The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-26 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING-. NOVEMBER 28, 1845.

Mr. PELL asked if the expense did not on the
Eastern Counties amount to more than 36 per cent. on
the traffic ?
The CHAIRMAN said, that at the first starting of any
line the expenses would be great, in consequence of the
difficulty of organising a large staff of servants, but
when theyi were properly organised the expense would
not be more than 36 per cent.
A SHAREHOLDER, whose name; we did not hear,
rose and said, that the proposition was one that the
Shareholders ought not to agree to. The Eastern
Counties shares were now at a premium, and it was not
to be supposed but that if four and a halt millions of
money were to be raised on new shares, that quantity of
shares would send .those now at premium down to a
discJunt. Besides, in his opinion, the amount of money
that: they would require to raise on new shares would
be nearly 9,000,0001. instead of 4,500,000/.
Mr. WILLIAMS said that their receipts were at present
nearly 7,0001. per week, which would give a dividend of
-five per cent. on the capital. They might assume that if
the working expenses of the line did nut exceed 36 per
cent., which would give about one-fifth of the receipts for
working, that.; if they! received 1,2501., the profit would
amount to 1,000/. They had every reason to expect an
increase in their traffic, and he looked forward confi-
dently to the time when they should receive 10 per cent.
There was every reason to believe that, in a short time,
the dividend would be six and two•thirds, and why
should they give that up for a guarantee of 6 per cent.,
having a prospect of 10 per cent., independently of their
York traffic? The least offer that could have been made
was a guarantee of 71 per cent.
The CHAIRMAN said, that if such an offer were made,
they could not have any chance of participation in their
future profits. The question was, however, one of mere
speculation, and those who chose to be content with what
they had already could do so, while those who chose to
take the chance of more had an opportunity of doing so.
Mr. GURDEN said, that he did not see, how they
had any right to bind absent Proprietors by their •
proceedings of to-day. TL•ey were an adjourned
meeting in order to consider the resolution that
was laid before them . at their last meeting ;
but; as the resolutionl brought forward to-day was to- I
tally different, he could not see how they ought to be I
binding on persons who were absent. He should like to

know the effect of the proposition on the quarter share-
holders if it were carried. If they declined taking any
part in it, they would receive nothing fur four years,
as 6 per cent. was already guaranteed for that time. Ile
had great respect fur .Alr. Hudson, but if he were with
him sitting at that table, he had no doubt he should be
able to point out to him some better way of protecting
their railway right and increasing their profits. Under
all the circumstances, he for one gave it as his opinion
that the plan was one that it would not be wise to adopt.
Mr. WARD said that the point'inootedby Mr. Gurden,
whether the absent proprietors shall be -bound by what-
ever is finally determined on in this meeting is decided
by the words of the Act of Pariament, •ahich bind all
absent proprietors by whatever is done by the
majority in any duly arint.mnced meeting. At the
_ _

saute time he must add 'he was sure there was
nothing in the meeting adverse to the interests
of the Eastern Counties proprietors; they had met
them (the Eastern Counties shareholders) a fortnight ago;
propositions were laid before them, and their objections
had been met in all fairness. But it was said the Eastern
Counties must have an alternative ; the Directors went
accordingly to the North Eastern Company's Board, had
got an alternative, and now brought it before them, yet
it is said to-day the Directors have given no notice of the
meeting. They certainly wish no advantage over the
Eastern Counties. Gentlemen knowing the meeting
had been adjourned ought assuredly to have been
present. He would not go into the details about
the working expenses as they have been introduced to
the meeting. He did not see what advantage the two
Companies could derive from going into a scrutiny here
of each others expenses, and cutting them down to the
lowest sum. Mr. Hudson's name has been mentioned,
and with that good feeling and respect which it deserves.
That gentleman, it oughtoo be remembered, had gained
his name for his economy ; he has in every case
reduced expenditure, and been thereby able to return
a very large dividend to the Shareholders. One word
as to the amount of receipts. The Eastern Counties
shareholders will have 6 per cent. up to 1847, during the
construction of the Norfolk line ; that line when made
will throw the whole traffic along the main line, and
they will come in for their share of the profits on the
whole traffic. Mr. Gurden had prophesied often, but
falsely, in that room. Mr. Gurdon had said the shares

of this Uompany would fall ; the market gives the
answer. He said he would oppose the amalgamation ; if
he had done so successfully, it would have been the ruin
of the two companies, fur in making the arrange-
ments they had been liberal to others, but also to them-

selves—they saw that the amalgamation would be for the
mutual good of both. He thought a very valuable pro-
position had been laid before them. Those who choose
the 6 per cent., who are unwilling to speculate, will re-
ceive the 6 per cent., and afterwards share in the profits.
On the other hand, those who are willing to :speculate
may have two shares, and in case of failure have their de-
posirpaid back to them. Unless amalgamation of the two
lines be accomplished they will be a great bar to each
other's interests. Competing lines will certainly start.
The calculations of a gentleman who had already spoken,
giving an issue of 7,8, 9, and even 10 per cent., can only
be realised by shutting out competing lines; and the
means to that is amalgamation, and nothing else.
Mr. 1-luxLEv had supported the proposition made at
the last meeting with great pleasure, much more than at
the present, when the relation of the North-Eastern to

the Eastern Counties is as one-third to two-thirds, one-
third more instead of one-fourth proposed last meeting.
Mr. IlnonEs (of Leeds) was certain that the Eastern
Counties Shareholders would agree, that if the Bill in

Parliament be obtained they have obtained a great
good. Messrs. Levy and Luck will sustain no loss, they
run no risk this: is all borne by another Company.
Mr. IIAsTrE, M.P., spoke' shortly, in commendation
of the proposition.
The CHAIRMAN now put the resolution to the meeting,
when 35 voted in favour, and 4 against it.

Thanks were moved to the Chairman and the
Directors.

As the meeting was about to dissolve,

The CHAIRMAN reminded them that Mr. Hudson at
Cambridge had again suggested an amalgamation be-
tween them and the London and York. Mr. Pyne had
. _

kindly otFered to carry the suggestion before his toad
jutors, but nothing had reached him from that Corn-

pany. He thought that the position of the London and
York Company was now different from what it was,

•I
and such as to lead the Proprietors to see their
interest lay in amalgamation. All railways start
with these objects, return for capital, to meet the in-
terest of the landowners, or that of the merchants; they

started with. the first object before them, the last had

assuredly left them. The cut made by the North
Eastern Counties up to Hitchin saves much; there is but

one mile of differenCe between this line and the London

and York, but the London and York line up to that
point is carried through one-fifth of the way by tunnels.
He had no doubt that the London and York would ulti-
mately unite with them, and they would certainly re-
ceive them with all liberality.

SAMBRE AND MEUSE RAILWAY
COMPANY.-(THIS DAY.)

The half-yearly meeting of this Company was held at
,he London Tavern, at ong o'clock.

The CHAIRMAN (Y. P. Richards, Esq.) said, that
seeing so many present he thought they had better pro-
ceed to business.

The SECRETARY then read the notice convening the
meeting, after which he read the report, from which it
appeared that since the meeting of the 11th of March,
the Directors bad been engaged in carrying out the
views of the Proprietors, and that a deputation from
the Board of Directors had proceeded to Bel-
gium, and made the necessary arrangements for
constituting the Company a societe anonyme,
and that with respect to clauses conferring on them all
the advantages and privileges of a public company, their
interests had become carefully attended to. They had
also been permitted to deviate from the line laid down in
the convention, and fresh surveys had been made in con-
formity with the same. It also stated that there would
be no increase of capital required for the present, and
that the French and Belgian Governments had declared
themselves most friendly to their undertaking.
The CHAIRMAN said he did not consider it necessary
to trouble the meeting with the cash account, as it had
been printed and distributed among the Proprietors ;
besides, it had been prepared merely for the satisfaction
of the Board of Directors. There was one thing,
however, with which they should be made ac-
quainted, and which was far from being unim-
portant. Be alluded to the report of their
engineer.—(Hear.) He had, however, to state, with
respect to that report. that it had been made some time
since ; and that as Mr. Henderson had only arrived
last night, it was impossible for him to pre-
pare a perfect report of their position at the
present moment. But there was one circumstance
which he wOuld put the meeting in possession of—
namely, that that report contained many facts to show
that they were in a prosperous condition. He attached
much importance to the opinion of their engineer, Mr.
Henderson, with respect to the mineral features of the
country through which their line was to pass, from that
gentleman's long experience of the mines in South Wales.
He would not detain them any longer from bearing that
report.
The SECRETARY here read the engineer's report which
stated that he (Mr. Henderson) had made a careful
survey of the line from Charleroi to WalcOurt over the
first section of which he had passed, and was confirmed
in the opinion he had previously expressed as to its ex-
cellence, and in fact, that it was the best line that could
possibly be adopted. He also felt bound to bear testi-
mony to the richness of the mineral districts of, Laniffe
and Moriolme, and that no engineering difficulties were
to be encountered in that portion of the line
which extended from llarembourg to Vireux.
The coal districts of Charleroi would be also
worked to a considerable extent, were only a quicker
mode of transit afforded, and this the proposed railway
would yield. The report then went on to speak of the
other portions of the line, in their mneral and engineer-
ing attributes, and awarded a very high degree of ex-
cellence to them in these as well as other points.
The CHAIRMAN said that, reverting to the report
they had just heard, it would be evident to them that
the greatest difficulties, with which they had to contend,
had been surmounted ; and they also had a sufficient
sum to carry on the work, without any further
demand. He had to acknowledge, on the part
of the Directors, the willingness and alacrity
with which the Proprietors had responded to the calls
that had been made on them. The instances to the con-
trary wee very few, and :these were cases which were
owing to the absence of the parties from this country.
They were now in a flattering condiion. Their liabili-
ties were limited to the sum which they La I subscribed,
and the statutes by which this most desirable point
had been guaranteed were drawn up with a just con-
§icler4i9u fl( the interests 0 oil the partive

cerned.—(Bear, hear.) There was one point a•f
these statutes to which he wished to direct their

attention, namely, with respect to the qualification
necessary for those attending them. The Bel-
gian Government was very firm in restricting
the right to interfere in the proceedings to those who
were registered Proprietors. But they were not inclined
to adhere to this regulation. The delay that had oc-
curred was amply compensated for by the opportunities
it bad afforded them of improving their line
of railway. At first their line had reference
almost entirely to the mineral traffic, and consequently
there would be necessarily induced a Mower rate of speed
than chat which would be achieved by the passenger
trains. He had no doubt that there would be before
long a company established for the purpose of making
a railway from Charleroi to Paris, and the French and
Belgian Governments were both anxious that this should
take place. And should such be established it must be
obvious that the greatest benefits would accrue to them.
He had also to allude to a circumstance that was extremely
cheering—that was that an increase had taken place in
the district through which their line was to pass ; and
this, from inquiry, was found to be no less than 80,000
tons of iron. Their railway would effect a diminu-
tion in the cost of this most essential commodity, and
therefore generate an increase in the quantity which
would be conveyed along the line. They would com-
plete their line from Morioline and Walcourt in a short
time ; and from what he had just stated with respect to
the traffic, they were determined to make a double
railway for the first sixteen miles of their
line. He had himself been frequently in Belgium,
fur the purpose of inspecting the roads, and they
were certainly very good. However, that which
led from Belgium to Charleroi was not by any means suf-
ficiently convenient, notwithstanding that:a considerable
traffic in iron was carried on, which, as in the other cases
to which he alluded, would no doubt be greatly increased
by the proposed railway. Having gone through the
principal features, he would conclude by proposing that
the report now read be received, adopted, printed, and
circulated under the direction of the committee,
pi.ernising that he was ready to answer any questions
that might be put to him, and that a meeting would
have to be held at the seat of the Company in Brussels,
which should be duly announced in the Belgian papers.
A PROPRIETOR here inquired as to what had occurred
in the interval between the drawing up of the report and
the present period..
The CILAIRMAN said the only thing that had taken
place was the sanctioning of their line as far as Walcourt.
The resolution having been seconded, was carried
unanimously.
The thanks of the meeting were given to the Chair-
man and the Board of Directors, and acknowledged by
the Chairman.
The meeting then separated.

VICE-CHANCERY.-(THIS DAY.)
His Honour the VICE-CHANCELLOR of ENGLAND sat in his
Court in Lincoln's Inn to-day, at two o'clock, for the pur-
pose, as stated yesterday, of hearing the case of

DAVIS V. COMBERMERY,

The question in the case is of no public importanee.
His Hoorn made the order as prayed.
The COURT sits to-morrow at ten o'clock.

EXCHEQUER.-(THIS DAY.)
(Sittings after Term.)
( Hefore the Lolly CHIEF BARON and a Common Jury.)

OVERSTON V. WILSON.

This wag an action of trover brought to recover a quantity
of furniture to which the defendant had pleaded that he was
not guilty.
Mr. Granger appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. V. Lee for
the defendant.

The plaintiff was an upholsterer carrying on business in
Oxford-street, and the defendant a gentleman of property
residing in the country. Some few months ago the de-
fendant let one of his houses, or a part of it, to a person named
Mrs. Martin, but she subsequently failed to pay the rent,
and her goods were seized under a distress. The
plaintiff then made his appearance, and put in a
claim for part of the goods seized, alleging that he
had let them to a Miss Standish Gill, the niece of Mrs.
Martin, but the defendant, having some doubt of this, refused
to restore them, and hence the present action.
Evidence having been adduced in support of the plaintiff's
case, in the course of which it was elicited that the goods in
question were not sold, and that the plaintiff had given notice
to Richardson, the auctioneer,:and who acted as the agent of
the defendant in the distress, not to deliver up the litigated
goods to any one without his authority.
Mr. LEE addressed the jury for the defendant, remarking
that the case involved a question of law and a question of
fact. The former, of course, his Lordship would have to de-
cide, but the latter rested entirely with the
jury. Well, then. the question of fact for
them to decide was, whether these goods were the property
of the plaintiff or not. He should call a witness to prove that
the plaintiff had declared that they were not his property.
and he was sure the jury would decide on this
point in his favour.: The next point was a question
of law. It had been proved by the plaintiff's
own witness that he had given Richardson
notice not to part with the goods, and it would be for his
Lordship to decide whether the plaintiff could main-
tain this action, having by his own act debarred the
defendant from having power to restore the goods. The
Learned Counsel concluded by calling Mrs. Storey, and in
reply to a question as to where she resided, she asked,

Who's to pay me?
Mr. V. LEE-01i, you'll be paid your expenses man. Wit-
ness—l don't know that.

The Loiw CHIEF BARON—What are you, witness ?
Witness—l am dmilliner and dressmaker, and support my
family with my labour.

The Loup CHIEF BARON—You ought certainly to be re-
munerated for your loss of time.

Mr. V. LEE-fwill—TOU take-the word of the defendant's
attorney to see you paid? Witness—Who is the defendant's
attorney ?—( Law.. hter.)
Mr. V. LEE—He is a respectable practitioner.
Witness—l don't know that; but, at all events, I won't
take his word.

The LORD CHIEF BARON—WiII you take the officer of the
Courts'. word to see you pail? Witness—Certainly, my
Lord.

The LORD CnIEF BARON suggested then that the defend-
ant's attorney had better deposit 2./., and this having been
done, the witness allowed herself to be examined. She proved
that the plaintiff had declared to her that the goods in
question were the property of Mrs. Martin.
Mr. GRANGER having replied,
The LORD Cfnur BARON summed up with great minute-
ness, observing that the case involved no question of law. It
was simply a question of fact, and all the jury had to decide
was, whether the goods were the property of the plaintiff,
and had tha defendant been guilty of a conversion of
them.

The jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict,
that the goods were the plaintiff's, but they did not think
the defendant had any intention of converting them to his
own use.

The LonD CIIIEF BARON—That, in fact, is a verdict for
the defendant.

Foreman of the Jury—No, my Lord, we do not find a ver-
dict for the defendant or the plaintiff.
The Lord CHIEF BARoN—What do you find then ? Do
you find that the plaintiff let the goods to Mr. ➢lartin ?
Foreman—\o; we find that the goods were his, but that
he did not let them.

The LORD CHIEF BARON—I think, Gentlemen, you had
better retire, and consider your verdict.
Foreman—My Lord, we have considered it, and we find
that the goods were the plaintiff's; but the defendant, we
think, did not intend to use them. We do not wish to say
who shall have the verdict—the plaintiff or the defendant.

The LORD CHIEF BARON suggested that the parties had
better consent to withdraw a juror.
This suggestion was ultimately adopted, and the jury
discharged.

COMMON PLEAS.-(THIS DAY.)
,Sittings at Nisi Prius, after Term, before Mr. Justice ERLE
and a Middlesex Common Jury.)
WOODNUT V. HOAD AND OTHERS.

The defendants in this case were members of e certain
benefit society, in connexion with which a baking society
had been established, to which latter a sum of 501. had
been lent by the plaintiff. It appears that the bakery was
established by the managing committee of the Benefit
Society, as a safe investment for their superfluous funds, the
original Society having been, up to the time of their engaging
in this unhappy speculation, a very flourishing concern.
Being obliged to borrow a sum from Mr. Woodnut, in order
to enable them to carry on the bakery, the members
of the managing committee signed a contract, agreeing to
give to Mr. Woodnat all the proceeds of the business until
his debt should be paid. The names of these persons were all
put down, either by themselves or by their consent, being pre-
sent with one exception. One Kent, who was not a member, of
the managing committee, but was a member of the society—the
secretary of a branch society, and one of the persons engaged
in the baking concern, was thought so important a person,
that it was considered necessary to have his name
too, though he was absent, and had not authorised
the putting down of his name. A person named
Lighthouse took upon himself to settle this matter by
putting down Kent's name himself, and afterwards obtain-
ing his consent. It was for a portion of the 501. lent on
this occasion, that the present action was brought;
but, unfortunately, the action was against all the per-
sons whose names were attached to the contract, including
Kent. It was attempted to prove that Kent had afterwards
ratified the contract and accepted the debt, but the witness
who was to show this only said, "he did not know that Kent
made any objection " when he heard of it. It was also repre-
sented that as Kent was engaged in the baking, paid certain
sums of money towards it, and was entitled to a certain
share of tne profits (if any) ; he was a partner in the con-
cern, and liable for the debts of the society.
The defence was that Kent was not liable for the debt,
not having signed the paper, not having given his sanction
to the use of his name, and not being a partner in the
bakery ; and that Kent not being liable, the plaintiff would
not recover against the defendants of whom he was one.

Mr. Justice ERLE, in summing up, observed that there
were two points for the jury to consider—first, whether Kent
sanctioned the putting of his name to the paper, and
so accepted the debt ; secondly, whether he was a
partner in the concern, and liable for the debts
of the committee. He (Mr. Justice Erie) thought there was
no evidence at all to show that he acknowledged the debt,
and if the object with which persons :join such societies
be considered, it ;could hardly be held that a person being a
member of it was liable for the committee's debts.
This was a society in which persons give certain,
sums towards a fund to assist them in distress, and not one
joining which thoy intend to accept any liability. It was,
therefore, his, (Mr. Justice Erie's) opinion, that the jury
must find a verdict for the defendants.
The Jury having consulted for some time.
The foreman said, " We find for the plaintiff, with the
exception of Kent."—(A laugh.)
Mr. Justice ERLE explained that if the plaintiff bad not
brought his action against Kent, the verdict would be for the
plaintiff; but if the jury thought Kent liable, they must, as
he had been included, find fcr the defendants, as otherwise,
the plaintiff could recover the whele devt from him.
The jury accordingly found for the defendant.

HIGHWAY ROBBERY.--A robbery was committed
about half-past eight o'clock, this (Friday) evening, near
the seventh mile-stone on the Mansfield road. It appears
that Mr. Colton, accountant, of Nottingham, had been at-
tending the Mansfield Court of Requests, and, on returning,
when neatytb.e mile-stone above mentioned, his horse fell
over a rope, which had been stretched across the road for
the purpose of entrapping some unwary traveller. Mr. Col-
ton was thrown a considerable distance from his horse, and,
when on the gi•ound, was seized at the back of the neck by a
man, who jumped out of the hedge bottom : another man, at
the same time, proceeded to rifle his pockets of two sove-
reigns and a half in gold and a quantity of silver.--Notting-
ham Jilercurp

GREAT SKIFF RACE ON THE

TYNE-VICTORY OF CLASPER.

BY EXPRESS.

The great skiff race between Harry Clasper, of Derwent-
haugh, and Pocock of London, for 100/. a-side, co%cerning
which an unusual degree of interest has been excited for come
time, among the lovers of acquatic sports, came off yester-
day (Tuesday) on the Tyne, and resulted in favour of
Clasper, who won by a distance of several hundred yards.
The occasion, as might be expected, caused an in-intense
turn-out of spectators, both on land and water. The Tyne
bridge, long before the expected time of starting, was densely
crowded, while multitudes lined both sides of the river for
several miles upwards. The steamers, too, of which there
was about a dozen, were filled, even to inconvenience. Spe-
cial trains, carrying hundreds of passengers, also stated
from both the Gateshead and the Forth stations of the New-
castle and Carlisle Railways.
The time fixed for starting was half-an-hour before high
water, and the distance agreed on was for and three-quarter
miles—from the Tyne Bridge to Lemington Glas works.
The weather was favourable, if we except the wind, which
blew rather strongly from the north-west, and caused a
heavy swell in the river. Shortly after twelve o'clock,
Clasper entered his skiff from the south side of the river,
at tae east end of Pipewellgate, and rowed about for
fifteen or twenty minutes, till Pocock, whose skiffwas launched
in front of the Mansion-house, followed. At this time,
the river and the bridge presented a most exciting
and interesting scene. Clasper's boat, which was little
more than twenty-nine feet in length, and extremely
light seemed to dance on the water in such a
manner as to excite fears for its safety. Such fears,
however, proved groundless, for the brave rower
and ingenious builder had so covered it, both fore
and, aft, and even where he was seated, that scarcely
any water entered. The London boat was nearly
two feet longer than Claspar's, and of exceedingly beautiful
mould and construction ; but, owing to its not being sufficiently
well covered to prevent the ingress of water, it was at once
seen to occupy a disadvantageous position when com-
pared with its rival. Both men, on rowing in front of
the bridge, seemed in excellent condition, and equally well
prepared for the contest. On the previous evening,
they had " tossed" for the side of the river they were to
occupy, when Clasper fortunately gained the north or lee side.
This circumstance, coupled with the state of the wind and
weather, effected a material change in the betting, and gave
the odds in favour of Clasper. Parties who on Monday
night bad backed Pocock freely gave five to four on Clasper
on the following morning; and the latter may be said to have
been the general rate of betting previous to the start.
The referees were—John Rayne, Esq., for Pocock, and
David Caddy, Esq., for Clasper, and the umpire, John Currie,
Esq. These gentlemen were on board the Twilight steamer,
which followed the boats the entire distance.

About half-past twelve o'clock, botlidiasper and Pocock
rowed alongside each other, a few yards above the bridge,
and without any signal, made a fair start amid the most
deafening shouting and cheering of their respective friends.
Pocock at once shot a-head about a boat-length, and main-
tained his position till near the Mansion-house,-
when Clasper advanced, and, after keeping side by
side with his opponent for a few minutes, distanced him at
the Shot-tower, by severel yards. The race, at- this
time, was the finest possible. Both men pulled man-
fully- and skilfully ; and contrary to expectation,
Pocock again gained on Clasper, and kept up with him for
a little, till, unhappily, the boats, which were running close
to the river side, " fouled."

On re-starting, Pocock took the lead and maintained it till
the Herd's-house, where Clasper overtook him, and another
"fouling" took place among some wooden piles. Pocock
was the leader once more, followed hard by Clasper, who here
displayed his extraordinary powers in a manner that elicited
one universal shout of applause from the thousands
witnessing the scene. Here, indeed, the abilities
of both men seemed to be better tested than at any other
part of the race. Pocock, as we have already stated, took
the lead after the second " fouling ;" but Claeper, having put
his mettle fairly to the test, 'gradually lessened the dis-
tance between himself and his opponent, and, when
near Elswick-house. darted before him in the most masterly
and beautiful style imaginable. This sudden change in
the position of the boats may be said to have virtually
decided the contest. Pocock's boat was evidently fillingwith
water, and moved less swiftly, although he pulled with all the
power and skill for which the Thames boatmen are justly
celebrated. Clasper was now fully fifty or sixty yards in
advance, and slowly, but surely, increasing the distance
between him and his opponent. Pocock. seeing this,
and fearing he might be swamped, pulled on shore op-
posite Elswick-house, and, after emptying his boat, now
almost filled with water, again resumed the oars, and, with
indomitable perseverance and ability, struggled onwards. The
effort, however, was a hopeless one. Clasper maintained
his advanced pasition, and, for a long part of the way,
was about a quarter of a mile beyond his unfortunate
opponent. Both pulled energetically; but, owing to
the distance between them, the interest in the race
seemed now to have materially lessened, and nothing was
heard but loud and enthusiastic congratulations on Clasper's
success. The keelmen in their boats floating down with the
tide, cheered and shouted lustily ; while, from either side of
the river, loud prolonged applause rose from the assembled
multitudes, who appeared in ecstasies at the victory
of the worthy son of old father Tyne. Clasper
reached Leamington at five minutes past one o'clock,
running the entire distance in thirty-five minutes. Here he
turned and rowed back to meet Pocock, and on coming
alongside the two rivals shook hands. Pocock then went on
board one of the steamers which had sailed after the race,
and returned to Newcastle. Clasper rowed home to Derwen-
thaugh, whither he was followed by his enthusiastic friends
and admirers.

The result of this contest, it is almost unnecessary to say,
excited the most lively feelings of joyous satisfaction in the
town and neighbourhood. Young and old seemed delighted
with the victory achieved by this now unrivalled champion of
aquatic sports. The fact of the Tyne having a second
time vanquished the hitherto unconquerable Thames ap-
peared to afford an unusual degree of pleasure to the sport-
ing circles of our "canny" town. The amount that has
changed hands in betting is said to be very considerable.
We heard of one stake, probably the highest, of 6001. to 4001.
in favour of Clasper. We are certainly within the msrk when
we say that from 3,0001. to 4,000/. changed hands on the
occasion.

THE VISCOUNTESS VILLIERS.—We are happy to
hear that Dr. Seymour arrived late last night in London
from Upton House, the seat of Viscount Villiers, having left
the Viscountess so much better as to give the fairest hopes of
recovery.

VV
Lord Primate Beresford has declared his intention
of bestowing 1,0001. on each of the three provincial colleges,
towards the foundation of divinity schools for students of the
Established Church.—lrish paper.
The Gazttte of last night contains two Orders in
Council, one admitting pot and pearl ashes, and specimens
illustrative of natural history, into British possessions
abroad free of the duties imposed by the Act for the
Regulation of the Trade of British possessions; and the
other permitting the French to import into St. Helena,
from the dominions of France, such goods being the produce
of those dominions, and to export from the said island to
any foreign country such goods as they are permitted to im-
port or to export, respectively, into or from her Majesty's
possessions in the West Indies and America.
NEW EMPLOYMENT FOR PAUPERS.—A communi-
cation from the Poor-law Commissioners was laid before the
Hertford Board of Guardians at their last sitting, authorising
them to employ the poor in the workhouse in extracting the
flour or starch from diseased potatoes, free of expense to any
poor person who should send them to the house for that pur-
pose.—Chelmsford Chronicle.

BRUNEL AND MS BIRTH-PLACE.—The village of
Hacqueville, in Normandy, is deserving of mention as the
birth-place of Mark Isambert Brunel, the engineer of the
Thames Tunnel. He was educated at the College of Gisors,
and when the vacations called him home, his favourite re-
sort was the shop of the village carpenter, whose tools and
instruments had greater attractions for the youthful en-
gineer than Latin and Greek, and his allotted holiday task.
He has frequently described the wonder and delight with
which he, for the first time, beheld (1784), on the quay of
Rouen, the component parts of a huge steam-engine just
landed from England. " When lam a man (he said to him-
self) I will repair to the country where such machinery is
made."

SERIOUS AFFRAY WITH A RAILWAY SURVEYOR
AND HIS AssisrfaisTs.—On Friday afternoon last, a serious
affray took place near the village of Appleton, about eight
miles from York, between Mr. William Iligginbottom, a
railway surveyor, and his assistants, in the employ of the
Cambridge and Lincoln Extension, and Lincoln, York, and
Leeds Junction Railway Company. It appears that Ilig-
ginbottom and about nine others, his assistants, attempted
to enter a field in the township of Appleton Roebuck, which
field forms a portion of the estate of Sir W. M. Milner,
Bart. Their progress was opposed, however, by the watchers
and workmen in the employ of Sir William, which gave
rise to a very serious conflict, the surveying party having
made a most determined attack upon the men who ob-
structed them. The latter at one time were likely to have
been overpowered, but having obtained a reinforcement, the
surveyor and his men were obliged to make a retreat ; but
he and six others were taken into custody and conveyed
to York. On the following day (Saturday) the defendants
appeared at York Castle, under the charge of having
riotously assembled together, and assaulted Thomas Cart-
wright and others. During the investigation it was shown
that one man, named James .Foster, one of Sir William's
party had been dangerously wounded in the head, and Cart-
wright had received a severe cut in the head, as had also
Davies, one of the defendants. It was urged by Mr. Ander-
son, that Sir 'William Milner having refused permission to
the above railway company to survey his estate, the de-
fendant (Iligginbottom) had caused to be brought from
a colliery in the neighbourhood of Leeds, a number of per-
sons, of whom the defendant formed a part, to enable him to
make the survey in spite of Sir William. The magistrates
were of opinion that the assault had been proved, and they
therefore bound Iligginbottom over to keep the peace for
six months, himself in the sum of 30/., and a surety in the
same amount. The other defendants were required to enter
into their own recognizances of 201. each to keep the peace
for six months.

KF,NT•ROAD .BRITISH SCHOOLS.—A numerous and
respectable meeting of the inhabitants of the Kent-road and
its vicinity, was held at these school-rooms, in the Old
Kent-road, yesterday evening, on the occasion of their being
opened ; Benjamin Hawes, Esq., M.P., in the chair. On
the platform, besides the chairman, were W. D. Christie,
Esq., M.P. ; H. Elphinstone, Esq., M.P. ; W. Ewart. Esq.,
M.Y. ; W. Wyse, Esq., M.P. ; Rev. Messrs. G. Rose, H.
Richards, and T. Smith. &c. The Chairman, after a few
preliminary observations, • said that the necessity for such
institutions as that which they had met to uphold, was
shown clearly by the circumstance, that two millions
seven Itundr,d thousand children were receiving education
under the national system ; while, according to the popula-
tion, the number should at least have baen three millions.
There was one important point in connexion with this sub-
ject, to which he deemed it his duty to direct their atten-
tion, and was not in the least inferior in importance to the
circumstance of the numbers to be educated, and that was
the amount that would be required, to afford anything like
an adequate education to the people of this country, which
he had no hesitation in asserting would, at least, be one
million per annum. Nor could it be said that this deficiency
in the number of those educated under the national system,
was in any degree compensated by the character of the in-
struction conveyed under the system. Several other ad-
dresses were delivered. The meeting then separated.
BIRTHDAY OF THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH.—A
numerous party of the Duke of Buccleuch's tradesmen dined
together yesterday at the Freemasons' Tavern, in honour of
his Grace's birthday. Mr. Butler presided, and was sup-
ported by Mr. Stultz, Mr. Cuff, Mr. Cobbett, Mr. Staunton,
Mr. Tucker, Mr. Pugh (who officiated as vice-chairman),
&c. The " Health of the Duke and his Family," was
drunk with enthusiasm. The musical department was, as
usual, under the management of Mr. Goter. The evening
passed off most pleasantly, and the dinner and wines were
excelleut.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE
CITY OF LONDON.

Ceutlemen,—The present state of the country, in
regard to its supply of food, cannot be viewed without
apprehension. Forethought and bold precaution may
avert any serious evils—indecision and procrastination
may produce a state•of suffering which it is frightful to
contemplate.
Three weeks ago it, was generally expected that Par-
liament would be immediately called together. The an-
nouncement that Ministers were prepared at that time
to advise the Crown to summon Parliament, and to pro-
pose on their first meeting a suspension of the import
duties on corn, would have caused orders at once to be
sent to various ports of Europe and America for the
purchase and transmission of grain for the consumption
of the United Kingdom. An Order in Council dis-
persing with the law was neither necessary nor desir-
able. No party in Parliament would have made itself
responsible for the obstruction of a measure so urgent
and so bimeficial.
The Queen's Ministers have met, and separated, with-
out affording us any promise of such seasonable relief.
It becomes us, therefore, the Queen's subjects, to con-
sider how we can best avert, or at all events mitigate,
calamities of no ordinary magnitude.
Two evils require your consideration. One of these
is the disease in the potatoes, affecting very seriously
parts of England and Scotland, and committing fearful
ravages in Ireland.

The extent of this evil has not yet been ascertained,

and every week, indeed, tends either to reveal unexpected
disease, or to abitp in some districts the alarm previously
entertained. But there is one misfortune peculiar to the
failure in this particular crop. The effect of a bad corn
harvest islin the first place, to diminish the supply in
the market, and to raise the price. Hence diminished
consumption, and the privation of incipient scarcity, by
which the whole stock is more equally distributed
over the year, and the ultimate pressure is greatly
mitigated. But the fear of the breaking out of this
unknown disease in the potatoes induces the holders to
hurry into the market, and thus we have at one and the
same time rapid consumption and impending deficiency
—scarcity of the article and cheapness of price. The ul-
timate suffering must thereby be rendered far more severe

;hail it otherwise would be. The evil to whick I have

adverted may be owing to an adverse season, to a mys-
terious disease in the potato, to want of science or of
care in prop ogating the plant. In any of these cases
Government is no more subject to blame for the failure

of the potato crop, than it was entitled to credit for
the plentiful corn harvests which we have lately enjoyed.
Another evil, however, under which we are suffering,
is the fruit of Ministerial counsel and Parliamen-
tary law. It is the direct consequence of au Act
of Parliament, passed three years ago, on the
recommendation of the present advisers of the
Crown. By this law grain of all kinds has been made

subject to vet), high duties on importation. These du-
ties are so contrived that the worse the quality of the
corn the higher is the duty ; so that when good wheat
rises to 703. a quarter the average price of all wheat
is 575. or .585., and the duty 15s. or 14s. a quarter. Thus
the corn barometer points to fair, while the ship is
bending under a storm.
This defect was pointed out many years ago by
writers on the corn-laws, and was urged upon the atten-
tion of the House of Commons when the present Act was
under consideration.

But I confess that on the general subject my views
have, in the course of twenty years, undergone a great
alteration. I used to be of opinion that corn was an
exception to the general rules of political economy ;
but observation and experience have convinced me that
we ought to abstain from all interference with the sup-
ply of food. Neither a Government nor a Legislature
can ever regulate the corn market with the beneficial
effects which the entire freedom of sale and purchase are
sure of themselves to produce.
I have for several years endeavoured to obtain a com-
promise on this subject. In 1839 I voted for a Com-
mittee of the whole House, with the view of supporting

the substitution of a moderate fixed duty for the sliding-
scale. In 1841 I announced the intention of the then
Government of proposing a fixed duty of Bs. a quarter.
In the past session I proposed the imposition of some
lower duty. These propositions were successively re-
jected. The present First Lord of the Treasury met
them in 1839, 1840, and 1841 by eloquent panegyrics of
the existing system—the plenty it had caused, the rural
happiness it had diffused. He met the propositions for
diminished protection in the same way in which ho had
met the offer of securities for Protestant interests in

1817 and 1825--in the same way in which he met the
proposal to allow Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham
to send Members to Parliament in 1830.

The result of resistance to qualified concessions must
be the same in the present instance as in those I have
mentioned. It is no longer worth while to contend for
a fixed duty. In 1841 the free-trade party would have,
agreed to a duty of Bs. a quarter on wheat, and after a
lapse of years this duty might have been further re-
duced, and ultimately abolished. But the imposition of
any duty at present, without a :provision for its extinc
tion within a short period, would but prolong a contest
already sufficiently fruitful of animosity and discontent.
The struggle to make bread scarce and dear, when it is
clear that part, at least, of the additional price goes to
increase rent, is a struggle:deeply injurious to an aristo-
cracy which (this quarrel once removed) is strong in
property, strong in the construction of our Legislature,
strong in opinion, strong in ancient associations, and the
memory of immortal services.
Let us, then, unite to put an end to a system which
has been proved to be the blight of commerce, the bane
of agriculture, the source of bitter divisions among
classes, the cause of penury, fever, mortality, and crime
among the people.

But if this end is to be achieved, it must be gained
by the unequivocal expression of the public voice. It
is not to be denied that many elections for cities and
towns in 1841, and some in 1845, appear to favour the
assertion that free trade is not popular with the great
mass of the community. The Government appear to
be waiting for some excuse to give up the present corn-
law. Let the people, by petition, by address, by remon-

strance, afford them the excuse they seek. Let the
Ministry propose such a revision of the taxes as in their
opinion may render the public burdens more just and
more equal; led them add any other provisions which
caution and even scrupulous forbearance may suggest;
but let the removal of restrictions on the admission of
the main articles of food and clothing used by the mass
of the people be required, in plain terms, as useful to
all great interests, and indispensable to the progress of
the nation.—l have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your
obedient servant, J. RUSSELL.
Edinburgh, Nov. 22, 1845.