The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-14 00:00:00

'PRE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY MORN ING, DECEMBER 14 1844.

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB
CATTLE SHOW.
On Thurday immense multitudes of people continued
from daybreak until 9 o'clock at night to visit the Smith-
field Club Cattle Show. During the morning a large
number of the aristocracy visited the Horst Bataar, and
amongst them were hiB Grate the Duke of Manchester,
the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Arundel and Surrey,
Baron De Cetto, the Sardinian Minister, and his family;
the Count de St. Aulaire and several members of the
French Embassy ; Lord Breadalbane, Major-General
Wernyss, Earl Spencer, his Grace the Duke of Richmond
and the Ladies Lennox, the Hon. Captain Spencer and
party, Lieutenant-General Hopkins, Lord C. Fitzroy,
Mr. Ilume, ALP., Mr. Tufnell, ALP., Mr. Pusey, M.P.,
Sic. These distinguished visitors, when recognised,
were shown through the exhibition, either by Mr. Gibbs,
the secretary of the club, or Mr. Bulnois, the proprietor
of the bazaar, and who explained the various points of
perfection in those animals which had obtained prizes
over those which had not been so successful. Between
4 and 5 o'clock the crowds which continually kept ar-
riving began to augment considerably the numbers al-
ready distributed throughout the bazaar ; and from that
time up to 8 o'clock there could not have been at any
period less than from 3,000 to 4,000 persons assembled
at one time within the place. Never on any previous
occasion had anything been seen like the numbers
which progressively kept making their way into
the building ; and, although the female sex were not
equal in numbers to the male portion of the community,
still it. was remarked that never were so many ladies
seen at the cattle-show before. Prince Albert's ox and
prize pigs were again, as on the previous day, the centre
of attraction ; and whilst the latter, from their extreme
fatness, lay almost motionless in the pen in which they
were confined, apparently in the very last stage of apo-
plexy, the former was literally suffocated by the crowd
of persons which constantly surrounded it. The same
may be said of the other animals distinguished by the
awards of the judges ; and during the evening, what
with the continued pressure of the crowd and the heat
of the gas, many of the poor creatures appeared sadly
overcome, and would no doubt fain have been in more
secluded quarters. The arrangements were excellent,
and afforded the public an opportunity of visiting both
the cattle-show and implement gallery in regular succes-
sion, and the police were stationed so as to prevent them
from going in an adverse direction ; thus a continued
stream was kept up, and anything like confusion pre-
vented. The competition for possession of the most va-
luable animals was still contested throughout the day,
and the pen of South-down sheep, which, in class
15, obtained the prize of 201., held by his Grace
the Duke of Norfolk, was purchased at a very high
price by Mr. Newland, of Air-street, Picca-
dilly. In class 14, the pen of South-downs, held
by the Duke of Manchester, a; Kimbolton Castle, was
sold to Messrs. Comfort and Son, of Farringdon-street.
In class 15, the pen of South-downs, bred by G. Bar-
nard, M.P., of Gopsall Hall, Essex, and which obtained
the prize of 201. and silver medal, was secured by Mr.
George Kent, of King-street, Russell-square. In class
14, the South-downs, which obtained the prise of 101.
and gold medal, bred by Mr. Henry Repton, of Oving,
was purchased by Mr. jeffres, of Knightsbridge. It is
singular that no purchaser has been announced for the
Hereford ox, which, in the second class, has obtained the
prize of SOL, the highest amount offered by the club ;
but the 101. prize in the same class, a Durham ox, fed by
Sir Henry Palmer, at Rockingham, has been purchased
by Mr. Page, of Lambeth-walk. In consequence of the
great increase in the number of persons visiting the
show, it was deemed advisable to have a stronger body
of the police force of the D division than on the previous
day in attendance, and, under the orders of Inspectors
Tedman and Black, they rendered most efficient service,
both in preventing confusion and in checking the pick-
pockets, many of whom, notwithstanding the presence of
policemen at the entrance, managed to introduce them-
selves into the building.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAY.—The Dwarf; steam-tender
to the Royal Yacht, Commander Chamberlain, left the
dock after having had a stem screw fitted on Monday,
and went out of harbour yesterday to try her rate of
speed ; she had proceeded to Southsea Castle once, and
was running into harbour about one o'clock, and sheered
over to Blockhouse-fort, to bring her round with her
head out to run down to the Castle again, but the eddy
tide catching her upon the starboard-bow between the
buoy and the Victoria pier, did not allow her to come
round, the tide making out very strong, and notwith-
standing the word was given to " back" in ample time,
she drove stem on to the starboard paddle-box of the
George IV., Portsmouth and Southampton steam-vessel,
then lying at the above pier with her head to the south-
ward. The paddle-box was smashed to pieces, which
prevented the vessel making her usual passage to South-
ampton. The Dwarf left her figure-head aboard the
George, but proceeded after the accident to Southsea
Castle again, prior to returning to harbour for the day.
No accident happened to the crew of either vessel.
The Princess Royal transport, Lieut. W. Harris agent,
which arrived from the river on Saturday with troops,
embarked detachments of the 23d and 71st from Park-
hurst (Isle of Wight) barracks on Tuesday, and sailed
from Spithead for Barbadoes yesterday morning.
The Scourge, steam-sloop, left the harbour in charge
of Mr. Aylen, master of the Victory, and a party of
riggers from the same ship, in tow :of the Comet steam-
►essel, Lieutenant Commander Pretyraan, yesterday
morning for the river, to receive her engines.
The; Duck, naval lighter, left yesterday for Sheerness
and Chatham with stores.

The Siren, 16, Commander William Smith arrived this
morning at Spithead trom the East Indies.
The following circular has recently been issued by the
Admiralty :
"It having been represented to the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty that the word port' is fre-
quently, though not universally, substituted on board
her Majesty's ships for the word larboard,' and as the
want of a uniform practice in this respect may lead to
important and serious mistakes, and the distinction be-
tween starboard' and port' is so much more marked
than that between starboard ' and larboard,' it is their
Lordships' direction that the word ' larboard' shall no
longer be used to signify left on board any of her Ma-
jesty's ships or vessels.
" By command of their Lordships,
" SIDNEY HERBERT.
" To all Commanders-in-Chief, captains, and com-
manding officers of her Majesty's ships and vessels."
DEVOSPORT.—The Dwdalus, 20, Captain P. M'Quhaa,
is ,xpected to receive advance wages this day, and sail
to-morrow for the East Indies.

The Superb, 80, was commissioned on Tuesday by
Lieutenant Fellows (1840) for Captain Sir Charles Sul-
livan, who brought home the Queen.
The Seagull, 6, was undocked on Monday for masting,
having undergone a thorough overhaul and refit.
The Canopus, 84, is alongside the jetty, preparing for
docking and commission. It is reported that when ready
for sea, she will try her rate of sailing with the Albion,
90. The Canopus was captured from the French.
The Cruiser, 16, Commander Fanshawe ; the Muting,
12, Commander Crawford ; and the Espiigle, 12, came
into harbour from the Sound on Monday to refit ; and
the Daring, 12, Commander Matson ; the Osprey, 12,
Commander Patten ; the Flying Fish, 12, Commander
Harris ; and the Waterwitch, 8, Commander T. Francis
Birch, came in on Tuesday. The Pantaloon, 8, Com-
mander (acting) Wilson, is in the Sound, expecting orders
for Spithead.
The Firebrand steam-frigate, Captain Corry, is await-
ing orders in Barnpool.
Shipwrights are engaged in laying down the timbers
of the Avenger steam-frigate on the slip lately occupied
by the Amethyst, 26, launched on Saturday last.
It is rumoured here that the Queen, 110, at Sheer-
ness, is to be razed to a two-decker at Chatham.
In Harbour.—The Caledonia, flag-ship ; San Josef,
the experimental brigs Cruiser, Daring, Osprey, Flying
Fish, Waterwitch, Espiegle, and Mutine; the Netley and
Sylph, tenders ; Tartarus and Confiance, steamers;
Goodwill, Tortoise, Ilamoaze, and Devon, lighters ; and
Snipe, cutter.
In the Sound.—The INedalus, Firebrand, and Panta-
loon.

Yesterday morning two convicts, on board the York
hulk in Portsmouth Harbour, quarrelled, when one drew
a knife upon the other, and stabbed him, inflicting a
wound of which he has since died. The names of the
parties are unknown, but the termination of the inquest,
which is being held on the body by Mr. George Gree-
sham, Admiralty Coroner, will disclose the whole par-
ticulars. The convict who inflicted the wound was sen-
tenced to transportation for cutting one of his wife's
breasts of.

THE LIGHT ON THE GOODWIN
SANDS.
(Extract from a Letter.)

" The extract from a letter which has gone the round
of the daily and weekly publications states, in great de-
tail, the forward state of a lighthouse upon the founda-
tion of Mr. Bush's caisson (the Light of All Nations),
from which it is said a light may be exhibited on the
Ist of January. Baying lately returned from visiting
Dover and Ranisgate, where I had time for observation
and inquiry, I can positively assure you that the above
statement is either a delusion of the writer's brain, for
which he is to be pitied, or, which is worse, an attempt
to deceive (a hoax), that may if believed do mischief, if
not, publicly contradicted, which I hope it will be by
authority.'
" Every Ramsgate and Deal pilot knows that the
only erection that has lately been visible upon the
Goodwin Sands is the beacon which was built in Dover
Harbour last summer for the Trinity Corporation,
by their engineer, Mr. Walker, and his partner, Mr.
Burgess, and was afterwards, -with the aid of steam
vessels, floated to Ramsgate, where it remained one
of the objects for visitors to look at until the weather
allowed it to be taken out tto its station at the back of
the sand, one of the elder brethren, having the charge.
I have since conversed with Douglas, the foreman of the
work under the engineers, who told me, that when the
caisson got over the place where it was to be sunk a
sluice was opened to admit the water inside, when the
caisson sank rapidly down to the sand, where, by some
contrivance, the sides were disengaged from the bottom,
hich now forms the foundation of the beacon; the whole
superstructure of mast, ties, &c., with a large globe at
top, having been completed and fixed before the caisson
left Dover, so that nothing had to be done, when they
got to the edge of the sand, but to disengage the sides,
which was done in less than an hour. I have inquired of
pilots
that and
theis asfleoraetcitng as
floating-
lights
who have seen it since the last heavy gales, and
havewhen beenfirs
first
toldp Iplaced.
it keeps
The its position,
say,
lights in deep water near the sand are preferable to light-
houses upon the sand, and that beacons should be near
the edge of the sand, to be of use as beacons."

HUNGERFORD AND LAMBETH
SUSPENSION FOOT-BRIDGE. COMPANY.
A special general rileeting of the Proprietors of this
Company was held on Thursday, at the offices in Villiers-
r street, Strand. Mr. W. Hawes was in the chair.
The Directors in their report, which was read to the
meeting, said they had called the Proprietors together,
under the provisions of their amended Act, to obtain
from them their sanctign for raising the sum of 10,000/.
for the purpose of improving the approach to the southern
terminus of the bridge. The Directors said that, while
asking for this additional capital, they thought it right
to state, to prevent any misconception, their decided opi-
nion that the original capital would be amply sufficient
to complete the bridge, and all the works connected
therewith, as originally contemplated. It might be
necessary (the Directors went on to report) to apply
to Parliament for power to take possession of the pro-
perty required for the approaches, although negotia-
tions hitherto fruitlessly attempted by them (the Di-
rectors) had at the last moment been received in a
spirit that induced them to hope such an application to
the Legislature would be unnecessary. As another spe-
cial meeting must, by their Act of Parliament, be con-
vened to confirm whatever resolutions might be passed at
the present meeting, the Directors stated they did not con-
sider it advisable at this time, and previously to their
plans being adopted, to say more than that they consi-
dered it would be most advantageous to the Company,
and convenient to the proprietors, to issue 3,200 shares,
of 3/. 2s. 6d each, amounting to 10,000/., in one-eighth
shares, subject to calls not exceeding 1/. per share. The
Directors said they could not allow the meeting to
separate without congratulating the Proprietors on their
prospects since the determination of the Directors of the
South-Western and Richmond Railway Companies to
bring their termini almost to the foot of the bridge had
been approved by their respective Props ietors, as well as
on the further prospect that in a short time the South-
Eastern and Brighton lines would have their termini in
the same locality. The large number of passengers
coming from or going to Charing-cross, who would use
these railways, would alone be a valuable addition to the
traffic of the bridge, but when the facility of embarking
and debarking at all times of the tide from the bridge,
its convenient and commodious pier, as well as the vast
number of omnibusses passing every minute the entrances
to Hungerford Market, were considered, and by which
the passengers might go at almost any moment to every
place between Chelsea and Woolwich, it must be evident
there would be over the bridge an amount of traffic which
would raise it high in public estimation.
The CHaiemax said, the original estimated cost of the
present suspension-bridge was 104,500/., which the pro-
jectors had stated would, in their opinion, yield a net
income of 12,960/. The Directors were now able to in-
form the Proprietors that the work would be completed,
including every expense, for the net sum of 102,8004—
(Cheers)—which they would see was less by 1,700/. than
the estimate of 1838. But the Directors had now to ask
the Proprietors to give them a sum of money to do that
which was not originally contemplated—they wanted to
pass from the Belvedere-road to Sutton-street (a fine
thoroughfare of 35 yards wide, and built since the bridge
was projected), so as to obtain a good access to the York-
road. The Directors found they would be able to carry
out this desired approach for less than 5,0004, including
all expenses, and since the report was written, negotia-
tions had taken place which led the Directors to hope
that the property required would be obtained without
the expense of going to Parliament for an Act for the
purpose. The Chairman then went at some length into
statistical matters to show that the original traffic case
of 1838, which gave a net income of 12,960/., would not
be in any way materially affected by the reduction which
had since been made in the Waterloo-bridge toll from a
penny to a halfpenny. The foot traffic over that bridge
at the time 'alluded to amounted to 10,4004 per annum,
and since the reduction of the toll to a halfpenny, the
receipts for the passenger traffic had amounted to
11,042/. per annum. There was therefore every reason
to be satisfied with the original calculations respecting
the receipts from the traffic across the suspension-bridge.
To the original traffic case would be added the increased
number of passengers that must be necessarily brought
to the bridge through the extension of the railways to
the spot, and the increased facilities which the bridge
would afford to the steam-boat traffic.

The report was unanimously adopted. A resolution
for raising the additional capital required was also car-
ried nem. con.

A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman, and
he meeting broke up.

FATAL ACCIDENT on the DOVER

RAILWAY.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.

This unfortunate occurrence has attracted the most
serious attention of the officers and Directors belonging
to the line, as well as of the other metropolitan railway
officials, several of whom inspected the spot on Thursday
for the purpose of collecting information, for it has not
previously occurred that the boiler of a locomotive, while
running, has exploded.
We wish it to be distinctly understood that we give
publicity to the following on the faith or information
furnished us by one of the officials :
in the examination of the engine by Colonel Pasley and
the engineers, part of the inner casing round the fire•
box was found to have been blown away, and the same
piece to have been forced through the viaduct into the
arch beneath, a considerable distance from where the
engine laid. 'The current opinion then was, that the
explosion had been caused either by some flaw in the
copper casing or by some defect in the rivetting of the
same.

Thursday, however, upon further search being made
by Mr. Cubitt (the engineer of the line), Mr. George,
and other gentlemen, it was diseovered that the safety-
valve was hard down, from which it was inferred that
the explosion arose solely from the circumstance of the
engine-driver having neglected to open it. The steam
then having no means of escape, had caused the casing
to collapse, and the explosion that followed. Upon fur-
ther consideration, this might have resulted from the
engine capsizing, and making a double turn over, as she
must have done previous to going off the viaduct. The
drum of the engine, it is quite certain, struck one of the
iron rails, for the indentation is still clearly perceptible,
and that might have driven the valve in the position as
described. The most unaccountable circumstance is, that
the engine was found with her steam shut off, by which
some of the railway officers conclude that the driver had
suspected something was wrong, and had shut it off at
the moment of the explosion. Be this as it may, nothing
but the most searching investigation before the coroner's
jury will satisfy the public mind.
The remains of the engine, tender, and waggon, with
the injury done to the viaduct, is left in the same state
as after the accident, for the inspection of the coroner
and jury.
The engine was quite new, and had only been shipped
on the line a few days since, from Liverpool.
Theinquest was expected to have taken place on Thurs-
day, but it being doubtful whether the body was lying
in Mr. I'ayne's district, or that of Mr. Carter, some time
was lost before information was sent to the right coroner,
and up to that evening the warrant for impannelling the
jury had not been received. The body of the engine-
driver, which lies at the Bricklayers' Arms station, is
that of a fine young man upwards of six feet in height,
and from the appearances it is probable that death was
instantaneous. The neck was broken, and also the left
arm where the waggon wheel passed over. A very re-
markable circumstance is that he was not in the least de-
gree scalded, whilst his unfortunate companion was
severely so. During the time that the men were em-
ployed in removing the waggons off the line, another
accident occurred, which nearly cost an excavator his
life. He with several other men were clearing the line,
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ceived surgical assistance, and he was enabled in the
course of the morning to walk to his own lodging.
The damage done to the viaduct, engine, tender, and
waggons was roughly estimated at 5,0001.

LATEST PARTICULARS.

LITERATURE.

AA Tr- cb,./vii6stß r: 2 Ms:
Newby, London, 1844.
As may be surmised from its title, this tale is in-
tended as a quiz on the political party entitled
"Young England," whose principal leaders are
treated in a very unceremonious spirit of ridicule.
The work is a mere farcical extravaganza, without
plot, characters, or incidents worth notice ; it is
written in a most slovenly style, evidently the result
of desperate haste in the composition, and abounds M
repetitions of thought, sentiment, and expression.
Occasionally, however, we find a gleam of genuine
humour in the work, which satisfies us that the author
might do better if he would take a little more pain 3 ;
and we may add, to his credit, that there is nothing
waspish or malicious in his mirth, which is cha-
racterised throughout by good-nature.

MR. COMBE AGAIN.
Will any of our readers kindly inform us if there he at
this moment a Home Minister ? If so, is he in a mes-
meric condition, or really awake ? If awake, does he
ever read those vulgar compositions, the daily papers ?
And if not, why not ?
We have looked in our own Pocket-Both, and find
that Sir James Graham is really Home Secretary. May
we then call the attention of Sir James to the manifold
merits of Mr. Combe, the magistrate of Clerkenwell ?
That man is a blighted Lord Chief Justice. He was
born to be wrapt in ermine—to sit upon the Queen's
Bench. He wears plain black, and is confined to an
arm-chair. Suck is life

Again and again have we marvelled at the judgments
of Combe. They have at length convinced us that
Apuleius is not wholly a fable. No ; sure we are that
the spirit of a philosopher—albeit nobody shall suspect
it—may animate an ass.

We subjoin a brief police narrative, showing the
wisdom of Mr. Combo :

" John Stevens was charged with assaulting Mr.
Thomas Banting, dairyman, John-street, Bedford-row.
Complainant owed the assailant a sporting bet of la
Whereupon Stevens entered complainant's shop, and de-
manding the money, aimed a violent blow with a large
stick at his head. Witness put up his arm to ward it
off; and received the blow on it. The blow caused a
swelling as large as a half-pint pot on the elbow, and he
has not bad since then the use of the limb."
Now listen to Mr. Combs

" Mr. Combe—Why don't you pay Mr. Stevens the
15/. ? Complainant—l was unable to do so, Sir—other
parties had not paid me.
" Mr. Combe—Nonsense ! how is he to know whether
they have or not ? You had better pay him the 15Z
You are a long time in his debt."
After more talk, Mr. Combe hints at "a bill."

" Mr. Combe—The defendant asks for a bill. Why
don't you give him your bill for the 154, which you ac-
knowledge you owe ?
"The complainant said that after having received such
treatment, he should be less inclined to do so than ever.

" Mr. Combe—lf you pay him the 151., I'll fine him for
du assault.

" The complainant said. he bad been brutally treated,
and declined the offer.

" The defendant, who admitted that he was a betting
man,' was merely bound over in his own recognisance to
answer any charge at the sessions."
Is there not sweet comfort in this for creditors—for all
betting men with money owed them ? Gentlemen cre-
ditors, provide yourselves with large sticks—enter the
houses of your debtors—drub them soundly; and if
brought before Mr. Combe he will use his gentle offices
to get you " a bill" from the man you have thrashed ;
and if failing, will let you off upon your own recog-
nisance !

And then again, how courteous to attempt to make a
bargain with the stiff-necked complainant I "If you
pay him, I'll fine him." But the ruffian was not paid,
and—equitable Mr. Combe I—he was not fined.—Punch.

QUARREL BETWEEN CIVILIANS

AND MILITARY.

A serious quarrel took place on Sunday evening last,
at the Dolphin public-house, outside Chapel-bar, in this
town, between a party of the 12th Lancers, and a number
of mechanics. Two of the soldiers were brought before
the Mayor on Monday, charged with an assault upon the
landlord, Mr. Goddard, when the appended particulars
were elicited.

About half-past six o'clock, two soldiers entered the
tap-room at the Dolphin, which was already full of com-
pany, and called for a pint of ale. They had not been
there many minutes before a quarrel ensued, and
one of the soldiers began to fight with one of the civi-
lians. Seeing that thir companion was " getting the
worst of it," another of the civilians, it is said, rendered
him assistance, which speedily brought the other soldier
into action. The civilians seem to have thought the con-
duct of the soldiers to be overbearing, for they unitedly
set upon them, and, after giving each of them a hearty
thrashing, turned them out of the room. By this time a
crowd had collected on the outside of the house, and
amongst them were six or eight soldiers. As soon as their
comrades had been expelled, the fresh soldiers rallied
round them, and commenced an attack upon the tap-
room door, violently threatening the landlord if he per-
sisted in refusing them admission. The landlord and an
assistant kept the door closed as long as they were able,
but at length the combined strength of the military
forced it open. As soon as they entered the room a
most savage battle ensued ; civilians and military rushed
together to the table, three of the legs of which they
tore off, and used as cudgels ; pewter pots, iron spittoons,
&c., were thrown at each other's heads ; and a tin
warmer and a fender were completely battered out of
shape, by having been used as instruments of assault.
The two privates with whom the row commenced are
named Allingham and Fidler, the former of whom com-
menced fighting. Corporal Dlimmick and private Al-
lingham were taken into custody by the police, where
they remained until the following day, when they were
charged with assault. After hearing the case very fully,
the Mayor and magistrates decided against them, award-
ing them to pay the moderate sum of 245. 6d. costs, and
to enter into recognizances to keep the peace for the
next three months, themselves to the amount of 101.
each, and two others to the amount of 51. each.—/Voiting-
hamneview.

We are sorry to learn that, for reasons not made
public, Messrs. Cooke, of Loughborough, are turning
off the whole of the men and women working at their
establishment in the Rushes. Rumour, with its thou-
sand tongues, has assigned many reasons, which it would
be foolish to ecuruerate, as each like the other appears to
be unauthorised. This event, with the severity of the
weather, has thrown many out of employment there,
and is likely to prove serious to many poor families.
We hope neither will prove of long duration.—Notting-
ham Review.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.—TWO most important
railway meetings have been held at Liverpool this week
—first, for the purpose of submitting the conditional
agreement entered into by the Liverpool and Manchester
Company with the North Union Company for the amal-
gamation of the lines, and other minor matters ; and,
secondly, to obtain the sanction of the Proprietors of the
Grand Junction Company to the consolidation of the
Manchester line with theirs. The terms of the first
agreement are, that each consolidated North Union stock
be considered equivalent to 641. 7s. 6d. of the Liverpool
and Manchester, or amalgamated stock. Those of the
second, as stated in the report—that the Liverpool and
Manchester Company having already created new 401.
shares this year to extinguish their debt, and the Grand
Junction Company having issued new 121. 10s. shares to
meet their subscriptions to the Lancaster and Carlisle
Company, each holder of a Grand Junction 1001. share,
or other stock equivalent in amount, shall have a new
251. share, and that being done, that the whole shall be
consolidated on equal terms in one capital stock (instead
of shares), under clauses in the Bill fur which, with the
concurrence of the trustees, the Directors intend to apply
in the ensuing session.

ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF FEWALES.......
Last evening a public meeting was held at the Lecture
Hall, Greenwich, for the purpose of explaining the ob-
jects contemplated by the above Society, and the provi-
sions of the Bishop of Exeter's Bill, and the adoption
of measures for the suppression of one of the greatest
enormities which disgrace a Christian community. The
meeting was fully and respectably attended, and at a
little after nine o'clock, D. W. Wire, Esq„ took the
chair, and stated that the object of the Society was to
procure a Bill which would entirely suppress the dis-
gusting traffic in juvenile prostitution, and to enable
offenders of that nature to be dealt with according to
their crimes, and not to set the laws (as in the present
defective state they were enabled to do) at defiance. lie
felt well aware that it was not only a revolting but a
most delicate subject for investigation, but still the enor-
mities that had been brought to light, rendered it para-
mount that the moral classes of the community should
exert themselves to wipe so foul a blot from society, and
to guard against children being inveigled from their
homes for the basest purposes. The meeting was subse-
quently addressed by the Rev. Dr. Russell and the Rev,
Dr. Woodward, who observed that he thought a clause
might be inserted in the Police Act, placing those in-
famous houses on the same footing as gaming-houses,
thereby being more under.the surveillance of the police.
Resolutions to carry out the objects of the meeting were
unanimously carried.
ANOTHER COLLISION ON THE MERSEY.-011 Mon-
day night week the Abbey steamer left the Birkenhead
slip about ten o'clock, and it being ebb-tide, she pro-
ceeded down the west side of the river until she had
passed the Woodside slip, and then turned her bows to-
wards the other side. When near the middle she ran
with tremendous force into the larboard bow of her Ma-
jesty's tender, the Redwing, which had just left one of
the snail-packets then in the river. Fortunately there
were few, if any, passengers on board the Abbey, and
no person was injured. The Abbey also escaped with-
out any material damage, the tide being in her favour
but the Redwing was cut down to the water's edge in
such a manner as to make a tremendous opening. She
was, however, heeled over, and was taken the next morn-
ing into the graving-dock to be repaired. The night
was very dark, but the atmosphere was quite clear, and
nothing to prevents lights being seen. We have been
informed that the Redwing showed no light, but that the
Abbey had one hoisted upon her mast. The bodies of
Harrison and Fahey, the unfortunate persons who perished
in the calamitous collision of the 21st ult., have not as

yet been recovered.—Liverpool Advertiser.
DOWNING-STREET.—On Thursday the whole of the
unsightly hoarding that has been suffered to remain so
long round the vacant space of ground between Downing-
street and Fludyer-street was removed, the footway on
either side cleared and newly paved, and the area in-
closed with wooden paling breast high; it is rot intended
to erect any buildings on the site, which belongs to Go-
vernment, at present, but to allow it to remain in its pre-
sent state until the general improvements in West-
minster are finally determined upon.

BANK OF ENGLAND.

(From Friday Night's Gazette.)
An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Vic-
toria, cap. 31, for the Week ending on Saturday, the
7th day of December, 1844.

ISSUE DEPARTMENT.

Notes issued ... 27,817,505

£27,817,505

M. MA
Dated the 12th day of Del

!Government debt 11,015,100
Other securities 2,984,900
Gold coin and

BANKING D:
.C.

bullion
Silver bullion

Proprietors 'capi-
tal 14,553,000
Rest 3,110,069

Public deposits
(including Ex-
chequer,Savings
banks,Commis-
sioners of Na-
tional Debt, and
dividend ac-
counts) 5,795,572
Other deposits
Seven day and
other bills 966,455,

£27,817,505
.RSHALL, Chief Cashier.
cember, 1844.

:PIRTMENT.

G oyernment seen-
rides (includ-
ing Dead Weight
Annuity) 13,540,619
Other securities 10,193,713
Notes
Gold and silver
coin

.£32,847,9051
M. MA:
Dated the 12th day of Del

£32,847,905
,SHALL, Chief Cashier.
'tuber, 1844.

TUE GREAT BRITAIN STEAMER.—BRISTOL, DEC.
12.—This vessel, with some of the directors and their
friends on board, took a trip this morning ; and, as she
glided on the bosom of the ocean, was enthusiastically
cheered by thousands of individuals of both sexes, who
were watching with eager interest the progress she made.
She reached King's-road in a little more than two
hours in perfect safety. She afterwards proceeded
down the Channel, in order to test her speed.
RACING AGAINST TIME.—An odd affair occurred
near Bedford, on Saturday night, the 30th ult. This
was the last day allowed by the standing orders for
depositing the plans of the various railroads to be
brought before Parliament in the next Session ; it was
therefore a matter of vital importance that the docu-
ments should be delivered to the various clerks of the
peace before twelve o'clock. I❑ one case, the parties
were unable to get the plans forwarded before that very,
evening, and it became so nice a point that it was re-
duced to a race against time. A special messenger was
dispatched with a chaise and four horses from London,
with the plans for Bedford. With watch in hand, he
kept the post-boys up to tee mark, covered the first 28
miles in two hours ; at this pace he would have a few
minutes to spare, so as to make it a certainty that the
plans would be handed in before the clock struck twelve.
Unfortunately, however, some minutes were lost in the
speed at other parts of the road, and the thing became
desperate. Away dashed the vehicle, crack went the
whips, and the people were as much amazed as if it had
been the overland mail from India. After another stage
the thing was considered safe, the speed had mended.
On arriving at Hammer-hill, within four miles and
a half of Bedford, they found, however, they could not
afford to go down gently, so the steam was again laid on,
and down they swept at a swinging pace, when, all at
once, there was a dreadful crash ! they had run into
another vehicle, and the two were in splinters. The
messenger, in a fit of despair, jumped up, unhooked the
trace:: oft one of the leaders, mounted him, shouldered
the plans, and gallopped on the rest of the journey,
leaving the postilions to collect the bits. The hero dashed
away, reached Bedford, ran into the office with his
burden, but lo ! the clock had struck—he was three
minutes too late ! If the standing orders are enforced
they will be fatal, but under the circumstances surely
three minutes will be allowed. It was said by one of
the parties, that if the man run into was picked up at
all, it must be with a spoon, for the collision was tre-
mendous ! We have not, however, heard whether any
fatal results followed. Who will regard three minutes
of time with indifference after this ?—Can fridge Ad-
vertiser.

THE TURN-OUT AT BURY.—On Tuesday morning
last, the engineers, millwrights, moulders, mechanics,
pattern-makers, grinders, &c., to the number of upwards
of 100, besides many labourers employed at Messrs.
hay and Sons' foundry and machine shops, Bolton-
street, or bottom of Bury-lane, Bury, all turned out, in
consequence (as the men state) of their masters em-
ploying hands in the above branches who come frem
other places with quittance papers. Immediately after
they had struck work they held a meeting in the large
room at the Hare and Hounds Inn, Bolton-street, at
which it was stated that they were determined to remain
out until the fu it twice papers were abolished, It was
also stated that the foreman at the works, and also
their masters, had used various methods in getting the
men not to join the trades' unions ; they had been offered
higher wages for three years if they would leave the
union, but it was stated that only one man had accepted
the offer. Delegates were also sent off from the above
meeting to Bolton, Manchester, Rochdale, Oldham, and
other places, to acquaint the members of the various
trades' unions in those places of the objects of their turn-
out. The men, it appears, complain of many of the mas-
ters in the trade uniting in not receiving any new hands,
except they bring a quittance paper from their last em-
ployer. They contend, that if they submit to it, wages
will have a tendency to drop. There does not appear to
be complaints as to wages, &c.—Manchester Advertiser.
IRON TRADE.—The prospects of the Stafforshire
iron trade are now of a more cheering character than for
some time past ; as, after the last quarterly meeting of
iron-masters, a reduction was announced which was
alike unexpected to the buyers and to the majority of
the makers of the article, and in the course of the fol-
lowing week orders given at the prices fixed by some of
the leading houses were declined by the masters, and
those only which were given and accepted in the ‘1 quar-
ter-week" were considered binding. The parties engaged
in the trade were well aware of the object contemplated
by the large masters who operated for the reduction,
and, conceiving that it could not be justified, held out
for former prices, which have subsequently been fully
maintained. The anticipated demand for rails
.justifies
the views of speculators ; and the orders given lay those
existing companies that are certain of the passing of the
Act for the extension of their lines has sustained the
price of iron, and caused a demand from those makers
who were disposed to sell at the prices nominally fixed
at the end of the last " quarter-week." The operation
then contemplated has failed, and there is a well-
grounded expectation that, on the next quarter-day, not
only prices of the quarter from July to October will be
maintained, but that an advance will take place, fully
supported by the parties who operated for the reduction
in October, and with these prospects numerous private
bargains are negotiated, and purchases made by the pro-
ducers themselves.—Birmingham Gazette.
THE GLASGOW CATHEDRAL.—We were informed
some months ago that it was the intention of the Com-
missioners of Woods and Forests to restore our venerable
Cathedral to its ancient state, and, at the time, we ex-
pressed our gratification at the intelligence. This result
is now confirmed—and every citizen of Glasgow must
rejoice at the fact. It will be much better, after all, to
have our noble old building made just what it was, than
run the risk of changing its character, and swamping it
altogether, by modern additions. The Commissioners of
Woods and Forests have the sincere and grateful thanks
of the citizens of Glasgow for the decision to which they
have come in this matter.—Glusgow Paper.
WHAT NEXT ?—With the view of illustrating, we
apprehend, by an individual instance, Mr. Ferrand's view
of our present position as that of a" nation of humbugs,"
there is exhibited by a respectable chemist, in the neigh-
bourhood of Temple-bar, in his shop-window, a variety
of ugly, clumsy looking metallic rings, by wearing which
we are gravely told that afflicted individuals are cured of,
and preserved from, " gout, rheumatism, tic-doloroux,
paralysis, head-ache, deficiency of nervous energy, stiff
joints, and persons subject to fits !"
OLD MOUNTAINS.—There is no part of geological
science more clear than that which refers to the ages of
mountains. It is as certain that the Grampian moun-
tains in Scotland are older than the Alps and Appe•
nines as it is that civilisation had visited Italy, and had
enabled her to subdue the world, while Scotland was the
residence of " roving barbarians." The Pyrenees, Car-
pathians, and other ranges of continental Europe, are
all younger than the Grampians, or even the insigni-
ficant Mendip hills of southern England. Stratification
tells this tale as plainly as Livy tells the history of the
Roman republic. It tells us, to use the words of Pro-
fessor Philips, that at the time when the Grampians
sent streams and detritus to straits where now the val-.

lays of the Forth and Clyde meet, the greater part of
Europe was a wide ocean.— Vestiges of the Natural His-
tory of Creation.
THE FROST IN PARIS.--The Journal des Debuts
states, that in consequence of the quantity of ice collected
on the Seine on Monday last, it was found necessary to
employ a number of mariners to clear the boats on the
river from the ice with which they were surrounded.
At midnight on Sunday last the thermometer marked
6 degrees 7-10ths centigrade below Zero; at six o'clock
on Monday morning, 7 degrees 2-10ths; at twelve o'clock,
5 degrees 7-10IIIS.
BRIDGWATER, DEC. 11.—FOUR LIVES LOST.—We
regret to have to record the loss of four lives by the
overturning of the St. Pierre, which was lying stranded in
the river Parrott, just below Bridgwater. It appears that
she left the port of Bridgwater on Monday evening, and
waited the tide of Tuesday morning to carry her into
the Channel. The river being partially frozen, large pieces
of ice were brought up by the tide, which, striking with
great force against the vessel, capsized her, and im-
mersed six persons in the water ; two saved themselves,
with great difficulty, by swimming to land; but two men,
one a pilot, named Rossiter, a woman, and a boy, were
drowned. We regret to add, that the two men have left
wives and families, one of eight and the other of three
children, to mourn their fate.—Both Chronicle.
[ADYERTISEMENT.]—WHEEZING ON TUB CIIEST,
SHORTNESS OF BREATH, ASTHEIAS, COUGHS, AND
COLDS, HOWEVER BAD, ARE EFFECTUALLY CURED BY
HOLLOWAY'S PlLLS.—There is no longer any doubt but
that these wonderful Pills are an effectual cure for any,
of those complaints, even though they may be of several
years standing. Mere relief may be obtained in a few
days. Such are the extraordinary powers of these
that many people, who appeared almost to be at deaths
door, gasping for breath, have been so relieved in their
breathing, and so completely freed fro their coughs,
their colds, their wheezings, and their spittings, as to as-
tonish all their friends. Sold (also Holloway's Oint-
ment) at Professor Holloway's establishment, 244,
Strand (where advice may be had gratis), and by al-
most all respectable vendors of medicine throughout
the eiyilised world.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
PRIVY COUNCIL, Dec. 13.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Connell sat to
day in the Council Chambers, Whitehall. The Lords
present were the Master of the Rolls, Mr. Baron Parke,
the Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall, the Judge of
the Admiralty Court, Sir E. H. East, Sir E. Ryan, and
Sir F. Johnstone. Their Lordships were occupied the
whole day with Indian appeals.