_Miscellaneous.

The usual skeleton Parliament assembled on Thursday, in order to the form of a further prorogation. A. little before three o'clock, the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Buccleuch, and Lord Wharncliffe, took their seats as Lords Commissioners ; Mr. Ley and other clerks of the House of Commons, representing that body, were summoned ; and the Lord Chancellor declared Parliament further prorogued to Tuesday the 13th December.

It is now rumoured that Parliament will meet, "for the despatch of business," about the third week in January.

The Archduke Frederick of Austria and snite returned to Mivart's Hotel on Wednesday, after an extensive tour in Scotland, and one more hasty through Wales and the Midland Counties.

A correspondent writes us as follows—" The Marquis of London- derry, when following the fox-hounds on Monday last, fell from his horse at Two-mile Houses, near Stockton-on-Tees, and broke his right arm. His Lordship was immediately conveyed to Wynyard Park, where he received surgical assistance."—Globe.

The public will be sorry to hear that Captain Basil Hall, R.N., whose literary and professional eminence are so widely known, is in a condi- tion of mind and body the most painful to contemplate. Captain Hall is at present at the Naval Hospital at Haslar.—Standard, Nov. 11.

Sir John Cross, Judge of the Court of Review, died at his house in Whitehall Place, on Saturday, of disease in the heart ; having sat in his Court on the same day. Sir John Cross was born. in 1768. He was successively student of Trinity College, Cambridge, and of Lincoln's Inn, and was long a member of the Northern circuit. He was created a Sergeant-at-law in 1819, appointed King's Sergeant in 1827, succeeded Lord Abinger as Attorney-General for the Counties Palatine of Lan- caster and Durham, and was in 1832 appointed one of the Judges of the Court of Review. He was reputed a scholar and a sound lawyer, and was highly esteemed not only in his profession, but also among a wide circle of friends.

Mr. William Hone, the well-known author of the Every-day Book and other popular works, died on Sunday last, at his house in Grove Place, Tottenham, after a long illness and much suffering, which he bore with the most exemplary patience. In early life he was celebrated as one of the first satirical writers of the day ; his Political House that Jack Built went through upwards of fifty editions; and it is said, that by illustrating this and similar works the fame of George Cruikshank was first established. By putting one of his satires into the form of the Liturgy of the Church of England he was prosecuted for blasphemy; and his trial before Lord Ellenborough, which lasted three days, and in which he successfully defended himself iu person with the greatest abi- lity, may be considered one of the causes celerres of this country. When Dr. Stodart established the paper, now extinct, called the New Times, Mr. Hone published an admirable burlesque of it, in the form of a newspaper, called the Slap at Slop; by which he gave a nickname to and effectually demolished that very frothy and pompous person. Haviee abandoned his career as a satirist, he appeared in later years as the editor of the Every-day Book, the Year-Book, and the Table-Book, three works all on the same principle of giving antiquarian informa- tion in a popular form, and all exhibiting the indefatigable perseverance and research of Mr. Hone. The Every-day Book, in which the in- formation given is connected with the days in the year, may be con- sidered as a standard library-boOk. Towards the close of his life, he became one of the conductors of the Patriot newspaper ; and in this situation he continued till increasing infirmity, occasioned not so much by years as by the unremitting labours of his life, caused him to retire from every active pursuit.--Timer.

There is no foundation for the report that Mr. David Pollock is to be appointed one of the Commissioners of the Insolvent Debtors Court, in the room of the late Mr. Commissioner Bowen. In fact, a very general opinion prevails in Westminster Hall, that it is not intended to fill up the vacant office. It is also considered doubtful whether the Judgeship of the Court of Review, vacant by the death of Sir John Cross, will be filled up.—Standard.

A correspondent of the Morning Chronicle, who signs himself " A Retired Judge," animadverts on the recent appointment of twelve

Bankruptcy Commissioners under the new law ; which he analyzes

thus-

4. Four of the gross number of banisters are of fair qualification. Six of the number (being one-half of the Commission) are universally pronounced to be

bad appointments.' The remaining two gentlemen are described • as neither good nor bad.' Mr. Balguy is generally admitted to be a tolerable lawyer, and a sensible man. Although almost unknown in the London Courts, he was a secondary leader of the Midland Circuit, and a Chairman or Deputy-Chairman ofhis County Sessions. No member of the profession would speak unkindly or disparagingly of Mr. Sergeant Goulburn ; who, to his merit, after holding Commissions in the Navy and the Army, laboured his way into some respecta- ble circuit business. But in the Common Pleas he was rarely seen with a brief; and if he was not the brother of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, no one would have dreamed of his appointment to a Bankruptcy local Judgeship, although he was an old 1831 Commissioner. He will, however, do his duty honourably to the best of his ability. Mr. Sergeant Ludlow's call to the same situation stupifies his circuit ; and in the Common Pleas he abandons no practice. Mr Walker Skirrow is reserved for special mention hereafter. Mr. Sergeant H. J. Stephen is a man of considerable legal attainments, and was a member of the Common Law Commission : his appointment is justifiable. Mr. Ellison had been before 1831 a London Bank- rupt Commissioner, but he enjoyed little (if any) business at the bar. Mr. Martin John West may be heard of as Recorder of Lynn ; but he was destitute of professional business in town or country. No one in Westminster Hall can discover the dos to his preferment ; but the following trief extract from Barke's Brilsh Peerage, article 'late Lord Orford's issue,' may throw some light on this appointment Maria, married 9th August, 1817, to Martin John West, Esq.' Mr. Daniel, though the author of an excellent book on Chancery, had little or no practice; but he is a man of professional accomplishments, and will probably become a Commissioner of sense, judgment, and industry. Mr. Jemmett, penniless in Chancery, is only known at the bar as a son-in-law of Sir Edward Sugden; and which relationship to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland is considered his chief qualification. Mr. Charles Phillips is universally believed to be the nominee of a noble patron, an ex-Chancellor; he is a curious extract from the Reform Club, of which Opposition Association he is said to be a member. Mr. Phillips was exclusively a criminal lawyer : his practice was confined to the Old Bailey, the London Police-offices, and the Crown Courts of the Oxford Circuit ; and he rarely, if ever, appeared in Nisi Prins business. As a Public Prosecutor or a Stipendiary Police Magistrate in London or the provinces, with a salary of 1,200/. or 1,5001. a year, he might probably be a useful and not overpaid public officer : but no one appointment has so surprised his brethren, who are at a loss to discern any possible qualifi- cation be can have for a Bankruptcy Commissioner. The Tory expectants of Mr. Phillips's Judgeship of course furiously assail this appointment. Mr. Mon- tague Baker Bere is an equal surprise to the London bar : his contemporaries of the Western Circuit, who know his interest,' explain his promotion. Mr. Stevenson, a conveyancer, little known in Lincoln's Inn by his luck, is a com- plete puzzle to all. His collateral connexions will, however, explain his good fortune: Mr. Stevenson married a Miss Fanny Orme : Mrs. Stevenson's bro- ther, a Mr. — Orme, married Miss Goldsmith, daughter of Lewis Gold- smith, Esq., of Paris : Mrs. Orme is an elder sister of Lady Lyndhurst! Now to the remaining Judge, gazetted as Walker Skirrow, Esq., one of her Ma- jesty's counsel learned in the law.' Mr. Skirrow had either retired from bu- siness, or business had long retired from him. He is now a rabid Tory, and had aided to' write in' the present Ministry. We find Mr. Walker Skirrow

lately print ' as a political and party pamphleteer." The new Lunacy Commissioners are subjected to a similar process-

" What was the general indignation of the profession, when it became known that Lord Lyndhurst had selected two of his own secretaries as the new Lu- natic Commissioners,—viz. Mr. E. Winslow, the Secretary of Bankrupts, and Mr. F. Barlow, the Secretary of Presentations ? These gentlemen, though called to the bar in 1826 and 1825, never had a bag of briefs between them. In the 'turn of parties' they had certainly held various offices under Lord Lyndhurst ; and his Lordship doubtless owed them a heavy debt for their poli- tical and personal services. Mr. Winslow's appointment to the Commissioner- ship of Lunacy may be justified, as he was many years experienced in the old list, and was entitled to compensation. But why was he alone selected from the old list, so eulogized by Lord Lyndhurst? What could justify any two twin secretaries being placed in the same Commission ? and what possible ex- perience or knowledge bad Mr. F. Barlow, the ' Secretary of Presentations' for the office of Judge and Master in Lunacy? Of the law of Bankruptcy Mr. F. Barlow might have gleaned some ears of knowledge, because, up to 1830, he was Lord Lyndhurst's Secretary of Bankrupts; but of Lunacy what can he know ? Was it the difference between the Lunacy salaries of 2,000% per annum and 1,200!. a year retiring pension, (with no abatement for Income-tax,) which Mr. Barlow preferred, to residence in the country as a Bankruptcy Commissioner with only 1,800/. per annum and the lesser retiring pension of 1,000/. subject to Income-tax? Why was Mr. Martin John West (an old Lunacy Commissioner) metamorphosed into a Bankrupt Commis- sioner, instead of being pitchforked into the new Lunacy appointment? A solution of this problem is possible. By the provisions of the Lunacy Act, the old Lunatic Commissioners are entitled to compensations to the amount of not less than three-fourths' of their former fees and emoluments; but any bar- rister receiving an appointment under that act is excluded from compensation. By the appointment of Mr. M. J. West to a Commissionership of Bankruptcy, therefore, instead of to the Lunacy Commission, Mr. West will receive com- pensation in addition to his Bankruptcy salary of 1,800/. per annum ; whereas, if Mr. Barlow had been appointed to the Bankruptcy Commiasion and Mr. West to the Lunacy, Mr. Barlow would have netted 1,800L a year only." The Times replies to "A Retired Judge"; combating his representa- tions respecting Lord Lyndhurst's appointments. The Retired Judge had claimed some allowance for Lord Brougham and Lord Cotten- ham, as for all Lord Chancellors, in their appointments, on the score of " party pressure "; an allowance which the Times thinks not needed by Lord Cottenham, and little by Lord Brougham. Three of the late appointments appear to be imputed to that motive-

" However, if it was party pressure,' it was in two instances out of the three the pressure of an opposite party. Mr. Skirrow, indeed, is said by the

letterwriter to owe his appointment chiefly to a nobleman in the North, appa-

rently Lord Wharncliffe. Let it be supposed, for the argument's sake, that this was party pressure. But the next, Mr. C. Phillips, is described as owing his to Lord Brougham. From what party does that pressure come ? And the third, Mr. Martin West, is generally considered to have been recommended by no less a person than Lord Cottenham—another pressure from one certainly very competent to judge of professional adequacy, but not very auxiliary to the present Administration."

The Times expects that Mr. Stevenson will prove highly competent to his office : besides, he is not to do single duty, but to act as coadjutor with so able a judge as Mr. Stephen at Bristol ; and "it will hardly be maintained, even by Whig purists, that Lord Lyndhurst was not en- titled to bestow one place out of twelve upon an able, though not yet publicly eminent, friend of his own."

"The letterwriter's profound ignorance of the Chancery bar and its opinions

induces him to suppose that Mr. Jemmett's chief qualification is his relation- ship to Sir E. filogden. That, no doubt, is in itself a recommendation, and it strong one; but if the writer could get access to any good society among equity • men, he would learn that there are few, if any, of the barristers attending the Court of Chancery whose qualifications are more favourably considered by his brethren than those of Mr. Jemmett : and a no less general approbation has accompanied the appointment of Mr. Ellison. • • • So totallT is he un- informed of the state of the profession, that he talks of Mr. Bete s appoint- ment as one which 'surprises' the bar ; when their only surprise is that Mr. Bere, who is all but a leader on the Western Circuit, filling pretty nearly the sort of station held there by the Felletts and Giffsrds of past days, should accept an office by which be sacrifices a career fairly promising to conduct him to the head of his profession, provided his health would abide its wear and tear. And then, in the last place, we have a succinct condemnation of Mr. Sergeant Ludlow, in this quaint and felicitous phrase, that his ' call to the same situation stupifies his circuit.' " Where the stupidity broods, we will not stop to inquire ; but this we know, that Mr. Sergeant Ludlow is one of the leaders of the Oxford Circuit, both in rank and in business ; that be is a good and a general lawyer, acute, ingenious, and accurate ; that he has had immense practice for a vast number of years upon country commissions of bankrupt, and that until the New Corporation Act he administered in the cha- racter of Town-Clerk almost the whole judicial business of the great city of Bristol."

" An Attorney," writing to the Times, complains that the new change in the Court of Chancery, effected by a recent Order in Council for abolishing the Six Clerks Office, augments, instead of diminishing, the fees exacted from suitors- .. It was with the most perfect astonishment that I read the schedule of fees annexed to this order : in every material instance the fees heretofore paid for business transacted in the late offices are retained ; and not only retained, but increased, in a double, triple, or even quadruple degree; and new fees are created, of a most novel, burdensome, and oppressive character as regards both the suitor and solicitor : in short, this measure, if it is to be acted on in the manner proposed, instead of being a benefit to the suitor and a saving of expense, as every one was led to expect it would he, will be most awfully the reverse ; in fact, the result will be that the expense of the proceedings in question will be quadrupled at the very least. That I may not appear to speak without proof, I will at once particularize a few of the more prominent items, and place the fees that were payable before the late act came into operation in contrast with those made payable by the ucw order—

Fees under Old Fees. the new Order.

s. d.

s. d.

For filing every bill 0 7 4 1 0 0 For filing every answer 0 3 4

0,

0 10

For filing every replication 0 7 8

0

0 10

For entering appearances—for every three defendants . 0 3 4 0 7 0 For setting down a cause 0 8 0 1 1 0

For every dedimua to take an answer

For every special dedimus 0

0

11 11

101 1 71

1

16 11 8 4

For copies of all documents by the Mas- ters in ordinary and Taxing-masters,

per folio 0 0 0

0 4 On the amount of every bill of costs as taxed, a percentage of

Nil. 4

0 0 "On the other band, there is not a single fee abolished that was payable under the old system, except the fee of 6s. 8d. to the Clerk in Court for every

term in which proceedings were had in suit, and the Clerk in Court's fees on taxing bills of costs : but in lien of these, a percentage of 4/. per cent on the amount of every • • y bill, and a nearly treble amount for the copies of each bill, are to be charged.' " The returns made by the abolished Clerks in Court of the fees of their offices ranged, as I am informed, in several instances, from 5,000/. to 7,0002, and even nearly to 8,0001. per annum ; to such an enormous extent do these gentlemen appear to have been fattening on the distresses of the poor suitor. Now, according to the recent act of Parliament, the rule of compensation to these gentlemen is to be not less than three-fourths, nor more than the whole (mark the excessive modesty of this limit !) of the sum which shall be deter- mined by the Lord Chancellor to be the net annual value of their fees and emoluments; and if' they choose to take office under the act, then it is ex- pressly provided that their compensation shall not b.: so reduced as to make the annual amount to be received for compensation and salary together less than the full net annual value of the fees and emoluments in rcapect of which compensation shall be awarded. Suppose, therefore, a Clerk in Court has made a return of 8,000/. a year, he will, under this act of Parliameut, be entitled to retire as a pensioner on the fee-fund to the amount of no less than 6,000L a year ; being actually 1,000/. a year more than the full salary of a Judge of her Majesty's superior courts, and more than the retiring allowance of a Lord High Chancellor. If his return was 7,000/. a year, he will claim compensation to the extent of 5,250/. a year, being again 250/. a year beyond the full salary of a Judge; and so in proportion for any smaller return. Surely nothing more monstrous than this was ever perpetrated : and yet the matter does not even rest there, for we have enumerated in the act Clerks of Enrolment, Hanaper Clerks, Riding Clerks, Sworn Clerks, Six Clerks, and Waiting Clerks, Agents to Clerks in Court, Record-keepers, Clerks of the Public Office, Masters' Copying Clerks, and clerks of every description, to an extent that would be quite ludicrous if the matter were not of so serious a character. Some of these arc persons whose names and offices are utterly unknown to the oldest members of the profession; and many of them persona not only not holding office under the Court, but who have been expressly declared by the Commissioners of Inquiry into the Fees and Emoluments of the Offices of Courts of Justice not to be officers or minis- ters of the Court : we have al these persons pressing forward with claims for compensation, each doubtless prepared to magnify his claim to the utmost ex- tent, and each determined to fleece the unfortunate suitor to the utmost of his ability."

The overland Indian mail arrived on Monday, with intelligence from Bombay to the 1st of October.

The movements of troops in India had been favourably carried on. Early in August, Sir Robert Sale marched out of Jellalabad, on the Cabul Road, and took possession of' Futteabad. He was joined on the 18th by the Third Dragoons, and some Sappers and Miners ; and there was soon found some employment in levelling the neighbouring forts, among which was Akhbar Khan's favourite residence of Tootung, near Futteabad. There is a report that General Sale was indisposed, witb inflammation of the kidneys. On the 20th, General Pollock, with the head-quarters of the army, moved out to General Sale's camp; and the- whole army marched to Gundamuk, which was occupied. An engage- ment took place on the 25th ; when two villages, Maroon Khail said Hookhi Khail, the former a place of some strengmh, were carried, with an imposing success ; and very trifling loss. The Afghans, who had appeared in some Lace, about 1,200 men, were everywhere dispersed.

At the latest date, September 6th, General Pollock remained at Gun- damuk Khail; but orders bad been issued for a speedy advance. In a postscript, the correspondent of the Morning Chronicle says,—" The enemy had approached in a body some 3,000 strong to within three miles of our camp, and were showing every symptom of disputing the passage of our troops." The Bombay Times gives the following as the latest news from Pol- lock's camp- •• Camp, Gundamuck, 4th Sept. 1842. " General Pollock has it in contemplation to attack Hazaruk ; where, it is

said, four thousand Afghans are posted : but perhaps he may alter his mind, and make the best of his way to Cabal. Futteh Jung arrived two days ago, with fourteen attendants : he was allowed to enter the camp with only a single attendant, but afterwards orders were sent to the officer commanding the outlying picket to admit the remaining thirteen. The Shabzada made his way to General Pollock's tent, and was well and gladly received • a salute, an- nouncing his arrival, was ordered forthwith. Last evening, he rode in to camp; and on his return to his tent, (which is situated immediately between the General's aid superior Staff-officers' tents,) he remained outside conversing with General Pollock, Captain 11I‘Gregor, &c. Several officers came up, and paid their respects by saluting him. He is a fine-looking man, about six feet in height, well-made, and has a pleasant countenance. In his flight from Cabul to our camp, he and his followers were shot at many times by parties of Afghans, friends of Ukbbar Khan ; but all escaped without injury. He re- turns with us to Cabal; and, it is thought, will greatly benefit us by bringing over the greater part of the enemy to our side : in fact it is generally believed that most of them have sent in their allegiance already."

Candahar was finally abandoned on the 10th August ; when General Nott marched for Cabal by way of Ghuznee. The work of dismantling and destroying stores had been carried on to the last. It is mentioned as a disastrous effect of the system of secrecy instituted by Lord Ellen- borough, that a magazine of cartridges was blown up an hour before the appointed time ; and people not being aware of the intention, some lives were lost. General Nott's force consisted of about 8,000 men of all arms ; among them two perfect and healthy European regiments, and two troops of Horse Artillery, besides 1,200 cavalry, and six Sepoy regiments : which are tried brigades. It was understood that be was to advance to a point on the road to Hera Ismael Khan, within thirty miles of Ghuznee, make a dash on that place, rescue the pri- soners, and then pursue his march through the newly determined on route of the Solane Pass, through the Soliman mountains. Intelligence is given as having been received through Jellalabad, that General Nott had fought an action of some importance with Afghan forces under Shuneshoodeen Khan, the Ghuznee chief, who had advanced to meet

him ; and the British completely defeated them, with the loss of all their baggage.

On the 10th also, General England, with the remainder of the Can- dabar army, marched out of that city for Quettah, with all the stores, baggage, and superfluous material. He met with some opposition in the Kojuk Pass, which only cost him a couple of men ; and the remainder of his march was unmolested. Advices from Quettah to the 5th Sep- tember announce his arrival there on the 26th August. From Quettah, all the troops were to be withdrawn into Scinde.

According to General England, Sutler Jung, a son of Shah Sujah, bad assumed the government in Candahar ; but it appears that he did not enjoy it uncontested.

From Cabal the reports respecting the state of affairs among the natives are of the most conflicting character. Here is one-

" There is an unhappy rumour from Cabul, that on Captain Troup's return from General Pollock's camp, he was sent for to Akhbar Khan's durbar, and fiercely questioned as to the meaning of the advance of the armies, and the destruction of the forts near Futteabad, including Tootung: that when he de- clared his ignorance of the cause of the movement further than as it had refer- ence to the rejection of Akhbar Khan's terms and proposals by General Pollock, that chief abused him and struck him ; declaring that General Pollock was play- ing him false, and advancing to attack him under the existing truce. Upon this a chief friendly to Troup fired at Akhbar Khan, and unluckily missed him ; then ensued a tumult, in which Captain Troup unfortunately fell. This is one account. Another slightly varies, inasmuch as Futteh Jung, Shah So- jah's son, is said to have fired at Mahomed Shah Khan, the Ghilzie chief, who Lad insulted Troup ; but both the accounts end in the death of poor Troup. Yet it wants confirmation, and is doubted by some."

This is contradicted in the same letter-

" There was no confirmation, I am happy to say, of poor Troup's death ; but it is stated positively that Futteh Jung, Shah Sujah's son, and the mock King of Cabal had been put to death, either by Akhbar Khau or by the chiefs hostile to aim."

Al. third report-

" Among the rumours was one that Akhbar Khan bad been seized by the Ruzzilbashes, who constitute a large portion of the inhabitants of Cabal, and who, in order to save the city from destruction, were in the interest of the British alliance, and for that reason also protected the British prisoners."

A fourth report was, that Akbar Khan had resolved to abandon Cabal, and to take the prisoners to the Hindu Kush. It is said that Captain Conelly had died of apoplexy, brought on by exposure to the sun during his journey to see Lady Macnaghten, who was at some distance from Cabal. But we have already seen how little trust can be put in these reports. The rest of the prisoners are said to be well.

The Post publishes a letter from its Bombay correspondent, which repeats one among the many rumours with an air of greater confidence-

" THE REMOVAL OF THE PRISONERS TO BAMEEAN IVY AIEHBAR KHAN.— This distressing piece of intelligence, of which there can be no doubt, will give an entirely new turn to the present expedition. Bameean is seventy miles N. W. of Cabal, near the Hindoo Koosh ; and we must for some time to come remain in a state of the most intense anxiety. This is the latest piece of in- telligence; and the letters and speculations transmitted by the present mail have reference to the state of things anterior to that unfortunate occurrence, which was expected by few or by none."

India itself was quiet, except some minor disorders in Bundelcund. There was an increasing rumour, that Shere Singh, whose rule in the Punjab was uneasy, was negotiating the surrender of his territory, in consideration of a fine pension.

There had been some smaller disasters of a serious kind ; especially the accidents to the Queen's Fiftieth and Sixty-second Regiments while proceeding up the Ganges. A boat was swamped near Cawnpore, and eighteen men of the Fiftieth were drowned. A wing of the Sixty- second, going in boats near Bhaghulpore, was overtaken by a storm at night, which forced the boats from their moorings, and thirty-eight

men, including Lieutenants Evatt, Scobell, and Cason, were lost—Mrs- Evatt also was killed. Cholera in its severest form had appeared in the Queen's Twenty-second Regiment, proceeding on board the Com- pany's steamer Zenobia to Kurraehee : during three days at sea, forty- seven men, seven women and children, perished ; and on its arrival there were thirty-six other almost hopeless cases. Sir C. Napier and staff, with other officers, were on board, but happily escaped.

The commercial reports are unfavourable: trade was dull, and the extreme depression of freights continued.

The latest date from China is July 28th. There bad been another victory over the Chinese, described in a circular addressed to the Bri- tish in China by Sir Henry Pottinger. After destroying the arsenals, foundry, and stores at Chapoo, the expedition sailed once more on the 23d of May, and remained off Rugged Island till the 13th of June : before they had been joined by the Plenipotentiary, with the bulk of the English reinforcements. Having neared the shore and surveyed the batteries, they moved into the Yang-tze-keang, at the point where

the river is joined by the Woosung. This portion of the coast, when last visited, was wholly undefended ; it now presented one continuous line of fortification. On the 16th of June, the fleet having come into position, opened their batteries ; and after a cannonade on both sides of a couple of hours, during which three of our men were killed, a body of seamen landed and cleared the batteries before the troops arrived. Two hundred and fifty-three guns were captured—most of them were of heavy calibre, and many eleven feet long. They were mostly mounted on pivot-carriages of good construction, fitted with bamboo "sights," and were well served by the gunners. The fleet then proceeded up the river, with two small iron steamers, to reconnoitre about fifty miles higher up. Three additional field-works were captured by them ; "bringing up the number of guns which since the 10th bad fallen into our hands, to the astonishing amount (says Sir Henry) of 364—of which seventy-six were brass, and chiefly large handsome guns : many of the brass guns have devices showing that they have been cast lately ; several of them have Chinese characters signifying ` the tamer and subduer of the bar- barians,' and one particularly large one is dignified by the title of ' the barbarian." The victory appears to have had a strong effect- " The Chinese high officers and troops, (proceeds Sir Henry,) are supposed to Lave fled in the direction of the cities of Suochow, Wang-chow-foo, and Nankin. The same high authorities have made another indirect attempt to retard active operations by an avowed wish to treat, and have also given a satisfactory proof of their anxiety to conciliate by the release of sixteen of her Majesty's subjects, (Europeans and natives of India,) who had been kidnapped; but, as the overtures were not grounded on the only basis on which they can be listened to, they were met by an intimation to that effect."

Another account says, that the Mandarins of Wang-chow-foo and Nankin had sent a flying express for a son or some other relation of Howqua, the old Hong merchant at Canton, in order to interpret between them and the British. A proclamation had been issued by the Emperor, breathing determined hostility to the Foreigners ; but it is observed that it is in a less boasting tone than previous edicts.

Russia is vaguely described as busy, not only in exciting the Chinese against the demands of Great Britain, but in assisting them with officer the United States and France have sent their ships of war to watch our proceedings with the Celestials, and, as it is openly declared, with the intention of demanding all the advantages that we may obtain by the expenditure of so much blood and money. The American, and French frigates have sailed from the Canton river to the Northern ports of China, which their ships were never before permitted to enter. The Canton Register shows that the Chinese do some execution, though not in the field- " Letters from the Northward inform us that the weather at Ningpo is ex- tremely pleasant, but that the Chinese had abandoned the city; so the report that the English had retired from and destroyed it is proved to be false. The Chinese authorities seize every native who has been connected with the Eng- lish on any account. But to our tale. A small boat was passing through the west water-gate of Ningpo, about the 20th of April, when she struck against the wall, and some of the sliding pannels were knocked in by the contact; when, lo! the sentry on the bridge saw an Englishman gagged, and tied hand and foot. The boatman immediately jumped overboard, but the guard seized and secured him. The poor victim in the boat turned out to be the servant of an English officer; and the Chinese boatman confessed that he was the eighth he had carried out in his boat.

Some extracts of letters give information which throws some, though not a very strong light, on the state of affairs: the first is from a letter dated Chapoo, May 23d- " The taking of Chapoo has very much shaken the Chinese. The first symptom of giving in has appeared. Elipoo, who formerly was Governor of Chekeang, it appears, has returned. He was disgraced last year, and was one among the many of the P. C. disgraced in the Emperor's bewilderment, now again sought for. This speaks volumes in proving a most weak and puerile state of government. Well, Elipoo actually sent into the General to know if he would receive him, as be wished to appear on the part of the people of this province ; our appearance here having threatened Hong-chow-fow. The reply was—No : the English authorities will receive no person but him sent by the Emperor with full powers to treat. This must have staggered Mr. Elipoo, the worthy who sent the broad- cloth back to Chusan, i. e. Captain Elliott's pre- sent. The Chinese are evidently in a great fright. The spring-tides are very strong in the Hong-Chow bight, and the instant they take off we quit for the great river Yang Taze, and in a fortnight we hope to be off the entrance of the Great Canal, leaving a part of the fleet to guard it. The rest push on for Nankin. I think the wished-for peace will be signed at the old capital. " The weather has been very mild, but the rain is so continued that a resi- dence in China never can be pleasant. The country is very highly cultivated, and where there is any high ground the scenery is very pleasing. Chapoo has been plundered—a fearful warning to Hong-Chow, which is only thirty miles distant.

The next extract is from a private letter, dated Macao, 26th July-

" The Hong merchants at Canton are generally well informed of the pro- gress of events here and in the North. One of them tells me, that he has a letter from a friend at Nankin, date corresponding with our 9th of July, stating that there had been a great deal of fighting about there, but that it bad ceased on our 20th June, when the English were close upon Nankin ; and from what is further said it appears that negotiations had commenced. I send you a newspaper of this date, from which it will be seen that the Emperor and the Imperial Commissioner appear to be less bold in their language ; the former studiously dwelling on the iniquities of ' Elliot,' carefully avoiding alluding to Pottinger. This may be cunningly done to have an excuse for conciliating- the latter, by yielding to terms which the Emperor may pretend could not

have been admissible if proposed by the old offender. A truce may perhaps be agreed to, but it is still my opinion that this year's campaign will not effect a final aettlemen of our disputes with China.

" To show how little good has been done, says the correspondent of the Morning Chronicle, "by the partial and most inefficient blockade on the coasts of China, it may be mentioned that the number of Chinese junks which have arrived at Singapore during the last season is greater than in any preceding year."

The Levant mail has brought letters from Constantinople of the 17th October. Prince Ghika is to be removed from the Hospodarat of Wal- lachia; and that, as well as Moldavia, it is thought, will be intrusted to Prince Sontzo.

More specific reasons begin to come out for the revolution in Servia-

" From what we learn from Servia," says the Morning Chronicle," it would appear that Prince Michael Milosch had allowed himself to be led away by the preachers of a Christian crusade against the Turks, and that he fomented the Christian resistance to Bulgaria. This crusade had been preached by France and patronised by Austria. The French having sent agents to Bul- garia, one of them, M. Blanqui, returned with the discovery that the Chris- tian population were ready and must immediately fling off the yoke ; and similar insurrections were promised in Syria and Mesopotamia. Austria smiled upon, rather than abetted, this scheme of a Catholic league; but Prince Michael, it seems, fell into it seriously."

One of the Sultan's ladies gave birth to a daughter on the evening of the 18th October ; an event, writes our correspondent, "now of weekly occurrence." The Sultan who will be twenty years of age next April, has now eight children—two Sultans and six Sultanas ; the eldest, a son, being two years old, and the youngest, a daughter, not a month.— Morning Post.

The late meeting at Berlin of State Committees has given little satisfaction in Prussia, as it is considered a mockery of popular repre- sentation. For example, the Assembly were to deliberate on the reduc- tion of taxes in consequence of a surplus revenue ; but they were not enabled to ascertain the existence of such alleged surplus, nor whether other modes of reduction than that proposed might not have been better. The Finance Minister is blamed for frowning down the Assem- bly; and the members of the Assembly are still more blamed for being frowned down, and for not demanding farther information. The Berlin correspondent of the Times comes to a most extraordinary conclusion, which seems to imply more than meets the eye-

" The ultimate effect of this state of things is to make the King more po- pular even than before ; for he certainly was right, before he delegated any of his extensive prerogative, in assuring himself that those with whom he shared it were able to deal with the task that they were to undertake. As, to judge from the opinions expressed by the public, the failure of this experiment with the Committees has had no influence on the popular wish for a proper national representation, the direction which will be given to the efforts to obtain it may be expected to tend towards the system of general elections ; which have proved both in France and in England so much better suited to promote both the interests of the Throne and of the nation than a representation of the kind here tried, which is inaccessible to the intelligent classes of the nation. No one doubted, apparently, that the necessity for a proper representative body will soon be recognized on all sides, and it is believed the King will be more induced to see its utility by this trial with the delegates of the Provincial Estates. Ile likes what is pungent, vivacious, and exhilarating; and the proceedings of these Committees having proved flat, stale, and unprofitable, can inspire him with no relish. So, at least, think his well-wishers."

A rescript had been issued at Berlin, freeing publications exceeding twenty sheets from the control of the censorship ; a regulation pre- vailing in the greater part of Germany. The Cologne Gazette announces, under the head of Leipsic, the 30th October, that the German Customs Union intended to resort to repri- sals against the trade of the United States. This measure, it appears, was strongly urged by Saxony, in consequence of a considerable num- ber of its products being excluded from the American market by the high duties imposed upon them by the new American tariff.

King Leopold opened the Belgian Chambers for the session of 1842-3 on Tuesday. His speech reports a favourable state of affairs, foreign and domestic. All differences with Holland seem to be finally dis- posed of-

" The direct negotiations opened during the year with the Cabinet of the Hague have been brought to a conclusion satisfactory for every interest; all She difficulties relative to the separation of both countries have been simul- taneously resolved : this treaty, a complement of the treaty of London, will be undoubtedly the first object of your deliberations. It is without interme- diate party, and inspired by a mutual sense of conciliation, that the two Powers are come to place themselves definitively in a normal situation : the first consequence of this accord has been the signature of a convention of in- ternal navigation." A treaty with Spain opens anew that ancient market for Belgian industry. Several measures are alluded to as forthcoming ; among them a reduction of export-duties, and an augmentation of import-duties,

for the sake of national industry and of the public treasury."

A private letter from Brussels, dated the 8th instant states, that on the preceding day General Vandersmissen, who was implicated in the late Belgian conspiracy, had escaped from prison, disguised in his wife's Clothes. The lady subsequently effected her escape also.

The delegates from the principal commercial and manufacturing towns of France, assembled in Paris, met on Saturday, at the house of a restaurateur in Rue Richelieu. The meeting, says the correspondent of the Times, " was, in fact, a second Chamber of Deputies, not merely because composed of Deputies of France, but from its objects, organiza- tion, and mode of proceeding." The Journal des Dibats reports the proceedings- " The Assembly first proceeded to elect M. Mimerel President, M. Barbet (Mayor of Rouen) Vice-President, and M. Randoing (President of the Chamber of Commerce of Abbeville) Secretary. The Chairman forthwith ex- plained the nature of the meeting, and called upon the representatives of the different manufacturers to deliver their opinions. After having listened with the most profound attention to the several speakers during many hours, the Meeting adopted the following resolution- "' Considering that the entire body of French manufacturers form but one great family, organized and developed under the same system of protection for national labour ; that having for its general basis agriculture combined with the culture of the grape, they are dependent one upon the other ; that the ruin of one would cause the most fatal disasters to the rest, inasmuch as they all together represent not only the class of producers, but likewise that of con- sumers; that the plan of an union of customs, or a treaty of commerce with Belgium, founded upon an ill-understood political interest, is of a nature to strike them to the heart : " Considering that the danger is imminent ; that the announced adjourn- ment of the Government measure is not a remedy, but that on the contrary it would be a permanent evil, which the manufacturing interests could not sup- port; and that consequently it is absolutely necessary to present without delay a defence in common, and to act upon the public mind by demonstrating and publishing facts :

" ' The Assembly determines-

" Article 1: There shall be formed by the officers of the Assembly above elected Committees chosen from the different branches of manufactures. Thom Committees shall be commissioned to search for and collect all the details and statistical returns connected with manufactures, which, by disclosing their real position, will demonstrate the consequence of the reduction of our customs- duties.

" Article 2. Those Committees, when united, will discuss and arrange the produce of their labours. They will present with the shortest possible delay a report calculated to enlighten the King's Government acid the two Chambers.' " The officers elected by the Assembly were then instructed to draw up a collective letter to the Cabinet Minister."

The Sentinelle de la Marine announces that the Minister of Marine had directed that the French navy be reduced to the following esta- blishment— " Eight ships of the line to remain armed ; viz. L'Ocean, Lea Gemappes, L'Alger, Le Marengo, La Ville de Marseilles, (on her passage to Rio Janoro,) L'Inflexible, in the Levant, and two others among those which are at Brest."

A report having been industriously circulated that the expenses of the expedition to Boulogne, under the direction of Prince Louis Napo- leon, had to the amount of 80,0001. been defrayed by the concocters of the Exchequer-bill fraud, we are enabled by documents submitted to us, unquestionably authentic, to give it the fullest contradiction. Every shilling expended in that expedition, as well as in the purchase of cer- tain journals in Paris, has been paid out of that Prince's own private funds. Whatever imputation, therefore, may rest upon his prudence, none whatever can attach upon his honour.—Standard.

The Paris Presse, the reputed organ of Queen Christina, professes to give intelligence from Madrid of extreme importance-

" They state that the Spanish Government had despatched a brig of war in all haste to Fernando Po, where, it appears, the English had landed a detach- ment of troops and taken possession. It cannot be forgotten that last year the Cabinet of London made the most urgent demands that the islands of Fernando Po and Annobon should be surrendered to Great Britain as an in- demnity for a sum of money claimed by that Government. " Not having succeeded by means of persuasion, it is not surprising that she should have recourse to violence and usurpation. It is her traditional policy. If this be the case, the brig of war despatched by the Spanish Government will be but a feeble instrument to repress so glaring an act of oppression. But Spain no doubt would demand assistance from other powers, and the latter will not suffer her to be plundered without interfering. " The same correspondence adds, that, thanks to Mr. Aston's indefatigable zeal, a double operation was on the point of being concluded. The first re- lates to the never-ending treaty of commerce by which cotton goods of British manufacture would be admitted into Spain. But as this treaty has been al- ready energetically resisted, the English Government, which is aware of the penury of the Spanish treasury, and which knows that from this wound the present Cabinet suffers most, has offered, as a compensation for this treaty, to guarantee a loan of 10,000,0001. British sterling. The import-duties to be collected by British agents, or under their inspection. One-half of the pro- duce of these duties to be applied to the payment of the interest of the loan, and to create a sinking-fund to pay off the principal ; the other half to be employed to indemnify the manufacturers of Catalonia for the losses they might sustain under the new system."

West Indian letters state, that the Tweed, one of the mail-steamers, had got on Turk's Island reef, where she hung on for some hours forward, when her fore-foot was cut completely off; and in forcing her off after being lightened, she backed on the Larne, a schooner belonging to the Company, and carried away much of her head-works and gear. Both were left very much shattered at Turk's Island on the 1st of October.

Mr. J. C. London, in a letter to the papers, calls attention to a highly commendable act on the part of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, that of naming the collection of trees and shrubs which were planted a few years ago in Kensington Gardens and St. James's Park--

" In addition to the scientific name the English name is given, the natural order to which the tree or shrub belongs, and the year of its introduction into Britain. Thus, in the case of the sugar maple, we have the words below painted in white on a black ground-

' Acer saccharinum L.

The sugar maple. An sceraceons tree.

A native of North America.

Introduced in 1735.'

" I need not enlarge on the entertainment and instruction that this en- lightened and liberal act on the part of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests will afford to the public frequenting these gardens, or even to those who, living remote from the Metropolis, can visit them occasionally. Suffice it to say, that it will create a new sense in thousands of persons, and enable them to derive a degree of enjoyment from trees and shrubs which they had no idea of lefore. It will enable the citizen or extensive proprietor, intending to plant, to make choice of those trees and shrubs which he thinks most orna- mental, or most likely to answer his purpose; and thus, by improving the appearance of individual estates, it will contribute to increase the beauty and variety of the woody scenery of the whole country." (This is a plan which should be carried out to the fullest extent in every exhibition belonging to the public. The label should state in a single line the chief use or value of the article labelled. In the fore- going instance it happens to be conveyed in the English name, but it is not always so.] Quarterly average of the weekly Iiibilties and assets of the Bank or England, from the 13th August 1842 to the 5th November 1842—

LIABILITIES. ASSETS.

Circulation £19,903,000 Securities £21,934,000 Deposits 9,072,000 Bullion 9,789,000

£28,975,000 1:31,724000