The Times, 1846-12-31, p.8

# THE TIMES, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1846. ## Column 1 *IRELAND.* *(From our own Correspondent.)* DUBLIN, Dec. 30. DESTITUTION OF CORK. The Cork *Examiner* of last night is filled with details of the progress of distress in Skibbereen, Bantry, Inver, and other districts of that extensive county. Writing from the former locality, the special reporter of that journal states:— "After an absence of nearly a week from Skibbereen, I passed through that town this morning again, and in that interval I visited many of the scenes of mortality I had before so repeatedly identified; I was assured that the mortality, if any thing, has rather increased during these six or seven days, and that the fevers were even more frequent than during my return. One of those positions told me positively that in one day during the week he had counted no less than 11 funerals, most of them interminably attended, and often accompanied by a single mourner. On leaving Skibbereen the coach was called round by no less than six or all scenes —all of whom appeared in the most extreme destitution, and who appeared to pay particular attention to a genteel man who was about leaving Skibbereen for Cork. On making inquiry as to what these beggars most needed, I was told by the driver that they had applied to the Board of Guardians for outdoor relief, and that he was met down-pointly by the Board, even though it was stated their children were starved. By chance I happened to travel with him to Thursday last, and when I arrived in this city I sought careful information regarding the effects of the present mortality and the operations of the Relief and other Committees. He appeared fully acquainted with the destitution that he former beheld ; attempted to be useful in the serious practical aid, and many of the people should be entreated. He stated to us it was a melancholy truth that the commissioners were of the lowest, and alluded to one particularly, which, even in these days of public misery, was really revolting. He was riding up the road, and encountered a poor creature — apparently weak — a young woman with difficulty on the road. She could not get forward on the road, and the miserable object threw herself down on a piteous entreaty; with faltering steps and tremulous voice she informed the guardian that she had walked up from some place from Banl, and consequent exhaustion she fell in the street. She looked him in the face, and asked him to take her to the ward. Not shortly after mounted from one place where she rested her exhausted frame on a bundle of straw:— 'she called her home, the visitor informed the charitable persons who came forward and ministered in her aid, they directed their attention to a heap of dirty straw that lay in the corner, covered over with a torn piece of canvas, and to their astonishment and horror, discovered beneath the covering, or else trailing the mangled corpse of two great children, a large — small infant was also discovered therein. There they remained perhaps for a score, or it would have been for hours before any person noticed, several wiles of past mortality, so much these ladies attended and cared for.' The deaths in Skibbereen are not to be conceived. The accumulation of public mortality seems to be a melancholy revival of the present Government, although the last report exhibits rather a different tale of the amount of death, Mr. Barry, in particular, has attracted a previous sympathy in the courses of which this correspondent fully and clearly states, are the principal if not the only parties of real relief to the parish. It is rightness alone, for the three weeks previous the current period, amounted to not less than nine, ten, and on one occasion to more than 13 in one day; from one of the fall. The number of crosses outside the Skibbereen church was, in all instances, noticed by the previous reporter to this Column." The following further extracts, from Castlehaven, march the same details:— "The barony of Ross contains a population ranging from 70,000 to 80,000 persons, and there are fourteen electoral divisions. The union of Skibbereen from the compact of those items. The union of Bantry from the compact claims to be a greater cause of misery. The barony of Ross, which is the rising trade, constitute the only exceptions to the tremendous mass of misery. The population of the barony is, in some parts, exceeding dense, and in every one, in some or all small country quarters, about 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 of the poor are dependent on public employment for subsistence. There is, then, no excellent population in Clare — in some or all parts it is really dense, but still there are 2,000 or 3,000 others who depend on some exertion for hire else to do. From such a calculation — and the vicinity a little, at several part it is a little too low — from such a calculation, it may then be found that the transactions of that place are inclined to two — three weeks only's supply. In consequence of a considerable number of the day lines of the month of the works in this barony as in Kerry, five weeks' supply only remained on the 9th of November last, that day four weeks' supply only remained. It is true that some fall for a few days during the month for the works, but as far as these were fully noted, but in some place entirely calculated and arranged before the intervention, and continued for some days into December. "In particular, the town of Castlehaven, lying at the head of Clonakilty, in the parish of Kilnacrane, the Father of the parish communicated such serious condition most extensively to us. Upon that situation a farmer appeared perfectly reduced, and he was consulted on a return apparently about the 3rd of October. He visited all the nearest of the townsmen: this was one by admitted assistants from the treasurer of deaths or persons occurring in this barony on account of want and cold. He alleged that the most absolute misery and starving people were at present doing in a way of a sudden mortality. "I examined a number of these cases since, and many more circumstances a few weeks since, after he, too, had reduced and decreased. In nine cases out of ten, he assured us, it was directly death. "I have examined the particulars of other men equally instructed, and I have every reason to believe that he stated truly in all his alleged casualties, and that he speaks as fearlessly as boldly as businesss? What utility is there in troublesome cases. I have, therefore, thought it no more than a duty to communicate that there are not less than 1,200 or 1,500 persons who are recorded in my note-book, or retained in my own diary." FAILURE OF AGRICULTURE. It appears the harvest of 1847 over the south and west may be expected to be considerably less abundant from the total neglect of agricultural enterprise which has grown so rapidly prevalent. With the foolishly of another year of far greater meanness than the present, through which the whole barony have has suffered to convert, the kingdom into one fearful system of passive pauperism. Although this has not prevented us from making a survey, which was duly carried out in the county of Fermanagh, and the causes of the refusal to work therein (the local correspondent reports of roads and levelling of bills). The circumstances which were once favourable to tillage and industry of land, a resolution to the following effect was ultimately obtained: "That great and fearful results appeared to be under the present Board of Resoluted. That we, the Relief Committee of [district?], have every reason to fear, if not earnestly warranted in part of the public, to this alarming fact, that the land alone from this time forward, though the extensive and natural recovery of the wasted district as it results from the close of this year, though an abundant supply of farm labourers will be found to exhibit and work, but the most probable certainty would plainly be expressed, and that a farmer could not supply labourers with a creditable class of work. Every individual who is really a landlord for his own purpose, and for the public responsibility, should, for the best interest, and for the public good, make his land prepared as much as possible, to the general public crop." DISTRESS IN THE COUNTY OF ARMAGH. *The Armagh Examiner* says:— "Notwithstanding the benevolent efforts being made, we regret to hear that distress is fast becoming more general in many parts of this county. The work-house of this union will have many visitors, if their daily accounts are to prove satisfied, and while we do not deny what is good they have contributed, but sincerely adjure the gentry to decide their contributions to the Committee, in order to prevent the growing danger of those collections being contributed in any collection on behalf of the poor." *From the Londonderry Journal:*—With feelings of the deepest concern we record, that destitution has extended more or less over all parts of the county. Deceased was of the lowest family of the union, reduced to the last stage. It was the burial of many in those melancholy parts of the county. Deceased was of the name of [name?], and had been buried in the usual form. On the very next morning it was found in the body by Mr. George Brown, a coroner, that in addition to the extreme exhaustion of long continued famine, that he had some time previous to his burial evidently died, and the fact that for eight previous to his burial he had absolutely taken no food, and that in the case of the parish doctor's evidence it was clearly established to be true, that he died having a drink of water with most spirits in the very event of a last resort of his constitution. STOCK AND SHARE MARKETS.—This Day. CONSOLS, YESTERDAY'S PRICE. 3 per Cent. Consols, afternoon.—[price?], shut. 26½ as shut. Money . . . . [price?] 3½ per Cent. Stock. 98½ ½ ## Column 2 *MISCELLANEOUS.* Fine Water Establishment, Pharmaceutical, and Oriental Medicinal Repository, 28, Holborn, 32, pall, 11. Dublin and Belfast *Jane* Street. [Various short advertisements follow including:] Irish South Insomers, 11 ½ [Several items listing financial details and stocks] Royal Canal half-shares, 1⅛ [etc.] *TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.* THE SLAVE-TRADE. Sir,—I am desirous of offering a few observations in addition to my letter that appeared in The Times of the 9th inst. I stated therein the fact of the rapid and progressive increase of slaves imported into Brazil, and in connection with drawing to the system now in force on the coast of Africa the text of this terrible and destructive traffic. It was suggested to me whether we had no right to have improved the Niger Bill with a philanthropic better effort to some actual abolition of slavery, and when I had observed that their treasury would increase that detestable trade. I felt compelled to call attention to the matter as it is. In the question, I also urged the condition of our West India Islands as a reason why the Ministerial "administration" should not be carried to their legitimate conclusions, and the attempt to suppress a traffic so iniquitous and when if last summer was within reach. West India interests have been generally dealt with, and though I believe that the name of suppression did not forbid the admission of slave-grown produce into the west, have been connected with this traffic, and that another country will now vigorously start her resources against it, or her duty as a civilised power. What must be the result to their interests if the superior produce, coming not only with our full sanction but proceeding from high authority, the amount from which it has been progressively fixed for three years, and to which it was not now sprung up again if the system were withdrawn before every estimate was concluded. Mr. Bandfield's position in the Foreign-office afforded him many opportunities of becoming personally acquainted with the existence of means of slave-trade spread into any last intelligence from the West-Indian side, and the statistics published must check the fact of rapid and progressive illustration. From the published returns it appears that the increase is marked and gradual, and it became more striking every year:— "But ever since the treaty of 1825 came into operation the fluctuation of slaves imported has been marked and gradual, and has become more striking every year. "By a particular and detailed account from Her Majesty's Commissioner at Rio de Janeiro, he informs his Government that although in Cuba now sugar plantations are pretty laid out, yet the means of maintaining considerable slave labour are likely to be much than more eager to expected than would supply the whole Brazilian sugar produce on a most extensive scale, with most abundant supply at presently so forcinating." "In 1826 the number of slaves imported had been only 20,000." "In 1834 the number imported was 25,003, and in 1840 the number had further diminished to 24,070." "So that the number imported in 1826 compared with 1839 was only one-half the number imported in 1836, and only three-fourths of the number imported since 1840, and in 1845 more than quartered." "The whole amount of slaves imported into Brazil in 1845 again increased to 40,000." "Only 24,584 slaves were imported into Brazil during the 13 years before abolition continued, constituting an undoubted growth of one-third since the preceding year, and in 1845 this number exceeded the preceding year by about one-fourth part of those imported in 1836, and not one-sixth part were imported in 1830." "The diminution in the importation of slaves does not, I may add, diminish the miseries of the traffic. Slaves sold in Porto Rico a newly imported negro used to sell for at most 210 dollars; within three months, after our treaty, the price rapidly rose to 270 dollars, and has since gone up to 350 old dollars. In Brazil a newly imported negro now sells at a price between 180 and 190 dollars in sterling." The rapid diminution of this fearful traffic in the face of these figures would show us the facts with some conviction; with I think, sufficiently best my my assertion that the duty of Government to continue to press the great prohibition of price can suffice to re-establish it, so long as our efforts to put down those provisions are properly confirmed. That Mr. Bandfield's excellent work was published in 1842, but the passage I quoted is a summary of his valuable tables, and, in addition to a highly increased English assertion on the facts of the trade, is one strong and convincing proof, that the trade must and will be put down, so certain is it as now cordially re-operating in the west. It would, therefore, appear to me, with the most grave and dependent courtesy, entitled if he please to debate on the claims of this new empire in the Government to justify the commendation so ardently to be desired ; but the great moral question is not merely a question of interest among the civilised world. Every act of force or violence committed by us against a nation's struggle — or every other colour merely required for self-defence, is piracy; and while a civilised man may be treated as such, while, at the head of a civilised state, he cannot extend his right to the use of unlawful compulsion, so that however great his motive may have been, it is a maxim of power to be a nation pervites, and the forcible dominion of man as property is entirely contrary to the laws of nature, as these are to put a matter of trade, though it may happen that virtue is virtue. I have argued that nearly all nations have engaged in abolition, though no one or other occasional right they have; but the insensible conduct of recent and positive resistance, though opposed by general consent, can never be weakened. It is altogether impossible to take a matter of liberty or power: and it has been often stated that the people of every party, nothing bound to refrain from interference; but more especially and more urgently required in all respect for them to observe. But while we are to consider, we stand in a position in again to insist, and the time seems to have arrived for putting down, with all our ability and power, this enormous and disgraceful traffic. In almost every case in which during the last 57 years an immense slave cargo has been by common consent discovered or sold, there well is the lamentable case of the master of a slaver, openly and notoriously disregarding the flag of England, while with the cargo still on board he said at once: "It will be remembered that this statement, after being sworn to, cannot now be corrected." The idea that a simple merchant should be regarded as a lawful trader? He is a forced exclusively for fast selling the trade on reasonable pretence of fair dealing — for instance, in the New Observer, a slave vessel was showed in 12 months (as the last Joxell, more than one-half of its cargo being slaves), and he was wholly indebted to the captain for his public allowance of such trade; such as of the facts in nation, and were wholly deserving of every punishment of law, and every other good character a slave. It would be wanting time to urge the danger to civilised government which arises from permitting this — but from the foregoing facts and arguments I consider that the most constituted rights should be required to justify their existence. I have no doubt that any person that has participated in the traffic will be effectually put down ; but this is essentially necessary for present general peace. Dec. 29. A CONSTANT-READER. *Influx of Irish Paupers into Liverpool.*—We perceive by the *Liverpool Mail* that the state of things that had begun in your city this winter. This influx is now being received on a most alarming scale. As it results from the observation of the city establishment, the people are announcing them to emigrate to England in droves. [The] parishes in which the Scotch people and their families are now most largely resident, we consider relief is at this time overwhelming and threatening, and the number and need of the beggars with paupers, who have been brought over our country since November, at the increased rate of 17,000, compared with more of them emigrating from Ireland, or in the event, if on the 15,000 fresh persons are imported more at the present time in the counties for the relief in this town, and that at this rate the population of the parish and union of Liverpool will soon rise from 5- to 6-. But though the number in the Union alone would be 20,000, and although in a city with a smaller rate than 4-, at this point, if in all continued to grow — at the end of which process we are informed from Glasgow (where, from the rapid addition to the number in the year 1842 and 1847, the city was to be the first to be overwhelmed with the Kind of increase as to be sufficient that every person equally at in a short time.—*Liverpool Times.* ## Column 3 *LAW REPORT.* ADMIRALTY COURT.—Yesterday, Dec. 30. The Court sat for a short time, it being Admiralty-day, but nothing came before it, the motion business of anticipation was directed to Monday. Sir John Dodson presided. CONSISTORY COURT, Westminster, Dec. 30. This was an office Case Mr. Swabey appeared for the Plaintiff, and Mr. Forsyth for the Defendant. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, Basinghall-street, Dec. 30. *(Before Mr. Commissioner Fane[?])* THE GILLIBRAND CASE CONTINUED. The examination of Mr. Cockle, who is a clerk of the insolvent, who is an absconer to the defection of his employer, was continued. Mr. Cockle, in behalf of some creditors, said, that although he had stated that the bankrupt's establishment was the most beneficial to his estate that the bankrupt's property consisted principally of articles on the subject of which he had proposed. The case was then adjourned, and an assignee appointed. In the previous case, it appeared that certain of the railway powers and telegraph were proprietors of a fabulated amount of a similar to those of him, and were in the habit of week at the bankruptcy exchange; and the money of which at the bankruptcy. In Case, Mr. Barry, upon various grounds. Mr. Green for Mr. Barry; Mr. Barry, the bankrupt had given his creditors no good bill of credit, and that he had not at his own expense. He had represented that he had gone to Mr. Green to give his own property, and get the benefit of the actual cash in the large sum of money from the estate. Watson and Francis Robinson were concerned both in the matter of the sale, but that there should have been implied in carrying on the paper. Mr. [?] expressed the opinion that there was no sufficient ground for the conclusion, that he should grant the bankrupt their certificates. POLICE. GUILDHALL.—Yesterday morning Boddington and Archie Havins were made out on the bar on occasion of having been taken up, by Inspector Frazier, having been described as the parties known in the neighbourhood. The defendant, Havins, who is a hatter-man, was stated as a woman in the manner in which a woman's garment was carried at a station, and lacked exactly the character he had assumed. The defendant Boddington alleged that having carried two bales of hay into the market was not exactly the matter, but he was obliged to sustain the impression on this case, which was given up to him. Alderman Johnson inquired if the policeman had described the various articles of their apparel. The Magistrate directed both the parties to be looked at their position. Havins was carrying on business in a large new warehouse in Colebrooke Row, and Boddington was the owner of several horses which were carried to a house where Boddington resided was present to speak for her. Boddington said the people who had told him that when the prisoner had lodged in her house a fantastic, and she had given her orders to put on a garment of the new house, to show that she had not furthered she was not required to give a reference. The girl who did not allude to it was found in the vicinity. She was the young man active in his purpose having been carrying her own goods in several ways, when Havins had himself endeavoured to get her to work. Mr. Alderman Johnson asked Miss Boddington how she came to identify Havins. Havins said she brought goods from a certain place and lived in the country. She had a sister residing at Fulham, who owed her money at the time. The Magistrate told him he must be particularly guarded in joining in this adventure, and she must be very careful and guarded, and he told Boddington that he was chargeable for a very considerable good behaviour for a year. Boddington, who was afterwards discharged on consideration of the case, was pointed out by the inspector as having a charge of felonously stealing her prized undisclosed articles from the house of her brother and Mrs. M. Green, the brother and Mrs. M. Green, the sister-in-law of Mr. Leake, one of the Common Plunderers, having in that capacity a large charge of the goods. The Articles, it was alleged, had been taken with intent to be pawned. Mr. Green, Frederick and Deborah Coleman, Frederick Hill, were the victims. Mr. Green, in reply to a question by the Magistrate, said Mrs. Fernin Hill, was four and twenty times about what amounts to a mere fraction. He stated, in addition to Mr. Green, that the commissary were freely taken from his house, but that the defendant's whole conduct in the case was that the goods of Mr. Green had been sent up in two replicates in his bedroom, completely stripped of the utensils, and that she was the bearer of the goods. He compelled her to produce the receipt in evidence. Mr. Green, opened his cupboards, and carried all of the contents as far as he possibly could; had the doors of his own house entirely cleared; he satisfied the jury of the moral of the property. Mr. Leake applied for a summons in the capacity of the chairman of the committee, who considered that it was a felonious taking, to enter a woman's private room in such a state of the evidence before him. Miss Hill attended at the Bar with her counsel. She was met with his legal counsel, and not merely in the nature of the defendant. Her attorney attended and announced that she had pleaded her guilty to the matter of the summons; and had purchased the free joint use of the parlour. The Magistrate intimated to Boddington, who was present; and he stated, that Mr. Coleman continued her in admission, and then became an accountant. Mr. Green on Monday stated that he had made a demand of seven shillings. The plaintiff, Boddington, said he had to send her two employées in his bedroom, completely ripped out of all the utensils, and so had stripped the cupboard of all that was there. He had spoken to the landlord; and she retained Mr. Green's cupboards, and carried off all the contents, together with all the money still in his own cupboards of furniture. Mr. Leake applied for the removal of the property. Mr. Leake applied for a summons to be taken to the witnesses of the evidence. Mr. Green said that it was a felonious taking to enter a house's property in this condition. He then alleged that she did it with bad legal propriety, and not merely in inferior form. The prosecutor alleged that there was an extensive demand to deal and receive, and so completely a huckster, and has been bought purchased for the joint use of the parlour. Mr. Nelson, who attended as counsel of the prisoner, admitted the charge, and in his reply was spoken to with regard to the defendant. But the case of the prisoner, it was stated, shewed a clear and notable compensation to Miss Boddington. The defendant, Mr. Coleman, produced a retailer's books; full the Counter-statement with a minute particulars of the several accounts, amounting together, as Mr. Green stated, to meet in terms of various items of the sum of Moore's Vow. Had producing to do so, though he had been able to recover a small fresh income from the property, from Mrs. Boddington to a moderate sum of her income. He had employed a solicitor in correspond with his new employée, and he gave the usual terms and means of assistance from them. He added that it was unfortunate, when he had lost any money of his own, Mr. Clarkson had produced the proceeds of his estate. Mr. Cockle said that it was also unfortunate that he was introduced to Mr. Terry in advice with various charges which were there and here, and he heard they had produced large demands of [illegible] who was involved in railway transactions. The plaintiff was also a partner in the goods at 4 per cent., and gave the money to Provvy in direction of Henry Coleman's. Mr. Alderman Johnson estimated that his colloguous persons' business included before being issued to them, and contested the necessity they had carried off, or had converted many of the articles for. Several witnesses were produced. Mr. Alderman Johnson estimated that his colloguous person's business had been entirely connected with the goods, and that it believed they had a right to take care that it was properly carried on. It was proposed by the various witnesses, (though it is said to say,) not to be permitted to make some unworthy charges, and the Magistrate acknowledged that if Mr. Green's matters must be settled, it was advisable. Mr. Green threatened to make Mr. Clarkson pay for what it had been settled. Mr. Coleman requested that the affair had been put to Mr. Moore Coleman. Mr. Green said, and Mr. Moore conceded it him, you have taken out an amount of money with them. New Street.—Yesterday a man named William Malony was charged before Mr. Hardwick with vagrancy and felony. He was charged with suffering a poor family to inhabit a stifling room, which was actually rendered by him a settled house. The charge was preferred by Mr. Bishop and declared that Mr. Malony was one of them, and was wholly satisfied in his opinion, and the evidence would establish the character of the whole of the cause. Mr. Hardwick said he had heard that the wretched old clothing had been lying, without furniture or shelter, which he had been made on a previous time and a miserable failure. He ordered him a full remonstration. A witness deposed that the prisoner had absented himself to remove his objection from the cause at length, and received no remonstration from the parish till they could discover it. The witness generally observed, that it was too the wish of the parish; although the witness objected to do so, they did not think the question of a modest situation should be better known. The prisoner appealed to some consideration in the misery; was perfectly acquainted with all the suffering of the poor, and referred to the classes of the act. It was stated to be a plain and direct violation by Mr. Bishop, and Mr. Wilson, a resident of the parish; and proved that there was not some better issue of making the defence of the person, as was actually alleged. He thought many who would come from a common position of appeal, as he had gone previously. He thought they were in a better condition in acquainting themselves of some knowledge of the case, as the poor man. After some further evidence the charge was made against the defendant upon evidence in the case. The magistrate stated that it would be held to the bench of this court, by "B.C.C." of accident of St. Boan at Bow-Street, by Mr. Alderman Jackson, and Mr. Coles for the party in the newspaper. MARYLEBONE STREET.—Mr. Thomas Talford Changbill was brought up on a charge of assaulting his wife before Mr. Charles Hardwick. The prisoner said he was a watchmaker occupying ## Column 4 [Continuing proceedings — partially legible] settlement of No. 22, Warwick-square, Goldensquare, where he defended also before the Monday (in Monday's) as having struck and assaulted his wife, and indeed, when the defendant came out of his premises early in the morning of Monday, [he] took her out and, after striking Mrs. Changbill in such a manner, had also, at the instigation of his assailant, threatened he would take away the life of her and her children if he should not consent to leave him; that she was most reluctant that she should take her husband away; that she and her children were torn from the conflict. The complaint was directed to the magistrate by Mrs. Campbell that he had been treated in such a condition on several occasions. The defendant had been in confinement. He had behaved himself in a most unseemly manner when he had been at liberty; he had confessed himself with as much indignity and cruelty as possible of that pressed character. He had also stated that he had been in the habit of repeated that police actions. He had appeared to satisfy some terms of warrant. He immediately carried his wife to the bar, with the intention to summon, in a manner of an entire hostility of the evidence. His wife answered the same question as before — that these were very heavy assaults — that the domestic position of the policeman offered his view of the case, and stated their opinion of the defendant's character. The defendant stood before them at length. Mr. Campbell told his wife the deposition was put, and offered what was alleged, to observe to the Magistrate what was charged as some complaint of some lingering offence, that witness was speaking as to the facts that appeared. The case before the magistrate had last appeared a short time ago. The defendant's principal complaint was then proceeded from the wife, who had, when spoken to, said that the defence of the property was, in the defendant's case, frequently stood before a looking-glass, and after regarding himself critically for a short time turned round his face full and then left the room. Mr. Campbell in defence denied the assault. He was in the habit of producing this resolution to the witness, where confronting a circumstance he was assaulted. He referred to a wife who by his own suggestion was committed. "Revenge against feelings," continued Mr. Campbell. He was taken in custody to the station, and when taken, it was proved by the evidence of the magistrate, and another person attempted to prevent him, and to stretch and force the prisoner, which induced the constable and police to bring it on, which forced him on the road. The landlady, Mrs. McCool, said the defendant was a neighbour of hers, and when to the prisoner's wife's house in the evening and saw the prisoner, and that the prisoner struck him a violent blow on the side of his head with the head of a stick, and with difficulty saved himself from sustaining himself on the ground. Witness expelled him with a stiff fist about an hour and a half later in the morning. He was next found at the back of the parlour and said to have said to the witness there he would go, but that the instant he dropped to the ground, Witness expelled himself from the office of the back garden. He was seen by the witnesses to the front of the public house, and the constable stepped aside and fell, but the latter, who fell to the ground, Witness expelled himself out to the ground, which Witness had never noticed and stated to have sustained one or two blows. The prosecution pressed for a remand on the assault £ 20, for the usual penalty to be held for the highest amount of penalty he could obtain — after the discussion of the two matters, for the assault penalty, it was found 20, and a second penalty of £5. for the assault required to be committed by the party. The Magistrate directed that the commitment of the offence would be at the expiration of the first. And several penalties were assessed upon the defendant at [illegible] for the usual full assault upon him; and each of the other constituents waited to see their obligation in the concern. LAMBETH.—Yesterday John Robert Lee Middleton, a plumber, who had been charged with feloniously stealing £5 that morning, was placed at the bar before Mr. Ellicott, on two charges of assault in common conversation, and was [illegible]. Mr. Inman, who attended on behalf of the prisoner, admitted the defendant's general culpability, and said he had made admission of it. He added that Mr. [illegible] of the former had made a fair and suitable compensation to Mr. Middleton, and was willing to consent to remove the two charges of appeal and action of the sort which are obtained in the courts to see their circumstances by the law. GRAVESEND, Dec. 30. SHIPPING.—In port—[illegible] Sarah [illegible]—[illegible] Sarah, [illegible], [illegible]; [illegible] *Wind, S.* ## Column 5 *LAW NOTICE.—(This Dep.)* [Various legal notices and announcements — partially legible] SHERIFF'S COURT [illegible] [Multiple short legal and financial notices follow] NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. WOOLWICH, Dec. 30. Her Majesty's Royal party arrived this morning at the Royal Dockyard, Woolwich. An examination took place this morning opposite the Woolwich Dockyard. She is to be fitted up as a survey vessel for immediate service. There appears to be a large number of boats in the ordinary course of survey that had been found to have taken place during her examination — she is a good ship, but has been somewhat reduced and worn away by the weather. She is the Royal Alfred, 120 guns. A large vessel arrived off the dockyard last afternoon; the greater part of her planking timber had over the forecastle and gangway in many places. The frame in several parts of the ship appears to have undergone many distresses, and fixing the side-beams for re-opening the beams; the beams near the very middle of the fore part of the ship appear to be in most disorder; it was reported that the entire frame would then be in an advanced state to show the new vessel up. It was therefore repaired at the Builder's office, at the Steam Engine, building under the new ship. The vessel was therefore directed to be replaced for service immediately. As she has been ordered to anchor and return to harbour and must come to the dockyard, she will have been loaded for repair for two or three years. The station steam vessel, building at the slip next to the steam-boats had still a small portion of the frame above the water-line; being laid against the dock; the Niger steam vessel, recently launched from the dock-yard, was in a good state and continued under repair and service as a new propeller to test their comparative quality. The *Lord Dunscombe* arrived safe from sea, and was returned satisfactory for a considerable time; and the floating ships were examined and received their command. [SHIP NAMES in table format:] *Fri. Fri. Dec. 31.* [Table of ships and movements follows — partially legible] ## Column 6 # THE ABUSES OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. The following letter appeared in print only of our yesterday's impression, having been dispatched too late to meet with the President's notice:— Sir,—I suppose that your readers will have sufficiently recovered from the sensation produced by a recent letter of Mr. Eastlake to have reflected that 1842, that criticism of the National Gallery since at which common sense dictates to all, and which Mr. Eastlake's evidence before the Select Committee, that in the purchases made for the National Gallery since 1841, had been truly published as sound criticism. But there are matters of common recklessness, which not even Franklin's example can justify. — Purchases of pictures on a very large scale, at prices from 4,000l. to 5,000l.; purchase of an unnecessary price for an unnecessary article, to show who doubt of the common propriety, should be puzzled a propriety will be surprised to learn that the expenditure of, upon the accumulated advice of Mr. Eastlake, has been deeply possessed with this unhappy example to acquire the same picture of art for it is not difficult to imagine how a picture dealer would have been offered to private persons. It will be observed that a somewhat serious deficiency of the cause of expenditure on three of the top pictures; the common expenditure would have been sufficient; the office of buyer would have been shown many of them to be the entire purchase of all the works of art collected since the year of the best age of art. Titian's great historical picture — Raphael's great Madonna — Titian's Adam and Eve — Raphael's Chariot [?] and the Holbein Raphael — I elsewhere discovered them to have, and also— If we must, indeed, submit to inferior quality works in these collections, what charge can the state be allowed the reasonable consulting of paying as dearly as other countries, to such art-embroilment of the public galleries? There is a report, so credible as of them finding its way into the public Gallery still more distinctly than before, that there is a very interesting figure in the large Gallery, and still both trouble and confusion, that is, the constant discovery of present Mespotable, though significant, were to designate a picture of only 130 guineas from the saleroom. The most authentic art publication in Holland, and that prodigious specimen of the impression of the times, is the statement that the price of the picture sold in 1842, but I now know that it might have been sold at that time for 500 at any sale in the National Gallery; and I have also heard that the price paid within the last century for a superior specimen of the works was really to reflect that to choose "a specimen of art" was to cause greater injury to art, and that the true critic in reply to the question, and so "worthy of being well displayed," but out in the pictures being quite clear. At the sale of Mr. Parton's collection in 1844, a very beautiful and highly esteemed picture — there was a sale, for "the Judgement of Paris," by Rubens, sold with "Lot 254, 4." and a very beautiful specimen of the school of the best master, "Susanna and the Elders," by some other pupils, of the Dutch period, showing the consuming taunts of its treatment, have been added in evidence of the purchase — the "Descent by a machine" of embarrassed dilemma, unworn from the Dutch side, and still more defaced without an order. The picture, purchased and kept for display by him must be shewn to be so from the impressions which are constantly coming, as he thinks it true: during a year his eloquence prevailed, and his patriotism convinced the gallery authorities to ascribe to his price: for 1,200 guineas he bid it at the end of 1843, but I venture to say, that it is that picture that you might have produced as Titian's "Tarquin and Lucretia," for which they are said to have paid 3,000l., or nearly a half of the whole sum of mediocrities which would reject a pretentious "masterpiece" of the school, and to whom the choice of its expensive honours the subject was first exhibited. The pictures I have seen in his authority, his disgust at a vision of such pretensory and artistic indignation, I cannot deny to be just to the merit of the eminent old picture. He was within him, and he paralyzed his godful painter. The last collection to which I must call attention is "Tilney"—the first purchase since the "Idol on Holborn,"—I admit that its real price would have been rather more than 400l. In the discussion which took place over the last purchase in 1845, in the letter of the day, the majority of your readers will doubtless recollect the claim of the old English schools in the Italian and Belgian art—a series of critical openings by the advice of eminent writers and collectors—and of the several galleries of private collections, enjoying the blessings of that ingenious devotion which the art of painting only exhibits. We were informed of the names of the "eminent artists" who had given in evidence their opinion of the pictures, and we were told the picture was "exceedingly Italian?" and "originally valued at 11,100l." but that we had obtained a great bargain in purchasing it for [illegible] per cent. on the purchase money. The charge for those distinguished connoisseurs, for the services secured through Mr. Eastlake's inexperience, was, I believe, 50 guineas; it is added that those very gentlemen had each on a former instance of pre-eminence which he displayed in the article of his former purchase, the price of that picture, and the picture "resembling" Holbein is "immediately" and "undoubtedly" proven. The third and last purchase which I intend to notice had led many of your readers to conclude that the value of "R.F.B." in the purchase, no doubt, is also very considerable for the English school of the same time of the century, and that on every view of the transaction the object of the purchase is not more striking to the public than to serve. The former critics of this subject must allow the essentially innovations of the strange which regulate them from the galleries; and they still purchase among the reading impression that a noble [illegible] may find — and that they are still purchasing objects at that distance from original reputation which are hawked about in any other country besides their own for a hundred parts of the expense, and so far is it dispelled. It is, nevertheless, currently reported among the common collectors of the common market in Holland; that the threatened repatriation was only a most remarkable issue of the several pictures formerly and lately purchased; but among all the works, in Holland, so imported, and sold to the English in our gallery, are very beautiful indeed, for their common publicity and ingenious trickery displayed in the offer to the public, and very convincing way, that it would be difficult to award the truth. I write these remarks, necessary for me to report to the public that it is one of the most regular duties of the collectors from Europe: that those who appropriate curiosities can have been purchased—that among those who are connected with official waste and official maladministration, it is when our diplomatic service suggests to make away with many more than one, a purchased number. The voluntary was without an opinion. The collection of these figures, or the purchase money, presents a complete indifference which, after neglecting to procure so common a public and well-priced work, was left to the continent! If, on the other hand, it was clearly admitted, the collection was purchased; and those who desire of the National Gallery of the present would remain not only with the miserable proportion of a depreciation? But how few we have been made to pay for it; how even at the very time of purchase many of those most expository memoirs may have been had for a much lower rate price, have a hundred more pictures of the old public money on the last sale, and squander the original price of the British public? I allude to what was in the charge of the ordinary capacity of Mr. Eastlake, whose only guides in a common, easy manner are to be found — German handbooks, German travails of every description, German critics of German pictures, and all threads of experience. I have said with some participation of this argument, to recommend that it is quite clear in the case of the evidence, that a collector was in having ourselves a sense of how it is; whereas he always acts otherwise, in the common administration and purchase of a low-class picture at a [continued...] --- ## Peripheral items 1. **Stock and Share Markets note** — Brief end-of-column notice of Consols and other stock prices for the day, bottom of Column 1. 2. **Fine Water Establishment advertisement** — Small notice for pharmaceutical repository at 28, Holborn, top of Column 2. 3. **Dublin and Belfast Jane Street notice** — Brief transport/financial listing, Column 2. 4. **Irish South Insomers / Royal Canal half-shares** — Brief financial listings, Column 2. 5. **Admiralty Court notice** — Brief court sitting notice, Mr. Dods[on] presiding, Column 3. 6. **Consistory Court notice** — Brief court sitting notice, Mr. Swabey and Mr. Forsyth appearing, Column 3. 7. **Influx of Irish Paupers into Liverpool** — Short item quoting the *Liverpool Mail* on Irish pauper immigration, bottom of Column 2. 8. **Naval Intelligence: Woolwich** — Report on ship examination and dockyard activity, Column 5. 9. **Shipping notice, Gravesend** — Brief shipping arrivals/wind notice, Column 4. 10. **Law Notices (This Day)** — Column of short legal and sheriff's court notices, Column 5. 11. **"For the Remainder of the News, &c., see the Supplement to The Times of This Day"** — Printed notice at foot of final column.