Nam

MONDAY, JULY 22ND.

AN address has been presented to Mr. Gladstone, signed by 7788 men of South Lancashire, requesting him to sit for that division of the county. The right honourable gentleman, in his reply, acknowledges the satisfaction with which he has received the address, coming as it does from his native county, aud from a community which has aided so powerfully the development of a new commercial system. That new system he has heartily supported, and with it Lord Palmerston's en- lightened Italian policy. 'But the divided state of opinion in the University of Oxford with respect to myself as one of its representa- tives, and the long series of contests so unusual in academical history, of which I have been the occasion, might well suggest, and have suggested, the belief that I could, consistently with my obligations to my present constituents, and even with a view to the advantage of the University, seek to withdraw front the arena of so way struggles. Yet were I to entertain any such design, I could not quit those who, with so much generous indulgence, have returned me on six occasions during fourteen critical years, except in a manner which would enable me to feel that I had exposed them to no prejudice by the act. It may be enough to say that were I now to surrender the trust I hold, I should surrender it under circumstances unfavour- able to the constituency, and likewise peculiar to the moment : among which I may mention these,—that the Parliament is still young, and that at this time such a change could scarcely be ex- pected by a widely scattered, and at the same time a closely occupied body. After maturely weighing the question with a view to public interests, I have arrived at the conclusion that I should not by such a step serve the cause of which you have in so conspicuous a man- ner selected my name as the symbol. I must, therefore, with the warmest expressions of gratitude for the manifestation now before me, be leave to decline the honour you propose to confer." It is believed that the seat will be warmly contested, the Liberals having pitched upon Mr. Cheetham as a candidate.

— The seat for Andover is vacant by the resignation of Sir Wil- liam Cubitt, and Mr. Beaumont Coles, who sat for the borough in 1847, has appeared on the Conservative side. — M. A. Eliot Lockhart intends to retire from the representation of Selkirkshire, and Lord H. Scott, son of the Duke of Buccleugh, has come forward on the Conservative interest. He will be opposed by the Honourable William Napier, a warm Liberal. — Seven of the eight gentlemen who have undertaken the builders'

cause in the press have replied to the masters' statement. They aver that the general feeling of the trades is totally opposed to the hour system, and that out of five thousand regular masons and brick- layers of the metropolis not five hundred are working by the hour. More than thirty firms, employing in the aggregate two hundred men, have accepted the men's terms, while the carpenters and plasterers, though not on strike, have agreed to support the masons out of work. Of those who have struck, the majority are non-uuionists, and they went on strike simply in consequence of the introduction of the hour system. But, after all, they ask, why, if the dispute is vir- tually at an end, are masons beim".b imported from Scotland ? Why are sappers required for the Chelsea Barracks? Why does report suggest that the sappers will be required for the Exhibition? Why are great works, like the house of the Duke of Buceleuch, visibly at a stand still ? Why are the u'orks of those who have adopted the hour system sublet to contractors upon the terms of the men?

— Mr. J. C. D. Charlesworth has been convicted of bribery at the election of 1859, for Wakefield. The case, which has been heard before, was stopped by the refusal of Mr. Fernandez, an important witness, to bear testimony. It was recommenced on the 19th of July, at York, the Attorney-General prosecuting. Mr. J. B. Charlesworth, cousin and partner of the defendant, proved that he had opened an account for 500/. at Wakefield to pay for runners, watchers, "and a majority at the show of hands." He gave the money in successive cheques to Mr. Fernandez, but never asked an account, and never gave his cousin one, but had no idea the money was to be paid to electors. The runners, &c., were not electors, and the men employed for the show of hands were colliers from the country. Mr. Fernandez, after an assurance from the Judge that he could not be imperiled by anything that he might say, acknowledged paying money to a man named Brear to be used in bribery, and a bribe of 50/. to another named Collinson, and various other legal and illegal payments. Several electors deposed to the receipt and distribution of money in bribes, and, after a speech in defence from Sir Fitzroy Kelly, the Judge, Mr. Baron Martin, summed up, adverting strongly to the ab- surdity of supposing that 500/. were paid by defendant without inquiry as to its application, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty on the charge of advancing money to Mr. Barff Charlesworth for purposes of bribery. Sentence was deferred. — William Randall Mackley, the surgeon of Bradford, accused

of killing his housekeeper, Martha Curtis, by his efforts to procure abortion, has been tried before Mr. Baron Wilde. Mr. Field, also a surgeon, deposed that prisoner had told him he had used a strong pointed wire to procure abortion, a statement confirmed by the servant in the room at the time. Joseph Wardle, tinman, deposed to having made a tin tube for the prisoner for an operation. Two surgeons, however, deposed to an examination of the body, and stated their belief that the cause of death was peritonitis, and that there were no signs of improper means having been employed. The me- dical evidence not supporting the idea that deceased died from improper means, the judge directed the acquittal of the prisoner, who was accordingly discharged.

— A public meeting was held on Saturday at the Mansion House, to found an hospital for incurables. The attendance was large and some frightful statistics were adduced. In England, of three only out of the many forms of incurable disease, 80,000 persons die annually ; 5500 of cancer, 9800 of dropsy, and 64,000 of tubercular diseases; and of these it is estimated that 50,000 are absolutely destitute. If to these be added the victims of other forms of incurable disease the number becomes appalling. They are of course turned out of the ordinary hospitals in order to make room for curable cases. It was resolved to create a home for such cases, the Marquis Townshend appointed President, and the Bishops of London and 'Winchester, the Duke of Buccleugh, and others, 'Vice-Presidents, and four gentle- men trustees. Donations to the amount of 1400/., and annual sub- scriptions of 5751., were announced before the meeting separated. — The Court of Session has decided in the " Cardross case," which excites great interest in Scotland. In 1858, Mr. McMillan, incumbent of the Free Church of Cardross, was deposed by the General Assembly. He appealed to the Civil Court to protect him, on the ground that the proceedings were informal. The Judge Ordinary commanded the Assembly to produce their rules, and the Assembly refused, alleging that the matter was spiritual and not subject to the review of a civil court, and appealed. The Court of Sessions rejected the appeal unanimously, on the ground that although the Assembly could make any rides it liked, it must adhere to them when they involved, as in this case, a contract. They could enable a majority to depose a minority at once without forms, but if they established forms they must stick to them. The case will be appealed to in the House of Lords, and will probably go on for the next twenty years. It involves the question whether any corporation in Great Britain, however popular or powerful, is entitled to set itself above the law.

TIIESDLY, JULY 23RD.

— The following is a return of the value of the exports from the twelve principal British ports during the past year :

1859. 1860.

London ... ... £30,235.924 ... £30,837,688 Liverpool... 62,414,341 ... 65,419,732 Hull ... 12,980,587 ... 14,487,676 Bristol ... 457,553 491,192 Newcastle 1,906,514 1,903,488 Southampton ... 2,499,369 2,662,076 Leith ... 872,673 1,030,680 Glasgow ... 5,394,376 5,406,410 Greenock... 1,106,268 572,702 Dublin ... ••• 48,270 22,192 Cork ... 168,252 136,698

141,175 10,283 Aggregate of the 12 ports ... £118,225,302 ... £122,980,817

— The Fire Insurance offices of London have combined to raise their rates of insurance for mercantile risks, a measure which has created in the Alliance the new rates were only sanctioned from a dislike to other hand, the Imperial Office:refuses to enter the combination; and from the want of improvements directed against fire, and that the also to classify risks into large groups, and to assess the premium for loss, not large it may be in the aggregate, but still considerable. A great fire happens, and sweeps off in six hours all the mercantile premiums for ten years to come. The addition is therefore necessary. On the enter on an isolated course.

porary rates till they are effected. It is the essence of fire insurance simple and plain rule to the mercantile business of London, the offices find- that for ten years preceding the ere it has entailed an annual considerable irritation among the classes affected. The offices declare quickest mode of securing these improvements is to charge high tem- each group according to the results of that group. Applying this that they suffer most, and suffered markedly in the Tooley-street fire, — A man named William Roberts, alias William Jenkinson, was charged at the Thames Police-office with wilful murder. On Satur- day night he was taken at his own request to the station-house in Leman-street, where he made and signed the following confession : "William Jenkinson says,—I am thirty-six years of age and carpenter of the ship Jane Johnson, which arrived in the West India Dock from New York on the 17th Inst. Two years and three months ago I was keeping company with a woman named Sarah or Elizabeth Jones, aged twenty-three years, living at a farm-house at Foot's Cray, in the County of Kent. She left that service and slept with me three nights in a public-house in Limelionse. We then went to Brentwood, Essex, together, and, through jealousy, I shot her in the head with a Colt's revolver pistol, and afterwards buried her body in a field beside a hedge, about three-quarters of a mile from Brentwood. I also buried the pistol with her. Since then I have been in the East Indies. I can point out the place where I buried her, but! cannot describe it to yon. The reason I give myself up is, I am very much troubled in my mind about it. "WILLIAM JENKS/MN." On Monday he retracted it all, alleging that he was fatigued and stupified, and made the charge against himself to get a place to rest in. The police declared him perfectly sober, and the magistrate re- manded him on the charge. (The story looks very much as if the man had learnt in India to eat opium or hemp-seed. The eaters of the latter abominable drug have a perfect mania for charging them- selves with crimes they never committed.)

— Augustus Hilton, of Wisbeach, tried at Cambridge for the murder of his wife, persisted in pleading guilty. The prisoner had quarrelled with his wife while driving, and when at home she refused in consequence to pour him out another cup of tea. The prisoner, deeply irritated, followed her up-stairs, cut her throat, and then pro- ceeded quietly to his father's, where he was arrested. The judge (Ms. Justice W!ghtman) pronounced sentence of death, which was heard by the prisoner with cold indifference. ▪ The Home Secretary has declined to prosecute Baron de Vidil, and the case will, therefore, be prosecuted as an ordinary police case. On Monday the Baron was again brought before the Bow-street magis- trate, when John Evans, an engineer, deposed to seeing Mr. Alfred de Vidil coming up with his hat off, and his face covered with blood, and asking him for protection. This was confirmed by Julia Fitz- gibbons, an old woman, who said the young man shrieked out, " Oh ! protect me, mother !" "Help me, mother !" Mr. Clark, surgeon, of Twickenham, also deposed thathe attended the young man, and found a wound on the forehead, and another on the back of the head, such as might be caused by a a blunt instrument. The son still declined to give evidence against his father, and Mr. Corrie committed the prisoner for trial, refusing bail. An application sub- sequently made to a judge in chambers to accept bail failed. — The following is the official result of the census of the United Kingdom :

POPULATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS

OF 186L

Increase in 1861. Decrease in 1861.

Rate Persons. per cent 787,842 2,307,144 787,842 Net increase 1,519,302, or 6 per cent.

This :net increase is in spite of an emigration of rather more than two millions, of the Russian war, of the Sepoy mutiny, and of one outburst of cholera.

• It is definitely settled that Her Majesty will arrive at Kings-

town, for her progress through Ireland, on the 23rd August. — Lord Wodelionse has resigned the Under-Secretaryship of the Foreign Office. This followed almost of course from the elevation of Lord John Russell, as the Foreign-Office must be represented in the Commons.

— On Friday, another murder was committed in the parish of Town Mailing, Kent. A. farm labourer named Atkins, married a young woman seventeen years ago, by whom he has bad thirteen children. He has always treated her with great brutality, owing apparently to an unfounded jealousy, when on Friday, as he was talking jocularly to her, he drew a pocket-knife and struck at her throat. Mrs. Atkins got away severely wounded, and clung to the door of a neighbour's house, from which her husband dragged her away. She then staggered into a neighbouring field, where her has- band again stabbed her in the throat, causing instant death.

WEDNESDAY, RILE 24TH.

— The electors of the City of London assembled on Tuesday, at the Guildhall, to hear the farewell address of Lord John Russell. His Lordship entered the hall at two o'clock, surrounded by a group of his political friends, and Mr. T. Hankey, M.P., was called to the chair. In a brief address he reminded his audience that Lord John Russell had been their representative for twenty years, and then Lord John Russell rose amidst enthusiastic applause. After thanking the electors for twenty years of support, he said : "But after twenty years of representing this city, and forty-seven years spent in the House of Commons, with all its cares and anxieties, it appeared to me that I could not consistently remain to perform those labours any longer—consistently, I mean, with that care which every man is bound to take that he should not break down in a hope- less attempt. (Hear, hear.) Her Majesty has been pleased, upon the intimation of my wish to retire from the City, to signify her intention to elevate me to the peerage. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I feel deeply that honour, and the kindness of the Crown; but I must also feel that it is a painful moment when I come to bid adieu to those who have supported me so strongly and so cordially, through good report and through evil report, for so long a time. You will remember that the first time I appeared before you was in the beginning of the great struggle between Free-trade and Protection; and you gave me your support on the principles of Free-trade. (Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, e were then defeated as a party, but in principle we were triumphant. That which we then proposed, and which was thought too bold for those times—that which was resisted as a dangerous and almost destructive innovation—was that there should be a fixed duty on corn, a considerable differential duty in - favour of colonial sugar, and another differential duty in favour of colonial timber. But, although we triumphed, those pro- positions did not triumph, but larger and better propositions than the compromise which we recommended met with suc- cess. (Hear, hear.) We have had the total abolition of the duties on corn ; we have had the duties on foreign and colonial sugar reduced and made equal; we have likewise had the duties on colonial and foreign timber equalized. Thus, gentlemen, we have had once more the lesson, so often repeated, and so often repeated in vain, that those who resist moderate proposals of reform do not thereby prevent innovation. (Hear, hear.) Well, there is another topic on which I then addressed you, and it was that the great work of religions liberty ought to be completed. Upon that question, again, we had a serious struggle, and it was not till after many years that my friend and colleague, Baron Rothschild, was able to take his seat in the Commons House of Parliament. (Cheers.) But that cause, too, triumphed. Gentlemen, there is another subject upon

Population enumerated.

1861. 1851.

England and

Wales 20,061,725 17,927,609 Scotland 3,061,117 2,888,742 Ireland 5,764,543 6,552,385 Islands in the

British Seas 143,779 143,126 Total of the

United King-)-

dom 29,031,164 27,511,862 Rate Persons, per cent.

2,134,116 12 172,375 6 — — 653 — 12

which there are still endeavours to be made, still improvements to be accomplished. I am about to speak to you upon that question which was not in agitation at the time I first took my seat for the City, but which has been in agitation since, and upon which I have had to bear my part,—I mean the amendment of the representation of the people. (Hear.) Upon that subject we introduced a bill last year, which was thought to be a dangerous innovation, because it proposed to extend the suffrage to householders paying 61. of yearly rental. Great alarm was felt by some, and affected by many, at that propo- sition. But it was a proposal in itself exceedingly moderate—a pro- posal which ought not to alarm any of the lovers of the constitu- tion (hear, hear), because it is not among the ratepayers—it is not among the householders of this country that are to be found those who wish to destroy any of the essential parts of that con- stitution. (Hear, hear.) But, gentlemen, I will tell you why there was and is, as I believe—for it is a matter of fact, and not of principle—I will tell you why there existed and still exists considerable indifference on the subject of further improvement in the representation of the people. The reason, I believe, is that when Reform was undertaken thirty years ago there were very flagrant abuses, abuses so flagrant that that they made every one indignant, and produced that general and enthusiastic feeling which then pre- vailed throughout the kingdom. At that time Lord Grey having formed his Administration, one of his colleagues, Lord Durham, sent to me and said that the Premier had commissioned him to bring together some of the members of his Government in order to draw up the heads of a measure of Reform. The men were soon chosen viz. Lord Durham, myself, Lord Bessborough, and Sir James Graham, who still happily sits in the House of Commons. To the meeting of these four persons I proposed that there should be a change with regard to the places entitled to representation. At that time grass mounds, a very beautiful park, and a town which had been de- stroyed some ten centuries ago returned members to Parliament, while Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Sheffield returned none. Ipro- posed to that meeting that fifty boroughs should be disfranchised, that fifty other boroughs should return only one member, and that Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds should be represented in Par- liament. Gentlemen, that was a great change. The proposition, though not exactly in the form in which I suggested it, was agreed to, and afterwards drawn up as a bill and proposed by Lord Grey to the Cabinet. And when the nation heard that there were one hun- dred and fifty seats to be distributed, that the nomination boroughs were to be disfranchised, and the great seats of riches, of manufac- tures, and of commerce to be enfranchised, there prevailed that uni- versal enthusiasm throughout the country that there was no force in either House of Parliament able successfully to oppose the measure, and it accordingly became law. (Hear, hear) There are no such abuses now, and the questions to be considered are questions which require to be weighed nicely in the balance, to be paused upon, and to be modified, and therefore, although the prospect is still fair, yet, until the people themselves show a strong feeling upon the subject (cheers), it will be of no use for the Ministers of the Crown to come forward with a proposition. (Cheers.) I have the same trust in the people of England that I have expressed before. (Hear, Ilear.) I believe that the people—the working classes, I mean- while they would bring further intelligence to the representation, would respect all that is beneficial and all that deserves to be re- spected in our institutions. (Cheers.) I feel a little like the great emperor who, three centuries ago, having been engaged in all the great transactions of his time, and thinking that he should like to see what would happen after his death, had all the pomps of his funeral prepared, and himself assisted as chief mourner at the ceremony. I do feel somewhat as if I were chief mourner on this occasion. Yet, still I don't give way to those feelings (cheers), because I trust that I may still be of use to the country, though in another sphere. (Cheers.) Certainly, there is nothing to dishearten one in the great progress which has been made in past years, nothing to induce one to believe that the cause of Reform and progress and of civil and re- ligious liberty will not prosper in years to come. (Cheers.) I cannot 'but feel, as it is said by our great poet, that "'to have done, is to hang

Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail In monumental mockery.'

at that is not my intention. (Hear, hear.) Though I feel that the continuation of the labours I have gone through for the last forty- seven years would be too much for my remaining strength, vet there are labours still to be undergone, there are triumphs still to be achieved, and I do hope that I may bear some share, however humble, in those triumphs and those achievements. (Cheers.) It was only necessary to march forward steadily, and all would be obtained, though not without combats. Whatever may be the chances of flume combats, I can assure you that deeply in my heart will rest en- graved the feeling of gratitude for the support I have received from you, and for the means of boasting that I represented London in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was that which strength- ened my voice and animated my exertions, and to the last day of my life I shall remember your benefits, and be grateful for the support you have always extended to me." (Loud cheers.)

His Lordship was followed out of the hall with the same un- bounded enthusiasm.

— A bottle has been picked up off the coast of Uist, containing the leaf of a pocket-book with some pencil marks on it, which, when deciphered, read thus : "On board the Pacific, from L'pool to N. York. ship going down. (Great) confusion on board. Icebergs Ikroald na on every side. I know I cannot escape. I write the

cause of our loss that friends may not live in suspense. The finder of this will please get it published.—Wm. Graham." It is believed that this bottle was thrown from the Pacific, a steamer of Collins's line, which left Liverpool on the 23rd of January, 1856, and has never since been heard of. The bottle was probably carried south- ward by the ice, and then thrown by the Gulf stream on the shore of that. He was a brave man who, in such a moment, made that - memorandum and corked the bottle. He is supposed to be a helms- man on board, who shipped as Robert Graham. The Persia, which followed three days after, was nearly destroyed by icebergs.

THURSDAY, JULY 25TH.

— A large meeting of Liberal electors of the City of London attended yesterday at the London Tavern to hear an address from Mr. Western Wood. Mr. G. Moore was called to the chair, and Mr.

Western Wood commenced by commenting on the astuteness of the Conservatives, who had selected a candidate already possessed of a seat, solely from his personal weight. He could not believe they would pay so ill a compliment to Lord John Russell, who had represented them for twenty years, and had served his country so zealously and efficiently for forty-seven, as to supply his place with a gentleman so diametrically opposed to hint. Humble and un- known as he (Mr. Wood) was, the noble Lord had such confidence - in his political principles, as strongly to approve, as far as he con- sistently could, of his presenting himself to the constituency for elec tion on that occasion. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Wood proceeded to ex plain his principles as an advocate of free trade, the ballot, and the abolition of the church-rate on dissenters only. Mr. Layard, who followed, declared that the question for the electors lay between a Whig and a Tory Government, and passed a warm eulogium on Lord John Russell. Baron Rothschild bore high testimony to the charac- ter of Mr. Western Wood, and the meeting passed a resolution declaring hint a fit and proper person to represent diem in Parliament. — A prospectus has beenissued of a new fire insurance company to be called the City of London, with a capital of two millions. It is stated that the business of London has increased far more rapidly than insurance facilities, the average amount committed to each exist- ing office being 22,000,000/. This absence of competition has led to capricious and excessive rates, Ind to an absurd increase in the value of shares. '

— A grand review of the volunteers of the midland counties was held yesterday at Warwick by the Duke of Cambridge. About ten thousand volunteers attended, and all the officers in command of brigades were volunteers. The review was most successful, the only drawback noticed by the reporter being the slow pace of some regi- ments, and a confusion among the bands. — We regret to notice the death of Sir James C. Melvill, K.C.B., which took place on the 23rd instant. He was the eldest of four sons of Captain Melvin, Governor of Pendennis Castle, in Cornwall. This officer, who was in the royal army, commenced his career in India, and was among those who were taken prisoners upon the defeat of Colonel BaiTlie's force in 1780 by Hyder Ali, the grand- father of the present Gholam Mahomed. Sir James Melvin entered the home service of the East India Company at an early age, and rose by rapid steps to the highest permanent gosition at the East India House, being appointed, in 1834, Chief Secretary, which office he held till his retirement in 1858. He was also Government Director of the Indian railway companies. He was at one period, we believe, offered high office under the Crown, but he resisted the invitation, and remained a servant of the East India Company. He was always regarded as an authority on all questions of Indian policy, and he was among the first whose opinions were taken in any Parliamentary inviry. In the discharge of his public duties he brought the highest integrity and zeal to bear upon a clear and vigorous intellect. His brothers are Mr. Philip Melvill, late Military Secretary at the India House; the Rev. Henry Melvill, late Principal of Haileybury and Canon of St. Paul's ; and Colonel Sir P. M. Melvill, K.C.B., late Military Secretary at Bombay. — A meeting was held yesterday, at Willis's Rooms, to present Dr. Cheever, pastor of the Church of the Puritans in New York, with a testimonial as a token of the honour in which the consistent course he has held in denouncing slavery as a sin against God is regarded in this country. The testimonial consisted of a handsome silver salver and a copy of Ersldne's speeches.

FRIDAY, 26TH JULY.

The inquest on Mr. Roberts, who died at Charing-cross Hospital front wounds received in an affray with Major Murray, terminated yesterday. A great number of witnesses were examined, some of whom repeated statements by Major Murray identical with his account to the police. Mr. Roberts, son of the deceased, deposed that his father frequently spoke of Major Murray, and had frequently written to Mrs. Murray, who had frequently called, and whom he had met when with his mother. He knew Major Murray by sight. (It was proved that he had previously stated the contrary.) The most conclusive evidence was, however, that of "Mrs. Murray," i.e., Miss Anne Maria Moodie, a pretty young woman of twenty-five, who gave her evidence amidst uncontrollable agitation. She knew that the deceased knew Major Murray by sight, for he had told her that he had watched him with her.

By the Coroner.—Do you know of any motive that the deceased had for wishing to get rid of the Major?

Witness.-0b, yes! Ile wanted me. I, however, never heard hint express any threat. Examined by Mr. Sleigb.—I have known the deceased between three and four years; I have known Major Murray between seven and eight years. (Witness here again burst into a fit of sobbing.) When I first knew the Major I was passing by my own name. I adopted that of Mrs. Murray in 1855. I have never been married. I first went to live at Elm Lodge last May twelve months. It was taken by Major Murray. Deceased knew I was living with Major Murray. I never let the Major know of my visits to deceased. My visits to deceased were not of an intimate nature in an improper sense. I first went to him on business, and latterly I used to go to him only in fear that, if I did not go, he would tell the Major that I had been there, and then the Major would have been angry at my going there for money. I first went to deceased on business only, and I con- stantly went to him on money business. Latterly he held such awe over me that I WAS fearful to displease him, lest he should make my home unhappy. I went first to borrow money of him. I recognize these letters as my handwriting. " This " (said the witness very emphatically of one of the letters handed to her) the deceased asked me to write. I continued to have business relations with deceased up to three months of his death. My debt to him was fora small amount. only 151. I used to go to him to pay him the interest. I had 151. of him, and my acceptance was given for 20/. I never owed him more than 201. at any time. I had money, and paid off one bill, and then I bad money of him again. I have, of course, read the evidence at this inquiry, especially the evidence of young Roberts, in the Times. I have remained at Mr. Roberts's chambers sometimes two or three hours. My first acquaintance I have said was by my calling on the deceased. I have no settlements on me of any kind. When I tried to save up the money to pay him I found I could not do it, and I could only pay him the quarter's interest of it--5I. I went to him, and told him so, and deceased replied not to make myself unhappy about it, as if I would be his lie would forgive me the whole of it. (It was with the utmost difficulty that the witness was able to gasp out this statement, and when she had done so she became fainting and . hysterical for some time. The windows of the court as before were opened, and after a short while the witness recovered, and continued her answers to Mr. Sleigh, who put them with the utmost kindness and delicacy.) I told him I had come to pay him honourably, that I was honourable myself, and he must treat me so. I never took any presents from him ; never. Deceased sometimes sent little presents to my child, but I never took anything from him of any kind, either dresses or jewellery. Deceased was always wanting me to leave the Major. I did not, of course, wish him to call on the Major at the club, for I did not like Roberts to be seen with him, lest persons should think there were any money matters between them."

The witness stated repeatedly she did not like to let the Major know she was in want of money, and therefore borrowed it of deceased, who kept her in awe by threatening to tell the Major. Some letters were produced, addressed to Mr. Roberts, of which the following is the most remarkable :

"Five o'clock, Tuesday.

"My dear Sir,—This very minute I have received your kind letter, and, believe me, from my very heart, my feelings are at this present time inexpres- sible. Your pretty expression that 'some days far hence my little treasure (and indeed she is a treasure) may step in and a& the same favour' is indeed true. And good is it of you to make every one happy about you, more especially those you love. My dear Sir, as regards the present for my baby, what can I say sufficient to show my heartfelt thanks ? Could you be in the dining-room of 48 quite quick, and when, as I now am, then, perhaps, you would excuse the tears of gratitude and love that are now dropping one by one from my eyes. I assure you I cannot express my heartfelt thanks for the pleasure that your note has given me. In fact, when I first sat down to write this I fancied I could have filled sheets of paper with love to you, but somehow I now seem that my thoughts are checked, and I only want to lie my head on your shoulder and cry tears of joy (not unmixed with sorrow) for the many, many happy days I have passed with you. I shall hear when I receive the parcel,' of course. "Ever yours, "ANNIE." Miss Moodie explained that she had written merely to conciliate. "This letter was written at least about two years and a half ago. I had then known Mr. Roberts about twelve months. That was about ten months after he had made his dishonourable proposal to me. It was written from St. John's-wood, and sent by the post. I had then

been to him on other than business visits, for the deceased was so mistrustful of me. He was always watching me. He watched me everywhere, and used to say I would go out with others, hut never call on him. I feared him so much lest he should tell the Major that I used sometimes to call when I had no business, merely to show Roberts I did not avoid him purposely. At the time I wrote that letter I was, in truth, disgusted with him, though I feared to tell him so. I was never happy with him, nor ever had an hour of enjoyment in his society. I never felt delighted to be with him—in my heart I never felt so." The crowd itt the court applauded the witness as she quitted the room. The jury were then taken to the hospital, where Major Murray made the following statement :

"My name is William Murray, and I live at 32, Harley-street and at Totten- ham. I was a major in the 10th Hussars, but I have sold out. On Friday morning, the 12th, I left London-bridge by the penny boat for Hungerford. I crossed the bridge at about half-past eleven. As I was going down the right side of the market a man came up to me from behind, on my left, and said, I be- lieve I am speaking to Major Murray ?' I said Yes, that's my name ;' and he then said, I believe you are a director of the Grosvenor Hotel Company ?' I said Yes, I am, and pray who are you?' He said, My name is Grey.' I had never seen him before in my life. I said, How do you know me?' and Grey replied, I have seen you at the meetings of the company.' I said 'Are you a shareholder?' He said No; but I attended the meetings.' He then went on to say he had a client who had 60,0001., and he understood the company wanted to borrow money, and his client was anxious to get the investment. I said I had no power in the matter, as I was only one of ten directors, and could do nothing personally ; but I added, If you will give me your name and address, I am going to the company, and will say what you wish." He said that would do, and if not in a hurry lie would like me to come to his office and answer a few questions. I asked where his office was, and he said close round the corner. I went, and he asked me to step up-stairs. He showed me into a back room on the first-floor, and requested me to be seated. I never was in the house before—most positively never. I took a seat.; and he then said, Yon will excuse me for one instant,' and left the room. I sat with my back to the folding-doors in front of the table. On my left was the fireplace. The folding-doors were shut. When he left the room I took a look round, and thought it was the most extraordinary place I had ever seen; torn papers, bottles, and pictures lying about; a most disreputable:looking place. In a minute or so he came back into the room, and took a seat in front of me, with a pen in his hand, and asked what interest we proposed to give. I said I was not in a position to say, but would hear what his client proposed to ask. He said, Oh,then I understand the offer is to come from us.' I said not, as under any circumstances we should not give more than five per cent. He replied, That would do very well;' and I asked him for his card of address. Ile said, Immediately,' and got up from the table arid walked round behind me and began rummaging among the papers of a desk. I thought he was looking for his card, and took no particular notice. Presently I felt a slight touch in the back of my neck. There was a report of a pistol, and I dropped off the chair on the ground. I was perfectly paralyzed. I could not move any part of my body. My head, however, was quite clear. I was lying with my face to the fender, and when he fired I believe he left the room. After some little time I felt returning life in my leg and arm, and I was just raising myself on my elbow when I heard a door open, and he came in again. He immediately walked up behind me and fired a pistol into my right temple. I dropped back on the carpet, and the blood gushed all over my face, and eyes, and mouth, in a regular torrent. He either stooped or knelt down close behind me, furl could feel his breath, and he watched close to see if I was dead. I then made up my mind to pretend to be so. I felt that the bleeding was bringing life back to me fast all over my body, which was tingling to the fingers' ends. After he had knelt be- hind me for some short time, he got up and walked away, and I then opened my eyes and took a look round, and saw a pair of tongs within a few inches of my hand. Feeling that my strength was returning to me, and there was the whole length of the room between us, I seized the tongs and sprang to my feet. He was then at the window. Hearing me move, he turned and faced me. I at once rushed at him, and made a heavy blow at him with the tongs, which missed. I then seized them short by the middle, and made a dash into his chest and face, which knocked him over on his bask. got my knees on his chest, and tried to smash his head with the tongs. They were too long, and he got them in both his hands firmly. I struggled bard for some time to get them away, but he was as strong as I, and I could not do it. I looked round for something else to hit him with, and close to my right hand I saw a large black botttle, which I caught in my right hand, and shaking the tongs with my left, to keep him occupied, I hit him full, with all my force, on the middle of the forehead, and smashed it to pieces. That made him like quiver all over, but still he did not let go the tongs, so I caught hold of a metal vase and dashed it at his head with all my might, but I missed him. Then, as I saw there was nothing else at hand, I set to work desperately to get the mas- tery of the tongs, which be was holding all the time. Daring all this he was on his back, close under the window nearest the door. After a long struggle I got the tongs. As they came into my hands I lost my balance, and fell back, but was up again in an instant, and by that time he was rising into a sitting position which gave me a fair, full blow at his head with the tongs, and I gave it biro with all my might and main. I repeated it three or four times. He hid his head under the table to escape my blows, and I then hit him over the back of the neck; and, in order to disable his hands, I hit him hard over the wrists. I then thought he was sufficiently disabled, and tried to get out, but the door of the room was locked."

Witness then related his escape, and added :

"That is all I have to say. There was no word passed between us but what I have mentioned. I have not the slightest notion in the world why he should attack me. I never had any communication with the man, good, bad, or indif- ferent. I did not know even that such a man was in existence."

The jury returned a verdict of "Justifiable homicide, and that Major Murray slew deceased to save his own life." No further pro- ceedings will be taken.

— The Ministerial whitebait dinner is fixed for the 31st instant, and Parliament will be prorogued on the 6th of August. — We understand that on Thursday last, one of the associated masters succeeded in obtaining the dismissal of a man working upon a building which lie it erecting, but engaged and employed by the architect personally upon the carving-work under the terms of the masons' compromise. The master finding the architect's clerk un- willing to part with the man he had employed, threatened to stop the works, then in a critical state, by withdrawing his men and removing- the scaffolding and planks. This pressure being put on the archi- tect, the man was dismissed, or, according to the familiar phrase, "sacked."

— Grave doubts exist among many trading builders as to the policy of continuing the present struggle. One principal firm are now in negotiation with the masons, as they are unable to proceed with their works. We have information that the letter which appeared in the Times of the 18th instant was submitted to nearly all the leading firms, but that eight only ultimately, after much discussion, con- sented to sign.

— We have positive information that a body of plasterers working for a firm who had resolved on introducing the hour system gave notice of their intention to work under it only the nine hours, thus taking the masters at their word, and working nine hours for nine hours' pay. They were last week all dismissed upon that ground, and their places have not been, and are not likely to be, filled.