Monmouthshire Merlin

WL'OR HUGO ON THE EXECUTION AT t I GUERNSEY. 1 ( [Translation.] < '1'0 LORD PALMERSTON, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE 1 HOME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLAND. SIR(—J lay before you a series of facts which have trans- -n- In Jersey within the last few years :— ] fifteen years ago, Calicot, a murderer, was condemned ( to death, and pardoned. Eight years ago, Thomas Nicolle, < a murderer, was condemned to death, and pardoned. Three years ago, in 1851, Jacques Fouquet, a murderer, was ( condemned to death and pardoned. In each of these cases, the penalty of death was commuted for transportation. f In each case, to obtain a commutation of the sentence, a 1 petition, signed by the inhabitants of the island, was suffi- dent. In 1851, transportation was thought a sufficient punish- for Edward Carlton, who murdered his wife under Circumstances of the most horrible description. All this has taken place within fifteen years in the island from which I now address you. Let us shift the scene from Jersey to Guernsey. Tapner, a murderer, an incendiary, and a robber, is con- demned to death. At present—and the facts above stated prove the truth of the assertion-the penalty of death is virtually abolished In the opinion of every sane, well-thinking man. No sooner is Tapner Condemned, than a cry is heard, pe- titions are multiplied—one, energetically establishing itself OQ the principle of the inviolability of human life, was signed by 600 of the most enlightened of the inhabitants of the island. And it is worthy of notice, that not one minister of any Christian sect has deigned to affix his signature to either of these petitions. These men are probably ignorant that the cross is a gallows. The people cried, "1\1ercy!" The Priest cried, Death!"—Let us pity the priest, and resume our subject. These petitions have been forwarded to you — a respite has been granted. In similar cases, a respite was equal to a commutation of the sentence—the island draws breath the gallows is not to be erected—cruel error! The gallows is erected—Tapner is hung! and this, after mature consi- deration Why? Why should Guernsey be refused that which has been so often granted to Jersey ? Why deal to oae concession, and to the other affront ?— Why should pardon be sent here and the executioner there ? Wbv this difference where all things else are equal ?— What use was the respite, but to aggravate the torture ? — Was some mystery involved ? To what purpose has been Consideration ? Things are whispered, sir, to which I dare not listen. No! It cannot be true. What! A voice, and that of the most obscure, if it be the voice of an exile, cannot ask pardon from an insignificant corner of Europe for a man about to die, without being heard by M. Bonaparte, with- out M. Bonaparte's interference. What, M. Bonaparte, who has the guillotine of Bellay, the guillotine of Draguignan, and the guillotine of Montpellier, not satisfied with all these Has he still an appetite left for a gallows in Guernsey ? What! in such a case, could you have refused justice to the proscribed, for fear of giving umbrage to the proscriber ? If so, the man was hung to accommodate, and the gallows erected as an act of courtesy, and could you have done all this to strengthen your alliance r No, no; I do not, I cannot believe it. I cannot even admit the idea, although I shudder at it. Before the great and generous English nation, can your Queen have the right to pardon, and M. Bonaparte that of a veto? At the same time that there is an Omnipotent in heaven, can there be an O.nnipotent on earth ? No. I merely say that it was not possible for the French journals to speak of Tapner. I state the fact, but I draw no conclusion from it. However this may be, you have determined, to use the terms of the despatch, that justice should take its course, and all is over. However this may be, Tapner, after having been three times respited, and had his case three times under conside- ration, was hung yesterday, the 10th of February, and if there be any truth in tie conjectures, which, for myself, I utterly reject, I present you, sir, with the bulletin of the day. You may, if such be the case, transmit it to the Tuileries. These details cannot be offensive to the Empire of the 2nd of December. The eagle will hover with delight over the field of his victory! He is a gallows eagle! A garden joined the prison. In this garden the scaffold was erected. A breach was made in the wall for the pri- soner to pass through. At eight o'clock in the morning, the neighbouring streets were crowded with spectators, of whom 200 of the privileged were admitted into the garden. The man appeared in the breach. He walked erect, and with a firm step he was pale the red circle, caused by anxious wakefulness, surrounded his eyes. The month just passed had added 20 years to his age —a man 30 years of age appeared 50. A cotton nightcap was drawn over his head and turned up in front (says an eye-witness.) He was dressed in a brown coat, which he wore during the trial, and an old pair of slippers." He walked partly round the garden, in a walk gravelled expressly for the occasion. The javelin-men, the sheriff, the under-sheriff, and the Queen's solicitor surrounded him. His hand's were tied loosely, as we shall presently see. According to the English custom, while the hands wero fogged upon the breast, a cord bound the elbows behind the back. Behind him the chaplains, who had refused to sign the petitions for mercy, followed weeping. The gravel walk led to the ladder; the cord was swing- ing. Tapner ascended the ladder. The executioner trem- bled; inferior executioners are, at times, susceptible of pity. Tapner placed himself under the noose, and passed it over his head, and his hands not being firmly tied, he desired the executioner, who seemed quite confused, to arrange the rope. Then, as ifhe had had a presentiment of what was to follow," says the same eye-witness, he said, 'Tie my bands tighter.' 'That is unnecessary,'re- plied the executioner." Tapner, standing thus with the rope round his neck, and his feet on the trap, the execu- tioner drew the nightcap over his eyes, and nothing more could be seen of that pale face but the mouth moving, as in prayer. After some moments, the man destined to this high office, pressed a spring; the drop fell, and the body fell abruptly through; the cord tightened, the body turned, and the man was considered dead. It was thought," says the eye-witness, that Tapner was killed at once by the rupture of the spinal marrow, he having fallen four feet," but the witness further adds, therelief to our oppressed hearts did not last two minutes." Suddenly the man, not yet a corpse, but already a spectre, moved The legs were thrown convulsively about, as if seeking some stay in the empty space; what could be discovered of the facc was horrib'y diefig ired; and the hands, which had become loose, were clasped and relaxed, as if to im- plore assistance. The cord around the elbows had snapped in the fall. Amid these convulsions, the rope began to swing, the elbows of the poor wretch came in contact with the edge of the trap, he clung to it with his hands, rested his right knee upon it, raised his body, and seemed to lean towards the crowd. Again he fell; and twice, says the eye-witness, was the same scene repeated. He then raised his cap, and the crowd gained a sight of his face. This, it seemed, was too much. It was necessary to close the scene. The executioner re-ascended the scaf- fold, and caused the sufferer (I still quote the eye-witness) to let go his hold. The executioner and the victim strug- gled for a moment; the executioner triumphed. Then this wretch, himself like one condemned, threw himself into the aperture where Tapner was hanging, straightened his krees, and hung to his feet. The rope. oscillated for a moment, bearing the victim and the executioner the crime and the law. At last the executioner himself relaxed his told all was over the man was dead. You see, sir, how things were managed; the effect was complete; f,)r the town, being built as an amphitheatre, everything was seen from the windows — all eyes w„cr)e. fixed on the garden. If it were the object to excite a feeling of horror, it was done; the crowd cried Shame, shame,' and several women fainted, During this time Fouquet, who had been pardoned in 1851, is repenting. The executioner has converted Tapner into a corpse—mercy, Fouquet into a man ¡" Between the time when Tapner fell into the trap and that in which the executioner, no longer perceiving any motion, let go his feet, 12 minutes elapsed. Twelve minutes Let that time be calculated, if any one knows by what clock to number the moments of suffering. Such, sir, was the mode of Tapner's death. The theory of example is satisfied; the philosopher alone mourns, and asks himself if this be what is called allowing justice to take its course. We must believe the philosopher to be wrong. The punishment has been frightful, but the crime was hideous. Must not society be defended ? What will become of us if, &c. The audacity of criminals would meet with no restraint.. There would be nothing but atrocities and murders. A check is absolutely necessary. At least, it seems your opinion, sir, that Tapners should be hung, unless they be emperors. Let the will of statesmen be done. Theorists, dreamers those visionary spirits who have formed some notion of good and evil—cannot sound without difficulty, certain depths of the problem of destiny. Had Tapner, instead of killing one woman, destroyed 300, adding to the heap some hundreds of old men and children—had he, instead of breaking a door, violated an oath—had he, instead of purloining a few shillings, stolen 25,000,000—had he, instead of burning the house Saujon, overawed Paris by force of arms, he would have been an ambassador at London. o It might, however, be as well to define a little more pre- cisely the point at which Tapner ceases to be a robber, and Shinderhannes commences politician. Sir, this is horri- ble! We are members, you and I, of the infinitely small. I am only a refugee, you are only a minister—I am ashes, you are dust. Atom may surely speak freely to atom; where each is nothing, truth may be spoken. Well, then, be assured, whatever may be the actual success of your policy, however glorious the alliance of M. Bonaparte, however honourable it may be for you to act in strict unison with him, however far-famed and magnificent may be your common triumph in Turkish affairs, this rope which was fastened round a human neck—the trap which opened under his feet—the hope that, in falling, he would reak his spine—the face become livid beneath the deep shadow of the gallows—the bloodshot eyes bursting from sockets—the tongue lolling from the throat—tha groan of anguish only stifled by the knot—the terrified sout groan of anguish only stifled by the knot-the terrified sout 1 vhich still clings to its tenement—the convulsed knees svhich seek some support those, bound hands, mutely ilasped and asking help and that other man, that man of larkness, who throws himself upon these last struggles, ivho clings to the knees of the dying wretch, and himself langs upon the hanging— Sir, these things are frightful! And if, haply, the conjectures which I disavow be true —if the man who hung to the feet of Tapner were indee 1 ML Bonaparte, it would be monstrous. But, I repeat, I lo not believe this. You have yielded to no influence; you simply said, Let justice take its course." You gave this )rder as you would have done any other; the prolonged liscussions concerning capital punishment do not interest you. To hang a man and to drink a glass of water are the same things in your estimation. You did not comprehend the importance of the act; it was the oversight of a statesman—nothing more. Sir, keep your blunders for sarth, and do not offer them to eternity Do not trifle with such deep interests, mix nothing of your own with bhem it would be impudent. I can see more deeply into those interests than you. Beware Exul sicut mortims. I speak as from the tomb. Bah wh t matters it ? A man hung; and what more ? A coil of rope to be wound up—some timber work to be taken to pieces a corpse to be buried. Certainly these are great matters! We will fire the cannon, a little smoke in the Ea.st, and all will be over. A microscope will be required to detect Guernsey and Tapner. Gentlemen, this rope, this beam, this corpse, this dreadful, though invisible gallows, this suffering, carry us into immensity. They involve the social question, which is more important than the political; they do more—they carry us beyond earth. That which is of little consequence is your cannon, your politics, and your smoke. The assassin who, to-morrow becomes the victim, has a soul which takes its flight, hold- ing the end of the gallows rope—it is this which is fright- ful. Statesmen who, between two protocols, two dinners, and two smiles, carelessly press, with white-gloved hand, the spring of the gibbet, and the trap falls under the feet of the victim, know you what you do ? The indefinite ap- pears the unfathomable and the unknown; the mighty shade which rises suddenly and terribly beneath your listlessness. Proceed! Let us observe the men of the Old World at their work. Since the past still struggles, let us examine it. Let us observe its successive phases. At Tunis it is impaling; with the Czar, the knout; with the Pope it is Ie garrot; in France, the guillotine; in England, the gallows; in Asia and America, the slave- market. All this will be swept away. We, the anar- chists, the demagogues, the blood-drinkers tell you, the protectors and saviours of the world, that human liberty is to be respected, human intelligence is holy, human life is sacred, and the human soul divine. Now, go on hanging! But beware! The future opens. You think that living which is dead, and that dead which is living. The ancient form of society, but it is dead. You are deceived. You have stretched out your hand to the spectre of darkness, and chosen her for your bride. You turn your back upon life it will soon arise behind you. When we pronounce the words u progress," revolution," liberty," hu- manity," yon smile, unhappy men, and point to the dark- ness in which we both are involved. Do you indeed know what that night is ? Learn the truth.' Jlre long the ideas will burst forth in their strength and glory. Democracy yesterday took the name of France; to-morrow it will take that of Europe The eclipse does but conceal the increasing- magnitude of the star. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Marine-terrace, Feb. 11. VICTOR HUGo.

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. The preparations for war are being urged forward in the most energetic manner. The men in the dock-yards and ar- senals are employed extra hours in forwarding ships and pre- paring stores recruiting parties are spread all over the country the pensioners and naval volunteers are coming in rapidly and there is every reason to believe that in a few days, the magnificent Baltic fleet will be fully equipped, and the various regiments made up to their full war-strength. It was expected that the troops destined for the Mediten-a- nean would have embarked on Monday, but their departure is postponed for a short time; meanwhile, however, they are rapidly repairing to the points of embarkation. The force will, it said, be raised to 26,000 men, including a ca- valry contingent. Wherever the troops destined for service have appeared, they have been greeted with the warmest acclamations, and such is the feeling amongst the men themselves, that the Rifles, and Sappers and Miners, just returned from the Cape, have volunteered almost to a man, to proceed at once to the Mediterranean. It is stated by the Times," that the entire force will be armed with Minie rifle, and that the whole machinery of the Training School at Hythe will be transported to Malta, in order to teach the troops the perfect use of that formidable weapon. For the conveyance of the troops, Government have chartered four steamers belonging to the General Screw Company, three belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Company, two of the Cunard liners, and one of the Austra- lian Company. The call for tenders for sailing ships, has been answered by a host of offers, but several have been al- ready secured. It is believed that the Himalaya and Great Britain will also be employed. The abstraction of all these ships will not affect the regular despatch of mails and goods. The only appointments actually sanctioned at present, on the Staff of the Expeditionary Force, are-Lord Raglan, Commander-in-Chief; Sir George Browne and the Duke of Cambridge, Generals of Divisions Colonel Bentinck, Sir Colin Campbell, Colonel Airey, and Colonel Eyre, Brigadiers; Colonel Cator, Commander-in-Chief of the Artillery; and Colonel Steele, Coldstream Guards, Military Secretary. INSPECTION OF THE GRENADIER AND FUSILIER GUARDS BY H.R.H. PRINCE ALBERT. On Monday morning, the 3d battalion of the Grenadier -Guards, and 1st battalion of the Scots Fusilier Guards, were inspected by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, preparatory to their .embarkation for the seat of war in the East. At ten o'clock the troops were paraded in service marching order on the extensive parade ground on the west side of Wellington Barracks, St. James's-park, and their arms, accoutrements, and clothing inspected by the captains of companies, and subsequently in line, by their respective colonels and field- officers. The battalions then formed line in open order, to await the coming of the Prince Consort. Shortly before 11 o'clock, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by Lord Hardinge, Lord Raglan, the veteran Lord Gough, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cam- bridge, and attended by a numerous and brilliant staff, arrived on the ground by the "Western entrance, and was received by the troops presenting arms, the bands playing the national anthem. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess and the Princess Mary of Cambridge were present, and the portion of the ground near the General was occupied by several of the elite of society. His Royal Highness and stafl having made a most minute inspection of the men, who had all the appearance of being eager for the fray, subdivisions were formed, the column marched past in slow and quick time; the latter pace was enlivened by the air of the British Grenadiers." Line having again been formed, the troops were marched four deep into square, enclosing the staff, and were addressed by his Royal Highness, who expressed un- bounded satisfaction at their orderly and soldier-like appear- ance. The troops fell back again into line, when a general salute was given, and the inspection terminated. When the announcement was first made that an auxil- iary army was about to be despatched to Malta, which was intended, incase of need, to proceed thence to Tur- key, it was understood that the body of troops actually under ordeis for that service, constituted but the firsl division of the British contingent destined to co operate with our French ahies m the East. No steps had how evert r1 cou'd warrant the positive state- fi.^llv ite despatch of a second force had l determined. It was known that 1,200 men were about to embark for the Mediterranean, but the extent to which that demonstration was to be followed up had not been settled. Weare now able to announce that another force, of equal strength, will at once be organised and despatched with the least possible delay The regi- ments which are to make up this force have not yet been named; but it may be considered as quite arranged that we are to have from 24,000 to 25,000 of our best so'diers engaged in repelling the aggressions of Russia upon Tur key. An army in all respects so perfectly equipped has never left our shores, and should unfortunately its ser- vices be required in the field, the country may look for- ward with confidence to the result. It may, perhaps, serve, as a salutary check-upon that impulsive enthusiasm with which people are too apt to regard the commencement of a war, if we draw attention for a moment to one feature in the arrangements con- nected with the present expedition. The medical stores requisite have been provided partly from Apothecaries hall, and partly from the well known firm of Savory and Sons. in New Bond-street. The latter have supplied 12 large medicine chests and 30 panniers, to be carried on mules and donkeys, and neatly packed with every de- sc: iption of madical and surgical appliances. Among the items included are 1,0001b. of lint, 1,0001b. of tow" 2no old sheets, and 1,000 yards of adhesive plaster. It took four waggons to convey Messrs. Savory's part of the medi- cal stores to the lower. No doubt the drugs are of un- exceptionable quality, the chests and pannier arranged in the most convenient way for the emergencies of medical practica in the camp, the splints and other mechanical auxiliaries to the healing ar t, vast improvements upon what were in use during the last war; but those who get very enthusiastic about prospective military operations on the Danube, woull do well to remember the 1,0 0 yards of adhesive plaster and the bales of lint which form a necessary part of the expedition. POTSMOTJTH, FEB, 20. The following orders have this day been given from headquarters relative to the first em barka-ion of troops in this military district. The first battalion of the Cold- stream Guards embarks at Southampton at 9 a.m. on Wednesday in the Orinoco for Malta. The battalion to leave Chichester station at b a.m. by a speciallrain. The 3d battalion of the Grenadier Guards to arrive at Southampton from London and embark, at the same time in the steam ships Ripon and Manilla. The 1st battalion of the Scotch Fusilier Guards. will embark at Ports- mouth in her Majesty's steam-frigate Simoon on the 28th. and the 2d, battalion of the Rifle Brigade in her Majesty's steam frigate Vulcan, on the 24th inst. 70 volunteers from the 76th Highlanders crossed from Portsmouth to Gosport at half-past 7 o'clock this morning, and left, with 60 of the 42d Highlanders, by train at 8.15 a m. to (make up the complement of the 93d Highlanders who embark from Plymouth. These gallant volunteers, on leaving their quarters, preceded by a splendid band, and accom- panied by a large concourse of the comrades in arms and the inhabitants of the garrison were loudly and con- tinually cheered down to the ferry, the band playing I left behind me," Auld lang syne," &c. 1 he Master-General has obtained her Majesty's sanction for an augmentation of one battalion to the Royal Artil- lery regiment, and of 21 gunners and drivers for each company, to complete the establishment of the 12th battalion to 118 gunners and drivers per company, and her Majesty has been pleased (,Q approve of promotions accordingly. r

A TABLE OF THE ASSESSED TAXES, CHARGEABLE TO THE OTU APRIL, 1854, AND OF THE NEW DUTIES WHICH TAKE EFFECT FROM THAT PERIOD OLD DUTIES. f NEW DUTIES. SERVANTS. > No. per £ 8* d' i Servant. Ye a r £ s. d. £ s. d. 1 16 4 16 4 MALE SERVANTS, VIZ. Maitre d'Hotel, House Steward, Master of the 2 1 14 1 3 8 2 Horse, Groom of the Chambers, Valet de Chambre, Butler, Under 3 2 1 9 6 5 3 Butler, Clerk of the Kitchen, Confectioner, Cook, House Porter, Foot- 4 2 7 10 9 11 4 man, Running Footman, Coachman, Groom, Postillion, Stable Boy, or 5 2 13 1013 9 2 Helper in the Stables, Gardener, Park-keeper, Game-keeper, Huntsman, 6 2 16 7!16 19 6 L 1 i o Whipper-in, or by whatever name or names Males Servants really acting 7 2 17 8:20 4 3 each servant in any of the said capacities shall be called, or whether such Male Ser- 8 3 1 7j24 12 8 vants shall have been retained or employed in one or more of the said 9 3 7 1|30 3 9 capacities 10 3 13 136 10 10 11 4 4 1|46 4 11 I Above II 4 4 lleach For every Servant kept by Bachelors an additional duty of 12 0 each Repealed WAITERS—Employed by Keepers of Taverns, Coffee Houses, Inns, Ale- Houses, or other Licensed Houses, or in any Eating and Victualling- £ s. d. Houses, or Hotels, or Lodging-Houses, except occasional Waiters 1 13 0 110 MALE PERSONS—Occasionally employed as Servants, where the employer is chargeable for another Servant, or for any Carriage, or for more than one Horse for Riding, &c. 1 6 4 110 And where not chargeable for a Servant or for any Carriage, or for more than one Horse for Riding, &c. ° 0 11 0 Exempt SERVANTS LET TO HIRE-By Postmasters, Innkeepers, or other Licensed Persons, or Coachmakers, employed as Coachmen, Grooms, Postillions, or Helpers 17 6 110 Under Gardeners Exempt. 0 10 6 Under Gamekeepers 0 11 0 0 10 6 Servants under 18 years of age, and having a legal settlement in the Parish in which their Employer resides Exempt. 0 10 6 At Total without reference No. per per to a Parish Set- CARRIAGES.. Carriage Year. tlement. f £ s. d, £ s. d. 1 6 12 0 6 12 0 2 7 3 014 6 0 „ „ 3 7 14 023 2 0 CARRIAGES FOR PRIVATE USE, Chargeable on the User or OwT5er-1st. J 4 8 5 0 33 0 0 I „ ,A A With Four Wheels, and drawn by Two or more Horses for Private use 5 8 13 3,43 6 3K 6 9 0 4 54 2 0 eact1, 7 9 7 0165 9 0 8 9 13 7177 8 8 I 9 9 19 7l89 16 3 J And so on at the same rate m for any number of such For every additional Body used on the same Carriage if such Car- camages. riage has Four AVheels o A A If less than Feur Wheels 1 14 7 ( Repealed. 2nd. With Four Wheels, and drawn by One Horse or Mule onlV 4 19 0 2 0 0 3rd, With Four Wheels, each of less diameter than 30 inches, where the same shall be drawn by a Pony or Ponies, Mule or Mules exceeding 12 hands, and neither of them exceeding 13 hands in height' 3 11 6 1 15 0 Ditto drawn by Two or more Ponies under 12 hands i i r. n Ditto drawn by One Pony under 12 hands j^empt 10 0 tH1- !ess 'I1"11 Eour wueC!S' 'lraWT1 £ Wo Horses or Mules '.7. 4 19 0 2 0 0 5th. With less than Four Wheels, drawn by One Horse or Mule -illfi 0150 Ditto with Wheels under 30 inches, and drawn by a ponv under 12 hands -p in a Ditto with Wheels of any diameters, drawn by One Ponv under 13 ip hands on/* n in ft CARRIAGES LET TO HIRE—With One or more HNR«OA that the Post-horse Duty was accounted for-on each leHincr >w „ TS^Vnt by persons licensed to Let Post-horses u each letting by a Ticket, | Heswses and Mourning Carriages, and Carriao-eslkV o 0 0 ') „ other manner than as above named .° let with Horses m any 6 12 0 J Exempt. And where any of the aforesaid Carriages wero i (One-half of the for the purpose of being let for hire without Hor<jo<T n. J above-mention- vises 6 U U < Jn+iaa rp- Carriages with Four Wheels, used by Common n • • • n I for the carriage of Goods, but occasionally for the pJ- 86 wTth less'than Four Wheels!7 I l 6 16 8 „ At per Total HOUSES. Horse- perYear- f £ s. d. £ s. d. 1 111 7 1 11 7 2 2 11 11 5 3 10 3 2 17 5 8 12 3 4 3 0 6 12 2 0 5 3 1 3 15 63 6 3 3 9 19 2 6 \43061220 I 7 3 5 8 22 19 8 8 3 5 8 26 5 4 HORSES FOR RIDING, OK DRAWING CARRIAGES FOE PUTVATF TTHE 9 3 6 9 30 0 9 chargeable on the User or Owner—exceeding 13 hands ■{ 10 3 9 10 34 18 4 V 1 1 0 11 3 9 10 38 82 each. 12 3910 41 18 0 13 3 10 1 45 11 1 14 3 10 1 49 12 15 3101 52 11 3 16 3101 56 14 17 3104 59 15 8 J 18 3 10 11 63 16 6 19 3116 67 18 6 I 20 3 12 7 72 11 8 and so on at the same rate Race Horses, and Horses kept in training for Racing, chargeable on the ^s^df horSeS' Persons having the custody thereof t 17 n 17 0 };; I ""t4-. Where two were kept and no more, the second at 7.' .'1' 0 11 6 110 Other Horses of the height of 13 hands, and Mules 0 11 6 0 10 6 Horses or Mulea used by a Common Carrier in drawing any Carriage in their Trade 0 11 6 0 10 6 Ponies not exceeding 13 hands, used for the purpose of riding or drawing any Carriage chargeable with Duty. J 3 1 0 10 6 Ponies or Mules kept for any other purpose Exempt. 0 5 3 One Horse used by a Farmer for riding or drawing a Carriage not charge- 6 able with Duty Exempt. 0 10 6 One Horse used by any Rector, Vicar, or Curate doing duty in the Church ? £ J i?a?e!r •uWi1«u is Vicar, or Curate by any Minister of stablished Church of Scotland, or of any other Religious Sect or Persuasion in Scotland, being the regular ordained or officiating Minister, and not following any secular occupation by any Priest of the Roman Catholic faith by any Minister, Teacher, or Preacher of any separate Congregation of Protestant Dissenters, not following any secular occupa- tion, except that of a Schoolmaster Exempt. 0 10 € One Horse used by any Person practising as a. Physician, Surgeon, )r Apo- thecary, being duly qualified so to practise, for riding or drawing a Car- riage, provided one Horse only be kept — 1 11 7 O 10 6 One Horse used by a Bailiff, Shepherd, or Herdsman, for riding, &c. Exempt. 0 10 6 j) O G S A Greyhound 1 2 0 0 12 O See Note below. A Hound, Pointer, Setting Dog, Spaniel, Lurcher, or Terrier 0 15 4 0 12 0 A Dog, not being a Greyhound, Hound, Pointer, Setting Dog, Spaniel, „ „ Lurcher, or Terrier 0 8 9 0 12 0 A Pack of Hounds 39 12 0 39 12 0 NOTE.-No perscr to be charged more HORSE DEALERS' DUTY. than £9 for an; Every Person exercising the business of a Horse Dealer within London, West- number of Grey, minster, and Liberties the Parishes of St. Mary-le-bone and St. Pancras, hounds. inMiddlesex; the WeeklyBillsof Mortality; and the Borongh of Southwark 27 10 0 27 10 0 Every Person exercising the business of a Horse Dealer in any other part of Great Britain 13 15 0 13 15 0 HAIR POWDER. For Every Person who shall use Hair Powder. 1 5 10 136 ARMORIAL BEARINGS DUTY. Persons using Armorial Bearings, and keeping: a Coach or other taxable Carriage v 2 12 9 2 12 9 Persons not keeping such Carriage, but chargeable to the Inhabited House See Note below. Duty 1 6 4 0 13 2 Persons not keeping such Carriage, nor being chargeable to the Inhabited House Duty ••• 0 13 2 0 13 2 2S/"OTE Perso S are not now liable to more than 13s. 2d. duty, unless chargeable with the duty on a Carriage at the rate of £ 3 10s.

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR MARKET. The demand for labour in Sydney and in the pastoral and agricultural districts, is still in excess of the supply, and the latest news from Great Britain does not tend to dissipate but rather to strengthen our fears with regard to a continuance of this deficiency, at least for some months to eome. It appears that fresh supplies are not likely to be abundant or seasonable as we anticipated, for the following reasons :-There is falling off in the inducements to emigrate amongst the several classes suitable for the immediate wants of New South Wales, seeing that in England, business of all kinds, now in a healthy state, and there is a great outcry for hands at much higher wages than formerly, owing to the exten- sive orders received for manufactured goods of every ae- sciption, and the large immigration to this and other parts of the world, which has been draining the British Labour Market for the last four or five years. Again, our gold mines are considered to be so far productive and remunerative, as to induce diggers generally to prolong their stay at the mines, notwithstanding the hardship and hazard attending such an occupation. These may be re- garded as amongst the chief influences that operate just now against the Sydney labour market. We find that the Emigration Commissioners have char- tered the E. I. ship Herefordshire to bring three or four hundred emigrants to Sydney but this increase to our population is not intended to add to our stock of labour for general purposes, the whole of them being railway excavators (accompanied by their families) are under agreement to serve the Sydney Railway Company for the term of two years at 5s a day. „ We wish to observe emphatically, that the following list of wages will show, as heretofore, about the average rates for good hands, and is not intended to enumerate the highest wages that may be given by those who pay extra rates for particular kinds of work, and when great despatch is required. To profess to show instances of this sort would answer no public good, and is therefore quite foreign to our purpose. TOWN WAGES. Painters, about 12s. to 15s. a day. Carpenters and Joiners.. 13s. to 18s. » Plasterers I I 15s. to 208. Bricklayers II 16s. to 24s. >• Masons 17s to 2.5s. >» Bricklayers' and Masons Labourers „ 8s. to 10s. i> Quarrymen „ 16s. to 20s. »» Blacksmiths., I Os. to 15s. » Carters 6s. to 10s. » Shipwrights II 16s. to 20s. » Boatbuilders p, 12s. to 15s. I Able Seamen £10 to f 12 a month Domestic Servants, about jg20 to J26 a year. L/OUNTUY WAGES. Farm Labourers, £ i5 to £10 a year, with rations. Farming man and wife, together, it45 to jE65 a year, with j rations. Hutkeepers, £ 25 to €30 a year, with rations. ghepherds, ^30 to £ 35 ditto, ditto.—Melbourne paper*

AWFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT WIGAN. On Saturday afternoon, an explosion of firedamp occur- red in the Harley mine of the Ince-hall Coal Company, near Wigan, attended by an appalling loss of life. In the morning about 240 men and boys had descended the coalpit, and all went on well until about three o'clock, when two reports were heard in quick succession by those at the month of the pit, and soon after the signal was given by the colliers below, to be drawn up the shaft. About thirty men were taken out after the signal, from the south working, who reported explosion in the north levels, which they said were on fire near the eye of the shaft, so as to cut off the retreat of the workmen there. Mr. Darlington, the manager, was sent for. but some hours elapsed before the fire could be extinguished, so as to enable him and a body of searchers to enter the north levels for the purpose of recovering the colliers who might be still alive. Only a few, and those much exhausted, have been taken out alive. Some of the colliers had escaped by another pit, so that the exact number killed is not known; but there is every reason to believe that at eight o'clock Sun- day night there were still 40 persons in the levels, under or beyond a large portion of roofing which had fallen in, and as none of the colliers discovered since Saturday night were alive, it is feared the number killed is not less than 120. Of course, so appalling an accident has caused great excitement, and the mouth of the pit was sur- rounded on Saturday and Sunday by many thousand people, including wives, sisters,;md mothers of the de- ceased, almost distracted with grief. It is the same mine in which about 61 lives were lost in March last, by a similar explosion.

PAUPER SETTLEMENT AND REMOVAL. A bill, which has been printed, has been introduced into the House of Commons under the auspices of the chair- '9 the House of Commons under the auspices of the chair- man of the Poor-law Board, Lord Palmerston,and Mr. Grenville Berkeley, "to abolish in England and Wales, the compulsory removal of the poor on ground of settle- ment, and to make provision for the more equitable dis- tribution of the charge of relief in unions. The bill contains six clauses the principal provision are, that, after the passing of the act, the justices of peace shall not grant orders for the removal of paupers on the ground of legal settlement in another parish. It is also to be en- acted that. after the passing of the act, the charge for the relief of the poor in every union shall be borne by the common fund of that union, The contributions to this common fund are to be calculated in the following man- ner:—During the first year of the operation of this act, one tenth part of the common fund is to be contributed by the several parishes according to the annual rateable value of the property therein, and the other nine-tenths according to the averages for the time being in the res- pective parishes, under the 4th and 5th William IV., c. 76. In the second year of the operation of this act, two- tenths will be contributed according to the annual rate- able value, and the remainder according to the average in each parish for the time being. In the third year three-tenths, and so on until the whole of the common fund shall be contributed by the several parishes in the union, acceding to the annual rateable value of the pro- perty therein. Errors in making the estimates are pro- vided for, and existing debts and charges secured on the poor-rates of any parish will not be affected by this measure. The act is to be incorporated with the Poor- law Amendment Act.

CHWECH ENGLYN I'R CRIBDDEILIWR. [Buddugol yn Eisteddfod Gelligaer, 1853.) Cribddeiliwr, beichiwr bachog,-o rydd ef Rhyw dda i'w gymydog, E gwyn am werth y geiniog- A ddaw o'i law-ddwy o log. Pysen am ffaen, i phiol-arall A ddyry'n wastadol; Ond e gais i'w dwyg ysol, Am bysen, ffaen i ffol. Os daw arall i'r anystyriol-ddyn, A rhyw dda f'o'n reidiol Haner a fo'n ofynol- Iddo'n wir-a rydd e'n ol. Achub am y pris uchaf--mae efe, Am a fo rawn Gauaf; Ond-deifion tir o dyfiant Haf Wna, wrth osod y gwerth isaf. Gwartbus yw ei bwysau gwerthu—o fach Ond rhy fawr at brynu; 0 anian mae'n amcanu, Mewn pwyll, i wneud twyll pob tu. Un ag enaid drygionus-iawn ydym; 0 nodwedd drachwantus; Enilla'r aneallus, A myn rawn yn mhen yr us. IFOR CWM Gwys. I HEN WRACH DAFODOG. Erglyw, yr hen wrach fawrglap—a'th goryn Yn maith garu dyfnglap; Cadw hi hagrgroch gloch y glap Dan ddeuglo, nes daw'n ddiglap. A gesgli di atgasglap—yn ddewrllym, Gan ddarllaw newyddglap ? Diweddglo'th annedwyddglap Fo carchar, rhag clochdar clap. Dewisglod am ei dwysglap,—a moliant, Gaifl melin gysonglap; Och! hollgtod hen wrech hyllglap 1 Sydd rhwng carwyr, cludwyr clap. v DANIEL DDr. Mae yr hin yn flin aflonydd,-y dwr Ymdyrra ar ddolydd; A'r pysgod, mewn syndod, sydd f Ar giniaw oil drwy'r gwaunydd. g DANIEL DDV. 1,

GARDEN OPERATIONS, &c. (From the Gardener's Chronicled) THE FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRVBBERIES, Those who have to contend with a stiff soil, will find it greatly improved by being lightly forked over when the sur'ace is crus-.ed by frost; and this will also expose the hiding places o! slugs, as well as pulverise the ground to a greater extent than would otherwise be the case. The hardier kinds of roses should he planted at once, and ihe beds prepared for the tea and other tender sorts It is use- less to expect roses to grow vigorously and blo-n freely la'e in the season, unless they are afforded a deep rich soil; and where necessary it should be made so before planting, always taking care to secure perfect drainage, for the teas, &.tre very inpatient cf stagnant waer at the root. But the great thing to be at'cnded to in connection with this department at present is to provide p!en v of bed- ding-out stock. Every cutting should be pur in before March, and a small surplus stock of everything should be provided. It is possible to root cuttings of bedding stock,, and to have them ready by turning out time, even if they are not got in before the middle, of March; but p'ants hastily got up, and sucdenly cneeked in their g owth. as is necessarily the case when propagation is deferred till late in spring, make a poor figure in the beds for a long time after planting, and in unfavourable seasons an situa- tions are hardly got round in time to cover the beds, before thev are cut off by the autumn frosts. It is of the greatest importance to get the stock rooted early, so as to ailow of getting strong plants without growing titem in a high moitt temperature. KITCHEN GARDEN AND HARDY FRUIT DEPARTMENT. Peas that are above ground shoald have the soil drawn up on each side of them so as to break the wind, and it is a very good practice to apply the stakes, filling up the bot- tom on the windy side with spruce or yew br anches, which form a great protection against cutting winds. Attend to keep ng up a succession, by making a fresh sowing as soon as the last appears above ground. Of all our summer peas, Fairbeard's champion of England is one of the very best in quality, and it should be planted to succeed the early kinds. Parsnips should be sown on deep, rich soil, it not already done and Jerusalem artichokes should also be planted as soon as it can be done. On light, dry soil, onions may now be sown, as may a'so Brussels sprouts, savoys, leeks, parsley, turnips, early born carrots, itttuce. &c. but on stiff, wet soils, the seeds will be better in their papers for j another week or fortnight. Do not neg'ect to introduce proper quantities of seakale, rhubarb, and asparagus, into heat at regular intervals so as to provide a constant supply. COTTAGER'S GARDEN. It is a too common practice with cottagers to deler pru- ning the vine till late in spring, and of all other fruit trees it is the most injured by :ate pruning, for unless the wounds have time to hea!, when the sap begins to flow in spring, the vine bleeds profusely instead of pushing its buds. Those who are fond of flowers should sow a few pots of annuals, which if carefully nursed, keeping them from frost, giving them a sufficient 6upplv of water, and all the light and air possible, will maiie veiy pretty objects in May, and will remain a considerable time in beau'y. In- deed there are few more suitable plants for a co tage win- dow than the nemophilas, &c. If the parsnip brd is not already sown, this should he done the first farourable opportunity. Sow in drills 15 inches apart, on ground that is in good heart, and which has been dug 2 feet deep, but not manured this season. Look over the autumn planted cabbages and make good any deficiencies, then stir the soil between the rows to the depth of 3 or 4 inches. Clean old strawberry beds, and sprinkle a little good rotten manure between the rows, forking it slightly in. Fresh plantations of these may now be made, where this was neglected to be done last August; which is the proper season for the operation.

FAIRS IN FEBRUARY. GtAMOHGANSHIRK. WORCESTERSHIRE. Lantwit 24 Biomsgrove 28 Bridgend 2a

ANTHRACITE FOR STEAM PURPOSES. Acco ding to the results arrived at by the experimental trip of the Great Britain ro Australia with this species of fuel, it would appear that it is admirably adapted for all steam purposes, and for ocean voyages has a grea' superi- ority over all other sorts 01 fuel, by showing an economy of 10 per cent stowing in a far smaller compass, creating no soot, ash, clinker, or dust, so as to choke the pipes, rendering it very unhealthy for the firemen, and covering tfie engines and ship with dus'. On her first voyage to Austra ia she consumed from 50 to 60 cwts. per hour, while with anthracite, the consumption in the 24 bouts never ex- ceeded from 30 to 40 tons—some days only fiom 15 to 20 tons. On leading Liverpool the Great Bfitain 00k 1000 tons of best Pembrokeshire anthiacite, and 300 tons-ot patent fuel. In the 13 days to St. Vincent, 380 tons were consumed there, 300 tous of Cardiff coal were taken [ in. After a voyage of 49 days she arrived at Pert Phillip, w ith upwards of 400 tons of coal in stock, having used about 820 tons from St Vincent, or 1200 tons on the whole. vn\age from Liverpool 'o Port Phillip. The men are 1 better able to stand their work with anthracite than with other fuel. No fans were required to increase the blast, and with an ordinary d'augh: it is perfectly easy and prac- I ticable, not only at all times to be enabled to generate steam, but likewise to maintaiu it.

COALS AND COKE. A Parliamentary Paper of importance has been just L piinted, containing an account of all dues, duties, and taxes, local and imperial, levied 011 the importation and ea- i portation of coals and coke in any part of the Uni'ed King- dom, in each of the years 1851 and 1852; and also a similar re'urn of dues and taxes on all coals and coke i brought by railway to any port, town, or city of the United r Kingdom for the same period, in continuation of Parlia- mentary Paper, No 689, of session 1851. As the interest 1 in the several returns under the first head is peculiarly r 'ocal, we must refer those who feel interes'ed in any par- ticular locality to the document itself; but we cannot avoid noticing in general terms, the great disproportion wtJith the local and municipal dues collected in certain placet present, when contrasted with those cofectcd in others. The total "mount returned as levied on the exportation of coals and coke from the ports of the United Kingdom, so far as can be ascertained from the returns, appears to be as foHows 1851, £48,483 12s lOd 1852, £47 291 19s 2d. The total amount of local dues on coals and coke brought by railway into the ports of the United Kingdom during tie same years are thus returned :-1851 £17533 4s 7d 1252, £26,516 16s 5d. The total amount of local dues collected in the port of London on coaLt brought by ayron enn^nt0J,laVeA bf;en-l«51, £ 12,227 19s 6d m? U ? 1^1 we ™ay anticipate that this Will be greatly increased during the present year.

IMPORTANT COLLIERY ARBITRATION CASE. In our Journal of the 22nd of October we gave an outline of the evidence given at Tenby, in the important cases of Child v. Pocock, and Pocock v. Chi'd, which were referred to Mr. YVhitmore, of the Oxford Circuit, as sole arbitrator, under an order of reference made on consent by the Court of Exchequer. Two distinct actions formed the subject of the enquiry first an action brought by Mr. Child, as lessor, against Mr. Pocock, as his lessee of the collieries, to re- cover damages for alleged breaches of covenant; and secondly, an action brought by Mr. Pocock against Mr. Child his landlord, for the value of his plant in the collie- ries. The lease which gave rise to this litigation embraced all the coal in the Begelly estate, in which the lesse worked two collieries—that to the south, and the dip being known as the Bailey Park Colliery that to the north and rise of ij the measures as the Spadeland Colliery. Our former notice of the case terminated with the close of the evidence in the country, where the matter had excited much interest, and the adjournment of all further proceedings before the arbi- trator to London. Since that period, three meetings have taken place in this city, and the evidence having been very fully discussed, the arbitrator, who had an opportunity of viewing the col ieries on the spot, has now made his award He has given 10 Mr Child the sum of ^320 damages under the colliery lease and to Mr. Pocock, the sum of X1200 for his plant. Mr. Child failed altogether in his claim for damages at Bailey Park, and also in his claim for damages to his mansion but the sum of f320 awarded to him on the ground 01 breach of covenant, is to be deducted from the larger sum payable by him to r.ir, Pocock. Mr. Whitmore who appears to have conduc ed the investigation with strict impartiality, further directed that each party should abide his own costs.—Mining Journal. [

EXPORTATION OF ARMS7~&T~ ROY AI PROCLAMATIOM. KUYAL The Queen held a Privy Council at Buckingham Palaca this afternoon, at which the following Proclamation was ordered to be issued against the Exportation of Arms Ammunition, and Machinery of all kinds, available for War:- Victoria, R.-Whereas, by-he Customs Consolidation Act, 1853, celtain goods may be prohibited either to be exported or carried coastwise; and whereas We, by and with the advice of out- Privy Council, deem it evoedient s and necessary to prohibit the goods hereina'ter mentioned ei.her to be exported or earned coastwise; We by and with the advices aforesaid, do hereby otdei and direct that from »nd a'te. the date hereof, all Arms, Ammunition aS Gunpowder, Military and Naval Stores, and ,()e (0||0'w;n_ articles—being articles which we have judged canable of being converted into, or made useful in increasing the quantity of, military or naval s'ores-that is to say, marine- engines, screw propellers, paddle-wheels, eyliiide-s cranks shifts, boilers, tubes for boilers, boiler-plates fire-b.rs' and every article, or any other component part of an engine t or boiler, or any article whatsoever which is, or can or may become applicable for the manufacture of marine machinery, shall be, and the same are, hereby prohibited either to be exported from the Uni'ed Kingdom or carried coastwise. I Thi* proclamation is in accordance wi-h the 150th see- *-1 tion of the Act of last Session. 16 and 17 Victoria, cap 107, i which declares that if any goods so prohibited shall be -A exported from the Uni1 ed Kingdom, or carried coastwise, or be water boine to be so exported or carried, they shall 1 be forfeited.

The Duke and Duchess of Brabant are to arrive in Paris next week. Louis Napoleon wiil thus receive the grandson of Louis PI illippe as his guest at the Tui» i> .1 l«ries.