The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-30 00:00:00

Cabinet Council is to be inuni-±diately held for the purpose of
either opening the ports for the free admission of corn, or of
summoning Parliament to consider the propriety of so
doing. I trust this report is well founded. It would be a
wise and prudent act on the pnrt of the Government; and be
assured, if the ports be once opened, we will never permit
them to be closed again.—(Hear, hear.) In my opinion, the
extension of the commerce of this country should be at the
present moment the great practical object of every British
statesman. For this purpose not only should all protecting
duties be abolished, but other means should be adopted to

the borough of Southwark," and he hoped they would take
the advice of Mr. Bright, and not only be electors of South-
wark, but also become electors of East Surrey.
Mr. Wilsox returned thanks, and proposed the health of
the Committee of Sir William Molesworth, coupled with the
name of Mr. Vouseley.
Mr. VOUSELEY returned thanks.

who addressed the meeting ; also to the chairman; after which
the meeting separated.

LA W INTELLIGENCE.
PREROGATIVE COURT, Oct. 29.
(Before Sir H. JENNER FM.)
"ERRE V. PEACOCK 6.

The CHAIWIAN proposed the health of Mr. Lee Stevens
and the stewards of the days. Drunk with all the honours.
Mr. STEVENS briefly returned thanks for the kind manner
in which the name of himself and colleagues had been re•
ceived.

To-day this cause was again brought on for hearing. It appears
that Sir Thomas George Apreece, Bart., late of Washingley Hall,
in the county of Huntingdon, and of Margate, in the county of
Kent, deceased, died on the 30th December, 1942, aged 51. He
left behind him a sister, Mrs. Amelia Peacocke, who will be en-
titled in distribution, if it be established that the paper propounded
be invalid. The deceased was possessed of large landed estates in
the counties of Huntingdon, Essex, Leicester, and other parts of
England, of the value of about 200,000/. and of a personalty of
about 20,0001., exclusive of large amounts laid out in the Govern.
ment annuities. The deceased left several other relatives, among
whom are the Rev. Thomas H. Cole, a natural brother, &c. The
sums invested in the Government annuities were 18,7001. and
28.0001., the dividends on which were never, as alleged, regularly
received by him, the arrears at the time of his death amounting to
about 7,0001., and having also in his banker's hands about 12,0001.
The deceased committed suicide by shooting himself with a pistol,
on the 30th December, 1842. The will in dispute was executed
in the shop of a hatter, in Fleet-street, which is within a short
distance of his legal adviser's. The will bears date on the 23d
June, 1836, and by it the whole property is directed to be realised
and bequeathed to St. George's Hospital. The validity of the
paper is opposed on the ground of the insanity of the deceased.
Her Majesty's Advocate, Dr. Addams, and Dr. Harding were
in opposition to the validity of the will; and Dr. Phitlimore and
Dr. Jcnner in support of it. For the force and validity of the
paper, it was contended that the deceased had, ter to the period of
the execution of the paper, managed his own affairs. Against
the paper there are a multitude of eccentricities pleaded. The
deceased is alleged to have been at all times strange and eccentric,
even while a boy ; that in later years he believed that his heart
and stomach were of a different construction from those of other
people, and betokening premature decay When out in the
rain, as it was his habit to be, both by slay and night, it was
the deceased's constant practice to take off his hat, and stand
for some considerable length of time with his head uncovered
and exposed, evincing and expressing the comfort he received there.
by. That on a stormy or rainy night happening in the year
1836, the deceased set off late for the Horse Guards, com-
plaining bitterly of the (supposed) necessity of the journey,
and that he walked all the way from Blackheath to the
Horse Guards, though followed or attended by a carriage
driven by his coachman, and also by a groom mounted and leading
a saddle-horse. That as soon as he got to the Horse Gsurds,
without calling anywhere, he turned about, and persisted in wa king
back again to the foot of the bill, near to Blackheath, attended as
before, a distance, in the whole, of not less than ten or eleven
miles, notwithstanding that it rained heavily and incessantly. That
upon his arrival at the foot of the said hill, and not, before, he was
prevailed upon to get into iris carriage.
In the cruse of the arguments against the will, it was contended
especially by Drs. Adderns and Harding, that the;bequest to a public
charity of the whole of so large a property was contrary to the ac •
knewledged feelings of the deceased—that he was fond of boasting
of his fami:y and pedigree—that his ancestors had been knighted
by Queen Elizabeth, and, notwithstanding all this, in one line he
had left the whole of his property to St. George's Hospital, in-
cluding estates that had been in the family since Henry the Eighth.
The reply remains to be heard.

The CITAIRMAN proposed Mr. Herbert Sturmy, their elec-
:ion agent, in a highly eulogistic speech.
Mr.STLTRMY briefly acknowledged the toast.
The assembly shortly afterwards broke up.

MEETING OF THE ANTI-CORN-
LAW LEAGUE.
MANCHESTER, WEDWEIDLT.

Last night a numerous meeting of the members and friends of
this body held their seventh annual meeting at the Free-Trade
Hall in this town. About one-third of the company was com-
posed of women in the middle wa'ks of life, who appeared to take
a warm interest in the proceedings. There were between 6,000
and 7,000 persons present.
Mr. GEORGE WILSON, Chairman of the League, took the chair.

He said that, if anything was wanting to convince him of the

attachment of the people of Lancashire to the caure which had
that night brought them together, that meeting supplied the deft.

ciency, for he believed that on n 3 former occasion was their meet-
ing more numerously or respectable attended. It had been his in.
tention to lay before them the result of the recent registration, but
from some cause a portion of the necesscry documents had not

reached him, though he should be prepared at their next meeting,
which he hoped would soon be held, to Ity before them a de.
tailed statement of the result, and which would turn out to be

very satisfactory. Under these circumstances he would, without
further observation, call upon the Hon. Member for Stockport to

address the meeting.
Mr. COBDEN, M. P., then came fcrward, and was received with
loud cheers, which lasted fnr several minutes. Ile said, many had

been the meetings which he had attended, but he might fairly say
that the present claimed pre-eminence over all others in its num-

bers, its intelligence, and, it looking at the 'platform, he should say,
its power, which constituted altogether the strength of the county
of Lancaster. As he came along the street to the meeting, he
could spot help thinking what it was that thus drew them together.
There was nothing particular to announce; they (the meeting) had
probably nothing to communicate, yet there seemed to be some-
thing in the state of the question, and in the movements relative to
it, which instinctively drew them together. There was either a

sense of impending danger, or a sort of presentiment of coming good,
that had drawn them together, and it should be their business that
night, by taking the soundings, by making observations as to the
state of the question, and its position, to see if some consolation
could not be drawn from the present state of affairs, and if possible
term some plans to realise the full amount of their objects out of the
dilemma its which their opponents were now placed. It
ought to be perfectly understood that they did not meet
there to exult over the calamity in which a large portion
of their countrymen were likely to be placed—over
the scarcity and famine which i:npended over the heads
of unhappy Irishmen. No, the object for which they
had laboured for seven years was abundance; " plenty" was
their motto, plenty always and plenty everywhere; and if there
should be famine or scarcity, they (the League) might, at all events,
claim to stand guiltless. Starvation seemed to stare Ireland in the
face; and what was the remedy to avert the korrors of such a
calamity t Why "open the ports, and admit the bread of the
whole world to feed the people."—(Cheers.) That was the remedy
which an e ,lightened despot would at once fly to. Look at
Russia, Prussia, Germany, Holland, and Belgium I Those Go-
vernments at once threw open their ports in times of famine, and
in some cases actually stopped exportation of food in order to sup-
ply their own people with abundance. Why had not our Govern-
ment adopted a similar course ? Why had they waited to be
taught Christianity from the Turk, or humanity from the Rus-
sian ? Was it because the Government was less merciful, or be-
cause the Prime Minister was afraid the people would not stand by
him if he took so necessary a step ? If that were his doubt, they
had met there together to give him all the support they could
afford—(Applause)—and he hesitated not to say, that whatever
opposition the aristocracy might give, there was power enough in
the country to support him in that act of humanity. They sup..
ported him there in that magnificent meeting, and. whatever
they said South Lancashire would say when he appealed to it.
They spoke the voice of the West Riding of York, and
Middlesex would endorse what he uttered in that hall- A
Minister with such support at his back, ready to eqercise it
whenever called on, was a criminal at d a poltroon if he hesi-
tated a whit. He had a power such as man never had before.
His party could not do without him. Let anybody look at his
side of the House, and, with the exception of Sir James Graham.
it might be called a dreary waste of statesmanship. Sir Robert
Peel was, therefore, despotic with his party, and with the power
which he possessed he must be content to take the moral respon-
sibility of it, if he failed to take the only step which could avert
the coming danger. Many people began to say if Peel opened the
ports and corn came in, that would not settle the question ;
that was a point to which he wished to call particular attention.
So far he (Mr. Cobden) saw a disposition on the part of many of his
friends to throw up their caps, and consider the question as settled,
but he did not exactly see his way clear to a settlement of the
question by such a step. The ports had been opened in 1826, and
the sliding scale was passed in 1828, with all its iniquities. It was
not necessarily because Ireland wanted food that they should have a
repeal of the corn-laws. Ireland had been in a state of semi-
famine for the last 30 years. In 1822, 250,000/. was raised in
England to save Connaught and Munster from actual starvation,
and yet nothing was said about the repeal of the corn-laws, not a
word about relieving the people of Ireland by a repeal of the corn-
laws. What he wanted, therefore, to impress on the minds of
the meeting was, that when the ports were opened they should
put their backs against them and keep them open.—(Cheers.)
But were there not arguments to be found at home P
He be-
lieved there were. Peeple had been brought to the meeting
because they had get an idea that things were not looking so well
as they have been in Lancashire. True, they were not arrived at
the same state in which Ireland was, where a Commission of
learned doctors had just been sent over to see how much more
the patient could endure. The people of Portland were not yet
arrived at such a state of things, but they were fast on the way to
it. Oatmeal, which was a short time ago 215., was now 355., and
he believed that flour, which was Is. Bd. a dozen, was now 2s. 6d ;
therefore, every man who was spending half. a crown in bread was
just getting one-third less for it than he did twelve months ago.
Every man would, therefore, hays one-third less to spend upon
whatever else be used. This brought him to the old story, If he
had so much score to spend in what he ate, Ye would have so
much less to spend on what he wore, and consequently there would
be less work and less wages. The cause of all this state of
things would not be got rid of by the people of Lancashire throwing
up their caps, or because a Noble Lord wrote a very ambiguous
letter, or because another Hon. Gentleman made a speech that
could not be well understood. They must not throw up their
caps and fancy they were going to have the corn-laws repealed by
any such adventitious aid as that. No, it would have to he done
by their own right arm, if done at all. The Hon, Gentleman,
after some observations on the state of railway speculation,
in the course of which he designated Mr. Hudson the " King
of Spades," proceeded :—About three or four years ago, the
League put out some placards, stating that the pcpulation was
increasing at the sate of a thousand a day. He was passing
by one of these bills when he heard a man, with a shovel over his
shoulder, reading it on the wall say, " That's a lie, any how."
But that incredible fact at that time had been so well established
since, that even Lord Stanley and Sir James Graham admit it is
true, and confess it is necessary to make some provision for the
increasing population. This was encouraging, and showed they
had only to persevere in their efforts to set themselves free. It
began now to be seen on all hands that the present corn-laws
could not stand ; but it also seemed to be very doubtful what kind
of law was to be got instead of them. The question was were
they to have another corn-law ?—(Cries of " No, no.") Another
sliding-scale duty?—(No, no.) Only think of the number of
corn-laws they had had during the last few years. The present
had been in operation nearly four years, and now it was said the
people are to get rid of it. Why is it sot Because there is a
prospect of scarcity, the people want food, and it stands in the way
of their obtaining it. It was a law at once unnatural, impolitic,
and inexpedient, and me: nt only to suit the pockets of those who
were interested in its continuance.—(Applause) There would, he
had no doubt, be attempts made to cheat them; he believed
both the great parties in the House of Commons were willing to
indulge in the same fraud, and unless the free-traders stood
true to their principles, there would be either a fixed duty
or another sliding scale. He thought they had made out a
sufficient case, and therefore must stand by it without any attempt
to compromise. They did not ask to be benefited at the expense
of any portion of the community : he had all along repudiated that
idea, and he thought he had fully demonstrated that protection was
the bane of the agriculturist. That was what Lord John Russell
said, and Peel said ditto to it. He did not hesitate to say that
whether the ports were opened or not they would continue to urge
until no ground was left to the monopolist, or until every rag and
vestige of the protective system was done away with.—(Cheers.)
The farmers had been told that they were robbing each other.
Since the close of Parliament he had had many opportunities of
consulting with that class of men, and had obtained a variety of
statistics and details on the subject, which went to show that the
farmer, instead of being a gainer, was a material loser by the so-
awed protective system. It had been proved to him that the more
extensive the farmer was the more he suffered from protection.
The large stock farmers were more injured by it than any other
portion of the community. They were the consumers of Indian
corn, cheese, butter, beer, and of all other taxed articles, for which
they were made to pay dear by protection. If that could be de..
ntonstratad, and he had no doubt it could, the cause of monopoly
would be hopeless. Protection had been in existence for
twenty-five or thirty years, during the whole of which
time the farmers had been made the dupe of every block.
head who chose to cry out "protection." It was enough
to demonstrate the evils of those laws; they could not be abolished
unless the people were energetic in obtaining the power to carry
out their principles, which they could beat do in the registration
courts. They (the League) had called upon the West Riding of
York twelve months ago to qualify 2,000 people, to enable them
to rescue that division of the county from the monopolists, and
they had nobly responded to the call ; they had put 2,300 free-
traders on the register.—(Cheers.) They had converted the ma-
jority that formerly existed in favour of monopoly of 1,000 into a
majority of 1,600 for free trade; and he asked them to go again
and qualify 2,000 before the 31st of January next. A contest
for that riding would cost each party 10,0001., and the expenditure
ofAlOOOOl. between the present and the latter end of January
would secure the division at the next election. He asked them to
put themselves in the same position as South Lancashire, where
the free-traders had a majority of 3,000. After some allusions to
the state of the register in North Cheshire, and other parts of the
country, the Hon. Gentlemae concluded by urging the meeting
never to relax in their exertions till success had crowned their
efforts He sat down amidst loud cheer..
Ur. HENRY ASRWORTII, of Turton, near Bolton, was the next
speaker. As far as he could judge, the meeting was assembled
together for the purpose of again talking of the injurious effects of
the present system of corn-laws, which had the effect cif keeping
up the price of bread, a circumstance which, from past experience,
had ever been the means of crippling trade. Those who had paid
attention to the operation of these laws could not have failed to
observe that, whenever wheat was dear, trade was bad and wages
low. He then entered into an argument to prove this view of the
question, and concluded by urging the people of Lancashire to per-
severe till their object was fully and fairly accomplished.
Mr. Buena', M.P., next addressed the meeting at considerable
length. He contended that the present state of feeling in the country
and the wide-spreading distrust which now prevailed were owing to
the apprehended scarcity which threatened the country, and urge'
the necessity of the people averting the famine that threatened
Ireland and England too, by demanding an immediate repeal of the
corn laws; and concluded a speech which occupied 55 minutes
in delivering with this emphatic declaration :—We war not with
any right of any man, we war with a law which all men are be-
ginning to doubt, and which most intelligent and good men hate.
We want to substitute for that law the original charter by which
men have a right to live and to earn, and to enjoy the fruits of
their earnings. " And God said, Behold I have given you every
herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and
every tree, in the which is the fruit of the tree yielding seed, to you
it shall be given." Was the Scripture written only for our first
parents ? Was It intended only for those who should inhabit that,
to us, most distant land, or was it not an universal premise and
benediction ? Was it not given by inspiration that mankind, till
the end of time, till the world should be wrapped in flame, should
trust in him who gave that promise, and if we thus believe how
dreadful our abandonment of duty, how awful the crime, not less
than even that of those who made the corn-laws, if we step back
from that duty, if we fail In the work we have set ourselves, which
is to abolish the law that restricts the bounty of Providence, and
to establish the original and heaven-given law which will give
plenty to all the earth.—(Cheers.)

SECONDARIES' COURT, Oct. 29.
(Before Mr. Secondary POTTER.)
TURNER AND OTHERS V. THE EXECUTORS OP POORE.
IMPORTANT CASE OF BREACH OF CCTENANT.—This was an
action to recover damages for breach of covenant. The damages
were laid at 2,000/.
Mr. KENNEDY (one of the Judges of the Sheriff's' Court, Middle-
sex), appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. RYLAND for the de-
fendant.

Mr. KENNEDY said this was an action for the breach of several
covenants in a lease. The defendants having suffered judgment to
go by default, they admitted all the breaches, and the jury, there-
fore, had only to estimate the damages. Tha plaintiffs were execu-
tors of a Mr. Turner, and the defendants executors of a Mr. James
Poore. Mr. Turner had, during his lifetime, leased to Mr. Poore
premises at Brixton, leading to Tulse.lfll, for a term of twenty-
one years. The lease was made in September, 1841, and the
several breaches would show the general negligence. The cove-
nants were to paint the outside once every three years. At the
time the action was brought, that covenant had been broken,
although something had been dune subsequently. The lessee
was bound to insure—he did not. There was a covenant
not to build, yet he had done so, and it was not
a question whether it was detrimental or ornamental, for
the covenant had been broken. There was a covenant not to
demise or assign without license, yet it had been assigned to a Mr.
Bedford, of whom he did net say, or wish to be understood as im-
puting, was an undesirable tenant; but a written notice had been
served on him to repair, but he had refused, and the premises were
sublet to a very objectionable person, inasmuch as they were allowed
to go on in waste and dilapidation. The very object of the cove.
nant was to bind the lessee, and it was clear that this covenant had
also been broken, and the covenant for payment of rent had been
broken, as Mr. Poore died in December, 11144, and a quarter's
rent had become due since that time. The premises consisted of a
house, garden, and about two acres of ground, inclosed with a fence,
and to this the attention of the jury would be more particularly
directed, for besides the covenants for specific objects, there was
a general one to paint and repair when need should require, and
necessary for the occupation of a tenant at rack-rent : these were
ordinary covenants in a lease. The land in question had, 40
years ago, been an open field, and had been bought by Mr. Turner,
the testator, who inclosed the whole, making the whole of value,
and when he let it, the party taken was bound by all the cove•
nants, especially in re-letting, assigniag which in this ease he
could not do, however capricious the lessor might be in refusing to
grant a license to do so. The premises had been let at a low rent, in
consideration of the lessee being bound by the strict covenants.
Negotiations had been pending, but they were ineffectual, and the
case thus came before the jury.
Edsell, examined—Knew the premises five years before Mr.
Poore took them. Had worked in the adjoining premises, another
house and garden completing the frontage of the land, part of Mr.
Poore's field running down the lane behind. The fences were
very good in 1841. A bed-room had since been built over the
stable ; it could be seen from the road.
Cross-examined—Believed there was a dispute as to who was
bound to repair. The fence was post and rails, and lattice-work.
Mr. Whitehead had the premises before Mr. Poore, and repaired
them. .'
Mr. Thomas Hudson, surveyor, had let the premises, and
thought 55/. per year very cheap for it now, with the addition of
the bed-room and a water closet.
Cross.examined—The fences require repair, but had not made
any professional calculation, and could not make a rough estimate
of what would be the amount required to repair. Mr. Bedford was a
highiy respectable man in the City of London. Witness only
wished he had twenty houses and Mr. Bedford would take
them all.

Mr. Williamson, a surveyor—Did 'not survey the house. The
fences appeared to have been neglected, part on the south side
(alongside the adjoining premises), and sheep hurdles had been put
up ; all the defects appear to have existed for some years. To set
the fence in order it would take 411. 17e. fid. The palisading
could not have been part of the original fence, but put up some
years after.
Richard Dove, baker, of Brixton, had been groat part of the
fence down for two years.
Mr. RYLAND said this was one cf the most hasty and uncalled.
for actions which could have been brought, and never would
have been commenced, if Mr. Turner had not been an
attorney and executor, and could, therefore, have law at
trade price. It was clear that the question of fences
had been a debateable point even in the lifetime of
Mr. Poore, and, without that, there was not a tittle of evi.
dence as to any damage being sustained. It was true the pre-
mises had not been insured the first year, but the place was not
burnt down, and, if it had been, he would have been bound. It
might have led to a forfeiture of the lease, and so would the non-
payment of rent ; and if it was an action of ejectment, or to get rid
of a bad tenant, he could have understood such breaches being se
up, but Mr. Poore died in December, 1844, and no rent WAS due
till Lady-day, 1845, and the action was brought in April. A sum-
mons had been taken out before ajudge, and an offer made to pay
the rent, and Is. for the nominal damages, but it was refused by
the plaintiff; and the judge had no power to make the order. Yet
the damages had been laid at ...,000/. The question was, whether
any real damage had been sustained. Mr. Hudson thought the
building the bed-room over the etable an improvement. Ha'f a
farthing would be sufficient damage on those counts. The house
had been put in repair, and Mr. Poore had laid out 2001. on it.
Mr. Berry, the defendant's attorney, proved the proceedings
before the judge.
Mr. Burgess, a builder, proved he built the additional room and
water-closet; they were entire improvements. His bill amounted
to 1641. 12s.
The SECONDARY considered that in an action of breach of
covenant, the defendant might show there had not been any damage.
Henry Arcent did work to the amount of 601. in 1842 to the
house and fences, and left them in tenantable repair. The disputed
part he wou'd repair for it., and make the whole serviceable fcr 2sl.
That would make it better than it was before, and he would be
well paid. The old fence was some oak, souse deal, and some ma-
hogany—in fact, something of everything._( Laughter.)
Arcent, painter, did painter's work to the value of 131. In
1642.

Samuel Crabb did similar work in 1843 to the amount of 4/.
Mr. John Pearce, bricklayer, did work to the amount of 241.
inside and out.
Mr. Richard Ray, clerk to the Sun Fire-office, proved the house
had been insured in April, 1842, and up te the present time, in the
sum of 5001.
Mr. Butler deposed to a conversation between Mr. Poore and Mr.
Hunter, who said he did not know to whom the fence belonged, but
would make inquiry,
Mr. KENNEDY replied, and said, after no plea had been put in,
it came with a bad grace from the defendants to ray no damage
had been done, as they might have settled the action in a very
summary way by paying what they thought due into Court, and
the ptaintifik would have continued the action at their peril. It
was clear they could not accept one shilling nominal damages.
As far as the insurance went, they claimed no special damage, and
although they were entitled to 101. for work done after the action,
proving that the house was out of repair. yet they would forego it
from a spirit of equity, as there was no substantial damage. They
would admit that a large sum had been expended, but that was
the conditions on which the lease was granted at a low rent.
The place, however, had not been painted within three years, and
by leaving it another year damage consequently ensued. He urged
that the evidence of the dispute as to who was bound to repair the
fence was very loose.
The SECONDARY said that was the main point. If there was
a real dispute defendant could not be charged with a breach of co.
♦enant. The dispute, however, appeared to be only as to part.
The jury must, at all events, give nominal damages on all the
counts.
Thejury consulted for half an hour, and then said they were all
agreed but one. They were then locked up, and ultimately gave
a verdict for 13/. 15s. rent, and 20/. for repair of the fences, and
nominal damages on the other counts.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
BO W-STREET.

CAUTIAN TO RAILWAY PROJECTORS.—ShortIy before th' closing
of the Court on Tuesday evening, Mr. Baldwin, i►l.P. for Totnes,
accompanied by a solicitor, waited on Mr. Twyford for the pur.
pose of applying for a summons against the registered projector and
the registered solicitor of a railroad, the name of which did not
transpire, to attend at this Court, and show cause why they
continued to use his name in the list of the provisional committee,
without first obtaining his sanction for so doing. Mr. Baldwin
said that he had written repeatedly to the parties, disclaiming any
connexion with the project in question, and, as no notice was taken
of any of his communications, he was driven to the necessity of
seeking protection under the Act of Parliament, his name being
still made use of against his will, and, as the law was perfectly
clear upon the point, he hoped the Court would assist him In
checking a system that had become very prevalent.
The Solicitor pointed out to the Magistrate the 7th and Sth of
Victoria, chap. 110, the 65th clause of which enacts, " That, as
great injury has been inflicted upon the public by companies falsely
pretending is be patronised, or directed, or managed by eminent or
opulent persona, now, for the purpose of preventing such false pre-
tenses, be It enacted, with regard to every company, or pretended
company whatsoever, whether registered or not, and whether now
existing or not, that if any person shall make any such false pre.
tences, knowing the same to be false, in any advertisement or
other paper, whether printed or written, and whether published
in any newspaper or handbill, or placard, or circular, then every
such person shall forfeit for every such offence a sum not exceed.
ing ten pounds."
Mr. TitYFOAD said, that as the clause distinctly provided against
such improper practices, he could have no hesitation in granting
summonses against the parties.

On the motion of Mr. J. Brooks, seconded by Mr. W. Rawson,
a vote of thanks was carried, with loud cheer; to Vle gentletueu

TILE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 30, 1845

QLEEN'S COLLEGE,BIRMINGRAII
ANNUAL. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.
BIRMINGHAM, TUESDAY.—To-day a most interesting ex-
hibition, in cor.wtction with the above highly valuable and
impeant institution, took place at the Town-hall. The
occasion was the distribution of prizes to the students, and
the result was highly gratif‘ing to a numerous and most re-
spectable wemblage of noblemen and gentlemen of the dis-
trict. The hour appointed for commencing the proceedings
wal one o'clock, but before that time Several gentlemen of
distinction, accompanied by the professors of the Collt-go,
assembled at the institutio i in Paradise-street, and proceeded
to inspect the whole establishment, including the newly-
erocted church, museum, and other interesting portions of the

Shortly after one o'clock a numerous body of the inhabi-
tants being assembled in the Town-hall, the company who
had visited the college were conducted to the meeting, and
amongst those who formed the procession were—The Lord
Bishop of the Diocese, Lord Dartmouth, Lord Lyttelton,
Thomas Phillips, Esq., mayor; David Malin, high
bailiff ; Dr. J. B. Davies, Y. B. Melsom, Esq.. Sands Cox,
Esq , Dr. Buckland, Rev. V. Thomas, Rev. G. Garbet, rural
dean; Alderman Vauvart, H. Luskcock, Esq., J. Bourne,
Esq., late high ; Wm. Chance, Esq., Mr. Alderman
Room, Dr. Booth, and most of the aldermen and town coun-
cillors of the borough. There were also a great number of
ladies present.
Lord LYTTELTON, as President of the Collage, opened the
buslnessin a very appropriate address. With respect to the
institution which had that day convened them together,
he feared no contradiction when he said, that it would he a
most erroneous opinion which should describe that institu-
tion merely ac a medical institutien. He considered the ob-
jeet of that institution was no less for the general education
of the man than for provh'ing instruction for the physician
and surgeon ; and it was on that account that many had felt
the warmest interest in its success, and had considered like
himself that theycould freely and fairly take part in the fila-
nee:erne:lt and care of such an establishment. The object which
it had within its scope was the education of medical stu-
dents; and he must be allowed to speak with frankness upon
that which needed no lengthened observations to demonstrate
-namely, that medical students had been for a long period
in a peculiar state of dieldvaetage from the want of such
institutions as the present. It was well known that all ab
sorbing- attention to medical science, unrelieved by the
thoughts and reflections upon the great truths of religion,
had a tendency to materialism and irreligion ; and hence
the great necessity which existed for that admirable systan
(Ton which the education of the Queen's College was
b The Notde Lord, at considerable length and ability,
enforced this view of the subject, and, in conclusion, ex-
ressed Lie determination to atford a:1 the assistance he
could to the'gentlemen engaged in promoting the interest
of the Queens College.
Lord DARTMOUTH then rose to move the first resolution,
One of thanks to the Governors of the College for their
exertions in behalf of the institution.
The Rev. R. KENNEDY seconded the resolution, which was
put and carried unanimously ; after whiele
Dr. J. JOHNSTON returned thanks for the compliment paid
to his father.
The LORD BISHOP of the Diocese next briefly addressed
ae meeting, on the occasion of presenting the Warnford
prize of gold medals, for essays, to Mr. C. E. J. Tipton and
Mr. J. V. Hughes.
The Jephson prize of 20 guineas was presented by Dr.
Booth to Mr. G. \Vilmhurst, to whom it was awarded after a
severe examination in all the branches of medical science.
The gold medal for regularity and good conduct was next
presented to Mr. J. V. Hughes and Mr. J. P. Badlcy ; after
which the celebrated
Dr. BUCKLAND addressed the meeting, and delivered
a very powerful address, in pointing out the great advan-
terve which medical men derived from the pursuit of the
study of chemistry; and after dwelling upon this subject, he
took occasion to advert with very considerable effect to the
present alarming state of the potato crop. It was a question
of humanity, which required the instantaneous application
of all the medical skill and science which could be brought
to bear upon it. It had been toe notorious for some weeks
past that a gangrene had seize 1 upon the potato crop, that it
was almost universal. It extended all over Europe, and it was
felt in the United States. It was felt in the first instance, in
Belgium, and then all over France and in Italy. It was his
let a few weeks ago to be present at two meetings—one, a
mew ins of the Royal Agricultural Society of Paris, con-
vened by the Government of France for the purpo'e of con-
sidering the extent of the mischief done to the potato crop in
that country and the remedy which it became the Govern-
ment to apply. At that meeting Professors Poncha, of
Rouen, and Payen, of Paris, were present; and the nextweek
they printed a document in which the subject was treated
wiih a vast amount of skill. He (Dr. Buckland) had re-
ceived, within these few days, the result of an investigation
of the potato disease in Scotland, in which Dr. Johnston had
been summoned to institute a chemical investigation
into the nature of the disease, and it was only that
morning he received intelligence which confirmed his worst
fears of the nature and extent of the malady. It ap-
peared that the Government of England had sent a com-
mission, composed of scientific men, chemists, and others,.to
confer with the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland upon
the alarming state of the malady in that country, and he
knew that a potato hospital would be immediately esta-
blished in Ireland. The object of this hospital was not to
cure the eaters of the diseased potatoes, but the design was to
cure the potatoes themselves of the fearful disease which had
seized upon them. There was, lie believed, yet a remedy if
the disease was taken in time. It was now unnecessary to
go into the cause of this alarming disease, and he would at
once say, first of all they must remove the potatoes from the
ground, store them wherever they might—barns, warehouses,
and every place that could be made available,for holding;
them must be used. Infected potatoes must not be al':
!owed to touch the sound ones, for there was contagion
in them; and so long as sound potatoes were kept dry
there was no danger of them. The diseased part of the
potato is innocuous to man or beast if mascerated or steeped
12 hours in clean cold water, and then clanged and washed
again in other water, before they are boiled. The starch
then in the most decayed and putrid portion of the potato
was perfectly good. Atter the first twelve hours' stesping,
the rind was to be taken off. The diseased part must be pared,
and the parings washed twice in cold water, there being
twelve hours, as he had said, between each washing; then
they were t,) be dried and set by for the use of cattle.
The day before he visited Lord Ashburton, where he ate a
portion of those potatoes, the starch of which had been
preserved, and which were perfectly sound. He had seen
reports of pigs having died from eating potatoes which had
been given to them, but if proper precaution had been
used such results would not have followed. He believed
it was not a new disease. He believed it existed at
all times, only not to such an extent as at present.
He would, therefore, impress upon all concerned in the care
of potatoes the absolute necessity of keeping them dry. In-
struments were now being made in Pares and London by
means of which the starch could be separated from the
potato, but where the vegetable fibre remained, let it be
wished and preserved. He would again impress upon those
who had buried their potatoes, the necessity of removing
them at once. They ought to be put into straw, and every
means taken to preserve them and keep them dry. He re-
gretted to state that one-third of the potato crop in Ireland
was lost, and with them the food of 2,000,000 of the people
of that country had perished. The Government must inter-
pose, science must interpose, between the dead and the
living, and by the goodness and mercy of God the plague
may yet be stayed.
The address of the Learned Doctor was listened to with
marked attention, and produced a strong effect upon the
audience. Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting,
which did not terminate till late in the evening.

DREADFUL SHIPWRECK OF A
HULL AND HAMBURGH STEAMER.
By the General Steam Navigation Company's steam-ship Nep-
tune, Captain Whittingham, commander, which arrived at Black-
wall yesterday afternoon from Hamburgh, intelligence was received
in the City of the shipwreck and loss of one of the Hull and Ham.
burgh steamers, called the Margaret, commanded by Captain Raw.
linson, accompanied by a great loss of life. From the few parti
culars that have been brought over, it appears that during the
whole of last week the coast was visited b' a most fearful storm,
the wind blowing a continual gale from the north to the north-
west; and the destruction among the coasting-traders is stated to
have been very great. The Margaret steamer left Hamburg!) for
the port of Hu'l on Frid ry, the 19th instant, having her usual
number of passengers and a full cargo of merchandise, the weather
at the time of her departure being what is termed moderate.
By the time she had arrived off Cuxhaven, near the mouth
of the Dire, it was blowing a gale from the north-west, but
the captain thinking it would not be of any duration, the pilot
left the vessel at that port, and she proceeded on her
passage, and was last seen from Heligoland, passing through the
usual track. Nothing further was heard of her until Sunday
morning last, when the General Steam Navigation Company's
steamer Neptune, on the point of starting with the mails from
Norden, learned that the unfortunate steamer had been wrecked
off that coast, and that sixteen of the passengers and three of the
crew had perished with her. From another source it has been
ascertained that the ill.fated vessel, after leaving Heligoland,
coull, in consequence of the gale, have only made lee way, and
eventually, it is supposed, she was driven on a dangerous sand,
called the Memmett, near Juist, at the eastern entrance of the
river Mernm. According to the accounts, she struck before day.
break on the mornirg of the 22d, and, therefore must have been
encountering the gale for three days. It appears that the moment
she took the shoal the sea, which was running terribly high, swept
several persons overheard. The long boat was launched, and
attempts were made to reach the shore, but owing to its
crowded state and the violent serf, it ,capsized, and every
soul in it met with a watery grave. Those who rc•
mained on board the vessel, atter being exposed to the most
severe privation for a number of hours, were saved. The steamer
became a complete wreck, but as the tide receded, considerable
quantities of her cargo were got out of her hold. The Vivid
steamer, Captain Agars, which reached London.lnidge last evening
from Hull, reports that when he left the Humber fears were enter.
tained, from the length of time the Margaret was over due, that
some accident had happened to her. The Queen of Scotland
steamer had arrived at Hull from Hamburgh before the Vivid
left, and had seen nothing of the Margaret, although she did not
start from Hamburgh until some time after her. The Queen •f
Scotland, It appears, met with a most boisterous passage, and a
number of oxen which were on the deck were obliged to be thrown
overboard for the better safety of the vessel. The Margaret was
the property of Mr. Pinners, of Hull, by whom she was built some
years ago. She was of about 250 tons burden, rigged as a three.
mast schooner, and was worked by a screw propeller, being the first
vessel of the description that has been engaged as a passenger vessel
from that port. She had a very rakish appearance, and from the
quantity of canvass she caried, was considered a perfect- clipper.
Within a few mites of the spot where the Margaret was
lost, viz., off Norderney, a ship foundered about the same time,
and every soul belonging to her was drowned. Another vessel,
belonging to St. Petersburgh, named the Mehala, was lost on the
previous day on the same sands, and the captain and one of his
crew perished. In addition to those deplorable disasters, the Ham.
burgh Mail announces the loss of no fewer than nine other vessels
on the Dutch coast during the storm.
(From the Manchester Guardian.)
We have received, from a friend at Hull, intelligence of a Ire.
mendous hurricane on Monday afternoon and Tuesday in last week,
which seems to have been more violent and of greater duration
than any experienced in the German Ocean for the last twenty
years. We give the following from our correspondent's letter:—
•' The Transit, Hamburgh steamer, arrived at Hull on Sunday
ntcrrring lort, after enduring one of the heaviest gales perhaps ever
experienced, having been obliged to throw overboard all the cattle
she was bringing to Hull, 36 in number. The hurricane confi-
rmed from Monday afternoon to Tuesday; but the gale was of much
longer duration. It also appears that the Transit, having proceeded
so .ea for the second time, the weather became so tempestuous that
the ship was obliged to face the storm, there being on this occa-
sion no possibility of returning. I cannot, however, do better than
send you a copy of the letter transmitted home by the very intel-
ligent engineer of this steamer:—

"Cuxhaven, Oct. 22, ISO.

" Dear is with feelii gs of thankfulness I am enabled to
send you a line to ease the suspense that I know you will be in
with us being so late. I scarcely theught I should ever see you
again but, thank God 1 we are all safe and well. But, oh
we have passed through an ordeal indeed. Never did any one
imagine there could be such a sea running. When we li ft here on
Friday we had a very heavy gale, and had to bear up on Saturday
night, and got coaled on Sunday night; and as the westher was
more moderate, we proceeded to sea on Monday forenoon; then hit
the afternoon came on the hurricane, such as has not been known
here for above twenty years. We kept her head to the sea, u
it wu bapoulble to turn back; but whim the otonuii#