The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-03 00:00:00

THE BASTARDY LAW.

A curious case under this law, which has been many times
adjourned for the attendance of the defendant, who bad
been absent for the undermentioned reason, came before Mr.
Broughton, at Worship-street, a few days since, in which a
Captain Alfred Foster was summoned to show cause why he
refused to support a bastard child of which he was alleged to
be the father. The mother of the infant, a good-looking
young woman, named Mary Anne Driver, who had been
servant in the house where the defendant resided, gave the
necessary evidence to establish the paternity, and stated, that
upon her pregnacy being discovered, she was discharged by
her mistress, and, being in a state of destitution, had been
compelled to throw herself upon the parish. In answer to
the charge the defendant's brother, a surgeon, contended that
his relative was not answerable for his actions, either
morally or legally, as he should be able to prove to the ma-
gistrate's satisfaction that he was not only now, bat had been
long antecedent to the cause of complaint, a person of de-
ranged intellect. His unfortunate brother, he said, had ex-
hibited such indubitable symptoms of insanity that though
his family bad not had occasion, from the inoirensive nature
of his malady, to resort to coercive measures, they were yet
compelled to keep a watch upon his conduct ; and among
numerous other instances of behaviour irreconcilable with
soundness of mind that he might mention, he had seen
the defendant sit for hours together with a newspaper
before him, apparently engaged intently in its perusal,
and gesticulating vehemently, when it was obvious to every
other person that the paper was either turned i sideways at
upside down. The defendant, moreover, was not in a con-
dition to support the child, as he had been for a long time
past wholly supported by his family. The witness was him-
self entirely assured of his brother's derangement, and
as a confirmation of the correctness of his judgment
handed in two medical certificates to the same purport.
These not being considered altogether conclusive, Holland,
the warrant-officer, was directed to have an interview
with the alleged lunatic, and on his return stated that
though he would not assert that the defendant was insane,
he had no doubt of his being of weak mind—in fact, an
idiot. The mother of the child upon this positively de•
dared that in all the defendant's intercourse with her his
conduct had been that of a man in thorough pos-
session of his faculties, and nothing whatever had ever oc-
curred to give rise to the slightest suspicion to the contrary.
He had written her a number of letters, which she handed,
to the Bench, and which, upon being read, certainly exhi-
bited no indications of mental alienation. Mr. Yardley, the
vestry-clerk, said it would be hard upon the rate-payers to
make them answerable for the defendant's misconduct, when
his family were highly respectable, and capable of supporting
the burden without inconvenience, and the evidence of in-
sanity was so contradictory. The magistrate was unwilling
that point should be pushed any further; the mother ap-
peared to have been a somewhat innocent agent in the
matter, she could not support the child herself, and it was
an appeal which should be put ad misericordiam than other-
wise ; he would therefore suggest to the defendant's brother
whether he would not, on behalf of his family, submit to
the usual order in such cases—namely 30s. for expenses
incurred, and 2s. 6d. weekly for the legal period of 13 years?
The brother, somewhat reluctantly, ultimately expressed
his assent to this course, and the order was made out ac-
cordidgly.

STATISTICS OF OREGON.—At length we have some-
thing practical in the shape of a letter from the Marshal and
High Sheriff of Oregon, who has been fifteen years in that
country. " Last year," says he, in a letter to his brother in
Missouri, " I raised 1,500 bushels of wheat ; this year I
think I will have 3,000 bushels. I have a farm lying eight
miles from the ship navigation, worth as much as half the
county you live in. I have a large building in Oregon city that
cost me about 7,000 dollars. I have also property in the city
of Multanomah, and also in the town of Linntan. Oregon city
lies on the east side of the Willamette Falls, and Multanomah
on the west side, and Linntan 20 miles below, at the head of
the ship navigation. I have besides 70 head of cattle, 15
head of horses, 900 hogs, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 3 children, and the
old woman, with chickens innumerable." He thinks it is a
fair country—soil good, timber tall, and climate fine; has
no ice in winter, but they have five months' continual rain -
still the crops are fair, and the cattle good.—New York Herald:
THE EXPERIMENTAL SQUADRON.--We regret to
hear that the ships constituting the experimental squadron
have been in a very bad way since the late severe trial
to which they have been subjected. The Albion has been
suffering from an internal complaint, consisting of a de-
rangement of the ballast, which rendered drastic treat-
ment necessary ; and no less than thirty tons were
taken from her. At one time her state was so frightfully
plethoric that she was thought to be gradually sinking; but
she has since rallied under the influence of strong stimulants.
The Queen has been suffering from a pressure of the stays,
and a straining of the arms, but is now considerably better.
The Vanguard has been rather dropsical, and has water on
the chest, but is now as well as can be expected. The
Canopus was thought to have had two of her ribs broken,
accompanied by a coldness in the legs, or shivering of the
timbers ; but on inspection she proved to be in a tolerably
sound condition.—Punch.
MURDER OF O'ROURKE, THE PUGILIST.—The fol-
lowing account of the circumstances attending the murder of the
late Mr. O'Rourke, at Grenville, was narrated to us by a person
who yesterday arrived in town, in charge of Brady, the party ac-
cused of the murder. It appear& that immediately after O'Rourke
was missed a party proceeded in search of him. After traversing
the country in various directions, they discovered a place about
half a mile from Brady's dwelling, which had the appearance of
having been lately dug or disturbed ; on examination, drops of
blood were found, which were traced for a further distance, where
O'Rourke appears to have fallen. At this spot, a tree had been
recently cut down; the part about four feet from the ground had
been removed, and the remainder left. It is supposed some of the
shot had lodged in that part, and that it had been carried off to pre.
vent suspicion. The horse which O'Rourke rode was also there
found killed in a most brutal manner. From this spot the parties
stripped.
Rivere
d.
searched, and found drops of blood along the road and on the
bushes over which the body had been dragged toward
Rouge, into which, apparently, it had been thrown. Near the
river, on a large stone, where it is supposed the body us,as the
pp
were found large clots of blood. which appeared to have been
washed, as pieces of cotton were still visible on the stone. 'lite
body was discovered on a sand-bank, four miles from this place,
where it is believed it had been thrown in, as there is a strong cur-
rent. On examination it was found that four buck-shot had
passed through his body, five entered his back, and one lodged be.
tween the skin and flesh. About fourteen or fifteen of the same
description of shot lodged in his arm. His head had been split open
with an axe or some other such weapon in the most brutal man-
ner. After the body had been examined, several of the party vl-
sited the house of Brady, the supposed murderer, and found in a
cavity, in the stump of a tree near his house, money and a gold
ring belonging to O'Rourke. Brady has been brought to town.
and will stand his trial at the next coming term.—Montreolklefait,
SW. 20.

THE FRENCH IN ALGIERS.
(From the Paris Papen.)

The Minister of War has received several reports from Algeria;
the first Is from General Lamoriciere, dated the 17th, from bivouac
of the Oucd Teiata, near Nedroma. It is as follows:
'• I set out on my march from Djemma Ghazaouat on the
13th, as I announced to you I intended to do by my letter of
the 10th, in the direction of Nedroma, and the Col d'Ain
Kebira, which gives access into the country of the Traras. I
left at Djemma Ghazaouat a certain number of fatigued men,
and three squadrons of cavalry, with whom I could for the
moment dispense, being i■ the mountains. I marched with
about 4,500 bayonets, 650 sabres, and 10 mountain guns. On
arriving on the Oued Telata, at the spot where I am bivouacked
to-day, a great many of the Beni Menir loot soldiers (a frac.
tion of the Traras), and some horsemen, approached my left
flank and began to fire. In the horizon, on the crests of the
mountains, on both sides of the Col d'Ain Kebira, I could distin-
guish a numerous body of cavalry, immovable spectators of the
battle, which the Emir had ordered the tribe to engage in with us.
I did not think it proper to suffer them to be emboldened by con.
timing an offensive position, I therefore.. formed my convoy en
masse, and sent against the assailants some battal ons without their
knapsacks, with a few squadrons, which drove the enemy back into
the mountains. This engagement cost the Beni Menirs about 15
men, and as an officer, M. Burcaille, of the 15th Light Infantry,
a non-commissioned officer of the 41st, and a chasseur of the 2d
regirrict.e,Lilled. 1 came to my bivouac at Nedroma without being
followed ror arnoment. The ardour of the insurgents had alreAy
subsided. Tt,e chiefs of Nedroms came in the evening to my camp,
to make their excuses for having, through neccs,,ty, submitted to
pay a contribution in money to the Emir, and furnishit g him with
barley and other provisions for his troops. The ga'es, however, re-

roamed shut agaii:st him, and the inhabitants .howect too much firm-
ness for him to attempt to force them, or talk of an emigration to
Morocco. I learned through the chiefs that the Emir,with 2,800 horse,
rested at Ain Kebira, fomenting the insurrection of the Traras,
the Grossehs, and a feeble portion of the Beni Amer Gar.sbas,
whom, however, he could not succeed in seducing into Morocco.
All these populations were heaped together in the mountains which
All the triangle formed by Lalla Maghriva, Djemma Ghazaouat,
and the mouth of the Tafna. All the combatants had given this
as a rendezvous for the defence of Ain Kebira, by which I must
necessarily enter the mountain. I shall ascend the Col to-morrow
morning, the 1:11th of October. General Cavaignac lurched to
the' left of the position by a path which we had perceived the

evening before. I arrived with difficulty at the height by a narrow
path on the right, proceeding from the gate of Nedroma. Colonel

Cheydesson, of the 15th Light Infantry, marched at the bead of
the column with his regiment and two battalions of the 6th Light
Infantry. We perceived in front of us, and principally on the

. .
left, the heights covered with numerous bodies of Kabyle Infantry.
A steep mound, well provided with troops, rose in the middle of
the hill, and, advancing, separated our two attacks. I directed
Colonel Gachol, of the 3d Light Infantry, to remain there with a
battalion of his regiment. I kept myself near the 44th of the line, as a
reserve at the head of the convoy. At 11 o'clock the three
columns moved forward together, and were received by a well..
sustained fire. That on the left, having to climb up, in the teeth
of a numerous farce, sharp slopes, exposed in all their length to
the fire of the enemy, appeared in some danger ; but such was the
impetuosity of the 41st of the line, animated by General Cavaignac
and their Colonel, M. de M'Mahost, that the position was at once
carried. Many of the enemy were killed on the opposite side of the
hill. On our side, Chef.de.Battailon Corondelet, of the 1 lth Regi.
meat, was grievously wounded in the head with a ball; and Capt.
Moonier, of the same regiment, was mortally wounded, as was a
sol►lier; five men were more slightly wounded. The height of
Ain Kebira was thus occupied, and I established my camp there.
General Cavaignac came and joined me in the afternoon, after
having pursued to a distance 411 the foot soldiers that attempted to
make a stand on the neighbouring heights. A section of the 6th
battery and of the 14th Regiment, commanded by Captain
Geslin, seconded his movements by a well-direifed tire. The
cavalry of the ex-Emir was not engaged iriqhis difficult
ground; it had at an early period evacuated the heights on
the lett before being engaged. General Cavaignac had
seen it descending towards the Oued Telata, and had heard
the cries of the Traras abandoned by it. The next day,
the 14th, I made a movement of a league and a half only, to
encamp at the Marabout of Sidi Mohammed el Kraouen, where I
knew where to find abandoned silos, filled with barley for my
cavalry and my convoy. I thus penetrated into the heart of the
country of the Beni Ouersous, the most host hostile fraction of the
Tares, that which fought, on the 22d or 24th of last September,
two desperate combats with General Cavaignac. I drove before
me towards the sea all the populations in my way, and I began to
block up for them the roads to the west. The object of my move.
anent then began to be seen by the Arabs. The tribes understood
the consequence of it, and, in the evening letters were brought
me on the part of the chiefs of the Beni.Ouersous and the
Grossils. I combined my movement on the morning of the 15th,
and established myself at Souek.Ouled.Aloui. The rocky cliffs
which surroundedlithis kind of funnel were covered with armed men,
who prepared themselves to receive us. General Cavaignac, who
was the first to go out from the inextricable defile, which !eade
to Souek.Ouled.Aloui, had kept up a brisk fire with the Kabyles,
among the rocks of Bab Messemar, a passage which leads
from the Lent Ouersoua to the Beni Missci. I formed my
convoy en masse, and as soon as Colonel Chadeyson had arrived
with the 6th and 15th light infantry, I put it in movement by the
right to attack the positions, while Gen. Cavaignac advanced on
the left. The principal resistance took place on this point, where
thz enemy showed himself in force. The battalion o the Zouaves,
which formed the head of the column, with the squadron of the 4th
regiment of Chasseurs, under Captain Vernon, did not act less well
than the 11th had done on the 13th, and were more successful.
Only a Zouave was wounded. More than 40 dead bodies of the
enemy were left on the spot, and our only losses during the day
were whilst the fusillade was going on which preceded the princ.-
pal attack to the left. A non commissioned ()Meer of the 41st
was then killed, and four soldiers wounded. This affair dis-
couraged the Trans, and on the morning of the 6th 1 commenced
my march towards the Peak of Tadjera, drawing nearer
and nearer to the sea. The chiefs came to meet me, accom-
panied by the Caids of the Grossils, and those of the fractions
of the Beni Amers. All these tribes were at my' discretion,
being beta een my camp and the sea, from which I was only a
league and a half distant. I could have sent into the frightful
ravines, into which they had plunged without having the means of
escape, some battalions of infantry, which would have taken com-
plete vengeance for this insurrection, but in the then disposition of
our troops this vengeance would have been toe severe perhaps. I
was very anxious to regain the plain, and to draw near to Nedroma,
in order to watch the movements of the Emir, whose camp was
visible at Ain Kebira, at a short distance from us, but separated by
rocks and inaccessible precipices. I granted the pardon that was
solicited, and came here this morning from Hadjera. I have pre-
scribed; to the Grossils and the fractions of the Beni Amers to
remain shut up in the mountains of the Traras, or in those of the
Oulasses, until the security of their plain shall be sufficiently re-
established, It is already a result to have closed this fortress
against the Emir. lam now in a condition to follow him in the
plains if he should attempt to bold out there."

The report concludes with an eulog,itim on the troops engaged,
and with a mention of the persons who had most eibtinguished
thernielves. General Lamoriciere incloses a letter from M. Courby
de Cognord, chef d'escadron of the 2d Hussars, who was supposed
to have been killed in the affair of the 23d ult. ; but who, after
having been severely wounded, was taken p,isoner. His letter,
giving an account of the affair in question, and which differs in no
material point from what has already been published, was sent to
GeLeral Lamoriciere by Abd-el.Kader. The following passages,
however, will be read with interest :

" Colonel de Montagnac, who had just been wounded, gave
'orders to thecompany of Captain Chargere to charge the enemy,
who was pursuing us in great numbers. In an instant he was
surrounded, and entirely decimated. A part of the id company
remained with me; the other part, commanded by Lazzaret,
sub-lieutenant, followed the movement of the first, and
met with the same fate. M. Laeseret received two
wounds, and was made prisoner. M. de Charger'',
and his lieutenant, M. de Raymond, were killed in the
charge. Finding myself now the only officer, in rallying all the
men who remained, my second horse was killed under me by the
Kabyles, who pressed closely upon us, and it was at this moment
that Colonel Montagnac gave up the command to me, his wound
not permitting him to act any longer. Seeing, at a little later pe.
riod the critical position in which we were, the Colonel ordered
Marichal.des.Logis Barbut, who was performing the duties of
adjutant to me, to desire Commandant Froment Cos:e to hasten
to our relief with one of the two companies remaining at the
camp. Thie non-commissioned officer hastened to perform his
mission, but unfortunately it was already too late, for the force
that enveloped us was constantly increasing, and in a few in-
stants we were surrounded by between 4,000 and 5,000 men. Ano.
ther column directed Its course against the company which was
coming to our relief, and prevented its joining us. In the
combat which took place with it, Commandant Froment.Coste
aed Adjutant-Major Dutertre were killed. Captain Burgard
was seriously wounded and died soon afterwards, Adjutant
Themes, of the St h battalion, and Marechal.des-Logis Barbtu, were
made prisoners. Not seeing the infantry arrive, and abandoned to
my own resources, which consisted of about sixty men, infantry
and cavalry almost dismounted, I prepared to defene the position
which I ozcupied as long as I should have a man left, We were
here assailed for at least an hour and a hclf. At each instant my
men fell mortally wounded, and at length I had only twelve to
fifteen combatants. At this moment I received three balls and
fell. The enemy, seeing no more officers, set up loud shouts,
charged us in every direction, and carried our position. A few
seconds afterwards I was raised in a senseless state, having also
received two wounds from a yatagan, and was carried away as a
prisoner by a captain of the regular seahis. I annex to my letter
alit of the men who were taken prisoner.. In the detachment of
66 men of ea Hussars. under my orders, there remained only the
)1 tritichaux.des.logis Barhut and Barber, and 10 privates. Akri-
el.liader has given orders to all his chiefs to treat us with hums.
nity, and up to the present time we have only to congratulate
ourselves en their conduct towards us."

THE COAL-PIT ACCIDENT AT

THE UPPER SOUNDWELL.

DOWNEND, Orr. 31.—The inquest on the bodies of the five un-
fortunate men who lost their lives by the late accident at the Sound.
well collieries, the particulars of which appeared in The Suss of
Tuesday last, was held this day, at the Horse-shoe Inn, in this
village, before William Joyner Ellis, Esq., one of the coroners for
the county of Gloucester, and a jury selected from among the most
respectable residents of the neighbourhood.
George Wiltshire deposed that he was a collier, and brother of
one of the men who was killed. On Saturday last he was at work
is the Soundwell pit with the other men. At about one o'clock,
when it was time to go up out of the pit, the deceased colliers got
into the cart, and he (witness) should have got in also, but that a
man behind him caught hold of an old sack, which he bad put over
his shoulders to catch the water drippings, and pulled him back.
He turned round to ask him why he did it, and in the meantime
the rope gave way. When it broke, the five men who were
killed were in the cart, and Brittan (the survivor) was
standing on the side of it. They had not begun to hoist
up the cart, as they were waiting for the usual signal. The rope
was a bad ono, and did not look fit to haul the cart up and down.
On Saturday fortnight it broke .with a cart load of coal, and since
that the men had all been afraid of it. Could not say whether
anything had been said about it to the overlooker of the works.
The men had all talked about it among themselves, and had ea..
amined the rope, and said they would not go with it, but they
did go, as they had no other wolk, and did not want to lose their
bread. They were not prevented by any one from complaining to
the overseer. The rope wasan old rope. Did not remember at what
time it was placed on the drum. The depth of the pit was about
200 tat horns. The distance the men fell was about twelve or thir.
teen fathoms.

By the Jury--Refused to go down on Tuesday week, and told
the bailiff that he was afraid, as the rope was not safe. The
bailiff told him to go down the other pit. Could not say whether
after that anything was done to make the rope more safe. They
always considered ten to be the proper number of men for a jour-
ney up and down the pit ; but since the rope broke with the cart
of coal, orders had been given not to bring up more than eight at
once, as they were afraid to to let a greater number go up and
down. The weight of eight men was nct equal to that of a cart
of coal by about six cwt. Could not remember the rope having
been changed. Had worked at the colliery for more than twenty
years, and at the pit where the accident occurred about five
years.

Joseph Garland deposed that on the day of the accident he was
at work in the pit. He saw the men fall, and, as fast as he could
get down, went to their assistance. Found Brittan alive; Basset
also gasped three or four times; and Wiltshire was in his brother's
arms, praying the Lord to save his poor soul. The others were
dead. The rope was at the bottom of the pit; the cart was lying
on its side, having been turned over. Witness bad considered the
rope as unsafe since it broke on Saturday fortnight. The masters
did not wish the men to go down by that rope, but to go down the
other pit. Witness did not, nor did any one else that he knew of,
complain to the cverlookers of the state of the tope. After the
breaking of the rope on the Saturday fortnight, some rope which
had been lying by disused for several months, was made use of to
mend it out. That rope was only intended to be used till a new
one could be obtained.

Wm. Marsh said it was his duty to be at the mouth of the pit,
where he could see the state of the rope. The men complained to
him of being afraid of the rope. It was his duty, if aught was the
matter with the rope, to report it to Charles Stone. Told the
bailiff that the men were afraid to go down, and be ordered them to
go by the other pit. Could not say that he told Charles Stone per-
sona►ly that he considered the rope unsafe.
Charles Stone deposed that he was foreman of Mr. Whitnell's
coat works, and had been so about two years and a half. Was
not satisfied lately with the state of the rope, and told the man
under him, William Watts, to tell the men, if any of them were
afraid to go up and down on that rope, that they were to go down
by the other pit. This was on the Monday after the rope broke
first. Told Mr. John Whitnell, a fortnight ago, that he did not
like the rope, and should be glad when the new one was ready;
and Mr. Whitnell said, "If there is any danger, tell the men to
go down by the other pit." The men did not like to go down by
the other pit, because they had the trouble to get 350 yards from
one pit to the other pit.
Mr. Benjamin Dodd deposed that he was a colliery viewer, and
had examined the rope. It was in a very bad state, and appeared
to have been in use a long time. The rope was a four-stranded
one, two strands joined in some places, and in others three strands.
In several parts the stitching was gone altogether. It often hap-
pened that ropes were worn on the edges, but seldom on the lice
as that was. Witness would not allow any men of his to go down
upon such a rope. Considered that it must have been ia a dan-
gerous state for some time past.

George Hall, foreman to Messrs. Terret and Son, gave similar
testimony. They very often had better rope brought Into thei-yald
as old junk.

The jury returned a verdict of" Accidental death,with a deodand
of 1001. en the rope."

ROYAL ARTILLERY.—Lieut.-Col. Gore Browne has
relieved Lieut.-Col. Scott in command of the Athlone district, Ire-
land. Col. Scott has held the command since October, 1840.
Capt. Mee and Major Lock's companies of Royal Artillery are
shortly expected to arrive at Woolwich from Halifax and New
Brunswick. They embarked from Canada on the 6th of October,
in the Baretto, Jun., transport ship.
SINGULAR AFFAIR.—It was recently stated that a
Mr. Smith, the proprietor of a house called the Hope, in Back.
moor-street, Drury-lane, had found a number of coins and pmers,
written and printed, relating to the rising in 1745, and which were
alleged to have been found in a picture of Jack Sheppard and his
mother, Mr. Smith having purchased them of Mr. Cools, an a•rc-
tioneer, at a sale at the Bell, Willesden. Mr. sr.tith, having sold
the paintings. made arrangements to send tike papers to the Mu.
seum. On Thursday a respectable, middle. aged man, accompanied
by two gentlemen, called upon the landlord, and desired to see the
paintings, which being shown to him, he immediately declared
them to be his property, asserting that he knew of the existence of
the papers, they having been with lair family upwards of seventy
years ; that he had left them in tl',e care of his brother-in-law, the
proprietor of the Bell, Willesden, about four years since, he having
obtained a situation in 'Lie Custom-house, Dublin; that, upon
his return to Londrna a short time back, he could learn no
tidings of his b7otber or his property until he accidentally titw
the paragraph in the papers. This statement being corroborated
by his two companions, be demanded the paintings to be
given up to him. This Mr. Smith refused to do, he having sold
them to Mr. C. H. Merivale for 97 guineas ; it was ultimately
arranged to send for Mr. Merivale, when the latter declared him.
self so satisfied with Mr. Burdwell's statement, that he consented
to give up the property, Mr. Smith immediately expressed his
willingness to do so with the paintings, but the papers had never
been sold, and be should not part with them. The conduct of
Burdweil here became very violent; he declared the documents
were invaluable; that there were several letters amongst them
written by the Pretender with the pan he wrote with the night
before the battle of Culloden, and many other articles not pub-
lished in the papers; ultimately Mr. Smith was compelled to call in
the police, and have him removed. On Friday evening Mr. Smith
was served with legal proceedings by Mr. Burdwell•s solicitor,
and as Mr. Smith purposes resisting the claim, Jack Sheppard and
the Pretender, after a rest of a hundred years, will Agure in a
court of justice.
THE GAME-LAWS.—Numbers of gamekeepers,
when they inform, look more to the pelf they may get (in the way
of half penalty) than a duty towards their employers. Man)
have been heard to say, when they knew a person could pay, that
he would pay rather than go to gaol ; meaning, thereby, they
should pocket by the information. Again, when a small penalty
has been inflicted, in cases where the penalty and costs have been
paid, the keepers have growled because they only got so little, and
that it was "but poor encouragement to inform." These are
well-known truths, and show that the iniquitous game-laws are a
premium to perjury, for who doubts that many keepers over-rate
facts in order to obtain a conviction, and something more—half of
penalties.—f From is Cerrespondeesl).
FIRE AT WALTON CASTLE, SOaIERSETSIIIRE.—In-
teIIigence was received at Bristfil on Sunday evening that an exten-
sive tire was raging in the fartnyard of Walton Castle, the residence
of Mr. Greyburne, on the *.anersetshlre coast. Several engines In
connexio:t with the fire ineurance companies were immediately horsed
and dis•,atched to the sr,ot, but the distance being considerable they
did not arrive till abreat eleven o'clock at night, by which time pro-
perty to a considerable amount had been destroyed. The fire was
first discovered about half past four, or from that to five o'clock,
among the Has, with which the farmyard was thickly crowded.
An alarm was promptly given, the servants and neighbours assem-
bled, and nil that could be done to arrest the progress of the flames
was dorm. The materials were, however, of too inflammable a
nature for the tire to yield to any ordinary efforts for its suppress:on,
and it spread from rick to rick. Fortunately the wind was in a direction
svhirAblew the dames andsparks off from the buildings, otherwise the
resent might have been far more disastrous ; as it was, the devour-
ing element p•as not subdued until six valuable ricks -three of corn
and three of hay—had been completely destroyed. The fire, by
some, is rapposed to hags been the work of incendiaries, but this
supposi*ion Is ;enerally believed to be incorrect. The owner of the
propeeLy refers the loss to a snore probable cause,—spontaneous
com'mation. The Walton Castle estate belongs to Mr. W. Miles,
for West Somerset.
JOINT-STOCK CompAigins.—By a Parliamentary
paper just issued, an, account is given of all joint-stock companies
registered under the Act 7 and 8 Victoria, c. 110. It appears that of
comoanies existiug before September last there were 965, and 48 for
foreign operations. Of the total number 105 were rallw:,y com-
panies. From the Ist of November to the 7th of June last 355 were
provisionally registered, and 17 for foreign operations. Of the 355 as
mans as 252 were railway companies, and 11 others for foreign opera-
tions. Between the '9th and 30th of lune 57 railways were regis-
tered. For a provisional registration a fee of Si. is paid. After all
expenses, the Registrar-General had in hand a balance of 1,294!. 6s. 2d.
It seems, fr ,n 1 the amount of fees received, that horn the let ot
November to the 31st of I:ecember, 590/. was received for provisional
registration ; from the Ist of January to the 31st of March, 3101. ;
and front the Ist of April to the 7th of June, 785/. ; making a total
for "provisional registration" of 1,6901. The return extends to 163
pages.

The list of prisoners is altogether 96, all more or less wounded.
Some of them had received as many as six or seven wounds. It
will be seen by the above letter that M. Dutertre is dead, and that
the account of his havin, been decapitated by Abd-el-Kader for his
exhorting the men in the marabout to held out was an invention.
The letter of M. Courby is followed by a report from General de
Bar, dated Algiers 14th, but containing no facts which have not
already reached us. There is also a report from General Thierry,
dated Oran :10th, giving a resume of the proceedings i❑ that pro-
vince, and particularly the operations of General Lamoriciere. Ge-
neral Thierry states that Abd-el-Kader, who, after the first com-
bat, had ceased to take any part in the fighting, left in the midst
of the second engagement amidst the hisses and imprecations of the
Arabs who witnessed the flight.

ADMISSION OF INDIAN CORN —The Chairman ct
the American Chamber of Commerce, Liverpool, has received a letter
fro.n Lord Sandon, expressing his Lordship's approval of the memo
rial to the Privy Council in favour of admitting Indian corn. IL,
Lordship thinks that such a course on the part of our Government
would greatly strengthen in America the hands of those who advo
sate the relaxation of the tariff.
On Saturday last, Henry Peirce and Henny Ad-
each, privates in the 17th Lancers, now in Canterbury barracks.
were had before the city magistrates on a charge of having passed
counterfeit cola, and having other in their possession which they
Intended to pass. It appeare that the prisoners had been to various
houses and tendered bad coin in payment for different articles ; Put
only one of the parties, Mr. Banister, of the Spread Eagle, North-
gate,
appeared against them. They have been suspected some time
by Sergeant-Major Dugin, who had consequently watched them, ,
and found all the apparatus for coining in their quarters. They
were remanded till to-day, when it is expected still further conclu-
TIIE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE CROYDON R,hersday.ive evitlen (Amm
ce will be produced against them.—Kentish er of
A TMOSPIIE aic RAILWA f
Y.—Friday evening, the adjourned inquest on DANGEROUS FEMALE EMPLOYMENT. —ln the
the body of William Shannons, the young man who was killed on agricultural districts it has .hecome a very geneal plan to employ
the above railway on Saturday night last, was resumed and eon- young females In the ilangeaous, and to them improper, labour of
eluded before Mr. W. Payne, at Guy's Hospital. The only ztldi- " serving" thrashing machines. A short time since, a poor girl was
tional evidence of any importance was that of the traffic master, dreadradly injured while so employed on the farm of Mr.l'arrott, of
forest-lull ; and a few days since, a similar accident befel Caroffne
who supposed that det'eased was sitting asleep on the atmospheric
Crowdy- a young woman employed in serving a machine on the fat an
pipe, when, hearing the whistle, he jumped up anti was struck in or Mess'rs. W. aud T. fine, of Christmas-common, Oxon. Ti se
the back by the buffer of the engine. Mr, now, the surgeon, machinery eangat a portion of her dress, tore her clothes, Injured h ir
said the deceased's death arose from extensive injury to the lower person, and would probably have killed her bad it not been for th. part of the spine.—Verdict, " Accidental death." energetic exertions of one of the attendants.
THREE PERSONS SUPPOSED TO BE POISONED.— EWELL CATTLE FAIR, SURREY.—This autumn ,
On Friday afternoon, considerable alarm prevailed in George-court fair concluded on Wednesday. Stock of all kind was offered for
and Off-alley, West-strand, in consequence of the report that seve- sale, and of which there was more than usual, and a lively business
rat individuals had been conveyed to Charing-cross Hospital, in a tendeddone. overTbe saheweilli
wide
pens werei confinedund mtoo part
port;
nthciepfair, an
sheep si
and
I
dying state, from their having eaten poisonous lozenges. On re- cattle breeders Sn" Srauirrigeeyo figmrdo Sussex °slstn:eorfetlp'eresent. Southdown
pairing to that institution, our informant learnt that no fewer than wethers,
nine individuals had been brought in, suffering greatly from in. fat, 'Aide 4s. Bd. per stone; ditto, for feedine-, from 325. to
Cit.; tags, roni 278: to 325. Lambs, fat, made ss, a stone; ditto,
tense inward pain, which was attended with violent vomiting. The for stock atom IGs. to 23.5. a head. Leicesters and half-breds, fat,
sufferers were promptly attended to, and they were in a short tittle! sold well, but inferior hung cat hand. There were several pens .
relieved. Three children, however, belonging to a woman na of °".perior bred Southdown ewes, which sold at prices varying •
rriec't front 35s to a head - and aged ewes averaged Its. ;.
heath, are still very ill. It was subsequently ascertained that .4 Lin,-.s, • 355, ; 425.
L eicesters, ' 40s. ; Rents, 32e. to 315.; So-
man named Edwards, a marine-store dealer in Off-alley, had, lo.rseta, from 36e. to 40s. There were a few pens of Dorset couples,
among other things, purchased at a sale a number of bottles, seve- *shich made front 425. to 30s. Welch ewes fetched 18s. to 235.
sal of which contained lozenges. These were alistributed by the Buses beasts, fat, made 4s. 6d. per stone ; ditto, for stalling, from
son of Edwards to several persons, who partook of them in lats... 101. to 141. a head. Prime Scots were caught up at ss. per stone.
quantities, and they were soon after seized with alarming pains its r(00,t,..,-si
cannldvicnalvfc;sommaidi. fronto 141.
ntiorelrftstf;rolnytellB-Ibrisiol 11-20/r.k.si_iitrtedeernasevvir
the bowels. The lcizenees were subsequentlyanalysed by Mr. BurP.ass, cows with smg all calf, 151. The Welch cattle droves exteinled over a
one ofthe medical racers of the institution, and were found '„u be large portion of the field; they were in good condition, considering
composed chiefly of ipecacuanha. the distance they travel daily, and many were sold tin* the London
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCIL—On Saturday tl•.e newl irketcsona
it goal
tioni2oCeSt..
each;l lor.aes,n,,rung, madeiro Ifurozntol i1581.1t0 filo./.,.; cart
law with respect to documentary evidence (8 and Si Vi cults,
c. 115)
months old.. 95.; three mouths, 14Isi.ag; nags, frost
six months, 355. to 425. ;
same into force. Its object is to receive in eviden.ce officially fat pigsa 35.. Gd., and porkers, 48.6 d. per stone. The pleasure fair
required to
sealed or signed documents which had been previoup:sy was small.
be proved in regard to the seal or signature. DIDV:ERTISEMENT.]—A CERTAIN CURE FOR SCEO•
PROTECTION TO .MERCHANT SEA3I2.N.—The Act of TULA OR. KING'S EVIL, lay HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OlNT-
last Session (8 and 9 Vic., c. 116) came into operation on Saturday MENT.---4, FRIGHTFUL CAM—A young man named Bowman,
(the Ist instant). It is to afford protection to seamen, and the se- a shoemaker, living in James-street, Manchester, had been
vent objects have already been noticed in this paper, afflicted from childhood with the most malignant kind ol
ACTS 05' PARLIAMENT. --All the public Acts of last
. scrofulous ulcers, covering various parts of his body ; besides
Session, numbering 130, are now in force. Theprivate Acts of ' other
sufferings, they had deprived him of the use of his left
last Session exceed the number of the other Acts. leg • yet, extraordinary to relate, this poor fellow has not only
Mr, kVreford, for many years clerk in the long- I had all the ulcers soundly healed, but has likewise regained the
' •
room in the Exeter Custom-house, has been appointed by
portof Foray. comp) etc use of his limbs by means of these two wonderful
the Lords medic, Ines. Sold at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 1
of her Majesty's Treasury to be Comptroller at the
..Dstrift Chronicle. , )
244 ;strand (where advice may be had gratis), and by annost il
...
I all re spemiblo Tenders of medicine throughot.", the civilised
wonder

A THRENODY on the APPROACH-
ING DEMISE of OLD MOTHER CORN-LAW.
BY THOMAS 3100.118.
I see, I see—it is coming fast,
Our dear old Corn-law's doom is cast !
That ancient lady, of high degree,
Is as near her end as she well can be ;
And much will .all vulgar eaters of bread
Rejoice, when they see her fairly dead:
For never, from ancient Medea* down
To the late Mrs. Broivnrigg, of bad renown,
Has any old dame been known, they aver,
Who could starve and carve poor folks, like her.
But, dear old damsel, they wrong her sadly,
'Twas all by law she behaved so badly;
And God forbid, whate'er the event,
That free-born Britons should e'er repent
Wrongs done by Act of Parliament.
But is it indeed then come to this,
After all our course of high-bread bliss?
Poor, deur old Corn-law !—prop of Peers,
And glory of Squires, through countless years,
Mist all thy structure of Pounds and Pence,
Like another Babylon, vanish hence?
Must towering Prices and Beets sublime
Thus topple, like turrets tonch'd by time,—
And all. for what? that each shirtless oaf
May bolt, for breakfast, a larger loaf!
For this one vulgar purpose alone
Is all this inelegant mischief dune.
For this poor Knatchbull—hard privation—
Must lower a peg his " social station !"
For this, even lords (distresing thought)
Will soon to short commons all be brought;
Will fall with their wheat so much per quarter,
And get to look blue as Bucky's garter.
And stars will grow pale as prices fail,
And fees in tale will be cut off for sale,
And all will sink by a sliding scale,—
As "slips o'er its slime the sleek slug-snail,"f
Nor leave one corn-lord high and hale,
Though they flourish now to tell the tale !
* This lady, as is well known, was in the agricultural line.
See, for an account of her farming operations, Ovid, Meta-
morph. 1, vii. v. 227. Her skill in "carving" is thus briefly
described by the same poet—
"---- stricto Medea recludit
Ense senis jugulum."
t A line borrowed, with but little alteration, from one of
the Lake poets, the original being as follows :
" Slow sliding o'er its slime the slippery sleek slug-snail."

SOUTH WALES RAILWAY
COMPANY.

The first ordinary meeting of the Shareholders in the
South Wales Railway was held on Friday, at the Great
Western Railway Station & Paddington; Mr.C. Russell, M.P.,
Chairman of the Board of Direetbra, in the Chair, The meet-
ing was made special for the purpoise of giving auttiatity
to the Directors with respect to ary agreements with
other Companies, and application to Parliament, which they
might think it expedient to make in the ensuing session,
and generally for other matters.
The common seal of the Company having been formally
affixed to the registry of shareholders, and It having been
announced that the whole of the capital had been sub.
scribed,

The CHAIRMAN said the Directors had great
pleasure in meeting their proprietory, and they
congratulated them on the success which had
hitherto attended their operations and proceedings in Par-
liament. The great difficulty they had met with proceeded
from the obstacles which bad been thrown in their way of
crossing the Severn. It was impossible for the Committee
of either the House of Lords or the House of Commons to
resist the authority vested in the Board of Admiralty
by law, but both Committees did all they could for them.
T:iev gave them their line complete, with the exception
of that portion of it which embraced the passage of the
Severn, which bad been reserved for the next session.
The question was certainly a most important one, and it
had since occupied the deliberate and serious consideration of
the Directors, who still continued of opinion that the place
they had selected for crossing the Severn was in
all respects the most advisable. They believed, in
fact, that it would not only be beneficial to themselves,
but it would tend greatly to improve the naviga ion
of the Severn itself ; but it was not fer them to impugn
either the judgment or the authority of the Board of Admi-
ralty. They had, however, lately been in communication with
that Board, and they were not without hopes that some plan
might yet be devised by which they would be enabled to
carry out the project in the mode and manner they had
originally wished. It was, nevertheless, desirable that they
should not enter more largely into a discussion of that
question then, and they had therefore not required their
engineer to make any special report upon the subject. Since
their Act had been obtained their engineer had been ern_
ployed in revising the surveys, and he had the authority of
Mr. Brunel for stating that they were nearly completed
Immediately that they were so the shareholders might
rely upon it that the Directors would enter into
contracts and proceed with the works with the utmost
possible diligence and rapidity. The attention of the Direc-
tors had, of course, been called to the numerous projects for
new lines, which form almost a net-work over the
whole of the Principality of Wales. It could
not be expected that any very considerable portion
of these lines would be entertained, much less passed,
by the Legislature. From many of them they had selected
such as they thought were likely to prove advantageous to
the South Wales Railway, and to these they were willing to
give their entire, their friendly support and co-operation.
The Hereford, Worcester, and Gloucester, and the Hereford
and Shrewsbury lines were likely to be of great importance
to the South Wales Railway Company, in so fir as they
would tend to convey their traffic to the north
and they had accordingly entered into an understanding
with them. Previous to their going before Parliament they'
entered into an agreement for the purchase of the Forest of
Dean Railway, contingent upon their own Act passing. Their
Act had of course passed, and the agreement had become binding
upon themselves. It was, he might add, their intention to
enlarge and improve it, and then they anticipated it would
have the effect of bringing a large and important mineral
traffic upon their main line. They had thought it ex-
tremely desirable that they should encourage and support a
line of railway running up the Vale of Neath, and it was pos-
sible and far from improbable that a line of railway would also
be formed from the top of the Vale of Neath to join the
Hereford, Worcester, and Gloucester, passing by Merthyr
Tydvil and Abergavenny, in order to afford railway accom-
modation to a large and no less important mineral
and manufacturing district—(Hear, bear.) If this Neath
Company should be able to make an arrangement with the
Hereford and Gloucester Company, the South Wales Coin
pany would also be disposed to give it its utmost support.
He believed these were the only lines with which they had
formed any connexion, and in the present state of the
money and railway market they thought it advisable not to
encumber themselves with any fresh or extraordinary under-
takings.

The report, which was simply an echo of the Cha►rman's
speech, and contained no statement of the accounts, was then
read, and afterwards adopted.
The present Directors were then confirmed, and their salary
fixed at 1,8001., and Messrs. Dobree and Gower having been
appointed auditors; with an allowance of 251. each, the secre-
tary's salary was fixed at 7001. per annum.
The purchase of the Forest of Dean Railway was confirmed,
and the Directors empowered to take what steps they might
deem necessary in the ensuing session of Parliament for the
general interest of the Company.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the meeting
terminated.

GREAT WESTERN SHARES.
(mom A CORRESPONDENT.)

Cost.

A person buying 10 Great Western shares in
Oct., 1844, at 621. prem. on 801. paid £1,420 0 0
He has since received a new issue in respect of
above, of 20 quarter stares, worth 181. prem
each, reducing his cost

Real Cost 1,060 0 0
The present value of 10 Great Western shares,
"ex New Issue." is 145/. to 1501. each—say
10 shares, at 145/.

Leave a profit of £39o 0 0
Instead of a loss of 1,0001., as represented by the Times.
Any Stock-broker in London will confirm this, and it ought
to be noticed.

The new issue has been altogether lost sight of, both by
you and the Times, and was a great boon to the Shareholders.

It is rumoured in Leicester that the Roman Ca-
tholics are about to purchase the Three Crowns, and in its
place to erect a magnificent cathedral, similar to that lately
built at Nottingham. They are now erecting a very large
college at Ratcliffe, near the Syston station ; and on-Charn-
wood Forest is a monastery inhabited by about thirty monks.
The latter possess a farm of about 250 acres, which they
themselves cultivate, and to the poor of the neighbourhood
they are exceedingly charitable.—Derby R porter.
MR. OAKELEY.—It is not true, Iv stated by the
Morning Post, that the Rev. Frederick Oakeley's resignation
of his fellowship at Balliol College (in opposition to the
advice of Dr. Pusey) is founded' on the decision of the
Arches Court against him, and on his not being permitted to
perform his duties. Mr. Oakeley has resigned, in conse-
quence of formally entering the Romanist communion at
Oxford, on Wednesday last.—Church and State Gazeta
JESUITS.—The number of Jesuits already arrived
at Lucerne amounts to nine. A correspondent in that place
assures us that they will gain no ground, not at least in the
town itself. The barricades erected by order of the Govern-
ment are still standing, the National Guards are still under I
arms, a considerable number of citizens are living miserably
away from their country, and banished far from their families.
1,500 men are already condemned; oilers are amenable to
capital punishment, all their fortunes are confiscated, and
it is in this state of things that the Jesuits have just been
installed in Lucerne. The Court of Appeal has sent back to
the inferior court the prosecution instituted against Captain
Ulmi and Jost Barth. It has decided that they are not
amenable to the penalty of death decreed by the inferior
court. The news of banishment of Dr. Feni and Professor
Daffner is confirmed. It is still thought that they will be
imprisoned in a fortress of Piedmont.—Constitutioneet.
SUDDEN DEATH OF CAPTAIN HARDY.—On Friday
Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an inquest at the Blue Boar, Caro-
line street, Bedford-square, on the body of Captain Hardy,
late of 8, Tavistock-street, aged sixty-five. The deceased
bad been originally attached to the East India Company's
Marine Service. After leaving the service he became one Of
the most active and liberal governors of Middlesex Hospital, ,
and a director of the poor of the parish rf St. Giles. From
the evidence before the coronee it appeared that shortly after
retiring to rest, in his usual health and spirits, last Wednes-
day night, he felt himself so suddenly attacked with illness,
that he called his nephew, and desired him to send for Mr.
Combo, surgeon, of Caroline-street. who immediately at-
tended, and applied stimulants, which afferded temporary
relief. But scarcely had Mr. Combo left, when his illness,
accompanied with the most alarming symptoms, returned.
It was then deemed advisable to call in Dr. Arnott, of Bed-
ford-square
; but all his effoits were unavailing, as his
patient was a corpse in a few minutes after he first saw him.
The medical witnesses gave it as their opinion that deceased
died of a diseased heart, and a verdict accordingly was
returned.
THE ISLAND OF MADAGASCAR.—The recent affair
at Madagascar naturally draws attention to that island.
After New Holland it is the largest island in the world. Its
length is about 900 miles; and its central part is about 400
miles in breadth. It is supposed to contain about 250.000,000
or 300,000,000 of acres. The climate arid soil are generally
highly favourable to vegetation, including all the choicest
productions of the tropical regions. It is rich in minerals,
particularly in the metal, with forests of tine timber, and,
not improbably, fields of coal. Its geographical position
renders it capable of becoming one of the richest por-
tions of the globe. In attempting to bring its barbaric
sovereign to reason, a better way may be found than that of
attacking valueless towns and useless forts on the coast. The
capital must be reached or threatened; but to accomplish
this by marching a force through the marshes is clearly im-
possible, or most hazardous. Is there any other way? In
the common maps, a river rising not very far from the capi-
tal, and within the healthy region, is conducted, by the
mapmakers, to the sea on the west side of the island near
the 20th degree of south latitude. But it is supposed by
others, that this river, instead of running west, runs north,
and falls into the sea about the 16th degree of south lati-
titude ; and it is supposed to be navigable to within four or
five days' journey of the capital. This river, it is said, was
once frequented by Arab vessels, and a fair was held at the
point where it ceased to be navigable for boats, &c. Ra-
dama's father, and afterwards Radama himself, becoming
jealous of this near approach of foreigners, prohibited this
traffic, and endeavoured to conceal the real course of the
river. Should the Admiral or the Governor of Mauritius
wish for certain information concerning it, they may find
fugative natives of Madagascar in the island of Mohilla,
near Johanna, who would gladly act as explorers.—South
African.
FOREIGN CATTLE AND FRUIT, &C.—The General
Steam Navigation Company's steam-ship Sir Edward Banks, from
Ostend, a day or two since, brought 32 packages of Belgian poultry,
a quantity of fresh fish, eggs, plants, &a. The Company's vessel
Belfast, from Calais, brought 25 skins of walnuts ; the Harlequin,
from Boulogne, 64 skins of walnuts, four packages of poultry, and
other articles. . The Venezuela, from Itottordarn, brought 91 sheep,
eight calves, 17 packages of poultry, eight packages of yeast, a
large quantity of cheese, butter, seeds, roots, &c. The James Watt,
from Havre, brought 39 skins of chesnuts, the first importation of
the article, we believe, this season—a quantity of peas, eggs, and
other articles ; and the Soho, front Antwerp, brought, amongst
a variety of other articles of French produce, 41 baskets of smelts,
&c. Two or three sailing vessels have also arrived, laden with fresh
ripe fruit fer the metropolitan markets. The Alexandre, from Grave-
lines, brought 11l packages of walnuts, besides a large quantity of
eggs and other French produce. The Express, from Jersey, brought
1,500 bushels, one barrel, and three boxes of apples, the produce of
that island, besides a quantity of pears, &c. ; and the Guernsey Lass,
from Dunkirk, brought about 30 packages of apples, the produce of
Normandy, and other articles.
WOOLWICH, OCT. 31.—The Avon steam-vessel,
Commander Denham, F.R.S., left Woolwich on the 27th inst., on
her surveying expedition to the coast of Guinea, including the
mouths of the Niger. The Devastation, Growler, and Ardent,
paid off during the month, are to undergo a refit, and be again
made ready for commission. The shipwrights are employed build.
big the Sphynx and Niger steam.vessels by task work, as it is de.
sirable they should be ready by the close of the financial year. The
Amphion frigate, building, will be ready for launching early next
year, and is to be fitted with a tcrew propeller.
THE LEIPSIG FAIL—The fair just over has been
an excellent one, except for woollens and hogs' bristles. Very ex-
tensive business has been done in cloths of 11 descriptions, at higher
prices than those which ruled last year. The produce of the &dive-
rein manufactures, as well as articles of luxury and fashion, were in
great demand. Leather sold freely
at advanced prices.--Frank-
fotkon4 !Wpm.

,
Week Last gt,,
ending NAME OF RAILWAY. week. r,
a
Oct. 25 Arbroath and Forfar ••• •• • •• ••• • • • 142 150
- Bristol and Birmingham .•••••• • - • • • • -
24 Chester and Birkenhead .••• • • . •• • • 759 778
23 Dublin and Drogheda•• ••••••• • • - • • • • 715 624
28 Dublin and Kingstown ••••••• • • • • • " 872 834
26 Dundee and Arbroath . • •
- Durham and Sunderland .•• ••••• - • • • • -
25 Edinburgh and Glasgow .••••• • • • • • • 3,15 G 2,522
26 Eastern Counties and North Eastern 6,748 4,335
25 Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr ••• • • • 2,104 1,702
25 Glasgow and Greenock ••••• • • • • •• • • 963 872
24 Grand Junction .. •••.••••• • • • • • • • • • 15,000 13,012
25 Gravesend and Rochester. •••••• • • • • • 226
Great North of England ..
26 Great Western .•••••••••• •• • • • • • • • • 18,982 16,511
- Hull and Selby •. • • • ..• ..... .••• . • .
- Liverpool and Manchester •••• .. • ...
25 London and Birmingham •• • 21,330 16,048
26 London and Blackwall •••• • • • ....... 875 761
25 London and Brighton .••••••• • • • • • • • 5,591 5,041
28 London and Croydon .•••• • • • • • 1,752 1,405
- London and Greenwich .• • •
2G London and South Western .• • ...... 7,353 6,248
26 Manchester, Bolton, and Bury ...... 1,000 925
24 Manchester and Birmingham •• • 4,271 3,267
25 Manchester, Leeds, and Hull Assoc.. 7,220 5,576
28 Midland Counties .• • • ...... ••••• • • • • 17,519 13,567
25 Newcastle and Darlington •• • • ...... 2,856 1,882
25 Newcastle and Carlisle ...• ••• • • ..... 1,613 1,873
26 Newcastle and North Shields•• ••• • • • 433 375
24 North Union and Bolton and Preston 1,570 1,503
27 Paris, Corbeil, and Orleans. 6,540 5,735
27 Paris and Rouen ..• • •
25 Preston and Wyre. ••••••••• • • • • • • • • 514 -
25 Sheffield and Manchester .• •• • • •• • • 1.121 661
25 South Eastern..
1,183 816
26 Ulster. ..
- Yarmouth and Norwich •••••• • • • • • •
25 York and North Midland ...• • • • 5,169 4,847

TM, OREGON QUESTION AND

LYNCH LAW.

New Yoax, OCT. 15.—1 n regard to the question of Oregon, in.
telligent men on this side the Atlantic (and, it is thought, the cor.
responding class on the other side) are of opinion that it should be
settle:l with as little delay as practicable. Procrastination, with the
tepid settlement of the country, will increase the difficulty of an
arnletfAst arrangement. The correctness of this remark acquires
strength t a reference to past negotiations.
It is much fit he regretted that a disposition to lower the standard
of this country in fffte estimation of Europe too often appears in
leading journals abroad. All these matters serve to irritate the
public mind here, and leased/ she ability of thshe to whom is con.
tided the management of Government affairs to sustain that friendly
deportment they might naturally desire; and hence it is that of
late so ready a conviction on the part of the mass is manifested
that a deep and settled hostility exists among European Govern.
ments againsi the institutions of the United States. It is not in-
tended, by these remerks, to attoch any blame to the Government.
In Great Britain, as in this country, the press is free and un-
shackled. Nevertheless it sometimes has, as in the present instance.
exercised a most baleful influence.

I wish it was in my power to say that the President and his
constitutional advisers are prepared to make any reasonable sacri.
fice to pre►erve the peace of the country—but it is net. I see no
evidence of any such disposition. Mr. Polk appears to be cau.
tiously feeling his way. He is evidently without system in regard
to foreign affairs, and will probably remain in that state until Con-
gress convenes. If south-western counsels prevails there will be
no concession or compromise on the Oregon question. Nothing
short of the 55th degree of latitude as the boundary will satisfy
that class of politicians. If they find themselves in the majority,
one of their first moves will be to abrogate the existing arrange-
ment between Great Britain and the United States, as to the joint
occupancy of Oregon. But I still entertain a hope that this will
not be done unless it is done in a friendly way and with friendly
views. It is certain that in the present state of public feeling in
both countries great circumspection is necessary. No exciting or
irritating measure should be adopted. The friends of peace and
humanity should pour oil on the troubled waves of discord and con-
tention. A sacrifice should be made of all false pride.
Cassius M. Clay, whose printing-office, in which the True Ame-
ricons,an abolition paper, was printed, in Kentucky, has prosecuted
a number of citizens for having taken possession of his office by
violence, and transported it into the state of Ohio. The parties
charged admitted the fact of taking and transporting the printing
materials, but justified, alleging that the paper was a nuisance.
After the testimony had been closed, the Court instructed the
jury upon the law of the case.
The defendants then asked the following instructions:—
I. That as the proceeding was quasi criminal, the jury were the
judges of the law and fact. . .

The imports of fruit from abroad into Hull have
nearly ceased for the present season. Since our report of Thursday
se'nnight, the arrivals chiefly of apples, per steam conveyance, have
been :—Oct. 17, by the Hamburgh, from Hamburgh, 242 packr.::es ;
20th, Emera'd Isle, from Rotterdam, 261 packages; 23d, Queen of
Scotland, from Hamburgh, 32 packages ; the Transit, which was the
neat in rotation of departure, brought 12 caske 3 cases of apples,
whilst the Leeds and Helen 31•Gregur, which followed on their
pointed days, did not bring a single basket, bus, or case; and the
Emerald Isle's productions in this line has fallen off to 178 baskets of
apples, landed: on Monday last—the fortnight's imports amounting
to only 828 packages, whilst in the preceding week one importer aim
laatled vpwuds vi I,69o.pactalimniaain livrcad.

2. That the people have a right to abate a nuisance, and in its
abatement to use just so much force as might he necessary for that
purpose.

Court gave the first instruction asked by the defendants,
with the qualification, that although not legally, the jury were
morally bound to decide according to the law given them by the
Court.

I he second instruction asked by them the Court refused.

The defendants then asked the following instruction :—That if
the jury believed that the True American Press was a public
nuisance, and could not exist in its then location and condition
without being a nuisance, the defendants were justifiable in
abating it—which the Court gave, and the cause went to the jury.
The definition of a nuisance, as given by the best common law-
writers, was then read to the jury in the following terms :—A
common nuisance is an offence against the public, either by doing
a thing which tends to the annoyance of all the King's subjects, or
by neglecting to do a thing which the common good requires.
After full argument the jury, without hesitation, gave a verdict
of " Not guilty."

The steamer Great Britain arrived here last evening, having lost
a mast and being short of fuel.

A GENEVESE TRAVELLER.

—Times.

FRIDAY NIGHT S GAZETTE
DIVIDENDS DECLARED.
J. Mucklow, pablican, Birmingham—first div. of Is. 9• d.
in the pound, any Thursday, at the office of Mr. Valpy,
Birmingham.
H. J. Dixon and J. Dixon, carpet manufacturers, Birming-
ham—first div. of 13s. 4d. in the pound on new proofs. also
a second dir. of 4d., any Thursday, at the of&e of Mr. Valpy,
Birmi n sham.
T. Newton, cattle dealer, llolbeach, Lincolnshire—first div.
of 31. in the pound, any Thursday, at the office of Mr. Valpy,
Birmingham.
• Barker and Adams—third div. of id. in the pound, any
Thurslay, at the office of Mr. Christie, Birmingham.
J. Crabtree and W. Burnley, woollen manufacturers, Turn-
stead, Forrest Rossendale—first div. of 13s. 4d. in the pound,
any Tuesday, at the office of Mr. Hobson, Manchester.
3.. Irving. linendraper, Blackburn—firl div. of llid. in the
pound. any Tuesday, at the office of Mr. Hobson, Manchester.
T. Clifton, bookseller, Barnard Castle—first and final div.
of ls. 10d. in the pound, any Saturday after Nov. 8, at the
office. of Mr. T. Baker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Pallister and Newrick, grocers, Sunderland—second and
final div. of Bid. in the pound (in addition to ls. 3d. previously
declared), any Saturday after Nov. 1, at the office of Mr.
Baker, Newcastle upon-Tb ne.
W. Parsons, brewer, Bristol—first div. of 3s. in the•pound,
any Monday, at the office of Mr. Acraman, Bristol.
DIVIDENDS.
At the Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall-street.
T. Johnson, ten., W. Johnson, and C. Mann, hankers,
Ilomford, Nov. 21, at twelve—C. Mann, banker, Rumford,
Nov. 21, at twelve. _

In the Country.

J. Bourne, printer, Bemmerslev, Staffordshire, Nov. 26, at
twelve, at the Birmingham District Court—J. K. Cotterel,
grocer, Glastonbury, Somersetshire, Nov_ '27, at eleven, at
the Bristol District Court—J. Hutchings, shoemaker, Bath,3
Nov. 25, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court—. Warr,
currier, Bridport, Dorsetshire, Nov. 28, at one, at the Exeter
District Court—H. R. Osborne, grocer, Truro, Cornwall,
Nov. 21, at one, at the Exeter District Court—F. Ridd,
surgeon, Nether Stowey, Somersetshire, Nov. 27, at one, at
the Exeter District Court—J. Marshall and T. Collier, mer-
chants, Manchester, Nov. 25, at twelve, at the Manchester
District Court—J. Clarke, R. Mitchell, J. Philips, and T.
Smith, bankers, Leicester, Dec. 16, at twelve, at the Birming-
ham District Court.

CERTIFICATES to be granted, unless cause be shown to
the contrary, on the day herein mentioned.
J. Guy, publisher, Bury-street, St. James's, Nov. 19—E.
Cook, grocer, Little Newport-street, Soho, N0v.,22-11. Mac-
kenzie, commission agent, Hunter-street, Brunswick-square,
Nov. 21—R. Hill, tailor, Newgate-street, Nov. 2l—C.
Bailey, wholesale druggist, Garlick. hill, Nov. 21—J. L.
Machu, silk trimming manufacturer, Macclesfield, Nov. 21—
J. Giles, publican, Headless-cross, Worcestershire, Nov. 22
T. Barlow, grocer, Nov. 21—J. Gibbs, grocer,
Ramsay, Huntingdonshire, Nov. 21—W. Henderson, mercer,
Sunderland, Nov. 21—H. Samuel, cigar manufacturer,
Leadenhall-street, Nov. 21—M. Wrake, jun.. bricklayer,
Canterbury, Nov. 2I—J. Stonehouse, mercer, Scarborough.
Nov. 21—J. T. Taylor and T. P. Watkinson. plumbers, York-
terrace, Regent's-park, Nov. 21—J. C. Dempsey, stati.ner,
Bristol, Nov. 21—A. Green, apothecary, Brighton, Nov. 21
W. R. Watts, chemist, Bath, Nov. 21—J. Mitchell. livery-
stablekeeper, Montagu-street, Montagu-square, Nov. 21.
PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. _ _

W. Pigott Saile, R. Pickles, W. Pickles, and J. Wil-
cock, tar distillers. Barnsley, Yorkshire (so far as regards
J. Wilcock) -J. R. Cousins and J. King, farmers, Dork-
ing—T. Beswick and W. Shoebottom, coach proprietors,
Bolton—H. and C. S. Parker, wine merchants. Hull—C. M.
Jopliug and S. E. Bilbrough, slate agents, Liverpool—U.
Wackrill and J. Gath, brewers, Tiverton—W. Cont.), and R.
Dycr, common brewers, Boston—W. Colley, G. Hill, and R.
Dyer, wine merchants, Boston—T. Bell and R. Watson,
naphtha manufacturers, Ferryhill, Durham—J. Squire and
B. W. Wells, floor-cloth manufacturers, W indmill-lane, Cam-
berwell—L. Laidma- and E. Cox, law stationers, Chancery-
lane—R. Morce and J. Clayton, mordant manufacturers,
Chorley, Lancashire—T. Weir and C. Glascodine, provision
merchants, Llanelly, Carmarthenshire—T. Thorne, sen., and
T. Thorne, jun., plasterers, Hastings—J. Moselv, L. Woolf,
and A. Isaacs, watchmakers, Bury-street, St. Mary Axc—
R. Gardam and J. B. Hill, house joiners, Hull—H. and W.
Carr, shipbuilders, Hylton, Durham—E. Nixon and R. Fen-
ton, earthenware manufacturers, Newbold Astbury, Cheshire
—C. Bunion and W. Wilks, coal factors, High-street, Wap-
ping—J. Warburton and B. P. Mitchell, coach proprietors,
Liverpool—R. Clough and C. Edmondson, worsted manufac-
turers, Addingham, Yorkshire—j. Hall and T. Mapp, malt
stars, Bridgnorth—T. Moore, G. Moore, and R. Moore, card
makers, Godley-bridge, Yorkshire—L. Parry, A. Parry, and
S. W. Peake, milliners, Shrewsbury (so far as regards S. W.
Peake)—E. Evans, J. Evans, and J. Roberts, woollendrapers,
Toxteth-park, Lam ashire.
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. _

Thomas Fraser, coach balder, Inverness, Nov. 4 and 28,
at twelve, at the Chambers of Mr. Macandrew, Inverness.
Robert Taylor, manufacturing chemist, Glasgow, Nov. 4
and 28, at twelve, at the Chambers of Messrs. Strathern and
Douglas, Glasgow.

THE PROVISION MARK ET.—ln the list of imports
of a single week into two of the secondary ports of Great
Britain, we find the following edumeration, which certainly
shows no want of food for either man or quadruped:—
Bristol Presentment.—ln the Otto Ferdinand. from Dantzic,
W. Player, 1,300 quarters of wheat.—ln the Yorkshire. from
Quebec, 2 barrels of wheat flour.—ln the Ayrshire, from
ditto,l,ooo barrels of flour.—ln the Margaret, from St. Kitt's,
5 casks of pickles, 1,000 cocoa nuts, tamarind.% &c.—ln
the Sabrina, from Cork, 6 .boxes of eggs; 48 barrels of
white and 23 of black oats, 10 bales of bacon ; 150 barrels
of black oats; 25 bags of coarse flour; 10 firkins of butter;
1 cask of ham's ; 22 bales of bacon ; 4 boxes of eggs ; 60 bar-
rels of black oats; 6 boxes of eggs; 1 chest of poultry ;
1 cask of honey ; 4 cases of eggs ; 150 sacks of oats; 20 sacks
of oatmeal ; 1 cask of whisky , 15 casks of porter ; 2 casks of
lard ; 42 boxes of eggs and fish ; 30 head of cattle ; 112 pigs.
—ln the Osprey, from Waterford, 80 barrels of black oats; lii
sacks of barley; 19 chests of poultry; 20 firkins of butter; 29
chests and 3 cases of poultry; 1 crib of live ditto; 4 hampers
and 1 case of wine; 420 sacks of oats : 125 bales of bacon ; 80
casks of lard ; 90 pigs.—ln the Shamrock, from Dublin; 50
hogsheads, 10 barrels, 150 kilderkins of Guinness and Co 'a
extra stout; 7 casks of bottled wine; 33 sacks of malt; 33
sacks of meal ; 4 casks of whisky ; 3 barrels of ale ; likewise
120 pigs.—ln the Friends, from Da.ngarvan, 80 rigs.—ln
the Heroine, from Dungarvan, 200 pigs.-1n the John and
Marv, from Duugarvan, 120 pigs —ln the Nora Creina, from
Waterford, 50 sacks of black oats; 25 packs of poultry ; 1
crib of live ditto; 50 firkins of butter; 19 chests of poultry;
20 firkins of butter; 85 bales of bacon; 1 case of eggs; 6
hogsheads and 1 firkin of porter; 59 pigs.—ln the lonia.
from Yougbal, 75-pigs.—ln the Kate, from Cork, 200 firkins
of butter; 128 barrels and 132 sacks of oats; 50 firkins of
butter.—ln the Landshipping, from Waterford, 900 barrels
of oats, 40 sacks of barley. But we have not room suffi-
cient to enumerate the whole. Let us then take Liverpool :
—From the north and south of Europe the import consiqs
of 3,202 quarters of wheat and 600 quarters of beans; and
from Canada and the United States of 463 quarters of wheat
and 5,084 barrels of flour.—Hereford Journal.
DEATH OF MAJOR-GENERAL BREDIN.—We re-
gret to record the death of Major-General Andrew Bredin, of the
Royal Artillery, which took place on Wednesday last at hts resi.
Bence, at Fox-hill, Plumpstead.common. The deceased °Meer,
who was in the 74th year of his age. received his commission as
lieutenant on the 9th SAptember, 1794; captain, 6th July, 1798;
brevet major, 25th July, 1810 ; regimental major. 12th June,
1613 ; brevet lieutenant.colonel, 17th Oct , 1823 ; regimental
colonel, 28th July, 1834; and major-general, 23d Nov., 1841.
Previous to joining the Royal Regiment of Artillery he belonged
to the Royal Irish Artillery, and joined the service from that brl
gale. His services are stated to be as follows :—He was at the
capture of Grenada, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia, under Sir Ralph
Abercrombie, and also served in the Penin,sula. He retired from
the corps on attaining the rank of major-general. His body was
interred on Saturday with military honours,

FALL DOWN A PIT .SHAFT.—An inquest was held
on Tueaday, at Low Moorsley, on the body of John Brown, ag d
28 years, a hewer in the North Hetton colliery, who, having on
the day previous descended the pit as far as the main coal seam,
was about. to make a signal for the breaksman to lower the cage
further down the shaft, when he slipped and fed to the isottom, a
depth of about forty fathoms. He fell into the water at the bottom
of the shaft, and it was obliged to be pumped out before deceased's
body could be recovered ; he was quite dead when found. Ver.
cict, " Accidental d:a:h."—Durhanz .1d verti4er.

FLEET-STREET.--The thoroughfare of Fleet-street
and Temple-bar will be opened about Wednesday neat, after being
03f6id ttc•lKtr* ileao7 4y, Re*.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.
On Friday a Court was held.
THE LORD MAYOR AND CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.
The LORD 11.1nYou made the following statement to the
Court ; " October 30.

" I have now to report, according to my statement made
to the last Court, I caused a General Court of the Governors
of all the Hospitals to be called by the Town Clerk by letters
to the Presidents, to meet in the Guildhall, on yesterday, at
one o'clock precisely, when I was attended by
" Sir Chapman Marshall, Knight and Alderman,
" Mr. Prendergast, Mr. Crqucher, Mr. Deputy Stevens,
Mr. Deputy Westwood,' Mr. Molt," Governors of St. Bar-
tholomew ;
"Mr. Selson, Mr. Mortimer, Mr. Hill, Mr. Deputy Obbard,
Mr. Deputy Evans, Mr. Deputy. Mitchell, Mr. Deputy Dixon,
Mr. Parker,* Mr. Laurie,' Governors of Bridewell and
Bethlehem ;
"Mr. Jerram, Mr. Prior, Mr. Lister, Mr. Deputy Bedford,
Mr. White, Governors of Christ's Hospital ;
" Mr. Bennett, Mr. Jupp, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Brass, Mr,
Muggeridge, Gogernors of St. Thomas's;
"'No lists were delivered in, but communications were re-
ceived from Bridewell, St. Thomas, and Christ's Hospital,
addressed to the Town Clerk, and are now in Court to be
read if required. The Court will remark that different rea-
sons are assigned by the different hospitals for not delivering
the lists, which is a circumstance worthy of observation,
when it is recaected that all the hospitals had one common
origin. were all originally under the same Government, and
are still under the same agreement and Act of Parliament,
which, although it gives the management to the Governors
of the several hospitals, leaves untouched the title to the
property, the general superintendence of the Corporation,
and their interest in the incorporated body of all the
hospitals.
"It was observed by two Goverrore members of the
Common Council, and by one of the other Governors, that
they were not a sufficiert number of Governors present to
constitute a Court. I have only to say, as to the discharge of
my duty, that the Governors who were summoned by the
Town Clerk were more than sufficient to form a proper Ge-
neral Court, hod they attended to the summons.
"For myself, my course is clear ; my term of office will
soon expire. I have only interposed officially, being deter.
mined, that during my year of office the rights and privi-
leges of the Corporation should not be weakened or usurped
without my resistance. It is impossible not to say (whether
intentional or not) that the rights of the Corporation have
been infringed. It is, therefore, my duty to report the pro-
ceedings to this Court, having no doubt that proper steps
will be taken to secure the rights and privileges of the Cor-
poration."
Mr. Low, the Chairman of the Royal Hospitals Committee,
then rose and stated, that the managers of the hospitals had,
by their crowning act, consummated their contumacy to
their legitimate head, the Lord Mayor, and reiterated their
defiance to the Corporation, and their determination to re-
. cognise them in no other light than as ordinary governors o
the hospital. Mr. Lott. in analyzing the replies of the
various officers of the different hospitals in excuse for not
delivering in the lists, stated that they presented the reverse
of the proverb, that "in the multitude of counsellors there
is wisdom." The reply of Christ's Hospital, that the lists
were delivered in according to ancient custom, was incor-
rect. The innovation,' which, mole-like, was imperceptibly
widening the privileges of the Corporation, was the subtle
creation of the last three years only, the ancient custom for
upwards of 200 years being to place the Lord Mayor at the
head of the lists. The authorities of Christ's Hospital said
truly they had placed the whole management in the almoners,
but from whom had been carefully excluded the corporate
Governors, the original and legitimate trustees of these royal
foundations. The reply of Bridewell and Bethlehem Hos-
pitals was a mere quibble, they asserting they would have
inaele the return at Christ's Hospital (whence the Lord
Mayor was shut out), but would not do se at Guildhall; and
St. Thomas's took time to consider that which required
little time to deliberate upon. Mr. Lott moved that " the
whole matter be referred to the Royal Hospitals Committee,
with power to consult counsel thereon ;" and he trusted the
Court would now proceed with zeal and dignity to vindicate
their much abused rights and privileges.
Alderman Wiesen.; was strongly in favour of supporting
the dignity of the Mayoralty, and opposing the arrogance
and pride of Christ's Hospital. It had, he said, been stated
upon a firmer occasion, that if any charity in the kingdom
required to be looked into very particularly, Christ's Hospital
was that institution.—(Hear, hear.) He completely agreed
with that opinion, and be believed that it was the bounden
duty of the Corporation to do all they could to control the
extraordinary efforts made to destroy that power.—(Hear.)
Mr. GADSDEN said he had been given to understand that
the legal opinions delivered to the Court of Alder.'nen upon
the subject of the right of the Lord Mayor were decidedly in
favour of the Corporation. He had been also informed that
the opinions of the few authorities consulted upon the part of
the Governors of tie Hospital were as decidedly against the
City. He spoke as an impartial person, and he could not
but say that while the Corporation gave 100/. within the last
ten years to support the charity, the Governors not con-
nected with Cie C. rporation gave 100,000/.—(" >To no.")
Mr. R. TAYLOR said, the purchased Governors dthe Hos-
pital were wrong in the course they had adopted, and hoped
that the Corporation would make every effort to regain their
lost rights.—Hear, hear.)
The communication of the Lord Mayor was then referred
to the Royal Hospitals Committee.
•