Jt ranintro.

Since the Convocation of the Province of York was prorogued on the 5th November 1852 until the 18th May, a correspondence has ensued be- tween Mr. Archdeacon Thorpe and the Archbishop of York. On behalf of several of his brethren, the Archdeacon humbly requested that Convo- cation might be allowed to sit for the purpose of receiving petitions, agreeing to an address to the Queen, and deciding certain questions as to proxies. In reply, the Archbishop courteously declined to grant the re- quests, on the ground that much obscurity exists in regard to "who shall constitute the Convocation of the Province, and what duties Convocation may discharge " : until these things be settled, he thinks it best to adhere strictly to ancient usage. In his memorial Archdeacon Thorpe had mentioned the presentation of an address from Convocation to Queen Anne, in the time of Archbishop Sharpe, as a precedent ; but the Arch- bishop of York replies that he cannot rest on that as a precedent, for Convocation did not assemble : certain forms may have been used, but the address was sent down ready drawn by Archbishop Sharpe, and agreed to by two residentiary Canons next day.

When the members of Convocation assembled on Wednesday, the Reverend Canon Dixon and the Reverend Canon Harcourt, the Commis- sioners of the Archbishop, appeared in the Chapterhouse, and took their seats on either side of the Archbishop's secretary. A select number of the clergy and laity looked on. Canon Dixon inquired whether any writ had been received from the Queen authorizing the Convocation to proceed to business. The Registrar replied in the negative ; and thereupon the Secretary read the order of adjournment. Archdeacon Thorpe requested, in the name of his brethren, that they might be allowed to elect a Prolo- cutor and consider of an address to the Queen : if not, he hoped an ap- plication which he presented in writing might be placed on the records. After the paper had been received, the Reverend Canon Trevor made several unsuccessful attempts to ask a question ; the Secretary and Canon Dixon interrupting and preventing him with great asperity of man- ner. Canon Dixon then read, amid the unsuppressed laughter of the audience, the usual schedule declaring those absent guilty of con- tumacy, with the usual passage—" and in penalty of such their con- tumacy, we decree to proceed further in this holy Synod or Con- vocation, their absence notwithstanding ": then he prorogued the Con- vocation until the 28th September; when all present are admonished to appear again. It is stated that a barrister and county magistrate ob- served aloud—" If this is not a mockery, what is it?" There were many murmurs; but the members of Convocation stood together in silence. After Canon Dixon had departed, Archdeacon Thorpe and the Proctors who acted with him assembled in another place, and sat in deli- beration for nearly an hour. It is understood that they drew up and agreed to an address to the Queen.

The Royal Commission issued to inquire into the corrupt practices of elections for Canterbury began work, in the Guildhall of that city, on Saturday last. The Commissioners are Mr. Slade, Mr. Chisholm Anstey, and Mr. Burcham. Besides direct bribery in hard cash, a peculiar plan of corruption prevails at Canterbury. " Colour-tickets " are issued in large numbers, not only to voters but to their friends. These tickets are given to persons ostensibly engaged to carry colours, but really to secure votes. At the election of 1852, one witness deposed to what was described by Mr. Slade, the Chief Commissioner, as an "artful dodge" : the agents of Colonel Romilly and Sir William Somerville determined to abstain from bribery, leaving the field open to their opponents, and intending to peti- tion for the seat on the ground of bribery. Several witnesses deposed to the giving of tickets on both sides; and some instances of direct bribery were stated.

The Commission has continued its sitting this week with similar results. The principal witnesses have been, Mr. Alderman Brent, Colonel Ho- miny, the Honourable George Henry Smythe, Mr. Gipps, the Honour- able Butler Johnstone, and Lord Pelham Clinton.

Mr. Alderman Brent had always taken an active part on the Liberal side. He had got good appointments for his sons, two of whom are landing-wait- ers in the Customhouse, and two in Somerset House ; the first was appointed about seventeen years ago, the last just before Lord Derby came into office. He had himself teen made a Deputy-Lieutenant of the county. Received money to defray Colonel Romilly's election-expenses in 1850 and 1852; and paid over the balance to Mr. Coppock, who said nothing but that "the small- est donations were thankfully received."

Colonel Romilly's examination started a prolific subject of inquiry re- specting the fund out of which the election-expenses of Liberal Mem- bers are paid. For instance, in 1850, a part of Colonel Romilly's expenses were mysteriously paid, and he never inquired whence or how. He could not give any strict legal proof of the existence of the fund; he had only heard of it; it was a mere suspicion on his part that his expenses came out of that fund ; he could not tell who was the treasurer ; in short, he knew nothing about it at all. "The general rumour may be that that fund is at the Reform Club." He believed the person who was most supposed to have connexion with this fund was, when the party was in power, the Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Burcham, a member of the Reform Club, and one of the Commissioners, voluntered a corroboration of this evidence.

Mr. Smythe could not admit that he was either a "Red," a " Pink," or a "Blue," at Canterbury. [One witness, of Liberal politics, described him as a "nondescript," a "good card."] His election in 1841 cost him 60001. or 7000!.; in 1847, only 9001.—the latter was "comparatively cheap." He believed "colour-tickets" were issued on both sides, in 1841, to the amount of 40001. About sixty persons had been bribed. "Out of the 70001., a sum of 4001. was paid in respect of a petition." "I was menaced. It was com- promised, however. The Canterbury petition was paid off against the St. Albans. I don't think it was done either by Brown or Coppock, but by the whip' of the party. I was very much astonished and gratified at it." He knew nothing of persons being bribed in 1841. By the advice of Mr. Lush- ington he had burned all the papers connected with the election of 1841. Mr. Butler Johnstone was, with Mr. Gipps, euccessful at the last election. Heard of the vacancy at Canterbury through Brown, the Parliamentary

agent. Paid 13001. for his election expenses. When he had paid a great part of this, he heard that the Marchioness of Conyngham was coming down handsomely with her thousands for Sir William Somerville, her son-in-law. "When I heard this, and that the purse of the Marchioness was to be open- ed against me, I felt fairly in the fight, and that I would not be beaten even by her." Mr. Plumptre Gipps gave similar evidence ; stating besides, that he had been promised pecuniary help by political friends, who had a similar fund to that of the opposite party. In reply to direct questions, he stated that "Mr. Forbes Mackenzie was the many of that fund "; and that Mr. Forbes Mackenzie had promised and paid 'm 5001.

Lord Pelham Clinton M.P. was candidate ate in 1847. Was told by Mr. Gridley, a solicitor, that he "should stand harmless so far as money was

concerned." Saw Major Beresford, who sent down the money that was to defray the expense of the election. After the election, "a fellow passed the windows of the Rose Hotel, where I was staying, holding in his hand appa- rently a bag of money, and addressing me, said, 'This here's got the elec- tion—if you have some next time we'll get you " The Honourable Stephen Rumbold Lushington had represented Canter- bury in five successive Parliaments, and had improperly spent a great deal of money there. The expenditure was so large that he had taken the advice of Sir Nicholas Tindal about it. Had recommended Mr. Smythe in 1841. Did not remember advising Mr. Smythe to burn all the accounts relating to that election, but might have done so. At the conclusion of the evidence, on Wednesday, Mr. Kingsford junior, solicitor, admitted that 8501. passed through their office in 1852; and he de- scribed the persons to whom he had paid it over. He admitted that he had

papers connected with the defence of Mr. Johnstone and Mr. Gipps : where- upon the Chief Commissioner said, "We must have those papers." Against

this Mr. Kingsford protested, as it would compromise a number of persons. "On that very account," replied Mr. Slade, "we must have them." Mr. Kingsford senior was sent for. This led to an incident.

When he arrived, he said, he was instructed on behalf of his client, Mr. Butler Johnstone, not to give up the papers called for by the Commissioners. Mr. Kingsford did not think the Commissioners had any right to them. He,

as solicitor, had a lien on them. Mr. Slade—" The act gives Us plenary power, and we shall not exercise it to the prejudice of any one: we will give

you until Friday to consider." Mr. Kingsford—" Mr. Johnstone objects to

my giving up private papers." Mr. Butler Johnstone—" Yes; I object to my private papers being given up." Mr. Slade—" We have power, Mr. john-

stone, to put you where we should put Mr. Kingsford." (Laugl%ter.) Mr. Johnstone—"I am willing to take all the responsibility." Mr. Slade- " You had better read the act of Parliament." Mr. Chisholm Anstey—"If the papers are not here on Friday, I for one shall be prepared to carry out the act in its extremity." Mr. Slade—"Nothing will be done without the most mature consideration : we have a defined duty to perform." Mr. Kingsford—" And I have a duty to my client to perform." Among the other witnesses was the steward of the estate of the Marchioness of Conyngham at Bifrons. He deposed to bribery expenditure in 1835 and 1847 ; but he reported part of a conversation between himself and Sir Wil- liam Somerville in 1852, at which Sir William remarked—" I will lose my election before I do these acts of bribery : it was giving messengers' tickets that lost Mr. Strutt his seat for Derby." There were also Mr. Pout and Mr. Smith, who played a prominent part in distributing money to inferior agents, which was by them again distributed to the voters.

The Maidstone election has terminated in the return of the Liberal candidate—For Mr. Lee 747 votes ; for Mr. Martin, 737. A petition, on the ground of intimidation, is threatened by the Conservative party.

A new College, established in Westmoreland, for the education of the clergy and laity of that county, and dedicated to St. Mary, will be opened in September. It is under the patronage of the Earl of Lonsdale, the Earl of Burlington, the Earl of Bradford, Colonel Lowther, Mr. Alderman Thompson the Bishop of Carlisle, and the Bishop of St. Andrews. The College is to be situated near Kendal. It will be under the direction of a Warden, Sub-Warden, Chaplain, and Fellows to be chosen from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. A fund will be set apart for the foundation of exhibitions and scholarships to the Universities, open to the whole College, and distributed according to merit.

The annual conference of the Yorkshire Union of Mechanics Institu- tions was held on Wednesday, at Thirsk. Mr. Baines of Leeds took the chair at the morning sitting ; Lord Walsingham presided in the evening ; Sir William Gallwey, the Member for Thirsk, was present; and some sixty delegates from different parts of the great county formed the conference. During the past year, the number of institutions in connexion with the Union has increased from a hundred and twenty-three to a hundred and twenty-eight, although three have withdrawn, and five have ceased to exist.

The park and grounds of Wilton Abbey, tile seat of Mr. Sidney Her- bert, are always thrown open to the public at this season. On Monday, Mr. Herbert presided at the dinner of the Wilton Branch of the Wiltshire Friendly Society, and delivered a speech to the members, containing sound advice, peculiarly suited to his audience, on the subject of benefit clubs. He recommended the utmost care in choosing a club, and advised his hearers to ascertain whether the sum paid is sufficient to enable the club to meet all its engagements; using illustrations drawn from the many modes of assurance now adopted in commerce. He also com- mented on the great improvement visible of late in the habits, education, and condition of the people.

The thirty-second party of emigrants, forty in number, sent out to Australia under the direction of the Female Emigration Fund Society, embarked at Gravesend on Tuesday on board the Walmer Castle. Lord Haddo, the Honourable Arthur Kinnaird, the Reverend Mr. Mackenzie, the Reverend Mr. Quekett, and other gentlemen, were present to en- courage the emigrants with their countenance and kind counsel at parting.

The carpenters and joiners of Birmingham have "struck" They de- manded an increase of 2s. a week for all bands, and emotion of work at two o'clock on Saturdays. The masters offered ls. 6d. to "deserving men," not to all, and assented to the change on Saturdays if the men would work an extra half-hour on the other days. There is a bitter feel- ing between masters and men : an extensive firm asserted that they had men in their service who were not worth the wages they were paid ; the workmen retorted, incredulously, that it was matter for wonder that such men were retained. There is a great deal of building going on at Bir- mingham, yet report speaks of hundreds of men out of employment. The building-firms say they will resist the demands of the men.

In Shepton Mallet Union, it has been found necessary to hire women to do the work in the house, as no ablebodied women are inmates. For a considerable time there has been no ablebodied man in the workhouse.

Sarah Smith, wife of a shoemaker at St. Leonards, has killed her husband, by stabbing him with a knife, during an altercation after midnight. The couple had been drinking together during the evening. The woman was a very dissolute person, of ungovernable temper. She herself informed a neighbour that she had killed Smith.

Edwin Hucker, a boy not ten years old, has been committed on a Coroner's warrant for the murder of another boy, William Saunders, by pushing him into the river Avon, at Keynsham, near Bristol. A playmate, three days after the boy was found drowned, said that Hacker pushed Saunders into the water, after Saunders had jumped upon Hacker's neck as he was lying on the grass. The extreme youth of Hucker has raised a question as to the kgal responsibility of one of such tender years in a case of "murder." It ap- pears that a boy of ten was convicted at Bury, in 1748 : he killed a girl five years of age, cut up the body, and buried it in a heap of dung ; he was sentenced to be hanged, but punishment was respited till the opinion of all the Judges could be taken, and they held that he was an object for capital punishment. But subsequently he was pardoned by the Crown, on condi- tion of entering the Navy.

It has now been ascertained that the deficiency in the Isle of Wight savings-bank is 8156/. The balance-sheets of the bank were habitually falsified. It is said that "the names of the magistrates and clergy of the Isle of Wight were paraded as ex-officio directors of the Isle of Wight Savings-Bank, which caused the utmost confidence to be placed in it by poor people. It appears that few of these persons ever knew that they were di- rectors, and stall fewer ever thought of attending to the affairs of the bank."

The inquest on the engine-driver and stoker who were killed on the York and North Midland Railway, at Hambleton, by the running of an engine off the rails, concluded with a verdict which, we believe, is unprecedented. The inquiry was resumed on Tuesday. Mr. Cabry, the engineer of the Com- pany, Mr. Fenton, another engineer, and a number of railway servants, ex- pressed a belief that the disaster arose from excessive speed, the line itself being in proper working order. Captain Gallon, the Railway Inspector, gave evidence contrary to this; • and upon his testimony, apparently, the Jury founded their verdict. He said that "with respect to the engine, he found the wheels rather worn ; but it appeared before the accident to have been in fair working order, as far as he could judge. He thought the distribution of weight in this engine would have a tendency to cause unsteadiness at high speeds' and that unsteadiness would be increased on a road which was not firm. With regard to the road, he found the rails were a good deal worn in places, and laminated. The keys which fixed the rails to the chairs ap- peared old. The sleepers were certainly decayed at the surface, he should say generally ; and many, he thought, were decayed much deeper. He observed many instances of the spikes which fixed the chairs to the sleep- ers being loose; and when a length of rail was taken up, he perceived the beds of the wood on which the chairs rested were also decayed. The ballast was at the top broken limestone, but below he found a quan- tity of clay mixed with it. On taking out the Bleepers the clay seemed to retain the water under the sleeper in one or two cases which he examined. He observed several instances of engines passing over the line. These caused the rails to work in the chairs, and the chairs to work on the sleepers; and the sleepers also appeared to work in the ballast a little. If sleepers were packed equally on both sides it would give an undulating motion to trains, but if one end of the sleeper were more firmly packed than another this motion would be converted into an oscillating motion. This re- mark applied to all railways as well as the present. The working of the chairs had a tendency to throw out the keys, and after the passage of trains he observed instances of the keys being out. The engine, he thought, appeared in fair working order; but he thought the road was not in such good condition as it ought to have been. It depended very much on the speed of a train whether the line was in a safe condition. He did not con- sider it in a good condition with heavy engines at a high speed. If he had been requested to report on the state of the road, not knowing of the acci- dent, he should not have reported that it was safe for the public to pass on with the present traffic going over it." The Coroner explained to the Jury, that if the accident arose from excessive speed, the deceased driver was to blame; but if from the defective state of the engine or the line, then the Directors are responsible. Alter twenty minutes' consideration, the Jury gave a verdict of "Manslaughter" against the Directors : two Jurors dis- sented, but the others were sufficient in number for a legal finding.

Charles Canning, a porter employed on the South-western Railway, has been killed at Farnham station. The man seems to have heard the whistle of a train approaching ; a passenger-train was due, which would stop at the station ; Canning ran across the rails, and attempted to get on to the plat- form but his foot slipped, and though he was holding by a rail his body pro- jected over the line : at that moment a train dashed past the station, and Canning was struck by it. Had this been a stopping train, the porter, ap- parently, would not have been in danger. The train was a "survey" one, conveying the directors and officers for the purpose of viewing the line. At the opening of the inquest, on Tuesday, the Coroner remarked that the case seemed to show some extraordinary defect in the management of the line, in allowing a train to pass unexpectedly through the station : but it might turn out that the fatality was quite accidental. Mr. Crombie, the secretary to the Company, objected to the Coroner's imputation of blame merely on the strength of hearsay. No evidence was gone into as to the causes of the accident; and the inquest was adjourned for a week.

On Saturday afternoon, a boiler-hurst at the factory of Messrs. Davis, in Dudley. Four men were killed, a youth was so badly hurt that he was not expected to recover, and several other persons were wounded less seriously. The engineer was blown high into the air, and thrown upon the roof of a house eighty feet distant, the rafters and ceiling of which were broken by the fall : he was found on the floor of the attic, still alive ; but he soon died. The Coroner's Jury pronounced that the cause of the explosion was deficiency of water, the engineer having been incompetent to his duties. The boiler was in a bad state ; but as no person had informed the owners of this, the Jury exonerated them from blame : they made suggestions, however, as to future precautions.

The upper part of a worsted-mill at Bradford in Yorkshire was destroyed by fire on Monday night. After the flames were subdued, the third floor of the building gave way while a number of men were upon it, and four were killed.

• Th.e 'only' cotton-factory at Liverpool was burnt down on Tuesday night. Iviltheproperty of Messrs. Brogden and of immense size—employing le. It was situated on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, near the Vahallad The people of the factory were absent on Tuesday, making holyday ; but during the day some bricklayers and joiners had been at work ; after their departure, at nine o'clock, the fire was discovered in the top story of the main building ; and all efforts to save this building were fruitless. The loss is estimated at 60,000/. The great number of persons thrown out of work is a most lamentable incident.