The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-22 00:00:00

IN'G. NOVEMBER 20,, 1445.

Flowery Pekoe—About 800 chests have been sold during
the week, making the sales of. the new crop amount to 2,000
&Jests, at 40 taels for fair Pekoe With Flowery, to 94 tads for
fine very flowery.
Caper--The stockd now on hand of plain is about 20,000
ten eAty boxes, for which 17 to 20 taols is wanted, and 2,009
half chests at 16 to 18 taels. These prices being too high
for the present state of the market in England, the sales are
very tii ling, Scented kinds are in demand, and some
15,000 ten catty boxes of the new crop have been sold at 35
to 40 taels.

. Orange Pekoes—Very little doing in plain; in the scented
kinds, which are this year rather above the average quality,
some activity prevails, and 4,000 to 5,000 half chests have
been bought at 53 to 60 taels. For one very fine parcel
64 taels is wanted. These prices show an advance of 7 taels
on last year's rates.
.tiMg Fong—Sales just now are small, and for the English
market only, bnt the total quantity settled fur amounts to
14,000 half chests, and 10,000 ten catty boxes, at prices
ranging from 23 to 44 taels, being last year's rates.
Old Congou and Souchong.—ln these kinds, purchases of
small extent continue to be made, at 13 taels for good ordi-
nary, to 17 to 70 for but middling, blackish leaf. About
10,000 chests of Congou, and about 2,000 chests Souchong,
remain on hand.

Greens—New teas of tke inferior kinds, Taiping, are daily
expected, but the superior sorts will not arrive fur six weeks.
The crops are said to be of good average quality and quail-
tity—prices equal to last year's are talked of. Cantoa sorts
remain at previous quotations—the transactions in them for
the English market supporting prices.
Silk—Nothing doing; the supply of Canton hardly enough
for the native wants. No. 3,290 doll. No one seems dis-
posed to open the market for the Nankeen arrived down, the
prices demanded being so much higher than those ruling in
the north.

Cassia—Want of tonnage prevents transactions. We hear
of a purchase of 1,500 piculs for the American market. No
drug ship loading for England at present.
Camphor—Some has been sent via Singapore.
Sugar—We hear of nothing doing.
Quicksilver-128 dols. per picul ; no demand.
dols. 50 cents. per box ; ditto.
Freights—Several ships have been taken up for London
at 41. 10s. There is a demand for ships to proceed to Shang-
hae and load; 5/. ss. would be given, besides some freight up.
Exchanges—On London, six months' sight, 4s. Pd. Ac-
cepted Company's bills have receded from 227 to 225, and
are wanted.

Mexican dollars scarce at 3 per cent.
Sycee for duty 6 per cent.

SHANGHAE, AUG. 6.
Tea—Business in teas and silks continues brisk. The great
run has been upon Moming teas, and likewise Hohow kinds.
Pekoes of fair quality are in the market, and some true Nan-
keen green teas
,have also appeared. Prices are very
high, the teamen being very extravagant in their demands.
Gunpowder, GO taels. Hysons, 80 taels.
Silk—Operations in silk have been extensive; fine Tsatlee
is worth 440 dols., and best Taysaan 360 dols.
Opium—The drug market has given way from 10 dols. to
15 dols., the rates at NVoosung were, for Patna 805 do'es and
for Malwa 825 dots.

Saltpetre—Dull of sale.
Shirtings—Of 70 reed. 3 dols. 20 cents.
American Drills-2 dols. 90 cents.

"Woollens are in fair request ; an importation of fine broad
cloth, say 70 pieces of Mazarine blue, 20 pieces of black,
and 10 pieces of light blue, would bring 3 dols.
Camlets (English) are taken at 24 dols. A good assort-
ment would command that price.—China Mail, Aug. 28.

BIRTHDAY OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL.—The birth-
day of her Royal Highness was celebrated yesterday, at
Windsor, with the usual manifestations of loyalty. The bells
of the St. George's Chapel and the parish church rang mer-
rily, at intervals, from an early hour in the morning until the
close of the day. A royal salute was tired at twelve o'clock
from the Belvidere, at Virginia Water, and also from the
Corporation ordnance in the Long Walk. Her Majesty gave
a banquet at the Castle to celebrate the auspicious event.
Their Highnesses Prince and Princess Nicholas
Esterhazy and family, as well as the Earl and Countess of
Jersey, and Lady Clementina Villiers, who were to have
gone to Middleton-park, near Bicester, this week, are de-
tained in town from the circumstance that the scarlet fever
is very prevalent in the village at the present time. It is
doubtful if they go to Middleton before the second week in
the ensuing month. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cam-
bridge has been pleased to offer the Countess of Jersey and
her family the royal cottage at Kew until they can go with
safety to Oxfordshire.
The Right Hon. Sir Robert Gordon, G.C.8., is
expected at the Clarendon Hotel to-day, from hie seat in
Aberdeenshire, en route to Vienna, to resume his diplomatic
functions at the Austrian Court.
VISCOUNTESS VILLIERS.—We are happy to learn
that her Ladyship, by accounts received by the Earl of
Jersey yesterday from Upton House, was considered by her
medical attendants to be going on favourably, and as the
crisis of the fever bad passed, no danger was apprehended.
The eldest daughter of the Noble Viscountess was also much
better.

THE LATE VISCOUNTESS CANTERBURY.—ViSOMMt
Canterbury, the Hon. Henry Manners Sutton, M.P., and Mr.
Sanderson, M.P., left town yesterday for Clifton, near Bris-
tol, to attend the funeral of the deceased Viscountess. The
interment does not take place at Addington, Surrey, where
the family vault is, but at Clifton.
THE LATE DOWAGER LADY HOLLAND.-011 MOD.-
day next the mortal remains of her Ladyship are to be re-
moved from Great Stanhope-street, to be conveyed to Ampt-
hill, Beds, where on the following day the funeral is to take
place at the parish church, where the deceased lady is to be
interred in the same vault with the late Lord Holland. Col.
Fox, M.P., Sir Henry Webster, and Lord Lilford, will attend
on the mournful occasion.
The Duke and Duchess of Richmond, and the
Ladies Caroline, Cecilia, and Augusta Gordon Lennox, are
expected to arrive in Portland-place on Friday next, from
Gordon Castle, N. 8., on their way to Goodwood Park, for
the winter.
The Duke of Rutland and a small party have been
enjoying the sports of the field at Cheveley Park, nearNew-
market. Lord George Manners left the Park to attend a
railway meeting in Cambridgeshire early in the week.
,Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, Earl Cow-
per, Viscount and Viscountess Jocelyn, Lord and Lady
William Powlett, the Hon. William Cowper, &c., with a dis-
tinguished circle, are staying on a visit to the Hon. Spencer
Cowper, at the Hon. Gentleman's seat near Lynn. The gen-
tlemen of the party had abundant sport on Thursday in
shooting over the preserves.
RATING OF PRINCE ALBERT'S FARM AT WINDSOR.
—A curious question is likely to come before the Windsor
Bench of Magistrates in connexion with the rating of
Flemish Farm, in the occupation. of his Royal Highness
Prince Albert, which is situated within the parish of Wind-
sor. At a vestry meeting, held at Windsor on the 18th of last
September, a resolution was unanimously carried, to the
effect that it was the opinion of the parishioners that Prince
Albert having a beneficial occupation in Flemish Farm, his
Royal Highness is justly liable to pay all rates and taxes
due for the said property; and that the collector be in-
structed to make application to the Prince for all arrears of
poor-rates due to the parish. All the defaulters, with the ex-
ception of his Royal Highness, were served with the following
notice on Thursday last :—" The period specified in the
notice left at your residence for the payment of the poor-rates
having expired, I beg to apprize you, that in default of im-
mediate payment, the usual proceedings will be forthwith
takeu.—W. TOWERS, Collector." The Prince's rates still
remaining unpaid, we understand that an objection to the
summons, and to the issuing of distress warrants, will be
taken, upon the ground that as the Prince Consort has not
either paid his rates or been summoned, the whole proceed-
ings should be considered null and void. It will be interest-
ing to see in what way the Windsor magistrates will act in
the matter.
KING'S COLLEGE HOSPlTAL.—Yesterday a ge-
neral quarterly meeting of governors and directors of this
charity took place at the board-room of the hospital, in Por-
tugal-street, Lincoln's Inn, when George Jaques, Esq., was
elected secretary and house-steward, which office was vacated
by the resignation of Mr. E. C. Stevens. In aid of the
funds of the charity a concert, on a very large scale,
will take place on Monday next, on which occasion several
eminent members of the musical world will afford their as-
sistance.

LEEDS CORN MARKET, Nov. 18.—Our arrivals
of all grain are moderate. There is a good demand for
wheat, and for best qualities of new red rather over Friday's
rates are obtained, while old fetches fully as much money;
the inferior descriptions of new are in more request. Barley
is taken off at prices quite as good as on Friday. Beans
slow of sale, and the turn lower. In other articles no alter-
ation.

THE GREAT BOAT-RACE BETWEEN POCOCK AND
CLASFER.—The great match for 2001. between Henry Clasper,
of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and William Pocock, of Lambeth,
appointed for Tuesday next, is the leading topic of conversa-
tion amongst aquatic men of all classes. The event is looked
forward to with very considerable interest, and there can be
no doubt, from the well-known celebrity of the men, that it
will be a most spirited race. So sanguine of success are the
friends of the parties, that both, in their turn, may be said to
have a slight call in the betting circles; indeed fancy and
favouritism have induced persons who speculate largely in
these matters to go to strange extremes, such as, in many
respects, are not warranted by circumstances ; but the majo-
rity of the large sums depending upon the issue of this great
event have we are assured from good authority, been laid out
at even. The distance to be rowed is five miles, the race ex-
tending from Newcastle-bridge to Leamington Point.
SUICIDE FROM LONDON-BRIDGE:Last night,
about twenty minutes past ten o'clock, a man of colour,
named Joshua Parker, who resides in Jobs-street, Bermond-
sey, and has obtained a living by vending cheap publications_
mounted the parapet upon the north-side of London-bridge,
jumped into the river. The circumstance was witnessed
k'e
by at least thirty persons who were passing at the time,
but
'
timt but
they were unable to save him. He had been p
a few minutes previously to a young man, afellow-lodger,
immediatelyo f the name
after h
t Lyons,
the
h
attracted
to the spot almost
w ow
as
unfortunate event. The poor fellow
and on Thursday his youngest boy fell a victim to the same
on Sunday buried his wife, who bad died of the typhus fever,
disease. The unfortunate deceased was very much distressed,
and has left three children, the eldest but seven years of age.
A boat was speedily put off, but the body had not been found
at a late hour last night.
WESTMINSTER COURT OF SEWERS.—The ordinary
meeting of this Court was yesterday held at the Court-house,
in Greek-street, Soho-square. The usual business of the
Court having been gone through, the proposition made by
Mr. Lebreton, and passed at the last Court, were brought
forward for confirmation. A letter was read from Mr. Doull,
the assistant-surveyor, complaining of the proposed plan for
his dismissal without any charge of misconduct having been
made or proved against him, during his service of ten years.
On the motion for confirming the resolution, passed at the
last Court, " That the present surveyor's department is in-
efficient," Mr. Leslie objected to such a course. After a
lengthened discussion, the resolution for the confirmation was
put and carried nem. con. The other alterations proposed in
the resolution, passed on Friday last, were then taken seria-
tim and passed. Mr. Lebreton next moved, " That from
Lady-day next the services of Mr. Doull, the present as-
sistant-surveyor, be dispensed with, and the office abolished."
The motion was carried by a majority of seven to five, and
the Court adjourned.
A commencement has been made near Salisbury
in the formation of the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth
Railway.-- Wiltshire Independent. . '

Notices that application is intended to be made to Parlia-
ment, in the ensuing session, on behalf of the undermen-
tioned schemes, appeared in the Gazette of Friday night :
Herne Bay, Margate, Ramsgate, and Dear and Dover
Junction.
Direct London and Liverpool.
Darlington and Hartlepool.
Manchester and Rugby Direct Railway via Macclesfield.
Bristol and Gloucester Railway.
Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway.
Birmingham and Oxford Junction.
Dudley, Wolverhampton.
Fleetwood-on-Wyre to Burnley.
Rugby Warwick, and Worcester.
East I:ancashire.
Hull, Sheffield, and Midland Direct.
Liverpool, Preston, and North Union Junction to Black-
burn, Southpool, and Wigan.
Clitheroe Junction.
Leeds and Thirsk.
Sheffield, West Riding, and Midlands Junction.
Liverpool and Derby Direct.
Eastern Counties ( Finsbury Extension).
Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester, and Stockport Direct.
Staffordshire Potteries and Liverpool and Manchester
Direct.
Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction.
Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne, and Manchester.
York and Lancaster.
Direct Northern.
North Gravesend.
Great Western, Brentford, and Central Terminus.
East Lancashire, Blackburn, and Preston Amalgamation.
York and North Midland.
North and East Riding Junction.
Direct Birmingham, Oxford, Reading, and Brighton.
North Western.
Birmingham, Gloucester, and Stour Valley Junction.
Great Western Southern and Eastern Counties.
Dover and Bristol.
London, Hastings, and St. Leonard's Direct.
Direct London and Dublin.
Sheffield, Wortley, Silkstone, and Wakefield.
Norfolk Railway, Norwich Branch.
Liverpool and Leeds Direct.
Northumberland Dock and Percy Branch Railway.
Staffordshire and Shropshire Junction.
London and Birmingham Extension.
Newcastle and Darlington Junction.
Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester, and Stockport.
Swalf ham, Narborough, and Watlington.
London and Birmingham Railway (City Extension).
Boston, Grantham, Leicester, and Midland Counties
Junction.
Rugby and Swindon Direct Junction.
Rochdale, Heywood, and Manchester.
Worcester, Tenbury, and Ludlow.
London and Holyhead Direct.
Lincoln and Oakham.
Midland and Eastern Counties.
Trent Valley and Derby Union.
Chepstow, Forest of Dean, and Gloucester Junction.
Exeter, Great 'Western.
Salisbury and Swindon Extension.
London and Nottingham.
Chester and Holyhead.
Bristol and Dover Direct Junction.
Wilts, Somerset, and Southampton Junction.
Cambridge and Colchester Junction.
Cheltenham, Oxford, and London Extension.
London and Birmingham Extension to Northampton, Da-
ventry, Leamington, &c.
Direct Western.
London and Edinburgh Direct.
Newcastle and Darlington. •
Plymouth and North Cornwall.
Midland Railway (Nottingham and Mansfield Branch).
Leeds and Carlisle.
Kent and Essex Union.
Worcester and Merthyr Tydvil Junction.
Cheltenham, Oxford, and London Junction.
Boston, Newark, Sheffield, and Nottingham, and Grantham
Junction.
South Metropolitan.
Furness and Windermere.
Plymouth and North Cornwall.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS.
Sir W. M. Stanley's hds, Mon., Burton; Fri„ Thurseston
—ll
Earl Fitzhardinge's hds., Mon., Frog Mill; Tues., Dam-
bleton ; Wed., Cowley; Sat., Broadway.
Cheltenham stag hds., Fri., Shipton.
York and Ainsty hds., Mon., Escrick ; Tues., Street
Houses ; Thurs., Skip-bridge ; Sat., Blue-bridge-101/.
Sinnington hds., Tues., Ampleford ; Fri., Sinnington-10.
Bedale hds., Mon., Hornby Castle; Wed., Blows Hall,
Hutton Moor; Fri., Kiplin-101/.
Earl Fitzwilliam's hds. Mon. Monk's Wood; Wed.,
Leighton Village; Thurs., bundle Wood-10.
Duke of Rutland's hds., Monday, Croton Park; Tues.,
Newton Toll-bar; Wed., Harley Village; Fri., Broad
Waters-10%.
Baron Rothschild's stag hds., Mon., Hartwell; Thurs.,
Wingrave.
Mr. S. Lownde's hds., Mon., Nash Common; Wed., Cres-
low ; Sat., Brickhill Heath-10%.
Oakley hds., Mon., Pavenham Bury; Thurs., Castle
Ashby; Sat., Swineshead-10N.
Boroughbridge harrs., Tues., York-gate ; Fri., Low Duns-
ford-10%.
United pack, Thurs., The Riddens Plantation-9.
Brushford harrs., Mon., Bampton ; Thurs., Ringland,
Kingsbrompton;_ Sat., Kingsbrompton Village-9%.
F. 8., Mon., Ladoa; Fri., Antron-gate--10%.
Haydon hds., Wed., Allerwash ; Sat., Padpool-9.
Puckeridge hds., Mon., Angel, Hadham; Wed., Stanstead,
Essex; Sat., Bennington-10%.
Lord Parker's hds., Tues„ Harcourt Arms, Newnhatn ;
Fri., Holton Stone Pits.
Pytchley hds., Mon., Buttoak's Booth ; Wed., Ashby (near
Daventry); Fri., Guilsborough ; Sat., Sibbertoft--11.
Tindale hds., Mon., Warden; Wed., Horsley; Fri., Sum.
merrod's Toll-bar-101,4.
Norfolk Stag hds., Wed., Hale's Green ; Fri., Barford-111 .
Mr. Morrell's lids., Wed., Chilton Common.
Northmolton hds., Mon., Nerthmolton Village; Tues.,
Kensford Water, on Exmoor; Wed., Head Gate, near
Twitcher; Thurs., Bish Mill; Fri., Latium Bridge; Sat,
Farley's Grave--101/2.
Mr. Watson's hds., Men., Hazon ; Wed., Netherton; Fri.,
Nunnykirk-19%.
Lord Southampton's hds., Mon., Babdy Wood; Wed.,
Gaton ; Fri., Foxley ; Sat., Silston Windmill-11.
Surrey Stag hds., Tues., Rose and Crown, Riddlesdown ;
Sat., Look's Bottom.
Berkshire lids., Mon., Blowing Stone; Wed., Cokethorpe
Park; Fri., Buckland.
Mr, Brand's hds, Mon., Harpenden; Fri., Bendish-101%.
Fowelscombe, or Forest harts., Tues., Fowelscombe Kennel ;
Fri., Sign of the Owl-10.
Mr. p ane's harrs., Mon., Hadenham Field ; Thurs., Jointer's
Farm ; Sat., Postcomb.
Norfolk harrs., Wed., Duker's Bridge ; Fri., Aylsham.
Carlisle harrs., Mon., Durran Hill; Wed., The Grove,
Brampton Old Road; Fri., Brighton Flat (Scaleby)-8.
Eamont harm., Mon., Winderwath ; Wed., Little Salkeld;
Sat., Pack Horse, Plumpton-10%.
East Devon harts., Mon., Perkhayne Hill; Thurs., Devon-
shire Inn-10.
Whitefield harrs., Tues, Chaseley ; Fri. Tredington Gate.
Wigton harrs., Mon., Kirkbride ; Wed., Quarry Hill; Fri.,
Allonby —9.
Aikton harm, Mon., Thonby Moor; Wed., Flat; Fri,
Orton Park-8%.
PRINCE ALBERT'S HARRIERS.—FRIDAY. —His Royal High.
ness's harriers met at George-green to-day. They found on
Mr. Nash's farm, but the scent was bad, and little sport.
Later in the day they found another hare on Mr. Aldridge's,
and had a pretty burst of twenty minutes. His Royal High-
ness was accompanied by Prince Augustus of Saxe Cobourg
and Lord Portman, and was attended by Major-General
Wemysa and Colonel Wylde.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sherborne, Nov. 21, 1845.
Sin,—My attention has been given to what purports to be a
report of the procet•dings of a railway meeting at Weymouth.
contained in The Sun of Tuesday. I think it fair towards
you to inform you that besides being incomplete it is very
inaccurate. Sir John Audrey is represented as a Direetor of the Great Western Railway, and not of the Wilts, Somerset,,
and Weymouth, wherees he said, I am a Director of the
Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth, and not otherwise con-
nected with the Great Western. Mr. Eliot is described u
taking the opportunity of informing the gentlemen of the
Great Western, instead of the gentlemenbf the Wilts, Somer-
set and Weymouth. Mr. Brunel is made to say that the en-
gagements of the Great Western are very numerous. So
they are, I doubt not; but Mr. Brunel did not tell the meet-
ing so. Mr. Hopkins said nothing about the Great Western
monopolising the whole of the south coast ; nor is it evident
how they can monopolise the coast at all by an internal line.
1 am, Sir, yours obediently,
L RUEGG.

HORRIBLE OUTRAGE.
OSWESTRY, Nov. 19.—During the last few days this
usually quiet little town has been disturbed by the commis-
sion of an outrage, for which, in some of its revolting de-
tails, it were difficult to find a parallel. An aged woman,
named Susannah Ryder, late a pauper in the Ellesmere
Union Workhouse, had gone to reside with her son, a
labourer, who, with his sister, occupied a cottage near
Llanymynech. The mother, who is presumed to be subject
to mental aberration, was at such times wholly ungovern-
able, and even desperate when contradicted. She had a
predilection to wander from home; and it was the pre.
vince of the daughter, a sickly young woman, to prevent
her leaving the cottage when under the influeace of this
malady. On Friday morning, the son having gone to, his
employment, the old woman got up to go out, which the
daughter resisted, but finding expostulation useless, she
irt.
on-mounted
bill-hook, tl oeciknecdr
eta
sh ee dt ohoer,oidu twt mo
mg
atnh the
fkuer
yy n t osehi
zeri
npog cilitne
several,ndeou insensibility,
nphro-
ero
bill-hook, she, at one blow, laid her helpless victim prostrate
seeded
theded w
head and body; but her rage did not stop there. Having
dragged the body of her apparently dead child into an
floor,th savageend,
whilstferoc hey ato staintefflecft total
adjoining apartment, the wretched maniac proceeded to
the commission of another act of atrocity which can
joining
shot no further described. The inmates of an ad• • •
tage having overheard theoriginal altercation, and being
aware of tWo old woman's idisposition, knocked re-
peatedly at the door, but failing to obtain admittance, some
e son, who, with some of
trydesinpteoratthee
struggle
ewhhaden
they person
uwgnhedhn
neighbours,
uvf ore
srr youngm
ad
made
appearance
forchil Rider,e t n
t h aleat a
taken place. In the inner apartment the body of the
the
eo settrruewenglwe.ithTchloetsworfetbchloedod,oaldndwheummau,an
daughter was discovered, from which a stream of blood had
flowed to the threshold of the door. The outer room was
vdeiarteediyhusdeedularded.up who was thwrnas doifisco.in
Ain brtoohemchornanedrieofo
(the
es
last weapon mw,eawpaosnimmusecr) lay near her, one end clotted with gore. Mr. Owen, a me-
dical gentleman, was called in, and restoratives having been
copiously administered, the poor sufferer showed signs 'of
life. Her wounds having been dressed, she was placed is
bed, and on the following day was sufficiently recovered to
be able to explain the origin of the conflict. The miserable
mother has been taken before Mr. R. Aubrey, one of the Ma-
gistrates of the Oswestry Bench, for a preliminary examina-
tion. Mr. Owen, the surgeon, stated that the partial reco-
very of the girl was solely attributable to the powerful sti-
mulants administered, but he entertains no hope of saving
her life. The old woman, who was remanded for further
examination, betrayed a wildness of demeanour throughout
the inquiry, but exhibited at the same time a degree of cun-
ning in answering the questions put to her, carefully abstain-
in admission that might criminate herself.
The son is said to be a most industrious young man, and
•
has hitherto devoted all his earwigs to the maintenance of
his mother and sister.

THE PRISONS AT DARTMOOR.—It is not generally
known to our readers that these inhospitable prisons are
kept up at a great expense to the country. Any one visiting
them and not asking questions would suppose that the of
veteran who exhibits them is the only person who derives
any emolument from them, but we hear that they cost about
5004 a-year to keep them in repair, and there is 3004 a-year
more paid to the chaplain for doing duty them—Plymouth
Journal.

NEW ZEALAND.
THIRD REPULSE OF THE BRITISH TROOPS.
(From the Bombay Gentleman's Gazette.)
We are sincerely grieved to lay before our readers, this
morning, an. account of a third repulse, by the belligerent
natives of New Zealand, of our troops. In this repulse, as
in the second, .no stain attaches to British valour; on the
contrary, there has been much of daring bravery, to the ex-
cess of which (looking how much the feelings of men affect
the judgment even of the sage and experienced, like Colonel
Despard), we cannot but attribute this third disaster.
It will be seen, that according to the report of the New
Zealander, a newspaper published in Auckland, a private of
the 96th Regiment was captured by the New Zealanders, and
that, Heki not being present, he was burned alive, and that
his cries were distinctly beard in the British camp. We
heard this before we saw yesterday's Sydney Herald, and in-
clination and horror made us dread taking up the newspaper
which contained such a recital. In perusing the whole ac-
count, however, we are happy to see the circumstance is not
mentioned in the dispatches of Colonel Despird. May we
therefore hope that no such cries were heard, but that the
report arose from incidents and intentions which may be
imagined to have been kindled in a case of so much trouble,
disappointment, and disaster?
The accounts published in this day's Australian willjinform
our readers of certain things:-
1. That the troops numbered 490 men, and that the guns
whieh bad been taken from Auckland were inefficient—their
recoil being so great as to upset the carriages.
2. That in consequence a heavy gun from her Majesty's
ship Hazard was subsequently brought to the camp, over
execrable roads, with great labour.
3. That on the Ist of July, at 10 in the morning, after this
gun had opened its fire, "a sudden attack was made on our
position from a very thick wood close in its rear, and Waka's
people were driven from it." The position and the gun were
regained by a party of the 58th, with a loss of only one man.
4. That in the afternoon of the same day, after all the
shot (26 in number) had been discharged by the Hazard's
gun, the troops were formed in parties for attack and support,
and the storming of the pah took place at or soon after three
o'clock on the afternoon of the same day.
5. That among the orders issued by Colonel Despard was
one, that the storming party should provide themselves with
hatchets and axes for cutting away the palisading of the pah,
or stockade, about to be attacked, and also with ropes for
pulling them down.
6. That this order was not obeyed.
7. That the storming party evinced the same high valour
which we have read of in the Peninsula, at Bajados, and
Ciudad Rodrigo, &c. ; but that for want of the hatchets, axes,
&c., the brave assailants could make but little impression on
the stockade. They got through the first palisading, but
could make no impression on the second, the enemy being
ranged inside in pits up to their breasts, and firing through
loop-holes not higher from the ground than a foot or so,
which rendered their fire irresistible; for while the British
were attacking the inner palisading, the enemy inside could
coolly take their aim at every advancing soldier. To the pali-
sading they could only present their bayonets.
It is evident, from this account of the battle, that the
British have been punished (as great armies have been
often punished before) for their contempt of the enemy.
Had they not despised the natives, both as regards their
bravery and ingenuity, they would not have stormed their
fortress of poles and planks, with merely powder and ball
and bayonets.
And we think we may say further, that although hatchets,
axes, and ropes in the bands of such brave men, might in
their ardour have enabled them to penetrate the second
barrier of poles and planks, yet the numbers inside would
have caused an immense slaughter of our troops, supposing
the enemy to have maintained anything like a fight before
they opened their gates and ran. And, consequently,
that nothing but cannon should have been used for the
destruction of the pah ; and that, consequently, until more
heavy guns, or some light artillery could have been obtained
and planted behind entrenchments at such small distances
as would cause the shot to tell, the attack should have been
deferred.
So far, according to the dispatches of Colonel Despard. In
a private letter, dated the 12th of July, eleven days after the
repulse, the writer speaks of their " finding a way of getting
their large guns to the top of a hill, not far distant from the
pah, and firing down on it." The result of this second
cannonading (on what day soever it took place) was the
evacuation of the fortress in the night ; and it is remarkable
that this evacuation took place two hours before it was known
to our little army.
The negative surprise, and positive surprise of the gun, in
the first instance, seemed to indicate that we had too few
troops to establish a system of pickets, without sacrificing
to a certainty the lives of such pickets. Yet we can hardly
comprehend how warfare can be carried en without patroles
in advance, either on foot or mounted. But it is very easy
to sit at home, as we now do, and find fault in read-
ing a defeat, when, if we knew all the circumstances,
we should see that our suggestions had been impossible of
execution.
What surprises us is, that there is no dispatch from Co-
lonel Despard of the evacuation of the pah, as described in
the private letter alluded to ; nor of bringing up more guns
from her Majesty's ship Hazard ; nor of their being brought
to bear on the pah ; nor of their effects. Yet the evacua-
tion of the fortress, being the great object of the expedi-
tion, seenis of sufficient importance to merit a distinct
dispatch. We trust this private letter will not turn out mere
hearsay.
Again, if the guns, subsequently to the repulse, brought
from her Majesty's ship Hazard, were, by taking a new po-
sition; made effectual, so far as to cause the enemy to
evacuate their pah, the question instantly occurs, why these
guns were not brought up before the troops were allowed
to storm ? If this private letter prove a trite narrative of
events subsequently to the repulse, it is clear that, by delay-
ing operations only 10 days, there would have been no need
of the assault.
Colonel Despard expressly says, that the surprise of the
gun. la a party of the enemy, caused him to come to an im-
media decision ; that is to say, to a determination to storm
the pah that very afternoon. The last event, if the private
letter be correct, shows that the commander should have
determined to use his forces in preventing these surprises;
and in the meantime, seeing the good effects of a single gun,
to have sent for two or three more before he hazarded an
assault. But, as we have said above, it is easy, at this dis-
tance, to'find fault.
Since writing the above, we have been favoured from dif-
ferent Sources with the following scraps of intelligence, all
highly interesting either to the public or to individuals :
Ensign O'Reilly was wounded in the elbow so severely,
that if his arm escape amputation, the power of bending it
will not return. Lieutenant Johnsen had a narrow escape.
A ball struck the edge of the peak of his cap, and glancing
aside did him no harm. Major Macpherson was shot in the
fleshy part of the thigh—a painful, but not dangerous wound.
The Gallant Grant (Captain of Grenadiers) had expressed a
presentiment that he should not return alive; it did not,
however, unnerve his arm, for just previously to his being
shot, he had with his sword struck off the head of a New
Zealander in forcing his way through the palisade. His
remains were found mutilated, but had not, as reported, been
exposed in any way to the action of fire. Poor Beattie died
co the tenth day after the battle.
Of married soldiers, the 99th lost only one. The 58th
lost three sergeants, all married men. Can nothing be done
for their widows? We are afraid they are too poor and
humbla to be thought off. Our Legislative Council might
vote them a trifle a piece.
On occasion of the successful attack which took place with
the hazard's heavy guns, subsequent to the date of Colonel
Despard's second dispatch, and which we have noticed above
on the authority of a private letter, it is supposed the shot
was very destructive to the enemy in the pah. The
killed were buried previous to its evacuation; the wounded
carried off. .

A private letter says :
" We had the opportunity afforded us of observing how
well skilled these savages are in the science of defence.
Their stronghold was a perfect warren—houses under-
ground; a triple row of stout fencing, stout enough to resist
six-pound shot, two of which were found sticking in one of
them ; the space between the fences deeply trenched, afford-
ing shelter to the defenders, and also the means of tiring
low, and with correct aim.
" Captain Grant, 58th, and Lieutenant Beattie, 99th, who
most gallantly led the forlorn hope with 20 Grenadiers, were
buried on the 15th at Waitimate.
" Another pah near this place (Waitimate) was destroyed
by the. light companies of both regiments, accompanied by
40 of the 96th and the friendly natives. No lives were lost
on cabir side, and a horse and an old woman fell into our
hands, and an abundance of potatoes."
We copy the following dispatches, &c., from the New
Zealand Gazette of the 7th of July. The particulars therein
narrated of the proceedings at the late battle may therefore
be considered as officially authentic :
DISPATCHES FROX COLONEL DESPARD TO GOVERNOR
FITZROT.

Camp, before Heke's Pab, July 2.
Sir,—Llt is with much more regret that I can express that
have to acquaint your Excellency that an attempt was
yesterday made by the troops under my command, in the
afternoon, to carry the fortified position or pah of Heke with-
out success, and we were repulsed with heavy loss. The
particulars shall be forwarded to you with as little delay as
possible.
1 inclose herewith a list of wounded. Many of the latter,
I am sorry to say, are severe and dangerous.
It is impossible to say too much in praise of the bravery
and good conduct of both officers and men.
I have the honour to be,

Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servannt,
• H. DESPARD, Colonel Commanding the Troops.
To his Excellency Governor Fitzroy, /cc., Auckland.
Return of killed and. wounded of the force under command of
Colonel Despard, 99th Regiment, from 30th of June to the
let of July, 1845.
Her Majesty's ship Hazard—Lieutenant Phillpotts killed;
one seaman killed ; two seamen wounded ; one private of the
Royal Marines killed.
Her Majesty's 58th Regiment—Captain Grant killed ; three
sergeants and 11 rank and file killed ; two sergeants and
33 rank and file wounded ;two privates since dead.
Her Majesty's 96th Regiment—Three rank and file killed;
five rank and file wounded.
Her Majesty's 99th Regiment—One sergeant and 14 rank
and file killed ; Brevet-Major Macpherson, severely wounded ;
Lieutenant Beattie, severely wounded, since dead ; Lieutenant
Johnson, slightly wounded ; Ensign O'Reilly, severely
wounded ; one sergeant and 21 rank and file wounded ; two
privates, since dead.
Volunteers (Pioneers)—Four rank and file wounded; Mr.
Henry Clerk, interpreter to the force, severely wounded.
The names of the, non-commissioned officers and privates
killed and wounded, as yet known, are as follows :
Her 31a jesty.s 58th Regiment—Killed 'Sergeants
; Corporal William Stewart;
Morrow, and Andrew Wilson
Private's Davis, Claxton, Punchett, Goodrum, Fisher, Norton,
Reynolds, Payne, Sutton, Doherty, Leech, Molloy, and
Anderson.
Two sergeants and 33 rank and file wounded,
names not yet reported.
R!gimentKilled •. Grenadiers-ser-
Her *Majesty's 99th
giant Thomas Todd ; Privates, Martin Moran, John Hill,
William Watson, William Pope, and John Magrath. Light
C.ompariv—Georga Maher, John Noble, James Hughes, John
Eaton, Patrick Hicken, Henry Moseley, James Stock, and
Benjamin Heath. Wounded : Grenadiers, James Crane,
Hugh Dowse, Jacob Edmonds, Michael Farren, Robert
Hughes, Henry Spencer, William Swan, Hector M'Cormlck.
Light Company—Sergeants, Maley Thomas and Bradley
Martin ; Privates, William Bridges, Thomas Crawley, D
Fl avid
Mark, Thomas Comiers, Andrew Duncan, Patrick ym,
and Duncan Murray.

Camp, before Heke's Pah, July 2.
Sir,—Annexed is a detailed account of the action that took
place between the troops under my command, and the rebels,
in the early part of the forenoon of yesterday, as also of our
assault on the pah, and our repulse, which took place in the
afternoon afterwards.
Finding the guns which I had brought with me from
Auckland quite ineffective for breaching, from their very
defective carriages, as', they frequently upset from their own
firing, I requested Captain Johnson, of her Majesty's ship
Hazard, to send me one of his heavy guns, which was ac-
cordingly brought up to the camp, a distance of 15 miles
land carriage, over most execrable roads, with great labour
and difficulty, on the 50th; and during that day a platform
was erected on the side of a hill on the right of our position,
the top of which hill was occupied by our ally, Waka Nene
and his tribe. A sergeant's guard of the 58th Regiment was
also there, to protect a six-pounder that had been placed
there with A view of raking the euelny's positiou. The

THE

Hazard's gun opened its fire about ten o'clock, A.M., and
while the attention of everybody was occupied in observing
its effects, a sudden attack was made on this position from a
very thick wood close in its rear, and Waka's people were
driven from it. I was in the battery, half way dwn the
hill, when this attack was made, when I instantly ordered
up a party of the 58th Regiment, under Major Bridge, who
gallantly charged up the hill so as to turn the enemy's left
flank, and regained the position with the loss of only one
man.
This attack showed me the necessity of coming to an im-
mediate decision, and I accordingly determined on attack•
ing the pah by assault, in the afternoon, as soon as the few
shots brought up from the Hazard (twenty-six in number)
were expended ; which I expected would so loosen the stock-
ades, as to enable the men attacking them to cut and pull
them down. In pursuance of this resolution, a storming party
was ordered to parade at 3 o'clock, p.m., for this purpose, and
I issued instructions for its guidance, as detailed in the ac-
companying memorandum. The parties for the attack were
enabled to advance within 60 or 100 yards of the point of at-
tack, and there remain unperceived :by the enemy, in a ra-
vine under cover. When the advance was sounded, they
rushed forward in the most gallant and daring manner, and
every endeavour was made to pull the stockade down. They
partially succeeded in openimg the outer one, but the inward
one resisted all their efforts, and being lined with men tiring
through loopholes on a level with the ground, and from others
half way up, our men were falling so fast that,notwithstanding
the most daring acts of bravery and the greatest perseve-
rance, they were obliged to retire. This could not be, effected
without additional loss in the endeavour to bring off the
wounded men, in which they were generally successful. The
retreat was covered by the party under Lieutenant-Colonel
Hulme, of the 96th regiment; and too much praise cannot
be given to that officer for the coolness and steadiness with
which he conducted it under a very heavy fire.
I must here remark that the hatchets and axes, as well as
the ropes for pulling dawn the stockade, and the ladders,
were all thrown away or left behind by those appointed to
carry them ; and to this circumstance I attribute the main
cause of the failure.
I trust that it will not be thought that the character of
the British has been tarnished on this occasion. One-third
of the men actually engaged fell in the attack, and during
the eight days that we have been engaged carrying on ope-
rations against this place, one-fourth of the whole strength
of the British soldiers under my command (originally not ex-
ceeding 490) have been either killed or wounded.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme I have received every
assistance during the time of these operations, independent of
his gallant conduct in covering the retreat. Major Mac-
pherson of the 99th Regiment, who led the principal attack,
and was severely wounded, also deserves every praise for the
daring manner in which he led his men to the assault, and
though slightly struck on the left breast at the commence-
ment he gallantly persevered till struck down by a serious
wound. Equal praise is also due to Major Bridge of the
58th Regiment for the coolness and steadiness with which
he led his men to the attack, and his perseverance till
called off. Where every individual has behaved equally
well it seems invidious to particularise names; but I can-
not avoid mentioning the unwearied toil, zeal, and energy
displayed by Lieutenant Wilmott of the Royal Artillery, in
conducting that department with the most inefficient means.
Captain Marlow, Royal Engineers, and his department gave
me every assistance in their power while labouring under the
same inefficient means as the artillery. I must not omit
either to mention the able assistance and active zeal that
has been displayed by Lieutenant and Adjutant Deering, of
the 99th Regiment (acting as Major of Brigade), whether
under fire of the enemy, or in conducting the necessary de-
tails. The three officers, with Major Macpherson's party,
were all either killed or wounded, Captain Grant, Lieutenant
Beatie (who volunteered the forlorn hope), and Ensign
O'Reilly. The volunteers from the New Zealand Militia,
acting as pioneers under Lieutenant Figg, deserve to be
mentioned, and that officer himself has undergone unceasing
toil of the most harassing nature with zeal'and energy.
Lieutenant Wood and the militia volunteers for the artillery,
deserve to be included in this commendation.
Captain Johnson, of her Majesty's ship Hazard, has given
the most unwearied assistance, in every possible way, from
the commencement of our operations, by sending up supplies
of all sorts, even from his own ship, when our public stores
were deficient. The seamen and marines of her Majesty's
navy have always borne the same character for bravery and
intrepidity wherever they have been employed, and the few,
eighteen in number, that joined this expedition from her Ma-
jesty's ship Hazard have nobly supported the same charac-
ter. Lieutenant Phillpotts, RN., fell when endeavouring
to force his way through the stockade. I inclose herewith
a corrected list of killed and wounded.
I have the honour to be, your Excellency's
Most obedient and humble servant,
H. DESPARD, Lieutenant-Colonel 99th Regiment,
and Colonel on the Staff in New Zealand.
To his Excellency Robert Fitzroy, Governor, &c.,
Auckland,
P.S.—The wounded are doing well under the able care
and constant attention bestowed on them by Dr. Pine, of the
58th, and Dr. Galbraith, of the 99th Regiments.

11. D.

Camp, July 1.
The following are the directions, and the distribution of
the troops, for the attack on the pah, at three o'clock, this
evening :
The principal attack will be made on or near the right
angle on the front face (that face being considered the front
one that is opposite the camp), and the whole column for
this attack will be formed as follows—two sergeants and 20
volunteers from the three corps will form the advance, and
proceed with the most perfect silence till they reach the
stockade.

This party will be followed closely by the assaulting body
under Major Macpherson, composed of 40 Grenadiers from
the 58th, and 40 Grenadiers from the 99th Regiments, and
will be accompanied by a small party of seamen, and by 30
pioneers from the volunteer militia. The seamen, and as
many pioneers as there are sufficient tools for, will be sup-
plied with axes or hatchets for the purpose of cutting down
the stockade. Those pioneers that cannot be supplied with
axes or hatchets are to carry the ladders as well as strong
ropes, which will be supplied by the artillery department, for
pulling down the stockade.
Major Macpherson's party will be closely followed by
Major Bridge of the 58th Regiment, having under him the
remainder of the Grenadiers of the 58th, to be made up to 60
rank and file from the battalion of the same regiment. and
40 rank and file from the light company of the 99th Regi-
ment—in all, amounting to 100 rank and file.
A supporting party will be formed under Lieutenant-
Colonel Hulme, 96th Regiment, consisting of the whole of
the detachment of the 96th Regiment, completed to 100 rank
and file by the battalion men of the 58th Regiment.
The moment an entrance is made into the pah, this party
will instantly follow the preceding parties. The remainder of
the force will be under the personal command of Colonel Des-
pard, for the purpose of directing assistance wherever ne-
cessary, with the exception of 40 rank and file of the 58th
Regiment, under command of Captain Thompson, of that
corps, who will occupy the hill overlooking the pah and the
camp ; it being considered neceseary to do so, from the at-
tempt made by the natives in the morning to get possession
of it. By order, R. B. DEERING,
Lieutenant 99th Regiment, Acting Brigade-Major.

OXFORD TO ROME, DIRECT.—We have heard a
strange story from Oxford, to the effect that the Rev. R.
Coffin, vicar of St. Mary Magdalene, in that city, whose in-
tention to resign his preferments was announced in last
week's Church and State Gazette, was, previously to his
quitting the University, in constant attendance on a poor fe-
male, named England, the wife of a printer there; and that
the Rev. Mr. Newsham, the Romish priest, at whose chapel
Mr. Newman is a communicant, has become her spiri-
tual adviser. This case, we are informed, has created
a general mistrust of the Tractarian clergy who yet
remain among the inhabitants of Oxford. We should
be agreeably surprised if the report we have above noticed
were to prove unfounded. But we entertain strong fears, on
the contrary, that it is not only well-founded in itself, but
that it might be matched by other cases, similar in spirit and
in detail. If, however, but one such case can be sub-
stantiated, surely the authorities in the University and the
Church will be aroused to the conviction that it is time to
interfere, and check the evil, by punishing the evil-
doers. When we contemplate the apathy which exists in
quarters where the most jealous enthusiasm ought to prevail
—and when we behold treachery daily practised without the
slightest censure being levelled at the traitors—we are in-
duced to imagine that they whose designation in the Church
intimates that they are " overseers," fancy that they are en-
joined, by their official appellation, not to hold high
watch for the interests of that Church, but to overlook all
that is done in the way of injuring her efficiency.—Church
and State Gazette.

SOCIETY or ARTS.— A third adjourned special
meeting of the members was held on Wednesday evening, to
take into consideration some proposed alterations in the re-
gulations of the Society. It is much regretted by its friends
that, notwithstanding all the attempts that have recently
been made for its resuscitation, some most strenuous exer-
tions are required to prevent its dissolution, although it has
been in existence for nearly a century.
MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PIGEONS.—During
the past fortnight, several persons in the vicinity of Drury-
lane, keepers of pigeons, have found their birds, although
healthy but a few hours previous, dead in their houses. On
Saturday last, a person named Chullis, residing in Bear-yard,
found nine out of fifteen dead, and on Tuesday, a young man
named Adams, a neighbour, found the whole of his flighs
(thirteen) dead. This led to an inquiry, when it was disco-
vered that the whole of them had been poisoned. The
manner in which this diabolical act has been accomplished is
still a mystery.
HORRIBLE DISCOVERY.—The Univers states that
some masons in demolishing a house in the Rue St. Nicholas
d'Antil discovered nine human skeletons. It was the opinion
of the professional men who have inspected those remains,
that the remotest crime (for the skeletons were those of mur-
dered persons no doubt) must have been committed 15 years
since, and the most recent 15 months ago. The person who
inhabited the house, which has for many years been known
as a house of ill-fame, has been arrested.
COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDE
PARK.—The workmen to the number of 200, that have been
employed by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests,
making the numerous improvements throughout every part
of Hyde Park for upwards of four months, have completed
their undertakings. There are now thirty-two long, broad,
and excellent gravel-walks made, which communicate with
every gate throughout the Park.
ENLARGEMENT OF THE GREEN PARK. —Yesterday
the workmen completed the removing of the iron and wooden
railings which inclosed the garden belonging to Earl Covens
try, in the Green Park, fronting Coventry House, Piccadilly,
the whole of which is now thrown open to the public, being
an addition of three acres of land to the Green Park. The alter-
ations of widening Piccadilly are proceeding rapidly, and will
be completed in about a fortnight.

EXTRAORDINARY DEMAND FOR i 8 stated
that the demand by the printers for this little letter q is so
great, that the type-founders are doing nothing else but
casting for it. So many esquires have found their way into
print, that the printers have been thrown out of their calcu-
lations, and the supply is not adequate to the demand.

AYLESBURY, Nov. 20.—The adjourned cessions for
this county were held yesterday before Sir Thomas Aubrey,
Bart., Chairman, and a bench of magistrates. Baron Meyer
Rothschild took the oaths, and qualified as a magistrate for
the county. At these sessions, Grenville Pigott, Esq., re-
signed the situation of doputy-chairman, in consequence of his
having been appointed one of her Majesty's Poor-law Com-
missioners.

A PROM
liiniG SPECULATION.—It is rumoured that
a company is in the course of formation to lease the contents
of Lord Ashley's waste paper basket at a rental of so much
per annum. The enormous number of persons who made
Lord Ashley the medium of subscribing large sums to be-
nevolent purposes, added to his Lordship's habit of throwing
down his letters unread, must render his waste paper basket
one of the most profitable as well as the safest investments
of the present day. Supposing that only two 100/. notes
find their way into this receptacle for his Lordship's corre-
spondence in the course of r week, there will be an income
of upwards of 100,0001. per annum. Several of the waste
paper dealers have promised to join the direction, and an
influential provisional committee will be forthwith adver-
tilsed.—Yunch,

SUN, LONDON, S

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Nov. 21.
(Sittings in Banco.)
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL V. BRYAN.
This was an information filed against the defendant, who
was a paper-maker at Bristol, for infringing the Excise laws,
by sending out paper without the legal and proper stamp
being previously placed upon it, which was tried in the sit-
tings after Trinity Term, and a verdict returned for the
Crown. Mr. Chambers subsequently obtained a rule nisi
calling upon the Crown to show cause why the verdict
should not be set aside and a new trial had, on the ground
that the Learned Judge who tried the cause had rejected evi-
ence which was of gi.eat, importance to the defendant's case.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL and SOLICITOR-GENERAL lIONV
appeared to show cause against the rule. The evi-
dence rejected on the trial was the answer of one of
the witnesses, named George Parkhurst, to a question
from Mr. M. Chambers as to where he got his infor-
mation implicating the defendant in the case, or whether
he was not the source through which the Excise ob-
tained the information against the defendant. The Crown
objected to any answer being given to the question, and the
Court held the objection to be good. The Attorney-General
and Solicitor-General now contended that the Court was
right in allowing the objection, because it was justified by
public policy, for a Government informer was not bound to
disclose the channels by which lie obtained his information,
although it might tend to discredit the evidence of the wit-
ness and materially benefit the defendant, inasmuch as such
a disclosure might hold him up to public ignominy and ven-
geance. It was a well-established rule that private hard-
ships must give way to the public convenience ; but, never-
theless, it was for the Court then to decide whether such a
rule existed or not. Now there was no doubt that it did
exist; and next came the point—upon what was that rule
founded? Why it was founded upon public policy. Well,
then, the Court next had to consider whether it was a para-
mount rule, or whether it was to give way to a rule which,
at first sight, appeared to be an inferior rule. Now they
contended that the private rule and advantage must give
way to the public good, and therefore the Court properly re-
jected the evidence in question, which wouki have had the
effect of serving the purposes of a private individual at the
expense of public policy and public convenience.
Mr. M. CHAMBRRX admitted that certain parties, such as
attorneys and priests, were exempted from the general rule
of evidence that witnesses were bound to answer questions
calculated to elicit the truth or simplify the circumstances of
the case under consideration, and a witness could claim this
exemption when questions were put to him which involved
a great public policy. In cases, for instance, of high treason,
a witness could refuse to answer questions tending to hold
up parties engaged in the public service to odium and con-
tempt, but the present case was not of such great public
magnitude and importance. It was, on the contrary, a Simple
petty matter of misdemeanour and finesse, and the privilege
and exemption claimed by the witness Packhurst did not
apply to it. He contended, moreover, that Packhurst was
the informer himself and had an iaterest in the case, and he
-was, therefore, entitled to put the objected question to him,
to test his credibility, unless it would violate some over-
whelming public principle, which he had already shown it
could not do. The other rule relied on the case of Hardy,
who was tried some years ago for high treason, and he relied
himself upon the same case. In that case the Lord Chief
Justice held that the channels of information for the public
good must be protected, and the names of third parties to
whom information had been given, who did not appear as
witnesses, could not be disclosed. But that was not the
state of the case here. The question put to the witness was,
not " to whom did you give information ?" but, " did you do
so and so ?" and the Court had never yet interposed to pre-
vent such a question being answered. In cases of high
treason they were prohibited from asking, to whom did you
give such and such information? but they were not pre-
vented from asking, " did you give such and such infor-
mation ?" The case of Watson had also been mentioned, in

which Mr. Dowling, a short-hand writer, was protected from
answering a particular question, as to whom and whether
he gave certain information, as it would have laid him
open to great danger and held him up to execration. But it
must be remembered, that Mr. Dowling was only a corrobo-
rative witness, and not the informer himself. In the re-
cent case of O'Connell, a witness was protected by the Court
from giving up the names of certain parties, but he was not
privileged from a question as to whether he gave such and
such information calculated to throw discredit upon him or
his evidence.

Mr. Baron PARKE—YOU admit, Mr. Chambers, that the
question, " to whom did you give such and such information,
or from whom did you receive such and ouch instructions?"
cannot be put.
Mr. CitAltuEits--Certainly, my Lord.
Mr. Baron Paulin—But you can ask, " did you give such
and such information ?"

Mr. CHAMBERS—Just SO, my Lord.
Mr. Baron PARKE—WouId not this, in fact, then, be dis•
closing the chaanels whence th© Government obtained it,
information ?

The LORD CHIEF Jusvica—Certainly it would ; and I ap-
prehend, that if the witness gave the information, he is the
channel whence the Government obtains its information, and
entitled to the privilege of answering the question.
Mr. CHAMBERS submitted, then, if his Lordship's dictum
were correct, they had hitherto been acting erroneously, for
the rule, it would seem, was to be general and not limited,
and would apply to all cases. Let them look, then, at the
dangerous policr they were establishing. A witness might trap
a third party with a crime, but the counsel for the accused
would be prevented from arriving at this fact, because
the rule just laid down by their Lordships would prevent
hint from asking, on cross-examination, " Did you not do so
and so and give such and such information ?" That was
precisely the case here, and he contended that the rule only
applied to higher cases of crimes and offences, and not to
petty cases of larceny and misdemeanours. He humbly
submitted, therefore, that he was strictly in order when he
asked the witness in this case the question complained of.
Mr. Baron PARKE-Mr. Attorney-General : Can you tell us
if it has been the practice to ask the question complained of?
The ArroRNRY-GENERAL replied that his experience in
these cases was so very limited, that he could not take upon
himself the responsibility of answering the question of the
Learned Baron. So far, however, as he understood, it was not ;
but their Lordships would be good enough to remember that
this was the first case where the question of "Did you give such
and such information ?" had been brought before the Court.
The question heretofore argued before the Court was not
" Did you give the information ?" but "To whom did you
give it ?"
The LORD CHIEF BARON—The matter relates to a rule or
law of extreme importance, and as there are no immediate
cases bearing on the point, the Court will take time to con-
sider the question.