The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-08 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING,

justice would be conducting the proceedings as they had
hitherto done. He would venture to say, if the Hon.
Member would rest a little longer, such a body of evidence
would be laid before the House as would satisfy' every
party. He felt convinced that the house would continue
its discretion towards the Committee of which he was a
Member.

Mr. SCARLETT fupported the motion, believing that
the business of such a Committee could not be conducted
so well in private as in public.
Mr. ESCOTT supported the motion of the Hon. Ba-
ronet, believing that justice only could be done by allow-
ing parties accused to be present. He feared the Hcn.
Member would lay a Report on the table of the House
which would have no practical effect, and would .make
those who had taken part in the investigation, extremely
dissatisfied with the result. The Hon. Member must
convince the House and the people of this country that
he had made out a case for departing from the regular
principles of justice in these proceedings.
AJr. LABOUCHERE said he must suspend his judg-
ment upon the proceedings Of the Committee until the
proceedings had been laid upon the table ; but if it then
appeared that the Committee had not allowed parties to
answer the charges made against them, he quite agreed
that it would have no weight whatever.—(Hear,
hear.) But the question at present was whether
they should interfere with the discretion of the
Committee before its proceedings had been brought
to a close, and that being the question, be felt
bound to oppose the motjon of the Hon. Member for the
University of Oxford. The Committee had already pro-
ceeded to a great extent with the inquiry, and he would
certainly deprecate any interference with their pro-
ceedings.
Sir R. PEEL said that the course which he should

pursue with respect to this motion would have no refer-
ence whatever to the proceedings of the Committee.
Forgetting that this Committee existed, the sole question
to be decided was, whether it was right for the House of
Commons to pass a resolution controlling the proceed-
ings of all future Committees. The present case was
analogous to that of a Committee of the whole House,
in which, if a charge were preferred, a stranger
had no right to be present. The case of
a grand jury was analogous to the present, and yet in
that case there were many charges at which the party
charged had no right to be present. He was prepare d
to say " No" distinctly to the motion for giving a right
to persons to be present at charges made in the House
of Commons.

Sir. It. INGLIS replied.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, but no di-
vision , ook place. On our return to the gallery, we found
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE on his legs. Ile said the House
ought to lay down an uniform rule for the guidance of
Committees in future. He would move the previous
question.
Mr. SHAW understood it was too late to move the
previous question now.

Sir R. PEEL thought it useless to divide on the pre-
vious question.

After a few words from Mr. Aglionby, Mr. Roebuck,
and Mr. Escott,
Mr. C. BULLER said that the course his Hon. Friend
was pursuing was a guarantee that he did not mean to
follow it up by vindictive measures. He thought the
course his Hon. Friend pursued was the one most likely
to conciliate the friends of liberty.
Sir R. PEEL saw no practical difference between the

two questions, and as he was always opposed to taking
up the time of the House by questions 'of a technical
nature, he would vote for the previous question, as other-
wise there would be two divisions.

The House then divided, when there appeared—
For the previous question l2l
Against it 49

Majority for the previous question —72
DOVER HARBOUR.

Mr. RICE moved for a copy of the Report of the
officers appointed by the Admiralty to consider the plans
of Mr. Cubitt for constructing a harbour of refuge at
Dover. The Right Hon. Baronet admitted the import-
ance of having a large and good harbour last year, but
would not make any promises on the subject in conse-
quence of the embarrassedatate of the finances. He hoped
when they improved he would carry out his promise.
Mr. 'WALLACE seconded the motion.

The queStion having been put,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
had no objection to the motion of the Hon. Gentleman.
He admitted the importance of having a good harbour
on the coast, but he could not at present make any pro-
mise on the subject.
Mr. RICE did not want to have a series of harbours
along the coast. All he wished for was, that one exten-
sive harbour should be constructed.

Sir R. PEEL said that the opinion he gave in 1841
was, that local exertions would not be likely to prove
effectual, and that the construction of a harbour on the
best principles, whether at Hastings or Dover, should be
placed in the hands of the Government; but that, in con-
sequence of the finances, such a work could not be en-
tered upon. He hoped, with the Hon. Member, these
would improve, but he could not make any promises on
the subject.
Captain PLUMRIDGE wished the Governmeet would
allow one steamer to clear the mud from the inner har-
bour of Falmouth, for which nature had done so much
and man so little.

Sir R. PEEL must decline giving any assurance on
this subject. Application had better be made to the Ad-
miralty through the usual channel.
Captain PLUMRIDGE had made repeated applica-
tions to the Admiralty on the subject.
The motion was then agreed to.

Must be remembered that that Ace only contemplated
the admission—of a' limited quantity-of corn—five hun-
dred thousand quarters--a quantity which could effect
no good object when the immense number of con-
sumers was considered. To give such a limit
as that would be perf3etly ridiculous when any man
might introduce his corn at a duty of from 9s. to 128. a
quarter.—(Hear, hear.) Ile stated these facts to show
to the Hon. Gentleman how different were the two
periods which it was sought to assimilate by applying
the same Acts to both. He might add that these pro-
hibitions formed one strong argument for the change in
the Corn-law which took place some years ago. What
was the proposition of the Hon. Gentleman ? Was it

that the discretionary- power with which he intended to
invest his Eight Hon. Friend—which certainly appeared
to be most extravagant—should be exercised at time
when the prices were moderate, or when the prices were
exorbitantly high, or was it to be exercised when the
prices were as at present ?
Mr. BANNF.RMAN—Certainlyas at present.
Mr. GLADSTONE continued—Then if that were
the case he said that the Hon. (;gentleman was doing that
indirectly which he ought to do directly. He ought to
raise the question of repealing .the law at once, openly,
and not go about it in an oblique manner.—(Hear, hear.)
If the Hon. Gentleman intended that discretionary
power to be exercised at a time when prices were low,
then he (Mr. Gladstone) did not hesitate to say, that
instead of conferring a boon he was inflicting a serious
injury upon the consumer and, the producer.—(Hear.)
If they were to wait until corn had reached an extrava-
gantly high rate it would be an inducement to the im-
porters of corn to hold back and create an artificial scar-
city in order to take advantage of the higher price.
What was the great objection alleged against the gradu-
ated scale? The Hon. Gentleman's plan was open to all
the objections which could be, urged against a repeal of
the Corn-law ; and also to all the operations which could
be urged against the graduated scale. The Hon. Gen-
tleman had taken a more unfavourable view of the opera-
tion of the present Corn-law .than circumstances Justi-
fied, and nothing could tend more to prevent importation
at the present moment than the Hardse entertaining the
motion of the Hon. Me-mber for-Aberdeen. The present
law had not as yet had such a trial as would enable them
to form a reasonable judgment. as to its results. They
had, .however, had an importation of 190,000 quarters of
wheat since the new law came into operation. He admitted
that was not so much as the wants of the country required. •
yet he thought there was reason t o believe that the mer-
chants would, in a short time, feel inclined to bring into
the market the million of quarters now in the warehouses,
which would be very beneficial to the revenue, and more
beneficial to the country.--(Cheers.) He trusted the
House would have no hesitation in rejecting the motion
of the Hon. Gentlemen.

Mr. WARD agreed that it would be better to repeal
the Corn-law, but they knew they,' could not carry the
repeal, and therefore they wished to mitigate the effect
of Governmentresponsibility,had
and introducedtheyth teh e Corn-
ltheirawt,hoenla'.
1'o:1.1-e n
Opposi-
tion) wished to increase that responsibility by the pre-
sent measure. There had not, been a single argument
brought forward by the Right Hon.' Gentleman that had
not been met and disposed of in 1F26 by Mr. Huskisson
and by the Right Hon. Baronet at present at the head of
the Government, There were emergencies to which every-
thing ought to give way—this was one of those emergen-
cies. The G overnment had brought the motion upom them-
selves. They insisted on having the law, let them also have
the power of relaxing it. Let the whole responsibility of
executing that law rest upon the Government. The har-
vest was uncertain, and the Governinent ought to have
the power of relieving the wants
.of the people without
loss of time, if they thought., fit to exercise it. This
argument was met by the country gentlemen, in the
time of Mr. Canning. as it would, no doubt, be met by
the present country gentlemen. The country geutlemen
then used the same arguments us the Right lion. Gen-
tleman who had just adressed the House. One gentle-
man then said, what perhaps country gentlemen would
not say of the present 'day, that thus attack-
ing the Corn-laws was attacking the Constitu-
tion ; and Sir John Brydges said, " Perish the
commerce of the country, but live the Constitution!" It
had been said by Mr. Cunning that a statesman ought to
have two kinds of courage--one, the courage to resist
unjust demands, and the other, to grant demands- that
were just. Was it not dangerous to refuse the demands
of the people? He (Mr. Ward) believed in his conscience,
that it was so. Winter was coming, and the greatest
responsibility would be thrown 'upon the Government,
and this was the reason he would vote for the motion of
his Hon. Friend.

Lord WORSLEY said he did not think the motion
had attracted that notice which it would have done if it
had been brought forward at an earlier period of the
session. He thought that sufficient attention had not
been paid to it. He did not approve of the proposition,
as it would induce speculators to use means to get up
the price of corn while the agriculturists would
nerer feel themselves safe. He_ thought it would be
dangerous to vest the proposed power in the present
Government, who had come into power as the supporters
of the agricultural interest, but which had not-proved
itself so. The Right Hon. the Vice-President of the
Board of Trade said there was every prospect of a good
harvest ; hut he (Lord Worsley) felt that he was doing
his duty in stating that he did not believe that the crop
would be an average one. It appeared that the specula-
tors in corn would act under the new system as they had
done under the old one. With these views he could not
accede to the motion.

Mr. MILNES said he believed her Majesty's Govern-
ment were strong enough and virtuous enough to take
upon themselves any responsibility whatever. A great
emergency might arise before Parliament was called to-
gether, and he thought it was right that the Government
should be prepared for it. He could not on that-occasion
vote with the party whom he always desired to support.
Mr. P. M. STEWART supported the motion. The
Government could not conceal froth themselves that the
present Corn Bill had the vice of the old one. At that
moment there were 1,500,000 quarters of corn in'bond,
which was more than the Government contemplated,
and the speculation was that the corn-holders would not
pay the nine shillings duty, .but wait till it was one
shilling. Ile thought the Government ought, on every
account, to be invested with this power.
Mr. WALLACE said he 'had seconded the motion
because he was of opinion that it ought to be agreed
to. It was because he had no confidence in her Majesty's
Government that he supported that motion. He be-
lieved that the people would die of starvation in the
streets and lanes of every town before the Government
would propose remedies for their relief. He called upon
the advisers of her Majesty to let her know the condition
of her subjects. He asked that the people might not be
starved. Enormous sums of money had been advanced
for various works, and how could they refuse to make
provision for saving the people from starvation ? The
reason he voted for the proposition was, to put it in the
power of the Ministry to mitigate the present Corn-law.
Mr. JOHN PARKER said that a great Minister had
in 1826 come into the House and said he would, on his
own responsibility, afford relief to the people during the
time Parliament was not sitting. The Right Hon.
Baronet now at the head of the Ministry, supported him
in that. The exigencies of the country then were nothing
to what they are now. The distress of the country was
then a paralysis, now it was a decline of the country. If
the Right lion. Baronet had properly framed his Corn-
law this proposition would not have been necessary.
What they wanted was a communication with America.
—(Hear, hear.) They wanted a proper communication
with America to make this country prosperous. He
should most certainly support the proposition of his
Hon. Friend the Member for. Aberdeen.

Sir It. PEEL saiclthat-ihei;oPc;i7tion made by the
Hon. Gentleman for vesting this discretionary power in
her Majesty's Government, which was the object of the
motion, was mainly rested upon two grounds. The first
ground was authority, and that authority chiefly con-
sisted of the precedents of 1826; and upon the other,
which was the more important ground—public advan-
tage.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to the second argu-
ment, it was quite clear that public weal was the first
consideration. The precedent which had been referred
to it was necessary to examine. and see if the real nature
of the proceeding had any bearing on the present exist-
ing circumstances. In the year 1826 the existing law
precluded the admission of foreign' wheat until the aver •
age price in the markets of this country attained to 80s.
The Government of that day had to consider whether
that law should be altered : and the feeling that pre-
vailed in the country was that the law required change.
what circumstances circumstances ? wheat under
The Government under the direction of Mr. Can-
ning felt that they. could, , not recommend an alte-
ration, but he proposed to give a discretionary power
tcoerttahien circumstances. Government
Buttoadumnider w
admit foreign
Under these. The importer was to pay a duty of 2s a
quarter upon all corn above 500,000 quarters which
should be admitted ; and Mr. Canning stated his reason
for giving this discretionary power to be, that the coun-
try would be for many months without a Parliament.
But so impressed was Mr. Canning with this. dis-
cretionary power, that in. the ensuing year he intro-
duced a precaution against those powers being exercised.
He now came to that which was of much more im-
portance than mere authority against the reason of the
thing. In the year 1826 Government determined not to
submit any Bill to improve the Corn-laws to Parlia-
ment ;in 1842 the Corn-laws had been adjusted, and he
was speaking now under a re-adjustment of the Corn-
' laws—(Oh, oh)—and two months afterwards a proposi-
tion was made to give a discretionary power to her Ma-
jesty's Government to alter the duty. Why, he could
understand what it was to repeal that law, he 'could
understand what it was to propose material alterations -,
but two months after the Parliament of England had
settled the Corn-laws, to make a proposition for throwing
uncertainty over the whole of it, certainly did appear to
him (Sir R. Peel) to be the most ridiculous way of
adjusting a difficulty. It was his opinion that
if this law were passed, a premium would be
held out to the speculators to withhold their corn.
Gentleman condemned the Corn-law upon its operation
for six or seven weeks. He protested against that. de-
cision. He admitted that the varying rate of duty in-
creased the temptation to speculation. It had been said
that there was no instance where corn was taken out of
bond for home consumption, when there was a tendency
in prices to rise. In the last week there had been a tendency
in prices to rise. Thequantity of foreign corn imported in
the week ending the 30th of Jo6c was 68,481 quarters,
and the quantity entered for home consumption was
25,756. What confidence could foreign Governments
have in the Legislature of this coun:ry, if, two months
after an adjustment had been made, that adjustment
were disturbed ?—(Hear, hear-) He trusted the House
would come to the conclusion that it was not advan-
tageous to take from the law the certainty of its exe-
cution and place in the hands of the Government a
power which might be impropetly exercised.—(Hear.)
Lord HOWICK said it had been clearly shown that
great distress existed throug!lont the country and with
equal clearness had it been -shoWn that but 4 Aythe Corn-
laws that distress might be initiated,' •11
-indOr those cir-
cumstances he thought it was highly desirable to give a

JULY 'B, 1&42.

discretionary power to the Government. If the prin-
ciple of • admitting corn for a limited time was
admitted, it would be easy • to declare that for a
given time a duty of Bs. should be imposed. Those
who opposed a fixed duty did so because it would bring
more land into cultivation. That could not be urged as
' an objection to the present motion. • He admitted that
the measure was open to objections,. but those objections
arose, not from the measure itself, but from the nature of
the law which was sought to be repealed, and holding
this opinion he felt it his duty to support the motion..
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that there was one
remark which the Right Hon. Baronet had made during
the present discussion, and that was, that the present
Corn-law caused 'speculation. The Right Hon. Baronet
said that they ought not to judge of the new Bill by a
seven weeks' experience. But' he House must consider
that the effects produced were the same effects as' those
of the old law, and which the framers of the new one
admitted was unsuited to the wants of the country.
With respect to the question before the House, he
(Lord John Russell) could not support the proposition,
as he did not think it would remedy the evil complained
of. He had no doubt that, if the necessity arose during
the recess, the Government would take the subject into
their own hands.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. HUME said that no man could object more than
he did to placing any discretionary power in the Govern-
ment, and he should oppose the proposition if he could
find any thing better ; hut, as that was not likely, he
should support the proposition.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw; and the
House divided. The numbers were—
For the motion
Against it
Majority against the motion —62
Mr. HUME moved for a return showing the services
of all tiag-officers in the navy, distinguishing the. date of
entry of each officer into the,:service, and the several
commissions which they have Obtained, distinguishing
the period passed in commission in their respec-
tive ranks, and the total period ou full and
half-pay ; and showing also the period when
each was last employed, and the age of each
officer at the present time (in continuation of the returns
in the Report of the Commission of Naval Inquiry, in
1840, No. 11 of Appendix of that Report, and also in
continuation of P. P. of 251 of 1837.)
Sir G. COCKBURN opposed the motion.
After a conversation in which Sir C. Napier, Captain
Pechell, Mr. C. Wood, and Dr. Bowring took part,
Mr. BROTHERTON moved the adjournment of the
House.

Mr. COBDEN seconded the motion.
Strangers were ordered to withdraw and the House
divided, when there appeared,
For the motion 2l
Against it

Majority against the adjournment —5O
On our return to the gallery, we found that
Mr. 1-11:31E had moved the adjournment of the debate.
After a short conversation between Sir C. Napier, Sir
George Cockburn, and Mr. P. Uoward, the motion for
the adjournment of the debate was agreed to without a
division.
Sir H. HARDINGE obtained leave to bring in a Bill
to amend the laws relating to opt-pensioners of Chelsea
Hospital, empowering the Secretary-at-War to pay pen-
sions by monthly and weekly, as well as by quarterly
pay m ents.

Sir J. GRAHAM obtained leave to bring in a Bill to
suspend the making of lists, and the ballots and enrol-
ments for the militia of the United Kingdom. Also a
Bill for further suspending the operations of the new ar-
rangement of dioceses, so far as it- affects the existing
ecclesiastical jurisdictions.
Tie adjourned debate on Mr. Wallace's motion was
further adjourned till this day.
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of,
and the House adjourned at a Quarter past Three o'Clock.

The Frankfort Journal announces that Lord Pon-
sonby arrived in that city on the Ist inst., on his way from his
Embassy at Constantinople.
HARVEST PROSPECTS.---With one exception (Gal-
way), the provincial papers continue to report most favourably
of the prospects of an abundant harvest. The Dublin it
Register of this day says--" Altogether the season is highly
favourable. Crops, which were indifferent some weeks ago,
have greatly improved ; this is to be said especially of oats. In
the county of Dublin, however, the potatoes have missed in
many quarters, and lightning has done some damage to the
wheat. The meadows are also in general light, and from none
but a few can an average crop be expected." In the county of
Wicklow remarkably fine new potatoes are to be had in great
a`mndance for Id. per lb. The only danger at present to be
apprehended is from a continuance of the high wind which has
prevailed during the past week,' which in some districts has
caused fears for the safety of the early potatoe crop, but as yet
there is no mention made of any injul'y being sustained.
BRISTOL AND EXETER ltAlLWAY.—Friday, July 1,
was the day appointed for the °Oiling of that portion of V the
line of the Bristol and Exeter ,Railway which connects the
towns of Bridgewater and Taunton. A considerable number
of the Shareholders availed themselves of the invitation given
by the Directors to meet them in the latter town to celebrate
the event by a public breakfast. The first train, for the con-
veyance of passengers to Taunton, was announced to leave the
terminus at Temple Meads, Bristol, at nine A. 31., but in con-
sequence
of the influx of visitors, additional carriages had to be I
attached, which caused some delay. At about five minutes
past nine the train took its departure, and from its unusual
length, and from the engine (the Castor) being decorated
with a profusion of colours, it excited on its way more than 1
ordinary degree of interest. On arriving at Bridgewater, it '
was met by a large concourse of spectators, who lined the
banks on either side of the rail ; and at Taunton the whole
population appeared to have come forth on the occasion ; the
importance of the event causing the day to be kept as a general
holiday. The train arrived in Taunton at about eleven o'clock.
The journey from Bridgewater ( miles) occupied twenty
minutes only, and the very perfect and complete state of the
line was a subject of general remark.

On Saturdav an inquest was held before Mr.
Wakley, at the Volunteer, Uppei Baker-street, New-road, on
the body of Edward Farrell, Esq., aged 60, a gentleman of
fortune, who died of starvation. It appeared that the de-
ceased had resided for some months at 31, Upper Baker-street,
and possessed extensive property in Ireland. He had latterly
determined gradually to diminish the quantity of his food, and
continued to do so even after it was insufficient to support life;
the consequence was, he became ill, but refusing medical aid,
he at length on Monday resolved altogether to abstain from
eating, and, locking himself in his room, would permit no one
to enter for about twenty-tour hours. Finally, the door was
broken open, and he was found in a state of extreme exhaus-
tion, from which medical treatment restored him for a short
time, but a relapse ensued, and he died on Wednesday. Up-
ssards of 1001. in cash was found in his apartment. Verdict—
Died from want of food.

PRESTON GUILD MERCHANT.—This splendid en-
tertainment, which is held once in every twenty years, is ap-
pointed this year to take place in the month of September.
rhe last Guild was celebrated in July, 1822, and was unques-
tionably one of the most superb municipal festivals that has
been held since that period in any part of the kingdom.
Preston Guild is on the model of the ancient guilds or fra-
ternities. Though a Saxon institution, the first Guild Mer-
chant at Preston was held in 2d of Edward 111.. and has been
held w:thout intermission at a period of twenty years, ever
since that time, when the Guild Mayor issues a proclamation
announcing that " all persons claiming to have any right to
fre'edom or other franchise of the borough of Preston, whether
by ancestry, prescription, or franchise, are to appear by them.
selves or their proxy, to claim and make out their several
rights thereto, otherwise they will;according to ancient and im-
memorial usage, forfeit the same."—Leeds Mercury.
WORCESTER, JULY 2.—The London mail, which
runs through this town to Ludlow, will shortly be taken off the
road, and the letter bags for this town, Ludlow, and the inter-
mediate towns, will be sent on the Great Western and sir-
ming railways, and conveyed to such towns from the nearest
stations by mail-carts. Lord Lowther has deterthined to abo-
lish mail-coaches where it is practicable to do so, and he has
also intimated his intention to dispense with mail-guards on
railways. This plan, considering that guards are paid now by
the Post-office, and not by fees from the public, will save a
great expense. On some of the northern railways the railway
guards have already been sworn, to enable them to take charge
of letter bags. The Earl of Lichfield first introduced the pay-
ment of guards by the Post-office, and-prohibited them from
taking fees from coach passengers but this plan was introduced
gradually on account of the expenie. The payment of the
Post-office of the staff of snail guards that was necessary before
railroads were completed, would liaie increased the expenses of
the department-by an item of 70,0001.
SALMON.—The take of salmon along the coast has
during the last and present week been considerable. At
Ballantrae, on Tuesday, the number caught was much greater
than on any former occasion this season. A great part of them,
principally grilses, were brought to our market yesterday, and
sold freely—trout, 4d. ; grilse, sd. ; and salmon, per lb.
The stake nets at liurnfoot, Monkton, Prestwick, and Doon-
foot, have had each a fair share of salmon dur:ng the above
period, although in the former part of the season few fish were
caught. These sell—trout, sd. ; grilse, 7d. ; salmon, Is. per
lb.—Ayr Advertiser.
ltiuGHY SculooL.—A large, number of clergymen
and graduates of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge
have sent in their names as candidates for the Head-mastership
of Rugby School, vacant by the lamented death of the Rev. Dr.
Arnold. Amongst the number are the Rev. Benjamin H.
Kennedy, D.D., Head-master of Shrewsbury School ; the
Rev. H. Kynaston, D.D., High-master of St. Paul's
School ; the Rev. C. Wordsworth, 8.D., Second-master
of Winchester School ; the Rev. J. W. Blakesley, M.A.,
Fellow and Tutor of Trinity' College, Cambridge ; the
Rev. Charles Merivale, 8.D., Tutor of St. John's College,
Cambridge ; the Rev. William Tait, M.A., Tutor of Balliol
College, Oxford • the Rev. Charles Osborn, M. A., Master of
the Grammar School, Macclesfield; the. Rev. Robt. Springs',
M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Exeter. College, Oxford; the
Rev. Mr. Donaldson ; the Rev. ProfelsOr Browne, &c. The
election will take place on the 28th inst., and will be severely
contested. The Trustees in whom the nomination is vested are
the Earl of Denbigh, Earl Howe, the Earl of Aylesford, Sir
Henry Milord, Sir George Crewe, Sir Grey Skipwith, Sir
Francis Lawley, W. S. Dagdale, Esq., M.P., Evelyn Shirley,
Esq ,M. P., Henry Holbeche, Esq., and H. Grimes, Esq.
A GREAT DIFFERENCE.—A gentleman belonging
to Glasgow was, the other day, giving an account to his cars
aposa of the dimensions of the monstre chimney at St. Rollo:,
mentioning, at the same time, several details connected with
its erection, and the magnificent prospect to be enjoyed from
its summit. During the conversation he expressed his inten-
tion of taking an opportunity of making the ascent of the
chimney, but the lady strongly and affectionstely dissuaded him
from exposing himself to any danger which might be incurred
in the attempt. She could not be satisfied upon any' ground
that going to a height of 450 feet in a bucket, with a landing-
place apparently only a few feet in diameter, could be accom-
plished with anything like safety. At length, to diminish her
fears, the husband mentioned the name of a married acquain-
tance of his, who had been carried to the top of the stalk, when
she quickly rejoined—" Oh, but you know his life is insured,
and that makes all the difference in the world !"_Glasgow
Courier.

TILE WEATHER.—The genial rains during the pas.t
week have proved most beneficial to the crops in the home dis-
tricts, refreshing the ground, and imparting new vigour to the
thirsting vegetation. Few seasons of late years have been
more propitious to the farmer, the heat being far from exces-
sive, and the elements so variable during the last few days, that
while not sufficiently unsettled to cause more than a very par-
tial, and by no means important. interruption to the hay har-
vest, the turnip and wheat crop are benefited to an extent
almost incredible ; the present season has also beep ;mark::
able for the paucity of violent storms of late years so preva-
lent. On Tuesday afternoon several heavy showers fell in the
vicinitiv. of the liftrOpolis, and the barometer indicated a slight
fail. 'he wind was ionth--west, and there appeared to be every
probability of more rain falling. The crops, generally, are di-
scribed as 'looking very promising ; but the plant of Ailiaat to
some distrlcis_is unusually thin, probil4pom the scarcity of
rain during the opening months of. the spring.

THE SUPPOSED ATTEMPT UPON
THE QUEEN'S I,l}E.
( From our Afternoon Edition of yesterday. )
In the course of the forenoon yesterday Alt. Bean, the
father of the prisoner, visited his son at the Tothill-fields
Bridewell, but on their meeting the prisoner refused to hold
any conversation with him, and maintained a sullen silence to
every question put tsishite. About half-pa,t lt! o'clock he was
conveyed from the prison in a hackney-coach by Lieutenant
Tracy, the Governor, and Mr. Cree, the principal keeper, to
the Home-office, for the purpose of undergoing a further exa-
mination before the Privy Council. Very little interest, in
comparison with that evinced in the previous cases of Oxford
and Francis, appeared to exist on the part of the public in the
investigation, and when the coach containing the prisoner
drew up at the front entrance of the Home-office, Whitehall,
scarcely half a dozen persons were present. About the same
time the whole of the witnesses, who had assembled at half-
past 12 o'clock at the station-house in Gardiner's-lane, were
Drought to the Home-office by Inspector Hughes, A division,
and entered by the garden-gate on tee parade St. James's-park.
shortly atter twelve o'clock the members of the Privy Coun-
cil began to al rive at the Home-office, and by one o'clock the
fulloss ing members of the Cabinet. &c., had assembled :—Sir
Robert Peel, Baronet, the Lord Chancellor, Dose of Welling-
toe, Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Liverpool, Lord Delawarr, Lord
I:ikon, Lord Fitzgerald and Vesv, Lord Wharneliffe, Lord
Jeisey, Sir George Clerk, Bart., Sir James Graham, Bart.,
Sir H. Hardinge Bart., Lord Haddington, Sir F. Pollock (the
Attorney-General), and Sir William Follett (the Solicitor-
General). Mr. Alaule, Solicitor to the Treasury, Mr. Hall,
Chief Magistrate of Police, and Mr. Burnaby, Chief Clerk of
Bow street Police-court, were also present.
On this occasion more than usual mystery was maintained by
all the officials connected with the Home-office on the subject
of the investigation, and the reporters for the public press, who
were in attendance, were not even perinitted to enter the room
in \ditch the witnesses were in waiting, as has been the cus-
tom on previous occasions, and an application,for permission to
copy the depositions made after the conclusion of the inquiry
was refused.
From a source on which every reliance can be placed, we
have, however, as on the fist examination, obtained the follow-
ing particulars respecting what took place during the investiga-
tion before the Privy Council.
The prisoner on being brought into the room in which the
members of the Council were assembled, looked around him
with apparently considerable alarm, but throughout the exa-
mination maintained the same sullen and reserved conduct.
The first witness examined was Henry Webb, a police-con-
stable, 106 G, who deposed as follows:—On the evening of
Sunday last, the 3d instant, I mustered with the other men
' about 9 o'clock at the station-house adjoining the Clerken-
, well police-court, for night duty. Inspector Penny read
to us a route, giving a description of a deformed youth who
had that morning presented a pistol at her Majesty's car-
riage it the mall in St. James's-park, as the Queen was
going to the Chapel Royal, which I immediately eionsidered
corresponded with the appearance of the prisoner, who I was
previously aware had absconded from his home. I waited until
the other men had left the station, and then I instantly com-
municated my suspicions to Inspector Penny, who directed
me to go to the house of the prisoner's father, 14, St. James's-
buildings, Rosoman-street, Clerkenwell. On reaching the
house I knocked a single knock at the door, which was opened
by the prisoner, and immediately on my seeing him I felt con-
fident that my suspicions were correct. The prisoner was in
his shirt-sleeves, and without his coat or cap. I asked him if
his father or mother were at home. He told me, " No," and
made the same answer to my inquiry if he could tell me where
his father could be found. I then said to him' " Why, my boy,
I understood you had absconded from your home?! He an-
swered, " Yes ; but I am come back again, and I am sorry for
having done so." 1 asked him when he came back, and he said,
" About half-past eleven o'clock that day," and added,
" I hope I shall turn out a good boy." I then
said to him, " Well, if you du not know where
your father and mother are gone, perhaps you will have
no objection to put on your coat and cap and come
atong with me, and see if we can find them," and at the same
moment I put my hand on his arm and found that he quivered
at my touch, and appeared agitated all over. I asked him what
he was afraid of, and he said, " Nothing." I also asked where
he had been during his absence from his home, and how he had
managed to maintain himself, to which he said he had been
principally about the fields round Barnsbury-park, Islington,
and that be had twice received a gratuity of 2d. for holding
gentlemen's horses, and on another occasion had 3d. given
him for fetching a glass of ale for a gentleman on the Hunger-
ford pier. At that moment the prisoner's mother came up to
the door' and on seeing her I told her I was glad to hear that
her son had returned home again, and that 1 lisped he would
never go away from his home any more. I also toldher 'thought
after what he had done, and her having given information at
the station-house of his having absconded, it would do
him no harm if I were to take him before the inspec-
tor. I was desirous to get him
.to the station-house with-
out his being aware of my object in taking him there. His
mother, however, said, " No, 1 should riot like him to be taken
to the station-house, although lam much obliged to you for
your kindnes." I repeated that I was sure it could do him no
harm if the inspector did give him a lecture; when she, after
some consideration, waved her objection to his going, and I
sold her to walk on with her son, while I would walk behind.
When we got to the station-house the prisoner was further
questioned as to where he had slept -during the two previous
nights, to which he replied that he had slept on both nights in
an unfinished house in Barnsbury-street, not having enough
money to pay for a bed. He was further asked how he hap-
pencs4 to come back exactly at two o'clock on the Sunday ?
when he answered that he was so hungry, having nothing to
eat, that he was compelled to do so. He was then questioned
as to whether or not lie had been to any other part of the
metropolis besides Islington, and he replied that he had been
in the Regent's-park ; but on being also asked if he had
not been likewise in St. James's-park, he hastily raid, " Oh,
I don't know—l have been somewhere at the west-end, and
that's enough." His dress and personalappearance were then
compared by Inspector Penny with the description in the
route, and being found to cot respond in every particular, I was
ordered to search him, which I did, but found only a comb and
a piece of string about him. A cab was then procured and I
accompanied Inspector Penny in conveying the prisoner in the
cab to the A station in Gardiner's-lane, Westminster, when he
was again searched, and persons who had witnessed the trans-
action in the park sent for. On their arrival at the station.
they immediately identified the prisoner as the deformed youth
they saw present the pistol at her Majesty's carriage. When
the prisoner ascertained the charge on which he was detained
he became very much depressed.
Inspector Penny, G division, corroborated the evidence of
the previous witness, and produced the letter received from the
prisoner by his parents on Wednesday, the 29th ult., which he
had received from the prisoner's father.
A working man named Wright, living in New Tothill-
street, Westminster, was next examined, in corroboration of
the evidence as to what occurred in St. James's-park, given by
the Dassetts and other witnesses at the first examination on
Monday last.
Mr. William Bird, broker, of 26, Exmouth-street, Clerken-
well, was the next witness called in, and was questioned by dif-
ferent members of the Privy Council as follows :
( The pistol taken from the prisoner having been placed in
the hand of the witness)—Do you believe that the pistol pro-
duced has been discharged since it has been out of your posses-
sion? Witness (examining the pistol)—No, Ido not think it
has been discharged.
Will you swear it has not been discharged? Witness—l will
swear it has not, and my reason for doing so is, that none of the
rust inside the barrel has been removed, which would have been
the case if a firing had taken place.
When did the prisoner now before us first come to your shop?
Witness—He came first to my shop about this day fortnight
or three weeks, I cannot swear which. I can't swear that the
prisoner is the person to whom I sold the pistol, but he very
much resembles him.
What was the sum paid to you for the pistol? Witness—To
the best of my recollection, 3s. 6d.
- The prisoner (skarply)—lt was only three shillings.
Witness—Well, it might be that sum. I am not positive as
to which it was.
At the time the prisoner purchased the pistol of you, did you
or any of your shopmen recollect any peculiar remarks that he
might have made? Witness—No, as I have said before, I can-
not recollect well the circumstances of the sale, but afterwards,
on more than one occasion, I had a good deal of conversation
with the prisoner.
What was the nature of that conversation ? Witness—He
came to me on the Tuesday in last week, again on the Wed-
nesday, and also on the Friday.
The prisoner—No, you are wrong. It was on the Thursday.
Witness—On the Tuesday when the prisoner came he said,
producing the pistol, " I purchased this pistol of you, and it
won't go off." I was very busy at the time, and told him I
could not attend to him just then, and he went away. He,
however, returned on the following day, and said, " Well,
this pistol won't go off, and so I have brought it back to you."
I then took the pistol out of his hand, and on looking at it said,
" You foolish fellow, how is it to go tiff? why, there is no flint
to it." I also told him that when the pistol was sold to him
there was a flint to it. The prisoner answered, " Yes, there
was, bat it was an old one, and I threw it away in the street."
What did you say or do then? Witness—Why I carelessly
looked at the pistol, and said to the prisoner, " Well, you must
not bother me any more, lam very busy now." The prisoner
seemed rather displeased at this, and said, " Mind, I shall call
again," and went away. On the Thursday or Friday he again
came to the shop, and said, " My pistol won't strike fire.-ss7,
have been trying it again." I asked him what he' wanted 'me to
do to it, and he answered, ‘4 Why, to put a dint In.i 'and make
it strike fire." I asked him what he wanted wittsi pistol, and
if he wanted it to shoot the cats with ?—(ll1;sch laughter.)
What answer did he give to your question. State the answer
expleitly ? Witness—The prisoner said, "I do not want it to
shoot cats with. We have got no cats at home."
HoDsiadidh, he sNayvewhhaevreesohtenoliveeadts?it
tWomitnee.ssi Nwal hiet
fdoridsonmoet..
thing else."
Did you inquire what that something else was? Witness—
No, I did not, as I considered that the pistol had been sold to
the prisoner as a toy to play with. The prisoner then said,
" Have you not got a flint about you?" I told him " Yes, 1
dare say I can find one," and I put my hand into my pocket and
took one out. The prisoner asked me to put it in, and show
him how to fire it. I told him he was a troublesome fellow,
but added, "I don't mind showing you-now." I then un-
screwed that part of the pistol which holds the flint, and fixed
it in for him, The prisoner said, " Now you must show me
how to fire it ; here's some powder, but it is very coarse, and
I am afraid it won't go off." He then gave me some gunpowder.
From where did the prisoner take the powder he gave you ?
Witness—From his waistcoat pocket. It was screwed up in
a bit of paper. He gave the paper into my hand, and I un-
screwed it. I then saw that it contained about a quarter of an
ounce. It was very coarse powder. I did not inquire of the
prisoner where he had purchased it. I took a little of it, and
put it in the pan of the pistol, and said to him,' Now, I'll
show you how to fire," and I held the pistol in the proper form.
The prisoner watched mo very narrowly, and when there was
a flash in the pate, he clapped his hands, and said, " That'll
do, that'll do,'' in a delighted tone of voice. I then took the
flint out, and returned the pistol to the prisoner without it, on
seeing which he said very dolefully, " Oh, ain't you going to
give it to me ?" meaning the flint. I told him I was not; I
had given him one with the pistol when he bought it, and if
he had another, he must pay me for it. He then asked me the
price, and I told him Id.
Did the prisoner then purchase the flint ? Witness--Not at
that time. He went away with his pistol, but returned in about
twenty minutes, and, holding a penny in his hand, said, " I've
nib reo,ugahnptdilyt•tohtueh
nee
lirripennyatyinif.cnrfto
me
he that
him,
a,flvbei
un
another
,nlobetuhoteu.
ryi
dolt
notua
sßash."
must put it in for
would eb"e
bolthtoeirdedh:iwmithl
bita any longer. I fixed the flint with a piece of paper round
i,4 to make it secure, and it is now in exactly the same state as
when I gave it to him.
Then you still believe that it has not since been discharged?
Witness-1 do firmly believe so.
Did the prisoner show any great anxiety to have the flint
when he came to you ags,io Witness—Not particularly so,
but
going
he seemed to ine anxious about its making a fire (flash),
and
see it d a off;Well, I noticed that he was very much pleased to
ia,l in the pan.
Mr. Warlsby, a jeweller, residing in Oxford-street, who was
well acquainted with the prisoner's handwriting, was next exa-
mined, and shown the letter produced, which he swore bad
been written by the prisoner:
The prisoner was then'remoVed from the Council Chamber
withnt any of the other witnesses in attendance being called
in, and after a private consultation the Council broke up at
four o'clock. Our reporter has ascertained that the prisoner
stands committed to take his trial for a misdemeanour, the