The Welshman

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY, FEB. 26. ine Speaker took the chair at four o'clock. Mr. Pryse Pryse took the oaths and his seat for the Caruligaii boroughs and Mr. Connelly for Donegal. The following bills were read a second time :—Airdrie Police and Municipal Bill; Bedford Charity Act Amend- loent bill Lancashire and Yorkshire and London and North Western Railway Company (transfer of interest in the Preston and Wyre Railway, Harbour, and Dock, and regulating the management of the undertaking bill,) Llynvi Valley Railways bill. In answer to a question from Mr. A. Stafford, Lord John Russell said he intended on Thursday next to propose that the house resolvc itself into a committee of the whole house, to consider the report of the Com- mute on the Irish Poor-law, with a view to the imposi- tion of a rate in aid. Mr. Cobderi moved, on going into committee of supply, the following resolution :—That the net expen- diture of the government for the year 183o (Parliamen- tary Paper, No. 260, 18-17), amounted to 144,42 2, 0,90 that the net expenditure for the year ended oth Jan., 18ji9 (Parliamentary Paper, No. 1, 1849), amounted to L:,54,185,000 the increase of nearly ten millions having been caused principally by successive augmentations of our warlike establishments and outlays for defensive armaments. That no foreign danger, nor necessary cost cf the civil government, nor indispensable disburse- ments for the services in our dependencies abroad, warrant the continuance of this increase of expenditure. That the taxes required to meet the present expenditure impede the operations of agriculture and manufactures, and diminish the funds for the employment of labour in all branches of productive industry, thereby increasing j pauperism and crime, and adding grievously to the local and general blirtlteiis of the people. That, to diminish these evils, it is expedient that this house take steps to reduce the annual expenditure, with all practicable speed, to an amount not exceeding the sum which, with.n tan hist fourteen years, has been proved to be suiffcient for the maintenance of the security, honour, and dignity of the nation." The lion, gentleman pro- ceeded to say that the expenditure of the country had so far exceeded the capabilities of the country that it was necessary that the house should come to a decision to reduce that expenditure. In bringing forward this re- J solution he by no means intended that what he was about to propose should be dune instanter, he was not so unreasonable, he only wished to pledge the House to the desirableness and necessity of what he was about to suggest. Comparisons had been made between the ex- penditure of France and that of this country, but in taking the expenditure of this country at £ 14 122 000 in IS;j, and at £.j4,18.j,000 last year, it should be re- colleoied hat in Fnnce there were a number of items charged in the Budget which in England were local charges, such as the charges for religion, education, roads, and bridges; and fur the Ateliers Nationaux, of which of late they had heard so much, as if every union workhouse in this country was not an Atelier National. Taking the cost of the collection of the revenue in this country last year at £ 7,000,000, the poor rate., at £$,000,000, county-rates at JL 1.000,000, the expense of religious establishments at £6,000,000, and adding these several sums to the ;C54,0,00,000 which appeared in the Budget,it would appear that our actual aUDual expen- diture last year was E77,000,000, while that of France was only £ 72,000,000, and that during a year of revolu- tion. The Hon. Gentleman then drew the attention of the House to the great increase which had taken place iu the amount, of these local charges. The poor-rates had increased from CI,300,000 in 1337 to 1:8,341,000 in 1S48. The county-rates had increased from £ 071,000 in 1835 to fl,2f3(3,000 in 1847. He was convinced that this tendency to progressive increase in the local charges could only be stopped by general legislation-it would never be stopped by the local authorities themselves. The Honourable Gentleman then proceeded to justify his adoption of the year 183-3 as a standard by the ex- ample of tli--se who, in 1816, adopted 1792 as the stand- ard for the reduction of the expenditure,and by the exa!)i[)!" ,f Mr. Pitt and Lord Castlereagh. He found that in 183-5, the interest of the debt was E28,51 1,000, and in 1848 it was £ 28,-563,000, being a difference of E50,000, but the estimates for the army, navy, and ord- nance were. in 183-5, £ 11,697,000, and in 1848, £ 17,64-1,000, to which must be added ft,iOu. 00 for the Kathr war, making a total of £ 18,74-5,000 for our mititnry estabiishments. The civil expenditure, conso- lidated fund, and miscellaneous expenditure amounted, in 1S3-5, to £ 4,251,000, and in 1818 to £ 6,-598.000. This included the grant to Ireland. The only portion of the civil expenditure upon which any reduction could at prlo:lJt be effected was on the miscellaneous es- timates, and he therefore felt they must reduce the enormous expenses of our military establishments. J In 1S-6 there had been .5,000 seamen added to our navy on account ot the appiehensiotis entertained of a r.ar with Russia; in 1838 there had been an addition of 8,000 to the army on account of the rebellion in Canada and in 1S39 an addition of 5,000 on ac- count of the Chartist outbreak at Newport; in 1840 there was an addition of -5,000 sailors on account of the Cliiruse war. and the operations on the coast of Syria in 1842 another addition of 4,000 sailors on account of our disputes with America on the boundary question; in 184-5 there was an increase in the army, navy, and ordnance estimates of £ 1,700,000 on ac- count of the Oregon dispute; and in 1846 they had a further increase of £ 1,200,000 in these estimates owing to the hostile attitude assumed by France on the question of the Spanish marriages. None of these causes which had led to these successive augmentations in our navy, our army, and ordnance, row remained, and yet those estimates had never been reduced, although the causes for their augmentation had long ceased to exist. We stood at this moment in reference to our foreign relations in an infinitely better position than we occupied iil 133-5. \V e were then in an uneasy position with regard to Russia and the Northern Powers, and w ere marauding on the coast of Spain. With whom did we how dread a collision ? With Russia, with her serfs, who would give her plenty to do ? — with Ger- many, or w uh France If England took advantage of her insular position, a i-,d would n it interfere with J- • "■ -•- w Lio r l ancpr of IT s# "■/ i-pM j, f-'iiif .inrri. — ■ j ninsm war than at present. It was said that the establish- ments were much too low in 1^35; he denied it. Thp Honourable Secretary to the Admiralty said that the dockyard establishments were almost ill a state of ruin in 183-5. Tilat argument held been nseù in 1816, when it was proposed L) redllce the establishments of 1796' It was said that Mr. Pitt had expressed his regret for having reduced the establishments so low in 1793, until Lord Grenville declared in the House of Lords that Mr. Pitt had alwa's E'xprpssed his approval of the reduction of 1796. lie would appeal on the subject, to the Right Honourable Baronet (Sir James Graham), whose administrative powers he admired, and ask him if the dockyards in 183-5 were in a state of destitution. The time was now come when it was their duty seri- ously to consider whether they could reduce this expen- diture. He could understand how Protectionists might consistently vote for maintaining our colonial estabhsh- ments, but he could not understand how Free-traders or those who thought Free-trade must be henceforth the rule of the country, could vote for these establish- ments. We had given the colonies Free-trade when they liked, but they must defend themselves. It was said we were to make the colonies integral parts of the kingdom but how could they do that unless they shared our taxes and our debt? Henceforth this country could not expect to derive any greater advantage from her colonies than other nations, and therefore she was not bound to keep up an establishment for their defence. It might be proper to keep up such garrisons as Gibraltar, or Malta, but it was unjust to the inha- bitants of this country tc tax them for the maintenance of colonies such as Australia and New Zealand, which could support themselves, and in which the condition of the labourers was infinitely superior to that of the small farmer in this country.—(Hear.) They must prepare to relieve themselves from the expenditure they had incurred in those,colonies. Why, in New Zealand they had to every ten colonists one soldier, armed, fed, and clothed at the expense of the people of this country, among a population everv man of whom carried his ritle as 11 matter of course, and knew how to use it. What did they want with troops in Australia, when there was not a single abori- ginal inhabitant? He believed those troops were intended rather to keep down th8 colonists than to defend them, This was a system requiring a total change, and if that change were IIFlde there would be no difficulty in making the reductions he proposed. With regard to the troops at home, he thought that there were an infinitely greater number of troops than there was any necessity for. At no time, either in" Ireland or England had there been one hundied men in arms assembled during the last year against the Go- vernment. He believed, as far as En?land was con- cerned, that had it not been for the Irish ele- ment there would have been no turbulence in this country, notwithstanding the heavy distress which weighed upon the working classes in 181i, who, aware that everv morsel of food that could come fr"m abroad was permitted to come, were perfectly loyal and tranquil. He had heard with some indignation that it was the troops alld special constables which had prevented a rising last year. He did not be- lieve it, and he was glad not to bplieve it; anù with regard to those persons sentenced to transportation for life, he hoped it would be remembered that this country was exposed to the electric shock of the French revo- lution, and they had reason to congratulate themselves that it had taken such little root in this country, and that therefore it was their duty to be merciful. The condition of the people of England was no excuse fur keeping lip our forces; therefore, the House ought to call upon the Government, as an act of justice to the taxpayers, to reduce larely the military and naval forccs of this country. He would not dwell upon the advan- tage it would be to commerce and agriculture to reduce taxation. He would not remind country gentlemen of the benefit of the reduction of the malt and hop duty. But it was no use talking of the reduction of those duties unless they reduced the naval and military esta- blishments. There were all sorts of taxes which diffe- rent persons desired to see removed but none of them could be removed unless they reduced the expenditure. They ought to consider the probable amount of danger to the country from reducing the forces, and the proba- ble amount of danger from continuing the burdens; they could not but conclude that the country was in more danger of being crushed beneath these burdens I than of being injured from abroad. It might be said that we must increase our forces because other powers had done the same. With regard to the navy we were the first offenders. We had begun the increase, and now France was willing to reduce, and we should follow her example. In the cost of collection of the revenue there was great extravagance, and they might make a considerable reduction in that item. Then, with regard to the Woods and Forests, if the Noble Lord the Mem- ber for Bath (Lord Duncan) saved by his Committee only half the £600,000 he would enable the Government to m:1ke a great reduction in taxation. He would if he had the management of the expenditure devote ten miilions sterling and no more for armaments, which would give him £I,GOO,OOO more for civil expenditure than in 183-5, without exceeding the expenditure of that year.—(Hear, hear.) He was convinced that every step they took in mitigating the pressure of taxation on the peo!,1e did more for the securing the attachment of the people to our institutions and, by so doing, for securing the country against foreign attacks, than all the arma- ments that they might maintain.—(Cheers.) The Hon. Member concluded by moving his resolution. Mr. Hurne seconded the motion. The Chancellor of the Exchequer complimented the Hon. Gentleman upon the temper he had displayed in bringing forward this motion. This was a question not of hundreds or of thousands, but of millions, and he differed from the Hon. Gentleman bv millions. To meet the question fairly he must premise, that in comparing the expenditure of the last year with that of 183-5, the extraordinary expenses of 1848, such as the charges for the C a fire war and Irish distress, must be deducted from the current expenditure, and when these items were deducted, the difference between them was not £10,000,000 but only about £6,000,000. The Right Hon. Baronet then entered into a brief review of the expenditure in the naval, military, and ordnance de- partments, with the view of showing that the progres- sive increase in each had been caused by the exigencies of the public service, and that their reduction to the standard contemplated by Mr. Cobden was altogether impossible. With respect to the miscellaneous expen- diture for the civil service, it had begun to rise the year before that which the Hon. Gentleman took as his standard, and since that period the House had thrown upon the Government the superintendence of a number of departments formerly under local management, be- sides many charges entirely new. III this respect, therefore, there could be no reduction neither c"l1ld there be any in the ordnance, without serious detriment and ultimate loss. In the army and the navy the Go- vernment were desirous of economising to the greatest extent compatiblc with the efficiency of those two ser- vices, and they were of opinion that the aspect of affairs, both abroad and at home, warranted them in proposing the reductions they had made in the estimates to be submitted to the House. Having enumerated the seve- ral taxes which, during the last twenty years, had been either greatly reduced or altogether repealed, with the view of showing that the pressure of taxation was not so severe as Mr. Cobden had represented it to be, the Right Hon. Gentleman examined the revenue and ex- penditure of the last year ending the -5th of January last, and contrasted them with what during last session he had calculated they would reach. His anticipations in this respect had been fully borne out by exnerience and he believed that the expenditure for the ¡;ext vea; would LdJ considerably within the income. In con- cluding his address, he called on the House to record its opinion that it would be inexpedient to effect re- ductions to the amount proposed. Mr. John O'Connell directed the attention of the financial economists to what he contended were facts, namely, that if Ireland were better governed, her ex- penditure would be less and her income greater. Sir De Lacy Evans found fault with Mr Cobden and the otller financial reform agitators, for the manner in which they had mixed up the question as related to the army, navy, and ordnance, with personalities. Mr. Hume vindicated the conduct of Mr. Cobden and supported the arguments used by him in support of a reduction in the expenditure. Mr. Herries, at considerable length, combatted the arguments of the Hon. Member for the West Ridinu (Mr. Cobden), applying himself especially to a consi- deration of the financial history of the French and the English Governments since the year 1820, for the pur- pose of proving that the Government of this country had pursued a course which entitled it to the esteem and confidence of the public. The Right Honourable Gentleman also spoke in strong terms of condemnation of the arguments made use of_at Manchester and other places by the Hon. Member for the West Riding in support of his financial views. Mr. Miiner Gibson thought that the reduction alluded to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was even more than Mr. Cobden expected, and hoped that such a system would be adopted in the reduction of the army, navy, and ordnance as would tend to al:evlate the heavy b'lidens under which the people of this country were labouring. Mr. Uiqiihart opposed Mr. Cobden's amendment, be- cause it was not supported by a definite scheme of financial economy. Mr. Macgregor supported it as a matter of principle, and not with reference to the expendituie of 183-5, or of any ocher period. ir. Anstey opposed the amendment. Colonel Sibthnrp said he should feel it his duty to vote against the motion of the Hon. Gentleman the Member for the West Riding of Yorkshire; hut vote with her Majesty's Government he could not. He could not rely upon the integrity of either—they were both equally bad. (Laughter.) He thought the Hon. Mem- ber for ttie West Riding "a snake in the grass," and he should take care alid not be bitten by hiin. (Re- newed laughter.) lie had the same opinion of the Government,and he should therefore vote with neither. (The Gallant Colonel then left the House amidst con- tinued laughter and cheers.) Mr. Bright wished to impress upon the House that the object of the Hon. Member for the West Riding, and of those who acted with him on the question before the House, was to induce the Government to reduce the expenditure of the country, not by a sudden lopping otf of ten millions, but by a gradual and steady system. After a few word s from Mr. Drummond, in opposition to the theories advanced by Hon. Members in support of the motion, The House divided, when there appeared — For going Irw>->'J"r_Æ"ir- "r "w -1Lr- into Cornmitteeof Supply, 27o for the amendment, 78. Majority against the amendment, 197. The House then went into Committee pro fur ma, and resumed immediately. The Relief of Distress (Ireland) Bill went through I Committee. The other or?prs of the (hy were then diposcd of, I and the House adjourned at one 0 clock. TUESDAY, FEB. 27. I The Speaker took the Chair a few minutes before Four o'clock. The Dublin Consolidation Improvement Bill was or- dered to be read a second time this day fortnight. ENGLAND SUPPLYING ARMS TO THE SICILIANS. I Mr. Bankes wished to put a question to the Noble Lord relative to a subject of some importance. Itit- mours were prevalent that some of the arms used by the insurgents in Sicily had come from her Majesty's Government. He wished to know if such was the fact ? Lord Palmerston said that no stores had been given from the Government. The fact was, a contractor who was in the habit of supplying guns to the ordnance ap- plied for leave to take back some of the arms he had supplied, in order to complete an order from Sicily and on the matter being referred to the Foreign-office, he (Lord Palmerston) thought there could be no ob- jection to allowing the party to take back some of the arms upon the understanding he was to furnish others ¡ for them. Mr. P. Miles asked if a despatch had been received at the Colonial-office from the Governor of Jamaica-and, if so, whether it would be laid before the house—with respect to the vote of supply. Mr. Bailey trusted the papers would not be curtailed in any way. (Cries of" Order, order.") Oh, he would put a question, then, and he would ask whether it was likely that these papers would be mutilated as former colonial documen ts had been ? (Hear ) Mr. Hawes-Sir, the question put by the Hon. Gen- tleman is a most unusual one, and it is calculated to excite a prejudice, which however I am glad to have this public opportunity of distinctly and entirely removing. (Hear.) It has been stated more than once by parties whom the Hall. Gentleman knows well, that instances have occurred that dispatches have been curtailed by my Noble Friend at the head of the Colonial-office for purposes of his owu. ( Hear, hear.) It is utterly un- founded. It is altogether unfounded that there has been anything of the kind. (Hear, hear.) It will be remembered that these dispatches were moved for by Lord George Bentiuck in a former session, and an ex- planation was given by me at the time that these dis- patches related entirely to some apprehended distur- bances in Jainaica, in consequence of some exciting language used by some disappointed monopolists at the passing of the Sugar Bill through this House. That language was to the effect that the parties there were disposed to transfer their allegiance to the United States of America, which had excited considerahle disapproha- tion, and some disturbances were apprehended amongst the negro population of the Island. Now, these dis- patches contained particular charges and referred to par- ticular individuals by name but it was found that these charges which related to certain individuals in the island, were untrue, and the names were struck out of the dis- patches, a course which I think was quite right to adopt and it is a course which I approve of, and which I have determined to take again, if there be any necessity for it but I tell the House this, that when the Committee which the Hon. Gentleman had moved for sits, there will not be the smallest objection to place before the Com- mittee the whole despatches relating to the Ceylon affairs; but they cannot be laid before the House or the public, as they relate to individuals, and the private character of particular parties, and any Minister, in my opinion, would be unfit to continue in his office, who woul,1 consent to the publication of matters calculated to reflect unjustly upon the character of private indi- viduals.—(Hear, and cheers.) Mr. Bailey—Will the dispatches be laid before the House. Mr. Hawes—Certainly not. Mr. Osborne-But they will be laid before the Com- mittee. Ir. Hawes-Certainly. I have not the least objec- tion to lay them before the Committee, but certainly not before the House. iNIr. Bailey-They ought to be laid before the House. Mr. Hawes—Let the Hon. Gentleman move for their production, and take the sense of the House upon them.—( Hear.) Mr. Hume-But the dispatches relate to the colonies generally.-(-), no.) The matter then dropped. The Buckingham Summer Assizes Bill was read a second time. Having disposed of all the business on the paper, the House adjourned at half past 7 o'cloek. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28. After the presentation of petitions, The Insolvent Members' Bill was referred to a Select Committee. On the motion of Mr. C. Lewis, the Public Roads Bill was withdrawn, but immediately afterwards re-in- troduced with amendments. The Offences (Ireland) Bill was withdrawn by Sir H. W. Barron, after having been described by Mr. Druin- mond as the funniest bill ever introduced into the House of Commons, it being-as he observed—a bill to enable every Irishman to take every other Irishman into cus- tody. The report on the Vice Guardians of Unions (Ireland) bill, was brought up and agreed to, with some amend- ments. The Overseers (Cities and Boroughs) Bill passed through Committee, as did also the Out-door Paupers bill and the Buckingham Summer Assizes Bill. The House then adjourned.

OCCUPATION OF FERRARA BY THE AUSTRIANs.-On the 18th ult. the Austrian troops passed the river Po at several points, and took forcible possession of the city of Ferrara. IMPORTANT CONVICTION UNDER THE WRECK AND SALVAGE ACT.-A most important conviction, re- sulting in the committal to gaol of the master of a steam vessel, for evading the provisions of the act 9th and 10th Victoria, chap. 99, known as the Wreck and Salvage Act, has just taken place at Newmarket, in Flintshire. The decision in this case is one of great importance to the maritime interest, and cannot be too generally known by masters and commanders of vessels. It appears that the Taliesin steamer, plying between Liverpool and Rhyl, on her passage between the above ports, on the 2th of January last, fell in with an abandoned vessel, which proved to be the Dasher, of Killough, in Ireland, laden with oatmeal, and bound for Liverpool, This wreck was taken in tow by the steamer, and was safely brought into the river Dee, where she was stranded near Mostyn Quay. The master of the steamer reported the circumstances to his employers, the Messrs. Eyton, of Mostyn Colliery, but neglected doing so to the Receiver of Droits of Ad- miralty for the district, as required by law. The Messrs. Eyton took measures for saving as much of the cargo as possible, and they transmitted a full narrative of the circumstances to Lloyd's agent at Liverpool, and to the owners of the Dasher at Killoagh. A small schooner was laden with the recovered property, value £ 1-50, which was forwatded to Liverpool by Messrs. Eyton for the benefit of the underwriters, by whom it had been claimed. The remainder of the cargo was plundered, and carried away by a number of lawless depredators. For the non-compliance with the provi- sions of the act, in thus neglecting to place the vessel and cargo at the disposal of the Receiver, Hugh Jones, the master of the Taliesin, was summoned by Captain Tarleton, the Receiver of Droits, before the magistrates at Newmarket. The case was fully entered into, and the fact of the non-reporting to the Admiralty officers clearly established. The magistrates inflicted the penalty of £100, which sum they had no discretionary power to mitigate. In default of payment, the master was sen- tenced to six months' imprisonment. It may not be generally known that all goods and articles cast up by Js an d ai-t i c l e- cast ul) by the sea, or secured as derelict on the waters, are imme- diately to be reported in writing, as such, by the salvors to the receivers for the Admiralty. The act is most stringent and decisive on this point. In the above in- stance had the master properly reported the case he would have been entitled to a large sum as salvage. APPREHENSION OF A SUPPOSED MURDERER.—On Wednesday week the constable of Peterborough, Benj. Taylor, succeeded in apprehending Thomas Brennan, described as late of the parish of Carroward, in the county of Roscommon (Ireland), labourer at Mr. Spen- cer's, of W oodcroft Castle, near Peterborough, charged with the awful wilful murder of Major Mahon. Great praise is due to Taylor for his exertions and ingenuity in this ease, he having been engaged for the last three weeks in la) iiig plans and devising means for the appre- hension of Brennan. The prisoner had nearly escaped the hands of justice, for, on searching him, a letter was fouii( i on him statirig found on him stating that his passage to America was paid by his sister, and that the vessel would sail from Liverpool in a few days. Taylor, however, ultimately succeeded in finding him at Spencer's, in company with five other Irishmen. He went there with his assistants, well armed with loaded pistols, and after a struggle, succeeded in capturin g him. The Postmaster-General has issued orders to country Postmasters, that on and after the 1st of March no letter posted after the letter-box is closed for the pur- pose of despatching any particular mail, will be sent by such mail unless the postage and late-letter fee are pre- paid by stamps that the late letter-fee will be an uni- form one of one penny that no tetters under any cir- cumstances must be sent by any particular mail if thev are posted durill the ten minutes immediately preced- ing the dispatch of such mail that late letters must be leceived by the deputy postmasters at the office window where paid letters are received, or they must be posted in a letter-box immediately under the paid office window, according as it suits the convenience of the postmasters. Placards must be constantly exhibited at the paid office window and on the ordinary letter-boxes when the mails are making up by the deputy postmasters, in order that the public may not suffer any inconvenience from these new and important regulations. YOUNG HOUSEKEI-.VEP.S. (a week after returning from the honey-mooll.)-Cook; "Please Ma'am, what will you have for dinner to-day r" Young wife A leg of mutton." Young husband: '"Why, my dear, we've had lpg of mutton every day since our return." Young wife Oh, tlrjn, a leg of beef, cook

LITERARY NOTICES. Sand and Canvas; a narrative of adventures in Ejypt, with a. sojottrn-amoixj the artists in Home. By Samuel Bevan, London C. Gilpin, 5, Bishopsgate Street, Without. Eg.pt and Italy are terribly haeknied ground for a traveller who intends to write to choose for his peregri- nations. Scarcely one who has ventured beyond the regular road of tourists, but has thought himself entitled to give to the world the result of his experiences—the catalogue of what he saw and felt and lieird. A;ld too often this catalogue has been a mere repetition of pre- decessors—for rare indeed have been the instances in which wanderers have stepped out of the recognized road, or descended below, or ascended above, or in any way turned aside from the associations which author- travellers are almost always obliged to indulge. They are thus too much of a family are these wanderers; and these works give one the idea that a pair of scissors and studious habits at home in the library, could have pro- duced a book equal to the majority of those that flood the shelves of booksellers. Now we must exclude Mr. Bevan from the category of repetitionists. He has taken an old road it ;s true, but somehow hehasgotonanothersideofthe hedge. His life in Egypt and Italy has not been the life of a travel- ler. He was a resident and he was a worker. Hence the advantages that his book offers-it is the reflex of his experience and a record of what he was intimately acquainted with. He went out with a specific object in view, and his book is but the chance off-shoot of his mission. But from this it derives. all its valtie-since the author mixed in scenes and undertook duties and became familiar with personages and habits and cus- toms which belong to the under current of society, but which the bird of rapid passage never has the pleasure of beholding. Mr. Bevan is an engineer, and was engaged in Egypt in connection with the overland transit company. Thus his acquaintance with Alexandria, and Suez, and Cairo, were matters of husiness. He resided for three years in this country. In Italy he took successively the occu- pations of artist and railway speculator, living at Rome, and making frequent foot excursions to Naples and Venice, mixing freely with the people and joining familiarly in their customs, habits, and tastes. Thus he penetrated more into the core of society than an ordinary tourist. Thus his tral els and his residence with foreigners gave rise to more of novel adventures, and gave also more scope for indulging his taste for research. And adventure seems to be a habit with Mr. Bevan. Unlike the poet, who reads sermons in stones, books, in the running brook, and good in everything," Mr. Bevan finds fun in everything. His narrative therefore is full of clever hits and striking sketches of persons and things. But we prefer to shew his power and his pecu- liarities by a few extracts—premising that the sketches illustrative of the word painting" are original and striking. Mr. Bevan is his own illustrator. Here is his account of his ETltï JTO ALEXANDRIA. Turner, armed with a huge whip, which I learnt to call by the name of "Korbash," dealt his blows right and left on the heads and shoulders of the natives, and speedily cleared a way for us to where a group of donkeys were standing, all saddled and bridled. My friend, selecting the two which he considered the best, told me to mount; an injunction which I mechanically obeyed, for I scarcely knew what I was doing, and was querying with myself whether my Ramsgate and Black- heath experience in donkey exercise would avail me aright on the present occasion. ♦ Off we went at a gallop, with a boy at each tail, through some narrow streets, between high walls, where in addition to the exertion required in keeping my seat, I had continually to bow my head, to avoid being knocked off my perch by some passing camel which, with its ponderous and enormous load, would fill up the whole of the street. Ever and anon, my donkey boy, by a fearful thwack a posteriori" would give my animal a right or lc-ft-handed bias, sufficient almost to make me lose my equilibrium, while Turner, who rode behind, could scarce keep his seat for laughter. Five minutes hard riding brought us into the middle of a crowded bazaar, and we were forced to relapse into a trot, our bovs clearing a space before us by repeated cries of I, slij- malek! aminak ariglali!" &c., (i.e. To the right; to the left; mind your legs !") The scrambling about of the poor Arab women, in their efforts to get out of the way, was at once ludicrous and painful; and I was unfeignedly glad when we suddenly emerged into the great square of Alexandria, and pulled up at the door of Waghorn's India agency." Mr. Bevan spent some weeks at Cairo. Though rather long, we give his account of AN EASTERN WEDDING. Gaining the more frequented portion of the city, we were astonished by the unusual appearance of an enor- mous crowd of persons of both sexes, and the still more uncommon sound of military music. Upon inquiry we learned that the hubbub was caused by a long bridal procession, in celebration of the" noces" of a Jew and a Levantine girl, and being anxious to see all we could, Turner and I joined in with the rest. The band, com- posed of amateurs, led the way, followee by the bride and her attendants, with a "posse comitatus" from all quarters. We walked I suppose, about half a mile, accommodated by ambulating pots of fire, halting at every fifth or sixth house to perform a "serenata." At length we reached the dwelling of the bridegroom, where the bride and her immediate friends were forthwith admitted. Having ascended the flight of stone steps, which led to the upper story, I found myself in a large room, in presence of some fifty or more persons of all ages, and to judge by their costume, from every part of the Mediterranean. I soon discovered that I was the only Englishman in the company, and with one or two exceptions, the only individual in a Frank dress, and' my casual glance round the room failing to reveal one single face that was known to me, I began to feel in rather an awkward situation. It was too late to retreat, as I had already been noticed, and concluding that I should best avoid an appearance of singularity by doing as the rest, made a profound salutation to the husband, who escorted me to a divan at the upper end of the apartment, and in a manner the most obse- quious motioned me to a seat, and remained near me until I was served with sherbet and a pipe. I was at a loss to assign a cause for so much courtesy towards a pork-eating unbeliever, though the reason was shortly afterwards rendered sufficiently obvious. At midnight there was a .great commotion at the other end of tho room, the bride was introduced, and placed on a chair in the middle of the floor, covered with a very thin veil of pink gauze, and resplendent with jewels. All her attendants were more or less shrouded in veils, most of them weighed down with rows of gold twenty-piastre pieces by way of fringe. The bride appeared very beau- tiful, as well as I was able to judge, and was in a charming state of confusion, every now and then glancing stealthily at her husband, whom she now saw iu all probability, for the first time. No sooner were the company gathered round the trembling girl, than two of the attendants held up the corners of her apron, to receive the contributions of such as were inclined to make her a wedding present, and now my mind was enlightened as to the unlooked-for politeness of the Jew bridegroom. I turned round and encountered his gaze full upon me, but I felt myself a match for him. Keeping close to the side of a jolly old Alexandrian, who was fumbling in his girdle, and seizing the moment when lie ostentatiously let .fall a shower of gold coin, I suddenly put forth my hand and dropped my modest donation, in such a way as entirely to conceal its amount from the eyes of the wily Hebrew. Judging from the quantity of money collected, I should say that the newly-married couple made a very good thing of it, as every one contributed, and nothing but gold was offered. This ceremony over, the bride, half fainting with fatigue and terror, was led away to her apart- ments; and not wishing to encroach farther on the hospitality of the Jew, I quitted the Cantasia and returned home." We have no space left us to glance at Mr. Bevan's pictures of Roman society, or the accounts of Roman adventures. They are about the most interesting part of the book so full of novelty and interest and talent though it be. We cannot, however, refrain from taking a sketch of one of his artist experiences. There is much comicality in this account of A FIRST DAUB." Though not himself an artist, D- made some pre- tensions that way. An unfortunate dog, which ap- peared to exist alternately at the Lepri, and Caffe Greco, and seemed more particularly to attach itself to the English, was enticed in an evil hour to D-'s apart- ment. Our artist had provided himself with one or two bladders of oil-paint, and some brushes, and, having coaxed poor Pincio iiito a suitable position, con- verted him in about twenty minutes into a species of nondescript hyæna, and then let him loose into the Condotti where he created considerable consternation. Such as first saw him fled in terror to the open shop- (loors while the more courageous set off in pursuit, chasing the poor animal through a funeral procession, whose solemnities he utterly confounded, to the Greco, which he entered at full speed, and upsetting Antonio with two mezzicaldi and a caffe-nero, forced his way into the omnibus-room amid the knees of a tribe of raggamuffins of the Ropulusque Romans, who imagined that some wild animal had escaped from the menagerie of Guillaume, in the Corea. Here poor Pincio shuffled in and out a aong the legs of some ten or more of us, transferring broad streaks of burnt umber and ivory black from his coat to our trowsers, whilst the author of the mischief had unconcernedly seated himself in a shaded corner, and was enjoying the success of his first essay in oils." But we have said and extracted sufficient to convince our readers that they will find in Sand and Canvas," a pleasant friend and desirable companion for a few lei- sure hours. Essays on History, Philosophy, and Theology. By Robert Vaughnn, D.D., 2 vols. London Walford, St. Paul's Church Yard. These essays are collected from the British Quarterly Review. They are chiefly theological-the exceptions, however, being on attractive subjects, and such as must retain sufficient interest to remain valuable at least be- yond our day. Lord John Russell," The Priesthood of Letters," Oliver Cromwell," "Locke and his Cri- tics," and" England and Ireland," are among the topics handled. Dr. Vaughan is well-known as the liberal and able- defender of Dissent, but his opposition to the con- nection of Church and State is moderate, and partakes more of the opposition of a reasoner than of dogmatism. All tnay profit by his essays. _< Pictures from Revolutionary Paris, sketched during the Jint phases of the French Keiolution of 1848. By J. P. Simpson, M.A. 2 vols. Blackwood and Sons. Of the power and elegance of these sketches, all our readers are already aware. In substance, they have already appeared in Blackwood, The Times, or Dentlejxs ie i ?)tes, or l?e2itley's Magazine. Of the correctness we are perhaps not so able to judge, since to know how truthfully we may speak, one must have watched the scenes, and traced the emotions, and heard the desires expressed, that Mr. Simpson watched, and traced, and heard. But recollection of his sketches, as they appeared, prepos- sesses us against these volumes. That the Paris correspondent"of the Times, and the contributor of Blackwood and Bentley was strongly prejudiced against Republicanism, and especially the French Republic during its days of weakness we well remember; that he sought to throw disgrace and mistrust upon it we also well remember. :ow, such conduct was wrong, and would be wrong toward any form of governmeut that a people might choose to adopt. An established govern- ment should be accepted graciously—not be greeted as violent radicals and surly socialists greet everything that does not chime with their own one-sided and ob- stinate views. It is right to correct crudities, to point out defects of detail; but a system once accepted should be accepted as the system. We observe that Mr. Simpson has erased many of the faults which on this score were common in his periodical letters, and hence in volumes, his contributions are more acceptable to quiet, respec- table, peace-loving Englishmen, than were his daily and monthly communications. Of course much original matter is introduced, both by way of expansion and as sketches of scenes and incidents that were not pictured either "in the Times or in Blackwood. Mr. Sitiil)s(in is*at least a lively, sparkling, captivating writer, if we cannot say more of him. First Eurcises in Logic. By J. T. Gray. London; Taylor and Walton, Upper Gower Street. This little work is especially designed for the use of students in an early stage of their education, and its simplicity and èxplicitness eminently adapt it for that purpose.

MR COBDEN'S MOTION FOR RETRENCHMENT. The Times alludes to the first debate upon the Re- trenchment question in the following terms Mr. Cobden has the secret of good spirits. It is impossible to read one of his speeches without ex- periencing the delightful sensations which people describe after a dose of laughing gas, or a few whiffs of chloroform, or a moderate use of some more ordinary stimulus. The sky becomes brighter and the vision more intense, the foot trips light and gravitation re- laxes its bonds; difficulties vanish, perplexities receive a sudden solution, terrors become mockeries, and new hopes present themselves. It is as good as reading a fairy tale; nay, better, because it is just possible we may one day handle Mr. Cobden's budget, but we know that we never shall grasp the wonderful lamp, or mount the flying horse, or touch him with the mysterious whip that sent him flying over sea and land. Under Mr. Cobden's wing we may repose in the midst of hereditary foes, traverse the globe without encountering an enemy, sow settlements everywhere with no other protection than a mother's blessing, crown the funnels of our steam-frigates with garlands in token of perpetual peace, and post behind the merchant's desk or transplant to the backwoods, those troublesome young gentlemen who now plague the world for commissions, cadetships, and places in the customs. See how our enemies disappear. If time has not softened their wrath, or conciliation sent them back to their castles, Mr. Cobden undertakes so to bury them that they shall never re-appear, as St. Patrick locked up the last serpent in the chest and sunk it to the hot- tom of the lake. First comes the great Itussian bug- bear looming on the eastern coast; our magician flourishes his wand, and the giant melts away. Then on the other side of the heavens all Canada is seen in insurrection, and the Guards sent off post-haste to put them down; another stroke of the wand, and the qllandom rebels are voting loyal addresses and supplies. Then Wales threatened the empire, and compelled a large increase of our military police. What has come of it ? asks Mr. Cobden. Ten years of internal tran- quillity. The Opium war and the intervention in Syria, the Maine and Oregon boundaries, the Caroline, Mr. Polk and General Cass, Prince Joinville's pamphlet and the Spanish marriages, are all conjured up and disposed of with the brilliant facility of a pantomine. The bales of opium turn into chests of good tea at 2s. 9d. a pound Ibraham Pasha gives way, and Mr. Layard's marbles fill up the void the cloud that Sir Robert once saw over Oregon dissolves, and instead of British bayonets we see in the neighbourhood a motley crew in jackets and broadbrims digging for gold; M'Leod disappears into space," and on the spot where the burning steamer was quenched in the abyss, a suspension-bridge joins the hostile shores! Polk's men-of-war are transformed into a fleet of corn-ships, his powder into flour, and his shot into loaves; the French invasion terminates in an in- road of Royal fugitives and a peaceful visit of National Guards. Such is the fascinating medium in which Mr. Cobden sees all these terrors. lhppily the event justi- fies the gaiety of the retrospect, and seems to encourage anticipations equally cheerful. One does not like to spoil so agreeable a game. Nothing is so out of place as wisdom at a Christmas party, or a sermon in a farce. But one cannot help asking whether the ready increase of our armament, whenever opportunity required, has not contributed somewhat to these delightful transfor- mations. To one who smiles at all the terrors felt by ordinary mortals, and who thinks invasion as obsolete as witch- craft, any army or navy must be Nn absurdity. In fact, Mr. Cobden, like most sanguine persons, proves over much. His reasons go to show that we want no de- fenders. Why should not our colonies, he intimates, be their own guardians and their own police ? We opine they would soon cease to be our colonies at all, and that none would regret the separation so much as the wealthier and more respectable colonists. And should war,—we beg Mr. Cobden's pardon for mentioning that name,—should war once break out, we should like to know in what condition our fifty colonies or more, scattered as they are all over the world, would soon find themselves, without something in the shape of a regular force to afford a nucleus for military organization, and without a few ships of war to keep off privateers, As for Great Britain and Ireland, Mr. Cobden thinks to satisfy our domestic apprehensions pro aris et focis by observing that no time since the war have a hundred men appeared in arms together. True, but would it have been except for the neighbourhood of soldiers ? We have great faith in charms and we believe implicitly in magic spells, but we are vulgar enough to think the sabre and the bayonet among the most efficacious of thoec weapons. If some vir pietate gravis could every- where be found—if there were a Richard Cobden in every town in the United Kingdom, we might perhaps dispense with regiments of infantry and troops of dra- goons but under existing circumstances we are reduced to the coarser expedient. On the supposition that we must still proceed in the old track, and encumber ourselves with great coats, clogs, and umbrellas, in the shape of army, navy, and ordnance, we cannot make up our minds to say that we have too much of them—enough perhaps, but not too much. Our colonies have both multiplied and increased since 183J, and we are sending to them weekly, thousands. The colonial forces are already insufficient for the duty assigned to them. Where there are convicts, of course the alternative is soldiers or murderers. But if more troops are wanted in the colonies, and more also in our increasing Indian em- pire, it stands to reason that there should also be more in Great Britain and Ireland, which are, as it were, the great common depot for the supply of all the scattered territories. Remembering this, we may well ask whether the increase since 1835 has been so ex- cessive and unwarrantable. The number of troops, officers, and men employed in the public service, ex- clusive of India, on the 25th of January, 1835, was 80,957; and in 1847 was 103,088; being an ii.-irease of near twenty-two thousand men in twehe years. When we come to account for this, it appears that of the above number the portion employed in the colonies was at the former date 30,762, at the latter date 46,198, in both instances exclusive of the colonial corps. The number employed in Ireland at the former date was 20,902, at the latter 27,46,5. It should also be considered that the amount of the British army, ex- clusive of the portion employed in India, is indirectly, but largely, affected by the increase of that portion, which advanced from 20,087 in 183-5, to 32,832 in 1847. Taking, then, into account the increase in the colonies, in Ireland, and in India, we are not surprised to find that the numbers employed in Great Britain alone at the above dates were, respectively, 22,753 and 30,295. These figures represent but a handful of men com- pared with the colossal military organization of France and the other continental Powers. The whole army in this island is less than the body of troops assembled to give effect to a fete in the Place de la Concorde, or a mass in the Madeleine. Nor do we think with Mr. Cob- den that our taxation is really more oppressive than that of France. Our vasOy greater wealth enables us to bear more. In France it falls with crushing force on the chief arm of the national industry, viz., its agriculture. An exact comparison of the actual burdens borne by the two countries demands greater care than Mr. Cobden appears to have bestowed upon it and he has omitted to observe that the interest of our debt is very much larger than that of France, leaving so much the less within the reach of economical reduction. But the hon. member for the West Riding is now on the scent and will follow up his game. We have no doubt he will do this with his usual perseverance, as well as his usual temper and candour. He will do much good, even though he does not win the ten million prize. But he will be able the more likely, and also the more deserving of success, if he will take a hint from Mr. Hernes, an? use the same quiet and inoffensive tone in doors and ou'.

REPEAL OF THIS MALT TAX.-A meeting of agri- culturists was held on Saturday, at Chesterfield, Derby- shire, at which a committee was appointed to draw up a petition to Parliament for the repeal of the Malt Tax. LEICESTERSHIRE FARMERS PETITIONING FOR RE- FOIDI.-A speeial general meeting of the Leicestershire Agricultural Society, to consider the propriety of peti- tioning for the repeal of the malt tax, and the other burdens which press unequally upon agriculture, was held at Leicester, on Saturday afternoon. There was a very numerous attendance of farmers, some of whom had come from distant parts of the county to be present. — Resolutions were passed in favour of a repeal of the Malt Tax, and of Financial Reform, and a petition to parliarneiit. was agreed to -r=--=- 'r. We cannot insert or notice in any way, any commu- nication that is sent to us anonymously but those who chose to address us in confidence will find their con- fidence respected. Neither can we undertake to return any manuscripts whatever.

Parties seem to be sadly mixed, and yet sadly at variance, within themselves. The session was to divide the political minds that wanted separation, and to assi- milate those whose newly found tendencies were developing themselves. It was understood that princi- ples in embryo and principles that had but just entered on a test, would be further helped forward by those who had placed them in their present position. Thus we had expected at least that Sir Robert Peel and his party would vote with the financial reformers on Mon- day, and that the country party would have protested loudly and energetically against financial reform. We thought ministers would praise the free trader's scheme, and promise gradual compliance with his requests- slowly, surely, but positively. With all have we been mistaken. Mr. Cobden and his friends were left to fight the battle unmolested-so that it may almost be said they had nothing to fight against. Milner Gibson and Bright brought up the rear guard cf the onward army, but it was a rear that stood in no fear of being in the slightest degree molested. And yet it cannot be said that Mr. Cobden did not shew a case for the plan he has promulgated. It cannot be said he did not sustain it with cogent argument and fervid appeal. It cannot be urged that he was incon- sistent or illiberal. He was all that could be desired- and, as ever, he failed to offend persons in advocating a great public cause. Mr. Cobden adduced precedents to prove that his plan of taking a former standard of expenditure on which to frame a present budget, was not only a justifiable but a preferable plan. What we have done we can do again," he proved to have been the argument of reformers in all past ages. It had been used by Pitt himself when advising a reduction of ex- penditure, and members of the present ministry had frequently used it. Mr. Cobden, moreover, clearly showed that the increased expenditure of this country, is an unnecessary expenditure, and that it is a conse- quence of bad and careless government. Now we must step a little out of our customary track, and assert that the Chancellor of the Exchequer's reply was rather inconclusive. He shewed that the revenue cannot at present spare taxes, but he wrongly asserted that the revenue is not too high. lie failed to upset Mr. Cobden's string of accusations. He did not contradict the statement of the free trader, that our present immense army is a consequence of repeated panics, and not by any means a necessity. He did not deny that as we had increased our armaments when dan- ger threatened us, so we might have decreased them im- mediately that safety dawned in the horizon. Neither did he prove that the colonies should not be made to bear the burden of their own protection. So far then we may fairly assume that Mr. Cobden has had a triumphant day of it, though the division on his motion told rather disastrously against him. Mr. Herries' advice to him to become a peaceable agitator, just goes for nothing at all. And beyond Sir C. Wood and Mr. Herries no one of note, or whose opinions are of the slightest importance, attempted to oppose Mr. Cobden. Under these circumstances one would have fancied that the leaders of the various parties had been completely won over. It might fairly have been pre- sumed that Peel, and Graham, and Gladstone, and D'Israeli, and Bankes, and Granby, had been argued into approval of the motion of the member for the West Riding, But no such thing. Their votes are against him to a man. They swelled the majority of 197 to its enormous bulk, and have thrown upon financial reform a more practical injury than could have been ensured by a heartless and continued opposition. We confess we do not understand the airs that parties are giving themselves. Is Sir Robert still hoping to curry favour with the protectionists ? How is it we see three antagonist sections siding with each other and against the people on such a vital question ? Has Sir Robert forgotten his measures of 1846, and has Lord John Russell lost all vestiges of those popular tenden- cies which developed themselves so strongly in his career in 1832, and at a few subsequent years ? These are important, though unsolved questions. One very evil consequence of the vast confederation against justice and truth that has thu; been formed will be a lasting, and troublesome, and expensive agitation. We would have spared the country from it, but it is evident that the Commons require to be dictated to by public meetings and petitions ere they will cede neces- sary and reasonable reforms. They ought to have taken the initiative and have prevented the spectacle of a people in mortal array against its law-makers.

11-111, -1 1-1 -1-1 I.- I CARMARTHENSHIRE. ST. DAVID'S CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.—On Sun- day last, two sermons in aid of the funds of this ex- cellent Institution were preached in St. David's Church, ill this town. The names of the preachers-the learned and Ven, Archdeacon Williams, and the eloquent Rev. J. Griffiths, of Llangeler-added to the increasing pros- perity and popularity of the school, betokened a species of jubilee-day for the church nor were those who anti- cipated so pleasing a demonstration ungratified or dis- appointed. Long before the appointed hour of divine service, the sacred edifice was crowded to excess, the gallery bf'ing filled with scholars, numbeiing nearly 700, whose neat and cleanly appearance, together with their orderly and decorous behaviour gave ample evi- dence that the good seed had not been sown in vain. The impressive service of the Church of England was read by the Rev. D. A. Williams, while the chaunting and choral harmony was skilfully and beautifully ren- dered by the children of the Sunday School with an accuracy and fidelity that was surprising. The effect of the concentrated power of upwards of 600 juvenile voices in such master-pieces as Kent's Te Deum, Jack- son's Jubilate, or Mozart's Sane tun, must be heard to be fully appreciated, and we are convinced that the practice must have been incessant and which could have produced so delightful a result. The sermon was ably delivered by the Ven. Archdeacon Williams, from a text selected from the gospel for the day—" But he answered and said, It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew e. 4, v. 4.) From this extremely appropriate text, the Venerable Arch- deacon proceeded to elaborate an excellent sermon, hav- ing for its more immediate object the proof that the mind and soul require the aliment of education and spi- ritual consolation equally with, if not superior, to the satisfaction of t*he physical wants of the body. He enunciated an assertion in which all right-minded per- sons cannot but agree, that for every child who is neg- lected and suffered to grow up in ignorance and to fall into crime, the expense of his punishment and main- tenance while in prison or exile is undoubtedly equal to the cost of properly educating 20 youths, and rendering them fitting and useful members of society. The Ven. Archdeacon's powerful appeal on behalf of the Sunday School was answered by a collection of about JE29. In the afternoon the school, which numbered (530 scholars and 47 teachers, was inspected by the Ven. Archdeacon Williams and the Rev. J. Griffiths, who expressed their unqualified approbation of the proficiency and general scholastic attainments of the children. At the evening service, prayers in Welsh were read by the Ven. Archdeacon Williams, and a powerful and elo- quent Welsh sermon was delivered by the Rev. J. Griffiths, from the 52d verse of the 2d chapter of Lu ke —"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." The rev. gent., if possible, excelled himself, and his magnificent extemporaneous language, unaffected demeanour, but earnest delivery, told with thrilling effect upon one of the most crowded congregations that ever assembled within the conse- crated walls. The singing, as in the morning, was ex- cellent, and the Tyrolese Vesper Hymn, at the com- mencement of the service, by the touching pathos of its exquisite melody attuned all hearts to praise and con- cord. The collection which followed the service amply attested the sincerity of the congregation, and the whole sum collected throughout the day (with some contri- butions since received) reached the grand total of C40, We should not omit to mention that at the close of the evening service, the Ven. Archdeacon Williams passed a high eulogium upon the exertions of all connected with the school, and added that although he had assisted in the services of the church in England, Scotland, and Wales, he had never been so satisfied as with their ministration that day. He exhorted them to cont.inue their efforts and (lod would assiucdly reward them in his own good time. W. R. H. Powell. Esq., H'gh Sheriff for this coollll" has appointed Mr. Randolph, solicitor, Exeter, hisf)e puty, and Mr. G. Thomas, junior, solicitor, of this to acting Deputy Sheriff. MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFF.-The marriage of Bateson, M. P., eldest son of Sir Robert natee; Bart., with Miss Rice Trevor, the lovely daug,,ef of the Honourable Colonel Rice Trevor, was so. nized on Saturday last, at St. James's Church, Padd'.°» ton. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. IIe ei Rice, in the presence of a select circle of the reUtlf j of both families, who subsequently partook of a dejeUn at the residence of Col. Rice Trevor, in Hyde 8de' gardens, after which the happy couple took their de' parture for Redleaf, near Penshurst. HER MAJESTY'S LEVEE.—The Queen held a Lei" the first this season, on Thursday afternoon I st, James's Palace. Her Majesty and Prince Albert rived from Buckingham Palace shortly before 2 o'cl°c. attended by the Duchess of Norfolk, the Countess Charlemont, Lord Camoys, Lord George Lennox, 1\1» K. Ormsby Gore, Col. Wylde, Col. the Hon. C. Phipps and Col. Seymour. After the reception of the Diplomatic Circle the General Circle was introduC^ It was attended by the following—amongst others: Lords Milford and James Stuart; Sirs John Walsh, Price, M.P., and H. De la Beeche, C.B. After tbl Levee the Queen gave audience to th e Earl Talbltl when his Lordship delivered to Her Majesty the ribaD and Badge of the most noble Order of the Garter, VrOMi by his father, the late Earl Talbot. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS.—On the division upolf Mr. Cobden's proprsition for a gradual reduction of Expenditure of the nation, we find the following name" in the majority of 275 :-Joseph Bailey, junior, Fsq. D. A. Saunders Davies, Esq., Sir John Guest, Bart"i Hon. E. M. L. Mostyn, Sir John Owen, Lord George Paget, Pryse Pryse, Esq., (being the Hon. Gcntlemanr" first vote), David Pugh, Esq Richard Richards, Fsq.i I Lord J. Stuart, C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., Col. G. Trevor, Sir J. B. Walsh, Bart., and Col. Lloyd Vaugha; Watkins. In the minority of 78 we find the nam es of; D. Morris, Esq., and J. Williams, Esq. In the on Friday evening upon the proposition to abolish oaths except the oaths of fidelity and allegiance, (te, numbers being; for ministers, 140; for the amend' ment, 88), we find the following names in the jority :—J. Bailey, Esq., J. Bailey, jun., Esq., D. A. ( Davies, Esq., Howell Gwyn, Esq., David Morris, Est'' S D. Pugh, Esq., Hon. Col. Trevor, Sir J. B. Walsh. ELECTION OF AUDITORS AND ASSESSORS. yes": terday the usual annual election of Auditors and Assessors for this borough took place. For the East" ern Ward, Mr. David Bowen was appointed Audito*rJ while Messrs. John Timmins, Parade, and Jones, Auctioneer, were elected Assessors, Mr. Thorn$6 Lewis, Draper, being elected to preside at the Revision of the Burgess List. In the Western Ward, Mr. Jobll Thomas, Law Stationer, was appointed Auditor, with Messrs. R. Harris, Quay-street, Richard Chase, Dark Gate, and Sansom Hewson, as Assessors, the latter being elected to preside at the Revision of the Burgeil List. TOXICOLOGY.—Dr. Robinson, from London, has beell delivering a course of verv interesting lectures upO11 Toxicology, or the science of medical jurisprudence, III > the Council Chamber, in the Town-hall. The terms or admission being high, the attendance was small, but re* rj. spectable, comprising S. Tardrew, Esq., ex-Mayor, J. Jeffries, Esq., Wilson, Esq., Jones, Esq-t ? and the Rev. D. Lloyd, &c. The Dr. was very happy ill his experiments for detecting the presence of poisoDi and in illustrating the peculiar phenomena which chao racterized different sorts of poisons. The mineral poisons were the subject of the first lecture. AcCIDFNT.-On Sunday last, a boy named John' Lewis, son of a fisherman of the same name, but better known by his alias of John Pencelly, accidentally swal- lowed a halfpenny, which sticking fast in his throat induced partial suffocation and stupefaction. The boY was quickly conveyed to the Infirmary where the errant i coin was skilfully extricated, and the patient placed In a fair way of recovery. "CAUGHT NAPPING."—On Sunday evening, a female: named overpowered, we presume, with the ardour and intensity of her devotional exerciseSt dropped off into a state of somnolency in her pew in a Chapel in this town, unnoticed by those in her imme' diate vicinity, or by the persons whose duty it was to close the Chapel at the expiration of the services of the day. In a blissful state of happy ignorance of her iLl- carceration, Mrs. slumbered on until the wee short hours" of the night approached in stealthl footsteps. At length Morpheus relaxed his hold upon the sealed-up senses of the hapless devotee, and she awoke to a consciousness of her situation. Alarm nolf took the place of calm security, and all the tales of hob- goblins, &c., she had ever heard in infancy or maturer age, flashed across her mind with lightning-like vividitfi until at length, aroused to a pitch of desperation, sh' dashed out one of the panes of glass in the Chapel window and loudly screamed for help. The neighbourtl became speedily aroused at this unwonted sound, and the aid she so eagerly prayed for was promptly ren- dered. It is to be hoped the lesson thus inculcated upon her will operate as a preventive of future lukg- warmness or lassitude. CARMARTHEN POLICE.-On Friday last, before John Lewis, Esq., Mayor, E. II. Stacey, J. G. Phillips, WiI. liam Morris, and H. Lawrence, M.D., Esqrs.—JoM*' Williams was charged by Mr. Superintendent Kentish with having left his cart in the street, thereby causing an obstruction of the thoroughfare. Defendant admitted the offence, and was fined 5s. with 9s. costs.-DaVd Davies was charged by P.S. John Davies with a similar offence, and fined 2s. 6d. and 8s. costs. A number Of distresses for Paving and Lighting Itate were ordered to issue. On Monday, before the Mayor and E. 11, Stacey, Esq., James Thompson, a man of colour, was charged by P.S. John Davies, with having been drunk and disorderly on the preceding night. The police officer deposed as follows:—About 11 o'clock last nighto I was on duty in Queen Street, and received information that there was a black man causing a disturbance opposite the Boar's Head. I went up to LamnlsO Street, but he had then left. About a quarter past Il I was standing at the corner of Water Street, when I saw the prisoner coming down Lammas Street. lIe went up to a man who happened to be standing there and said d-n your eyes, where is my lodging ?" TbØ man did not understand him, and I went over to the prisoner and asked him what he wanted. He then went away and I followed him. I asked him where he was going. He said" d-n your eyes what is that to you, I have a right to go where I like." I then took him to the station house. He was very drunk, and I had pre- viously received several complaints from various re- spectable inhabitants as to his conduct about the town.' The prisoner was uischarged, and ordered to be escorted out of the town by the police. FELON Y.-Yester(liy, before J. Lewis, Esq., Mayor, E. H. Stacey, and H. Lawrence, M.D., E,-qrs.-Joh?t Jones and Thomas Recs, were charged with having stolen a silver table spoon the property of Mr. Jeremiad Olive, of the Golden Lion Inn, Lammas Street, in this town. The prisoners were apprehended in Bristol, by two constables of the Bristol city police, and were cof" veyed to Carmarthen by the steamer. The nature of the charge will best be explained by the perusal of the following evidence: P.C. John Bees, examined :C am a police officer for the City of Bristol. I appre' bended the man now calling himself Jones. FrotO information I received that a spoon had been offered for sale at a silversmith's shop, I followed prisoner this day week, and saw the silver spoon produced, in his right hand in his jacket pocket. I asked him what be had got there. He took the spoon out of his pocketi and I asked him how he came by it. He told me the other prisoner, Thos. Rees, had picked it up on coming from St. C!ears. I did not believe the statement and took him into custody. Another constable Beniamit) Hniford apprehended the other prisoner. Rees could have heard Jones say he picked up the spoon on the road from St. Clears. I did not hear Rees say anything then. I asked them who they were and where they came from. John Jones gave me John Willianig as his name. He said he came from Saint Clear*- Benjamin Hurford examined :—I am a police constable I of the City of Bristol. Last Thursday I was in compiLnY with P.C. Bees when he apprehended Jones, and I toO Rees into custody when I saw the spoon in Bees's hand, I asked him whose spoon it was. Both could have heard the question, as they were close together. Rees said It was his own and that he brouaht it from St. Clears. Ile afterwards said it was his mother's spoon. They seemed as if they were acting in concert together. After I toO him to the station house I asked him his name. He said it was Thomas King, and that his native place wa* St. Clears. After that we conveyed them before the Bristol magistrates, and both stated that they found the spoon on the road to St. Clears. I held out not the least threat or inducement to the prisoners before they made this statement. Mr. Jeremiah Olive examined :— am the landlord of the Golden Lion Inn, in this town- I have lately lost a'spoon. The spoon produced is rof spoon. Mv own initials and that of my wife are on the spoon, and there is also a private mark of the letter 1J upon it, which is likewise upon the fellow spoon that I have here. I can swear positively to the spoon. 1 know both the prisoners. Jones is a bricklayer or rna- son I have seen him in my house fr(.-quently, nearil every night in the Hunt Week—w hich was from the 12th to the 17th of February. I know the other pr'' soner also. He was ostler at the Three Compasses 100; I do not know his name, but they called him Tom." He was likewise nearly every night in my house duriog the Hunt Week. They used to sit in the kitchen. "e had a public dinner on the 13th, and missed the spoon on the 14th of February." The prisoners declined saying anything in their defence, and were fully uiitted for trial at the ensuing Assizes. CARMARTHEN PETTY SCSSIONS -On Saturday lfst' before J. E. Saunders, D. Prytherch. and D. D#vieS; Esquires, Sarah Phillips, of Penyrheol, in the parish 0 Newchurch, charged Daniel Philipps, her husband, WIt" having assaulted her on the 21st ult., by throwing bet on the bed and squeezing her by the throat until tb' blood flowed from her nostrils. Defendant was orderea. to find two sureties of £ 50 each, and was bound  himself in the sum of EIOO to keep the peace towards his wife, and in default of procuring bail, he was c0° veyed to durance vile." Bail was however Bubs" quently procured, and defendant was then discharged. SMUGGLED MALT—Considerable quantities of  gled malt ha?e during the past week been seized by 31r' Rowlands, supervisor, and Mr. W. Morgan, eso', officer, at the following places :—Cwmduad Mill, Pst"y' blawd Mill, Ffynondrain Mill, and New CroM, pt Nantgaredig, in the parish of Llanegwad.