded on her course to Greenwich. On proceeding
down the river the heavy fog which had bung over the
metropolis during the morning, had not departed from
the river, and, as the boat neared Greenwich, the den-
sity of the fog
was so great as scarcely to permit the
captain to see a boat's length before him. From some
cause, which at present remains unexplained, the Sylph,
it appears, was on the north or Middlesex side of the
shore, and was in the act of crossing for the pier at
Greenwich, when a large vessel was seen close to her.
The captain of the Sylph instantly cried out " Stop her ;
go astern ;" which commands were promptly attended
to, but too late ; for the next instant a tremendous crash
was heard, and in an instant the fore-cabin of the Sylph
was filled with water, and, melancholy to relate, not one
individual in that part of the boat has escaped. So in-
stantaneous was the collision that it was impossible to
give any alarm to the passengers. Those on deck for-
tunately escaped. The statement of Captain S. Wrack-
ham, the commander of the Orwell, as connected with
this melancholy event, is to the following effect :—The
Orwell was due at five o'clock on Monday evening, but
on coming up the river, and when on the other side of
Gravesend, the fog was so heavy that it was found neces-
sary to cast anchor. About nine o'clock yesterday
morning she heaved her anchor, but in consequence
of the continuance of the fog, she came up the river
at a very slow rate. Between one and two o'clock she
was off Woolwich, and was two hours making the distance
from that point to Greenwich. When off the latter
place the Sylph was making for the pier, and, it being
high tide, she was under the necessity of going at her
full speed. In crossing from the north to the south shore
the Orwell came in sight of the Sylph, when the pilot,
whose name is Wiggens, being at the wheel of the Or-
well, seeing the danger which the smaller boat was in,
called out, " Stop her ; ease her," and the Orwell was
backed three turns astern. Unfortunately, the Sylph
was not able to clear herself ; for, although the backing
took place, she was struck in the fore-sponson, or in
front of the paddle-box on the larboard side, and in-
stantly filled, the figure-head of the Orwell coming
across the deck of the Sylph. The cries and shrieks of
the unfortunate passengers were truly alarming ; but
before any aid could be rendered the Sylph pitched head
downwards. The crew and passengers of the Orwell
rendered every assistance, and dragged several of the ill-
fated passengers through the aperture which had been
made ; but for this, the loss of human life must have
been much greater. At the time of writing the
account the actual number of persons lost could not be
ascertained, but there is no doubt that the number
stated—viz., seventeen, is, unfortunately, within the
mark, for before Captain Wrackham left nine bodies had
been recovered, consisting of men, women, and children,
most, or all of whom are supposed to belong to Green-
wich, Woolwich, and its vicinity. None of the bodies
at the time they were found were identified. Captain
Wrackham states, that had he come up at full speed,
he must have run completely over the Sylph and sunk
her ; had this occurred, not a single life would have
escaped to tell the particulars of this deplorable ac-
cident.
The ill fated vessel, the Sylph, was only built last
spring, and was an iron boat, being built on the newest
principle she was divided into three compartments—
the fore part, including the fore-cabin, the eagine-house,
and after part ; each of these are completely water-tight,
and although one portion may be struck and knocked in,
yet the other portions cannot be affected by the water ;
and from this circumstance alone is to be attributed the
saving of some of the passengers, for the instant she
filled the stern rose out of the water, and to that part all
the passengers on deck rushed, where they clung hold of
the seats, sides, &c., until rescued from their perilous
situation. The Sylph was of about 50 tons' burden, while
the Orwell is of 150 tons. having twu engines of 40-horse
power, and has been under the command of the present
captain (who, for skill and attention, bears a very high
character) for about three years.
The Orwell will leave the river to-morrow (this
morning), under the command of Captain Wrackham
and the rest of the crew, so that if the inquest should be
held to-day, it will merely be for the identification of
the bodies, when the investigation will l e, as a matter of
S.
course, adjourned.

_
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.
(From the Limerick Chronicle, Dec. 14.
The effective strength of the army in Ireland does not
amount to 261000 weft, as stated in the Dublin papers.
The entire force is only 21,000 men, artillery, cavalry,
and infantry, of all arms.
This day three parties of the 30th Regiment, from
this:garrison, were detached on district duty—two officers
and 40 rank and file, to Newport (Tip.) ; an officer and
20 rank and file, to Castle Connell ; and an officer and
20 rank and file, to Cappamore—to assist the local ma-
gistrates and police in checking disturbance.
Head-quarters and five companies of the 6th Regiment,
with band and colours, under command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Michel, landed at Dublin on Thursday, from
Liverpool, by the Dee steamer, Lieutenant Driver, R.N.,
and marched to Richmond barracks.

Captain Greathed and Captain Brown's companies of
the Bth, from Bolton, have taken up the quarters of the
6th Regiment at Preston.

The 67th take up the quarters of the 56th in Dublin.

1 Captain Layard, M.P., has joined the 37th Regimen,
at Portsmouth.
Captain O'Halloran's company, 69th, has joined head-
quarters at Templemere, from Cashel, having been re-
lieved by another company of the same regiment.
The last division of the 56th, under Major Palmer, has
sailed from Dublin for Liverpool in the Rhadamanthus
steamer, Commander Laen, R.N.
The soldiers of the 65th Regiment were ordered out
of chapel, at Castlebar, last Sunday, when the priest
commenced reading Dr. M`Hale's bull against the Cha-
ritable Bequests Act.
Captain Mostyn's company, 54th. has marched from
Shannonbridge, to head-quarters, Mullingar.
Captain Palmer, 60th Rifles, having been this day
week arrested at Fermoy, head-quarters of his battalion,
by the Sheriff of Cork, under an attachment in " W.
Mackinnon, M.P., v. the Executors of the late Lady
Palmer," counsel applied to the Master of the Rolls, on
Tuesday, for the officer's discharge. It appears the
order obtained by plaintiff to invest a large sum in the
cause had never been served on defendants or the so-
licitor, and Captain Palmer, in total ignorance of the
order, was committed to Cork gaol, though in bad
_ _

health, yet prepared to meet the order. The Master of
the Rolls ordered the officer's immediate discharge, and
that Mr. Mackinnon, M.P., should pay the costs of at-
tachment and motion.

General Lord Combermere will preside at a grand
provincial Freemasons' lodge, at Chester, on the 27th
instant, St. John's-day.
Captain 11. Young, 24th, who recently attended the
sick bed of a soldier's wife in Waterford, to afford spi-
ritual consolation, has entered into controversy with the
Rev. E. Dalton, of that city, upon the paramount im-
portance of pure scriptural instruction, apart from the
ceremonies of the Church of Rome.

Effective strength of the 72d depot, under command of
Brevet Lieut. Colonel Maclean, at Cork-13 sergeants,
5 drummers and pipers, 210 rank and file. Recruiting-
-3 sergeants and 15 ditto.
Captain Beauclerk, 7th Fusiliers, has joined at Gib-
raltar.

Lieut. Bourke, 17th, on the recruiting service at Mary-
borough, will succeed to the vacant company by the
death of Captain Lockhart.
Lieut. Edgar succeeds to a company in the 26th Regi-
ment.

A company of the 85th arrived at St. Lucia, on the
24th October.

Captain Trevor, R.A., and Mr. White, arrived at Bar-
badoes in the Tweed, from Southampton, on the 7th of
November.

Lieut. Raines, Royal Artillery, arrived in the Imogene
at Barbadoes on the 4th ult.

The son of Lieut. Aggas, Ist West India Regiment,
was drowned at Jamaica on the Ist ult.
LATE BRITISH LEGION.—A committee of officers has
been formed, and is in correspondence, through Sir
de Lacy Evans, with the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, respecting the compensation, and his Lordship
has shown every attention ; and in his last cummunica-
tion he informs them that he had instructed the British
Minister at Madrid again to urge upon the Spanish
Government the immediate settlement of it. Mr. Bulger,
it is said, has obtained a settlement.

An old soldier of the Lth, discharged in 1784, visited
the regiment at Belfast, this week, when the officers and
men subscribed twenty guineas for the veteran warrior,
who had so many years ago served in the ancient " Gos-
lings," or " Fighting Fifth."
The 50th, at Cawnpore, lost a captain and two lieu-
tenants within a month. The last death is that of Capt.
James, which promotes Lieut. Enoch, son of Capt. Enoch,
of the 23d, deputy assistant-quartermaster-general at the
Horse Guards, to a company.
The death of Lieut. Considine, 63d, who was in orders
for trial by court-martial at Bellary, is announced.
There is to be a grand military steeple chase meeting
at Northampton in March, patronised by the officers of
the Horse Guards, Royal Artillery, sth Dragoon Guards,
7th Hussars, 13th Light Dragoons, Coldstream Guards,
and 32d Regiment.
16th Regiment, Cork Barracks.—The head quarters
division of four companies, landed from Dublin, consist
of the following officers:—Captains Luxmore, Copinger,
and Hudson; Lieutenants Cassidy, Goldie, Paymas-
terk, Kirk, 21 sergeants, 2 drummers, 285 rank and file,
46 women, 42 children, with the band, &c.

32d Regiment—Four companies and head-quarters,
with their band and colours, marched from Richmond
Barracks, Dublin, to Great Ship-street Barracks. They
were played all the way by the band of the 73d Regi-
ment. Major hill is commanding the 32d Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel Markham being on leave of absence.
56th Regiment—Royal Barracks, Dublin, head-quar-
ters and five companies. Recruiting—four sergeants and
eight rank and file. Effective strength-43 sergeants,
17 drummers, and 780 rank and file.
73d Regiment—Richmond Barracks, Dublin. Recruit-
ing-6 sergeants, 1 drummer, and 15 rank and file.
2d Battalion Ist Royal Depot, Enniskillen—Captain
Byrne and Ensign Deane are stationed with a company
at Ballyshannon. A recruiting party is ordered to march
for Dublin, to embark, per steam-vessel for England
en route to North Walsham, to be stationed. Major
Graham is commanding.
81st Depot, Templemore.—Major Creagh has joined
from leave. Captain Renny is or leave of absence till
embarkation to join the service companies in Canada.
Captain Bowyer is on leave till embarkation.
A party of the Ist Royal Dragoons joined head-
quarters at the Royal Barracks, Dublin, Dec. 9, from
Maidstone Cavalry Depot.
The 14th depot arrived in Dublin on the 10th, head-
quarters, under Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Barlow, on
the 11th, and remaining company on the 12th of Dec.,
to embark for England. Effective strength-1 acting
sergeant-major, 15 sergeants, 4 drummers, and 232 rank
and file. Recruiting-12 rank and file. Officers present
—Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Barlow, Brevet Majors
Smith and Wood, Lieutenants Strike, Archdall (Depot
Paymaster), Prothero (Depot Adjutant), O'Toole and
Trevor, Assistant-Surgeon Telfer.
54th Regiment, Mullingar.—Recruiting-3 sergeants
and 8 rank and file.
65th Regiment, Castlebar.—Captains Young and New-
enham are stationed with a detachment at Galway ' • and
Ensign Turner, Lieutenants Wolfe and Marshall, are
with a detachment at Ballinrobe. At Westport—Lieut.
Bazalgette and Ensign Meyler. Lieut. Cuthbert is at
Loughrea wih a company. Ensign Bernard is at Oute-
rard with a detachment.
69th Regiment,Templemore.—Recruiting-3 serjeants
and 9 rank and file. Captain O'Halloran, Lieutenants
Mundell and Kearney, are stationed with a detachment
at Cashel. Captain Tudor and Lieut. Edgar are sta-
tioned with a company at Roscrea. Captain Walker and
Ensign Evans are at Thurles with a company.
95th Depot, Kinsale.—At head-quarters, 3 companies.
Effective strength-8 serjeants, 4 drummers, and 156
rank and file. At Charles Fort—One company, consist-
ing of Captain Hume, Lieut. Ilolme, and Ensign Vialls,
3 sergeants, and 60 rank and file. Recruiting-2 ser-
geants and 13 rank and file.
Rifle Brigade Depot, lit Battalion, Athlone—Captain
Rooper is in command. Recruiting-3 sergeants and
21 rank and file.

The 55th are recruiting at head-quarters, Chichester,
under the following sporting hand-bill :—" Wanted, 500
unmarried, handsome, and gay young fellows, from 18 to
25 years of age, for her Majesty's 55th Regiment of
Foot. Any gallant young fellow so disposed will apply
to Sergeant O'Neill, King's Arms, and who, on entering
the service of her Majesty, will be taken care of, and in-
vited to drink her health in a bumper."

INCORPORATION OF BRIGHTON.
BRIGHTON, TUESDAY.—An adjourned town meeting
was held yesterday evening at the Town-hall, for the
purpose of considering the propriety of petitioning her
Majesty in Council for a charter of incorporation for this
town. Mr. Chittenden, the high constable, was in the
chair, and shortly after the meeting opened there were
upwards of 1,000 persons present, including most of the
influential owners and occupiers of houses in Brunswick-
square and terrace; who had pledged themselves almost
to a man to oppose the petition. The magistrates of the
Brighton bench were also on the platform, and soon
after the notice convening the meeting was read Lord
A. Hervey and Captain Pechell, the borough Members,
entered the room, and were greeted with loud applause.
Mr. Dempster, a solicitor, after speaking against a
charter of incorporation, moved the following resolution:
That in the opinion of this meeting, it will not be
beneficial to the inhabitants that the borough of Brighton
should be incorporated ; but, on the contrary, highly in-
jurious, and therefore that the recommendation of the
committee contained in their report, presented at the last
meeting, be not adopted ; and that this meeting be dis-
solved." Mr. J. Cordy seconded it. A tailor, named Brad-
shaw, moved as an amendment, " That the recommenda-
tions in the report be adopted, and that it be referred
back to the committee to prepare a petition, and get the
same signed and presented to her Majesty in Council,
and that the committee be authorised to adopt such
measures as they may think requisite to obtain a charter
for incorporating the borough." Nearly seven hours
were consumed in discussion, and at one o'clock this
morning the question was put to the vote, when the
chairman declared the original motion carried. There
were about two to one against incorporating the town. A
vote of thanks having been moved and carried to the
borough Members and the Chairman, the meeting sepa-
rated.

FATAL ACCIDENT TO Two Cows ON TIIE SOUTH.
AMPTON RAILWAY.—On Monday night, as the last up-
train had passed a short distance from the Andover
road station, the engine-driver fancied that something
impeded the progress of the train for a short distance,
which caused him to stop. He then found that the im-
pediment was caused by the train passing over two cows
which had strayed ou the lino and laid themselves across
the rails. The night being very hazy they were not seen
by the engineer. They were both mangled in a dreadful
manner ; one had its head and fore legs literally cut oft;
and the other was completely ripped up and the head
cut in two.

COURT OF ALDERMEN.

Yesterday a Court of Aldermen was held for the
dispatch of business.

FREEDOMS OF THE CITY.

Presentments were made from the inquests of the
wards of Bassishaw and Cheap against persons who
carried on business in the City without being free.

CHARGE AGAINST THE CITY POLICE.

Alderman COPELAND presented a petition from a
man named Burgess, who had been tried and acquitted
at the last London Sessions. The Alderman stated

that he was one of the magistrates who were pre-
sent at the trial of this prisoner for an assault upon
some of the officers of the City police. A more gross
case upon the part of the police he had never heard.
The Recorder, on whose judgment the Court had
such great reliance, the magistrates, and the mem-
bers of the bar, expressed themselves most strongly
upoe the occasion. The Recorder had, in fact, ob-
served such extraordinary discrepancies in the evi-
dence of the police that he recommended the jury to
acquit the petitioner, who had been, in the opinion of
all who had heard the case, most dreadfully mal-
treated. He wished the petition to be sent to a Com-
mittee, in order that an investigation might take
place into a matter so deeply reflecting upon the
character of the police. It was due to the City
police, as well as to the public, to have an inquiry
immediately instituted. The petitioner had been
most dreadfully beaten by the officers, at the same
time that they had bound him hand and foot; and
the men who had come forward to establish the case,
had most frightfully prevaricated and contradicted
each other. Alderman Copeland moved that the pe-
tion be referred to a Committee for examination.

The motion having been seconded,
Sir WILLIAM MAGNAT said he hoped the petition
would be referred to the Committee. He happened
to be the magistrate who presided when Burgess, the
petitioner, was charged at the Mansion-house with
the offence relative to which the trial had taken place,
and a more gross case he had never heard. He had
not only committed the prisoner, but he had advised
the City police to prosecute for the sake of public jus-
tice. The petitioner who, he regretted, was not pre-
sent, had been frequently brought before him during
his mayoralty. For what ? For having gone into
taverns, dined extravagantly, and paid the landlords
with a snap of his fingers; and for assaulting the po-
liceman to whose custody he was intrusted in the most
desperate and dangerous manner. On the particular
occasion to which reference had been made, the peti-
tioner, who had raised such sympathy for himself, bit
the thumb of the policeman, and, in fact, nothing
could exceed his brutal ferocity. On the trial there
might have been some apparently irreconcilable
statements on the part of the police in evidence, but
he was convinced that a greater ruffian than the pe-
titioner could not be produced.
Alderman WILSON said the observations which had
been just made by Sir William Magnay, who had had
opportunities of observing the case from its com-
mencement, most strongly showed the necessity of
sending the petition to a Committee. He had him-
self been struck with what appeared to him, upon
reading the newspapers, to be gross prevarication
upon the part of the City police, and he considered
that it was due to that body that an investigation
should take place.
Alderman FAREEROTILER thought the Court ought
to pause before they sent the petition to a Committee.
It appeared that the late Lord Mayor, upon hearing
the case, had recommended the prosecution of the
petitioner by the City police. The impression upon Sir
'William Magnay's mind must indeed have been a
strong one when he proposed such a course ; and it
would be injudicious to allow such a feeder upon the
public, such a] feeder upon policemen's thumbs, to
enjoy the triumph to which he would no doubt think
himself entitled, resulting from the success of his peti-
tion. The petitioner was absent, and no doubt he had
good reasons for his absence, and it would be advisable
to reject the petition at once.
Alderman CHALLIS was for inquiry. The refusal
to investigate would be an act of injustice to the police
as well as to the petitioner. He was present at the
trial, and the discrepancies which took place in the
evidence for the prosecution were such as caused the
expression of a feeling which was truly English. He
hoped the police would show that they were justified
in the course they had pursued, but he certainly
thought that ample opportunity ought to be given to
them to prove that the estimate formed by the late
Lord Mayor of their conduct was correct.

Sir PETER LAURIE disapproved altogether of th•
idea of presenting a petition of the kind. Ile was
sure the Court would not be justified in re-trying a
case which had been tried and decided upon in an-
other Court. Nothing could tend more to the com-
plete subversion of the justice which it professed to
facilitate.

Alderman COPELAN lamented that the Recorder
was not in his place. At the suggestion of that
Learned Judge, for whom they all entertained so
much respect, and with the approbation of all who
heard the case, he had stated that an investigation
should be made into the circumstances. He would
not say that the petitioner was immaculate, but he
would say that the treatment the man had received
was most brutal and most unnecessary, and that the
policemen who had been called as witnesses had most
grossly prevaricated.
The petition was then referred to the Committee.
THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY".

The Chamberlain's report on the subject of the
non-freemen was brought up. It required from the
Court some direction as to the proceedings against
those parties who declined to take up the freedom.
In answer to a question from a member of the Court,
The CITY SOLICITOR said there appeared to be,
on the part of those who were non-freemen, no appe-
tite for going to trial for decision upon the merits of
their grounds of rejection.
Alderman FAREUROTHER said he had seen an ad-
vertisement, purporting to come from those who were
determined to resist the application from the Cham-
berlain to take up their freedom, and he looked upon
it as the last kick of the wholesale dealers.
The CHAMBERLAIN said he had summoned all who
were returned to him as non-freemen, ithout dis-

tinction, and some of them had not responded, while
others had expressed themselves determined to resist.
The CITY SOLICITOR, in answering other questions
put by the members, stated that in the question pend-
ing, he, and some of the most respectable members of
the profession engaged for the parties who resisted
the Chamberlain's application, agreed to proceed in
such a manner as was likely to occasion the least delay,
trouble, and expense.
Alderman FAREBROTIIER—At what time may the
matter be brought to trial ?
The SOLICITOR-.---MOst probably it will be heard at
Easter. _ _

Sheriff SIDNEY felt strongly upon the subject. lie
looked upon this conduct of the Court of Aldermen
as most unjust and ungenerous.
Alderman WILSON said that when a member
brought such a charge as that of being unjust and
ungenerous against the Court, he was bound to prove
the correctness of the accusation. _ _ _

IRELAND.
REPEAL ASSOCIATION.

DUBLIN, DEC. M.—The weekly meeting of the Re-
peal Association was held at the Conciliation-hall to-
day. The muting was, as usual, very numerously at-
tended. Mr. O'Connell arrived at one o'clock, and was
received with loud and enthusiastic cheering. Mr. Ni-
cholas Markey, of Walshestown, was called to the chair.
The SECRETARY read a communication from Mr.
Steele, the head pacificator, who had gone to Leitrim
and Cavan for the purpose of putting down the system.
of Ribbonism, lately established in those counties under
the name " Molly Maguires." It was accompanied by
an address from Mr. Steele which he had promulgated
among the inhabitants of the disaffected districts.
Mr. O'CoNNELL moved the most marked thanks of the
association to his esteemed friend and companion in
every struggle for the liberties of Ireland, Tom Steele,
and also the insertion of his letter on the minutes. There
was nothing more injurious to the best interests of Ire-
land, nothing more criminal, nothing more dangerous to
those engaged in them, and nothing more useless than
those secret societies. After some further remarks on
the criminal and ruinous nature of these societies, Mr.
O'Connell read an address, drawn up by Mr. mith
O'Brien, to the inhabitants of Leitrim and Cavan, calling
upon them to withdraw from all ribbon societies, and
pointing out to them the dangerous and foolish nature of
them. He (Mr. O'Connell) had no hesitation in saying
that that was the very best written document he had ever
perused, and it would have additional weight as not
coming alone from the able and patriotic writer, but from
that association. He begged to move the adoption of the
address by the association, and that measures be imme-
diately taken for its extensive circulation through the
disturbed districts.—Resolution carried unanimously.
Mr. O'CorisiELL said he wished to offer a few observa-
tions on a subject rather personal to himself. On some
late occasions he had felt obliged to notice attacks made
upon him by the Examiner newspaper. The number of
the Examiner which he had received that day repeated
those attacks, and gave the terms in which he had re-
pudiated them ; but it did not put in his reservation,
that he would not have used those terms if the English
language afforded him any more abusive epithets to
make use of. What he had to complain of most, in the
last number of the Examiner, was, an anonymous attack
upon him, which, from the circumstance of its being ano-
nymous, should be considered as having been adopted
by the editor. It commenced in terms that certainly did
not appear to have been borrowed from the Court Guide
—(Laughter)—and proceeded as follows :—" Perhaps
Mr. O'Connell is entitled to some indulgence, inasmuch
as dribbling is more innocent than mendacity, and a man
can hardly be said to violate truth by whom the mean-
ing of the word is mistaken." It then proceeded to
quote some sentences from a speech of his delivered on a
recent occasion in St. Michan's parish against the Cha-
ritable Bequests Act, in which the writer misinterpreted
his observations, and accused him of giving implicit obe-
dience to any decision that the Bishops of his Church
might come to. He distinctly stated at the time that
his obedience to the decision of the Catholic Bishops in
council assembled applied only to spiritual matters. He
submitted to the Bishops in religious matters, but never
in temporal concerns, and so he distinctly stated in the
speech alluded to.

- Some contributions haring been handed in,
Mr. O'CONNELL again rose, and said he had to apolo-
gise for not being prepared with the report from the,
Committee on the ten propositions that he had referred
to on the last day of meeting. He would, on the present
occasion refer to but one of those propositions. The
Honourable and Learned Gentleman then repeated the
statement he had frequently made concerning the injus-
tice done to Ireland in respect to the National Debt.
These Ects, he contended, had sunk deep in the Irish
mind, though they were totally unattended to in Eng-
land. They had produced the monster meetings in 1843,
the perseverance of 1844, and they would have their effect
on the next great repeal year of 1845. The approaching
year ought to be one of high advantage to Ireland. The
Hon. and Learned Gentleman then referred to the pro-
gress repeal had made in the course of the past year.
Ireland, he said, was the country in the world where
hundreds of thousands—aye, where millions of people
could assemble without even an accident taking place
among them. There could not be a better proof of the
superiority of Irishmen. Professor Forbes, the Scotch
philosopher, and Professor Quintelet, in Belgium, had,
by a series of experiments conducted for twelve years,
proved that the Irishman was the first among the
nations of Europe for every physical capacity. Professor
Kane, an Irishman, made jsimilar experiments in London,
and he proved that when the power of raising bur-
dens in an Irishman was 27, the highest number among
any other people was but 25.—(Cheers.) He knew that
the forthcoming report of the Landlord and Tenant Com-
mission would refer to the greater leniency of the land-
lords in the north of Ireland to their tenants. At the
expiration of a lease in Ulster, the landlord came to an
amicable arrangement with the existing tenant, instead
of, as in other parts of the country, going about to try if
they could get any other person to offer them more rent.
That was the reason that no agragrian crimes were heard
of in the north, and he would remind those who attri-
buted the tranquillity there to the prevalence of the Pro-
testant persuasion, that there was a majority of 500,000
Catholics in Ulster over the other sects, and that they, as
well as the Protestants and Presbyterians, remained free
from those crimes.--(Hear, hear.) The Hon. and
Learned Gentleman proceeded to say that they would
hold but two meetings more of the Association in that
year, but they should commence:lB4s as if they were then
only really beginning to agitate for repeal, and as if all they
had hitherto done were as nothing. 1843 was the repeal
year for monster meetings, 1844 for patience and for
legal triumph, but 1845 should be marked by the weekly
collection of the repeal rent. If it were to be but Is. or
Id. in any locality, still it should be collected weekly.
They solicited from no man more than Is. a year, or one
farthing a week, with four weeks for nothing ; but if
every man subscribed that sum they would have 50,0001.,
and he would expect even 100,0001. at the end of the
year. Mr. O'Connell concluded by moving that the
repealers throughout Ireland be called upon to demon-
strate their perseverence in the repeal cause by sending
in weekly contributions on and after the Ist of January,
1845. The motion was carried unanimously.
After the disposal of some routine business, Mr.
O'Connell announced the rent for the week to be
1791. 12s. 2d.

THE LATE DREADFUL OCCUR-
RENCE AT CHATHAM.
INQUEST ON TIIE BODIES.
_ .

CHATHAM, MONDAY NIGHT.—On Monday an inquest
was held before Mr. J. Hiude, coroner, at the Waggon
public-house, a short distance from the scene of the
melancholy event (the particulars of which appeared in
The Sun of yesterday), when the following evidence was
adduced :

----
John Chaplyn, bailiff to Mr. J. Oakley, of Darland,
stated that the deceased Thomas Webb, was in the em-
ploy of Mr. Oakley, acting as:waggoner's third boy. John
Stedman was also in Mr. Oakley's employ, and there was
also another man who usually slept there, but was not
there that night. The men had spoken several times to
witness about the room being damp. On Saturday night
Stedman left the house about eight o'clock, and the
other two at nine, to go to bed. On the following morn-
ing, about seven o'clock, being told that they had not
come into the yard, he went to the bedroom-door and
lifted up the latch and called " George" several times.
Not receiving any answer, he opened the door, and
putting his hand behind it felt one of them lying there.
He called again and shook him, and then procured a light
and got a waggoner to go into the room with him,where
he found them all three dead. He did not observe any
particular smell in the room. lie had been in Mr. Oak-.
ley's employ 15 years. When the fire was lit in the room
he stood over it for some minutes. Ile did not think
there was any danger in using the charcoal. Did not
feel any inconvenience in breathing whilst standing
over it.

Sheriff SIDNEY said it was undeniable that the
Court of Aldermen had acted unjustly and ungene-
rously towards the shopkeepers, by obliging them to
take up their freedom, while they passed over the
great wholesale dealers.
The LORD MAYOR—Do you not know that several
actions have been brought against wholesale dealers ?
Sheriff SIDNEY said he knew of none ; but he
knew that actions were invited by those who were
determined to resist them. He believed that the Cor-
poration had power over the wholesale dealers, and
he hoped the authority of the Chamberlain as to pro-
secutions would be suspended until the case relating
to such dealers should be decided.
Alderman WILSON said he believed there were
forty-one actions pending against wholesale dealers.
The SOLICITOR said that, of forty- two persons against
whom it had been determined to proceed, several had
taken up the freedom, and the proceedings had imme-
diately been abandoned, and without demand of costs.
Some had entered appearances, and had expressed
their intention to go to trial ; but there was no wish
on the part of the City to multiply actions.
After some further observations from members of
the Court, the Court agreed to direct the Chamber-
lain to proceed with such actions as should be con-
sidered expedient.
The Court then proceeded, with closed doors, to
discuss the propriety of relieving Giltspur-street
prison by sending the prisoners charged with assaults
and misdemeanours to the Borough Compter, which,
in consequence of the new Debtors' Act, is now
empty.

Amelia Chaplyn, wife of the last witness, corroborated
her husband's evidence, and said she went into the room
about half an hour after she had lit the fire, which was
composed of wood, ashes, and charcoal, and it was burn-
ing up brightly. She remained in the room a short time,
and did not shut the door. She had never heard before

that charcoal would have any bad effects—had never seen
any used before.
The CORONER expressed a hope that it would be a
lesson to her not to use charcoal again, and observed that
it was her duty to have mentioned it to Mr. Oakley
before she lit the fire, as the unfortunate circumstance
would not then have happened.
Thomas Bosely said that he and the three deceased had
often asked the bailiff and his wife to light a fire in the'
room.

Mr. Benjamin Tribe, surgeon, of Chatham, stated that
he was called up between seven and eight o'clock on
Sunday morning to attend at Mr. Oakley's. On arriving
there he was shown into the bedroom, where he found
the bodies of the three men ; they were quite dead and
their limbs stiff. lie examined the bodies; there were no
marks of violence on them. lie inquired, and found char-
coal had been burnt previous to theirfgoing to bed ; their
deaths were caused by inhaling carbonic acid gas, arising
from the burning of charcoal and causing suffocation.
The jury having heard the whole of the evidence, and
the opinion of the Coroner that Chaplyn and his wife
were entirely ignorant of the deleterious effects of char-
coal, returned a verdict of " Accidentally suffocated by
charcoal being burnt in their bedroom.

THE LATE DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT DRURT-LANE
THEATRE.—The assistant scene shifter, M'Carthy, who
endeavoured to extinguish the flames of the dress of the
late Miss Webster on Saturday night, is proceeding very
rapidly towards recovery, although suffering greatly
from his injuries. It has been stated that he was able to
follow his employment, but such is not the case ; he is
obliged to be dressed and undressed by his wife.
THE LATE ACCIDENT IN ALDGATE.—Upon inquiry
at the London hospital on Tuesday afternoon, it was
stated that the poor fellow Goodman, the police-con-
stable, who was, in common with seven or eight other
persons, knocked down at the corner of the Minories,
opposite Aldgate Church, by a horse which ran away
with a gig, recovered his senses in the early part of the
night; and, although seriously injured, 1w is now in a
fair way of recovery. Mr. Winckworth, who was taken
to the hospital at the same time, still lies in a deplorable
state, his left eye being nearly cut out, and the whole of
his system being much shattered by the violence of the
shock. There were altogether eight persons more or less
injured; six were taken to the hospital, and two to the
surgeries of gentlemen in the neighbourhood.
COMMISSION OF LUNACY.--Yesterday a commis.
sion of lunacy was opened at the Swan Tavern, Battersea,
before Mr. Winslow. The subject of the inquiry was
Mr. John Smith, aged 68, a licensed victualler, for many
years the proprietor of the Grapes Tavern, King-street,
Golden-square, but now residing in Calverstoke-place,
Battersea. Evidence having been heard, the jury found
that Mr. John Smith was of unsound mind, and had bee*
so since January, 1640.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sin,—ln the columns of your journal of Saturday
last appeared a paragraph, headed, " What next ? " in
which wearing a certain " clumsy ring" for the cure
of rheumatism, &c., was denounced as quackery. Had
the writer, previously to penning the paragraph in
question, examined the ring, he would, probably, have
arrived at a different conclusion ; he would have as-
certained that the inner periphery was zinc inlaid
with copper—was, in fact, a small galvanic battery
—a power that immortalised the name of Davy, by
• enabling him to reduce the most refractory sub-
stances—a power that can call into energetic action
the muscles of, and all but resuscitate the dead. If
galvanism be successfully employed in the cure of
rheumatism and paralysis, is it evincing a very great
degree of credulity to entertain the proposition that a
constant, though feeble, stream of electricity, gene-
rated by the action of the moisture of the skin on the
two-metal ring, will be attended with beneficial re-
sults ?—I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
Islington, Dec. 161

A. STORER.

METROPOLITAN harnovEmENTs.—Yesterday some
houses situated in Alie-street, Goodman's-fields, and in
Wentworth-street, Whitechapel, were sold by auction,
to be cleared away for the site of the new street, from
Spits Melds Church to the London Dock. There is now
a direct communication the whole distance, about 200
houses baying been disposed of for the purpose.