The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-29 00:00:00

4.1.1... .
Lord bad omitted to state his opinion as to the
operation of a fixed duty in a time of scarcity. In an un-
prolific seaso
the Noble n to levy such a duty would be impossible; yet
the Lord had said nothing of making a provision for
1 1 executive authority remitting the duty on corn under such
circumstances. The &Isle Lord had omitted to state his
°Pinion on this question the previous evening. The first
presolution referred to the political tranquillity and commercial
olperity of the country. It could not be denied that the
le Lord (Lord John-Bussell,) had divested his motion of a
pant character, yet still no one could fail seeing that the
resolutions implied distrust and want of confidence in her
the
Majesty's Ministers.—( near.) On this subject it was asking
House to determine if improving the taxation of the
"°°trY--imposin taxes on those who could afford to pay
them--relasin' ingdustr and relieving the difficulties of the
„e°2l°4l—if those wereyt'o be taken as reasons why the Go-
:4'''rnment was not entitled to the confidence of the country theni
, the Noble Lord correct in the position he had taken. I.e
r__-e•erred to the improved comforts and social condition of the
'a%7Pie—to the removal of embargoes on traffic—to the reyri.
and improvement of the laws upon which commercia
(the de end ;to all these he referred as evidence that they
Ithe Governmpent) had not been remiss in their duty, and h.d
done that which entitled them to the confidence of the. country.
aide "mid not think that the habitual discussion of this question
et",Y good.—( Hear, hear.) He thought the subject of the
ett-7.aWs cou'd be much more efficiently discussed by a motion
aPecificai .
hata,,, iy introduced, as by the Hon. Member for Wolver-
the Aro, than in the manner. adopted by the NoblefLt7ed
lio ,rober for London. According to the statementhot
the .
r-9. Ilember for Essex he was led to understand t aer
ealtural interest had withdrawn their confidencefrom,,,hret
tji(latlttra Government. To this he could only express rier,on.
a -'e3' should have seen reason to withdraw their, .
pursue
con-
What but h 2 would nevertheless consider it histhdeutiyntteorpeustrss
of the
etotthe considered best calculated. to serve the..., T'trY, as he believed the policy of the government con-
,e-istst to the general good. If they contrastedthe country
e 't
ii bwa.,B in 1841 with what it was at present, it could not
With ...omitted that a great improvement had taken place.
heherresPect to the changes that had taken ploce in the law, he
thee hed.,that so far as they had not increased the price of corn,.
tor; of had a beneficial effect. The welfare of the propr:e
brio, '. ,and did net depend upon the sum which corn mightd
prepr'ielton the market.—(Hear, hear.) He asked the landed Whiehders Whether the returns from corn was the ctihrceuaeoounts
*his, t mined their welfare. If he looked upon
the hi.tere.given of the state of the country as resulting from
lakiecisit prices of corn, he was perfectly satisfiedstate that the
(Th
,i,nterest would not be benefited by such a of things.
It.ight Ho
,taliao,l . n. Gentleman then
_read extracts from the
44, cations of a Ger.eral commanding in the north of Eng-
of "' the Secretary fer the Home Department, on the state
Pt' becurry in May, 1841, and the state of the country at
sOollet4tiit' --°'n whichayit' appeared' that the former period was a
er VMS SO
..friork
1507.trbe,d one, and the latt tranquil and free
'sell i., ' 'ea, agitation, that there was no interest whatever
Public 'Th".a Miestion which had recently so much distuurbtedeotnh-e
vi;Pled ti,;ne,d--namely, the Maynooth question.
Zr %lei, ,Right Hon. Gentleman), depend upo.n)it, the(state
s.- ` Bastin 1842 could not have continued.-- iCr ies
'.ld aia,t,liear•e) The Honourable Member
ble Member for Essex
14%4 his he had been disappointed, and he had
b"andiZtawezi4e-eesf%tiinefiedeunseee from her Majesty's Government in
which they had pursued ; but if theyf
denee jogailed his confidence—ifor they had forfeited
)—with
his
which
the eon4e(ltlence of the rapidity—(A laugh )—w
it he Would'"°eceded in those changes, he most cordially hoped
f
the ,3 _
id positio Proceed, if not in accordance with the views o
'ruder
la 0,,.0, at least in a common expression of want of eon -
-eel. a- ...,.
b soy them., Hear, hear.) He was perfectly convinced,
;kteedesi circumstances, that the principles on which they had
s°,4raost- Were sound • but he thought it most just, !nost wise,
o
mat th,;Prudent not to proceed too rashly and hastily, but t
(l"'lain t-n- eaotious and deliberate course which was the most
ie R-tsseeu'e the permanent prosperity of the country.—
0,...,4rd igint ton. Gentleman sat down loudly cheered.)
r 10 ,„''"N ROSSELL said, that as he had °cen-
t atWe 1, '"unit of their time on the question before thenh
'ad b'eje would very briefly refer to the observations which
Illisdebate Illnade by Honourable Members in the ctoeuorsfethoe thein-
tsione When he had such testimonials of
ftohuendst.
aft he „,,..ci2ses from day to day—when h thea advocates
.•14,„"rr? laws ceasing from using argeuments which they
7tre-e-Tt` i° the habit of using, and these with diminished
;'lt_dietit,,,as obvious that the time must soon conae when
:?et, -."!0111d cease, when Parliament would consider that
,lajari 'los, or 50s, per cent., ought no longer to be retained
`9 stet °°' to the farmer and the labourer. He wished then
tive 6 e thiS to the Hou-se—they were in a state of comre-
tical r°'PeritY--the people in the nortk were making no poll.
the
ttdistnrbance—their labourers generally were better off
° !tilhthettolifood was high. Parliament, therefore, could legis-
e else, any suspicion as to its motives.,
.and bee. ring.mal-1
Post,. rustances before it, to come to a decision on these i
of Matters.—( Hear, hear.) Whatever might be the re-
tint "I„. the resolutions hich he had submitted to the House
rigt, the great question would remain, that they felt
linr 'lced that i • • a est n a time of distress, when there was a bad
the ' and corn was high in price, they could not maintain
Ytt ttesent Qom-laws exactly as they were at present. But
in,: Government were to propose an alteration
thkithe corn
no one were
pretend to say that any party
'gut I°llse would be capable of resisting it. He said that
klrlta'u'd be the case, and he called on them as men to grant
~t,ll cession—he appealed to those who considered that the
ktke such a
increased the price of the food of the people to
tlrOtioaa a concession as the one pointed out. The Right
tedro",te Baronet at the head of the Government had re-
ed to the changes which had taken place since 184.1, and re-
to the
the.eircumstance as if th were entirely 1
H ow(Lnogrd John
Italar7 which the Government ad taken.
tsaoth' considered those changes had been causedeby change of
~triti."(llear, hear)—and that made a material alteration in
;tat iernent. If they were brought bysuarnesunwise Govern-
had produced
thl"it; to ba'! state, and the
such
ti es to.,' tt--Y rnight expect that suchk'aena
Bunexpected stateim e of
Isias,'llley'll4ll continue without chec .
tite`q hot bbd seen the alterations which had taken place they
td,:a)tiely„ at expect that alterations of vast importance to
that eh arid to its property would ocettr. In 1830 Sir
t) tbaet-L°l -ar.telth 11 brought forward a motion to the effect
n,,..44sallinlt'li partial but general, in which he was sup-
Members on the other side of the
it:ol,,ed In lean ..°Li°fteelinsueaon topics analogous to those
Itth,r to 4tl,tLatl, debaate which admissions were made
cottntare'll4o•3l47,:ar.d in 'the course of that discussion—that
increase' Ind OttlWryi;" the various branches of trade, the silk,
`4 in -""senes of manufacture were very much
e"SamPtion,
agnantity and
Ind dun 'and nd yet in 183., exportation, and by internal
it* rise to a 3 'PeCtilatiOn i there was a vast. deal of undue
uoure Prlce that • In 1838 the price of corn began
firer, l''
hich continue
:aen there esa, d for the years 1839, 1840, and 1841,
_alistresq a,„„ a continuance of bad harvests, arid suffering
qiee to -"lst the kiffi • one Go People. He would ask,. without refk .'lent ind* • yernraent or to another, if this was not a
No
__ 'cation that they might have again to encounter
""ns of distress to that which existed during tlriaomse
all rap, He really •
th abler en wlshed to put it to the House, apart f
Itilzughi)
eensidertions—as a question on which he eras tat !tteasur:nv'need himsclf—whether they would now decide
Sta.„:°inalttehrias_ttillo.en.Ye thought b t whether they would decide,
were toes be—
.made, they should be
Ala I. 0 3 time of comparative prosperity ?—(
.Hear. )
kea
e, rd had said in the course of the debate, that if pro-
-4)00 X° carried a little further it was sure to fall—and
64t1,,,,,
lwer.atiort of the corri-laws'w,ould in many respects be
greelianl to.the farmer. This was but wise, and in per-
Ni t!ltakve t with the public interest. But the Right Hon.
aridctiketiottna.d raised another question. The Government have
kittea the t° Part of the resolutions which he had proposed,.
4.tbehl, seemed to think that legislation on this motion
ta*ll. held aiart of it.
ledig° eto '''"*----Mat could only be obtained by an address
J.
tliar that BUSSELL had no objection whatever as to the
'11). ''' the xj.as. to be pursued. But it clearly was
.not thef
Vtaii!lata
rtnisters of the Crown to legislate exclusfvely
bor
by th "e thought that the same objection might e
aia.rliata a arnendment of his Hon. Friend the Member for
2Na..Getirren to the purpose of the Committee. The Right
)?;°„enee„eft°,ari said another of his colleagues had lost th
:otLito) of the Hon. Baronet the Member for Essex (Sir J.
Nt" lallio-' be thought while stating this that they
the th, „,,.
.recollect what was just to themselves—
ail, groi,,,Tinisters had come into power with a pretence,
i,, ath ',l oy u.ss•
auosht sthi",_leb they had never carried out. . Yet all
-ritita%tz,. 10. ''" nim would say the tariff, and the introdue-
e'ity ,s- and cattle, had not so interfered A ith the general
trot, • The
Militate against the interests of the agricultural
tatth'bread ° small importation of cattle into this country
tiits.,bor c°,lld not in at degree have affected the
Tioior co the introduction of corn from Canada have
]pfd theeti interests of the farmers or have hindered
rtlithe,t°sPerity. He could not be presumed to agree
',47titiair,,''_teiPles of the measures of the present Ministers,
gtt.t ',to ee,„ he thought that the farmers of England had
~,''iitht tte didn of the measures of the Right Hon. Baro-
N4tio, not Mean to complain of the measures of the
Zetoktlattio ronet; but the speeches of the Right Hon.
Os_ tottY to eB4° and 1841 had certainly led the farmers of
vthote measures based on principles entirely op-
t:tic, he i'4l. which he had always acted; though, as he
k4kftil a note4l'evd the measures which had been adopted
i,,,,, ties injurious- At the election of 1841 he had
(11 if: forl.q kleasures'which would certainly not have
hkt:le,l44•rh.trib't the confidence he enjoyed in 18. 40.
i for Essex had expressly declared this.—
PIA) cotdd .• was not to be expected that he (Lord John
?t, anxisoeghlve h!ft confidence to the particularGovferanen.
th hileNtlee thee. might be as a member o
io e aro i influence of the Ministry, yet hellmust say
L p„ 4 d rath Nettriero_rather
to net the support them thany' the motion of
member for Essex; and much as he.
I**th.7liekrceteecith;_ir general policy, if he wished to see Whig
L'e r,,,laittr ' ha
should feel obliged, in preference, to sup-
tidj,d e'llia L 3' ""‘v in power.
ls,i' n ANt,„,„(l sat down amid loud cheers.
ff!tileh,moo`.,'''''rB rose amid loud cries of " Divide, di-
N tvitto,-," Order," &c. He complained that no al-
,(0l1lal eh,"'had been made to Ireland in the resolutions.
iota oit are Divide, divide.") It might almost be ima-
eNa 4134iPe,a1 of the union had already taken place.—
he hattero,:t?c," and laughter.) The Noble Lord after
Par Oase ill t'g to be heard sat down.
4._.the a i'n divided when there appeared—
Aelitist ietnendruent ' 33
4,
i,,.A,.............................. .. ...............
253
ed_ are e,,,c Y against the amendment •
_ 220
/101, in divided on the original motion, when there
A tile rain
4 teiii.t citaions
... ........... 104
)q'ttil. 1 4hia,iorit!", ................ : ............ 182
Ibilcrs t%4-3/41,?y• cga•nst thei:e's'Oiu.lions ... —7B
ItilT%,...apo:ere t('')
,_ Called upon the Speaker to say whether
hots Wastwo ,:e excluded from the House between divi-
t„i 1,11,2 he separate motions. The reason he asked the
'4 l''
P-- oti excuse
be was refused admission by the officers
via, ii km p first division,
a win, --'.% Cone ,*.
a. Rp,,, one
0,, urred, with the Hon. Member oppo-
t4l-iptkeile !,kkt
RI th.use who had been excluded.
l'beted alto of tksaid that the officers had acted under a
ilAitoo—teectehaeenhaufi.v:iiusr*riodni.tdi:sa,t for Hon,
uterMt e. mTbweorsos,chloouckld. be
Or -A.k].E.,----,---
tv 'lt '1 -LARY BUSINESS.
:io Y and
picksA _
111,-, 41tin pY. MAY
2"
Vs,,, ti Sod g sailway,—Third reading, Friday-,
irett."ika kicarhorou,,,ii
I,•t,tls,c(lXo4Y 80, b railway Deviation,—Third read-
ka'q' it`a"lin,7l'l44lad R •
r•,)' .4 44 pci,y, „ allway (Bridlington Branch),—
t.e 44,, Ctingdo
~sra.'y 80,
4di 'q • 0 l'ailway,—Third reading, Thursday,
Ll.rmllk,Th'itnt,b,
'arl'l4°-(1" and She
• d
1, %n and ay, May 29
erlield Junction Railway,—Thir
ree;!111*„ Crre '3' 29.
-kita .ind enwich railway,—Report, Thursday,
41.1ket;11111rSQ1'y 11 't
4, ~,.‘ ssu day. A. 41. „
Wa, (Bridlington Branch),—Third
rea,4; u eteclitlaY 29.
Nin,,,rti on RailWay,—Third reading, Thursday,
se i, 011riti
'llll'Sd " (Z 1
Is:P1, h 43,, At Y and Whittlesea Deviation),—Third
O c 43.' 29,
4 IIL at th 0 , _
art h " Dls 'e -,ornate -
e't e,"ing te Gran i,_ (Uerault) announces the
4144rie_etli ke,Tiabitant at. the extraordinary age of 110,
r Or tobacco any
subject to any
d brandy. infirmity, although

Mr. HOPE hoped that if there was any more evidence to adduce
in support of the traffic on the line, it would be brought forward
at once. It would not do after breaking down in the engineer-
ing evidence to bolster up a case by calling fresh traffic evidence.
It would disarrange the proceedings.
The CHAIRMAN could not see that anything like bolstering up
would succeed with the Committee.
Mr. Cocenuesi could inform his Learned Friend that there was
nothing in his mind fearful of a breaking down of the engineering
evidence. On the contrary, he defied his Learned Friend to shake
that evidence.
Mr. Brunel examined by Mr. COCKBURN—IS engineer to the Great
Western scheme for the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton
line of railway. In laying down the line he was guided by the ob-
ject of connecting South Staffordshire with Oxford, Berkshire, and
London. There is a cross line before Parliament from the Great
Western line to Basingstoke, which will form a continuation of
the line then before the Committee. The plan of the line from
Wolverhampton to Worcester and Oxford had been made for
some years. The project is of old standing. The line was first
projected in 1836, but from the difficulty of raising money at that
time, it was abandoned. There was also about that
period a branch line to Oxford. It was then proposed to carry the
line from Rugby by Banbury to Worcester. The branch to Ox-
ford vas thrown out of Parliament three times in consequence of
not introducing the academical clauses. The traffic of the South
Staffordshire districts was very important. The cost of the Ox-
ford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton line would be 1,500,0001.,
and the cost of the Oxford and Rugby would be 600,000/. The
gradients of the Great Western line were more favourable than the
gradients on Mr. Stephenson's line. The population accommodated
on the Oxford and Rugby line was much greater than the popula.
Lion on the Tring line. The report of the Beard of Trade stated
that the population on the Tring line was much greater ; but wit-
ness believes that the reverse was the fact. The line to Wolver.
hampton commences near the Grand Junction station between two
large and important towns. Mr. Stephenson's line at certain
points would be much higher, and would then descend considerably.
The Great Western line would come into the fire-brick
works, which was a most important consideration in the
traffic. From Stourbridge the Great Western line is carried to
Kidderminster, and passes within half a mile of the town. The
reason for not bringing the station into the town was, that the
tonnage did not exceed more than fifty tons per week, and the
value of that to a railway amounted to a very small item. The
value of the manufactured goods was f•om 150/. to 300/. per ton,
and the cost of cartage from the town to the station would be very
trifling. Had no station at Stockport, the trade was not
important, and there is a canal accommodation. At Wor-
cester the London and Birmingham line passes closer to
the town than the Great Western, but the difference was very
trifling. They pass closer to the town-hall by 16 chains. The
passenger station of the Great Western line was most convenient ;
it was almost as near to the canal as the London and Birming.
ham. In the event of this line being carried, there is a company
formed for carrying a line from Shipton to Cheltenham. It would
save half the distance. With regard to Stratford-on-Avon,
they proposed to connect it with Morton by the Morton
line, which line has been purchased by the Great Western line.
With regard to the Rugby and Oxford line, they propose to con-
nect them with Warwick and Leamington. Their line was as near
as the Tring line. Were quite as well situated with those places
as the London and Birmingham. They could be as well accom-
modated by their line as the Tring line. Between
Wolverhampton and Worcester the Great Western line was three
miles nearer. We obtain our summit, taking a common point from
Dudley, which is three miles. Between Dudley and Worcester the
London and Birmingham would have two miles more railway to
make. Our steepest gradient in ascending Dudley is lin 88, and
the London and Birmingham 1 in 67. They have followed the
valley, and we have avoided it. By so doing, he attained the
height better than Mr. Stephenson. By this they did not neglect
any important traffic. We go into Droitwich and the other
line did not. Between Oxford and Worcester we have
1 in SO and 1 in 81, and thay have 1 in 100 in several places. The
superiority of the Great Western gradients was, that from the con..
centration at one point, and the good gradients at others, they were
enabled to carry larger loads. They had better gradients, and the
line was much shorter. All experience and all reasoning in
railway matters proved that no legislative enactment could regulate
the remuneration to the company, nor the accommodation to the
puhlic. It all depended upon the expense of working the line.
The gradients on the Rugby line are 1 in 308, and those on the
other line were 1 in 100 in several places. At one point of their
line they had 1 in .00, and there is one ascending from Oxford to
Rugby of 1 in lop, and this would make a great difference
in the loads which could be carried. As regards the
communication between Worcester and London, their gradients
were more favourable. The ascent is concentrated in one part
for the assistant power. Good gradients were very desirable, and
ought to be had where it was possible. In the report of the
Board of Trade it was said that there was nothing in the gradients
to give a preference to one line over another. That remark
was not applicable, for the gradients, as he had already stated,
on the Great Western line were far superior to the London and
Birmingham scheme. There was also a remark in the report con.
cerning the break of gauge. Looking at the question of the gauges,
he could not see what bearing the break of gauge on the Worcester
and Wolverhampton line had to do with the line from Bristol to
Birmingham. There was another passage in the report regarding
the centre of gravity on the broad gauge where it was connected
with the narrow gauge. The question did not apply. The report
also said that a great expense would be incurred by laying down
switches. This would not be the case, as there would be switches
for both gauges. Although they had independent rails for
the two gauges, the buffers were the same, and there
was no danger whatever attached to the working of the
carriages. Had given the subject very great consideration.
There was another remark in the fourth report of the Board of
Trade, where, in speaking of the change of gauge on the Weymouth
and Dorchester line, they thought it would be well to have clauses
introduced into the Bill, for the purpose of having them laid down
under the guidance of proper persons for the safety of the public.
The broad gauge could be applied with greater safety on the
present line. On the Oxford and Rugby line it was pro-
posed to lay down the broad gauge, as the traffic from
that place could be carried on to the Great Western line
without any difficulty whatever, as both gauges would be the same.
With respect to the difficulty anticipated in shifting the goods
from the broad to the narrow gauge, he met that by a simple me.
chanical contrivance. This was to be done by trucks, which
would shift from one train to the ether, without disturbing
the goods. Was some time engineer to the Gloucester Com-
pany, and he recommended that they should obviate the difficulty
of transhipment on the break of gauge by an improvement in the
trucks, and the erection of these where the break of gauge took
place. His recommendation was not carried into effect.
He heard that numerous statements had been sent into the Board
of Trade respecting the change of gauge. The statements were
made by the other side. Considered that it was necessary for
him to explain it to the 'Board of Trade, and when he waited
at the office to see Lord Dalhousie, lie was informed that his
Lordship was not to be seen. Was told so by Mr.
Laing. He accordingly sent in a written explanation of
the change of gauge. With respect to the transhipment
of goods, it could be managed with perfect ease, and without any
injury to the goods, or delay in the transhipment. It was a
simple contrivance. There was no difficulty in it. Mr. Stephen.
son had invented far more difficult contrivances. He had invented
a most beautiful and simple contrivance on the Blackwell Rail-
way for drawing the trains by ropes. Had heard of the manner in
which the diligences were lifted at Paris and Rouen. The bodies
of the carriages were lifted up and placed on the other trains.
Had set one to work at the Paddington station,
and it answered well. It was shifted in a very
short time, and with very little expense Had no doubt
whatever that it would answer. On the Rugby line
the transhipment would be necessary. The cost of the un-
favourable gradients on the London and Birmingham line would
be more expensive than the transhipment occasioned by the change
of gauge. If they had even to shift the carriages, wheels, and all
on to the broad guage, it could be done at as little expense, if not
at less than the additional power of working the unfavourable
gradients on the London and Birmingham line. Preferred the
broad to the narrow gauge. It was best adapted to
the accommodation of heavy traffic. The large waggons are of
more convenience to the carriage of cattle and live stock generally.
The carriages on the Great Western line were much larger than
those on the London and Birmingham. The Great Western car.
riages weighed, with passengers, ten tons, and those of the
London and Birmingham only weighed five tons. Could
carry much more weight on the broad gauge by slackening the
speed ; but there was nothing gained by having long trains, for it
wore out the carriages. It was as well to go on with a moderate train.
The weight on the carriages of the narrow gauge is greater than
that on the broad gauge, inasmuch as the carriage from the narrow
basement had more pressure on it than the broad gauge, which
having a broad basement the load was more divided. A railway
is contemplated between Dudley and Birmingham, and there
was no doubt it would be carried out. The connexion
between these places will then be complete. By this
line Stourbridge would be brought nearer to London
by twenty miles, than by the Tring line. What was
wanted was not a communication between Bristol, by London and
Birmingham, for that already existed, but what was really wanted
is a communication from the agricultural to the mineral districts
in South Staffordshire, so as to have the agricultural and mineral
traffic brought on to the great lines, and so affording a marketfor
their articles.

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.

(YESTERDAY.)

Group A.

THE LONDON, CHATHAM, AND ROCHESTER RAIL-
WAY.

The Committee met again to-day at twelve o'clock. Chairman,
Mr. Lascellcs.
The Counsel in suppo.it of the Bill called
Mr. Sedder, an estate agtnt at Rochester, who had been
mayor of the city. This gentleman stated that there was consider
able deficiency in the means of communication at present between
Chatham, Rochester, and London. The inhabitants were obliged
to come by the Rochester Railway to Gravesend, and thence
by the boats to London. There were many charges
and many delays. Many thousands of troops sent to
Chatham in the course of the year, and many thou-
sands of workmen employed in the dockyards, had to pass to and fro
from time to time between Chatham and the metropolis. He was
acquainted with the North Kent Railway projected by Mr. Vig-
notes. At a public meeting held at Rochester to consider the
merits of the various lines, the feeling was almost unanimous in
favour of Vignoles' line. The inconvenience at present felt for
want of complete communication was very great. The population
of Rochester, Chatham, and Stroud, without the troops, was
35,000. The country around was very fertile, and a great number
of cattle were sent to London.
Cross-examined by Mr. WILMORE, for the London and Croydon
Railway—The feeling of the meeting to which he had referred was
decidedly in favour of Vignoles' plan. There was a great want of
railway communication between his part of the country and London.
Cross-examined by Mr. MEREWETHER, for the South-Eastern
Company—Was not aware that nine.tenths of the owners of
property in the neighbourhood were unfavourable to it. He
admitted that the names read to him by the Learned Counsel
were owners of a very large portion of the agricultural property in
that part of Kent, but did not know they had petitioned against
the present project.
Re-exatnined by Mr. GOLDS3fITH—The feeling was generally in
favour of Vignoles' plan. The delay of communication with
London, especially in winter, was very great.
Mr. J. Batter, auctioneer and surveyor of Rochester, was also
one of the Rochester magistrates. There was a great quan-
tity of fruit grown on that part of Kent, and touch loss was sus.
tuined by the delay and irregularity of the conveyance to the Lon-
don market There was also great want of railway communication
between Dartford and London. Witness was yesterday five hours
coming from Rochester to London, being delayed one hour at
Gravesend.
The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee had no doubt that a
railway was desirable, and they ought to confine themselves to the
question which line was the best.
'1 he Counsel on both sides expressed their concurrence, and
Witness was cross-examined by Mr. WiLmoac—Witness did not
think that the North Kent scheme would be at all injurious to
Gravesend. On the contrary, the increased advantage of every
communication with London all through the year, would induce
many families to reside there.
Mr. Mathews, secretary and part proprietor of the Terrace Pier
at Gravesend, who was next examined by Mr. Sergeant SHEA,
said that there was great want of regular communication between
Gravesend and London. Fish were often detained at a great loss
in Gravesend, especially in winter. They were obliged to be taken by
land, as the expense of steam-tugs to take up the fishing-boats in
winter would be too great. In all respects the convenience of
North Kent would be best promoted by the London, Rochester,
Chatham. and North Kent line.
Cross-examined by Mr. MILLER—Did not think that the ne-
cessity for the line was at all removed by the great increase of
steam navigation on the river. But he must admit that, as the
steam-boats did not pay themselves, it was not likely that railroads
could compete with them at their present rates.
By Mr. MEREWETHER—Thought that the North Kent line was
superior to the one projected by the South-Eastern Company. The
former line passed through the most populous parts of the whole
country.
Mr. Park, of Gravesend, surgeon, examined by Mr. Sergeant
SHEA, gave testimony in favour of the North Kent line.
Cross-examined by Mr. WILMORE—As a medical man he would
say that steam-boat trips upon the river were very conducive to
the health of the inhabitants of the metropolis.
Cross.exatnined by Mr. MEREDITH—Knew that there was a
great difference of opinion as to the two lines in Kent.
Mr. Waite, landlord of Waite's Hotel at Gravesend, could not say
what was the opinion of the inhabitants of Gravesend generally on the
subject. He knew that the commercial gentlemen who frequented his
room were very anxious for a railroad, as it would enable them to re-
main at Gravesend in the winter, by affording a regular and speedy
communication with town. He could not say whether the rail-
way would benefit Gravesend or not. He knew it would benefit
him.—(A laugh.) He could give no opinion which line was the best.
The cross-examination of this witness elicited nothing material.
Mr. T. Strong, of Welling, auctioneer, gave evidence in favour
of the railway ; there was very little accommodation for persons going
to or from Welling to London since the formation of the existing
railways, which had driven off the road almost all the former con-
veyances. There were but two coaches daily through Welling at
present; a few years ago there were upwards of seventy. There
was great loss sustained in respect to the fruit trade, in consequence
of the greatly diminished means of conveyance.
The CHAIRMAN said that it was unnecessary to go into proof of
the want of a railway.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGHAM said the object was to show that
accommodation was wanted at Welling, which the North Kent line
proposed to give.
Mr. Stvaysland, of Crayford, cotton printer, stated that up-
wards of 600 tons of goods were sent to London annually from his
factory. Great inconvenience was suffered from the present want
of conveyance, the deficiency being occasioned by the present exist-
ing Kentish Railways, which did not give any facilities to Cray.
ford

Cross-examined—He would prefer the line which would pass
nearest to his own factory, provided that it went on a level, and
not on an embankment.
Mr. Callow, of Dartford, builder, stated that the population of
that town was about 6,000. There were several factories of steam.
engine makers there, besides gunpowder and paper-mills. Formerly
there were great facilities of transit to London, the falling off of
which had caused very great inconvenience. He was in favour of
the North Kent line.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM stated to the Committee that he
felt at this part of his case in a position of some difficulty.
As far as the question between the North Kent and the South-
Eastern Companies was concerned, the report of the Committee of
the Board of Trade had rendered it in a great degree unnecessary
to go into any proof on the subject of traffic. He therefore would
avoid taking up the time of the Committee with the investigation of
that part of the subject here, but he apprehended the gentleman
who appeared for the London and Croydon might take advantage
of the omission and put in adverse evidence at a future time.
He was prepared to put in satisfactory evidence ; but to save the
Committee unnecessary trouble, ,he wished to submit to their
judgment whether the evidence was to be gone into or not.
The Committee, after some conversation, decided to go into the
evidence.
Mr. Sergeant WitANGIIAM said he would new proceed with evi-
dence to show the amount of traffic.
Mr. Denham, of Welling, builder, was then examined by Mr.
Sergeant SHRE—The population of Welling was about 1,000,
and there was a considerable traffic to London, espe •
daily of fruit, which required speedy transit from that
town, and the adjacent ones of Bexley, Boxhill, arid Charlton.
He knew the opinions of the people in those places to be ♦ery
strongly in flvour of the North Kent line. It was certainly to be
preferred to one which should go round by Eltham.
Mr. Hartland, land surveyor, of Wickham, gave similar evi-
dence as to the great want of conveyance to London since the
establishment of the Kentish railways, by which the coaches were
driven off the roads. A railway to London direct through that
part of Kent would be a great advantage to the neighbourhood, and
have a considerable traffic. He was in favour of the North Kent.
William Chunley examined—Had until very lately driven a
coach from Brompton and Rochester to the Golden Cross, Charing-
cross, London. He had been obliged to give it up in consequence
of the railroads. There was now, properly speaking, no direct land
communication between those places and London. It was a great
inconvenience to the inhabitants. A great number of coaches
were formerly maintained. He thought the North Kent line the
best, as it passed through the most populous and stirring parts of the
country.

Mr. TALBOT—Was it not the abominable river that drove the
coaches off? Witness—Thought the steam-boats had something
to do with it.

Mr. Mathew, of Canterbury, chemist, proved, as the other wit-
nesses had done, that there was a great deficiency of conveyance
between the metropolis and the parts of Kent which had not yet
the advantage of a direct railway communication. The railways
had driven the coaches off the road, and had thereby greatly in.
jured the city. There was now a great difficulty in letting lodg-
ings, which formerly was not the case. The great wish of the peo-
ple of Canterbury and the neighbourhood was to have a di-
rect line; but of the two lines proposed, the feeling was
greatly in favour of the North Kent. At a meeting
convened by the mayor six weeks ago, resolutions in favour of that
line were carried by a majority of one hundred to one. The
people of Canterbury were sufficiently aware of the advantage they
should gain by having two rival companies, for they saw by this
time what they had to expect from monopoly. As soon as the de-
cision of the Board of Trade in favour of the South-Eastern Com-
mpany was known, they raised the rate of parcels from Bd. for
141 b. to Is. Sd.
To Mr. MEREWETIIER—Since that they had reduced the rate to
7d. That was done after the display of public feeling at the meet-
ing, where resolutions were passed in favour of the North Kent.
William Austin, of Canterbury, tailor—Was a member of the
town council. He Imew the opinions of the inhabitants generally,
and he had no hesitation in saying that five out of every six were
in favour of the North Kent. The fares and rates on the South-
Eastern were higher than by the old coaches. All the people of
Canterbury were in favour of two companies, for they thought that
the public interest would be served by preventing a monopoly.
Cross-examined by Mr. MEREWETHER—The South-Eastern Corn.
pany lowered their rates after the meeting. Before the rates were
raised he could not say that there was any feeling in favour of one
Company more than another.
Re-examined by Mr. Sergeant SWEE—After the decision of the
Board of Trade, which was against the North Kent, the South-
Eastern raised their rates. That convinced the people in Canterbury
that it was necessary to have a second Company to check the
monopoly, as at present the South Easters could raise or lower
their rates as they pleased, and therefore they had the public at
their mercy.
Mr. MEREWETHER suggested that It was needless to carry the
evidence as to traffic further.
Mr. MELLOR said that, on the part of the London and Croydon
Railway, he wished to show the Committee that there was not
sufficient traffic to justify the establishment of a new company,
whereas the one which he represented had the means of supplying,
at less expense, the wants of the places through which the North
Kent was proposed to pass.

The CHAIRMAN said the Committee would go on with the evi,
deuce as to traffic.

Mr. Cobb, of Canterbury, grocer, said that the feeling of the pub-
lic in that neighbourhood was decidedly in favour of the Vignoles,
or North Kent line. He corroborated the evidence of the pre-
ceding witnesses as to the raising of the rates by the South-
Eastern, and the inconvenience and loss which the inhabitants were
at present suffering.

The CHAIRMAN said that it was now too late to take any further
evidence.

But, before the adjournment of the Committee, the counsel for
the Croydon Railway were allowed to put in evidence of their traffic.
The Committee-room was excessively crowded all day, and the
noise and talking of the strangers produced great inconvenience,
and were repeatedly complained of by the counsel, and reproved
(but with exceeding forbearance) by the Committee, who observed
that they could not hear counsel or witnesses on account of the
noise.

Cross-examined by Mr. AUSTIN—The line surveyed in 1836
was from Didcot to Worcester. It was not intended to be a
broad gauge, because the Great Western was not then constructed.
There was another line in contemplation which he had not men-
tioned, and that was a line from the Oxford and Rugby to Bir.
mingham. If the Oxford and Rugby line is to be on the
broad gauge line, so would the line to Birmingham be
on the broad gauge. There were more names in that project
connected with Liverpool and Birmingham than with the Great
Western Company. Mr. Russel's name was amongst the pro.
jectors. This line will take up Leamington and Warwick.
The general course of the former line was almost similar to the line
now proposed by the London and Birmingham Company. A
meeting was held at Banbury in 1834. Mr. Barlow spoke at that
meeting. He is one of the directors of the Great Western Com-
pany. Was not aware of any other meetings where the abandoned

Ine was spoken of as the most favourable for the traffic of the

county.
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock till twelve o'clock
to- morrow.

Group V.
MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND MIDLAND JUNC-

TION RAILWAY.
The Committee, consisting of the O'Conor Don, chairman,
Sir John Rae Reid, Sir Denham Norreys, Mr. Hope Johnstone,
and Mr. Davies, sat at twelve o'clock in Room No. 9, and pro.
ceeded to hear further evidence on the part of the promoters of the
above railway.
Mr. BA INES, Q.C., called

Mr. Appleby, of Sheffield, who spoke to the great
advantages which would result to that town from the opening
up of the coal district between Chesterfield and Sheffield,
including the Dronfield and Unston coal and coke, which was par-
ticularly esteemed by iron.founders for its valuable qualities in
the conversion of iron to steel. The railway would also com-
municate with the markets of Lancashire and Cheshire.
Mr. Blake, also of Sheffield, was examined by Mr. Ser.
geant WRANGIIAM, and he quite coincided in the opinion given by
the previous wittness, as to the advantages which would be given to
the towns of Chesterfield and Sheffield, and the district between
these places.

Mr. Knowles, of Brampton Manor, was an earthenware manufac-
turer, and spoke to the quantity exported to Manchester, and the
districts to the south, which would be greatly increased by the line
being opened.

Mr. Birkett and Mr. Wright gave similar evidence.
Group V.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)

John Wilson resided near Chesterfield, and was a timber mer.
chant. Great quantities of oak and other timber were grown at
Dronfield, and he sent at least 900 tons to Manchester and Liver.
pool every year, He paid by the present defective railway com-
munication 3 per ton per mile, and he lost, comparing it with the
present projected line at the same rate of carriage, 2s. 3d. per ton.
Theodore Walsh, captain and farmer near Dronfield, said,
that in the article of lime alone the projected line would save him
ss. per ton.

Group F.
The Committee met again this day in Room No. 11 ; present,
the Right Hon. F. Shaw, Chairman; Mr. Drummond, Mr. V.
Stuart, Mr. Bramston, and Mr. Lockhart. The Committee pro-
ceeded with the adjourned case of the

LONDON, WORCESTER, AND SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE

RAILWAY.
Mr. CocKuuart said that in consequence of what had fallen from
the Committee yesterday, as to the character of the evidence re-
garding the traffic, he would sacrifice his own feelings in the
matter, and he would now call a fresh class of evidence. He
would call Mr. Brunel, who would speak as so the difference of
gauge and the engineering evidence. He would, however, reserve
to himself the right of calling, at a future time, evidence on the
local traffic. The importance of such evidence would be seen, in-
asmuch as Parliamentary Committees generally decided upon the
merits of the lines before them.
The CnairemsN had only to say, that the number of witnesses
examined already amounted to eighty-four, counting on both sides.
The intimation of the Committee yesterday amounted to a sug-
gestion, and no more. The Committee were of opinion that the
importance of a line of railway was apparent to the Committee,
and they thought that the London and Birmingham had proved
the case, up to a certain point, for the Great Western Company.

Mr. Sykes, of Sheffield, proved that the projected line would
lower the price of the Dronfield and Unston coal at least 2s. 6d.
per ton, and that in that case it would be used by the gas com-
pany to the extent of 200 tons a week. The general feeling of the
sown of Sheffield was in favour of this line, and they had passed
resolutions in its favour at a public meeting.

Mr. Ritchie, engineer, would prefer the Dronfield coal to any
other, if got for 6s. 6d. per ton.

Benjamin Fox, steel refiner, Sheffield, would prefer Dronfield
coal to all others, if he could get it at an equally low price.
William Butcher, steel manufacturer, corroborated the last

evidence,

Mr. Hawksworth also spoke to the superior quality of the Un-
ston and Dronfield coke, and added that If the carriage were better,
a greater quantity would be used in the Sheffield market.
Isaac Scholefield put in a return of the coal and coke used in
Sheffield, the greater part of which would come from the Dronfield

TILE S UN, LONDON, THURSDAY MORNING-, MAY 29, 1845

pits. The total amount was of coal, per annum, 530,178 tons;
coke, 100 tons.
The Committe adjourned till to-morrow.

Group K.
LONDON AND NORWICH DIRECT LINE.
The Committee on this line resumed its sitting this morning at
the usual hour, when
Mr. ALEXANDER, Q. C., on behalf of the promoters of the Bid,
stated that the total length of the line he advocated would be 45
miles 10 chains, ()tiering no engineering difficulties what-
ever; no turnpike.road would be crossed upon a level ;
either bridges w,uld be thrown over the roads, or the
roads raised above the railway. No tunnelling would be required,
and the worst gradient was 1 in 100, and that but for two miles.
The cost of the entire line, including all contingencies, was estimated
at 760.0001., while the traffic tables presented a prospect of
fair remunerative returns. With respect to the accommodation
proffered by the competing lines by a connexion with the metro.
polis, the distance from London to Norwich by the Eastern Ex-
tension would be 113 miles 1 furlong; by the Norwich Junction
118 miles 1 furlong ; and by the London and Norwich
Direct 110 miles 5 furlongs. The last-mentioned thus
affording a very material saving in time and distance. At Wick -
enbrook a favourable point pres ented itself for forming a junction
with Newmarket, reaching the latter town at the eastern side, so
that the Heath vrprhi v,"' be interfered with ; so impressed were
the Jockey Club witn the advantages that would be afforded by
such a project being completed, that they had actually
presented a petition in favour of the independent line, solely on
those grounds. By the returns presented by the Board of Trade,
the population on the London and Norwich direct line was 31,800,
and on the Eastern extension only 21,000 ; the population within
three miles of the former 56,262 ; and within the same distance of
the Ipswich and Norwich 47,600 ; and between Thetford and Nor-
wich 20,294. On these and other concurrent superior advantages,
he therefore sought the favourable interposition of the Committee,
and urged the passing of the preamble of the Direct Norwich Bill.
Charles Beard, examined by Mr. CIRDEN—Is an ironmonger at
Bury, and well acquainted with that town. Has inquired into the
condition of the trades in the district, and found that 600 tons of
bar and pig iron, coming principally from Lynn, at a cost of 10s.
per ton, are brought to Bury annually, and 500 or 600
tons of hardware, at a cost of 15s. per ton. The groceries
imported ant.ually into that town from London, a distance of 72
miles, at a cost of front 30s. to 41s. per ton, amounted to 2,000
tons annually. Linen at.d woollen also coming front London is above
300 tons. The only accommodation, besides the expensive and ob-
jectionable land route, is a circuitous water navigation from Lynn ;
anticipates a reduction in the carriage of goods of 35
per cent. by
the establishment of a direct railway communication. Has attended
meetings at Bury in favour of the Direct Norwich Line. Six.
sevenths of the Parliamentary erectors and seven.eighths of the in-
habitants of the town prefer this to any other project.
Cross .examined by Mr. RA wussosr—ln anticipating a reduction
of 35 per cent, by the establishment of a direct railway communi.
cation, he presumed hardwares and general groceries would be car.
ried then at the rate of 4d. per ton per mile, nails and sugar, how-
ever, at I id. per ton per mile. The line from Lynn to Cambridge
and from Cambridge to Bury, would not afford a good means of
transit for the Yorkshire and North coal.
Charles Beard, cross-examined by Mr. CHAMBERS, on the part of
the landowners on the line—Thereis no wholesale warehouse in Bury,
nor any extensive factory, except a willow-plait manufaetory, in
which about 100 hands arc employed. About 3.Bths of the grocery
goods, and 1-4th of the iron-ware come from Ipswich : the
cost for carriage is on an average 10s. per ton, ex.
elusive of wharfage and sufferance, payable by the
purchaser. One.half the goods brought to Bury, or shipped
from it, are also liable to cartage charges. The estimate made by
the railways for conveying goods is, for bar iron lid. per mile.
Holds shares in the Direct Norwich Railway, and consequently has
considerable interest in its success.

John Meadows Rodwell.—ls a large farmer of Suffolk.
The Phingoe union, including Bury, comprises 30,500
inhabitants, and 90,000 acres, of which 18,000 acres
are pasture and wooded, and 8 per cent., or 5,760 acres,
waste, leaving 66,240 acres for arable purposes. Of this he
reckons 16,560 acres would be devoted to the growth of wheat,
and calculating each acre to produce six coombs, the total amount
of the grain grown would be 99,360 coombs ; deducting two
bushels per acre for seed, or 8,280 coombs, and too
coombs per soul for 30,500 inhabitants, or 61.000
coombs, the total quantity for home consumption would
be 69,280 coombs, leaving a surplus of 30,080 coombs for
exportation. Allowing 16,560 acres for the growth of barley, and
nine coombs as the produce per acre, the total yield would be
149,040 coombs. Deducting three bushels per acre for seed, or
12,420 coombs, and for the consumption of 7,625 families,
at two Coombs each, 14,250 coombs, the total home
consumption would be 27,670, leaving 121,370 surplus
coombs for exportation. Allowing 8,290 acres for peas and
beans, and seven coombs as the yeld per acre, or 58,030
coombs, and deducting 6,218 coombs for seed, and 4,500 coombs
for the use of the population. making a total for local consumption
of 10,718 coombs, there would remain for exportation 47,312
surplus coombs. The seeds would also give 1,507 coombs for ex-
portation. The whole amount of this produce, requiring a means
of transit for exportation, would be, in weight, 19,796 tons. For
this, he considers no line hitherto projected offers equal advan.
tages with the Direct Norwich line.

The Speaker having been at this juncture announced at prayers,
,he Committee adjourned.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.
LONDON, MAY 28.—Wind N.E., moderate breeze an
cloudy, with showers.

DF:A'L, MAY 27.—Wind N.N.E. to N.Y., light.—Sld.
Ethelred, Aden ; Ranger, Sierra Leone ; Belle Creole, De-
merara ; Rebecca, Honduras ; Cremona, Quebec.
PLYMOUTH, MAY 27.—Wind N.E.—Arrd. her Majesty's
ships Electra and Illustrious, Bermuda ; Brunswick, steamer,
Plymouth, get ashore this morning in a thick fog, but came
off with the flood.

SOUTHAMPTON, MAY 2i .—Ski. Royal Tar, steamer,
Gibraltar.

OFF 'vita WHiliT.—Don Antonio, Valparaiso.
OFF DARTMOUTH.—Northumberland, Brid, Madras.
PLYMOUTH, MAY 27.—Sid. Wilberforce and Richard Rey.
nold, Quebec. Off, Abberton, Campbell, Port Phillip.
DARTMOUTH, MAY 27.—The Bolina, arrived here from
New Zealand and the Falkland Islands, reports the crew
and master of the Jane Grey were at Port William (Falkland
Islands), Feb. 10. She had been struck by a sea off Cape
Horn, and bore up for the islands, and was subsequently
wrecked on the West Falkland, Feb. 10. The Manney was
condemned at Falkland Islands, had discharged part of
her cargo, and was waiting a vessel from Monte Video to
take the cargo into Valparaiso. Her Majesty's ship Philomel
was lying there.

FALMOUTH, MAY 27.—Wind variable and light.—Off,
Saline, New York, for Haniburgh.
OFF THE OLD HEAD OF KINSALE, MAY 25.—Henry Gar-
diner, Kinsale.

Winn:HAN-Ex, MAT 27.—The Catherine and Isabella,
from the Clyde to Liverpool, ashore near Booth; has been got
off, and put in here to repair.
PORT TALBOT, MAY 26. —The John Thompson, from White-
haven, with iron ore, grounded on a hollow
near the quay at
Neath, and strained and filled, and has been discharged for
repairs.
__

'BERWICK, MAY 23,—Ski. Mohawk, South Seas. _
LONDONDERRY, MAY 20.—S1d. Harriet, St. John's, New
Brunswick ; Cahawba, New York ; Agenora, Philadelphia.
COWES, MAY 27.—S1d. Unicorn, Swan River.
SWANSEA, MAY 25.—S1d. Elizabeth Bevnon, Valparaiso.
OFF BRIGLITON.—Tiher, Charleston, for Antwerp.
LIVERPOOL, MAY 27.—Arrd. Douglas, Farrell, Loango.
Sld. Epamonidas, Boston ; Eliza Ann, Rio Grande ;
Bahia; Emile, Africa; Diana, Barbadoes ; Isabella, Phila-
delphia ; Waterloo, New York ; Junius, Nova Scotia. Off,
Ottoman, --.
SUNDERLAND, MAY 27.—The Elizabeth Vane, off and
for this port from Hamburgh, is ashore near here.
CLYDE, MAY 26.—Sld. Benares, Gilkison, Trinidad.
POSSESSION ISLAND, FEB.—Loading, Maulev, Glover.
ICHABOE, MARCH 10.—Arrd. Paine London ; Lochinvar,
Clyde. 11. Aulaby, Southampton.

-----
CURRENCY AND SOLAR SPOTS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,-It being admitted by all the great authorities on the
subject of money that the circulation of this country should be
regulated by the foreign exchanges, or, in other words, by the
supply of gold in the Bank of England coffers, and not by the in-
ternal requirements of the country in respect of its population and
productive power, as was the case in what Mr. Samuel Jones Loyd
terms "The dark ages of the Currency," prior to 1819, it Is de-
sireable that the lights of modern science should be brought to
bear on this all.lmportant subject, so that a still more expeditious
and comprehensive plan may be devised for " regulating the issues"
of the Bank of England.

And, further, as it is well understood that the removal, or
order for removal, of a few millions of gold from the Bank coffers
is sufficient to plunge the whole mercantile community into con.
fusion, panic, and bankruptcy, it becomes a most important point
to ascertain the causes which chiefly operate in creating a drain of
bullion from the Bank. Now, passing over, as unworthy
of philosophic attention, the paltry jobbing of two or
three bullionists, the possibility of foreign wars, or foreign
loans, which must always act as disturbing causes, we
arrive at a great natural cause fur a drain of
bullion which no wisdom •r foresight has hitherto
been supposed capable of anticipating, that is, the drain
arising from deficient harvests. As it is well known that deficient
harvests arise from unfavourable seasons, and that unfavourable
seasons depend on the number and magnitude of the spots on the
sun's disc, it must be apparent that accurate observations as to the
solar health (so to speak) would be a far more correct and scien-
tific way of " regulating the issues " of the Bank of England
than the present vulgar and contracted method of ascertaining the
comparative relative value of gold in Paris, London, and Amster.
dam. It is therefore submitted, with due deference to Sir Robert
Peel, Lord Monteagle, and " his friend " Mr. Samuel Jones Loyd,
and all the other writers on political economy, that in future the
Astronomer Royal, at the Observatory, be required to furnish pert
odically an account of the number, size, and appearance of the
solar spots, to be published concomitantly with the returns of
bullion in the Bank of England. By means of the electric tele-
graph on the Greenwich Railway, the Bank Directors will be able,
on an emergency, to apply the screw with the greatest expedition,
if not ease, to the mercantile community.
Hoping these speculations may be of some use to my fellow-
countrymen, I retain, Sir, your most obedient servant,
Laputa, May 2b. PROJECTOR.

RtonistAatTeE, t 11111; e are sin-
most positive
cerehllyishapGpyßAtoChEaveTHitEin LouOrßpnowePr
manner, that there is not the slightest foundation for a rumour put
forth in an Evening Paper, of the sudden demise of the Most Re-
verend Prelate in the forenoon of yesterday. His Grace was at
her Majesty's Drawing.room in the afternoon, dined subsequently
with the Lord Bishop of London, and retired to rest at his usual
hour, and, we rejoice to add, in his usual state of health.—post
ROBBERY IN THE STRAND.--Tuesday forenoon a
lad, about ten years of age, was robbed under the following circum-
stances : —The lad was standing at the top of a court adjoining
Hungerford-street, when a woman, about twenty-two years of age,
persuaded him to take off his boots (quite new), and also a decent
beaver hat from his head, under pretence of purchasing him better.
The boy waited with anxiety for some time, when he made known
his situation to Chadwick, a police-constable, but of course the
thief had decamped.
LIVES OF THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND, VOL. VIII.
—Miss Strickland's new volume of this popular work
(just published) will probably be pronounced the most
interesting one of the series. It contains the biographies
of the two Queens Consort of our first and second
Charles—the adventurous Henrietta Maria, who was so
active a partisan for her husband in his wars against the
Parliament, and the amiable Catherine of Braganza,
who figured so prominently at the gay Court of " The
Merry Monarch." • With her accustomed grace and
skill, Miss Strickland has woven her materials together
in a narrative which cannot fail of charming every class
of readers. A vast mass of original information con-
nected with the personal history of British Royalty will
be found in these biographies, tending to elucidate the
causes and effects of the great Rebellion, and to throw
new light on some of the mysterious political events of
the times. From the recordi of the Braganza family,
the Imperial Library at St. Petersburgh, the Secret
Archives of France, and other hitherto unexplored
sources, Miss Strickland has been enabled to obtain an
amount of accurate knowledge as to historical facts,
which has never fallen to the lot of any other English
historian.
The widow of one of the brothers BarOera died on
the 15th at Venice aged only 27. The death is attributed chiefly
to grief at the melancholy fate of her husband.

BONDED Go tice having
divers
of p
prevailed in ascertaining and recording the weightrac of the contents
of packages of goods repacked into other or smaller packages, under
the warehousing regulations, particularly those upon which average
or assumed tares have been allowed at the time of landing, and
the Customs' authorities being of opinion that when the contents of
a package upon which an average tare has been allowed shall be
required to be subdivided in the warehouse, the gross weight
thereof should be previously ascertained, and the actual tare after-
wards taken and deducted from such gross weight, and that in the
case of tea the usual allowance of one pound for draft on each
original package should be added to the actual tare, and the re-
packing account so adjusted, the revenue officers at the several de-
partments in London have received directions to govern themselves
accordingly, and the order has since been made general, and com-
municated to the various ports throughout the kingdom for the in-
formation of all parties concerned.
SUlClDE.—Williain Cock and Hannah Moore had
lived in the capacity of waiter and kitchen maid at the Bell and
Crown, Holborn, and were discharged by the landlord yesterday in
consequence of the discovery of an improper intimacy existing
between them. After leaving the Bell and Crown, they engaged a
room at a beer-shop in Cross-street, Leather-lane, and purchased a
quantity of oxalic acid. They mixed it in hot water, waited till it
became cool, and then swallowed the poison. The woman expires!
a few minutes afterwards in great agony. The poison did not take
effect upon the man, who became alarmed at the consequences of
his rash act, and suplicated for assistance. The landlady, on going
into the room, found her female lodger in a dying state, who soon
afterwards breathed her last. William Cock was given into cus-
tody of the police, and will be detained until the result of the
coroner's inquest is known. The deceased is said to be only
twenty years of age.
ST. PAUL'S CATIIEDRAL.—The following notice
has been posted up;—" While the works are going on in the
church, the morning service will be discontinued except on Thurs.
day next, the 29th inst. (to-day). The afternoon service will be
continued daily as usual."
SHIPWRECKED FISHERMEN AND MARINERS' BENE-
VOLENT SOCIETY.—A special meeting of the subscribers and frends
of the above-named valuable institution was held on Tuasday at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street. The chair was taken by Sir
James Flower, shortly after twelve o'clock, when Mr, Brewster
stated the object he had in calling the meeting together, from
which it appeared that the accounts of the Society had been
improperly kept. Mr. Brewster, who appears to be alone in
fluenced by just and charitable feelings, stated nothing in impugning
the management of the Society's finances but what he bore out by
quoting from the minutes of the committee, and which lie was cor.
roborated in by the meeting. Another and more general meeting
will shortly be held, when the whole proceedings will be laid before
the public. It was moved by Mr. Stephenson, and unanimously
adopted, " That this meeting is of opinion that the statement made
by Mr. West, late secretary to the Shlpwr.cked Fishermen and
Mariners' Benevolent Society, under date of the 15th May, 1845,
corroborated as it has been by sufficient testimony, imperatively
demands the immediate consideration of the committee, as well as
thatb e
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chsdeu
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separated
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chairman,sie

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.--ine expenditure incurred
by railway companies in carrying their Bills through Parliament is
enormous. At every stage of their progress they are subjected to
charges of the most multifarious and costly character ; but the one
item which throws all the others into the shade is that required to
defray the Inquiry before the Select Committees of the House. It
is understood that not much under 50,0001. has been expended in
the Committee on the rival Newcastle and Berwick and Northum-
berland Railways; and it is estimated that in more than one of the
Committees now sitting the expenses cannot fall short of from
1,0001. to 1,500/. per day.
Madame Ida Sainte Edme, better known to 'the
world as La Contetnporaines died on Thursday last at Brune
aged 71,

THE COLLEGE OF MAYNOOTH,
AND THE COLLEGE OF BUDDHA !
(From the Ipswich Express.)
In the news from India, brought by the Overland
Mail which arrived in London on Friday, there is a
piece of intelligence which we are anxious to bring pro-
minently into notice, for the purpose of rebuking the
anti-Maynooth fanaticism that is now disturbing the
kingdom.
Certain Siamese priests had visited Kandy, in the
Island of Ceylon. for the purpose of seeing and wor-
shipping the relic, called the tooth of the Idol Budh,
which is carefully preserved by the British Govern-
ment !! ! Sir Colin Campbell, it is stated, was at first
unwilling that the tooth should be displayed ; but he
was at length prevailed on to give his consent ; and the
sacred tooth wa3 exhibited to the adoring strangers
from Siam, in the presence of Lord Elphinstone, by Mr.
Mercer, the Assistant Government Agent ! ! !
No lightning from Exeter Hall descends on the guilty
heads of a Government which permits and sanctions such
abominations ! No conferences, no religious breakfasts,
no indignant protests, no meetings, crammed to suffoca-
tion, to denounce this iniquity ! For half a century the
English Government have cherished and protected the
foulest form of Idolatry that ever polluted the world, and
offended the One Living and True God ;—and yet
there has scarcely been a whimper of disapprobation
in this country. The Christian z.‘al of our furious
theologians is expended in reviling the religion of
Francis Xavier, the Apostle of the Indies,- who con-
verted millions of idolaters in this very island of Ceylon;
but it is not its vocation to denounce the anti-Christian
apostacy cf that Government which fosters the Idol
Budh; in opposing which, 600 of the natives of Ceylon,
converted to the faith of Christ, by Xavier, fed as
martyrs upon one occasion.
By the treaty of 1815, the Buddhist religion is " main-
tained and protected" in the interior of Ceylon by the
British Government ; the British Government select
and appoint the priests; the British Government possess
the temple patronage; and the British Government are
the keepers of the Dalada and other relics of Budh.—So
tar, Ceylon.
In one part of Hindostan the English Government
treat the superstition of Siva—worshipped with name-
less abominations—with equal tenderness ; and the late
Governor-General of India, the Earl of Ellenborough,
ordered " the sandal-wood gates," taken in Caubul, to
be borne, with military honours, to " the restored
temple of Somnauth."
The English Government so far consult the prejudices
of the natives of India, that they pay the chaplains of
Juggernaut, and show the utmost consideration to the
Mohammedan religion ; and yet men rage, and menace,
and twaddle against the Minister who, as a matter of
political justice, increases a grant for the education of
their fellow-Christians !
When the Irish Roman Catholics consider the circum-
stances we have drawn attention to, can you be surprised
at their indignation ? They see that the English con-
science can tolerate Budh, Juggernaut, and Siva ; but
is offended at Catholicism ;—that it strains at at a gnat,
and swallows a camel !
For our part, while we hold very decided opinions on
the necessity of a reformation in the Romish Church,
and value, we trust, the blessings which Protestant
England enjoys, we must own that we like Popery
better than Buddhism ;—that we esteem some-
what more highly the religion of Thomas a Kempis,
Francis Xavier, Fenelon, and Mathew, than we
do the idolatry of Randy . The founder of the Metho-
dists, John Wesley, wrote a life of Xavier, and com-
mended him as the model of Christian missionaries ; and
he edited " The Immutation of Christ," by a Kempis,
for the use of the Methodists. The deep-toned piety of
Thomas a Kempis is admitted by all sects of Christians
(tor his works are used as books of devotion by
them all);—and yet there are persons who venture to
assert, without any fear of contradiction, that men who
entertain the views of a Kempis are in the road to ever-
lasting perdition.
Shame upon the unworthy spirit that makes a man a
raging lion against his Catholic neighbour • yet permits
him to be a very lamb against the British'-nursed ido-
latry of Ceylon and Hindostan.
Every sincere Protestant, of course, entertains strong
objections against the doctrine and discipline of the Ro-
man Catholic Church: but those objections should not
convert men into wild and irrational fanatics; nor in-
duca us to violate the fundamental laws of Christian
Charity, and Civil and Religious Liberty.
Not only are the Roman Catholics of Ireland real
human beings; but they hold a great deal more of the
common truths of the Gospel than many of their
silly libellers (who, generally, never take the trouble
of fairly examining the opinions that they' censure)
suppose. Roman Catholics use the Lord's Prayer :
Roman Catholics believe all the articles in the Apostle's
Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed :
Roman Catholics hold, I believe, and teach the Ten
Commandments of the moral law. Roman Catholics
believe the Bible to be the word of God ; they hold it in
reverence ; preach it ; read it ; and diffuse it. Many
will be quite angry when we present them with the fol-
lowing picture of a Bible reading Papist :
" The Ronzish father reads the sacred page,
How Abram was the friend of God on high;
Or Moses bade eternal warfare wage,
With Amalek's ungracious progeny;
Or how the Royal bard did groaning lie
Beneath the stroke of Heaven's avenging lyre.
Perhaps the Christian volume is the theme,
How guiltless blood for guilty man was shed :
How Hu who bore in Heaven the second name,
Had not on earth wherewith to lie his head :
How his first followers and servant sped,
The precepts sage they wrote to many a land :
How he who love in Patmos banished,
Saw in the sun a mighty angel stand ;
And heard great Bab'lons doom pronounced by Heaven's
command."
—lmpossible ! Do not the Papists hate the Bible ? Do
they not burn it wherever they find it ? Is it not a
sealed book to the laity ?—There are very many well-
meaning people who suppose that Popish priests have
an unconquerable repugnance to the sacred Scrip-
tures. But they forget who were the sole guardians
and keepers of those sacred books for fifteen hun-
dred years ; they forget that before the invention of'
printing all the manuscript copies of the Bible in
our possession were copied by the pens of monks
and Romish priests: they forget that the first copy
of the Bible ever printed was printed at Mayence by
Popish Bishops ; they do not know that an epistle
and gospel is an essential portion of the Mass ; that
in Roman Catholic-prayer-books there is the epistle
and gospel foi• every day in the year, in English ; that
nearly all the Collects in the English Book of
Common Prayer' are from the Romish Mass Book ;
finally, they cannot be aware that there are many
millions of complete copies of the Bible circulated in
England, Ireland, and Scotland, in the vernacular
tongue, by the authority of the Romish Priests and
Bishops. Nay, there are some editions sold in numbers
for the benefit of the poorer classes. The Romish
Church binds her children to her authorised interpreta-
tion of all controverted points of Scripture ; but recom-
mends to instructed Christians the diligent perusal of
the oracles of God as a means of attaining Christian
perfection. When the anti-Maynooth zealots chaunt the
Te Deum next time, let them reflect that Catholics
sing that majestic hymn too ; and blush (if they
can blush) when they recollect that, while they have
been so energetic against Peel and Popery,' they have
had no indignation to spare against Buddha.
Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington has now the
Maynooth Bill in hand. The Duke will make short
work of it. He knows what a pretty mess we should
be in if America or France (or both combined) were
to declare war against us, with Ireland turbulent and
hostile !