The Sun.
London, England, 1845-05-02 00:00:00

suramAßY OF NEWS

AND

Public tz ptuton.

" Who runs may read."

FOREIGN.

On Monday evening the King of the French received Lord
Cowley, the Duke d'Estissac, the Count de Villegontier, M. Dopin,
Viscounts Sebastiani and de Richemont, Barons de Berthols and
Mechin, M. Conte, Director General of the Post-office, and the Pre.
feet of the Hautes Pyrenees.
The Duchess of Orleans, accompanied by the Count de Paris,
went on Monday to visit the Musee des Thermes and the Hotel de
Cluny. An immense crowd gathered round the Hotel de Cluny,
and loudly cheered the young Prince and the Duchess on their
departure.
Marshal Soult on Tuesday attended the committee on the army
estimates. The committee wished him to consent to a reduction
of 10,000 men in the effective force of the army, or rather to
transfer these 10,000 men to the special budget of Algeria. The
Marshal, however, refused to listen to the proposition. The cloth-
ing of the army, and snore particularly the new tunic, afforded
matter for various observations, chiefly on account of the expense
occasioned.by,the introduction of this new dress. " The Minister
(says the Constitutionncl) endeavoured to justify this reform by
stating that the tunic was a better protection of the legs of the sol-
dier from the cold, and their pantaloons from the mud in marching."
Gondrand, the street singer, who was condemned to death in
February, for the mureer of the woman who travelled with him as
his wife, was executed at Nevers on the 26th. This man affected
insanity, and he kept up the deception to the last, but he met his
fate with resignation. It is stated in a letter fimm Nevers that an
artist, by way of speculation, took a daugerreotype view of the ex-
ecution—the first instance, it is believed, of such an application of
this new art.

As the passage•boat was on her way from Ouchy, on the Lake
of Geneva, a few days back, having on 'board eight horses and
thirty persons, a sudden gust of wind frightened one of the animals,
which jumped overboard. The other horses drawn by this act all
to one side of the boat caused it to capsize. Two boats immediately
put off from the shore, but only twenty persons were saved.
A letter from Madrid says:—" The Queen, desiring that the ex.
hibition of the products of national industry should take place as
speedily as possible, has ordered the opening of it for the Ist in.
stead of the 20th of May. She has allowed 40,600 reals (400!.) to..
wards the transport of the articles for exhibition.
It appears by an article in a Madrid journal that there are
nearly 800 lawyers and advocates in Madrid, and that in all the
other towns in Spain they are quite as numerous in proportion to
she population. If one-fourth of these persons get their bread by
their profession, the Spanish people must be the most litigious in
the universe.

The exports from Austria into Switzerlond during the year 1843
amounted to 18,000,000 florins (48,000,0000, while the imports
from that country were only 2,000,000 florins, or 5,333,333 f.

1641A117 .6.ND POZIOM.
In the Court of Queen's Bench, the judgment on Mrs. Pelham,
who had been sentenced to six months' imprisonment for the
alleged neglect and ill.treatmenl of her illegitimate idiot son, was
arrested on the ground that several of the counts in the indictment
were bad.

A chemist and druggist was convicted and fined, in the Excise
Court, for selling spirits of wine without a license.
William Johnson, a young man, dressed in the garb of a
butcher, was brought up on remand, at Southwark, charged with
stealing a quantity of hosiery goods, consisting of silk and satin
scarfs, handkerchiefs, Sze. The Court was thronged with shop-
keepers from all parts of the town, who had been plundered by him.
The prisoner, it appeared, had been in the habit of going to various
shops, dressed in the garb of a butcher, of stating that he was sent
by his master (mentioning the name of some respectable butcher in
the neighbourhood), to request that they would send certain goods
by him, from which a selection would be made, and that the re.
mainder would be returned. He had obtained large quantities
of goods by these means. He was fully committed far trial.

At the Thames Police.court John Jeffries, the chief mate of
the brig Chanticleer, was charged with feloniously assaulting and
wounding Charles Johnson, with intent to do him grievous bodily
harm at Port Morant, Jamaica, on the Bth of March last. The
prisoner, in consequence of some slight altercation, had seized ar
formidable weapon, called a " beetle" (a species of heavy mallet)
and, weilding it in both hands, struck the prosecutor
on the head four or five times, and severely wounded him. From
the testimony of various witnesses, it appeared that the assault was
of the most savage and ferocious description. lie was committed
for trial on the felonious charge of wounding, with intent to do
some grievous bodily harm, but was subsequently admitted to bail.
COURT-FASHIONABLE.

Her Majesty held her second Drawing-room to-day, at St. James's
Palace.

The Post says :—" We announced yesterday the fact of her Ma.
jest), the Queen Ddwager having issued cards for ad evening party
on Monday next, at Marlborough House. We are now enabled to
add that the entertainment will be given especially to the juvenile
members of the aristccracy, who are invited to meet the Prince of
Wales and the Princess Royal."
The Duke of Wellington completed his 76th year yesterday.
His Grace received congratulatory visits from numerous friends
during the day.

The Duke and Duchess of Montrose's grand ball on the 12th
inst. wil be preceded by a grand banquet to the Duke and Duchess
of Cambridge and other distinguished personages.

The Marquis and Marchioness cf Lansdowne have left town for
Bowood. The Marchioness purposes to remain at that place
during the present month.
Earl Fitzhardinge has left his seat at Cheltenham, for Bet keley
Castle, Gloucestershire.
Earl Fitzwilliam and the Ladies Fitzwilliam have arrived at
Mortimer House, from Milton Park. Viscount Milton has gone
to Newmarket to attend the Spring Meeting.
Lord and Lady Stanley had a grand dinner party last evening in
St. James's-square. The Earl of Malmesbury, the Earl and
Countess of St. Germans, the Earl and Countess of Lincoln, Vis.
count Goderich, Lord Redesdale, and Lord and Lady Prudhoe,
were among the company.
The Earl of Cassilis has left for Scotland.

Count Rzewuski has arrived at the Clarendon Hotel, (rem New-
market.

IVIISCELLANZOTTO.

The anniversary meeting of the Royal Institution was held yes.
terday, Lord Prudhoe, President, in the chair. The report of the
auditors announced the affairs of the institution in a flourishing
and prosperous state, and that the profits of the lectures during the
past year had been 157/. 10s. The entire receipts of the year
were 2,916/. Is. 6d., and there was a balance in hand of 3951. 18s.
The laboratory and library departments afforded equally satisfac-
tory results.
The anniversary meeting of the members of the Horticultural
Society was held yesterday at their rooms, Regent.street, R. H.
Adly, Esq., in the chair; and amongst the members present were
Sir Charles Lemon, Bart., Sir Robert Price, Bart.. M.P., and Sir
W. Middleton, Bart. The report of the auditors stated that the
income during the year amounted to 7,3521., the payments to
7,102/., and that the outstanding debts had been reduced to
9,557/. From the report of the Council it appeared that great
alterations and improvements had been made in the gardens at
Chiswick, the great conservatory alone having cost 2,0ee1. Con-
siderable expense has been incurred in obtaining foreign importa.
tions, and in sending out expeditions to collect all that was calcu-
lated to advance the science of horticulture. A Club for chemical
investigation had been formed in connexion with the Society, and
from the researches of which great hopes are entertained. After the
adoption of the report, the Duke of Devonshire was elected Pre-
sident, and the members of the Council having been appointed, the
melting adjourned.

Yesterday the annual meeting of the subscribers to the Percy
Society was held at the library of the Royal Society of Literature,
St. Martin's-place, Trafalgar-square, Lord Braybrooke In the
chair. Mr. Wright, the Secretary, read the report of the council,
from which it appeared that the following works, printed from old
manuscripts, or reprinted from hitherto almost unknown publica-
tions, had been issued to the subscribers during the past year :
" The Keen of the South of Ireland," as illustrative of Irish
political and domestic history, manners, music, and superstitions ;
the " Poems of John Audeley ;" a specimen of the Shropshir,
dialect of the 15th century; " Saint Brandon," a mediaeval legend
of the Sea, in English prose and verse; the " Romance of the Em-
peror Octavian," now first published, from MSS. at Lincoln and
Cambridge; Six Ballads, with burdens from MSS. in Corpus
Christi College, Cambridge; " Lyrical Poems," selected from
musical publications between the years 1589 and 1600; " Friar
Bacon's Prophecy," a satire on the degeneracy of the times, A.D.
1604; the " Seven Sages, from a MS. in the public library of the
University of Cambridge; " Popular Songs," illustrative of the
French Invasion of Ireland; " Poetical Miscellanies,"from a ma.
nuscript collection of the time of James the First ; the " Crown
Garland of Roses," from the edition of 1699 ; and " Barnfleld's
Affectionate Shepherd," from the almost unique copy in Sion
College. The receipts of the Socieiy amounted to 3791., and the
expenditure to 3351. The report having been adopted, and the
officers for the ensuing year appointed, the meeting separated.
Yesterday evening a public vestry was held in the vestry-
room of St. George the Martyr, Southwark, for the purpose of
petitioning Parliament against the proposed line of the South.
Eastern Railway Extension, that is intended to cross the Kent-
road, but if it should be passed into a law, then that the parish and
inhabitants be protected from any loss in the rata, &c. A petition
to Parliament against the proposed line was agreed to, and the
meeting separated.
Yesterday afternoon a fire broke out in an unfinished house,
used as a carpenters' work-shop, and filled with building materials
for three houses, situate in Granby-street, East India.
road, Poplar,
the property of Mr. James Layden. Phe flames originated in the
back part of the lower rooms, from the boiling over of a glue-pot.i
i
The contents of the building being of the most nflammal.
character, the fire travelled throughout the house with m.-
,re than
usual rapidity ; and in less than a quarter of an ho'•r
after the first
discovery of the flames every portion of fh.6 premises, with the
i
contents therein, were enveloped n '7:an-les. Engines soon arrived,
tut the house was destroyed. fhe two adjoining houses have like-
wise sustained some cl:::m.ge.
No less fifteen vessels were reported on Wednesday at the
Cusle7.l-house as arriving from the East Indies and China, the
same being ships of the very largest class, and bringing extensive
and valuable cargoes of every description of East India and China
produce and manufactures.
The Archbishop of Armagh continues indisposed at the Palace
at Armagh.

Sir Anthony Perrier lied in the South Mall, at Cork, at an ad.
vanced age, last week.

TR ArAr.c.AR• SQUARE•— 1 esteftlay on account of
the visit of her Majesty to the Royal Academy of Arts, the foun-
tains were played to a height of about thirty-feet, which had a very
interesting effect.

THE VAUXHALL BRIDGE COMPANY.--Yesterday,
at one o'clock, the annual general meeting of the Vauxhall-bridge
Company was held at the George and Vulture, George-court, Corn-
hill, several of the influential proprietors being present, to receive
the report of the last year, ending the 24th of April ; Mr William
ilarron, a director, in the chair. The Secretary read the report,
from which it appeared that the receipts amounted to 9,052/. Is. 6d.,
including a balance brought from theirevious account of 4,5323.,
I Is. Id. and 4,316/. Is. 3d. tolls, collected between October 25,
1844, and April 24, I 545, and that after paying the necessary ex
penses there was a surplus of 3,3871. 18s. 11d., with 2,562!. Ins.
in Exchequer-bills. The report being received and adopted, it
was resolved to pay a dividend of 12s. per share, the former divi-
dend having been I Is. per share. There was a decrease of tolls,
compared with the corresponding period of last year, of 834/„..175.
Id. ; but that was attributed to Westminster.bridge having hoer)
stopped up the previous period. Thanks were given to the chair-
man, and the meeting separated.

The new pier erected on V4uxhill-bridge will be
opened on Whit-Monday. H is on ►he same plan as the one on
the Southwark-bridge,

%_---'

,='.-:-_
,*

MONEY and COMMER .AL-N
. , CITY, QUARTE • V lym
The sales of Cotton at Liverpool Year4rdiy.:Viere .6,000
bales, 3,000 being on speculation. -P, (451-14refe!.firni sup-
ported, but -there was no furt 9!;TaidisniriC4-;-IShares
were inactive, and but a small ittaiiieSK was,-acne ."7
Barnsley Junction, 755. ; Birkenhea.,
Cheshire Junction, 81/2 %; Blackburn, I - • •
; Belfast and Ballymena, 914 8 ; Tiol,4laictirkitenj '
enk-i
Liverpool, 11%; Caledonian Extensitn,3%: 3%; Cambridge
and: Lincoln 9 83,4 ; Chester and.Holvhead, 161,4 ; Churnet
Valley, 7% .1/4 ;. Cork and Bandon, 834-1/2 ; Cork and Water-
ford, 565.. 6d. 2% • Dublin and Belfast Junction, 11% ;
Dundee and Perth, 31/ 34 ; Dublin, Mullingar, and Athlone,
41 ; Dundalk and Enniskillen, 5!4 ; Glasgow and Dumfries,
295. 30s. ; Grand Junction, 228 ; • Ditto, Half Shares, 114 ;
Ditto, New Quarter Shares, 44N ; Ditto, Eighth Shares,
19%; Great. Grimsby and Sheffield, 614 %; Great Munster,
3 ; Jamaica Junction, 5 ; Limerick and Waterford, 98% ;
Liverpool and Manchester, Half Shares, 101 •, Liverpool,
Ormskirk, and Preston, 2% % ; London and Birmingham,
Quarter Shares, 323/1 ' • London and Brighton, 63%; London-
derry and Coleraine, 33/4 ; Londonderry and Enniskillen, 514 ;
London and York, 51,4. 68 3d. ; Ditto (Bantry), 31,11
Direct Northern, 3% q; Leeds and Dewsbury, 11.74 ; Leeds
and West Riding Junction, 71/ ; Lynn and Ely, 714 ;
Manchester and Buxton, 9% ; Manchester. Bury, and Ros-
sendale, 17%; Manchester and Leeds, Half Shares, 66 65%;
Midland Railway, 157 ; Ditto, 401. Shares, 1934 % ; New-
castle and Berwick, 15 ; Newry and Enniskillen, 514 ;
North Wales Mineral, 16% ; North Western, 91s. 3d.
Oxford and Birmingham Junction, 91s. 3d. ; Oxford, Wor-
cester, and Wolverhampton, 1% ; Preston and Wyre, New
(guaranteed 5 per cent, and div.), 57,46 ; Sheffield and Mato-
chester, 120 ; Ditto, Quarter Shares, 15 34 ; Sheffield and
Lincoln, 2; Shrewsburv, Oswestry, -and Cheshire, 5; South-
Eastern and Dover, New Shares, No. 3,7% 34. ; Scottish
Central, 7%; Trent Valley, 191,2 ; Trent Valley Extension,
7% ; Trent Valley Continuation, 2% ; Waterford and Kil-
kenny; 4; Welsh Midland, 2% ; West Yorkshire, 61 %;
Worcester and Tying, ; Whitehaven and Furness, 50s.
565. 6d.; Constituted Central of France, 1514 ; Louvain and
Jemeppe, 5 14 • Namur and Liege, 614 ; Northern of France
( Laffitte's), ; Ditto (Rosamers), 465. Gd. 258 ; Paris
awl Lyons, English, (Laffitte's), 58s. 6d. 3/. ; Paris and 1.3,•0na
(Ganneron's), 23i4 ; l'aris and Rouen, 42.
MANCiIS.TER STOCK Exc HANG F., MAY I.—The sales
are :—Barnsley Junction, 4 ; Birkenhead, Manchester, and
Cheshire Junction,- 9.; Blackburn, Burnley, and Accring-
ton, 9 ; Bristol and Exeter, New-Shares, •, Cambridge
and Lincoln, 91A ; Churnet Valley, 7%; Direct Northern, 3;
Ely and Bedford, 3%; • Glasgow and DuMfries, 1 9-16 14
Grimsby and Sheffield Junction, 614 cum new ; Huddersfield •
and Manchester Railway and Canal, 83/4 ; Leeds and Thirsk,
5% 6 ; Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester, ll%; Leeds ail&
West Riding Junction, 7% IA •' Liverpool, Ormskirk, and
Preston, 3 2 15-16; London and South-Western, 80; Lon-
don and York, %; Manchester and Birmingham, 58;
Ditto. New. Quartersi4Olpf-Munthester and Buxton, 6%
; North Western. 4% ; North Union, 145; Notting-
ham and Mansfield, 3%; Preston and Wyre Extension, 2%
3 ; Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction, 2 % ; Shrewsbury,
Oswestry, and Cheshire Junction, 5 9-16 ; Shrewsbury,
Wolverhampton, Dudley, &c, ; South Wales, 6; Trent
Valley, 19% 2014 ; Ditto Continuation and Holyhead Junc-
tion, :14 prem.; West Midland, 3% prem. ; West Yorkshire.
7; Whitehaven and Furness, 3; Great Northern of France
(English), 5%; Paris and Lyons (Ganneron's), 258 9-16 ;
Union Bank of Manchester, 10%; Manchester and Salford
Waterwot ks, 59 ex new.

Accounts of a late date from New York, show the state of
trade in that part of the world. The revenue from Customs
is thus aaalyzed

1843. 1844. 1845.
Dollars. Dollars. Dollars.
548,046 1,876,615 1,677,9E9
492,216 2,169,100 1,347,456
636,596 1,691,524 1,575,680

January
February
March

Total
This table shows that the greatest falling off in the re-
ceipts from Customs was in February ; the decrease that
month, compared with the corresponding month last year,
being 821,644 dollars. The total decrease far the quarter.
was 1,136,138 dollars. The importations this season have
been nearly as large as for the same time last year, while the
duties have fallen off about 20 per cent. The importatiena
have only diminished about 7 per cent. To have brought
about this state of things, the average rate of duty upon the
imports must have been very much reduced. the impor-
tations of free goods the first quarter this year were much
larger than for the same quarter last year, but the
increase was not sufficient to have made so wide
a difference in the duties. The average rate of duty is annually
decreasing, and in time a reduction to a revenue standard
must be made. The folly of attempting to get an increased
customs revenue, by the imposition of duties beyond what it
is the interest of the importer to pay, is illustrated here as
well as in every other instance, and if the writer of the New
York Herald thinks to mend the matter by a further increase,
he will not be long in receiving fuller confirmation than ever
of the truth of Swift's axiom, that two and two do not always
make four.
The position of the English Stock Market is more vacil-
lating than was the case a month since, when the same value
was supported for a week together; but the speculators ate
aided in their operations by various political matters of some
moment that have recently been passing in foreign coun-
tries. Consols have been down to 98/ upon rather a large
sale made, but are now at 987. Time bargains have been
effected at 98').'g %. The premium upon Exchequer-billy
has been 575. to 605., which is a slight advance. Bank
Stock is 21014 to 209, and India Stock 27614 to 278. The
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents have been IGO% li
and the Three per Cents. 97N li. '
The Foreign Bonds have not been so dull. Mex;tan have
been a shade lower, 37 jy to 38, as the accounts ?rout America
still allude to the probability of a war. Buenos Ayres have
realised 4314, and Brazilian FB. Danish Stock is at 8.”4 ;
Portuguese Converted are 671 i to :!i ; Dutch Two-and-a-
Half per Cents. have been 631,‘3•4.
Railway shares in general are rather firm to-day. Chin.
net. Valley, North Kent, and several others have advanced &
little. south-Eastern are again lower. West-End and
Southern Counties Junction are about t„i % premie.m. The
Paris anti Lyons Scrips are better, as the adjudication.of this
most important line is expected to take place within a very
short period.
BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Bank Stock 2104 2091
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 97%N Yi
10 per Cent. Consols Anns 9831,47a
New 314 per Cent. Annuties lOO%
,1:1
Long Annuities ;Expire sth Jan. 1860 ll 7-16 5-16
Do. 30 Years, ,Expire Oct. 10, 1859.., 11 3.:461i
Ditto 30 Years, Expire Jan. 5, 1861! „ ll5
India Stock . . 1761;3 178
India Bonds 1,0001 —
Ditto under 1,0001 72
3 per Cent. Annuities, 1751 9814
Consols for Account ......... 98% Mi
Exchequer Bills 134 d. lihd.
1,0001.
5001. .. ......... ..,... 57 60 57 59 pm.
Ditto Small —
?RICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ON F. O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent —
Ditto for the Account
Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent 4314 •
Danish Bonds 1825, 3 per Cent WA
Mexican Bonds, 1837, 5 per Cent 37% 38
Ditto for the Account 3B i 4,
Ditto Deferred Stock...~
Peruvian Bonds, 6 per Cent 3l
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent —. •
Ditto Converted
Ditto for the Account 671414
Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent., 1840 —
Ditto for the Account.
Venezuela Bonds, 2 per Cent
Dutch 2% per Cents
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates
PRICE OF SHARES AT ONE O'CLOCK.
RAILWAYS. PAID. PER SHAM
Aberdeen
•• 21/ 414%% to
Armagh, Coleraine, Portrush 1% 2% to
Birmingham and Gloucester 100 136% to 1351,4
Ditto. Half Shares ......... 3
Bristol and Exeter
Ditto New ... 2
Caledonian 5 ......12% 11% to 12q
Cambridge and Lincoln
Chester and Holyhead
Churnet Valley
Virect Northern
to
Dublin; Dublinaßnedifaßset;lfanasdt
Coleraine
21/2
21,
to
25
A%... to --
1
Dublin
Düblin
n and sGlaullwlinaYga.; ...
......
21Y2....••
410%1% to
Eastern Counties

,__
_............ _...... _
Eastern Union
Ditto Extension
Edinburgh and Glasgow 'lO
Ely and Bedford II4 314%... to
Great South and W. (Irish)... 5
Ditto Extension
Great Western -
Ditto Fifths
Harwich I
...-
Hull and Gainsborough
Hull and Selby 5O lO 6
Ditto lialf Shares.. 2 .. 24
Loudon and Birmingham —lOO 2341'2 to
Ditto Thirds
London and Blackwall l6.' 9l/L5._ tc
...
f! /
London and Brighton.... 5O . , 63,4 .to 63
London and Croydon... 13/. 15s. 9d.••• 183:i 1A... to
London and South Western.. 41%...... 794. ..... to 80
Ditto New
Do. New
London and York ... ....
..01/41/2...... ~.,1111518,3Z4,3::3:......"_. . Ittotote00:1i:;:ii
Lynn and Ely
Midland . ..... ►-1, -
Ditto New
I...toenr;ibuyn.:120250
Midland, Birm.77nindg
Nel7irt(l't:'Sle'&.,-vil?B'lrandling ...... 10 11-;
ICCr-astle and Berwick
Dover ••• 3231/.. ... 4%-::: : :I:: ---178114
114
_Newry and Enniskillen ... 91;
Newark and Sheffield
British
Northl7 Vt to
Ditto New ............ I
....... .. ___ 4,53 to North Kent
2:!:4 ...... C 4 to
Perth and Inverness
Richmond and West End June. .1:
slt,
Eastern
nand and
Rugby, Worces!ter, and Tring 1
43/ to
SScoontttlii
Scottish Central
Ditto New, N 0.2
Ditto New, No. 3
Treat Valley
Tf.eltnint
21/2
c\t'imlley and Ilolynea4..d 9 " 16911
...
Yarmouth and Norwich
21,2 to
Ditto New II
York and North Midland ... 50 lO 2
Ditto Half Shares
Ditto Selby
Ditto, Extension
FRENCH RAILWAYS.
Boulogne and Amiens
Bordeaux and Toulouse
11ordeaux,Tonlouse,andCette 2 - to
Great Northern of France
(Laffitte-s)
Great Paris and Lyons
Louvain and Jemeppe. ... 9
Namur and Liege
Orleani and Bordeaux ... .. 2 ...... 10
Paris and Lyons (Laffitte) .. 2
Parisand Lyons(Ganneron's) 2 ... .. *f., to
l'aris and Lyons (Calou's)... 2 .... 2
Paris and Orleans
Paris and Rouen
`, -
,:q ...... to—
Rouen
..... . 4
Sambre and Meujeo ....,.:
IN I STOCK BANKS.
i atitish North American
PalisaanidldSitiavr. Quentin.......... ... ...... . . 142
45
I Pr ivincial of Ireland ......... 25

RAILWAY COMMITTEES.

(YESTERDAY.)

Group V.
GRIMSBY AND SHEFFIELD PROJECT.
THURSDAY, FOURTH DAT.
Cross-examination of Mr. Fowler (in continuation from our After.
noon Edition of yesterday)—Surveyed this line first in September
last. The reasons he preferred this line to any other were, economy of
construction, better gradients, and shorter distances. There would
be a cutting of g 3 feet at one side before the tunnel was entered,
and 62 feet at the other; the latter was through limestone rock.
The ground between New Holland and Great Grimsby was not
as favourable for a line as other routes, as the material was
different, and could not be made so cheaply. Is of
opinion that 100,0001. in addition, would make a double line
throughout; the chains and rails would amount to about three-
quartbrs of that sum. Iron in February last was $l. per ton. It
was now 121. The offer of the contract has been made, but not
yet concluded.

Mr. Itendle made surveys of the Grimsby Docks, with a view
to the enlargement of them, so as to accommodate the largest class
of steamers and merchant shipping ; if those plans were carried
out, that accommodation would be afforded; the present extent of
the docks is seventeen acres; the present lock would ac-
commodate seven or eight hundred tons vessels ; it was
principally to accommodate steam-packets that witness made his
survey; the cost he had estimated the works at was 300,0001.
This witness corroborated the testimony of Mr. Fowler as to the
advantage of the proposed line, &c.
Cross-examined—The present docks at Grimsby would accom-
modate vessels drawing sixteen feet water, at about two hours
before high water of low spring tides; never saw vessels of that
draught there, but did see vessels of fourteen feet draught there.
The proposed alterations would afford more accommodation than the
present dock at Hull for steam packets, which was now very bad,
and so was that at Liverpool.
Mr. Adam Smith, engineer, corroborated Mr. Fowler's state
mist, and said his estimates were fair and not too low.

Mr. Howe, solicitor to the company, stated that the proposed
capital was 600,0001., and the Bill also gave the power of seising
200,000/. after the whole sum had been subscribed and the half had
been paid up. The whole capital was subscribed and 33,0001. was
paid up. There were only 40 shareholders who had a local in.
terest out of the whole number, 349, and the amount for which
they had subscribed was 17,5501.
This closed the case on the part of the promoters. _ .

Mr. M. D. HILL then proceeded at great length to show that the
preamble of the Bill should not pass, and that this line would be
of very little importance to the town of Hull, the importance of
which no person could deny. _ .

The CaLsawais said, in reference to the Trent Valley Bill, that
they would not go into its clauses until they had decided upon the
preamble of the Bill then under consideration. If it was possible
to finish on Saturday, he would have no objection to sit on that
day ; but, as that did not appear likely, he thought he might as
well let it be understood that they were not to sit on that day.

Counsel then applied to request that an order of the House should
be moved for, the attendance of two witnesses from Mane' meter,
on the Trent Valley Bill, on Monday next.
The Committee then adjourned until twelve tomorrow (this
day).

Group B.

LEEDS AND WEST RIDING JUNCTION RAILWAY.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
Mr. William Fairburn, an engineer and machinist at Nanchester,
had had extensive experience In the construction of locomotive
engines, and was generally familiar with the application of steam
to stationary and locomotive power. Fourteen inches was the
maximum size of a cylinder attached to a locomotive engine.
For the proper working of a railway it was neces-
sary that the engine should have power beyond its working
extent. Gradients were not thought so insurmountable now as
they were some years ago. The North Union, the Birmingham and
Gloucester, and the Edinburgh and Glasgow had surmounted ex-
traordinary gradients by the increase in the power of their locomo-
tive engines. It was his opinion that the power of the locomotive
would be still further increased. He had examined the
gradients on the West Riding Junction lines, and saw no
gradients of an objectionable character. He had had some ex-
perience on the construction of a " hoist " for transferring the
carriages of one railway to another below its level. The Birming.
ham and Derby h d one, and, in his opinion, " hoists " could be
constructed and worked with ease and simplicity, and at a mode-
lde expaiditure.

On cross-examination, he said he was not aware whether the Bir-
miugnan► and Derby were seeking in the present session for powers
to do away with their" hoist," and to adopt some more improved
plan for transferring their traffic to a line r.bove their own level.
The size of the cylinder began at eight inches, they were now ad-
vancing to fourteen and sixteen. The weight of the engine which
was then only 71 or 8 tons, was now from 15 to 16 tons. For
steep gradients the six wheeled cngicie was the most preferable.
Mr. Genre Leather, a civil engineer, had had considerable
experience in the construction of railways, and was
well acqnaitVed w►th the district through which the
Leeds and West Riding Junction lines ran. It was
cuite impossible to construct a railway through the district without
-every gradients and quick or sudden corners. On the whole the
gradients on the West Riding and the \Vest Yorkshire were about
equal. The engines lie bad heard described would be applicable to
either line, and would carry any extent of traffic likely to come on
both. The 'curves of the two lines were pretty nearly the same.
lie had gone through the estimate of Mr. Hawkshaw, and anti.'
them to both lines He had come to the same conclusion as Mr.
H;►wkshaw, namely, that in constructing the West Riding there
woul,i be a say.ng of 320,4261. The Leeds and West Riding line,
I,:dope,idently of this saving, was the one best calculated to serve
accolanodate the public.

itfr. Gibbs, a civil engineer, who had constructed railways bcth
it) tilts country and on the Continent, gave concurrent testimony to
the List witness. lie preferred the line which had the highest
iudimit, anti that ono was the West Riding Junction. He pre-
ferred the one with the highest summit, because its approaches
would k6e, more convenient than those of the other.

On cross-examination, he said there were no great differences
between the gradients anal curves of the two lines. The one which
had the greatest number of curves with a small radius would be the
most dangerous ; but in his opinion there was little or no difference
between the two lines in this respect. There would be no neces-
sity to slacken the pace of the engine when it approached a curve
the West Itisiing Junction line, because it was not a
through line, and would have repeated stoppages. So far
as safety, dispatch, and punctuality went, the two lines
would possess about the same advantages. He was originally the
engine, er and estimated the cost of the Croydon and Brighton
fineJ. He proposed that the tunnelling on the latter should be
stair miles. lie thought the gradient OA the Brighton line would
have been better had it been lin 80 instead of lin 100. Danger
increased not in the length but in the acuteness of the curve.
Mr. Bastrick, engineer to the Brighton Company, had insrected
the plans and sections of the two rival lines, and certainly preferred
the Leeds and West Riding Junction. In a country like Engl:7.nd
you lengthen the tunnels, viaducts, and cuttings, by flattening the
gradients. He thought a gradient of lin 100 was in no way oh-
i..etionable. Trains on the Croydon and Brighton Line ran daily
surer a similar gradient—namely, 1 in 102. There was no
difficulty in working lines with such severe gradients as
these. He was staking a line, for instance, from Brighton to
Lewes, and for fully three miles it had a gradient of lin 88. He
could see no objection to the curves In either line. If they were
worked in connexion with an existing line, the expense
would be considerably reduced. He concurred gene-
rally with the evidence givers by the former witnesses.
On cross.examination, he said the steepest gradient on the
Brighton line was 20 feet a mile. Had the gradient been 1 in 100,
the construction would have cost considerably less than what it
did, and the line, in his opinion, would have answered just as well
as it does new: It was by no means a surface line.
Mr. ToMLINE wished to know how they could get at the memo-
rials deposited with the Board of Trade ?

The CIIAIRMAN replied that any party wishing to take extracts or
inspect documents deposited with the Board of Trade, could procure
them at the Private Bill Office on their producing an order so to
do from the Committee.

Mr. BAINES moved that they should have leave to inspect
the memorials deposited with the Board of Trade by the West
Riding and Leeds and Manchester Companies.—Leave was given.

Mr. TA',sex moved that his clients should have access to the
documents deposited by the Leeds and Huddersfield and West
Yorkshire Companies.—Leave was given.
Mr. Cubitt had compared the plan and sections of the two lines,
and certainly he pref&red the West Riding line. The cost of the
other line would be greater, and the accommodation for the public.
He corroborated the testimony of the last witness. The line
could be worked with much snore facility, with greater economy,
and with greater advantage to the public by being connected with
a's existing line, such as the Leeds and Manchester, than by being
worked by an independent company.
On cross.examination, he said he had never been over the
ground. He assumed Mr. Hawkshaw's details to be correct.
The examination of this witness closed the day's proceedings.
The Committee adjourned shortly after five o'clock till to.
morrow.

Committee C.

This Committee met at two o'clock to-day, Mr. Barneby in the
to consider the rates of charges in the
PUDDERSFIELD AND SHEFFIELD JUNCTION RAIL.

WAY BILL.

Mr. Perri' submitted the following clauses :-1. In respect of
tonnage of •all articles conveyed upon the railway, or any part
thereof, as follows :—For all dung, compost, and all sorts of ma-
nure, lime, and lime-stone, and all undressed materials for the re-
pair of public roads or highways, per ton per mile not exceeding
one penny; and if conveyed in carriages belonging to the Corn.
pany an additional sum per ton per mile not exceeding one halfpenny.
For all coals and culm, coke, charcoal, and cinders; all stones for
building, pitching, and paving; all bricks, tiles, slates, clay, sand,
ironstone, and iron-ore, pig.iron, bar-iron, rod-iron, hoop-iron, and
all other similar descriptions of wrought iron and iron castings, not
manufactured into utensils or other articles of merchan-
dise, per ton per mile not exceeding twopence ; and
if conveyed it carriages belonging to the Company an
suldtional sum per ton per mile not exceeding one halfpenny. For
all sugar, grain, corn, deur, hides, dye-woods, earthenware, timber,
stones, and deals, metals (except iron), nails, anvils, vices, and
chains, per ton per mile twopence ; and if conveyed
in carriages belonging to the Company an additional
sum per ton per mile not exceeding three farthings.
For all cotton and other wools, manufactured goods, and all other
wares, merchandise, fish, articles, matters or things, per ton per
mile not exceeding threepence; and if conveyed in carriages belong-
lng to the Company an additional sum per ton per mile not exceed-
rtriig one penny. And for every carriage, of whatever description, have
i
g more than two wheels, not being a carriage adapted and used for
travelling on a railway, and not weighing more than one ton, car-
ried or conveyed on a truck or platform, per mile not exceeding
eightpence ; and a like sum of twopence per mile for every
aedition fractional
al quarter of a ton, er part of a quar-
ter of a ton, which any such
carriage may weigh;
slid it conveyed on a truck or platformbelonging to the
Company, an additional sum per mile not exceeding twopence.
11. In respect of passengers and animals
eyed in carriages
upon the railway as follows : —For any person conveyed
in or upon
any such carriage per mile not exceeding two pence;
to h
ence; andt if con-
veyed in or upon any carriage belonging
Corn.
peoy an additional sum not exceeding one e
For every horse, mule, ass, or other beast of draught or penny
'
arid for every ox, cow, bull, or neat cattle conveyed burden
arid
or
upon any suck carriage per mile not exceeding tlireetpbencteh;
if conveyed in or
,upon any carriage belonging
Company an additienal sum not exceeding one penny. Fore
every calf, or pig, sheep, lamb, or other small animal, con-
veyed in cr upon any such carriage per mile not exceeding one
penny; and if conveyed in or upon any carriage belonging to the
Company an additional sum not exceeding one farthing. And be
it enaeted, that the toll which the Company may demand for the use
of engines for propelling carriages on the railway shall not exceed one
penny halfpenny per mile for each passenger, or animal, or for each
ton of goods, or other articles, in addition to the several other
rolls or sums by this Act authorised to be tee,„. And be it
enected, that the following provisions and regulations shall
be applicable to the fixing of such tolls (that is to say) :
For articles or persons conveyed on the railway for a less dis.
tense than six miles the Comp my may demand, in addition to
the prescribed tolls for conveyance, a reasonable charge for
the expense of stopple g, loading, and unloading. Fur a fraction of
a mile beyond six miles, or beyond any greater number of miles,
the Company may demand tolls on merchandise for such fraction in
proportion tc. the number of quarters of a mile contained therein;
and if there be a fraction of a quarter of a mile, such fraction shall
be deemed a quarter of a mile; and in respect of passengers, every
fraction of a mile beyond an integral number of miles shall be deemed
a mile : for a fraction of a ton the Company may demand toll ac-
cording to the number of quarters of a ton in s i i 1: fraction; and
if there be a fraction of a quarter of a ton, such fraction shall be
deemed a quarter of a ton: with respect tc all articles, ex.
cept stone and timber, the weight shall be determined
according to the usual avoirdupois weight. With respect
to stone and timber, elurteen cubic feet of stone, forty
eintrie feet of oak, mahogany, teak, beech or ash, and fifty cubic feet

of any other timber shall be deemed one ton weight, and so in pro-
portion for any smaller quantity. And with respect to small pack.
ages and single articles of great weight, be it enacted, that
notwithstanding the rate of tolls prescribed by this Act,
the Company may lawfully demand the tolls following (that
is to say), for the carriage of small parcels (that is to say parcels
not exceeding five hundred pounds weight each), the Companymay
demand any sum which they think fit ; provided always,
that articles sent in large aggregate quanta es, although
made up of separate parcels, such as bags of sugar, coffee,
meal, and the like, shall not be deemed small parcels, but
such term shall apply only to single parcels in separate packages.
For the carriage of any one boiler, cylinder, or single piece of ma-
chinery, or single piece of timber, or stone, or other single article,
the weight of which, Including the carriage, shall exceed four tons,
but shall not exceed eight tons, the Company may demand such sum
as they think fit, not exceeding one shilling per ton per mile.
For the carriage of any single piece of timber, stone, machinery,
or other single article, the weight of which with the carriage,
shall exceed eight tons, the Company may demand such sum as
they think fit. And be it enacted, that every passenger tra-
velling upon the railway may take with him his ordinary lug-
gage, not exceeding one hundred pounds in weight for first-class
passengers, sixty pounds in weight for second class passengers, and
forty pounds in weight for third class passengers, without any
charge being made for the carriage thereof.
The Committee having read the clauses through, submitted a
rate of charges but little differing from the above, but they are not
yet made public.
Adjourned till the clauses are reprinted in the amended form.

Group X.
LONDON AND YORK RAILWAY.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)

Mr. J. Geard, brewer, of Hitchin, stated that he consumed be-
tween 60 and 70 tons of coals a year. He got his coals from
Biggleswade. The price at which they were delivered was about
38s. The coal came by sea from Newcastle to the Ouse. He con.
sumed about 500 quarters of malt per annum. If this railway were
made he should save nearly 601. per annum in the cost of coals.
The population of Hitchin was about 6,500. There was formeriy
a very large trade in malting carried on in Hitchin. It was not so
now, nor had it been for 20 or 30 years. There were formerly six-
teen or twenty malting establishments in Hitchin, now there were
but seven. He attributed this to the want of means of communi-
cation. If they had a railway, he believed that the malting trade
would rise again, as would several others. The value of property
in Hitchin had been depreciated of late years.
The Rev. I. E. Kemp, curate of Barnet, was called and examined
by Mr. Dennison. The poor in that neighbourhood suffered much
from the want of fuel.

•
Mr. Pym, a Director and Shareholder of the London and York
Company, examined by Mr. KINGLAKE, said he farmed about SOO
acres in Bedfordshire. He was Chairman of the Quarter Sessions.
The exports consisted of agricultural produce,
The Committee adjourned at four o'clock.

Group E.

NEWCASTLE AND BERWICK LINE OF RAILWAYS.

(Continued from our Afternocn Edition of yesterday.)

Thomas Harrison, cross-examined by Mr. ArixaNconn-After
crossing the bridge over the Tweed there would be an embankment
extending 726 yards, for which they should resort to the purchase
of side-cuttings of 604,000 yards, the value of which would amount
to 30,200/. The greater part of the stuff would be soft red sand-
stone, which they proposed to get from the face of
a hill. In putting down 30,2001. for the side-cuttings,
he included the cost of the side-cutting and the making of th• am
bankment. Independently of the land at Newcastle, the land upon
the whole main line would amount in value to 87,202/., none of
which was to be apportioned to the side-cutting of the above-
mentioned embankment. The bridge across the Tweed would
probably be constructed of brick, and would consist of thir-
teen arches of seventy feet span each. The expense
would amount to 65,0001. The whole viaduct, including the
bridge across the Tweed, would consist of 27 arches. The bridge
of Tyne would have 24 arches of 125 inches each. There was a
gradient on the Bligh branch of I in ICO, which the witness con.
sidered a very unfavourable gradient. He was of opinion that
there would be a great saving of them gained by passing the railroad
through Morpeth. He considered that there would be no great
likelihood of any danger arising from the locomotive engine
passing on a viaduct over the houses in Newcastle.. There might
be a possibility of danger from the sparks falling over the viaduct
on the tops of the houses, but did not think it probable.
Mr. Robert Stevenson, the engineer of the line, was then
examined. He corrols„rated the est,mates made by the last wit-
ness as well as the engineering details. His examination had not
concluded when the Committee adjourned.

BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY BRANCHES.
The object of the Bill under this title is to obtain power to form
four branches of the Great Western Railway—one from Bristol to
Yeovil, twenty miles in length ; one to Tiverton, of four miles and
sixty chains; a third to Clevcdon, a sea-bathing viflage on the
Bristol Channel, three miles and three.quarters from Bristol; and a
fourth, to obtain an uninterrupted .ccminunication between the
Great Western and the Bristol and Exeter Railways. In conse-
quence of the latter of the two railways running at a right angle
to the former great delay cccurred, and in acme instances the
passengers had to get out of their carriages, or go over two or three
turn-tables.

Mr. MEREWETHER, who appeared fur Messrs. Hares, of Bristol,
waived his opposition to the preamble at prevent, in consideration
of an arrangement whirls was likely to be mate between his clients
and the Company, and especially as the Bid was not yet read a
second time, and also as it was hardly competent for the Committee to
take thepreamble of the Bid, though they might go into the evidence
By the statements of Mr. Bfunel it was shown chat the cost of the.
Yeovil branch, the object of whioU was to open a better communi-
cation with the south, would he 200,000/. ; that of the Tiverton
branch, about 1,0,0004 ; of t t,e Cleveden branch, 40,000!.,
and the communicatit g at Bristol which is to be only about
half-a mile in length, about CO,COO/. The whole expenditure was
likely to be about 375,000!. There were no engineering difficulties
in any of the branches, nor any inconvenience its passing turnpike-
roads or other highways at a coiliettiont level. He intended to work
the Tiverton branch certainly on the atmospheric principle, and
very likely the Clevedon also.
Mr. Ford, contractor of the carriage depar'men: at Bridgewater,
was produced, to state the expected traffic; but as there was no
opposition at present, his evidence was declined_
Mr. Vyvian stated that the whole amount of the capital to be
raised was 500,0001, of which the Company were empowered to
raise 166,000/. by mortgage or on loan ; the etimated cost
375,0001. The shares subscribed for amounted to 285,0661. I as. 4d.,
on which a deposit had been paid of 17,18.11. The number of share.
holders locally interest, d in the line was 21t3, and the amount of their
shares 152,866/. 134.40. The number of other shareho'clers was 101,
and the amount of their interest in the line 132,2001. '('here were
35 shareholders, sec erally pc,deiting interest to the amount of
2,000/. and upwards.
A power was also sought to apply 75,0001. to the purchase of
shares in the Devon and Cornwall lioe, similar to the power sought
also by the Gloucester and Bristol Company.

rhe evidence being concluded, the further consideration of the
line was deferred till twelve o'clock on :Monday neat.

Group G and G 2.
WILTS AND SOMERSET RAILWAY.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of
.esterday.)

The room having been cleared, onthe re-admission of straitiers—
The CHAIRMAN declared the preamble proved, but the Corn-
mittee hoped that the Company wiaild give Mr. Ainstey ample com-
pensation fur the invasion of his property and comfort, and they
thought that it would be only wise to do so as several noblemen and
gentlemen of great influence had succeeded in introducing clauses
which protected their properties in subsequent stages of Bills.
This was readily promised by the company, and the Committee
proceeded to the consideration of the clauses of the Bill, which
were all passed, but the solicitor of the line having stated that
there were other clauses which were not yet quite ready for the
consideration of the Committee, the repent was deferred until
Monday.

Sub. Committee No.:.
THE GOOLE AND DONCASTER RAILWAY.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday. )
Mr. COATUS submitted the several allegations in the petition of
Mr. Baxter. The only one worthy of notice was that against the
subscription contract. The allegation complained that some of
the partici signing the contract were not sufficiently bound to
carry out the powers of their Bill.

The Committee overruled the objection.
Several minor allegaticns were sustained, but a large proportion
were disallowed.

Mr. Lang appeared on the petition of Messrs. Knight and Jones.

The petition contained numerous allegations against the books of
reference and plans and sections, several of which were sustained,
but the greater number overruled.
The CHAIRMAN said that in the case of the Goole and Doncaster
Railway the standing orders had not been complied with in many
instances.
The Committee rose at four o'clock.

It is understood that the Great Western Railway (Ireland)—
Dublin to Mullingar and Athlona, will be the first case taken by
the Sub-Committee to-morrow. There are 3,000 allegations in the
petition against the scheme, and the inquiry is expected to last
some days.

Group 0.
GRAND JUNCTION POTTERIES LINE.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
The Committee, after hearing other evidence of a similar descrip.
Lion, adjourned till to.morrow.

SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY.
Group D D.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterda
Mr. CLARK then rose and said he appeared to support a petition
from the inhabitants of Perth against the construction of the
Scottish Central Railway. The petition was very numerously signed,
and was the general expression of the views entertained by the
middling classes of Perth on the erection of a station on the
South Inch. The South Inch was a large space of ground situated
on the west side of Perth, and was a place of great resort for the
people residing In the city and its neighbourhood. It was a
beautiful spot, ornamented with avenues of trees, with a river
meandering by its side, and well indeed warranted the allusion of
a Noble Lord in the House of Peers the other night, who, on pre.
senting a petition against the construction of the proposed station,
introduced the emphatic exclamation of a Roman general, on fist
♦iewing a lovely landscape, " Ecce Campus Martins." It was this
place, the beauty of which the railway company contemplated de-
stroying, by erecting unsightly stations, and laying down
iron rails along the whole length of its southern side.
The game of golf and other exercises, which tended so considerably
to the healthful recreation and pleasure of the people of Perth,
had been played on this spot from time i nmemorial ; in addi-
tion to this it had been habitually useri—as a drying ground
ever since the city of Perth had existed; part of the southern
portion was also converted into a market for cattle ; and
the approximation of the locality to the city conduced in a very
conSiderable degree to the recreation, convenience, and business
of the inhabitants. If the proposed station were erected all
these advantages would be materially interfered with ; and he
therefore trusted that on Ihese grounds the Committee would not
permit the preamble of the Bill to pass.
Mr. CLARK then called Mr. Chalmers, ►and.surveyor at Perth,
who said that as far as his knowledge went tie feelings of the
inhabitants were strongly against a station being made on the
South Inch, and that a terminus at the western part of the town
would be quite as convenient for the shipping.
The CHAIRMAN then said that the Committee lad deemed it ad.
visable to consult Mr. Fox Matile, the Member for Perth, who,
from his general knowledge of the city would be able to give every
information as to the propriety of erecting a station on the South
Inch, and as the flight Hon Gattleman was now in the room, he
would, pi.rhaps, favour the Committee with his opinion ; but lie was
not to be submitted to any examination, as he appeared only in the
capacity of an amicus.

Mr. Fux Manic said that from the position which he held in
Perth it would be somewhat invidious in him to sy that either
way would be the best locality fur the proposed station. He
could however have no difficulty in distinctly stating as his opi-
nion that that portion of the Inch which had teen pointed out to
him was most conveniently situat,d for the trade of Perth.
From the small quantity of lard which would be occupied by the
station, he considered that th., recr.-ation of the inhabi.
tants would not be interfered with. The amusements
of golf, &c., are usually carried on on the northern extremity of the
Inch, and the southern portion has been usel as a drying ground.
'rho part which was intended to be cE:capicil as a central station
had been used only as a cattle market. One gcheral station would
be most convenient for the public; but the confluence of several
stations would be still campatible with the recreation of the
inhabitants. lie would decline giving any opinion as to
the eligibility of erecting a terminus on the west of
Perth. The present Iscus cf the station would not materially
interfere with the interests or pleasure of the people, and he had
presented a petition from classes whom he considered represented
the general feeling of the inhabitants, in favour of the scheme now
before the Committee.
engineer to the Harbour
ComMmr.isCsitoAneeK then called
Commissioners
of Perth,
r.
but
S)
t I et. €, lh
could) e 1 0
Bite
no 1)
inion as to the
r
policy of removing the station from its present
proposed site, as he
had not thoroughly considered the matter.

This witness was eross.examined by Mr. TALear, but nething
of any interest was elicited.
Sir John Richardson was then called—He said he was a eonsi.
derable landed proprietor in the neighbourhood of Perth, and
knew the place called the South Inch very well. He was of
opinion that in a salutary point of view the inhabitants would be
great sufferers, as the erection of a station and line of railway along
the southern side of the Inch would prevent the free
influx of the sea air to the western side, or it would
arrive in a smoke-impregnated condition, and unfit for respira-
tion. The opinion of the Perth people was not generally in favour
of the line..

After a short cross-examination of this witness by Mr. TALsar,
Mr. Spottiswoode was called, who said that thirty-five acres of
ground, on the western side of the town, had been let out for
railway purposes.

With this witness Mr. Clark closed his case.
The decision of the Committee is deferred till the close of the
whole business before them.

Sir Thomas Phillips, Mr. Austin, and Mr. IPNeil appeared to
oppose on behalf of the Edinburgh and Glasgow (Branch to Stirling)
Railway.
Mr. Gibbs was examined as to the traffic along the branch line
to Stirling. At present there existed no direct communication
either for goods or passengers between Stirling and Carlisle; the
traffic between these places was very considerable, and would, in
his opinion, afford a sufficient remuneration on the outlay of
capital expended in making a railway. The traffic between Perth
and Stirling was comparatively small.
Mr. Dick, an extensive woolen-draper, then gave evidence as
to the increasing woollen trade of Stirling, and instanced the num-
ber of bands employed, and quantity of goods manufactured, as
proofs of its extent.

Mr. Bow corroborated the evidence of the previous witnesses.

Sir T. Pnii.Lips then proceeded to examine witnesses on behalf
of the Edinburgh, Glasgow (Branch to Alloa) Railway.
Mr. Paton, a merchant, gave evidence generally as to the in-
creasing trade In woollen manufactures and coals in the district of
Alloa.

At the close of the examination of this witness, the Committee
adjourned till twelve to.morrow.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF EXCHEQUER, May 1.

TRIAL AT BAR.-THE GREAT DISTILLERY CASE.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL V. SMITH.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)

The SOLICITOR-OSMERAL proceeded to reply. He said that in
addressing the observations which he should have to make on the
whole of the case, be trusted it would not be necessary for him tie
make any very great demand upon the time of the jury. But the
length to whieh the inquiry had been protracted—the very im.
portant interests involved in the issue—the complicated and various
facts produced—and the many topics scattered throughout his
Learned Friend's (Mr. Kelly's) elaborate and able address—would,
he feared, render it almost impracticable for him to bring what he
had to say into a very narrow space. Still he felt his labour
lightened and his task encouraged by the assurance that the jury
had paid the most unremitting attention to the case from beginning
to end, and that they were familiar with all its details. He was
confident that they would administer the law, as it was laid down to
them, fairly and impartially, and that, in so important .a case, to
which public attention had been so much directed, they would not
be in the smallest degree swayed by any prejudices introduced by
one side or the other—that they would look steadily to their duty
without regard to the result. Before he proceeded to remark upon the
evidence in the case, he must say a few words as to some parts of
his Learned Friend's speech. His Learned Friend had complained
of the proceedings adopted against Messrs. Smith, attributed them
to the jealousy of rival traders and the anxiety of hungry and in-
terested officers. He (the Solicitor-General) denied that the
jealousy of rival traders could influence the authorities at the
head of the Excise department in the discharge of their duties, or
that they would be too ready to listen to any groundless or interested
charges brought by interested subordinates. What animosity could
the Commissioners have against the Messrs Smith ? What in-
terest could they have in putting a stop to a trade such as that of
those gentlemen, yielding to the revenue a vast return ? It was
evident that they would not proceed to the measures which had at
length been forced upon them, if they were not compelled to do
so by an imperative sense of duty. For himself, he (the Solicitor.
General) had already declared his willingness to take upon
himself his share of the responsibility of these proceedings ;
and he trusted that having only done his duty he would be ab'e
to survive the loss of his Learned Friend's favour and good-will.
His Learned Friend had accused him of the revival of an obsolete
penal Act, wherein his conduct was as oppressive as if he revived
the penal laws against witches, and some obsolete penal laws of
Scotland. He was surprised at such an observation from
so learned and acute a lawyer as his Learned Friend.
They were dealing with a statute passed only twenty years ago,
which governed at this day the process in every distillery through-
out the kingdom, and with every part•cular provision of which
every distiller in the kingdom was required to be familiar—so
much so, that one of the witnesses for the defence (Mr. Goldie)
said that he had every word of the Act by heart. Was that rightly
described as an obsolete Act, to proceed upon which was a hard-
ship and oppression. His Learned Friend had also complained
that matters not relevant to the issue had been introduced,
to prejudice the case. He (the Solicitor. General) answered that
all those matters were introduced advisedly, to show what had been
the conduct both of the defendant and of the officer, and he was
sure that the jury were satisfied that the justice of the case was
promoted by that course. The Learned Solicitor then proceeded
to defend the officers of Excise from the charge of to the
defendant, or of being actuated by the desire of spoil. They had
not, as Mr. Kelly had stated, such a vested interest in the penalty
as rendered them unworthy of credit, for it was entirely at the dis-
cretion of the Commissioners whether the officers should participate
in the amount of the penalty, and in what proeor, ion. Another
complaint was, that no discarded servant of the defendant had
been brought forward to confirm the statements of the officers.
Now, he would put it to the jury to consider what would be said of
the Crown if that had been done ? For his part, he would never
stoop to such a course. Looking back to the whole length of
the proceedings, he felt no difficulty to grapple with but
this that the breaker of the law, guilty of frauds
to a very great extent, was liable to penalties of a large and even
startlieg amount, and that, although the jury were of opinion
that the fact had been satisfactorily proved, they might shrink from
the performance of their duty by not giving the verdict which the
law demanded at their hands. That was the only momentary appre-
hension heentertained. But it was only momentary ; because he
did not believe that twelve gentlemen, of the station, character,
and intelligence of those in the jury box, would shrink
from the performance of their duty, through any such, or
any other considerations. He then called their attention to the
state of the law under which this issue was tried. Previous to
1817 there was nothing in the law to prevent the two processes
being carried on upon the same premises, or even within the same
walls. In that year an Act was passed requiring that the two
processes should be carried on in separate buildings, and that these
should have no direct communication with each other, the spirit to
be carried from the one to the other by no other way than a public
street or road. That law was not found to be sufficient to prevent
fraud, and in I 82,5, only eight years after, a new Act was passed—that
which was now In force, and under which they were now proceeding
—which required that no distillery should be nearer than a quarter
of a mile to any rectifying house, exempting from that provision all
distilleries that had been erected previously to 1817, but requiring
that there should be between the two (the distilling and rectifying)
premises, no communication by which spirits could be transmitted.
Under the plain construction of this last Act, it was impossible that
the Excise authorities could have knowingly permitted Messrs.
Smith to maintain such a communication as had been proved. In
fact it was proved that they knew nothing about it, for it was not
mentioned in the description of the premises upon which the
licences of Messrs. Smith were granted under the law of 1112 i. If
it had been described, it would have been the duty of the Conn
rnissioners to refuse the licence until this communication was re.
moved. The officers who were examined in the case had sworn
positively that, in the many years during which they had been.
employed upox the premises, they never dreamed of its existence;
and the only evidence to show that it had ever been known to the
Excise was that of alleged conversation with Mr. Carr, and others,
who were all dead. Finally, he thought there was proof that the
pipe could be used for spirits, and there was every presumption that
it was so. He then went minutely over the technical and
chemical evidence relating to the discrepancies in the
charges at different times, the disputes between Mr. George
Smith and the surveyors, and all the perplexed particularities of the
watched and unwatched periods. He next proceeded to the charge
respecting the hole in the top of the receiver, and examining the
evidence on that point minutely, he contended that the proof was
clear that the plug could not have been in the hole for the length
of time that had been pretended. Mr. G. Smith said, when it was
first pointed out to him by the officer, that the hole explained
an anonymous letter he had received respecting the pit- 1
fering of spirits by his men. Was not that an admission
that spirits could be extracted by the hole, and did it
not imply that Mr. Smith was before ignorant that the hole existed?
Was that ignorance consistent with the defence set up ? It was
sworn that the ping had remained in the hole since the receiver
was made. But Mr. Young, their own witness, in his cross-exa.
mination, admitted that he was mistaken in his first opinion, and
that, upon again examining the plug, he was convinced that it could
not have had its under surface so long exposed to the action of the
spirit and retain so smooth and fresh an appearance. That was
conclusive. But why had not Mr. George Smith's familiar, Gill,
who managed all his business, been put into the box ? As he
was the person who could upon his oath inform the Court and the
jury what really did go on in the distillery, both in respect to the
pipe and to the holes. He left it to the jury to infer why Gill
had been kept back. On the subject of the dipping, it was to be
remembered that the difference of four-tenths In the drip would
make a difference of five hundred pounds of duty in a week.
But up to November, 1843, the defendant had had the advantage
of that difference. What had become of the excess of spirits in
the meantime ? There was never found any excess of spirits in the
stock. But at length the means were discovered by which the
spirits could be carried away without the observation of the Excise.
The language of Mr. James Smith to Cameron and Drinkwater,
when they discovered the transmission of water from the distil.
lery to the rectifying-house, clearly showed that they were conscious
that the communication was illegal, and that it was improperly
used. He commented to the same effect upon the language of
Mr. George Smith, contending that it showed the con-
sciousness of not having a • fair case. If, after
the evidence the jury had heard, they were of opinion
that this pipe was only used innocently, and for the purpose of the
transmission of water, they would give the defendant the benefit of
that opinion. But he would call their attention to the Act of
Parliament, which required every distiller to enter a description at
the Excise of every pipe, and every utensil used in connexion with
such pipe, and of every place to or from which such pipe should
lead.—!He then read the description entered by Mr. 0. Smith in
1840, which mentioned suoh branches of this pipe as supplied
the stables, granaries, and dwelling-hotise, but omitted all mention
of the branch leading to the rectifying-house.) With respect to
the supply of water from cue house to the other by means of the
trough at the top of the roof, he felt bound to say that
lie considered it a very great irregularity, and much to be
regretted that the Excise had allowed it to be continued after the
passing of the last Act, of which it was a palpable infraction,
although it had existed for many years lawfully be-
fore that Act of Parliament was passed. It was a great
oversight to allow the trough to remain without being de-
scribed in any of the entries. There was direct evidence that
wash, which was as valuable to the rectifier as spirits, could be
conveyed at once by those pipes without any preparation. With
all the facts of the case before them, they need attend
little to the philosophical speculations of Dr. Ure.
It was also immaterial what Mr. James Smith, who was so deeply
involved in the case, might say as to spirits never having been
transmitted. He (the Solicitor-General) did not know what re.
servalion Mr. J. Smith might have. It might be that wash only,
which was equally fraudulent, had been transmitted. But it had
been completely proved that a communication between the
two premises was maintained, exactly such as the law
had forbidden. The jury would recollect that the suspi-
cions of the officers were first roused by ascertaining that a
greats r quantity of spirits were produced than were accounted for,
and that there must be some secret means of getting rid of
the excess, which led them to the examination that
ended in the discovery of the pipe. They would also
recollect that in this case, on which so much depended, not one of the
persons in the employment of Mr. Smith, who could tell anything
about the proceedings in the distillery, had been called—not
even Gill, whose evidence might be all-sufficient. He was
sure the jury would agree with him that this was a
case, which, however serious the consequences might be,
remarksfro m th
hfler
inieftanthde
required investigation in that Court. Ile again appealed to
the jury not to be deterred by any consitleration of the consequences
impartialcasein
thdeiisrchhaanr discharge ofin p theirerfedcut t
the result of their y.
confidence With thesethat
heir lengthenesi anti most anxious inquiry would be
satisfactory to the public.
The Loan Cntee BARON, havingconsulted the wishes of the
jury, yielded his own inclination to
theirs
at twenty minutes past five, to ten
o'clock, and adjourned the case,
tomorrow morning.

Dispatches for the Governor of the West India Colo-
nies ere sent pff yesterday from the Colonial office.