The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-18 00:00:00

SCOTCH RAILWAYS.

The various lines lately projected to pass into and
through Ayrshire will, in all likelihood, obtain the sanc-
tion of the ensuing Parliament. The Provisional Di-
rectors of the Caledonian Extension met a deputation of
the Ayrshire and Caledonian Junction at Edinburgh, on
the 6th inst., when the former resolved to carry out, in
its integrity, their proposed line from Lanark to Ayr,
with a branch from Aluirkirl. to Abbington ; and con-
sidering the importance of the Ayrshire Junction, as
affording the Caledonian Extension a connexion with
Kilmarnock, the directors offered, if required, to work
that line at the lowest rates of charge, and instructed
their engineer to adapt the Caledonian Extension line,
as far as possible, both in line and levels, to the Ayrshire
Junction. The Provisional Directors of the Kilmarnock
and Ayr Direct, and of the Gla.gow, Kilmarnock, and
Ardrossan lines have been in correspondence about
fixing upon a central terminus at Kilmarnock ; and
their respective engineers have been instructed, if pos-
sible, to unite both lines there with the Ayrshire and
Caledonian Junction—so that Kilmarnock, which was
despised and rejected at the formation of the Glasgow
and Ayr line, in all probability is to become the radius
of railways in .Ayrshire. The projected line from Ayr
to Portpatrick is deservedly popular, and shares are ac-
cordingly at a considerable premium.

A curious discovery was made by Mr. Wright last
week among the archives at Southampton, of a book contain-
ing the ,priginal naval laws of that port as early as the four-
teenth lentury. One of them is, that if the majority of the
sailors of a vessel on the point of sailing were of opinion that
the wind was unfavourable, and the vessel was wrecked after-
wards, the captain was responsible for the value of the goods
lost. It is supposed that these are the earliest naval laws now
extant.

TIIE HARVEST IN FRANCE.—The weather is be-
ginning to inspire apprehensions for the safety of the crops
No very material damage has yet been occasioned by the in-
clemency of the season, except in localities which had been
ravaged by storms ; all will depend, however, on the turn the
weather will take in the course of the next ten days. Should
it set in fine, there is still every prospect of a good harve,t ;
but, if the rain continue, all hope will be at an end. Vegetation
throughout France is late by at least three weeks; and towards
the north the wheat is still green. August, this year, conse-
quettly, represents the month of July of other years. The
quantity of rain is inferior to that which fell in July of the cala-
mitous bear 1616, when it rained during 26 days consecutively;
neverthyle,s, should the quantity exceed nine centimetres be-
tween the 26th of July and the _6th of Augu-t next, the con-
sequences will be disastrous. It is calculated that every hour's
rain entails a loss of 1,000,000 f. on the country. The rye,
which presented a fine appearance, has been cut down nearly
everywhere ; but it is liable to become heated and rot, from the
excessive electricity of the atmosphere. The humidity is par-
ticularly ominous in Belgium, whence orders to the extent of
500,000 hectolitres of wheat have been already sent to Eng-
land, Marseilles, and Dantsic. In the south of Russia a great
drought prevails, and the crops are also seri• usly metiact d.
From the wine districts the accounts are still mere lamentable.

- -
EWCASTLE COW lIILL OR LAMMAS FAIR.-- l're
Cow Hill or Lammas fair for horses and other cattle was held on
Tuesday, on the Moor, and was numerously attended by sellers
and buyers from various parts of the country. The stock
shown were fully equal to previous occasions, both in kind and
quality, and a considerable amount of business was done. Cows,
ot which there was a good show, were in demand, and prime
beasts brought 151. to 161., second-rate W. to 12/., and in-
ferior about Si. Pigs of a superior kind sold bri.kly, and good
prices were obtained. The average, for pigs weighing eleven
stones, was 31. 10s. to 41. ; for small pigs, 17s. to 18s. each ;
and for bacon the average price may be stated at 7s. per stone.
The show of horses was also large and sales brisk. As usual the
best arrivals changed hands on the previous day (Monday), at
the market commonly held in our streets. The prices were,
first class, animals, 401. to 501. ; second class, 201. to 30/. ;
and third-class, of which few were sold, at a very low figure.
There was also an average show of sheep and lambs which met
with a ready sale at fairish prices. Tyne Mercury.
SINGULAR ACCIDENT.—A poor wonatin named
Blount, living in Ray-street, Clerkenwell, who keeps an
oyster-stall at the corner of that;st reet, was ondThursday opening
an oyster, having at the same time her infant child under her
arm, when by some mismanagement she let the knife slip, and
it ran across the cheek of the infant, cutting the lower part of
the eye bone dreadfully. The child was taken to a surgeon's,
where the wound was dressed, and the child is still under
surgical care.
MILITARY PUNISHMENT AND DEGRADATION.—
On Thursday morning a large concourse of spectators assem-
bled outside the gate of Winchester barracks, to witness a
private of the Ist battalion of the Grenadier Guards being
drummed out cf the regiment. He had been tried about
three weeks ago and sentenced to receive 150 lashes, of
which 125 were inflicted, and having sufficiently recovered,
was brought from the hospital to the parade, for the pur-
pose of being expelled the regiment. According to the
usual custom, he was led by a drummer-boy, with a halter
round his neck, through the files of troops, the band playing the
" Rogue's March." He had previously borne a bad character,
and the offence for winch he has been thus expelled was for
accoutring himself in the dress of an officer, and stealing some
utensils of German silver, u:ider the expectation that they were
silver, when he marched out ot the barrack-gates without being
recognised by the sentry. This is the only case of flogging in
this battalion since its arrival, and the first since the guards
have been stationed in this city.
ANSTRUTHER.—HERRINGFISHING.—We have now
had three weeks' trial of the herring fishing, and, during that
time, the takes have been pretty general. Several boats are
already well fished, having caught upwards of 100 crans—one
boat is as high as 160. The takes on Friday varied from three
to sixty-five trans per beat. The prices have fallen to 10s. and
112. per cran. The herrings are of excellent quality.—File
Herald.

HE SUPPO D MURDER :A T

RAI)I1~G:'-

READSNO, Putney Evr:Nreu.--The Deputy-Coroner and
jury re-assembled-this afternoon at two o'clock, and procee:44.l
to examine the following witeesses ;
Henry Houlton, re-examined—When I had returned
'picer's house, and after the body had been examined, I told
Spicer that I suspected his wile had come to her death by some
unfair means, and that I should feel it my duty to take him
into custody on the charge of the wilful murder of his wife.
He said, " I know nothing of it." On Wednesday morning
last I went to Mrs. Cook's, where Spicer had worked, and saw
the witness William Walden, and he showed me a cupboard
that was used by Spicer to keep his tools in. I opened it, and
took out a handkerchief, which Walden stated be had found
there the day before. ' I produce the handkerchief. Yesterday
I went again to Mrs. Cook's, and in the cellar'where the work
is carried on found an apron. I asked Walden whose apron it
was before I examined it. He said it was Spicer's. I took it,
and Examined it, and found drops of blood upon it. The apron
I here produce. I found another apron, on the other side of
the workshop, with blood upon it, and Walden stated that he
could swear that both the aprons belonged to Spicer.
William Walden, re-examined, after beirg cautioned by the
deputy-co oner that he was upon his oath, and should therefore
withhold nothing from the jury, said, to the best of my belief,
these aprons belonged to Spicer. I never wore aprons, and no
other workman besides Spicer and myself were emplo3 ed in
the shop whilst we were there. Spicer always woz ean apron
when he went to dinner. The cupboard was set apart for
Spicer's use.
David John Conk, living with his mother, basket-mak,r,
High-street —William Spicer and last witness, William Walden,
are the only two persons employed in the room under the shop.
Spicer always wore an apron, but not Walden. Saw Spicer on
Friday afternoon ; his head was between his hands. I thought
something Was the matter with him. I asked him if it was so,
he replied; " No."
George Essington, of 97, Broad-street, tailor—l knew Mr.
and Mrs. Spicer. Saw her, to the best of my belief, on
Thursday evening, at the bar door of the Royal Oak, talking
to Mrs. Sharp, the landlady. I never heard she was subject
to fits. Saw Spicer on Friday, the Bth inst., at the Royal
Oak, about four o'clock in the atternoon. He came in to drink.
I toldbina I had seen his wife, and she was looking better, the
night before. ' He had told me his wife was not very well. I
should state that he said, "I am going to have a malt tea."
I said, "I do not know but what it is quite as well." He then
said, "I have been home to tea, but could not find my mistress,
and I suppose she is gone out, and so 1 thought I would came
down here and have a pint of beer."

Martha Gordon, No. 30, Middle-row—l know William
Spicer. My husband keeps the Odthari beer-house. Spicer
was not at our house on Friday, the 13th inst. I was at home
all day.

William Walden was here recalled—Spicer came from din-
ner on Friday before me. I will swear that I have not burnt
any letter, saying I did not wish to get Spicer into a scrape.
.Henry Tomkins, a former witneAs, then came forward and
deposed, that on. Mooday,he saw Walden, who said to him,
" I have just been home and burnt a letter which Spicer had
sent me."

John Heather, sergeant of the Reading police, said—Walden,
on Monday, asked me to read a paper. I could not. It ap-
peared to me a mere direction and part of a letter. A young
man, named Briant, read it.

Walden here said, on being questioned, that he put it into his
pocket. He found it in the workshop. Afterwards, on being
pressed, he said he put it on the fire. He had heard Spicer
had been writing to some "gals" in the country. He was
further questioned, and stated that a man from Soaping, whom
he did not know, brought a letter to Spicer, who was working
at the shop last week. He believed he was a little related to
his wife. Spicer put it into his pocket, and the man said his
wife was coming to the races. The man asked how Spicer's
wife was? Spicer said first pretty well; but afterwards said
she had had a fall a time back and hurt herself. Spicer said his
wife's sister was coming to the races. lam sure the letter was
net brought on Friday.
The Ditruxr. CORONgIi then summed up.
The room was then cleared, and after the lapse of a few
minutes, the jury had returned as their verdict—" That Elisabeth
Spicer was wilfully murdered by her hu,band, William Spicer."
The warrant of committal was then made out, and the
prisoner will take his trial at the ensuiug Lent assizes.

THE SCOTCH BANKS.
(From the Gazette of Friday night.)

We, the undersigned, two of her Majesty's Commissioners of
Stamps and Taxes, in pursuance of the Act Bth and 9.h Vic-
toria, cap. 38, do hereby certify that we have ascertained that
the average amount of bank notes of the Governor and Com-
pany of the Bank of Scotland, carrying on the business of ban-
kers at Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and divers
other places, under the name and title of the Bank of Scotland,
in circulation during a period of one year preceding the Ist day
of May, 1845, according to the returns made by such bankers, in
pursuance of the Act passed in the 4th and sth years of the
reign of her present Majesty, intituled " An Act to make fur-
ther provision relative to the returns to be made by banks of the
amount of their notes in circulation," is 300,485L—0f the Royal
Bank of Scotland, carrying on the business of bankers at Edin-
burgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Leith, and divers other ?laces, un-
der the name or title of the Royal Bank of Scotland, is 183,0001.
—of the British Linen Company, carrying on the business of
bankers at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, and
divers other places, under the name or title of the British Linen
Company, is 438,0241.—0 f the Commercial Bank of Scotland,
carrying on the business of bankers at Edinburgh, Glasgow,
Aberdeen, Arbroath, and divers other places, under the name
or title of the Commercial Bank of Scotland, is 374,8801.
d the National Bank of Scotland, carrying on the business of
bankers at Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, and
divers other places, under the name or title of the National
Bank of Scotland, is 297,0241.—0 f the Edinburgh and
Glasgow Bank, carrying on the business of bankers at Edin-
burgh, Glasgow, Leith, Stirling, and divers other places,
under the name or title of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Bank,
Edinburgh and Leith Bank, and Glasgow Joint-Stock Bank-
ing Company, is 136,6571.—0 f the Banking Company in
Aberdeen, carrying on the business of bankers at Aber-
deen, Banff, Elgin, Peterhead, and divers other

places, under the name or title of the Banking Com-
pany in Aberdeen, ;• 880,4671.—0 f the Aberdeen Town and
County Banking ompany, carrying on the business of bankers
at Aberdeen, Huntly, Peterhead, Wick, and divers other
places, under the name or title of the Aberdeen Town and
County Banking Company, is 70,133/.—of the North of Scot-
land Banking Company, carrying on the business of bankers at
Aberdeen, Banff, Inverness, Elgin, and divers other places,
under the name or title of the North of Scotland Banking
Company, is 154,3191.—0 f the Ayrshire Banking Company,
carrying on the business of bankers at Ayr, Ardroesan, Cum-
nock, Girvan, and divers other places, under the name or title
of the Ayrshire Banking Company, is 53,651;1.—0f the Eastern
Bank of Scotland, carrying on the business of bankers at Dun-
dee, Montrose, Anstruther, lnverkething, and Saint Andrews,
under the name or title of the Eastern Bank of Sc,,tland, is
33,6361.—0 f the Union Bank of Scotland, carrying on the
business of bankers at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Greenock, Paisley,
and divers other places, under the name or title of the Union
Bank of Scotland, is 327,2231.—0 f the Clydesdale Banking
Company, carrying on the business of bankers at Glasgow,
Edinburgh, Greenock, Stirling, and divers other places, un-
der the name or title of the Clydesdale Banking Company,
is 104,0281.—0 f the City of Glasgow Bank, carrying on the
business of bankers at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Peebles, Aber-
deen, and divers other places, under the name or title of
the City of Glasgow Bank, is 72,9211. —of the Caledonian
Banking Company, carrying on the business of bankers at
Inverness, Elgin, Forres, Nairn, and divers other places, under
the name or title of the Caledonian Banking Company, is
53,4341.—0 f the Perth Banking Company, carrying on the
business of bankers at Perth, Dunkeld, Crieff, and Coupar-
Angus, under the name or title of the Perth Banking Com-
pany, is 38,656/.—of the Central Bank of Scotland, carrying
on the business of bankers at Perth, Aberfeldy, Dunkeld,
Newburgh, and divers other places, under the name or title of
the Central Bank of Scotland, is 42.9331.

H. L. WICKHAM.
H. SEYMOUR MONTAGU.