The Welshman

THE ROBIN'S WEDDING-DAY. j The robin on his marriage morn Was up with the twilight hour, No longer was he to be left forlorn, Unwed i:) his bachelor bower He capered anew, And gaily flew, And hopped from bough to bough He still was free, But liberty Was but a burden now. So he wandered far o'er hill and dale, In quest of his spinster-love, Nor tardy was he to whisper his tale, That coy one's heart to move, For, as soon as he spied, He leapt to her side, And nearer-nearer drew, Till his red tinged breast To her's he pressed, And dared a kiss to sue. And fluttering wings, and a struggle faint, Revealed the conquest nigh, For the gallant bird cast all restraint To the zephyr flitting bye; And woo did he So lovingly, The trembler at his side, That she breathed consent, And sweet content, To be his happy bride. The robin was filled with a new-born bliss, As he gazed upon his own, And he vowed to live for aye like this, And live for her alone And his warbling throat Attuned a note, Melodious, light, and gay, For ne'er before Had it learned to pour A joyous bridal lay. A home he found for his chosen mate, Within a mossy grot, And the nest was wrought so soft and neat, In the green moss of that spot; And the noonday gleam, The pale moonbeam, And distant night-star's ray, Can witness bear To the love and care Pledged on that marriage-day. Q. I

THE MINISTERIAL MEASURE IN THE LORDS.—His grace the Duke of Richmond and Lord Stanley will head the opposition, whilst his grace the Duke of Wellington will head the ministerial forces and although the lead- ers on both sides are signalised for their gallantry, we do not anticipate a fight so evenly balanced as that of Waterloo. We believe" the duke" will succeed, and with a large majority, if there be a division. Had the majority recorded in favour of the measure in the House of Commons been under fifty, the peers might have ventured to take a step which would render an appeal to the country necessary but we are of opinion that with a majority of 97 that they will not adopt a course which, although honest and consistent, would necessarily expose them to censure, however unmerited. We con- sider the measure passed, and nothing now remaining but for the farmers to arouse their energies, and take steps to get relieved from any disabilities they can show they live under, as compared with the other classes.— Mark Lane Express. ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF LUTHER. — Ad- vices from Berlin state that on the night of the 17th February, the King and Princes Charles and Albert arrived at Wittenberg, and were present at the an- niversary of Luther's death, (next day,) which was celebrated with great solemnity. Divine service was performed at all the Evangelical churches at six in the evening, and the theatres were closed. A so- lemn chorus was afterwards chanted over the tomb in which repose the ashes of the great reformer. A sermon was also preached in the open air near Luther's statue. The solemnities concluded by the singing of Luther's celebrated hymn, of which both the words and the music were his own composition. DISSENSIONS AMONG THE JEWS.—A disruption has taken place among the Jews of London, which promises to be productive of momentous results It appears that for some time past a feeling has been growing up among the more enlightened and liberal of the English Jews that very great reform ought to be made in the ritual of the synagogue, and that they are not bound to abide by the interpretrations given by the rabbis, but are at liberty to put their own construction on difficult passages. As a necessary consequence, they repudiate the authority of the Talmud, and resolve to acknowledge no other standard of truth than the law and the pro- phets. The result has been that great divisions have occurred among the Jewish congregations in the metro- polis. A number of the seceders have opened a new synagogue for themselves in Burton-street, where they statedly meet for worship. Mr. Goldsmid and several of the most influential persons belonging to the Jewish persuasion have joined the new sect.-The Balance. FUNERAL OF THE QUEEN OF THE GIPSIES.-At Wineanton, on Friday, a funeral took place, which created a great deal of curiosity and attracted hun- dreds of persons to witness it. It was that of Dove Burton, commonly called the Queen of the Gipsies." The deceased, who was 95 years of age, with her aged husband, (" the King,") was admitted into the Wincanton Union House, some time since, being unable, any longer, to tramp the country, and she died there on Monday last, and was followed to the grave by her aged partner and some of the gipsy tribe, very respectably dressed, and who appeared to feel deeply their loss. They behaved themselves in a very becoming manner, and paid all expenses attending the funeral. Some time previous to the funeral, the road leading from the union-house to the church was crowded with people, hundreds of whom followed it to the church. -Salisbury Herald. During the bad days of Cardinal Mazarine—for he was a wicked and an oppressive minister-a peasant was riding, somewhere in France, upon a lean and half-starved mule that stumbled at almost every other step and at every false step the poor beast made, the peasant cried out, "Curse Cardinal Mazarine—oh, curse Cardinal i'klazarine! "Why, my good friend," cried some astonished passengers, why do you curse the cardinal ? What possible connection is there be- tween the stumbling of your mule and the minister Why," replied the poor fellow, I curse the cardinal because he is the only cause of my mule stumbling. Look you here, sir. The cardinal taxes barley; barley is my beast's provender; the barley tax makes me un- able to feed my mule properly; want of good food causes weakness and weakness is productive of stumb- ling, and so, twenty thousand curses on the Cardinal THE PRESS.—The power of the press is as boundless as that of society. It reaches the throne-it is wel- comed in the cottage. It can pull down injustice, however lofty, and raise up lowliness, however deep. It castigates crimes which the law cannot reach, and prevents those which the law cannot punish, without re- pressing them. Wherever an eye can see and a hand can write, there is the press. Persons in tribulation rely on it for redress, and they feel sure that wrong will not go unpunished if it be known to the journals. Like light, it penetrates into every nook and cranny of so- ciety, and carries help and healing on its beams. It nips rising abuses in the bud. It stops the tide of ty- ranny when setting in full flood. It derives its vast power from the principle of its being. Seeking out truth, and representing reason, it concentrates on one point the whole moral power of society, and persuades and governs without violence, by the mere knowledge that the physical power of society is always ready to vindicate the right. As it comes into full operation, the course of society becomes uniform and equal, and its ends are obtained without those convulsions and re- bellions, by which a rude unlettered people make their will known.-Douglas Jerrold's Shilling Magazine. A subscriber to an American paper, in sending his advance subscription money, writes to the editorI wish to pay for my paper in advance, for I never like to read an editor's paper as well as I do my own."

HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY, MARCH 5. I The royal assent was given by commission to those bills which were hurried through Parliament for the pur- pose of providing employment for the people of Ireland. The Duke of Richmond called attention to a mistake unintentionally made by the Earl of Ripon on Monday night, in describing the charge of the 80th Regiment at Moodkee, as having been led by Col. Wood, whereas it was Col. Bunbury who did so. The Earl of Ripon expressed regret for his inad- vertence. The remainder of the sitting was occupied in the pre- sentation of petitions. FRIDAY, MARCH 6. I The Earl of Carnarvon presented several petitions from Winchester and other places in Hampshire against the measures proposed by the Government. PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY (IRELAND) BILL. The House went into committee on this bill, and amended some, and postponed others of the clauses. The chief amendments introduced by the Government were to enable the Lord Lieutenant to charge districts already proclaimed with the expense of any supernu- merary police required to make coffee-shops liable to be visited as well as public-houses and that offences under the act should be tried at assizes or quarter- sessions, and not at petty-sessions. On the clause fix- ing the punishment to be awarded for misdemeanours under this act to any term not exceeding fifteen nor fifteen nor less than seven years transportation, Earl Grey moved an amendment, to the effect that the punishment should be limited to one year's imprisonment. He subsequently altered his amendment to two years. Upon this amend- ment their lordships divided- Contents 7 I Non-Contents. 38 Majority against the amendment —31 I A He Marquis of Lansclowne moved an amendment I limiting the duration of the bill to three years instead I of five, and to this the Earl of St. Germans, on the part of the Government, assented. MONDAY, MARCH 9. I The Lord Chancellor took his seat on the Woolsack at five o'clock. Various petitions on the subject of the corn-laws were presented. In answer to the Marquis of Londonderry on the sub- ject of the alleged persecution of the nuns of Minsk, The Earl of Aberdeen said he had received an official communication from Russia denying the truth of the rumours in circulation on the subject, and stating that the depositions alleged to have been taken at Rome were gross fabrications. Lord Denman then rose to draw their Lordships' at- tention to the amendments which he proposed in the Irish Pacification Act. He objected to giving the Lord Lieutenant the power of proclaiming a county for the commission of one crime, and thought it would be better to require a requisition from three magistrates preparatory to proclaiming a county. He also objected to punishing a person found out of his house after nightfall with transportation for seven years, which in many cases must be transportation for life. He thought imprisonment a punishment quite grave enough for such an offence. He wished to see a power given to change the venue, but this ought to be made the sub- ject of a general law, applicable to every part of the United Kingdom. Then with regard to the 20th clause, providing punishment for persons intimidating wit- nesses, he thought that that also should be made the subject of a general law, applicable to the whole kingdom. Lord Brougham defended the clauses. Earl Grey argued against the clause punishing ab- sence from home at night by transportation. The Earl of Stradbroke thought that persons out at night, not armed, should not be subject to a greater punishment than imprisonment, and that those found out armed should be subject to transportation. Lord Campbell hoped that the suggestions of the Noble Earl (Stradbroke) would be adopted. After a few words from the Duke of Richmond, The Marquis of Clanricarde declared that he thought some such measure was necessary for the protection of the lives and properties of her Majesty's subjects in Ireland. The Earl of Wicklow hoped that, as the Bill was to be postponed to Monday, the interim would be devoted to the reconsideration of the clause inflicting the punish- ment of transportation on persons found out after sunset. After a few words from Lord Monteagle, and expla- nations from the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of St. Ger- mains, Lord Brougham, and Lord Denman, the House adjourned.

ARRIVAL OF THE OVERLAND MAIL. I The express from Marseilles, in anticipation of the Overland India Mail of the 3rd of February, reached London late on Thursday night. It brings important news from the theatre of war on the banks of the Sutlej. The British Army, of about 43,000 men, is thus des- cribed in the Delhi Gazette of the 23d of January :— "11 troops of Horse Artillery, say 1,000 men; 8 companies of Foot Attillcry, about 600 7 companies of Sappers and Miners, 800 3 regiments of European Cavalry (at 450), 1,350 7 regiments of Native Light Cavalry (at 400), 2,800 5 regiments of irregular Ca- valry (at 700), 3,500 9 regiments of European Infantry (at 750), 6,750; 26 regiments of Native Infantry (at 800), 20,800; 2 regiments of Local Infantry (at 800), 1,600 forming a total of about 39,800 men.—Besides which the following corps are on their way, or under orders:—.The 4th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Scinde the 7th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Delhi; the 67th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Bundelkund and the Kumaon Local Battalion as, also, Captain Smith's Light Field Battery, from Scinde; which, when they have joined the force, will make the Army of the Sutlej' of the following estimated strength —Artillery, 1,680 men; Sappers and Miners, 800. Cavalry—European, 1,350; Native, 2,800; Irregular, 3,.500: Total, 7,650. Infantry European, 7,750; Native, 23,200 Irregular, 2,400 Total, 34,350. Ordnance—Heavy 24-pounders, 12; howitzers, 10-inch, 6; howitzers, 8-inch, 6 iron 12-pounders (elephant battery), 12; already with the force, siege guns taken from Umballah, where they were sent for praotice from Delhi, 8; 11 troops Horse Artillery, 66; Slight field batteries, 30 making the proposed army to consist of 42,480 men, with 140 pieces of ordnance of all sizes. There are also 21 mortars of various sizes under des- patch from Delhi to-day." The army is formed into five divisions of infantry and four brigades of cavalry, with a large brigade staff. The cavalry is commanded by Major-General Sir J. Thack- well, and the infantry divisions by Major-Generals Sir H. G. Smith, W. R. Gilbert, Sir R. H. Dick, Sir J. H. Littler, and Sir J. Grey. From the 22nd of December, when the victory was won by the British at Ferozeshah, up to the middle of January, both parties appeared to be preparing for the approaching struggle on the right bank of the Sutlej. The Governor-General remained at Ferozepore, engaged in raising the bridge of boats, and in making prepa- rations for the crossing of the river by the British army. The boats, which had been sunk, were found to be some- what injured, and time was required for their repair. The crossing of the river was expected about the 4th or 6th of February, when the heavy guns which had left Delhi on the 10th of January were expected to have reached the camp. Sir J. Littler's division was stationed at Attaree, about seven miles from Ferozepore the head-quarters of the Commander-in-Chief were at Arufkee, twelve miles thence; and Sir H. Smith's force was in advance of the others, not far from Hurreeke Puttun, which is one of the great fords of the Sutlej. In the mean time the Lahore Government was mak- ing every effort to re-organize its army. Several at- tempts had been made in different places to cross the river. A strong force was collected at Phullor, opposite to Loodianah. This force was independent of the grand Sikh army stationed on the way from Hurreeke ghat to Lahore and its neighbourhood, with the object of pro- tecting the capital. Some skirmishing took place near the Sikh bridge of boats on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of January, without any remarkable effect. On the 15th the Sikhs came over the river at Phulloor, plundered the neighbourhood, and pitched a camp on the left bank, in the British territory. On the following days they made some fur- ther advances, and intrenched themselves near a nulla. Sir H. Smith moved his brigade up the Sutlej driving the enemy before him until the 21st, in the morning, when he came upon one of the fortified positions of the enemy, which fired grape shot amongst the British troops. Some of the native troops are said to have thrown down their arms, and to have fled, leaving the Europeans to bear the brunt of the battle. Her Majesty's 53rd and 31st were engaged, and are said to have suffered se- verely, but they demanded to be led anew to the fight, which Sir H. Smith did not deem it prudent to do, and therefore withdrew the troops. The Agra Ukhbar con- strues the retirement into a defeat; while the Delhi Gazette states, that heavy firing was heard in the direc- tion of Loodianah during the whole of the afternoon of that day. Nothing positive appears to have been known as to the results of that day when the mails were leaving. The preparations of the Governor-General at Fero- zepore, appear to be of an efficient kind, and it was supposed that the British army would move over the Sutlej, and before the hot weather set in, in April, take possession of Lahore, the Sikh capital, which is not 50 miles from the Sutlej. There is said to be considerable disunion amongst the Sikh chiefs, many of whom have made propositions to tHe BrJSIb" authorities, declaring their willingness to join the British standard as soon as it appeared on the right bank of that river. It was sup- posed that the Sikh troops would try another battle be- fore they would allow their capital to be taken. The gallant conqueror of Scinde, Sir Charles Napier, was again in the field, and at the head of about 15,000 Bombay and 5,000 Bengal troops, was expected to cause a powerful diversion, he proceeding to attack and to conquer Moultan and the southern provinces of the Sikh dominions. The very name of Sir Charles Napier infuses dread among the native inhabitants of the banks of the Indus and of the five rivers of the Punjaub he is called by them Sheitanka bhaee, the Devil's bro- ther." His troops expected to be in movement towards the enemy's frontiers on the 16th of February. The latest intelligence from the Bombay troops in this expedition describes them as in the highest spirits, for they look forward to victory for themselves, and even to a coronet for their experienced leader. An augmentation has been ordered of five regiments of irregular cavalry to the Bengal army, and of three regiments of infantry to that of Bombay. The utmost tranquillity prevails in the interior of India. The Bombay Times adds the following particulars to those details which we have already received in a more authentic form from the official despatches :— For nearly a week after these terrible encounters the Sikhs continued on our side the river; nor do we appear to have considered ourselves in a condition to follow up our victory or drive them across. About the 27th they seem to have retired in safety within their own dominions, and to have encamped on the other side, leisurely and unmolested, within sight of our pickets. The different divisions of our army, now rapidly increa- sing in numbers and in strength, were encamped near to, and in close communication with each other. General Litter and his division were posted at Attaree, seven miles from Ferozepore the head-quarters of the Commander-in-Chief some six miles higher up the river and the Umballa force four miles beyond this, or 17 from Ferozepore. The Governor-General has since the action continued at the place just named, and which may be considered the point of advance, maturing his plans and hastening on preparations. The enemy meanwhile were permitted to complete a pontoon bridge without interruption, in hopes that they might be induced again to cross over to our side; the heavy ordnance sent from Umballah being so posted at the same time as to command the passage. A foray had been made across the river by about 200 of the enemy on the 14th, with a view, apparently, to plunder, and of course the robbers were speedily driven back. The enemy at the same time continue to muster in formidable force, and 70,000 men, with 110 pieces of ordnance, are said to be assembled ready to oppose us. The bridge they have established is one of much solidity, well placed, and protected by heavy ordnance. Frequent demonstrations had been made on Loodianah, where the force was considered weakest. About 20,000 had crossed over by the 18th; and they had on the 19th settled themselves, and proceeded to intrench in our neighbourhood. [We have kept our columns open to the last moment (12 o'clock) safely warranted, in hopes of learning particulars of the general action, believed to have occurred about the 21st. It is said that General Sir H. Smith moved his division up the Sutlej on the 19th and 20th, encountering but little opposition that coming in sight of the Sikh camp about 8 o'clock on the morning of the 21st, he prepared for action, being shortly afterwards joined by the Loodianah force. No particulars have reached us; the battle is supposed to have been a severe one, a heavy cannonade having been heard at Simla and Loodianah, as, we believe, also at Ferozepore, till three o'clock in the afternoon. It is probable that the steamer may be detained till the Governor-General's express brings tidings to the pre- sidency so that the home reader may, shortly after the arrival of this, know more than we at present do of the matter. Since last night, mails of the 24th have arrived from Calcutta, of the 25th from Delhi, and the 26th from Madras. They bring us no news of any importance, and we infer, therefore, that no further particulars had transpired of the alleged action on the 21st. The com- munication along the disturbed districts is at present irregular and much interrupted.] The services of the force under Sir Charles Napier, whose co-operation seems to farm a portion of the Governor-General's plan, will hardly be available before the 1st of March, and considering how soon after this the fierce and tremendous heats set in, it appears more than doubtful whether a regular campaign beyond the Sutlej will this season be entered on. It must be re- membered that the country proposed to be invaded, if intended to be annexed to the British dominions, must be throughout completely subjected that it comprises an area of 25,000 square miles, traversed by vast rivers and mountain ranges reaching the greatest altitudes known to man that it contains a fierce and untamed population of nearly 5,000,000 of human beings. Nor must it be forgotten that not one-fourth of the mag- nificent artillery of Runjeet Singh has been captured or disabled that two-thirds of his army remain undamaged and entire. It seems not improbable that this season Lahore may be occupied and garrisoned, the com- munications with Ferozepore—the post where our troops and magazine must be collected—being kept up and that thus will their own capital become the centre and emanating point of next year's operations. The war-advocates at home have for years past talked of the conquest of the Punjaub as at once easy and desirable— the destruction of the Sikh empire the task of a few months. The exploit has been forced on us, and we must perform it as best we may we doubt not but in the end we shall do so triumphantly; but we must add 30,000 men to our army, and £10,000,000 to our debt; and this, with an income not able of late to meet our expenditure by nearly £2,000,000 a-year."

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. I It is reported that the King of Sweden has offered a reward of 10,000 dollars to the person who shall con- trive the most efficient apparatus for converting sawdust into charcoal without waste. Sir H. Hardinge, in anticipation of the worst, arranged all his worldly affairs previous to the battle of Moodkee, and to ensure the safety of the sword given him by the Duke of Wellington, he sent it into Ferozepore. The Bey of Tunis has issued an edict declaring the blacks throughout his dominions free. Eight hours' sleep is the maximum allowed by Liebig. Napoleon slept only four hours Wellington six. A watch consists of 992 parts, the manufacture of which employs 43 trades, and about 215 persons. The youthful defendant in the late extraordinary breach of promise" case is the great grand nephew of the notorious Earl Ferrers, executed in 1760, for the murder of his steward, and who, on that occasion, put in a plea of lunacy, and urged it himself. At a free-trade meeting held on Thursday night, in the commercial-rooms at Chelsea, for the purpose of supporting Sir R. Peel's free-trade measures, Col. Wood, M.P. for Middlesex, attended, and openly declared for a total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws. A treasury order has been issued, permitting foreign refined sugar to be removed from the bonding houses in London, for the purpose of being crushed for expor- tation only, to premises appropriated to that especial purpose, in the St. Katherine and the London docks. It is stated that considerable reinforcements have been ordered to be sent immediately to India. Six regiments of infantry and two of cavalry are stated to be preparing for that country. A writ de lunatico inquirendo was executed at the Swan Hotel, Chertsey, Surrey, on Wednesday, to inquire as to the state of mind of Leonora Harrison, aged forty- seven, described in the commission as of Addlestone, in the county of Surrey, spinster. The unfortunate lady is a relative of Sir R. H. Ingis, Bart., M.P., who being trustee for E15,000 left by her late father, had instigated the issuing of the commission on the part of the step-mother for proper administration of the trust, and after a patient investigation the jury returned a verdict, dating the unsoundness of mind from Dec. 22, 1845. Two gentlemen named Dunn and Reed, whilst sailing on the Thames on Tuesday, had their skiff upset off Battersea, when Mr. Reed was unfortunately drowned. A young man died in London on Tuesday se'nnight, from the rupture of a small blood vessel, in extracting a decayed tooth by tying a piece of silk round it. Last week 53 yards of land, in Market-street, Man- chester, were sold by auction at JE50 6s. 44d. per square yard, a price wholly unprecedented in that or almost any other town. The reduction of the duty upon plate-glass has increased the demand for that material to so great an extent, that many months must elapse before the existing orders can be executed. As an indication of the prosperous state of this branch of manufactures, it may be noted, that at a general meeting of the proprietors of the Thames Plate-glass Company, held last week at the Phfcza Hotel, Covent-garden, it was determined to enlarge their works to nearly double their present size, and a dividend of six per cent was declared. The Builder. A registration has been effected by a firm in London, of an instrument for holding up ladies' dresses." There are 164 canals in the United Kingdom. The hares, from the fine winter, have been breeding all the season. The Liverpool Steeple-chases on Wednesday were won-Lord Sefton's Plate by the Premier the Steeple- chase Handicap by Pioneer the Hurdle Handicap by Sir Edward. Seventeen iron steamers are now building at Liver- pool and Birkenhead, for different parts of the globe. It is said to be the intention of the Board of Ordnance to remove some 40,000 tons of chalk from Dover Cliffs, between Surgate-street and the Admiralty-yard. Among the working population in Liverpool who live in cellars, one person in every twenty-five is annually attacked by fever. Taking the young and old together, it is found that 26 years is the average age at which people die in London, and 17 in Liverpool. The thirteenth sufferer from the explosion on the South Eastern Railway works died on Tuesday. The verdict of the coroner's inquest on the bodies attributed the explosion to a spark from a lighted pipe falling amengst gunpowder not properly protected from the possibility of an accident. At Portsmouth on Sunday morning, as people were leaving church, a little girl fell off the road into the moat surrounding the fortifications. Two gentlemen, one of whom was a naval officer, instantly jumped after it, and in a most praiseworthy manner rescued the child from its perilous position. Complaints have been made to the Borough Court that there exists in Manchester a number of places kept by notorious thieves, to which every inducement is held out to boys to resort, and whence they are sent forth with experienced tutors to steal whatever they can lay hands upon. On Saturday, at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Assizes Bellaney, whose name is somewhat notorious, recovered, E105, in an action against the hundred of Bamburgh, as damages for breakage and destruction by fire of his furniture and dwelling-house by an exasperated mob, after his acquittal in London on the charge of having murdered his wife. The climax of extravagant demands for compensation from railways seems to be nearly reached in Ireland. At the Cork and Bandon meeting, Mr. Carnegie instanced a demand of E5,000 compensation for two and a half acres, whilst the whole farm was worth only £ 2,500 and Mr. Smith told of some one, who wanted compensation for the injury that would be done to the milk of his cows by reason of the noise, steam, and smoke of the locomotives in their transit !-Railway Chronicle. The late flood has damaged the Bristol Dock Com- pany's works and the banks of the river to the extent of E8,000 or E10,000. The copyright of the Renfrewshire Advertiser, pub- lished weekly in Paisley, was sold last week for EIO. There have been serious riots on the Hawick Rail- way, about 12 miles from Edinburgh, and a district constable has been murdered by an infuriated gang of" navies." Three men lost their lives at the Chemical works at Pilot, East Greenwich, on Saturday, by inhaling the fumes of sulphurated hydrogen gas, whilst cleaning out a large vessel in which some chemical preparation had been made. It is proposed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the last witch-burning on the Brocken, by a national feast. The last occurrence of this nature took place on June 21,1749. The Nottingham Review states that some shocking disclosures have lately been made in that neighbourhood relative to a system to procure abortion which has been carried to a frightful extent, a regular scale of prices being established for the various stages at which the applications are made. Several unfortunate females have already fallen victims to the practice. The mayor of Bxeter has ordered the police to arrest any person carrying about children afflicted with the small pox. A lady and gentleman at Brighton, went over to Worthing by an early train on Saturday morning to spend the day. They left Worthing in the evening on their return to Brighton, by the forty minutes past five o'clock train, taking a first-class carriage; and before they reached Southwick the lady gave birth to an infant. A meeting was held in Oldham, on Tuesday night, to promote the return of Mr. Brown and Mr. Villiers for South Lancashire. One of the speakers stated that in Lancashire, since the last contested election, nearly E300,000 had been expended by free traders, in pur- chasing freehold qualifications. A baker at Burghley has recently suffered a bereave- ment in the death of a cat, which was kittened in 1827, and died on Friday, the 13th April, in the 18th year of her age. She has given birth to 360 kittens, the last of which is now living, and one of the finest of the feline race, weighing 2 stones.—Lincolnshire Chronicle. The Mining Journal describes a new steam-engine, invented by Messrs. Fevard and Mercier, of Paris, which has neither furnace, cylinder, nor piston, but is composed of a single organ, forming of itself the fur- nace, boiler, and propeller. Mr. Centinier le Cronier, (an officer of police,) was murdered at St. Helier's, Jersey, on Friday, by a woman of bad character, named Le Gendre, whom he had gone —attended by some constables-to arrest, and who plunged a knife into the body of the unfortunate man. The murderess was immediately arrested. By a decree, dated the 5th ult., the government of Poland has prohibited, until the 1st of July, the export of corn of all kinds, potatoes, hay, and straw, and de- clares that all those articles may be imported duty free. A grand steeple chase is to take place on the 19th of April, in the vicinity of Paris, at which are to be entered the extraordinary number of forty-two horses, many of them being some of our most celebrated English racers, belonging to Lord Chesterfield, Lord R. Russell, Sir W. M. Stanley, and various other English gentlemen, and French noblemen, well-known on the turf. The Neapolitan correspondent of the Athenceum says, that on the 17th inst., the firing of Vesuvius was heard at the distance of thirty miles like a continued cannonade, which lasted several minutes. This took place about mid-day, and we are, of course, looking out for something. The great bocca' is said to have been sealed up, and the explosive force of the volcano has opened a new crater." A North Carolina judge has decided that speaking or bowing three times to a girl is equivalent to an engagement, and enough to sustain an action for breach of promise. M. Gaudin, a French chemist, has, it is stated, in- vented, from a combination of oxygen and ether, or alcohol, a light which, he says, can be distinguished at a distance of 30 miles. The Duchess of Kent asked Garrick one day why Love was always represented as a child ? He replied, because Love never reaches the age of wisdom and experience." THE "INFAMOUS FABRICATION."—The Times calls attention to the fact of the Standard having at length acknowledged the correctness of its announcement on the 4th of December last, of the determination of Sir R. Peel and his colleagues to repeal the corn-laws. The following version of the affair was given in the Standard of Thursday evening :—" On the evening preceding that announcement of the Times, which we contradicted by authority, being instructed (unconsciously on our part) to tell a lie in the words of truth," an insult and an injury which we must ever remember, on the evening of the 3rd of December letters 1ce know, were despatched to public men of influence in the United States, by officers of the Government, making announcements similar to that made by the Times of the 4th. We have, indeed, now little doubt that the article of the Times proceeded directly from the Treasury, and that the false part of it, the alleged decision of the Cabinet, was thrown in with a view to American use." So that the Times was right, after all, and had the confidence of ministers whilst the journals which had so slavishly supported them were despised and deceived. PROSPECT OF WAR WITH AMERICA.- BIRMING- HAM, .THURSDAY.—The warlike intelligence received by the packet ship Switzerland has created a very strong sensation in this town and neighbourhood. Dependent as we are to a great extent on America for a market for our hardwares, a war with the States would prove ruinous to thousands of our tradesmen, who are now doing a large and profitable business; and adverse though the aspect of our relations with America at pre- sent be, we are not without hope that the repeal of the corn and provision laws will yet tend to avert a rupture between the two nations. Private letters received here from New York and the seat of government by this con- veyance, however, speak in rather desponding terms of the prospects of an amicable arrangement of differences, and one in particular from a very influential party re- presents the Oregon question as beset with difficulties, and in all likelihood about to embroil us in hostilities. FREE TRADE PRINCIPLES IN THE NORTH OF EUROPE.—We have the important fact that we ae about to communicate from a confidential authority, in which we place the most implicit confidence, and from which it will appear that the effect of the develop- ment of the future commercial policy of the British Government is working away abroad, sooner, perhaps, than was generally anticipated by our merchants and the public. We learn from St. Petersburgh, notwith- standing recent assurances from high quarters, that nothing would be done with the Russian tariff, for this season, at least, that it is more than probable that, in the course of a short time-a few days-an announce- ment of considerable reductions in the duties of the leading exports, and on many imports, will be made. These reductions, we are assured, will take effect this season. This, then, is important intelligence in many respects, but most emphatically so as regards the mercantile and shipping interests of the ports of Hull. It will, no do'ubt, take some of our merchants, who are largely connected with the trade of Northern Europe by surprise; we repeat, however, that we have not the smallest doubt of the authenticity of the intelligence. The confidence we have in the authority from which it is derived is perfect in every respect otherwise, we should not have hazarded the publication of this im- portant news. We have reason to know that the Petersburgh merchants have for some time thought that the example of England would be followed soon, but they did not expect the movement to occur at so early a date. Although the intelligence we afford from St. Petersburgh proves the correctness of Sir R. Peel's declaration, that he had no doubt the liberal example set by England would be gradually followed by foreign Powers; yet we question whether the Premier himself, at the time he developed his commercial policy, antici- pated that there would at so early a period as the present season be an announcement pronouncing a reci- procal sentiment on the part of Russia.-Hull Packet. IMPORTANT TO SHEEP FARMERS AND OTHERS.— A correspondent earnestly recommends the sowing of rye grass and clover among heather. He observes- I have seen barren patches of heath-land converted into the most beautiful green sward, merely by sowing rye grass and clover among the heather, in the propor- tion in which these are generally sown together, without paying any further attention to the affair. In the instance in which I saw this done I observed that only three years or so had elapsed before the heather com pletely disappeared." This hint ought to be attended to, especially under present circumstances.-Edinburyh Evening Post. FATAL ACCIDENT.—A sad accident occurred on Sa- turday night at Gosford, a village about four miles from Oxford, which caused the death of Mr. Henry More William Singleton, a commoner of Trinity College. The melancholy occurrence has cast a gloom throughout the University, particularly over the society of which the unfortunate young gentleman was a highly respected member. The deceased, in companyjyith several others, had been to see a steeple chaise at Bicester, and it was on his return home that he met with his death. The particulars will be best gleaned from the evidence given before Mr. George Valentine Cox, M. A., the University Coroner, and a jury of matriculated members of the University. Mr. George Alexander Hulvert, commoner of Trinity College, stated, that deceased cut at him with his whip in a playful manner, and that the witness gallopped away and' got in front for a short dis- tance he then turned back, -and deceased went first. On arriving at the turnpike-gate, which neither he (witness) or deceased could see until they came upon it, deceased's horse rose first, with witness close behind; the latter horse cleared it, jumping at least 20 feet at the moment, as witness thought that the gate was falling. On landing on the other side witness saw de- ceased lying on the road he immediately rode off to Kidlington for Mr. Holmes. The night was cloudy, and the light very uncertain, so that witness, on going for the doctor, could not distinguish where any stones had been laid on the road, except when his horse was gal- loping over them. The jury returned a verdict of Ac- cidental death;" they were also unanimously of opinion, that much blame attached to the gate-keeper for not lighting the lamp. A Birmingham mechanic has invented an engine with which he will undertake to extinguish the volcanoes of Etna and Vesuvius in a few hours. How TO OBTAIN HEALTH WHEN LOST.—The wonderful regenerating effects that Holloway's Pills produce upon the whole system is truly astonishing. This wonderful medicine perfectly identifies and assimilates itself with the blood and other fluids, while it removes from them all impurities. It acts upon the stomach, the liver, the heart, the lungs, and the kidneys and in its course so surely cleanses and invigorates those organs as to make the return of health the immediate consequence of a few doses of this wonder-working remedy. Persons of weak and debilitated constitutions are sure to retain their health and vigour by their use, when every other means have failed. 0 NAVIGATION.—To the inhabitants of a sea-girt isle," like unto Great Britain, and indeed to every other mari- time nation, every instance of valor or skill evinced by those devoted to navigation is justly and honourably es- teemed. The deed of Grace Darling was one of heroism and benevolence and recently the affair of the schooner Whim," which has been navigated four thousand miles by Captain Kerridge and only one man, all the hands on board having died, with the exception of one other, who was incapacitated. No such other instance of naval skill and indefatigable exertion is known in the records of naval history; from their continued expo- sure to the atmosphere, they were in hourly danger of an attack of Rheumatism, which, had it occurred, their fate, and that of the ship and cargo, would have been sealed. To guard against such a calamity, we would recommend that all persons should be provided with Blair's Gout and Rheumatic Pills, which may be taken at any time without restraint of employment.

WEEKLY CALENDAR. I THE MOON'S CHANGES.—Last Quarter, on the 20th of March, at lh. 58m. aiter. The Moon rises, Marchl4.— 7h. 58m. P.M. March 17. llh. 27m.A.M. 15.- 9h. 7m. r.m. I Marc 18. Oh. Om.- 16.- 10h. 16m. 19. Oh. 30m.- The Sun rises. Clock before Sun. I The Sun sets. Mar. 14. 6h. 19m. 9m. 26 see. 6h. 1m. 19. 6h 8m. 7m. 53 sec. 6h. 9m. March 16.-Length of day, llh. 49m.; day's increase from the shortest day, 4h. 4m.; day breaks, 4h. 21m.; twiUght ends, 7h. 58m. March 17.—St. Patrick. March 20.-Spring Quarter commences. HIGH WATER AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. Llanelly Cardigan Tenby L1anelly Cardigan I Tenby Aberyst. DAYS. Carmar- and and Aberyst- then Bar. Bristol. Milford wyth. MARCH H. M H. M. H. M. H. M. Saturday. 14 7 6 8 36 7 36 9 6 Sunday. 15 7 35 9 24 8 24 9 54 Monday. 16 8 7 10 12 9 12 10 42 Mond,ty. 17 8 40 11 0 10 0 11 30 Tuesday. 171 8 42 11 0 10 0 11 30 Wednesday. 18 9 15 11 48 10 48 12 18 Thursday. 191 9 33 12 36 11 36 1 6 Friday 20 10 38 1 24 12 24 1 54

LONDON GAZETTE. I B,A,NKRUPTS.-(r,riday, March 6.)-James Shaw, Ex- eter-street, Sloane-street, Knightsbridge, licensed vic- tualler .-J ohn Hawkins, Hurst, Berkshire, butcher.—B. L. M. Rothschild, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-Inn- fields, diamond merchant.—R. Blacklocks, Lydd, Kent, innkeeper.—Anne Martin, Sturminster, Newton, Dorset- shire, linen-draper.—T. and W. B. Lupton, Leeds, flax spinners.—W. Bond, jun., Manchester, stretcher.—J. M'Gibbon, Liverpool, bootmaker.—T. Maguire, Birming- ham, draper.—J. D. Cripps Wheeler, Torpoint, Cornwall, victualler.—S. Board, Bristol, woollen draper.—John Clough, Huddersfield, chemist.—B. Clark, Leeds, corn factor.—G. Williams, Bristol,watchmaker—J.Hastings, Tredegar, Monmouthshire, draper. BANKRUPTS.— (Tuesday, March 10.J-W. Harding, turner, Edward-street, Portman-square.—W. J. Harries, tailor, High-street, Soutlnvark.—J. Sewell, grocer, Great Dunmow," Essex.—E. Morgan, coach builder, Lisson- street, Afarylebone.-S. Pritchet and J. P. Oridge, glove manufacturers, Charlbury, Oxfordshire.—W. J. Idenden, tailor, Salmon's-lane, Liinehouse.—W. F. Brewster, chemist, Bath.—J. Blundell, pawnbroker, Wigan, Lan- cashire.—John Rayner, cloth manufacturer, Stanning- ley, Yorkshire.—A. Nichol,ship-broker,Newcastle-upon- Tyne.—T.Harding, bookseller, Liehfield.-C. Goldsmith, saddler, Bristol.—W. Dale, bricklayer, Liverpool.—It. Foulkes, cattle salesman, Northop, Flintshire.

AGRICULTURE, MARKETS, &c. (From the Mark Lane Express" of Monday). The necessary out-door work, preparatory to commen- cing spring sowing, has been steadily proceeded with, notwithstanding the somewhat showery weather: and from present appearances there is every probability of the Lenten crops being well got in. The occupations in the field have left little leisure for thrashing, and only mo- derate supplies of grain have been brought forward at most of the provincial markets held since our last. The arrivals of Wheat coastwise into London have been on a very moderate scale, only 4,417 qrs. having been reported up to this (Saturday) evening the quantity brought for- ward by land-carriage samples, from the neighbouring countries, has been equally unimportant, and nearly the whole of what has been exhibited at Mark Lane has consisted of ordinary damp qualities. The town millers are sadly in want of good dry Wheat. The ordinary sorts, of which the bulk of the supply consisted, have been taken very cautiously at irregular rates. There is now scarcely any free Foreign Wheat remaining in gra- nary, at all suitable for mealing purposes. In conse- quence of the very inferior quality of most of the English Wheat of last year's growth, the averages continue to decline and the aggregate return for the last six weeks, by which the duty is regulated, having fallen below 55s., the duty has risen to 18s. per qr. Flour has been in slow request throughout the week. The market has been rather sparingly supplied with Barley the total arrival for the week having amounted to only 4,005 qrs. The demand for this grain has, however, been of so restricted a character, that, moderate as have been the receipts, factors have found it impossible to obtain the slightest advance on former rates. In Malt the operations have also been unimportant, and quotations of the article have undergone no change requiring notice. No increase having taken place in the arrivals of Oats (only 8,445 qrs., incle of 2,796 qrs. from abroad, having come to hand during the past eight days), the market has be- come rather bare. s. s. s. s. Wheat, Engl., red 51 to 59 Oats, English feed 21 —23 White 56 — 67 Potatoe. 27-29 New, red 49-58 Youghall Black. 20-21 Do white 56 — 64 Scotch feed 23 — 26 Barley, Malting 32-34 Irish Galway. 20—23 Chevalier 34-37 Dublin 22-24 Grinding 23-2,5 Londonderry 22-24 Irish 27-28 Waterford white 22-24 Scotch 25-26 Clonmel 22-24 Beans, Tick new.. 30-31 Sl-,FD, Rape 211. 26s. Harrow. 32 — 36 Irish -1. -1. per last Peas, Boiling 39-40 Linseed, Baltic. 40-44 White. 39 40 Odessa 45-47 Blue 47 — 57 Mustard, white 9 — 11 Maple 31-33 Brown.. 10 12 per bush. Malt, Brown. 46—49 Flour, T own-made Chevalier. 59-62 and best country Kingston & Ware. 56 59 marks 47 53 Suffolk & Norfolk 51—52 Stockton. 37 39 Rye, new 31 33 Norf. & Suffolk.. 39 -41 Indian Corn. 31 32 Irish 44 46 GENERAL AVERAGE PRICE OF CORN. Week ending March 6.-Imperial-General Weekly Average,—Wheat, 54s. 6d; Barley, 29s. 7d; Oats, 21s.. 5d; Rye, 33s. 4d; Beans, 34s. 2d; Peas, 35s. 2d. Aggregate Average of six weeks which governs Duty.. —Wheat, 54s. 9d.; I Barley, 30s. 8d. Oats, 21s. 8d. Rye, 33s. 9d.; Beans, 35s. 2d.; Peas, 35s. 6d. Duty on Foreign Corn.—Wheat, 18s. Od Barlev, 8s. Oats, 6s. 0d; Rye, 9s. 6d; Beans, 7s. 6d; Peas, 7s. 6d. LONDON AVERAGES. E s.  t ye E s. d. Wheat. 7,785 qrs.3 1 2 Rye. 9.5qrs? 16 *7 Barley. 5,01;5 1 8 10 Beans.. 1,073 1 15 11 Oats .24,594 1 2 9 Peas 794 1 18 3 PRICE OF BREAD. The prices of wheaten Bread in the metropolis are from 9d. to 91d. of household ditto, Gid. to 8d. per 4lbs. loaf. SMITHFIELD MARKET. The past week's imports of live stock into the metro- polis have been moderately good, viz.30 Oxen and 119 Sheep from Rotterdam, 60 Cows from Harlingen, and 70 Oxen and Cows from other Dutch ports, in, for the most part, fair average condition. To-day we had on offer 220 Oxen and Cows, together with 120 Sheep, recently arriv- ed from the continent. For most qualities of each de- scription of foreign stock the demand was steady, and prices had an upward tendency. The Bullock droves from our own grazing districts fresh up this morning were very small; yet there was a great improvement in quality. The attendance of buyers being somewhat nu- merous, the Beef trade was steady at, in most transactions, an advance in the currencies obtained on this day se'n- night of 2d. per SIbs., and at which a good clearance was effected. The numbers of Sheep were again limited; hence the sale for them was active, at Friday's enhanced quotations, the primest old Downs selling readily at 5s. 8d. per 81bs. There were about 2,500. Sheep in the market, which were disposed of at Sd. per Slbs. be- neath those in the wool. From the Isle of Wight 19 Lambs came to hand per Railway. The trade may be considered steady, at prices varying from 5s. 8d. to 7s. per Slbs. The supply of Calves was small, while the Veat trade was firm, at Friday's prices. Pigs moved off freely, and last week's quotations were well supported. A STATEMENT and COMPARISON of the PRICES of FAT STOCK, exhibited and sold in SMITHFIELD CATTLE MARKET, on Monday, March 10, 1845, and Monday, March 9,1846. Per 81bs. to sink the offal. March 10, 1845. March 9, 1846 8. d. 9. d. s. d. s. d C?r"e & inferior Beasts 6 to 2 8 2 10 t<? 3 2 Second quality do 2 10 3 0 3 4 3 6 Prime large Oxen .3 2383 8 4 a Primc Scots, &c. 3 10404 2 4 6 Coarse & inferior Sheep.. 263 0..40 4 6 Second quality do. 3 2364 8 4 10 Prime coarse woolled do.. 3 83105 0 5 2 Prime Southdown do 4 0 4 4 5 4 5 8 Large coarse Calves 4 0 4 6.. 4 0 4 6 Prime small do 4 8504 8 4 10 Large Hogs 2 10363 8 4 6 Neat small Porkers 3 8444 8 5 2 BUTTER, BACON, CHEESE, AND HAMS. lrishButter,new cwt.s s Cheese, perewt. s. s. Carlow, 100 Double Gloucester.. 62 64 Sligo 84 I Single ditto 48 52 Banbridge 96 Cheghire 56 76 Cork, 1st 98 — Derby 56 60 Waterford 90 American. 50 56 English Butter, Foreign ditto. 46 Dorset, per nrkin.. 58 Bacon, new.. 51 54 Foreign- Butter, cwt 1 Middle — — Prime Frfesland.116 — Hams, Irish. 64 68 Do. Kiel 3.112 — Westmoreland. 66 — Fresh Butter, 168 per doz. York 66 70 PRICE OF TALLOW, &e. 1842. 1843. 1844. 1845. 1846. Stock this day 27,404..19,722..24,216..24,449..18,041 Price of Y.C.. 48s.0d..42s. 6d. ,40s,6d..3»s.0d..42s.9d. to to to to to 48s.3d..—s.Od..41s,3d. ,39s.3d..43s.0d. Deliver .last week 1,474.. 1,487.. 1,664.. 978.. 1,303 Do.from Ist June86,501..78,3-57..71,920..71,615..74,436 Arriv. last week 914.. 660.. 596.. 8.. 288 Do.from 1st June95,777..78,229..77,037..77,073..76,673 Price of Town. 50S.6d—46s.6a—43s.6d—42s.0d—45s.6d. METALS. £ s. d. £ s. d. IRON—bar Wales .per ton 0 0 0 to 9 0 0 11 London 91.5 0 to 100 0 Nail rods. 10 10 0 to 10 15 0 Hoops (Staf.). 11 15 0 to 12 0 0 Sheets. 12 10 0 to 13 0 0 Bar! 0 0 0 to 11 0 0 Welsh cold-blast foundry pig 5 0 0 to 5 15 0 Scotch pig, Clyde 0 0 0 to 3 45 0 Russian, c, CND. 0 0 0 to 0 0 0 psi 0 0 Oto 0 0 0 Gourieff. 0 0 0 to 14 10 0 Archangel. 0 0 Oto 13 12 6 Swedish, on the spot. 11 10 0 to 11 In 0 Steel, fagt 0 0 0 to 16 5 0 11 kegs 1550 to li 10 0 COPPrn-Til e* 0 0 0 to 92 0 0 Tough cake. 0 0 0 to 93 0 0 Bestselected. 0 0 0 to 96 0 0 Ordinary Sheets .lb. 0 0 0 to 0 0 10J bottoms 0 0 0 to 0 0 11 j Ti-T-Com. blocks cwt 0 0 Oto 5 0 0 bars. 0 0 Oto 5 1 0 Renned. 0 0 0 to 5 3 0 Straits. 4 5 0 to 4 6 0 Banea. 0 0 Oto 4 8 0 TIN PLATES-Ch., IC.box 1 12 0 to 1 13 0 IX 1 18 0 to 1 19 0 Coke, IC. 0 0 0 to 1 7 0 IX. 0 0 0 to 1 13 0 LEAD-,Sheet ton 20 5 0 to 20 10 0 Pig refined 0 0 0 to 21 10 0 common 0 0 0 to 19 10 0 Spanish,inbd. 17 15 0 to 18 0 0 American. O O Oto 0 0 0 PP.LTER.-(Cake) 19 10 0 to 19 12 6 7.nw.-(Sheet). 0 0 Oto30 0 0 QUICKSILVER .lb 0 0 0 to 0 4 6 REFINED METAL ton 0 0 0 to 0 0 0

ADVERTISEMENTS AND ORDERS RECEIVED BY THE FOLLOWING AGENTS :— LONDON: Mr. Barker, 33, Fleet-street,; Messrs New- ton & Co., Warwick-square Mr. G. Reynell, 42, Chan- cery-lane; Mr. Deacon, 3, Walbrook. near the Mansion House; Mr. Hammond, 27, Lombard-street; W. Daw- son and Son, 74, Cannon-street; Mr. C Mitchell, Red Lion Court, Fleet-street: Messrs. Lewis and Lowe, 3, Castle-Court, Cornhill, London. AnERYSTWYTH .Mr. Jenkins. Printer, Great Dark- Gate Street. ABERGAVENNY .Mr. C. R. Phillips, Auctioneer. BRECON .Mr. William Evans, Ship-street. BRIDGEND Mr. David Jenkins. BRISTOL Messrs. Philp(tE'ans,29,Clare-st CARDIFF Mr. Bird, Post Office. CARDIGAN. Mr. Isaac Thomas. Printer. DUBLIN J. K. John stone & Co.. Eden Quay. HAVERFORDWEST Mr. Henry Davies,Victoria Place. LLANDTLO Mr. D.M. Thomas, Printer, &c. LAMPETER Afr. Recs, Druggist. LLANELLY .Mr. Gawler. MTLFORD Mr. Gwvfher. Custom House. MEKTHYK Mr. William Morris. NEWCASTLF.-EMI.YN Mr. William Jones, Printer. SWANSEA Mr. Grove, Stationer. Wind-st. TENBY Mr. Walkinton, Chemist. And all Postmasters and Clerks of the roads. THIS PAPER TS REGULARLY FILED by all the above agents and also in London, at Peel's Coffee-House, No. 177, and 178, Fleet-street.—Deacon's Coffee-House, Wal- brook, and the Auction Mart. Printed and Published in Guildhall Square, in the Parish of ,?rmart l ien, by St. Peter, in the County of the Borough of Carmarthen, by the Proprietor, JOSEPH IlEGINBOTTOM, of Picton Terrace, in Carmarthen aforesaid. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1846.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4. The speaker took the chair at a few minutes past twelve o'clock. The Llynvi Valley and South Wales Junction Rail- way Bill was read a second time. PIOUS AND CHARITABLE BEQUESTS' BILL. I Lord J. Manners moved the second reading of the Bequests for Pious and Charitable Purposes Bill, the object of which was to remedy the present defective state of the law, which rendered it in many instances impossible for the Church to avail itself of the pious wishes of those who felt for the destitute condition, as regarded religious instruction, in which many places in various parts of the countly were plunged, and who bequeathed property for the purpose of remedying the evil. Sir J. Graham said he had reconsidered the subject since he had formerly given his opinion upon it, and he must say that that reconsideration had led him to the conclusion that it was not desirable to alter the existing state of the law, and he could not, therefore, give his support to the bill of the noble lord, which called upon them to legislate in a spirit directly opposed to that which had for centuries governed the Parliament of this country. He, therefore, moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr. P. Howard supported the second reading. Sir R. Inglis was opposed to the Charitable Bequests Act for Ireland, and was also strongly opposed to the measure of the noble lord, which would neutralise the wise proceedings of our forefathers, who had felt it requisite to adopt stringent precautions to prevent a vast accumulation of property in the hands of religious communities. Mr. O'Connell thanked the noble lord for introducing this bill, which was calculated to do much good in England. The Attorney-General could not assent to the second reading of the bill, which was in direct opposition to the whole spirit of the previous legislation of the country. Mr. C. Buller most cordially supported the motion of the noble lord, because he could not see why the heirs to personal property should not be protected as well as the heirs to landed property, from the weaknesses of suffering humanity, at the hour of its dissolution. The Solicitor-General opposed the bill, as being adverse to the policy of the country since the Conquest, which was directed to prevent corporate bodies, whether religious or municipal, from holding landed property without a license from the Crown. After some further discussion, Lord J. Manners replied after which the House divided, and the second reading was negatived by a majority of 60 to 24. METROPOLITAN BUILDINGS' ACT. I Sir James Graham obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the 7th and 8th of Victoria, c. 84, for regulating the construction and use of buildings in the metropolis and its neighbourhood by the appointment of a third referee. It was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Thursday. The House then adjourned. THURSDAY, MARCH 5. I The house met at four o'clock. I THE ANDOVER UNION. I Mr. Etwall moved the appointment of a select com- mittee to inquire into the administration of the poor law in the Andover Union, and into the management of the union workhouse. Sir J. Graham regretted that the time of the house should be occupied with a workhouse squabble, when matters of far greater importance demanded its atten- tion. He had already stated to the house, some weeks since, that bone-crushing in workhouses would wholly cease after the 1st of April, and with reference to the irregularities in the Andover Union they had all been rectified. Under these circumstances he moved as an amendment, that all copies of documents, correspon- dence, reports, &c., relating to the Andover inquiry, be laid upon the table of the house. A discussion ensued, in which Mr. Wakley, Mr. Christie, Mr. Ferrand, Mr. Jervis, Mr. Law, and others, urged the necessity of inquiry. Sir R. Inglis, Mr. T. Duncombe, and others, animadverted strongly on the dismissal of Mr. Parker, the poor-law commissioner who officiated in the investigation at Andover. Sir James Graham's amendment was withdrawn, and the appointment of the committee of inquiry was proposed. Mr. Christie moved as an amendment the addition of words, which would have the effect of extending the inquiry to the conduct of the poor-law commissioners, and their late assistant-commissioner, Mr. Parker, in the investigation in the Andover case. Mr. Jervis opposed the amendment, under the feeling that Mr. Parker's case should be submitted to a separate committee. Mr. Miles said that Mr. Parker had a right to have his conduct thoroughly sifted. Dr. Bowring also supported the amendment. Mr. Wakley said the right hon. baronet had proved himself to be squeezable, and he advised him to suffer himself to be squeezed a little further, and agree to the amendment without a division. Mr. T. Duncombe pressed upon Sir James Graham the necessity of conceding the amendment. Sir Benjamin Hall spoke a few words in favour of Mr. Parker. A division was called for, when there appeared-For Mr. Christie's amendment, 92 f against it, 69; majority against Government, 23. This produced loud cheering, especially from the agricultural benches. The committee of inquiry, with Mr. Christie's addition, was then agreed to. THE BASILIAN NUNS OF MINSK. I Mr. Cowper then moved for despatches received by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, containing information about the persecution indicted upon the | Basilian nuns of Minsk. Mr. T. Wyse seconded the motion. Sir R. Peel said, he had a strong impression that those cruelties, if they had really taken place, were entirely without the sanction of Russia. He understood from the Russian ambassador, that, in an interview with the Pope, the Emperor of Russia had declared his ignorance of the whole matter, and had promised that an inquiry should be instituted. He hoped, therefore, that every hon. gentleman would suspend his judgment; and above all, he recommended the House of Commons to forbear from Interfering in transactions which wer.? said to have taken place in another country. He had no hesitation to say that if those cruelties had taken place he should regard them with the deepest regret, as a gross violation of the rights of conscience and humanity; but it was only just to suspend their judg- ments until they were enabled to ascertain whether the story was not altogether untrue or grossly exaggerated and he had authority to state that a full inquiry would ceftainly be carried out. Mr. Cowper said that under these circumstances he would withdraw his motion. Mr. T. Duncombe said that it would be a disgrace to the Emperor of Russia if there was the slightest foun- dation for these atrocities. After some observations from Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Howard, and Dr. Bowring, the motion was withdrawn. The remaining business was then disposed of, and the house adjourned. FRIDAY, MARCH. 6. A new writ was ordered to issue for the borough of Stafford, in the room of the Hon. T. Carnegie, who has accepted the office of one of the Lords of the Treasury. CUSTOMS AND CORN IMPORTATION. The House went into committee on Customs and Corn Importation. Mr. W. O. Stanley moved an amendment that in lieu of the duties now payable on the importation of corn, grain, meal, or flour, the product of foreign countries, there shall be paid a fixed duty of 5s. per quarter on wheat, 2s. 6d. on barley, and 2s. on oats meal and flour in proportion. The hon. member proposed this, he said, as a tranquil settlement of the question. The amendment was negatived without a division. Mr. M. Milnes proposed the amendment of which he had given notice, that all words should be omitted in the resolution respecting the importation of corn, re- ferring to the cessation or alteration of duties to be paid in the year 1849." Mr. Miles dissented from the amendment, but wished it to be distinctly understood that in offering no further opposition to the resolutions proposed by the Govern- ment he and his friends were as hostile to them as ever, and were determined to oppose the bill to be founded on them on the second and third readings. The amendment was, after a discussion in which Mr. S. O'Brien, Lord G. Bentinck, Sir A. Brooke, Mr. Borthwick, and other honourable members took part, withdrawn. Mr. P. Howard submitted his amendment to extend the period of Protection until the 1st of Feb., 1851. In the course of the discussion that ensued, Lord G. Bentinck requested the Premier to answer distinctly what he calculated would be the price of wheat under his proposed law. Sir R. Peel declined to venture an opinion. He had been so bad a prophet before upon the price of grain that he did not like to try a second time. The amend- ment was withdrawn. Col. Sibthorp again questioned the Minister about the members of Government who were without places in Parliament. Sir R. Peel replied, that if the gallant member would accept the Chiltern Hundreds, he would undertake that the Colonial Secretary would go down to Lincoln and stand against him. Col. Sibthorp to this retorted, that he would have to apply to the Minister for the nominal office, and he would consider it a degradation to ask him even for that favour. What he would demand of him was to dissolve Parliament, and then let himself or his precious Colo- nial Secretary come down to Lincoln and see what a drubbing he would get. Mr. Disraeli called to the recollection of the Minister, that in 1835, when the Master of the Ordnance, Sir G. Murray, was without a seat in Parliament, he Sir R. Peel, then replied, in answer to a question from a gen- tleman opposite, that as the Master of the Ordnance was without a seat in that House, he had ceased to attend the Cabinet councils. Mr. Disraeli desired to know if Mr. Gladstone attended Cabinet councils ? Sir R. Peel pleaded forgetfulness of Sir George Mur- ray's particular case, but stated that Mr. Gladstone attends all the Cabinet councils, although without a seat in Parliament. The resolution was then agreed to, as were also the resolutions respecting barley, oats, and flour. On the resolution relative to the reduction of the duties on buck-wheat, maize, and rice, Mr. Miles ob- jected to proceeding with this resolution at present. Mr. O'Connell implored the committee, on account of the famine pending over Ireland, to discharge these articles of duty as soon as possible. Mr. Miles expressed his readiness, if Sir Robert Peel would introduce a short bill for the introduction of these articles into Ireland free of duty, to support it. But he must object to this resolution, if it were attempted to hurry it that evening through tne House. A long conversation then took place on the question whether the debate on this resolution-should take place now, or on the report being produced on Monday next. Sir R. Peel, Mr. Bright, Mr. Miles, Lord J. Russell, the Earl of March, and Mr. Disraeli took part in that discussion, which, after some angry appearances at one period of it, was terminated by Mr. Miles agreeing to withdraw his opposition to the resolution that night, and to renew it on Monday night on the presentation of the report. In the course of the conversation, Sir R. Peel informed the committee that the Government had already expended £100,000 in the purchase of maize and rice for the relief of the people of Ireland. The resolutions were then agreed to, and were ordered to be reported to the House. The committee was then proceeding to consider the articles in the tariff, when an objection to that course was taken by Mr. P. Miles and Lord G. Bentinck. Sir R. Peel gave way to their objection amid ironical- cheers from many members on the Opposition benches, which induced him to say to them with great warmth, I wish you had to conduct public business." The Chairman then reported progress. The House resumed. Report to be received on Monday next. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the house adjourned. MONDAY, MARCH 9.. The Speaker took the chair at 4 o'clock. On the motion of Mr. Young, a new writ was ordered for Windsor, in the room of Ralph Neville, Esq., who has accepted the office of one of the Lords of the Treasury. Mr. T. Duncombe presented a petition complaining of the mismanagement of the Post-oiffce. Sir R. Peel in answer to a question from Mr. O'Con- nell, said that every thing had and would be done by the Government to obviate the impending famine and disease in Ireland, and he believed that in the course the Go- vernment had adopted they would be assisted by the proprietors of land and the moneyed gentry of Ireland. If the resolutions that went through Committee on Friday were adopted on the report to-night, India corn, buck wheat, and rice would be admitted duty free, and he trusted that that would considerably relieve the wants of the people of Ireland. Mr. Greene brought up the report on the resolutions agreed to on Friday night, relative to the duties on corn, grain, meal, flour, &c. After a short discussion, in the course of which Mr. Liddell stated that it was not his intention to trouble the House any further with respect to the tim- ber duties, Sir R. Peel stated that the existence of the order of the Treasury, which he proposed to issue with respect to the articles in the tariff on which the duty was to be reduced, would depend upon the Bill on the subject being adopted or rejected by the House. As to maize, buck wheat, and rice, he proposed to issue a Treasury order immediately to admit them at a nominal duty, but that order would be dependent on the fate of the Bill he proposed to introduce founded on the resolutions. Mr. W. Miles would not divide the House upon the resolution with respect to Indian corn, buck-wheat, and rice, as the Right Hon. Baronet had stated that the order of the Treasury would be dependent upon the fate of the Bill to be introduced on the subject. After some discussion, the other resolutions and re- ports were agreed to, and Bills founded upon them were ordered to be brought in. The House then went into Committee on Customs (the tariff), in the course of which it was agreed that the unopposed resolutions should be taken first, and that the discussions on the resolutions that were opposed, especially those with respect to silk and brandy, should be taken upon the bringing up of the report on Friday. Mr. Ewart then moved that modern foreign books should be admitted duty free, upon which a short dis- cussion took place, after which the motion was withdrawn. The other resolutions of the tariff having been gone through, Lord John Russell said that there were many articles of manufacture on which it was proposed to put a duty of 10 per cent; that was all well enough as long as the corn-law lasted, but when it terminated in 1849 he could not see the policy or the justice of continuing that duty. Sir R. Peel thought the proposal he had made was a fair one, and at the end of three years it was perfectly open to reconsider the question as to the remission of the duty. Mr. T. Baring did not think that by the remission of the duty of 10 per cent. the consumer would obtain the article one farthing cheaper. If these duties were to be removed, resort must be had to direct taxation upon increase. Mr. Hume trusted that the Right Hon. Baronet would look to direct taxation as the principle means of raising the revenue. Sir R. Peel said that the reductions that had been made last year with respect to the duty on glass and auctions had saved no less than E50,000 in salaries to officers. It was his intention to move to-morrow for returns with respect to wool, flax, and several other articles, in order to illustrate the commercial policy of the country. Mr. Hudson said, if they adopted a principle it must be carried out to its full extent, and with respect to every interest. The remaining resolutions were then agreed to, and ordered to be reported on Friday. (Continued in our 2nd page.)