fair in Suffolk, who endeavoured to win her confidence By means of this female she was introduced into a house of ill-fame, seduced, and eventually brought by her to London. She was taken to a low concert room in Tower-hill, and left to a course of prostitution amongst the lowest class of the waterside district. About nine months ago, as she wandered about one Sunday afternoon, she saw the door of a chapel open, and went in to rest. What she there heard of mercy for the vilest sinners, made such an impression as to render her most unhappy under the course of life she had been pursuing. At last, existence became intolerable, and she resolved to put an end to it.-Alderman: I have been told by the chaplain that you are truly penitent, and that you detest the life you have been leading.-The defendant: I would prefer death at this instant.-Alderman: Very well. You shall be protected. I shall refer you to the Ladies' Patronage Committee, with a view to your reception into the Elizabeth Fry Refuge for the present. I trust it will be stated in the newspapers, that the wretch who was the cause of all this calamity is now at Norwich, engaged in the same dreadful traffic of seduction. The defendant: May God bless you for saving me. At the Liverpool Assizes, on the 28th, Dr. Nolan, minister of a congregation of Independents at Manchester, appeared as plaintiff in An Action of Slander against one Pettigrew, for stating in the presence of a person named Ford, that Dr. Nolan had seduced certain female members, and had given medicine to one to prevent the consequences. There had been religious strife in Dr. Nolan's congregation; he had resigned, and been re-elected minister; afterwards it had been found that the re-election was not legal in form, and a heated canvassing and contest arose. It was in the course of this agitation that the defendant made the statement complained of. The defendant was a respectable serious man, and had made his statement in good faith, privately, to Mr. Ford, as a person holding office in the congregation and having weight in the election. The defence was double, that the communication was privileged; and that it was true. The evidence was contradictory: some scandalous facts were sworn to on the one hand, and denied on the other. But the Judge ruled that the communication was privileged; and a verdict was given for the defendant. NARRATIVE OF ACCIDENT AND AN Explosion and Fire occurred on the 4th, at the Naphtha Manufactory of Mr. James Bapty, chemist, New Wortley. To prevent the disagreeable fumes generated in making naphtha, Mr. Bapty had a pipe fixed, by which they were conveyed from the still into a tall chimney; the pipe was defective, and a new one was ordered, but had not been got ready. Meanwhile the old pipe had been repaired, and all went on safely, till about ten minutes before six o'clock on the evening of the 4th, when, in discharging the still, a quantity of the gaseous product escaped through chinks in the pipe, and as the fire had only been partially extinguished, in an instant a violent explosion took place. The roof of the building was lifted up perpendicularly, and the flames were forced out laterally for several yards, and Mr. Bapty, Mr. John Brook, and two persons, named Joseph Wrigley and John Williamson, enveloped in a sheet of fire, had to make their way out of it as best they could. A larger building, to which that in which the explosion took place forms a wing, was also set on fire. Mr. Brook, one of the injured parties, expired on the 6th. A young woman, Mary Donnellan, of Rinana, left the Ennis Fever Hospital on the 7th, and endeavoured to crawl home, faint and fasting, a distance of 10 miles; she got into some kind of a wretched old hovel, where she was found next day, Dead of Hunger and Exhaustion, and her face eaten away by rats. On the afternoon of the 11th, a series of Terrific Explosions occurred in the powder-mills belonging to Messrs. Curtis and Harvey, the well-known gunpowder manufacturers and contractors at Hounslow. Eight lives were lost, and two other men seriously injured. At the time of the explosion, there were no less than The works were 150 men employed about the works. insured, but not for accidents of this kind-the insurance companies would not take them on any terms tɔ run the risk of explosions. The immense warehouses of Messrs. J. P. Westhead and Co., in Piccadilly-street, Manchester, were wholly Destroyed by Fire on the night of the 13th. The building, erected twelve or thirteen years ago, was an exceedingly fine pile of warehouses, forming the centre of a block of shops and warehouse fronting the Royal Infirmary. The fire occurred under very extraordinary circumstances. The packers and some of the warehousemen and clerks were engaged in making up some heavy orders for goods to go by railway, till after eleven o'clock at night. On leaving the premises, the clerk whose duty it was to examine the various rooms to see that all was safe, called another young man to accompany him, and, together, they made the interior circuit of the interior of the warehouse, leaving it under the persuasion that all was safe. Yet scarcely had the youth who carried the keys to their usual place of deposit for the night, less than two miles distant, reached there, when he was overtaken with the alarm that the premises were on fire. The fire is supposed to have broken out in the top storey, or top storey but one, and was discovered a little before twelve o'clock, but from what it originated is not known. Property worth more than 100,000Z., was destroyed, and the insurance reached but 82,000. The buildings had five shafts piercing each floor, and covered by a dome skylight. When the glass was destroyed, "each of the series of openings through the floors under them acted as immense flues, through which a resistless draught of air rushed up: they became centres of heat, roaring and spouting forth fire like so many volcanoes; rolls of ribands, and the remnants of partially consumed lighter goods, drawn within the vortex of these centres, were shot up into the air like rockets." One fireman was killed, and another mortally wounded, by falling walls, after the fire. On the 16th, an Explosion of Fire-damp took place at Messrs. Evans and Turners' colliery, in Haydock. The explosion occurred in what is called the "Rockpit," and thirteen persons were either burned or smothered to-death, some of them being literally burned to a cinder. Eleven of the parties were working in a drift 1000 yards from the pit-eye, without any conductor, when the explosion took place; all of whom were burned to death. Two others were working about 120 yards nearer the pit-eye, and they, on hearing the explosion, rushed into the face of the fire, instead of making to the pit-eye. The men were allowed safetylamps, if they thought proper to use them; but there appears to have been no restriction against working with naked candles, although the men had to run away from the fire only the day before. Miss Paul, daughter of Mr. Walter Paul, of Highgrove, near Tetbury, was accidentally Burnt to Death on the 20th. On that evening, Mr. Paul gave a ball previous to his son, Captain Paul, leaving home to join his regiment. At about nine o'clock Miss Paul retired from the ball-room; having an attack of tic doloureux, she It is supposed proceeded up stairs to her own room. she fainted as she proceeded from one room to the other, the lighted candle fell from her hand, and her dress, composed of white lace, rapidly ignited, and the young She endealady was instantly enveloped in flames. voured to extinguish the fire by throwing a basin of water over herself, and her screams alarmed the attendants; but before their efforts could subdue the flames she was so severely burnt as to leave no hopes of recovery, and three days after she expired. Ten persons were Poisoned at Stow Bardolph, in Norfolk, on the 20th. The family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Page, their son, Mr. Page's two sisters, a governess, a man servant, and three female servants, sat down to breakfast, and partook of tea, sweetened by some white sugar, purchased at Downham by Mrs. Page. After drinking the tea, Mr. Page complained that he felt sick, and attributed it to the sugar. It was then examined, and a few particles of white substance were discovered in the basin. One of the females present remarked that it was very likely that the stuff was put in to cheapen the sugar, and it was determined that it should only be used for puddings. At dinner a fruit pudding was served up, and the sugar was again used. Immediately after dinner, the whole of the family was seized with symptoms of poisoning, and experienced dreadful agony. Mr. Page died in the course of the night, and the medical gentleman in attendance has since reported the death of his son. Hopes are entertained that the other members of the family and the servants, all of whom are still very ill, will recover. Early on the morning of the 20th, Miss Craven, the daughter of Mr. Craven, solicitor, of Bristol, about eighteen years of age, went out for a walk on Durdham Down, just above St. Vincent's Rocks. Unfortunately she approached too near the edge of the down, and, being near-sighted, slipped from the Edge of the Cliff, and fell to the bottom of the chasm below, at least 200 feet. Two persons happened at the moment to be walking at the foot of the cliff, and observing her fall, hastened to the spot, but found only a heap of mangled remains. The beautiful parish church of St. Anne, Limehouse, was Totally Destroyed by Fire on the 29th. The fire originated in the chamber between the ceiling and the roof, where a heated flue-pipe emerged to the air. The two attendants who discovered it, about eight in the morning, alarmed the parishioners by an irregular tolling of all the bells, and in a short time a large multitude hastened to the spot. All endeavours to check the flames were futile, from the great height at which they raged; so efforts were confined to the saving of muniments, sacred paraphernalia, and valuable ornaments. The great central chandelier had scarcely been removed when the ceiling of the nave fell in. The conflagration then assumed an aspect of imposing grandeur; flames rushed in eddying streams from the side-windows, and chased up the steeple to a vast height in the air, with a terrific roaring and succession of crackling reports. The organ stood a long time, apparently unattacked; at last its pipes were seen to give way, melted by the furnace heat of the air which rushed through them; suddenly the framework was enveloped in flame, and then in a short time the whole was destroyed. As the belfry was reached and the machinery consumed, the bells fell with a crash and shock that shook the earth. Ultimately, the bare walls, the steeple, and the calcined columns that once gracefully lifted the ceiling, were alone left standing. So completely is everything combustible destroyed, that the débris now covers the floor to a depth of some two or three feet. St. Anne's Church was one of Hawksmoor's most beautiful works; the date of its building was 1712, the cost about 35,000. There is an insurance to the amount of about 5,000. Mr. Lowndes, Judge of the Liverpool County Court, was accidentally Drowned on Sunday night, the 31st. He was awaiting with his son the arrival of the Seacombe steamer; and, as it neared the landing-stage, he moved as if to step on board, but missed his footing, and fell into the rapidly flowing tide. His son rushing forward, was seized by the skirts, but he tore away instantly and dived after his father, without success. The son was rescued a long distance down the stream. SOCIAL, SANITARY, AND MUNICIPAL PROGRESS. THE renewed Ten-hours Act Agitation proceeds with vigour in the manufacturing districts of Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire.-At Manchester, a second meeting of delegates from the Lancashire operatives was held on the 24th, and a meeting of the powerloom over-lookers of Manchester and Salford was held on the 26th of February. At the delegate meeting, which was large and earnest, it was resolved to intrust the conduct of the proposed bill to Lord Ashley, and to request Lord John Manners and Mr. George Bankes to give him their aid and influence. The meeting of overlookers resolved, in very determined spirit, to hold no parley or communication with any man or set of men who would depart from ten hours' labour on five days in the week and eight on Saturday.-At Oldham, a large public meeting, called on the requisition of 745 householders, was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Alderman Taylor, (the Mayor being ill,) on the 25th. A show of hands was taken on the question of ten hours or eleven hours, and the opinion was unanimous in favour of ten. A letter was read from Mr. W. J. Fox, M.P. for Oldham, expressing his opinion that the decision of the Court of Exchequer grossly violates the spirit of the Ten-hours Act, and he offered his honest and hearty support to Lord Ashley in the new movement. Mr. John Mills was delegated to visit London and canvass the members of both houses in support of the proposed bill.-At Bradford, a numerous meeting of operatives was held on the same day. Mr. J. Pollard presided; Dr. Burnet, Vicar of Bradford, Mr. C. Harding, Mr. Rand, Mr. W. E. Forster, of Rawdon, and many other leading manufacturers of the town and neighbourhood, took part in the proceedings. One of the speakers who held up his hand against violation of the law was a leading manufacturer, who had originally opposed its enactment. The feeling in favour of the law was perfectly unanimous. It was resolved that delegates should go to London with a memorial to the Queen, and petitions to both houses of parliament. At a meeting of the "new Short-time Committee," on the 29th, in Manchester, it appeared that Lord Ashley's bill is not deemed "sufficiently explicit." A resolution was moved, to the effect that if Lord Ashley refuse to embody the terms which the committee propose, the matter should be placed in the hands of some other member. A public meeting has been held at Manchester to consider the necessity of a General Organisation of labour amongst all the trades. Mr. Abel Heywood, the chairman, stated that cooperative societies have been introduced in several parts of Lancashire, are doing well, and becoming of great advantage to the parties interested. This statement was borne out by detailed accounts from the mouths of working members of such societies. The success of a cooperative society at Salford was thus described by Mr. William Stork-Twelve months ago, a few individuals united with full confidence in each other; and having raised 7s. 6d. they bought a little raw material, and gave a day's employment to a poor man out of work. They gradually increased their capital and raw material, and continued to employ poor individuals until they had now a capital of between 50%. and 601. They paid 5d. a hat more for making than a man would get elsewhere; and though they sold it for less than a manufacturer would do, they got a small profit. Before a man was admitted a member of the society, he was asked to give up lying, swearing, intemperance, and to be perfectly open with the others, assisting them in every way he could.-It was resolved unanimously, “That the system of competition is not only unjust in its principle, but immoral in its tendencies, endangering the public and robbing the working man of a just remuneration for his labour;' and a system of organisation upon the principles of cooperation was recommended for the united adoption of all the trades. A meeting of the inhabitants of Pentonville was held on the 27th ult., for the purpose of adopting measures to obtain the abolition of Intramural Interments; Mr. Secretary of the London Society for the abolition of Mackinnon, M.P. for Leamington, in the chair. The burials in towns explained the origin and objects of the society, stating that it was their intention to form auxiliary societies in all the metropolitan districts, in order to carry out this most important sanitary reform. In the course of the proceedings many details were given of the disgusting condition of the grave-yards in Pentonville and its vicinity, particularly Spitalfields and St. Giles's Cemetery, Camden-town. Resolutions were adopted, declaring the practice of burying the dead in large towns to be productive of incalculable evils, and calling upon parliament speedily to pass a measure, founded upon the late report of the Board of Health. A petition to parliament embodying these resolutions, was also adopted.-A meeting of the medical practitioners of the West-end took place the same day at Dr. H. Bennett's residence, 9, Cambridge-square, Hydepark, to petition parliament for the immediate and total abolition of intramural burials and especially for the closure of St. George's, Hanover-square, burialground, as being_the_prolific source of disease in its neighbourhood. Dr. Chowne was called to the chair, and amongst those who addressed the meeting were Drs. Drury, Adey, Webber, Bennett, Tilt, Goolden, Douglas, G. A. Walker, Powell, &c. Resolutions in accordance with the objects stated in the requisition were adopted. The Court of Common Council agreed, on the 28th of February, to subscribe 500l. towards the fund for carrying out the Industrial Exhibition of 1851. About forty of the leading manufacturers and commercial men in Manchester have met, under the chairmanship of the Bishop of Manchester, and agreed to resolutions pledging themselves to set on foot an active canvass for subscriptions in aid of the Industrial Exposition. Upwards of 2500l. was subscribed on the spot. reading-rooms, where tea and coffee could be obtained, be substituted; and that a joint committee, consisting of an equal number of masters and workmen, be annually chosen for the determination of all disputes between the employer and the employed. A number of master tailors were accordingly nominated, towards the formation of the proposed committee. At the annual meeting of the Directors of King's College Hospital, it was stated that the out-door patients during the past year had been 21,048, and the in-door patients 1261. During the cholera epidemic, 123 cases of cholera were received in the hospital, and 83 of them were cured. The extra charge of the arrangements made during that pestilence, to afford more assistance to the public, had caused the expenses (46607.) to exceed the income (45127.), and swelled the outstanding debt to 5301. Towards the fund of 50,000l. for building a new hospital, about 22,0007. has now been raised. In a Court of Common Council, on the 5th inst., The opening of the first completed tube of the BriMr. Barber brought forward a motion, that the public tannia Bridge, across the Menai Straits, was accomconvenience would be promoted, and the architectural plished with triumphant success on the 5th. At halfbeauty of the west end of the Cathedral Church of St. past six in the morning, three engines were brought Paul much better displayed, if the dwarf wall and rail-up to the Bangor station, harnessed together, mounted ing round the enclosed area in front thereof were removed by Mr. Robert Stephenson, with a few selected profesand the space paved with flag-stones, as at the Royal sional assistants and friends, and driven swiftly to the Exchange. Sir Peter Laurie seconded the motion, and entrance of the bridge-tunnel. Slackening speed as it was unanimously adopted. A deputation was imme- they drew near, the engines advanced at a slow pace, diately appointed to wait upon the Archbishop of and were presently out of sight in the aerial corridor. Canterbury and the Bishop of London on the subject. The train again paused in the centre of the tunnel, each A public meeting was held in the London Tavern on experimenter's eye and ear watching for signs or sounds the 4th instant, to consider The Evils of the large Powers of danger. When they emerged from the other end, intrusted to Railway Companies, which practically give with flags streaming out cheerily, and engineers holding them a monopoly of the internal carrying trade. A pre- their hats aloft in the air, a shout from each shore tesliminary meeting, held on the 20th ultimo, had con- tified the relieved suspense; and immediately afterwards sidered the subject, and resolved to request Baron a general din of sounds, and a visible commotion in the Rothschild to convene a public meeting. He complied; crowds, showed that they shared the excitement and convened the present assemblage, which included repre- triumph of the event. The subsequent proceedings sentatives of sixty leading firms of the City; and him- were watched with an interest freer from anxiety. A self took the chair. In opening the proceedings, Baron train of waggons laden with huge blocks of Brymbo coal, Rothschild stated his strong feeling, that the interests of weighing altogether some 300 tons, was drawn through the shareholders of railways are so identified with those the tube at a slow pace, without the least appearance of of the public, that the companies cannot thrive unless deflection or strain. The engineer then ceremoniously they give every possible accommodation to their cus- gave the finishing-touch to the work, by inserting and tomers. Mr. Dalton detailed the leading grievances to clenching the last of the rivets exactly 2,000,000which the companies subject the general carrying-trade which have been used in making the tubes. The proin London, the monopoly granted to the two great ceedings closed with a brief address by Mr. Stephenson, firms of Pickford and Co., and Chaplin and Horne; the in which he eulogised the skill of the foreman, Mr. revival of the system, declared by the courts to be illegal, Fleet, and the intelligent industry of the workmen. of inspecting the contents of packages, and charging The engineers remounted their iron steeds and steamed separately for each parcel of a package of parcels; the to Plas Llanfar, the seat of Mr. Foster, where a handrefusal to be accountable for loss of market caused by some repast awaited them. During their absence, the delay, detention, or any other cause; and the arbitrary most severe test of any was applied to the structure. A sale of goods not removed in fourteen days. Mr. M. train of 200 tons of coals was drawn to the centre of the Forster, M. P., moved, and Mr. Henry, M.P., seconded, Carmarthenshire tube, and left there stationary for two a resolution, affirming the necessity of applying efficient hours. A delicate admeasurement showed a total deflecchecks on the practical monopoly of the companies. tion, under this dead weight, of not more than 49-100ths Mr. Sadleir, M. P., moved, and Mr. Groucock seconded, of an inch,-an amount actually less than the diurnal a resolution, that some of the present rates and arrange- variation due to the expanding influence of the sun. ments of the companies are unjust and oppressive, and At twelve o'clock, a final testing-train was organised, to no less opposed to the interests of the shareholders than allow the public an opportunity of going once through. to the interests of the public. Mr. Dillon, Mr. Caldecott, More than seven hundred passengers-including many Mr. White, and Mr. William Hawes, supported reso- ladies, were drawn in forty carriages after the train of lutions for carrying out these opinions, by the formation 200 tons of coal; an immense aggregate weight of 400 of a committee, and the collection of a subscription. tons. The train nearly occupied the whole length of the Mr. Walker called attention to the disgraceful treatment tube: as it swept through, salvoes of artillery were fired of third-class passengers, a matter of at least equal im- from each pier and from the banks; a body of seamen portance to the carrying of goods. A committee was perched on the towers shouted a stanza from "Rule selected, including most of the speakers. Britannia," and the excited passengers swelled the chorus to a roar as they emerged from the Welsh end of the tunnel. With these performances the inauguration terminated. Aloft on each entrance-tower of the bridge are these words, deeply graven in the stone-"Erected anno Domini 1850: Robert Stephenson, engineer." A meeting of the master tailors of London was held on the 4th instant, to consider the present Distress among the Journeymen Tailors, and the proper remedies. Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Prague, Mr. Wain, of the firm of Stulz and Co., Mr. Stohwasser, and Mr. Adeney, with other respectable members of the trade, vouched for the miserable state of the journeyman class. It was the general opinion that most of that misery is caused by the system of out-door working, which introduces the middleman and the oppressions of the "sweatingsystem." As a means towards the improvement of the moral, social, and physical condition of the journeyman tailor, it was resolved that all the workmen be employed in the workshop of the master; that the practice of using public-houses for houses of call be abolished; that At The Lord Mayor gave a splendid banquet at the Mansion-house on the 7th, to the Chief Magistrates of the cities, towns, and boroughs of the United Kingdom, to stir up their interest in the Exposition of 1851. the head of the list of guests was Prince Albert. The hall was specially adorned for the occasion in the most magnificent style, with arms of the counties and corporations, trophies characterising local industry, painted windows, allegorically representing the pacific and com mercial influences of the Exposition, &c. Before the banquet, about a quarter past six o'clock, Prince Albert held a levée in the grand drawing-room of the Mansion-house; the Lord Mayor presenting the Magistrates of two hundred and two English cities and Boroughs, ten Scotch Provosts, and five Irish Mayors. The company included the Archbishop of Canterbury, Foreign Ministers, leading statesmen of all parties, the Commissioners of the Exposition, the Aldermen, Masters of Companies, Chairmen of Committees in Common Council, and some leading gentlemen connected with the City. Prince Albert, the principal ministers, and former ministers, were among the speakers. His Royal Highness's speech excited great interest. His leading idea was, that the modern developments of science and art, commerce and industry -the intercommunication of language, the lightning interchange of thought, the publicity of discovery are all rapidly tending to realise "the unity of mankind;" and that man, "himself a divine instrument,' is using "his reason, created after the image of God," to fulfil "that great and sacred mission." As one of the commissioners, Sir Robert Peel invited all the Mayors, who had shared the hospitality of the Mansion-house, to attend at Whitehall next morning, and receive the information with which the commissioners would be glad to supply them. The Lord Mayor has since received a letter written by the order of Prince Albert, expressing the gratification which his Royal Highness derived from the banquet given in promotion of the Industrial Show, and congratulating him on the complete success which bids fair to attend this endeavour to unite all parties and classes throughout the kingdom in its support. At the general meeting of the corporation of the Royal Literary Fund on the 13th, the report of the auditors stated that the sum of 13251. had been distributed during the past year, among forty-one applicants, making a total of 37,8657. applied to the relief of distressed authors, their widows and orphans, since the institution of the Society in 1788. A meeting of Hertfordshire Farmers was held on the 16th, for the purpose of Reducing the Payments for work done by Tradesmen. The resolutions adopted were as follow:-"As the value of agricultural produce is greatly lessened by the free importation of foreign corn, it is the opinion of this meeting that farmers in general must adopt a system of wise and vigilant economy, extending to every branch of expenditure unavoidably incurred. And as those employed in trade are reaping considerable advantage from the cheapness of food, it is thought that the tradesman should now be able, without injury to himself, to make a considerable reduction in his charges. This meeting is also of opinion that the tradesman, artisan, and labourer dependent on agriculture should be made sensible that free trade is a labour question, and that they are affected by it, on account of the serious difficulty and distress of their employers, arising from foreign competition. Resolved,-That the tradesmen in this neighbourhood be requested to reduce their charges in the following ratio Blacksmith, to 6d. per shoe, 3d. removes, 6d. coulters; all ordinary work, 15 per cent.; collar-maker, reduced by 15 per cent.; wheelwright, 20 per cent.; carpenter, reduced to 3s. per day; bricklayer, 3s. per day; ditto labourer, 1s. 8d. per day; hurdle-maker, 3s. 6d. per dozen; thatcher, 9d. per square foot. Resolved,-In order to carry out the above resolution, an association be formed in this district-(here about twenty parishes are named.) That the tenant-farmers in the neighbourhood be invited to become members of the association. That the members determine not to employ any tradesman whose prices do not conform with the above scale. That the landowners be requested to give their assistance in furtherance of the object of this association." The fifth anniversary dinner of the General Theatrical Fund institution took place on the 25th, at the London Tavern, Mr. B. Webster in the chair, supported by Lord E. Bruce, Mr. R. J. Tennent, M.P., Sir P. Joddrell, Bart., Mr. Charles Dickens, Mr. Mark Lemon, Mr. F. Stone, Mr. Buckstone, Mr. J. Leech, Mr. T. P. Cooke, &c. Mr. Webster, in the course of the evening, enlarged on the merits and objects of the fund, and recommended them with much earnestness and ability. I Mr. Buckstone stated that the fund was in a state of increasing prosperity. The invested capital amounted to 53004. It was still in its infancy, but there were already five annuitants in the receipt of 301. a year each, and during the last year 237, had been given to the widow of a deceased member. A list of subscriptions was announced, amounting in all to about 400,, her Majesty being a donor of 1007. The royal commission of inquiry into the aaministration and management of The British Museum has agreed on a report of their proceedings. The commissioners appear to be unanimous in condemning the present system and management, and in recommending an important modification in the duties and objects of the trustees rather than reduce the number. The evils of a board of 48 trustees unpaid, irregular, and individually responsible, were too clearly made out in the evidence to leave a doubt, and it is gratifying to learn that individual responsibility has been a leading principle with the commission. So far the commissioners are unanimous, and also in recommending an executive council under the control of the Home Secretary of State, but they do not appear to be all of one mind as to the details of appointment. Some advise a chairman and two members of council appointed by the Crown, and two other members to be named by the board of trustees; others recommend a chairman named by the Crown and four members in council to represent the trustees; and a third recommendation was discussed for a chairman and two members in council to be all appointed by the Crown. In regard to the catalogue the recommendation of the commissioners leans to a manuscript alphabetical catalogue with a printed index. Mr. Baron Lefroy, in opening the commission at Galway, congratulated the grand jury on the marked Decrease of Crime, not only in that county but in the whole of the circuit through which he had travelled. The offence of cattle and sheep-stealing had in Galway diminished from 500 or 600 cases last year to 12 at the present assizes. Another topic of congratulation was the improved condition of the people, and the state of the land as regarded the progress of tillage. The learned judge also passed a high eulogium upon the very evident instances of the growth of industrious habits amongst the peasantry of the west. The Monthly Returns of Trade and Navigation continue to be satisfactory, and prove that employment is steadily increasing. The return for the month ending February 5 is the first month of entire free trade in the carriage and import of foreign commodities. The comparison in the table is with the corresponding months of 1848 and 1849. The table shows a great increase in the materials of industry, though there has been a decrease on several important items. The diminished import of coffee is ascribed to short crops and increased adultera tion. There has also been a considerable falling-off ir the importation of timber, in all its shapes, owing chiefly to the diminished amount of railways in the course of construction. The corn returns show an increase against the corresponding month of 1848, but a very great decrease, in the proportion of three to one, in the comparison with 1849. This is sufficiently accounted for by the notorious fact, that now for several months the prices have been higher comparatively in foreign markets than in our own. In the importation of various foreign manufactures there has been a considerable increase; but it is proper to observe that these articles are subject to duties. The total declared value of all the articles enumerated in the table for the three months compared in the return is, for the month endingFebruary 5, 1848 1849 1850 . £3,373,713 3,211,146 4,069,431 PERSONAL NARRATIVE. THE Queen and Prince Albert left town for Windsor on the 25th, and have maintained a comparative privacy during Passion week; the Duchess of Kent being the only guest at the evening circle. Her Majesty has taken daily exercise on foot, or in the open carriage. The Royal Charities customary at Easter were distri buted at the Buckingham Palace gate, on Monday and Tuesday, the 25th and 26th, and at Whitehall Chapel on Maundy Thursday; upwards of a thousand persons receiving gifts, varying from a crown to thirteen shillings each. The Queen and Prince Albert have made a further Donation of 100%. towards the fund for completing the Model Baths and Wash-houses in Goulston Square. The Queen has resolved to purchase for the Prince of Wales, by "a donation in one sum, the perpetual right of immediate Admission for a Patient into some of the leading charitable institutions of London." By her command, Colonel Phipps applied to the Royal Orthopaedic Institution for a statement of the sum for which the desired privilege might be purchased in that establishment; the committee fixed 250 guineas, and her Majesty acceded to the terms. Prince Albert has presented to the Boys of Eton College a copy of the large work of Gruner, " On the Arts in the Medieval Ages." On the fly-leaf preceding the title page is the autograph inscription, "Presented to the boys of Eton College, with a hope that this book may not be considered merely as an ornament to their library, but as a work freely to be used by them for recreation and the acquirement of taste.-Albert, Windsor Castle, Feb. 6, 1850." Lord Gough and Lady Gough have arrived by the Indus, from Bombay. The inhabitants of Southampton gave Lord Gough a Public Reception. Sir George Hewett and a large deputation of officers, clergymen, and leading townsmen, presented a congratulatory address on his return home. Lord Gough made a warm reply; alluding to his fifty-six years of service, and acknowledging the double gratification of receiving the address through one of his oldest friends and most esteemed comrades, Sir George Hewett. Major Edwardes has also arrived by the Indus. He has, at his own request, acted as principal Aide-de camp to Lord Gough throughout the journey from the Punjaub. Major Edwardes was publicly welcomed to his native county of Shropshire on the 2nd, by the municipality and inhabitants of Shrewsbury. The mayor and corporation went in procession to the railway-station, accompanied by thousands of townsmen, to receive him; escorted him on foot to the town-hall, and presented him with an address, testifying their admiration and pride at his brilliant career. A Magnificent Banquet was given to Viscount Gough by the East India Company, on the 16th, at the London Tavern. Lord John Russell and Sir Robert Peel were among the very large number of eminent guests, and were speakers. A Government Reward of 20,000l., or 10,000. for furthering the discovery of Sir John Franklin, is notified in the Gazette of the 8th, in these terms: of Admiralty, shall discover and effectually relieve the crews of of Admiralty, shall, by virtue of his or their efforts, first succeed Obituary of Notable Persons. at his house at Riccarton, about four miles from Edinburgh, on MAJOR-GENERAL THE HON. SIR HERCULES ROWLEY Guards, died on the 22nd inst., at Walsall, in Staffordshire, in GENERAL CHARLES CRAVEN, formerly of the 5th Dragoon the 81st year of his age. DOM PEDRO ALFONSO, heir-apparent to the Brazilian throne, died on the 9th January, after a few hours' illness. the 2nd Cavalry Brigade at Sobraon, died on the 23rd. He COLONEL CAMPBELL, C.B., of the 9th Lancers, who commanded entered the army in 1806, and saw a great deal of service in India. VICE-ADMIRAL HON. DONALD HUGH MACKAY, recently in the command of the squadron at Cork, died suddenly on the 26th, at his residence, in the Albany, Piccadilly. He was a distinguished officer, and had been in the service nearly 60 years. LIEUT.-GENERAL SIR JOHN MACDONALD, G.C.B., AdjutantGeneral of the Forces, died on the 28th, after a very short illness, at his house in Bruton-street. COLONIES AND DEPENDENCIES. THE mutiny of another Sepoy regiment (a Bengal regiment of native Infantry), in consequence of an alleged deprivation of extra batta, has excited some discussion in India. Such incidents undoubtedly raise painful questions. It is manifest that either they impeach the trustworthiness of men responsible for the Indian commissariat, or that they display a wide-spread tendency to disaffection among the Sepoy regiments. But in either, or both cases, Sir Charles Napier is the man to deal with them; and he has already shown with what uncompromising and unsparing energy he is prepared to do so. There is no other news of any moment, during the month past, either from India or any of the colonies. But a recent Bombay steamer brought us, if not news, some very prominent makers of news, in bringing over the two principal heroes of the late warlike scenes, Lord Gough and Major Edwardes. To the major the newspapers incontinently gave a wife and two children, which the gallant bachelor repudiated with a zeal so vehement as to flutter not a little the hopeful hearts of the maiden population. The Overland Mail has brought news from Bombay to the 16th, and Calcutta to the 8th of February; and from Hong-Kong to the 30th of January. The event of importance is a mutiny of a Bengal regiment of Native Infantry, at Umritza, on the 2nd of February. The men had for some time shown symptoms of insubordination on account of the Scinde batta, which they said pressed hard on them, considering the high price of food and their distance from their homes. Major Troup addressed them on the 1st, in explanation of the order; and was doing so again on the 2nd, when the men openly refused to obey orders. Some precau tions, however, had been taken: the men had piled arms; a company of cavalry made its appearance at one of the gates of the fort; the mutineers ran to their piled arms, but the officers and the armed cavalry anticipated and prevented them; and after some rough struggling they were mastered, and turned out of the fort. Reinforcements arriving, the mutinous regiments were arrested en masse, and placed for custody on the glacis of the fort, under the muzzles of the guns loaded with grape shot. From Calcutta an expedition has started for Darjeeling, against the Rajah of Sikkim, to call him to |