gte Probintes.

The Farmers Club met in considerable force at Harleston, on Monday last, for the purpose of hearing a deputation from the Total Repeal Malt- tax Association, to explain the objects of the society. The deputation, which has commenced a sort of proselytizing tour through the provinces, consisted of Mr. Smith and Mr. Selmes, both Sussex farmers, Mr. Latti- more, the Free-trade farmer, and Mr. Northhouse, of London. Mr. Smith gave a brief history of the proceedings of the Association against the Malt-

tax, and insisted upon the necessity of rendering home-brewed beer ac- cessible to the poor. He illustrated the wholesomeness of the beverage. tax, and insisted upon the necessity of rendering home-brewed beer ac- cessible to the poor. He illustrated the wholesomeness of the beverage.

He knew a farm in the marshes, on which last year four meu were employed. Three out of the four drank water: they were all attacked with what is called "the marsh fever," and were taken home. The three who drank water died; but the one who preferred home-brewed beer survived. Since the committee was formed in London, gentlemen from all parts communicated with them; and a gentleman stated, at one of their meetings, that he had known men refuse beer, stating that the beer from public-houses was so bad that they could not do with it; what they wanted was home-brewed. He regarded it as a good and lamed sign when poor men asked for-home-brewed beer; and if those in authority did not read a lesson in time, they would regret the day they rejected it. There was another thing: if the poor were kept in health by wholesome liquor, there would be a considerable saving in the poor-rate.

Mr. Lattimore followed; and energetically combated the arguments for retaining the tax. After listening to addresses from Mr. Selmes and Mr. Northhouse, the meeting agreed to a motion for forming a branch associa- tion at Harleston to cooperate with the parent society. The day's pro- ceedings terminated with a dinner.

Another meeting was held at Cricklade, in Wiltshire, on Tuesday; aid all present were unanimous in the resolve to continue the agitation until the object should be attained.

The announcement has now been " officially " made, that Earl Fitz- herding° withdraws his support not only from the Honourable Grantley Berkeley, but from his two other brothers, the Honourable Henry Berkeley and the Honourable Captain Berkeley, the Members respectively for Bris- tol and Gloucester.

The Gloucester Journal mentions three reasons for the ejection of Mr. Grantley Berkeley from West Gloucestershire. First, that he took the unpopular side on the Sugar question; secondly, that he abstained from voting on the Corn question ; thirdly, that on the Game question he has stood by "his order."

In the Morning Chronicle of Tuesday, the Member for West Gloucester- shire again addresses his constituents, in reply to the statement put forward by the leaders of the Liberal interest as an answer to Mr. Grantley Berke- ley's first letter. Those gentlemen said—" We feel bound to state, that the resolution come to by the meeting was principally caused by the knowledge of Mr. Grantley Berkeley having in the year 1845, in the strongest leas- gunge, announced his determination immediately to resign his seat in Par- liament, unless some private arrangement between himself and Earl Fitz- hardinge were effected." To this Mr. Grantley Berkeley replies. We copy his typography—

"Now, to this assertion which these gentlemen say they feel bound to make, I distinctly reply collectively, severally, and separasely, to each of then!, and de- clare that not one soul among them told me that which they now 'state' in writing, or tendered it to me at the meeting on the 6th October, as their principal cause for arriving at that resolution.' "I declare, and I will maintain my declaration in each and every possible way that man may defend the truth, that the 'principal' reason which these gentle- men tendered to me verbally (I have seen it also in writing) was, 'that if they did not support Lord Fitzhardinge against me, he had announced his deter- mination of not any longer paying for the registration. If they preferred to continue their support to me, he would not oppose me, but he would pay no more money.' The man or gentlemen, beihey_many_ or few, who deny that such was the information afforded to me, turns his back upon the fact, and is guilty of evasion."

He then calls on the electors to declare the " nominee " who is to sup- plant hint, and who, he says, "shall have at my hands the fairest ,pesside .field, but, wader the circumstances, not the shadow of an approach to favour "—

" lf, when confessed to the county, he is chosen in preference to me, and found to be more worthy of public confidence, I will be the first to shake him by the hand; but until that event be proved, I spurn at all attempted assassination of my public life, linked together as its happiest and proudest days have been with my country on either side the Severn."

Dr. Bowring paid his annual visit to his constituents of Bolton on Wed- nesday, to give an account of his conduct during the Parliamentruy session. The Temperance Hall was crowded in every part. An attempt had been made to excite a prejudice against the Member for his perseverance in voting against the Ten-hours Bill; but it failed. He frankly avowed ad- herence to his old opinions on that point; and his declaration was very well received. After glancing at the principal discussions in which he had taken a part, Dr. Bowring touched upon the future, and inter alio upon, the total disruption of parties- " I am bound to inquire, and shall still inquire, from what Ministry most can be obtained for the people. I hope that Lord John Russell will outbid Sir Robert Peel in his efforts for the wellbeing of the community. I hope he will -uproot abuses more courageously—that he will introduce reforms more rapidly and more perseveringly—that he will give more ample effect to those Liberal prin- ciples which he professes, than we could expect from a Government which called itself Conservative. But if he fail, I am not the servant of the Government; and if Sir Robert Peel can outbid Lord John Russell, Sir Robert Peel shall have my support." (Cheers.) The meeting unanimously passed two resolutions,—one thanking Dr. Bowring for his general Parliamentary conduct; the other, advocating the Ten-hours Bill.

An official inquiry has been made by order of the Poor-law Commission- ers into the management of the Rishridge Union Workhouse. The inves tigation was conducted by the Assistant Poor-law Commissioner, Sir John Witham. It arose out of the circumstances elioited at the inquest-on John Webb, the old pauper who died lately in the Workhouse; and it was mainly brought about by the exertions of a Mr. Jackson, who acted for the friends of the deceased.

Mr. Jardine, the Clerk to the Guardians, stated, that Mr. and Mrs. Arrtup, who were the Master and Mistress of the Workhouse when Webb was in the Infirmary, had resigned on the 28th of August last, and that the appointments were now filled by Mr. and Mrs. Hann. The Visiter's book contained no entry of any cons- plaint as to the manner in which the sick paupers were managed. Mr. &stoat, Surgeon to the Union, was examined; but he deposed to no new fact. The Reverend W. Hicks, Chaplain to the Union, stated, that the poor were in the habit of communicating with him freely; and they knew that any complaint they made would be laid before the Guardians by him, and followed up. He had never heard any complaint from Webb as to the conduct of Slater, the nurse; whose conduct had always seemed to be steady, sober, and exemplary. He sometimes visited the house twice a day, and must have seen any impropriety had it existed. He could take upon himself to state that cases of harshness and instances of gross language, positively deposed to by witnesses on the inquest, could not, and did not, take place. 3fr. J. Purkiss, one of the Guardians, deposed, that he was on the Visiting Committee, and had always taken an active part in the management of the house. No complaints had been made to him dunng the last three years by the poor in the Infirmary; although he had often asked the inmates to make them when necessary. The Assistant Commissioner, Guardians, and other parties, then pro- ceeded to the Infirmary, where they examined such of the iumates as were unable to come into the board-room. Of these old people three were quite incapable of giving anything like evidence; and the only one who could do so, an aged man named Abraham Bigmore, refused to be sworn; declaring, however, that he would speak the truth. Bigmore had been in the house eight years, and in the Infirmary three years: Slater acted as nurse during the period he had been in the Infirmary. He remem- bered Webb; he was a relation of his: he was feeble both of mind and body. Slater's conduct was kind both to Webb and the rest of them; but never heard hint swear—he only damned them a little; he slapped Webb a time or two in the face. Witness was not present when old Webb was lugged up stairs by the cord; but beard speak of it as soon as it was done. Some witnesses were then called by Mr. Jackson. Mrs. Bigmore, a female pauper, spoke to Sister's bad conduct to Webb; and to his calling the sick men "damned old rascals." Other witnesses, who had observed what passed from the neighbourhood, gave evidence very like what had been taken at the inquest. One witness saw Slater strike Webb with a bar, and say that he wanted "slow physic." The investigation here terminated. Sir John Walsham expressed an opinion that the Guardians ought to indict Slater, and he presumed that they would do so.

Among the places demanding a special visit from an Assistant Poor- law Commissioner, must now be reckoned Carnarvon. In this town, on Monday week, a Jury was impanelled to investigate the circumstances under which a pauper named William Edwards died. The evidence proved that the man had been bedridden for two months, in his own lodgings; that the parish apothecary had visited and prescribed for him; and that he had been neglected in several important particulars. The Jury found that he had "died by the visitation of God."

A meeting was held at Sheffield on Thursday, in the Cutlers' Hall, on the subject of the recent wilful destruction of machinery by explosions. The Mayor presided. The assembly was composed of employers and work- people, and both sides were heard. A resolution was moved by the Master Cutler—" That in consequence of the means hitherto adopted for the dis- covery and suppression of the late diabolical outrages having proved abor- tive, a deputation, consisting of the passed Master Cutler, with Mr. Alderman Dann and Mr. Appleby, be appointed to confer with her Majesty's Govern- ment on the subject." Mr. Blackhurst spoke in defence of the working men, and in support of trades-unions. He moved this amendment—" That the Master Cutler and principal manufacturers form a committee to inves- tigate the condition of the unemployed, with a view to award them their rights and privileges, as the easiest and most effectual mode of preventing further outrages in the town of Sheffield." After a long discussion, the amendment was affirmed, and a committee nominated to carry it into -operation.

A Government commission of inquiry is now taking evidence respecting the Hayelock Lodge Asylum, at the Legh Arms Hotel, Newton.—Chester Courant.

The turning of the first sod of the Weft Riding Union Railway—which is to form a congeries of lines for the accommodation of that district of Yorkshire—was performed with great éclat on Wednesday, at Halifax. At noon, a procession set out from the Northgate Hotel to the field where the railway was to be commenced. Arrived on the ground, the chairmen of the company made a speech; Mr. Charles Wood, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, dug up, with a very handsome spade, some earth from the field, and planed it in a barrow; Lord Morpeth wheeled the earth to a bank, and turned it out of the barrow. These operations were performed amid much applause, to which the division of labour added a good deal of laugh- ter. After more speaking, the company left the ground.

In the afternoon there was a dinner, to which 350 gentlemen sat down. Among the orators were Mr. Wood and Lord Morpeth: the latter infused into his brief oration his usual heartiness and good feeling, and was vocifer- ously applauded: he was obliged to go away early, as he had, he remarked, to eat, a second dinner that day at Manchester !

General Pasley inspected the Lynn and Ely and the Lynn and Dereham Railways last week, in order to their being opened. He expressed himself satisfied with the sufficiency of the works.

An accident, which might have been attended with frightful results, happened on Sunday on the London and North-western Railway, arising from the gross inattention of the officers at Birmingham. This account of the occurrence has been communicated to the Times by a passenger. A very long train left Liverpool soon after nine o'clock on Sunday morning. During its progress to Birmingham, the axle and wheel-work of a second-class carriage took fire from friction; at the different stations water was applied to the wheel; but the friction continued, and clouds of steam arose. From the delay caused by applying water, the train was late in its arrival at Birmingham. At that place the passengers represented to the officials the danger of allowing the carriage to proceed further: the axle, they said, might break from the excessive friction. These remonstrances were un- heeded; and a number of passengers were compelled to enter the damaged and wet carriage. The writer in the Times explains why the carriage was not changed, and the result of the negligence. "The inspector and porters, owing to the circumstance of a quantity of luggage being on the top of the second-class -carriage, were unwilling to have the trouble of changing it; and thus, as the sequel will show, just to save trouble, the lives of some hundreds of passengers were placed in the most awful jeopardy." The reluctant travellers being again -seated the immense train started, and about three miles out of Birmingham had acquired its fall speed: then the axle actually did break. The train was now .stopped by a policeman, who had been placed in the damaged carriage, probably by the railway authorities, to watch the event.

Another more common kind of negligence has received fatal illustration. Two men employed on a coal-railway, which enters the Taff Vale line, got under a locomotive which was at rest, near the junction with the main line, to shelter themselves from a storm: at that moment a train came along the trunk railway, and, the points having been wrongly turned, dashed into the branch, and came into contact with the engine: the machine was shivered to pieces, and the two men who were under it received injuries which proved fatal.

At the Hertford Quarter-Sessions, on Tuesday, Joseph Bachelor, a railway , carrier of considerable business, was tried for stealing tarpaulins from the - London and North-western Railway. He sold a number of 'tarpaulins to a marine- store-dealer at Hemel Hempstead; marks which had been on them were erased, but on the application of a chemical preparation they became visible, and con- demned the accused. He was found guilty, and sentenced to seven years' trans- portation.

Two labourers at Stretford, near Manchester, had a squabble, originating in their playfully pelting each other with potatoes which they were digging: one kicked his opponent, who had fallen down, inflicting an injury which proved fatal some days after. Sicking is one trait of the brutal modes of fighting that distin- guish Lancashire; and commonly the kick is planted so as to be most painful and fatal. A Coroner's Jury has returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against the survivor.

At Steeple Clayton, in Buckinghamshire, two brothers quarrelled in a public- house; and about two o'clock in the morning they went to the parish-pound, accompanied by a number of associates, to fight out their difference. Here one so maltreated his opponent that he died ten minutes after he had been taken home. It is said that deceased, when unable to stand, was held up in order that his brother might buffet him ! The fratricide and one of the seconds are in custody.

An officer of the Third Buffs had a narrow escape from the violence of a drunken soldier last week, at Liverpool. The men were paraded on the Change before embarking for Dublin: one soldier arrived late, and he was intoxicated; this drew a reprimand from an officer, whereupon the man aimed a blow at the officer with his musket: the gentleman stepped back and avoided it; the soldier then fixed his bayonet, and attempted to stab the officer; but he was seized, and taken with the regiment to Dublin, where he will be tried.

George Healey, a man living at Great Gonerby, in Lincolnshire' committed suicide the other day, by swallowing laudanum. A girl with whom he had been in company was missed. Her body has since been found in the river Witham; and from the evidence adduced at the inquest, there is little doubt that Healey had drowned her.

A lad of sixteen is in custody at Leeds on a charge of attempting to fire the flax-mill of Messrs. Ines and Atkinson, one of the largest in the town. The youth was apprenticed as a clerk to the firm.

A fire on farm-premises at Renington, near Boston, has destroyed grain, straw, and buildings, to the value of 1,2001. A man is in custody charged with wil- fully causing the disaster: strongly suspicious circumstances exist against him.