The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-29 00:00:00

NORTH BRITISH RAILWAY.

Operations on this railway are now proceeding at
all parts with great vigour and activity. In our own
city the changes caused by this great work are not
among the least striking. At the Calton-hill, where
the line pierces the hill, the face of the declivity is cut
into so as to make it steeper than ever, while the
workmen plying their vocation at various heights on
the hill, give the whole a singular appearance. Here
also the wall is considerably raised on the north side
of the North Back of Canongate, whence a bridge
is to be thrown across the street on the progress
of the line to its terminus at the North-bridge.
Preparations are also making for the bridge that
crosses the Abbey-hill at Simpson's coach-work;
and the retaining wall there has already attained
a considerable elevation. The houses facing the
street here still stand ; but several that stood behind
them have been removed to make room for the em-
bankment that is to carry on the line in its progress.
From this point to the Meadow-bank Brewery, there
is little trace of the works; but near this latter point,
and just where the line enters the low grounds at
Craigentinny, the surface of the ground has been
removed, and workmen are busily employed driving
piles to give a foundation for the extensive works that
are intended to carry the line over to the high grounds
east of Piershill. Mere we believe a viaduct is to
cross the post-road, but nothing has yet been done
with that view; and the next trace of the
railway is to be found in a field adjoining the
old Roman road to Portobello, now generally known
as the Fishwives' Causeway. Here the portion
of ground intended for railway purposes has been
staked out, and csorkmen are employed to remove
the sod. From this point the line proceeds to the
southward of Portobello, and on the high ground
above that town a considerable number of men are
employed. The ground has not only been marked
out, but the surface has been removed for a consider-
able length of road, preparatory to a deeper levelling,
while iron rails and waggons are also collected in the
immediate neighbourhood, with a view, we presume,
to the formation of a temporary railroad for removing
the soil. Near the easternmost part of Portobello the
railroad crosses the road from that town to the vil-
lage of Easter Duddingstone, which it will do at
a lower level ; and a good deal of progress has
already been made here, in building the walls of
a bridge which is to span the line, while the forma-
tion of the ordinary road, slightly altered in its
course, and considerably heightened in its inclination,
is pretty far advanced already. Further on the line
crosses the road to a quarry in the neighbourhood,
from which the greater part of the stones for the
bridge are being procured. Here the railway goes
above the road, and a viaduct is to be thrown over the
road. Here the side walls of the bridge are up to
the level of the road, and a number of workmen are
busily employed rearing it further. A little onward
the line encounters the small stream that falls into the
sea near the Magdalen Foundry; but operations do
not seem to have yet commenced here. From the ra-
pidity with which all these works are prosecuted,
however, and the course adopted of commencing the
more difficult parts of the line first, we cannot doubt
that two years, or little more, will see this extensive
line in full operation.—Edinburgh Evening Courant.

LORD DENMAN'S SPEECH.

THE JUDGMENT OF LORD DENMAN IN
THE CASE OF OCONNELL AND OTHERS
AGAINST THE QUEEN. as delivered in the ,
House-of Lords, Sept. 4, 1844 ; with Notes, a Preface,
and Additional Observations. Edited by David Leahy,
Esq., one of the Counsel in the Cause. London,
H. Butterworth.
This is a most acceptable and important contri-
bution to the political literature and constitutional
history of the present times. The " preface" does
great credit to the style and legal acumen of its
editor; and inasmuch as it embodies in a terse and
concentrated form a review of some important facts in
the history of the case hitherto overlooked, or not
sufficiently noted by a large body of the English
public, we make no apology for here repeating it.
" Considering the excitement with which the recent
state prosecution was accompanied from the beginning,
and the importance which was attributed to the ultimate
result, it was naturally to be expected that the final judg-
ment of the House of Lords, upon whichever side it
might happen to be delivered, would excite the censure
of that party which had been unsuccessful in the litiga-
tion; and such, although to a very small extent, has been
the actual consequence. It is not intended here to re-
argue the questions which have been set at Is st, or
again expose the reasonings, which have been repro-
duced in other quarters, after having failed at the bar:
still less is it deemed necessary to defend the motives of
those by whom the judgment was pronounced, or by
whose opinion it was supported. But as an array of all
the judicial persons, both here and in Ireland, who have
taken part in the proceedings, has been put forward, to
show that the great majority was in favour of the judg-
ment of the Court of Queen's Bench in Dublin, 1 shall
take leave to make one or two remarks upon that part of
the subject.
" And, first, as to the great question upon which the
reversal has turned,—namely, the validity of the sixth
and seventh counts,—all the Law Lords and Judges of
England, with the single exception of Lord Brougham,
differ from the unanimous opinion of the four Irish
Judges. The majority in mere numbers is twelve to
five.*
" On the question, whether a general judgment is
good, where some of the counts on which it proceeded
are invalid, as the Irish Judges gave no opinion, the
majority is less than it has been represented, consisting
of two Law Lords and six Judges, against three Law
Lords and two Judges, eight to tive.f
" Perhaps, however, the only notice that ought to be
taken of such statements, is by referring to the nature
and office of a court of error, and the duty imposed upon
it by its own essential constitution. That the authority
of the Judges, whose decision is impugned, ought not to
prevent the freest examination of the grounds on which
it rests, is- not only proved by numberless precedents,
and by the character of the proceeding itself, but is ex-
emplified in a striking manner in this very case, in
which four out of five of the Lords, who voted in accord-
ance with the reported opinion of all the English Judges,
overturned the unanimous judgment which the Court
below had given in favour of the goodness of the two
bad counts. That the House of Lords ought to listen
with deference to the Judges, but ought not to adopt
their opinions against its own conviction, is a truth
beyond controversy.s
" The following judgment is published in its present
form, on account of the vast importance of the principles
discussed. '
" The question whether the true import of the expres-
sion for his said offences,' in the judgment of the Court
below, be that the punishment was awarded in respect of
• all the facts indicted as offences, may be styled a tech-
nical, or possibly a grammatical question. But if it be
answered affirmatively (as the deliberative judgment of
the Court, below almost forces us to conclude), surely
nothing can be more alarming than the doctrine by which
alone the general judgment can be upheld,—viz., that a
defendant may be punished for conduct which is not for-
bidden by the law. For, first, the proceeding is in itself
unjust ; and, secondly, the openness to abuse that besets
such a practice in any case, but especially in prosecutions
for libel, and for political offences in general, is too ob-
vious to require exposure.
" The other subject of this judgment is of a still more
interesting character.
" The Jury. Act, passed by Sir Robert Peel for
England, in 1824, was well adapted to secure a fair
jury ; in this country it has worked well, has stood the
test of experience, and no distrust or suspicion has at-
tached to its operation. There is no reason for believing
that it has not been strictly complied with in every single
instance.
"In 1833 a similar Act was passed for Ireland. It has
given rise to much dissatisfaction, and has been more than
once brought under judicial cognizance.
" In a case before Lord Chief Justice Doherty (R. v.
Fitzpatrick)§, the array was challenged upon the allega-
tion that the Recorder had improperly decided upon cer-
tain claims and objections. His Lordship thought that
these judicial acts could not be so questioned; an opinion
by no means at variance with Lord Denman's argument,
which, on the contrary, assumes its correctness. But the
Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland expressed
his intention to have reserved even this point for consi-
deration, if the party had been convicted; from a just
sense, undoubtedly, of the vital importance of preserving
the selection of juries not only from abuse, but even from
suspicion.
"In R. v. Conrahyll the challenge to the array was
bold radically bad, because the excluded names were not
specified. Mr. Justice, Torrens at , the same time took
the opportunity of extrajudicially pronouncing the ob-
jection insufficient, upon the ground that all the enact-
ments of the Jury Act were (as he thought) merely
directory. This epithet is well understood by lawyers as
describing such directions as, though enjoined by statute,
nobody is bound to obey.
" From this extrajudicial dictum it appears to follow,
that any book whatever, placed in the sheriff's hands, if
entitled the jury book, must be received and acted upon
as authentic and complete. Full license would be pro-
claimed, not only to every officer, but to every other
person who could by force or fraud possess himself of the
lists, to do with them whatever he chose. If sixty names
had been objected to before the Recorder, but expressly
adjudged by him to be entitled to be retained, the ob-
jector would only have to purloin the list which con-
tained them: or if hundreds or thouiands had been, after
judicial inquiry, struck off' by the Recorder, still, if they
could be fraudulently re-inserted, theyjmust remain upon
the list, as the material from which, perhaps exclusively,
the juries must be composed.
" Such a license, according to general report, has in
Ireland been freely assumed—to an extent, indeed,
which would seem to warrant a statement that the Jury
Act of 1833 has -never been practically in operation in
that country. If a rigid enforcement of the Act should
be likely to produce public inconvenience, the extreme
laxity which is said to have prevailed is fraught with in-
numerable evils of a much worse description. When
public attention has been effectually called to the sub-
ject, the Legislature will probably devise some effectual
means of avoiding the inconvenience, and preventing the
injustice.
"As Lord Denman observed, in the course of his
judgment, that he had committed to writing some ,state-
ments which he did not propose to address to the House,
I took the liberty of requesting to be favoured with the
inspection of the papers to which he alluded, with a view
to their insertion in the present publication. His Lord-
ship was pleased in the most obliging manner to comply
with this request, and to place the whole of the memo-
randa in question at n3y disposal, to be used according to
. my own discretion. As they were composed at vaiious
periods during the short interval between the close of the
circuit and the day appointed for the re-assembling of the
House, they necessarily included some actual repetitions
as well as some brief expressions of opinions which are
more fully developed in thejudgment as delivered. But the
unprecedented interest and admiration excited among all
parties by the delivery of this noble address—in every
respect so worthy of the transcendent importance of the
subject—induce me to believe that the public will be
happy to hear that I haie exercised to the smallest poi-
Bible extent the power of retrenchment with which I was
invested in so confiding and condescending a manner,
and that the papers in question, which are almost all
printed at the end of the present publication, contain a
full exposition of, the whole of his Lordship's opinions
upon every part of the case."
(TO DE CONTINUED.)
* The Lord Chancellor, Lords Denman, Cottenhatn,
and Campbell, and ,Lord Chief Justice Tindal, Barons
Parke, Alderson, Gurney, Justices Patteson, Williams,
Coltman, Maule, against Lord Brougham, and the four
Irish Judges.
f The Lord Chancellor, Lord Brougham, and Lord
Chief Justice Tindal, Batons Alderson and Gurney,
Justices Patteson Williams and Maule, against Lords
Denman, Cottenham'and Campbell, Baron Parke, and
Justice Coltman. •
Lord Brougham expressly stated in his judgment,
that the business of the Judges, upon such occasions,
was to give the House of Lords—not " advice"—but
only "information."
§ 1 Crawf. and Dix., 513.
11 1 Crawf. and Dix., 513

A case was brought before Mr. Sheriff Campbell,
in the Small Debt Court of Paisley, last. Thursday, in
every respect worthy of the glimmering enlightenment
of the middle ages. The parties lodged in one house,
and one of them having had some article or other pur.
loined from him, forthwith had recourse to the sortes
being
ger and spun
acriptorum to detect the supposed thief. Selecting a
mode of revelation which would not have disparaged
Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet himself to have in-
vented, a particular chapter of the Old Testament, in
1 which there occurs a vast number of proper names, was
roundsp r e f
ad oopre n
a, afenwd as
elteeoyads
platheyd
a uponperk
thek o
fpage e bfieiii
thumb, the name at which it stopped was thereupon con-
strued to apply to the delinquent in the matter—the
pursuer in the action. He, however, on the allegation
that the key had been unfairly twirled, denied that the
theft had been brought home to him ; but the other par-
ties, the defenders, having persisted in their accusation,
the pursuer thought proper to sue them for damages for
defamation of character. More in sorrow than in anger,
the Learned Judge dismissed the case. We question if
the 19th century has much to boast of whilst benighted
ignorance like this lingers lathe land.—Paisley Advertiser
STATE OF THE BRITISH NAVY IN THE PACIFIC.
—The following is the amount of our naval force in the
ay ; Cormorant, 6
Pacific :—Basilisk, 6, Lieut. H. S. hunt (acting), at ota.
heite ; Carysfort, 26, Lord George Paulet, now or late at
Sandwich Islands ; Collingwood, 80, Rear-Admiral Sir
George Seymour, G.C.11., on her w
Commander C.
Hazard.A. IDB,ticntozme
al;
(steamer), Commander G. P. Gordon ; Daphne,
Sir J.
aJpt.Bs;
(steamer),
ri iT.
Tee,ehmoßmmapratsh.o,dnear;t 1
18,
ANBTlBe.ehtsolcm:ozia,senamoillraatFmnnhicidosseng;rtdaarprs;d:aT,2lß4aa62alm,b,icia:Cntia:dpae2;tp.r6t:J.
Captain J. J. Onslow ; Dublin, 50, Rear-Admiral R.
Thalia, 42, Captain C. Hope. • 1

MESMERISM IN EDINBURGH.

The most prominent topic of discussion at present
in the northern metropolis is Mesmerism, demonstra-
tions of which so-called science have been repeatedly
attended by nearly all the University professors now
in the city, as well as by Professor Liebig, Mr.
George Combe, awl a considerable number of other
gentlemen distinguished in the world of science and
letters. The following, which appears in the supple-
ment of the last North British Advertiser, is, we un-
derstand, from the pen of Bon Gaultier :
" The recentlectures and experiments of Mr. Spencer
Hall in this city have revived the interest in Mes-
merism, which had been in a great measure shaken
by the somewhat suspicious demonstrations of the
lecturers on the same suh'ect who had previously
visited us. The facts of Mesmerism are of a nature
so startling, and many of the demonstrations so clearly
of a kind which it is possible, though perhaps only
just possible, to imitate, that we must be satisfied not
merely of the integrity, but also of the sagacity of the
operator, before we can yield them our belief. Both
these qualities Mr. Hall obviously possesses in a re-
markable degree. A mind that has from childhood
taken nothing upon trust, that has always kept a free
open eye and heart to the impressions and impulses
of nature, and accustomed itself to build its know-
ledge, wherever it was possible to do so, upon facts
and individual experience, seems to render him pe-
culiarly fitted for investigating the subject to which
he has for some years- devoted his whole energies,
while the combination of these qualities with a can-
dour, simplicity, and frankness, which at once inspire
confidence in his sincerity, and a modest caution in
drawing his deductions, entitle him to a fair and full
hearing for whatever he may have to adduce.
"The phenomena which he elicits are of so singular
a kind—not only so unlike, but so contrary to, or-
dinary experience—that they must be seen to be
believed. The story of the enchanter in the Arabian
Nights, who held the Prince spellbound in a chair
for years, has ceased to be a fable. He did no more
than we have seen Mr. Hall do, in a less degree, again
and again. But had we not seen this with our own
eyes we must have regarded both cases as equally
fabulous.

"It will not do to maintain, as we have heard some
do, that such phenomena are produced by collusion.
Mr. Hall is above suspicion, and the inducements to
the parties operated upon to act contrary to his will
were too powerful to leave a doubt that they would
have done so if they could. The strongest instance
of this which we have seen occured at a demonstra-
tion, a few evenings ago, at a private house in the
New Town of Edinburgh, in presence of a party of
gentlemen met for the purpose of testing some of Mr.
hall's experiments. The patients were four in num-
ber—three of them lads earning from 3s. 6d. to ss.
per week, and the fourth a person to whom
twenty pounds must have been an important sum.
Mr. Hall, first, by what appeared a mere effort of
will, made one of the lads unable to move from the
place where he stood ; another was rendered unable
either to walk or to drop a walking-stick which was
put into his hand ; the third found himself incapable
of rising from the chair in which he sat; while the
fourth, who was told to rest his right knee upon
a chair, could neither withdraw it nor move his
other leg, While thus riveted, the operator offered
twenty pounds to the boy who was then rooted to the
ground, if he would abstain from sitting down in
a chair which was placed at the distance of a few feet
from him, and he likewise offered the same sum
to each of the other parties who should not go out of
the room. In a few seconds, the boy who was stand-
ing threw himself into the chair—the lad who was
sitting sprang up and darted out of the room—the
fingers of the boy who held the stick forced them-
selves open, and he shuffled, by working his heels
and toes alternately, out of the room also. He could
not walk, his legs having been previously made rigid
by Mr. Hall. The fourth patient withdrew his
knee from the chair, and after resisting the influence
for three minutes and a half (the time fixed by Mr.
Hall for accomplishing the experiment being five
minutes), sprang forward into the adjoining room,
to which Mr. Hall had withdrawn. Here collusion
was out of the question. The patients were strangers
to Mr. Hall,—twenty pounds a-piece was a bribe too
tempting to be slighted,—and to suppose that they
had either been promised, or had hopes of a larger
sum for co-operating with Mr. Hall, would have
been simply ridiculous. It was plain, that the parties
would have won the money if they could. Their
will was opposed to the operator's, but their limbs
were entirely subservient to his control. Here, then,
was an undeniable fact, directly at variance with all
our previous experience. How is scepticism to ex-
plain it away ? Admit it, and what limits are to be
set to the operations of the mysterious influence by
which it is produced ?
"The power of producing a rigidity and intensified
muscular force, which shall make a delicate girl's
arm oppose an easy resistance to a power that would
bend a strong man's like a reed,—of twisting limbs
into unnatural contortions without discomfort to the
patient,—of producing entire insensibility to pain in
the most sensitive parts of the body, are all facts
demonstrated by Mr. Hall beyond the shadow of
doubt. There is no sagacity in the scepticism which
looks profound, and shakes its unbelieving head, and
asks for explanation, of why and wherefore, when
these phenomena are exhibited. The results are
there,—there as unquestionable facts,---and it is
nothing against their reality that no unequivocal
rationale why they are so can be given. Principles
may be guessed at, but they can be proved only by
an aggregate of facts ; and a vast variety of observa-
tion and experience is required before a science can be
framed. out of phenomena so new and so fluctuating as
those of Mesmerism. But surely enough has already
been demonstrated to make it the duty of all lovers
of truth, of all students of physiology, of all medical
men worthy of their profession, to inquire earnestly
into the subject. If there be no truth in this thing
let it be put down as a troublesome lie ; but if there
be truth in it, then its results should be, without
loss of time, converted, as they appear most capable
of being, to the benefit of mankind. The apathy of
the medical profession on this subject is not very
creditable to them. We rarely meet one of its mem-
bers who does not admit the existence of some such
influence or agency as that contended for by the mes-
merists ; and yet, admitting this much, they are con-
tented to let their inquiries stop here. They will let
such men as Mr. Hall go on investigating the science
through abuse, insult, and calumny, and the diffi-
culty arising from imperfect scientific knowledge ;
and when the science is established, if established it
shall be, and there is nothing to be feared in reputa-
tion or in purse from giving countenance to it, they
will embrace it and convert it to their profit. Is it a
fact, or is it not, that persons are cured by Mes-
merism of catalepsy, epilepsy, and all that monstrous
train of nervous disorders which create much more
than half the ailments of civilised life ? Is it a fact,
that by it even organic disease of the most fearful
kind, as in the case of Miss Martineau, is alleviated,
and possibly removed? If these be facts—and they
seem to be demonstrated by evidence as powerful as
that upon which any other facts are admitted—then
is it indeed time, to say the very least, that the
medical faculty should devote the whole energy of
their intellect and knowledge to this important subject.
" That Mr. Hall has established a great variety of
facts in Phreno-Mesmerism we think there can be no
doubt. We have seen as little reason to suspect col-
lusion in his demonstrations of this class of phenomena
as in those to which we have already alluded. In
fact, it would tax our belief more to conclude that
the parties operated upon were able to feign the mani-
festations which they exhibited than to suppose
that they were influenced by some agency to which
we were strangers. Actors, with a natural capability
for expressing emotion, and who have made grace
and fitness of gesture and expression the study of
a lifetime, have not been able to do what we have seen
illiterate boys do. Nothing in sculpture surpasses the
beauty of their attitudes, nothing in features irradiated
by the habitual emotions of a noble and cultivated
nature, is more exquisite than the expression which we
have seen light up their features, when the organs of
the higher moral faculties have been excited. They
speak, and their stumbling grammar, halting sense,
and vulgar dialect become fluent and forcible lan-
guage, delivered in the tones and with the manner
of a superior class. How comes it, if all this be
acting, that this marvellous faculty is not turned to
account, when it would be the certain source of
wealth ? People who ask us to believe it to be acting
forget that they are taxing our credulity quite as much
as Mr. Hall.

"Much more will require to be known and esta-
blished in regard to Mesmerism in all its branches,
before its uses, both as regards mental and physical
science' can be ascertained. But in the meantime,
enough has been established in our opinion to entitle
it to the thoughtful and patient scrutiny of all lovers
of truth."

Hampton Court Palace was enlivened, on Friday
evening last, by a ball given by Lndy Maatgomery to
all the fashionables in its vicinity.
Du EL.-BA YONN OCT. 21.—Yesterday afternoon
a duel took place on the Spanish frontier, -near St. Jean
de Luz, between an English and Frenith gentleman,
named Canning and Chaho. They fought with sharp
foils, and the former, after receiving a sc catch in the
throat, severely wounded his adversary (who, fought left
handed) just under the region of the heart. M. Chaho
was immediately conveyed to the neighbour ing village
of Biriatore, where he now lies, with but faint hopes of
recovery. This unfortunate affair is the genemt topic of
conversation here, and has created a deep .sensation
amongst all classes. It appears that Mr. Cason ing con-
tributes, by way of amusement, to a light weiel,cly jour-
nal published in Bayonne, and called Trilbsv•whilst M.
Chaho is the editor of another hebdomadal -periodical,
bearing the sobriquet of Ariel. A rivalry sot n sprung
up between these papers, and the other day A 1. Chaho
struck our countryman during a dispute, the , subject of
which is not known. Such are
_the principal . causes of
this duel. Mr. Canning returne,4 to Bayonne hit t night,
and has not been arrested yet.

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE OF

T WO PERSONS.

KILMARNOCK, OCT. 24.

This morning, about seven o'clock, as a man and
woman were passing along the Irvine river, beneath the
Milton-bridge, which is about three miles from Kilmar-
nock (on the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway), they
observed a hat and veil tied on a parasol stuck in the
ground, a short distance from the water's edge, and on
looking into the river they perceived the bodies of a
gentleman and lady lit comparatively shallow water, and
about ten feet from the bank. Notice was conveyed to
Mr. Smith, farmer, at West Gateshead, the nearest house
to the spot, who, with his servant, came and assisted in
raising the bodies. These were found to be attached by
two handkerchiefs (red and white)knotted together, and
tied round the arm of each. The bodies were removed
to the house of Mr. Smith, and their persons searched, in
order to ascertain, if possible, the names and addresses
of the deceased. Both were well dressed and had the
appearance of persons moving in a respectable rank of life.
The gentleman was dressed in a black coat, black vest,
with under satin vest, trousers of dark blue doeskin, with
boots. He was of a ruddy complexion, about five feet
eight inches in height, gray hair, and apparently near
sixty years of age.
The lady was about the same age, attired in a black
silk gown, a Dunstable bonnet, a boa around her neck,
black silk gloves, with a plain gold ring on her finger.
In her pocket were a fruitlinife, penknife, toothpick, and
gold pin, satin pincushion, an eighteenpenny Lai stamp,
and four postage stamps ; also two keys of a trunk, and
a watch seal, with the word " Kate" engraved thereon.
On the gentleman were found a plain and rather old-
fashioned watch, three gold seals attached by a black silk
riband, with the letter " B" engrave!' ; a silver pencil-
case, a gold ring on his finger, is. 6d. in silver, and lid.
in copper; in his pockets ; also a gold toothpick in an
ivory case, a pair of o'd steel spectacles, a two-bladed
penknife, a pocket comb, a steel pencil-holder, and a gold
watch key.
A number of individuals belonging to Gateshead, at-
tracted by the rumour, flocked to the farmhouse, several
of whom recognised the deceased as having appeared in
the village yesterday forenoon walking arm-in-arm,
when they inquired of the villagers the distance to the
river, and whether there was liberty given to walk along
the banks. They went on, and were seen in a short
time thereafter to return and walk towards Kilmarnock.
The watch was found to have stopped at twenty minutes
to nine o'clock, and had not been exhausted in the wind-
ing up, thus indicating the time when the parties had
accomplished their awful purpose. The part of the river
where the bodies were found is not above three feet deep,
but immediately beneath is a deep pool. The act of
self-destruction must have been committed in the most
cool and deliberate manner, and their death unattended
with any serious struggle, from the position in which
the bodies were found. There was not the slightest
mark of violence perceived on either of their bodies.
Mr. Andrew, Procurator-Fiscal, proceeded to the spot
at an early hour, made the requisite investigation, into
the melancholy circumstances, and this forenoon the
bodies were removed to Kilmaurs, to lie there to await
any further information that can be obtained.
On making inquiry in town, we understand that a
lady and gentleman, answering the above description,
came on Tuesday eight days to reside at the commercial
inn here, having arrived by railway from Glasgow.
They brought two trunks, but gave no address. They
seemed to have no acquaintances in town, but took fre
quent walks in company along the streets, and ap-
peared to live most agreeably together—affording no
evidence that they were by any means embarrassed
in their circumstances, or troubled in mind. Yester-
day, after taking dinner, they left the inn about
five o'clock P.M , intimating to Mrs. Wyllie that they
would probably be late, as they were going to take a
moonlight walk, and enjoy the tine scenery of the neigh-
bourhood The gentleman had been in the custom of
visiting the coffee-room and reading the papers in the
evening ; he had a plea Sing address, and gave no indica-
tion that he was a person labouring under great dis-
tress of mind, or in needy, circumstances. They paid
their bill that day, and no person, so far as is known,
has any claim on them in this neighbourhood. In the
bedroom remain a brown great coat, a silk pelisse, a
small work-box and two leathern trunks, which have
evidently been much used. No address appears on any
of the articles, and Mrs. Wylie had no opportunity of
knowing their names. This extraordinary event has
caused a great sensation in the neighbourhood, and all
conjecture at present into the motives of the deceased is
set at defiance. They lived as man and wife, and, where-
ever they hare come from, have kept their names a strict
secret. From the small sum of money found on their
persons, they appear to have exhausted their means so
tar, but the valuables they possessed could have affi,rded
them the means of livelihood for same time longer.

PROPOSED RAILWAYS TO HARROGATE, &C.—The
promoters of the railway from Harrogate and Knares-
borough to Bolton Percy, do not intend to renew their
application to Parliament in the next session, the scheme
being abandoned. This will enable the influence of this
district to be thrown entirely in favour of the intended
Leeds and Thirsk line. The York and North Midland
Railway Company are surveying a line of railway from
Midland or Sherburn, on that line, to near Harrogate,
by way of Thorp Arch, Wetherby and Spofforth, in
order to afford a more ready communication to the
south and south•east than will be given by the Leeds
and Thirsk proposed rail way.—Harrogate Advertiser.
THE LITE SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A MEDICAL
MAN.—On Saturday afternoon Mr. William Carter,
Coroner for Sarrey, resumed and concluded an inquiry
at the George Tavern, Lambeth-walk, relative to the
death of Mrs. Mary Tretnlett Turner Brenton, aged
thirty-four, wife of Mr. Henry Brenton, an apothecary,
of Newport-street, Lambeth. The full particulars of the
case have already appeared in The Sun. The Coroner
said it was now his duty to make known to the public
the decision of the jury, who had, after a most pro-
tracted investigation, returned a verdict of Manslaughter
against Henry Brenton. The several witnesses were
then bound over to appear at the Central Criminal Court
to prosecute.
OXFORD-STREET WOOD PAVING.—On Saturday
considerable sensation was crewel in the Marylebone
Vestry, in consequence of a notice of motion having
been given, calling upon the vestry to renew their con-
tract for three years with the Metropolitan Wood Paving
Company, for keeping in repair and cleansing that por-
tion of wood paving laid down by them between Wells-
street and Rathbone-place. Mr. E. Joseph having been
appointed to the chair, Mr. IL C. Wilson rose to submit
his resolution, but was interrupted by Mr. Harbut, who
called upon the Vestry-clerk to state whether the resolu-
tion, come to by the vestry in March, 1843, to refuse to
entertain the subject of wood paving for a period of
three years, did not preclude the vestry from entering
into the present motion. Mr. Flood (the vestry-clerk)
apprehended that it did not. The minute of March,
1843, applied to the extension of wood paving, and not
to the question of keeping in repair that already laid
down. After a very stormy discussion, in which
Messrs. Tabrum, Daniell, Augarde, Grange, Wilson,
and Harbut took part, a division was demanded alien
there appeared fur the resolution, 21 ; against it, 23 ;
majority, refusing to enter into the contract, 2. The
vestry then separated.
ARNICA MONTANA, OR LEOPARD'S BANE.
NERVOUS DEAFNESS.—This plant is a native of Ger•
many, and belongs to the class Syngenesia ; order,
Polygamia superflua of Linnaeus, and to the tenth class;
third order, Cerymbiferne of Jussieu. It is placed in the
System of De Candolle in the Corollifloral Exogens,
ordeps Asteracce or Composite. In the " Materia
Medics" it is classed with the Narcotics, and, from
its botanical position, it may be considered as a
Narcotico-acrid. The filwera, leaves, and root, have
been applied to medical* purposes. The flowers of
this plant have a slightly fetid smell, and a taste pene-
trating and bitter. The infusion from maceration -in
water shows that both the taste and smell are
extracted during the process. When administered
their stimulating power and narcotic effects are
evidenced in their action on the general system. In
a moderate dose they increase the force of the circula-
tion, and they further serve to give tone to the mus-
cular fibre. In larger doses they induce purging, vomit-
ing, &c., which are sometimes succeeded by pains in the
muscles of voluntary motion, vertigo, and occasionally
convulsions. According to Dupuytren, the emetic
effects arise from certain downy particles from the plant,
which g't diffused through the infusion. This infusion
has been very successfully exhibited in amaurosis,
paralysis, convulsive disorders, and also in rheumatism
and gout (and the last two years by Dr. Cronin in
nervous deafness, and palpitation of the heart, since
which time several eminent surgeons have testified to its
efficacy). The root of this plant is tonic and aromatic,
so much so, that it has been used as a substitute fel.
Peruvian bark.—From Dr. Cronin's, Craven-street.
Strand, " Treatise on Arnica Montana in the Cure of
Nervous Deafness, and Palpitation of the Heart."
The Hereford large October fair was held on
Monday last, the 21st instant, and was decidedly a
better one than had been anticipated. The number of
cattle was not so large as on many previous occasions.
Fat cattle sold well and freely, as they did on the pre-
vious Saturday (show day). Owing to the scarcity of
keep there was no great demand for lean cattle, but in
the course of the day many changed hands at lower
prices. Fat cows and steers fetched from sd. to 51d.
per pound, which was about the price at which the best
muttons sold. There was a considerable demand for store
pigs, which were sold at rather advanced prices. There
were none but second-rate horses, and not many sold.
The hop trade was very brisk, and the highest current
prices fully realised.—Ten Towns' Messenger.
THE GREAT BRITAIN STEAM-SHIP.—BRISTOL, OCT.
26.—This noble vessel is at length released from her
protracted confinement in our float. The necessary
alterations in the uppear lock leading from Cumberland
Basin into the float having been made, she was yesterday
evening, between six arid seven o'clock, removed from
her moorings on the Sea-banks, and proceeded majesti-
cally down the floating harbour to the entrance of the
lock, where she remained for the night, and this morn-
ing, at seven o'clock, she was brought safely through
the lock into Cumberland Basin, where she will remain
for a few days, to have the screw affixed, &c. It is then
intended that she shall make one or two trial trips, after
which she will proceed to London.
BRUTALITY.-Mr. Higgs on Thursday resumed the
ir, quest on the body of a woman named Parker, whose
husband was in custody, awaiting the result, it being
alleged that his brutal violence towards her had caused
her death. On. a post mortem examinatian, the surgeons
gave it as their opinion that this violence, though it had
undoubtedly accelerated, had not directly caused, he
death. The coroner deeply regretted that on this evi-
dence it would be useless to commit the prisoner, even
for manslaughter. The jury declared he was one of the
greatest ruffians they had ever heard of, and returned a
verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, but
also expressed very strongly their feeling of the brutal
treatment the poor woman had received from her husband. ,