The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

tfoetrg; [The following "Stanzas," written in April, 181-5, by tbe late Mr. Thomas Hooel, eontain a touching pieture of the fluctuating hope and despondency which marked the closiug struggles of his life,] STANZAS. Farewell Life! my senses swim And the world is growing dim: Thronging shadows cloud the light, Like the advent of the night- Colder, colder, cohler still, Upward steals a vapour chill: Strong the earthly odour grolVs- I smell the mould ahove the rose. Welcome Life! the spirit strivps! Strength returns an(1 hopp revives; Cloudy fears and shapes forlorn Fly like shadows at the morn— O'er the earth there comps a bloom; » Sunny light for sullen gloom, "Warm perfume fDr vapour coU- I smell the rose above the mould. [Of equal beauty, but of a different character, is his address To a False Friend," which immediately succeeds the above,] « TO A FALSE FRIE);D. Our hands haye met, but not our hearts Our hands will never meet again. Friends, if we have ever been, Friends we cannot now remain I only know I lov'd you once, [ only know I lov'd in vain; Our hands have met, but not our hearts; Our hand" wi1l never meet again. Then farewell to neart an<11.anrl I would our hands had never met Even thc outwanl form of love Must be resign'd with some regret. Friends, we still might seem to be, If my wrong could e'er forget Our "hands have join'd but not our hei1.rts I would our hands had never met. THE DE.TII-BED. We watch'd her hreathing thro' the night, Her breathing soft anù low, As in her breast the wave of life Kept heaving to and fro. So silently we seem'd to speak, So slowly mov'd about, As wc had lent llPr half Ollr powers To eke her living out. Our very hopes belied our fears, Our fears our hopes belied- We thought her dying when she slept, And sleeping when she died. For when the morn came dim and sad, Anù chill with early showers, Her quiet eyelids had Another morn tha:1 ours. TO A CHILD DII3RACl)iG IIIS MOTHER. Love thy mother, little one Kiss and c'lasp hpr neck again- Hereafter she may have a son "Will kiss and clasp her neck in vain. Love thy mother, little one Gaze upon her living eyes, And mirror back her love for thpe- Hereafter thou may'st shudder sigh3 To meet them when thev cannot see. Gaze upon her living eyes Press her lips the while they glow "With love that thev have often told- Hereafter thou may'st press in woe, And kiss them till thine own are cold. Press her lips the while they glow Oh, revere her raven hair! Although it be not silver-grey Too early Death, Ipd on by Care, May snatch save one dear lock away. Oh, revere her raven hair Pray for her at eve and mom, That Heaven may long the stroke defer-- For thou maj 'st live the hour forlorn When thou wilt ask to die with her. Pray for her at eve and morn'.

J1.tt£rar!? 8aríetirø. THE ANGLO-SAXONS FORGOTTEN.—The memory of the Anglo- Saxons seems almost to have heen effaced in England hy the splendour of the Norman aristocracy and Shakspeare himself, whose muse sought a subject in every region of Europe, and in every age, and immortalised even the Lear of British tradition, the Scot and the Dane, founrl-while, unconsciously to himself, his language reverted to them,-no subject in the eventful his- tory of the Anglo-Saxons whereby to attract his countrymen. It was not until the fall of the Stuarts, and the risp of the com- mons of England, that the country first gained a tolerable his- tory of the Anglo-Saxons in the mother tongue, by the hand uf him who, above all others, successfully employpd the Germanic element of his language--the exalted John Milton. Unimport- ant as John Milton's work may appear at the present day, we must. nevertheless, praise the careful examination it evinces of the genuine sonrces of our early history, so highly laudable in one hlind, verging on his seventieth year, a poet of the highest order, an enprgptic statesman, to whom the dryness of the chronicles was so distasteful, that he could not withhold the public expression of his sentiments to that History of England under the Anglo-Saxon Kings. SECOND MARRIAGES 1: IRELAND,-The Irish do not hold it strictly right for either man 01' woman to marry again; and if a woman does so, she prefaces it with an apology :—" It's a father ] was forced to put over his children, because I had no way for them, God help them, and this man, ye see. says, Mary,' he says. I have full and plenty for them, and the Lord above He knows it's justice 1'11 do them, and never hinder your prayers for the man ye lost, or any thing in rason. or out of rason either and troth he kept word his wonderful." And the neighhours of the married widower apologise fur him after thh fashion :— •' Well, to 1)(' sure, we must, consider he had a whole handful of soft children, and no one to turn round on the flure, or do hand's tun1 for him so it's small blame to him after all." Or they condemn :—" Yarra, buish to see an old struckown like that set himself up with a young wife. and grown-up daughters in his house! To think of the hardness of him-passing the churchyard, where the poor heart that loved him anù his chil- dren is powdpring into dust—passing the grave where the grass isn't yet Jong, with the slip of a girleen in the place of her with the thoughtful hpad and the heavy hand, Oh, he dad! she'll puni3h him, I'll engage and I'm giad of it." They are more angry with (t woman for a seeond marriagp than a man, and certainly never cunsider a second union as holy as a first. — Mrs. Halt's Ireland. ANECDOTE OF ="APOLEo:One day, Napoleon, on his voyage out to St. Helena, perceived the master of the vessel, who, not having the honour of an epaulette, although responsible for the safe conduct of the vP58pl, as a pilot would be, avoided coming in his way. lIt> walked straight to him, questioned him about his rank and fUl1(,tions on board, eonversed long with him, and concluded by saying to him, "Come and dine with me to- morrow," The astonished master could not believe that the invitation was not a malicious trick of the midshipman who in- terpreted— it was obliged to be repeated to him, accompanied by an explanation of the Emperor's custom of honouring merit in whatever rank he found it, "But," said the poor man, quite overcome with so much honour, the Admiral and my Captain will not like a master to sit at their table." "Very well," said the Emperor, if they do not, so much the worse for them; you shall dine with me in my cabin." This was a pleasure to the whole crew, and formed the subject of conversation among them. When the Admiral rpjoiIled the Emperor, and learned what had just passed, he affected much graciousness in assuring him. that auy one invited by him to the honour of sitting at his tablp, was by this ccrcumstance alone placed above all rules of discipline anfl of etiquette, and sending for the master, he assured him that he would be welcome to dinner next day.- RÙitory ùf the Captivity of Napoleon at St. Helena. INSTINCT OF A HcxTER,-A farmer in Essex, well known some years since in Lord PeVre's hunt. had an entire horse, a remarkably clever jumper. I often tried to coax him out of the horse at a strong price. No," he would say, it is as much as my neck is worth to part with him," The fact wag, the farmer was a ùetennined goer in the field, but a much harder one in a public-house, amI frequently, when it was so dark the horse could hardly see, and the master not at all, he used to start off across the fields home: somehow he stuck on, anù the horse went home II.S straight as gun-shot. I once saw him take a gale with his master on the saddle and his arms most lovingly round the horse's neck. I told him he would be found some night, horse and all, in some of the Essex ditches. ,0 Nay," says he, there's not a ditch in the country we were not in the first year I had him: he knows them too well now to get in again." I have eudpavoured to prove, what I am bold enough to say I know to be a fact, that the action of horses is wont1er- fully altereQ oy placing them in situations where they must alter it of themselves. It would be an endless work to enumerate all the imperfections of the horse, or the mode by which they may- be counteracted. A little eXertion of consideration will It-ad any man of common sense to be able in most cases to ascertain the calise of the deficiency; a little ingenuity will point out to him the most probable mode of altering it and a great deal of patience and command of temper will generally succeed in effec- tually, 01' at all events in partially, doing this.-Harry Hieover. GERMAN BEDs.-The beds are all too short. A short man can scarcely lie quite straight without his feet pressing against the foot-board. A tall man must either lie hunched up nose- and-knees, or hîs naked feet and ankles must stick out over the wooden barrier at the bed's foot, or else (as the pillows are generally higher than the head-board) his head must hang over the pillows, and dangle towards the door an attitude in which English travellers have awoke in the mor:1Ïng, to their moment- Ilry confusion and stultified astonishment. In winter-and this is the trying period -(tew of our tourists know any thing about the winter)-then comes afresh discomfort. In the first place, the blankets are not made to "tuck in they are much too narrow the part tucked in would be considered as wasted for of what use is the part tucked in ? they would ask. This would be foolishly extra vagant; the blankets are therefore properly and wisely of the same width as the bed. The consequence is, that half a dozen times in the night you are awoke by the cold coming in at one side or the other; in your efforts to repair the opening vou make an opening on the other side, and by the morning your clothl's are huddled round you In no shape at all, and with 'no good success. Very often your only bed-clothes is a sheet with a stuffed bag, in fact a small feather-bed laid over it. Now this stuffed bag, which covers you, is just the width of the bed, or something Icss, and little more than two-thirds of its length; and here is a scene of misery You must inevitably lie .in the shape of a frog, or your neck and shoulders would be quite uncovered, except by the mere sheet. A quarter of an hour of this, and you are sure to be in a vapour-bath, the fea- ther-bag is so excessively hot; but every time you turn, from one side to the olher, the narrow fat covering jumps up some- where, and lets in the freezing air of your wintry chamber. If you turn at all hastily, you raise the thing on both sides, and a thorough draught IUstantly passes through your hot vapour bed, and astonishes your poor legs and back. Sometimes in the night and in the darkness you have a" scene" with your feather- ba g. You awake with a frozen 11mb, endeavour to adjust the bag and cover yourself properly-find you. have got the thing broad-ways instead of long-ways try to put It nght-it gets corner-wavs- then no how-changes its shape so as to utterly bame and "con- fuse lOU in the dark, hll you do not know, and find it impossi- ble to discover, whether JOu are In a nght posltion in your lied or have got the bag wrong you are In a fever—it now gets hot- ter than evcr, and less m size becomes elastic, perverse, alive .-has a will of its own-and finally slips off upon the floor, ther rolling underneath the bedstead, or getting itself involved with legs of chairs, so that you are compelled to get out and grope about in the darkness, upon the icy carpetless floor, to jrecgyer ygux detested and accursed CODlpa.u10n,-J errQlcl', Mag-

Imperial$irliantent. HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY. A great many petitions were presented against any altera- tion ía Ihe Corn-laws, by the Duke of Richmond and Lord Ash'mrton. The Toll-bars (Scot and) Bill and the Hi^h Constable's Bill were read a second time. CORN LAWS.—The Duke of Richmond said he had com- inuniratcd with several of the gentlemen and tenantry of England since the comprehensive scheme" of the Govern- on nt had been promulgated, and that they all were prepared 10 stand to the la,t in maintaining Protection, not only for themselves but for thp e::tire domestic iOI].,sll\ of the country, (lis Grace briefly pointed out the Inorc salient absurdities of the Ministerial plan, and defied the Government to name the price of corn which they anticipated IInder theIr new scheme. He trusted that the measure would he thrown out, and that the Ministry would be thus forced to appeal to Ihe country, the great body of which had been proof against the bribes of the League. Lord Kinnaird, as a member of the. Anti-Corn-law League, denied that that body could be charged with biibery or illegal conduct; and asked the Xoble Duke if he considered himself responsible for all the language used at the Protec- tion mectin6s. The Duke of Richmond—I do. I am prepared to be per- sonally responsible for any language I ever hr-ard or enr read used at any Protection Society's meeting. (A laugh.) Lord Kinnaird could only say that language such as no man or Christian ought to have uttered had been used at some of those meetings. He wished to ask whether comparing an hon. member of the legislature to Satan (a iaush), was a proper and justifiable pioceeding ? He knew that the Noble Duke ( Richmond) did not render himself responsible for tlie manner in which the l'imes newspaper was bUlnt, in paltry spite, the other day hut now, it seemed, he was ready to be- come responsible for all the violent language u-ed at Protec- tion meetings. Earl Grey said, that he regarded the measure proposed hy Government with great satisfaction, but regretted that it had not gone further. It scpmed to him Ibat delay would only keep agitation alive, and that the country reqclirerl the aboli- tion of all protective duties. He thought the prolongation of the modificù sliding scale for three years a mockelY of protec- tioll, and estimated the" cornpensa ions" offered to rhe agri- culturists as a gross delusion. His opinion was, that the only real compensation the agriculturists would have, would be the benefits resulting from the nearer approach to free-trade. He would never be satisfied until absolute free-trade was e8lablished, not only here, but in all our colonics. Lord Ashburton ridicltled the idea of free-trade as applied to thiq coumry, 50 burthened as it was hy debt, and in which sn many complicclted interests were al work. Lord Montcagle said he accepted the Ministerial proposal aq the greatest step that had been made towards free-trade principles, but he wished the three years continuance of the reduced duties had been dispensed witil; and he could not sce that the maintenance of duties for tbe sake of revenue on such articles as tea and tobacco had anything 10 do with the abolition of protection to native industry. After some further remarks from the Duke of Richmond, as to why the malt tax. had not been reduced, which would have beeo a boon to the farmer aud labourer, the matter dropped. RAILWAY BUSINESS.—The Earl of Dalhousie brought for- ward the subject of railway legislation; and having made a statement rclativc to Railway Bills likeiy to be bronght forward this session, precisely simtlar 10 that made by Sir R. Ptel on Monday last, moved f.,r a cowllIittce of their Lord- ships to consiricr thc mode iu which they should dispose of railway busimss Ihis session. Lord Brougham said he entirely approved of the com mittee. He objected as a general principle to interfere with commercial enterprize, but he thought railwlI}5 were exempt from the general principle. The noble and learned lord said —" God forbid that they should adopt the wild scheme of saying in Parliament how the capital of the country should be disposed of and applied. It was the wildest of wild schemes to interfere in that way, and every day convinced them of its folly; but this was not the case with railways. If Parlia- ment were asked to give extraordinary and extravagant powers, with. which there could be no investment of capital, it could not be said, when Parliament regulated the dnedis posal of this capital, that it interfered with men in the free use of their own capital. They interfered only with the undue withdrawal oi capita', with the sanction afforded by themselves, out of ordinary into extraordinary channels. He did not say that grants heretofore had not been properly made, but if they were to increase the present yearly expen- diture of £:30,000,000 to £ 53,00(>,000 by sanctioning schemes which would require an additional £lOO,ooo,ooå in three years, or £33,000,000 a-vear more than would be now ex- pended,the amount was really so fearful a consideration that, without professing to give an opinion either one way or the other, it was becoming in Parliament to pause and inquire before it gave those extraordinary powers. The Duke of Buckingham and Earl Grey thought that thos • railway companies who had complied with the standing orders, and had done everything required of them by Parlia- ment, ought not to pe turned over, to this new committee. They anticipated no useful conclusion from the superficial investigation which thp- proposed committee could give 10 the numerous schemes that would be laid before it. After some discussion, in which Lord Monteagle, Lord Kinnaird, aod Lord Ashburton took part, a numerous com- mittee was appointed. Lord Brougham suggested that the committees should either be open, or that the memhers should solemnly promise not to open their mouths out of the house. (Hear.) The Duke of Wellington-What, a committee of secrecy ? The Earl of Ellenborough—I recollect meeting a nundred Peers at the Noble Duke's (Wellington's) for a month, and not one word that passed there was ever divulged. (Hear, hear.) Lord Brougham—What was it about ? (" Hear, hear," and laughter.) Adjourned to Monday. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY. A number of petitions were presented to-day, in favour of protection to agriculture, and on other subjects. Mr. Bright gave notice that on Monday he should move for Ihe reappoint- ment of tbe committee on the Game-laws. THE MILITIA.—Mr. T. Diincombe would take that opoor- tuniiy of plltting a question to the right hon. barouet at thp. head of the Government, on a subject which had caused very considerable excitement throughout the country. He alluded to the prevalent rumour of the intention of the Government to embody and call out the militia. What he wished to ask under these circumstances was, whether it was Ihe intention of Go- vernment to take this step, or whether it was only intended to amend the Militia Acts, which had now been in existence for 44 years, but which would be found altogether nnsuitable to the feelings of the people at the present time. Sir J. Graham said that it was the intention of his right hon friend the Secretary at War, to bring forward on the part of Government a bill for the purpose of consolidating and amen- ding the Militia Acts, which would be brought iu on an early day. In fact a measure with that object had been already prepared by the Government. Lord J. Russell said that he had the other day put a ques- tion to the right lion, barunet respecting the hostilities now going on in the Rio de la Plata; he wished now to ask whe- ther the right hon. baronet would object to the production of instructions sent out to our Minister? Sir R. Peel said, he had not the slightest objection to lay before the house a copy of the instructions sent out, and that would explain the grollnds on which we acted in conjunction with France. On the motion for the adjournment of the house at its rising to Monday next, several Members showered a volley of abuse on King Charles the First, whom they denounced as a tyrant, who bad superseded the authority of the house," &c. They declared violently against keeping the absurd fast" as they called the anniversary of his martyrdom. Sir R. Peel observed, that in his motion for adjournment he had not said a word about King Charles I. j what be had said was, that the adjournment would not interfere with any part of the public business, or indeed any business of the house, and therefore 't would be a convenience rather than otherwise. He considered that a sufficient ground for his motion. (Hear, hear.) The motion for adjournment was ultimately agreed to. RAILWAY DEPOSITS. Mr. Hastie inquired if it was the intention of the Government to alter the mode in which the deposits of railway companies are paid to the account of the j Accountant-General of the Court of Chancery, instead of to the account of the Bank of England, by which they are with- drawn from circulation, and disarrangement to the money market is produced. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that he did not see any necessity for interference. Mr. Hudson proposed, that if any change were to take place in this standing order, or in the law on which it was based, it should be that those who were engaged in railways should be allowed to make their deposits in Exchequer-bills and in stock as well as in money. The Legislature called for the payment of the money as a security for the completion ot the work. Exchequer-bills and stock would form quite as good a security as money. After a few remarks from Mr. Stewart, Mr. Ricardo, and Mr. Muntz, Sir R. Peel considered it would be unwise to relax the rules now in force to regulate railway companies, and expressed a hope that tbe house would not interfere in this matter. There never would be a check to extravagant speculation, unless the public suffered some inconvenience from it. Be did not be- lieve that it would diminish the existing pressure if the depo- sits were lodged in the Bank of England, instead of being lodged, as they now were, in the same bank io the name of the Accountant-General. Many persons engaged in monetary transactions of the very highest character had made represen- ations to Government deprecating any turther intervention of Parliament. In his opinion, no relief would be given by the change proposed by Mr. Hastie. On the motion of Sir C. Napier, a committee was appointed to inquire into the manner in which the Poor-law Commis- sioners have exercised the poweis for the establishment of district asylums for houseless poor in the metropolis, confided to them by the Statute of the 7th and 8ih Victoria, chap. 10. Lord Ashley moved for leave to bring in a bill to reduce the hours of working of young people in factories to ten hours in the day. Sir J. Graham said he would not offer any opposition to the introduction of the bill, as it was the first substantial measure brought forward by Lord Ashley. He was, however, as much opposed as ever to its principle. The bill was supported by Sir G. Strickland, Lord J. Manners, Mr. Colquhoun, Mr. Muntz, Mr. J. O'Connell, Mr. Fielden, Mr, Wodehouse, Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Wakley, and Mr. S. Crawford and was op- posed by Mr. Trelawney, Mr. Hume, Mr. B. Escott, Mr. Roe- buck, and Mr. Bright. After a long discussion on its merits, leave was given to bring in the bill. Lord J. Manners obtained leave to bring in a bill to alter and amend the laws relating to bequests for pious and cha- ritable purposes. Mr. Wodehouse postponed, till Monday next, his motion for an extensive return, sbowiog the ratio the expenditure under the head of Highway-fates" bore to that of the county poor, and Church-rates, in a period of 99 years, tending in 1839, and other returns connected with the property-tax, and the expense of medical Telief in Poor-law Unions. After a short conversation on the impending scarcity in Ireland, the House went Into committee on the public works (Ireland) BtH. Sir T. Freemantle made a motion to omit the 4th, 5th, and 6th clauses, and to bring up a clause for extending the pro- visions of the old Act to the public works. The clauses were agreed to in committee, wiih some amendments, a new clause being brought up by Sir T. Free- mantle, to be substituted for the 4th, 5th, aud 6(h clauses. The report was brought up forthwith) and ordered to be taken into further consideration on Monday. The House then adjourned nil Monday.

ftaiUisag Intriltcjtncr. ASPECT OF THE WEEK.—Fortunately, to make room for the pressure of Parliamentary intelligence, the move- ments of railway compuaies have been much restricted i this week. The half-yearly meetings are at hand, when the results of the traffic on the various lines will be an- nounced in the shape of dividends to holders of shares, and the value of extensions and branches discussed. The plan of Sir Robert Peel for regulating the consideration of these projects first in select committee, receives much condemnation from those who happen fortunately enough to be connected with them; but thc promoters of direct lines and rival schemes find that their scrips are daily depreciated by sales, and that their locus standi is gone for the present. Many of the companies recently started are winding up their affairs as fast as they can, and quite time while others, ambitious of their names appearing in prospectuses, find the sweets of responsibility attached to it. A correspondent, himself a lawyer, suggests an addi- tional check on such carelessness of responsible parties as leads to railway accidents-It The remedy which I would take the liberty of suggesting to the Home Secre- tary is this, and it appears to me a. very simple one. A short act should be passed authorising the Board of Trade to prosecute every railway company before a jury for a pecuniary penalty, in everycasewhere an accident has taken place, or where it appears to the Board of Trade that carelessness or neglect exists on the part of directors, even although no accident has taken place and that the jury should be entitled tv gire a verdictfvf any slim whieh they think right and necessary, to punish the company for its misconduct, and to prevent by a wholesome fear of pecuniary loss the recurrence of like accidents." RAILWAY TERMINI IN LONDON.—On Monday evening, at a full meeting of the Royal Institution of British Architects, Mr. Fowler read a paper on the different schemes sugge-.ted for railway termini in the City. Set- ting aside defunct schemes, there were, he observed, 110 fewer than 21 such proposals, in which the provisions of the Act of Parliament had been complied with and the plans deposited. The land which they would occupy, if all carried into effect, would extend over 200 acres, and between 9,000 and 10,000 houses would be removed at a cost of from five to six millions sterling. EXAMINATION OF RAILWAY EMBANKMENTS.—Last week, the engineers and others connectcd with the Great Western and London and Birmingham Railroads returned to the tennini at Paddington and Kuston-square, from having made a strict examination of the embankments on both lines of road relative to their security against slip- ping during the recent continued heavy rains. Wherever the slightest indication of such event appeared, workmen were set to work, driving immense piles as a preventive. The whole extent of embankments on both lines are re- ported in a most excellent state of solidity. We hear, from a highly respectable quarter, that as much as £6,000,000 have been paid over to the Account- ant-General on account of railway deposits. RAILWAYS.—Petitions for bills were presented to the House of Commons on Monday, by the Bristol and South Wales, and the Cambridge and Oxford Railway Companies. WORCESTER AND SOUTH WALES JUNCTION, AND WORCESTER, HEREFORD, Ross, AND GLOUCESTER RAILWAYS.—It appears by an advertisement in Herepath's Journal, that these companies have had the good sense to unite. This very desirable work has been brought about by Mr. Brunei, the engineer of the latter company, and Mr. Charles G. Jones, the solicitor of the former. The terms, we understand, are that the Hereford line, or which is the same, the Great Western Company is to pay all the expenses up to the time of amalgamation from the amalgamation fund, so that those of the shareholders, if any, who may wish to have back their deposits, shall receive them in full. Those who wish to continue their holding in the amalgamated company will have one share for two and £2 returned. Three of the first Company's Directors are to have seats at the United Board, of which Sir Charles Price, Bart., is to be the chairman. The amalgamation was completed on Monday. We need hardly observe that these two lines run one into the other, and form one continued line with the Neath Valley Rail- way into the South Wales line, near Swansea. We hear they are perfectly ready for Parliament. CHEPSTOW, FOREST OF DEAN, AND GLOU- CESTER JUNCTION RAILWAY. A special meeting of the proprietors of the above railway was held on Friday, at the London Tavern. Mr. Dayrell was in the chair. There was a numerous attendance of proprietors. The Chairman, in opening the business of the meeting, said the directors did not present themselves before the proprietors for the purpose of stating that after having expended a por- tion uf the capital of the company they were not in a position to go before Parliament. (Hear.) This was not the case. Tney had lodged their plans, the necessary funds were in hand. and they were fully plepared to go forward with the project if such were the wish of the proprietors. (Hear.) When this project was first submitted to thp. directors they had no notice that any oilier parties intended to take the ground or occupy a posirion similar to the one now held by them. They knew that the South Wales Company had, last year, been thrown out of Parliament in their endeavour to carry their line from Chepstow!O flock Crib. hut they had no notice that they would pursue the matter further. From that time till within the last fortnight, it was, he believed, not known ■vhat the intentions of the South Wales Company were. This must he the justification of the directorsfor having undertaken the prosecution of this project, for indeed it was impossible to foresee that a powerful party would enter the field and dispute with them for the construction of a line ill the attempt to obtain a bill for which they had already been defeated. All those who knew the geographical position of the line pro- moted by the Chepstow, Forest of Dean, and Gloucester Junction Railway, were aware that it formed the link of com- munication between thc lines of two greltt companies-namelv the Great Western and the South Wales, which were now amalgamated. The shareholders had before them Sir Robert Peel's declaration, and they had also the fact that the two great companies he had just named had determined to oppose their project. With this knowledge, the directors had thought it wise to submit to the meeting whether or not this company should enter into an expensive contest which he, in his con- science, believed would be a hopeless one, because it was scarcely to be supposed that Parliament would, after the declaration of the Premier, permit a small and independent company to step in between two powerful companies, and divide a line running from Fishguard to London. It might be fairly asked why it was the directois had not been in pos- session of earlier information respecting the determination of the two companies alluded to ? He had only to reply that it was not until within the last fortnight, when they attempted to open a negociation with those companies, that they became acquainted with the fact. Gentlemen knew the amount of deposits in hand, and they must now be fully aware of the powerful machinery against which, if they determined the project should be prosecuted, they would have to contend. That machinery was perfectly organised, and those who guided it would be able, at an expense perhaps not exceeding JE5000, to involve this company in an opposition which might result in an expenditure of nearly the whole amount of the deposits. (Hear, hear.) He repeated that they were in a condition to go to Parliament, but it was for the shareholders to say whe- ther it would be wise to do so. They had endeavoured to effect au amalgamation with the South Wales Com- pany. They had, on several occasions, seen tbe direct- ors, who had met them in a most fair, candid, and honest spirit; and he believed they would have amalgamated with this company if they had the power to do so. Defeated in their attempt to amalgamate with that company, they directed their attention to the Welsh Midland Company, with whose directors they entered into communication. They were not in a condition 10 give this company shares in the Welsh Midland Company itself, hut they offered shares in what he considered a more valuable portion of the line with which the Welsh Midland Company were connected—he alluded to the Glou- cester Junction Branch. An arrangement was entered into for amalgamation upon the following terms:—.Each company was to pay its own expenses up to the present moment, and shares were then to be given in the Gloucester Junction Company for the remaining portion of the capital of the Chepstow Junction Railway. If the shareholders decided against such an amal- gamation, the only alternative which the directors could sug- gest was, that they should receive back their deposits minus the expenses on the respective shares. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Pheips (who, it had appeared, had recently acted as solicitor for the company) wished to know whether the Welsh Midland Company had the necessary funds in hand, and were ready to go to parliament ? The Solicito* of the company said it was with the Glou- cester Branch of the Welsh Midland that they proposed to amalgamate. The promoters of that branch were in a position to go to parliament for their bill. They had given their notices, complied with the standing orders, and had the necessary funds ready to deposit. Mr. Phelps thought the directors had been precipitate in the matter, and should move that it was inexpedient to carry out the proposed amalgamation. The motion having been seconded, A Proprietor asked the chairman to 8tate the amount of the prelimillary expenses 1 The Chairman said they were between £13,000 and jEl4 000 The Proprietor.—And how much per share will that amount to? The Chairman answered that, from 28j. to 30<. per share would be returned. A Proprietor.—Then let us have it. (Laughter, and cries of hear, bear). The Chairman begged honourable proprietors to understand that the directors had not expressed a desire that any par- riclllar course should be adopted; they had fairly stated the position in which the company was placed, and left the share- holders to take that course which they considered would be most beneficial to them. (Hear). After considerable discussion upon points of no public interest, Mr. Lee proposed, and Mr. Strutt seconded, that the com- pany be dissolved. This was put as an amendment to Mr. Phelp's motion, and carried by a large majority. This was followed by a very personal discussion betweenthe Chairman and Mr. Phelps, involving charges and recrimina- tions, out of which it is possible, though not very probable, that an action and a duel may arise. Upon the termination of this personal dispute, an under- standing was come to that 213s. per share should be repaid to the proprietors within a week, and that some few shillings per share should be retained by the directors to meet demands likely to be made upon them. The Chairman stated that immediately a proper sUtement of the receipts and expenditure bad been prepared, the share- holders should be called together and have it submitted to them. Some of the proprietors thought this scarcely neccssary, as the probability was that little solicitude about the affairs ot the company would be manifested alter the 28s. per share had been returned. The propriety of the chairman's suggesiion was, however, assented to and a vote of thanks having been given to the director?, for the zeal aud ability with which they had conducted the affairs of the company, the meeting separated.

i 0cn?ral j&igccUang* In Sussex, there have been greater floods {than have occurred for many years. On the banks of the Thames, about Wandsworth, much injury has been done. A cargo of wheat imported into Dublin direct from Naples entered into the Customhouse docks on Thurs- dayweek. Good potatoes having risen to the exorbitant price o' 71,ct. per stone, many poor families are substituting Swede turnips for them which are selling at 2d. per stone.—Lancaster Guardian. In every direction around Windsor the lowlands are under water, the Thames having overflowed its banks. Nearly all the Home Park is inundated and at Eton the cellars are filled with water. Much agricultural produce has been washed away. PETITIONS IN FAVOUR OF THE CORN LAWS.—Peti- tions in favour of the corn-laws continue to flow into the House of Lords in a full and uninterrupted stream, while those for repeal are few and far between. Last week there were two petitions presented to the House for the repeal of the corn-laws; while those in favour of those laws numbered nearly 150 on that evening alone. On the preceding night also, while there were two petitions praying for the repeal (from Manchester and hitburn), there were petitions from about 100 places in support of the corn-laws. There were, moreover, numerous peti- tions praying for the adoption of a measure to prevent the unconstitutional proceedings of the Corn Law League." Even in the House of Commons there were only"uine petitions for repeal, while there were petitions from 16 named towns, &c., and other places" not enumerated, in support of the existing protective laws for the maintenance of domestic agriculture. — Post. THE INTERRUPTED BALL.—On Monday week on the return of Mr. S. Alphage to his residence in the Wal- worth-road, he was considerably surprised at hearing strains of music issuing from his drawing-room, and every indication of a convivial meeting. After repeated knocks Mr. Alphage was admitted by a buxom-looking lass, who, not knowing him, and imagining him to be an invited guest, told him to make haste up stairs, as the dancing had just began. When Mr. Alphage reached his drawing-room he found his cook, Mary Halls, leading off a country dance with a neighbouring green-grocer. His unexpected arrival (the cook thinking him at Tun- bridge Wells) speedily put an end to the evening's enter- tainments, the founder of the feast, together with her company, being speedily sent out of the house. A DIFFICULTY SOLVED.—There is in her Majesty's speech a passage of great import, the exact purport of which, however, has given rise to some discussion, and considerable speculation. Her Majesty, after an allusion to the failure of the potato crop in Ireland, says, I have adopted all such precautions as it was in my power to adopt for the purpose of alleviating the sufferings which may be caused by this calamity." The nature of those precautions has, it is believed, now been ascertained here. There are off the port of Cork 30,000 quarters of Indian corn, which are understood to form a portion of 100,000 quarters which have been ordered by the British Govern- ment for the relief of the Irish people—a proof that her Majesty and her Ministers have not been altogether in- sensible to the threatened destitution and starvation of the poor of Ireland.—Manchester Guardian. The will of the late Right Hon. Granville, Earl Granville, Baron Leveson, was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, on Friday, the 23rd ult., by the Right Hon. Granville George, Earl of Granville, the eldest son and sole executor. The personal estate was sworn under JE 160,000. The Court of Common Pleas, in a case (Crouchsr v. Browne), decided on Monday, that persons admitted by purchase to the freedom of the City of London since the Reform Act are entitled to be on the parliamentary registry. It is reported that Sir Thomas Freemantle, Secretary for Ireland, has been appointed Chairman of the Com- missioners of Customs. The Right Hon. Baronet will vacate his seat in Parliament for the borough of Buck- ingham, and we believe it is generally understood that the Marquess of Chandos will succeed him there. No less than five steamers of the City of Dublin Com- pany proceeded on Tuesday night week to Dublin from Liverpool with troops. At an anti-tax meeting in Westminster, Md., after the passage of sundry revolutions, an effigy of the State tax- collector was prepared, hung upon a gallows, shot down, and kicked about! The following rhetorical flourish is among the resolutions: _II Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that any man who would under- take to collect the State tax for the benefit of European or American stock gamblers, brokers, and speculators, would bottle the sun-shine, and huckster out the dews of heaven."—New York Herald. The whole of the guns for the old fortifications have now arrived at Sheerness. They are 63 in number. The guns are to be placed as follows :—20 on the Half- moon Battery at the Point, 13 on the Admiral's platform overlooking the said battery, and the remaining 30 along the works protecting the barracks. The new works pro- gress rapidly. On Saturday, a pigeon was dispatched at Southampton, at ten o'clock, and arrived at its domicile in Drury-lane, London, at twenty-five minutes past eleven thus flying upwards of seventy miles in eighty-five minutes. Some barrels of fresh pork has arrived at Liverpool from New York it is preserved fresh and wholesome by filling up each barrel with melted lard. PRICE OF IRON IN FRANCE.—At St. Dizier, the cur- rent quotations during the last week were, for beaten or wrought iron, made by coal, delivered at St. Dizier, JE16 to jE:16 10s. the 1000 kilogrammes, or ton. Iron wire is much in demand, and is on the average from 4s. lOd. to 5s.; white cast metals are completely inactive, neither sellers nor buyers in the market. English cast metals, No. 1, are selling at £11 in the warehouses of Messrs. Lacombe, brothers. On the whole, the iron trade, whe- ther cast, wrought, or in bars, pig, &c., is extremely dull throughout France, and the forge of ironmasters only work a sufficient quantity to meet their contracts, all looking forward to the decision of government respect- ing the introduction of foreign or northern iron free, or at a very reduced duty. 0 AN ELOPEMENT FRUSTRATED.—A case of rather a ludicrous character occurred at Christchurch a few days since. It appears that a gentleman of Fording-bridge has, for some time past, been paying his addresses to a young lady of the neighbourhood, which was strongly prohibited by her parents but, however, nothing daunted, they were determined, if possible, to surmount all the difficulties that presented themselves in the road of connubial felicity consequently arrangements were made by the lover to bear off his fair inamorata on Saturday evening last. A letter arrived on the morning, which was intended as the final of all their projected plans, but it fell into the hands of the young lady's father. When night came, the father chose himself to occupy the young lady's room to receive her courtier. Serenading was to be the signal; and about midnight, just as he was in the midst of those delightful strains— «« Meet me by moonlight alone," to his utter dismay he was interrupted, not by the sweet accents of his fair one, but by the rough voice of his own sex, which was quickly followed by a well-directed blow with the rolling pm, but which luckily did not reach him. The gentleman, however, probably thinking that the use of some far more formidable weapon might be the result of procrastination, lost no time in making off; and in the endeavour to leap a fence near the house, he fell with such violence as to render an escape almost hopeless, and convinced him of the truth of the old adage, that" the course of true love never did run smooth!"—Felix Farley. A FAITHLESS SWAIN.—A gentleman who resides in Lincoln, and who deservedly enjoys the respect and es- teem of all who know him, for his engaging and unas- suming manners, talents, industry, piety, and kind dispo- sition, has been for some time paying his addresses to a young lady in the neighbourhood; he had "wooed and won her;" the wedding-day was fixed the bridal dresses purchased; the cake and ring provided and the brides- maids in attendance". But, alas! for the mutrtbility of human affairs'.—three nights before the time appointed for the wedding it was revealed to the bridegroom elect in a dream that his intended spouse was not so pious as himself, and that it would be, as the Romanists would call it, a mortal sin," to be unequally yoked together with an unbeliever. In great agony of mind he awoke, obtained an interview with the father of his intended bride, told him that his daughter had not sufficient piety, and that, therefore, she could not become his wife. To this determination has the conscientious gentleman in question adhered, and all the entreaties and persuasions of his friends have had no effect, for rather than be joined in holy matrimony to one not so good as himself, he has announced his determination to live a life of single bles- sedness (if there ever was such a thing.) It is only right however, for us to state, that there are some prying, scandal-loving, and inquisitorial persons, who say that the bridegroom elect expected to receive with his wife a fair quantum of this world's goods in specie, with the additional blessing of a good farm, out of which the father-in-law was vainly solicited to turn. The dream that disturbed the expectant bridegroom's slumbers some declare to have been, that he would have neither broad lands nor specie down the parents of the bride elect sus- pected the love to be more for the "siller" than the maid. These, however, are but rumours, and sure we are that all who know the gentleman in question must feel con- vinced that religious scruples alone could have induced him to act in the seft-denytug. consistent, and praisewor- thy spirit which he has exhibited—Lincoln Chronicle. THE MILITIA.—Tbe regiments intended for duty in Sussex, Kent, and other counties adjoining the sea coast, will be first called out. Ab.e ^erm ot service, according to regulations of the last Act, is five years, and all grounds of exemption must be stated at the Court of Appeal for con- sideration thereon. Besides the exemptions mentioned in a previous number of the GUARDIAN, apprentices, articled clerks, constables, clergymen, ^'ssenting ministers, peers, policemeD, resident members ot Oxtord and Cambridge Universities, sailors, and soldiers, are also exempt. The penalty, if a man be ballotted and do not appear person- ally, or by proxy, is £ 10' ,lablll[y to serve again at the end of five years and.1* the penalty be not paid, or if the offender have not sufficient effects on which to levy, his name will he enrolled, and he will be handed over to some officer of the regiment for which he IS ballotted, and com- pelled to serve his term- But If he be a Quaker, two deputy-lieutenants of the county may hire a substitute, and defray the expense by distress and sale; and if sufficient distress cannot be found, and it shall nevertheless appear that he is able to pay the forfeit ot l0> thLey may send him to gaol for three monlus, or until he has paid the expense of the substitute. I The Great Britain and "reat Western steamers are announced to sail for New York, the latter on the lit of April and the former on the 9;h of May. During some proceedings in the Lord Mayor's Court, on Saturday, againstMessr. Eagles and liisgood, tin projectors of the Loudon aud Norwich Direct Railwiy Company, it was stated that the two defendants consti- tdedtiio whole company-chairman, dcputy-chninuati, di.ctûri<, secretary, surveyor, engineer The lowlands of Oxfordshire have not for some year- been so inundated as they are at this time. Many oi the cross-roads, on which the bibles are bad, are im- passable, except at a great risk. The district known as the" Ottmoors," which is many miles in extent, has the appearance of 0 sea, fiom the vast flood which covers it. Peace Societies are actively engaged in getting up Anti-Militia meetings. The movement commenced in Birmingham and has extended to several of the manu- facturing towns. The more recent meetings are those of Gloucester, Chatham, and Newcastle. The intention to enrol the Militia is deprecated, on several grounds,— as exciting the jealousy and suspicion of foreign powers diffusing military tastes and habits among the people exercisiug an unfavourable influence on public morals, by withdrawing young men from the oversight of their natural guardians increasing taxation introducing the objectionable principle of compulsory military service j violating the rights of conscience in cases where a con- scientious disapproval of war is entertuiaed. BANKRUPTCY COURT.—IN RE 8m JOHN Ross, KNT. Wednesday. The bankrupt in this case was described as a banker. He is, however, more publicly known as one of the enterprising explorers in the Arctic Seas. It is es- timated that his debts and liabilities are about £ 10,000, and his assets nearly £600. Losses by the failure of his publishers and debts incurred in fitting out one of his expeditions, are said to be the chief cause of the bank- rupt's difficulties. The bankrupt's income included £150 per annum pension from Government, for wounds received during naval service, f300 per annum as Cap- tain's half-pay, and £500 per annum as Consul-General at Sweden. Twoorthree proofs were tendereddurin" the proceedings, but they were not allowed. One was for £4,200 under the marriage settlement of the bankrupt's wife, connected with which was an alleged breach of trust, said to have been committed 11 years since. A claim for this was only admitted for the present. The debts proved in the course of the day were upwards of £ 4,200. An adjournment of the choice of assignees took place to the day appointed for the last examination, as no creditor was found willing to accept the trust. FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.—On Friday, an accident of a frightful and painful nature took place at the house No. 14, King-street, Lambeth-walk, London, by which two fine young men were instantly deprived of life, and four other persons so severely injured that the lives of three of them are in the greatest possible danger. It appears that William Kenyon had been in the employment of Mr. Darby, the firework-maker, and that his master not having sufficient space on his premises to perform his work, had allowed him to take about two hundred weight of composition home with him to manufacture into stars." Several youths of his acquaintance were in the habit of calling to see him at his work, and at the time of the fatal occurrence there were three young men there, named Holmes, Smith, and Spear. Of theie the two latter were frightfully injured, and the other, Holmes, shared the melancholy fate of poor Kenyon. The mother of Kenyon proceeded from the front parlour to the top of the kitchen stairs to call her son to his dinner, and on looking down the stairs she observed a dense smoke and a peculiarly coloured flame issuing from within. She endeavoured to give au alarm, but the vapour ascending was so strongly impregnated with sulphur, as, for a few moments, nearly to deptive her of life, and it prevented her calling out. An alarm was, however, soon given. It was then found that the cellar was on fire, and the sulphureous vapour was still so strong that there existed considerable danger in approaching the place. At length the flames were sufficiently subdued to enable the per- sons to enter, when a truly frightful spectacle presented itself. Ivenyon and Holmes lay close together with their clothes, with the exception of a few shreds, burnt off; their flesh peeling off, and in many parts the skin re- moved from the flesh in large patches. Smith and Spear were in another part of the cellar, fortunately removed from where the great body of flame was, groaning with agony, and seveiely scorched and injured. They were removed without loss of time to Guy's Hospital, where they still remain in a very precarious state. A young woman named Sarah Hales, iu the service of Mrs. Ken- yon, was in the cellar when the fire took place, with a child nearly two years of age in her arms. The instant she saw the composition ignite, she, with great presence of mind, rushed out of the door, but before she could do so the flames caught her arms and face, and she was severely burnt. The child was also much scorched about the face and arms, and both were sent to Lambeth work- house. ROBBERY AT THE HOUSE OF LORDS.—On the morning of the day of her Majesty opening Parliament, Sir A. Clifford, the Usher of the Black Rod, on proceeding to a private room in the House, where he had deposited in a drawer his massive official gold chain, found that the drawer had been forced open and the chain taken away. Suspicion at present attaches to no one. The chain, which was twenty-six inches long and weighed about six ounces, was safely deposited in the drawer at the expira- tion of the last session of Parliament. HUNTING MISHAP.—Miss Booth (the lady hunter) received a ducking the other day whilst hunting with the Milton hounds, and was extricated by Mr. Porter, sur- geon, of Peterborough, from a cold bath. It is said Miss Booth mounted her steed and followed the hounds with the same spirit as before the mishap occurred.—Cam- bridge Independent Press. SERIOUS INJURY CAUSED BY THE SNUFF OF A CANDLE. On Monday evening, a serious accident occurred to Miss Isabella. Lenade, of Wardour-street, Soho, who incau. tiously snuffed the candle with her scissors, when, the snuff falling on her dress, it ignited, and, notwithstanding her screams brought immediate assistance, so seriously is she injured, that but slight hopes are entertained of her recovery. MATRIMONOMANXA.—Wednesday, Mr. Wakley held an inquest in the University College Hospital, upon Ara- bella Perry, aged 21, late cook in a family residing in Huntley-street, Tottenham court-road. Deceased, who had been constitutionally weak-minded, was in the habit of asking every young man she met to marry her. Hav- ing obtained leave from her mistress to go a shopping on Saturday night, she remained out nearly three hours, and in half an hour after her return she was found sus- pended to a bed-rail, dead. Verdict—" Insanity." BIGAMY.—On Wednesday week, Henry Augustus Browne, barrister-at-law, and nephew of the late Mar- quess of Sligo, was brought before the magistrates of College-street Police-office, Dublin, in custody of two of the London police, charged with having intermarried wish Isabella Copland, on the 5th of November, 1844, his former wife, Mary Downes. being then and still alive. Mr. Brereton, for the prosecution, applied for a postpone- ment of the investigation, in the absence of Mr. Copland, the young lady's father, who had gone to the continent in search of prisoner, immediately on the fact coming to his knowledge that his first wife was alive. Mr. Copland was the manager of the Royal Bank. He was accompa- nied by his solicitor, and from letters lately received from them, he (Mr. Brereton) might say they would be home in a few days. Mr. O'Hea, as counsel for Mr. Browne, did not oppose the application for a postponement, but applied to have his client admitted to bail. After a long discussion, the Bench decided upon refusing to admit Mr. Browne to bail, and adjourned the case to Saturday next. This most painful case has excited deep interest in this city, where Mr. Copland, from his position of manager of the Royal Bank, is very generally known and much esteemed. His daughter is in a most precarious state of health from the shock she received on learning the alleged crime of her husband. THE PUBLIC INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (BALANCE SHEET).—There was issued on Tuesday week, by order of the House of Commons, on the motion of Mr: Card well, on the 22nd ult., the account and expenditure for the year ending the 5th of January, 1846, balances in the Exche- quer,and the funded and unfunded debt. On the 6tl» ult., tbe Revenue Tables were published entire, and therefore any repetition of those details will be unnecessary. It appears from this document that the total net public income of the year ending Jan. 5, 1846, was £ 53,060,353 17s. 9d., of which £52,558,69:J 15s. lid., was applicable to the Consolidated Fund, and the remaining £501,660 Is. lOd. to "other public services." The expenditure during the same period was £ 49,242,713 6s. 7d., leaving an excess of income over expenditure of JE3,817,640 lis. 2d. A second portion of this document consisted of an account of the balance of the public money remaining in the Ex- chequer on the 5th of January, 1845; and the balances in the Exchequer on the 15th ult, &c. On the 5th of Jan., 1815, the balance was £ 6,254,113 9s. 8ild.; and the balances in the Exchequer on the 5th of the present month were £8,452,09[) 0s. 0|d. CAN A CLERGYMAN DIVEST HIMSELF OF THAT CHA- RACTER 1—This question came before the Court of Queen's Bench on We.lnesday week, in the case Barnes v. Shore, clerk. The complaint being that defendant had performed divine service after the manner and rites of the Church of England in an unlicensed place of worship, violating thereby the discipline of the Church of England, and the commands and directions of the Bishop of Exeter. The Solicitor General argued that the case came within the Toleration Act, for defendant, having become a dissenter, had not concealed that fact from the world, but had taken the proper course thereupon, waited upon a magistrate, taken the oath, and made the declaration prescribed to such persons by law, and having so far divested himself of the character of a clergyman of the Established Church, he the next Sunday administered the rites of the dissenters' chapel, which was nearly the same as the Liturgy of the Established Church, with some alterations.—Mr. Justice Patteson.—If he could so divest himself of his ecclesiastical character by his volun- tary act, would his coming voluntarily back next week restore him to the character of a clergyman of the Church of England 1-The Solicitor General would not assert it would have that effect.—Mr. Justice Coleridge.—Would a living, or any preferment in donation, be good if con- ferred upon Mr. Shore still ^—The Solicitor General thought anything purely donative would be good.—Mr. Justice Patteson.—It is difficult to say how any purely voluntary act could divest a roan of the character he has acquired for instance, no voluntary act of yours could divest you of your professional character as a barrister.— Dr. Twiss and Mr. Sergeant Manning addressed the court at great length on the same side, and after nearly seven hours' argument, the court requiring a copy of the citation to consult, said they should take time to consider their judgment. A I.ONG I.IVF.D FAMILY.—A few days since, at Sandford, •loar Churchill, Somerset, Mr William Tilley, who is ;really respected in hi" neighbourhood, entertained his wo brothers and two sisters, whose uuiied ages, with the Housekeeper, amounted to 43d years. Mr. Tilley and the party are in the enjoyment of good health. We hope sincerely that they may yet have many happy Meetings, and that we shall have to announce the a:1- nual gathering, when they will make the present happy by reminiscences, and conversations of auld lang syne. VOTE MANUFACTURING.—-In the Court of Common rMeas 0:1 Thursday, Lord Chief Justice Tindal delivered lodgment ill tbe case Alexander v. Newman. He said this was an appeal from the decision of the revising barrister for the county of York and the question raised was whether a conveyance was void under the 3d section of 7 and 8 William III., c. 23, such conveyance being made for the purpose of multiplying voices; but being a bona fide conveyance, accompanied by a real transfer; and without a secret trust or any stipulation as to the exercise of the elective franchise. The statute 7th and 8th William III., cap. 25, even if it stood singly, was not capable of beiug applied to any other thun a conveyance of fictitious nature, which had nothing more than parchment and a seal, the parties to it having agreed that no actual interest should pass. There existed no restriction in law on a man's burying freeholds to the amount of 40s., although the express object was to acquire the right to vote, provided the conveyance were in other respects bona fide. But if the conveyance, however, were in form only, and never intended to have any real effect, it was then always held to be void, whatever the secret trust might be. The statutes of 7th and 8th Win. III., names only conveyances, and makes no reference to contracts for the sale of land, and that went to show that a bona fide conveyance was not intended to be avoided on the ground merely of the motive of the parties. The 10th Anne c. 23, both in its title & recital it drew a clear distinction between fraudulent and real convey- ances for the purpose of giving the tight to vote, and when the first section was looked as it affvrded a con- firmatory exposition of 7 and 8 Wm. III., cap 2.), taken in the sense which thecourt had put upon it. On the whole case the court were of opinion that a conveyance bona fide made, where money-and possession passed, and there was no secret reservation, was not avoided by reason of the existence of a motive by the parties to multiply votes, and as the revising barrister had brought the case under that destinction his decision was clearly right. IMPROVEMENT OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE.—AT a late meeting in West Norfolk, Mr. Hudson, of Castleacre, made the following remarks: — He was able to prove that the farmers had not only kept pace with the increased population, but that they hadactuaHy "gone ahead." In 1821 the population of England and Wales was 11,978,875. It had been calculated, and he believed correctly, that on the average each individual would re- quire a quarter of Wheat for his sustenance during the year. Now, taking the ten years previously to 1821, he found that the average quantity of foreign Wheat entered annually for home consumption was 429,076 quarters. If they deducted that number from the population (cal- culating every person to consume annually one quarter of Wheat), the amount of Wheat produced each year in this country at that time would appear to be 11,549,799 quarters. In 1831 the population had increased to 13,897,187, the average importations of foreign Wheat for the previous ten years, were 5;34,762 quarters; so that the growth of Wheat in this country might then be taken to average 13,362,425 {quarters annually. There was, therefore, an average increased production in the last ten years over the preceding ten years of 1,812,62(5 quarters per annum. Again, in 1841 the population was 15,911,757, the average importations of foreign Wheat during the preceding ten years were 908,118 quarters, and the quantity produced in this country annually might be calculated at 15,003,639 quarters. The total increase in the home production during the period through which his calculation extended was 3,453,840 quarters. He considered, therefore, that he was justified in contradict- ing the assertion that the farmers had not kept pace in production with the increasing population of the country. TREASURE FOUND.—On Monday last, as some men were digging in a field belonging to Mr. Rody Kennedy, of Borrisokane quite convenient to the town, they dug up upwards of a thousand pieces of coin, the large pieces were broader than a shilling, but much thinner; they were coined in Henry the Fourth's time, and passed for a groat in those days seven of them weigh one ounce the small pieces are about the size of a sixpenny piece, but quite thin they appear to be the silver penny of Henry II. The silver pieces were not more than five or six inches under the surface of the earth, and must have lain there for centuries. Nenagh Guardian.

autr aøeful. The fountain at Chatsworth is supplied from a reser. voir of eight acres, having an average depth of seven feets requiring for its construction the removal of 100,000 ton of earth, and the employment of 217 tons of piping. The water is thrown to a height of 267 feet. NEW USE OF VERMIN—The Sherborne Journal gives, the following statement respecting the farm of the Rev. A. Huxtable, at Sutton Waldron :—" Our readers may recollect a reference made at Sturininster, to the value of dead horses, reduced with sulphuric acid, as manure. We were not fortunate enough to visit the farm at a time when this process was going on, but we witnessed some- thing that will astonish the incredulous still more—viz., the dissolving of rats for the same purpose. All the vermin caught in the farm are thrown into sulphuric acid, by which they are soon converted into manure as valu- able as bone-dust. Thus, on an improved system of farming, the very pests and scourges of the farmer may be converted to his advantage." -Provincial Paper. ARCHITECTURE.—Much curiosity and admiration have been excited among our learned bodies of late, more par ticularly with those savans to whom the introduction of tesselated or mosaic floorings are an object of interest, by the exhibition of a variety of specimens of this description of pavement, which for purity and regularity of pattern and strength, and consequent durability, leave far distant any thing of the kind which has, even amongst the an- cients, preceded them. The manufacturers, Messrs. Minton, of Stoke-upon-Trent, for whom the firm of Wyatt aud Parker are agents, have long held a very dis- tinguished name as men of untiring energy in this de- partment of the arts. It is likewise but due to them to state, that the most competent judges have, after the severest tests, pronounced that their various improve- ments, which have been the cause, from time to time, of many patents, have now reached as near perfection as is conceivable. Amongst these specimens are some termed Old English Tiles," the strength of which is such as to defy the roughest usage, to which the commonest footway is subjected; nor is it possible, by ordinary means, to obliterate or deface the beauty of the inlaid ornaments. The Hexagon Tiles," which admit of an infinite variety of pleasing devices, as seen in the Alhambra, will, although less than half an inch in thickness, bear a pressure of thirty tons. These designs may be still greatly increased if combined with rhomboidal and trian- gular pieces. It is scarcely possible to imagine auy thing more pleasing of the kind than an avenue or pathway decorated in this facile and inexpensive manner, and its introduction is consequently most encouragingly hailed by both architect and builder.—Spectator.

BANKRUPTS.—(From the London Gazelles.). FRIDAY.—Thomas Ellis, Great St. Helens, wine merchant Alfred Oakley, Southampton, seedsman. William Curtis, Croy- don, bricklayer. Frederick John Ablett and William Ilenry Ablett, High Holborn, drapers, Joseph Nail, John-street, Tottenham-court-road, builder. Benjamin Thompsoll Alde- burgh, Suffolk, innkeeper. Sydney Tilling and Robert Green Watson, Gateshead, Durham, wine and spirit merchants. William Fordyce, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, bookseller. George Watson, Gateshead, Durham, bookseller. Aaron Shiptou, Pitchcombe, Gloucestershire, clothier. Robert Penhey. jun., Stoneliouse, Devonshire, grocer. John Peter James, Truro, draper. John Brown, Liverpool, joiner. TUESDAY.—J. Burne, linen factor, Middleton-square, Middlesex. J. H. Nail, builder, John-street, Toitenham- conrt-road. J. S. B, Budgett, Sitr^eon, King-street, Carnden- lown. C. Archer, woollen manufacturer, Hochdale. J. Stud- dard, cotton-spinner, Manchester. J. Massey, grocer, Manchester. H. Harvey, grocer, Chasewater, Cornwall. G P. Payne, chronometer manufacturer, Liverpool. J, Evans, dealer in gnano, Liverpool.

gJnteUigclttr. ,0. BOTE DOCKS.—Arrived, the Industry, Murphy, Kin,ale.. Eliza. Ctieasty, Waterford.Jim Crow, Roche, VVaterford. baHast.Velocity, McGrath, Waterford.Harmony, Carroll, Waterford, limestone.. Robert Burns, Moye, Kinsale..Sir A, McKenzie, Davies, Waterford, hallast..Sir John Newport, ♦Nicholls, Walerford, limestone.. Emeline,Trick Waterford.. George Brown, Long, Kinsale, hallast.John, Every, Bristol, light.David Waiter, Head, Waterford.. Pallas, Moller, An- twerp, ballast.. Dispatch, Baker, Bristol.Providence Baker, Bristol, light.Otter, White, *»loster.Trusty, Field, (/loster.. Thomas aud Maria, Watkin, Gloster, iron ore.Gem, Hil|, Bristol, light.Liverpool, Power, Waterford, ballast.Fairie, Welch, Glamorganshire Canal, light..Cinderella, Petheram, Gloster, iron ore.. Argonant, Hayes. Dungarvon.. Berbona, Thomas J^ork.. Gem, Mongomery, Belfast, ballast.. Klizabctii, Adamson. Whitehaven.Mayflower, Poole, Whitehaven, iron ore..Alpha, White, Waterford.. Malvina, Beer, Waterford Vestal, Walker, Dublin, ballast*. 1 homas, Bunt, Waterford, fish and ftollr..John Barry, Elliott, Cork, ballast..Gannett, Score, Bridgewater, light.. Gipsey, Butler, Belfast, ballast and stones.. AlIo, Coles, Biistol, light.Riviere, :(ead, Swansea.. Charlotte, Evans, Oublin, ballast..Best, Monle, Bristol. Roebuck, Gayner, Bristol, light..James Carmichael, Barren, Dublin.Nancy, Foran, Dungarvan,bat)ast.Wi))iam. Collins Newport, iron and timber.Cornwal)it, Davis, Waterford, ballast.. Gem, Fry, Bristol, tight.. Hose, Finlay, Ne wry, ballast and plt,ood..SlIccess" Sims, Gloster, pitwood.. Prince ot Wales (s.), Jones, Bristol.. Lady Charlotte (s.), Jefferys, Bristol, general cargo. Sailed, the Perseverance, Harris, Waterford, coal.Here- fordshire, Levers, Limerick, iron..Messenger, Fall, Waterford ..Auspicious, Spray, Hayle.. George and Henry, Flanagan, Cork..Spec, Whiifietd, Cork..tieorge, Clancy, Kinsale.. Bet- sey, Hlurner, Cork..Venus, Bowden, Penzance, coal., liclair, Wade, Limerick.. Brothers, Stevens, Hull, iron .Beaver, Ward, Kinsale..Govenor Harcourt, Edey, Jamaica..Confidence, El- liott, Waterford..George Ramsay, Davies, Kinsale..Fame, Thomas, Hayle, coal..Boadicea, Evans, Limerick, iron. Martha, Knox, Waterford..Southesk, Chidgnell, Malta. Lord Bruce, l'oole, Malta.Providence, Baker, Bristol.. Dis- patch, Baker, Brlstol.John, Every, Bristol.. Nightingale. Kelly, Bideford..Chard,Chapman, Bridgewater, coal..Sanet, Brown Dundee.Sir John Rannie, Murrook, London, iron. Dinas 'Mill*, Bristol.Rhondda, Bowen, Bristol.. Affo, Coles' Bristol.Otter, White, Gloster.Scib,Miller, London..Cicaro' Graham, Belfast ..Uewdrop, Burke, Belfast..Jane, Bridges' London..Gem, Hill, Bristol ..Best, Moule, Bristol.Horatio* Hannison, Malta, coal.. Prince of Wales (s.), Jones, Brstol,, Lady Charlotte (s.), Jefferys, Bristol, general cargo. 1 n (Z LA'%I-"RGANqli FI'F OAMU. — -4 rri«ed, T'>E 1 Rid er. Bull i v I'i I.. Fai ie. We *h v„ t -h r.<'isanoa.>» Wonii, \Y 11ve11 ave; 1..• • Mary, "vans, Brisiol N .> in,)'1"' K lapp Hiillow I'ili, all jth inci ore 'Hivert". Selnha.. PrioiuU, It-er. Bricol.. t•.»<••• H<mt, Cotn-n -ree, Hart, B is ol J ne, Mad'- 11 St. lv -s. 13 j Londnu-dl ■ itn hall is Ann C.tliil1s. 01 • 'Iiz "l' Wright, Bri-col Frit-nd^, liva is, Bristol .William. lit,I, Lvdnev..Friends, James, Bridawaier. Uibey, L> IVR> Port! ..¡"vi.. Venns, Poole, Bridgw iter. Thomas an 1 Headfoid, Bridiwater. Providence, Parke/, Sew port Newnhatn Smith, Lydneyc Elisor, Ev ins, Carmarthen .1 Liverpool Packet, Wed >ke, Watch l.. Amity, Pearson, B.is'0 ..Cardiff Tiaoc. R.»wles, Gloster..Charl-'s, H >«e. Bri'l** "water.. Morwelhaui, fowelis, ^e-.vport..T:-e.Wiga: C">ck<o*'<l> Portlicawl.John George, Gaililord, Bri-g*aie; A rOl Davies, Bristol..Merihyr Packet, Tlio n*s, Bri,to! Hebe Attwood, Portland Themis, Legs, \Vilted,mJ. Job!" Westlcy, Bristol.. Endeavour, Green-way, Gloster.. Rcforrt" Th mai, Galway. Friends, Evans, Bristol Unity, Mayor Glo-ter.Mary Jones, Bowen, Porthcawl, all with sundries* Sailed, the Robert and Ann, Ridicr, Gloster.. Gleaner, Thomas. Newport. Friends, James, Gloster.Pheasao'» Evans. Fleetwood..Sophia, Roberts, Liverpool.Elizabeth) Wright, Bristol.Friends, Evans, Brig:ol.. A hilcy, DaveYo Gloster.. Ann, Davies, Bristol.John & Ann, Jones, Dublin ..Adur, Ilngh, Wisbech..Su«annah, Wood, Uuhlin.. Provi- dence, Parker, Gloster.Lydia, Wood, Tweedinouth.M»f? Jones, Bowen. Port Talbot.1fred, Salisbury, Newcastle.•• Amity, Pearson, Bristol. Aun, Wcscott, Commerce, Hart, Gloster Reform, Tho/IJas. Niaryport. Betsey, Jenkins, Limerick..Orb, Thomas, Limerick, all wjtfc iron—Friends, Beer, Bristol..Charles Fryer, Vcale, Cork.' Venus, Poole, Bridgwater .Thomas and James, Headforib Bridgwater .Pomona, Lock, Pad stow Neptunr, Prober' Bridgwater.. Defiance, Hunt, Gloster.Hebe, Attwood, Ply*, mouth Liverpool Packet, Weslake, Watche;TieJcg»r Crockfoni, Minehead..Concord, Cox, Lisbon.Bucks, Pt" bert. Bristol, all wilh coal.William, Hill, Lydney..R"bef" Jones, Newport..Lark, Mayo, Gloster..John, Mayo, G lostet Fairie, Welsh, Bute Dock.. Newllh;un, Smith. Lyùney, lighl. I PoRT TALBOT.—Arrived, the Industry. Shapcott, i.ooe-I i Xerxes. Williams, Swansea.. Mervinia, Sninmervilie, G| ter..l'owy, Botwood, Pembroke.. Pretty Maggy, EA-tavay, Cork..Ciara, Lewis, Neath.. Mary, Care, Swansea. Sautilli" I Thomas, Laugliarne. ( Sailed, the U aion Canal, Sawe, Newport.. Lanrina, ChaO' non, Bideford.. Magnet, Davies, Swansea.. Unanimity, j ehell, Bideford.. Eliza, Sutton, Swansea.. lisdustry, Sliapcotlv Looc.