lEbt

The election of a 'Member for the County of Ididdlesex,in'tbe velem-of 'the late 'Mr. Ilyng„ took 'place at Bretitford on 'Weliiieliday.The telly -candidate was Lord Robert'Grosvehor; who was aecompaniedlo the:grow:id 'by Lord Marcus Hill, Sir Walter Stirling, Sir De 'Lacy Evans, 'Mr. 'Whit- bread,-and other other -gentlemen of influence In the county. In spite of the severe weather, a -large crowd surrounded the -hustings.

Lord Robert Hrrosvenor was proposed by Mr. Bouverie; who paid a tri- bute -of respeot to Mr. Byng, and recommended Lord Robert as a ifit successor in vindicating civil and religious liberty. Mr. Bouverie totally 'repudiated the sentitnerits 'expressed 'in a retent correspondenee by his persenal -friend 'Mr. 110iite. Sir Edward 'Buxton -seconded the thaloil,

with a likeqleclaration of 'respect Ibr lir% and Of oonfidente in -Loid Robert.

The candidate was declared to be 'duly elected; atal'he addressed the electors at some length. He avowed hirneelf nearly overehelmed illy la sense of his own deficiency; and pleaded the urgent invitatien of dift. Brig's supporters as his warrant for Coming 'forward. He-also paid his tribtite -to Mr. Byng- " I don't know how I oan batter gum hp whet I have to say regarding then than by saying, thatthis proud epitaph oan be used on his tomb—that for fifty years he 'represented, not namely this suburban population, but the ;population tof -half the metropolis, during perhaps the most eventful period of our lustoty; and that hehas descended to the tomb full of years and honours, and possessing -the respect and attachment dell classes of his censtitnenti." Lord Robert referred the electors Whits own .pastlife in polities-

" Gentlemenj was introduced to political life twentyllive years ago: All* time I found a 'Parliament :unreformed'Which 'could not Martriveyhe saitilo-it- presere'the people of Englend; 'Hound it 'criminal her Tull ofensatistactory ath- mulles ; rfofind civil disabilities and penalIews &gaited ottr dlentat Cathelic low-subjeets, alit! I found acts enforced Which pressed -in meet unjust and dp- ressive menner upon the consciences of those Toligietts denominations which differed frotnthe,Churoh; I found slavery existing-in our Colonies; 1 found trade -and commerce fettered by unjust monopolies; end, wont of all, !found it i

sible to obtain the redress of grievances, however clearlythey were proved. tlemen, I hesitated not to attach myself to that small but increasing band men who opposed themselves to this bad system; and, without going into any detail of the measures we succeeded in passing, I may say that we never relaxed in oar exertions until we obtained that 'better slate of things 'under which w'e now

* Mr. Byng gate the '-flnit blow to that system -which Ilmee described, by assisting Mr. Canning 'in his struggle with the ag.rictirittriste in 1828. -He gave the crowning blow to that system by-assisting 'Sir Robert Peel on a late occasion. Now, gentlemen, in all these struggles,—and they were-long, they were arduous, they were carried on with various successes,—I had thedis- tingnished satisfaction-of finding myself upon every occasion voting-side by side with Mr. Byng, the late representative of this county." Lord Robert felt that a -large debt was due to the working classes 'of Middlesex— "Mr. Cobden (and lie is no mean judge, especially upon such a question be this) stated, that great as he thought the industry of the working classes to "be in dna county with which be was immediately tonnected, he meet say, that by "the artisans of 'London 'atid ltliddlesex 'they werelar surpassed. I do notlhidk 'those classes have 'been fairly riveted. I consider that they-have-been sadly -ne- glected; and any measures that may be brought-forward with the object cif-ameli- orating their situation shell have my warmest and most eanieet support. Bet, 'whatever may be our opinions with regard to those reforms which are still neces- sary, Learnestly hope that, for the present at least, all minor differences will be laid aside, and that we shall all unite to support the Government, and to aid each other, in endeavouring to enable this country to pass through that crisis upon which we are at this moment entering. Depend upon it, in this matter we must assist the Government, and we must assist each other. We are only as yet at the threshold a our difficulties; ahd every effort-of private and public'virthe will be necessary in order to stem the crisis, and to meet the difficulties by 'which we are encompassed, even should it 'please Hod to assist us by giving us au early and kindly crop of the-fruits Of the earth." The hew Member alluded to the Metre correspondence; avowing &at he adhered to his former opinions on the subject of Catholicism in Ireland; 'but objecting this partial discuesioh of a subject Which was not now ibe- :fore Parliament, and had not been before 'it Tor mearly"twi3nty years.

'had been -called "the Pope's candidate"; &title which he disclahried-

'" But, though I am'not -the Pope's candidate, I beg to'say that, consideieng The highly reforming and enlightened sentiments of the Sovereign 'who mowfiltethe Chair-elf Peter—(" Hetsr,Iteer!")—I 'am not quite certain Whether, epee, the whole, I would not rather be the Pope's candidate than the nominee of the gentle- man who applied the epithet to me." ("Hear!" and a laugh.)

Touching the endowment, Lord Robert subsequently said- " To the best of my knowledge and belief, no one of the heads of those parties which are likely to wield the destinies of this country for many years to come has the smallest intention of proposing it. Now, I confess my opinion is this— that, considering the state of excitement in which the public are in consequence of the recent alarming defection of some members of the Established Church from her religion, and considering also the reiterated declarations of the Roman Catholic clergy in Ireland that they will not accept of any endowment, if any 3finister were to come forward and propose such a measure, my confidence in his discretion would be most materially abated."

With a vote of thanks to the Sheriffs and Under-Sheriff, the meeting broke up.

Mr. George Thompson has most handsomely declined to contest the va- cancy in Westminster, about to be created by the retirement of Mr. Leader, in favour of Mr. Charles Lushington. Mr. Lushington will therefore re- ceive the united support of all the Liberal section of the constituency.— Yarning Chronicle.

A very numerous meeting of the Court of Common Council assembled on Tuesday, in Committee of the whole Court, to consider resolutions having reference to the pending disputes with the Court of Aldermen. A great deal of angry feeling was exhibited. Mr. Ashurst submitted a reso- lution, to the effect that the Lord Mayor be requested to restore the Quali- fication Hill to the paper of business, from which he had withdrawn it. Sir Peter Laurie having seconded the motion, Mr. Alderman Sidney pro- posed an amendment, for a reference to the Law-officers of the Crown, and to the Recorder and Common Sergeant, to ascertain whether the Lord Mayor could legally put the question. This amendment was negatived, and Mr. Ashurst's motion was carried with acclamation; Aldermen Sir Peter Laurie, Humphery, Wood, Sir James Duke, and Challis, voting for it.

The usual general meeting of the Society for Promoting the Amend- ment of the Law was held on Wednesday evening; Lord Brougham pre siding. A very interesting report was read on the various plans which had been tried or proposed for improving the treatment of prisoners and young persons likely to become criminals, and on the proper principles of punishment. The report concluded with a series of recommendations; of which the main features were, useful employments and education while in gaol, the abolition of short sentences, and proper asylums for juvenile offenders.

The Irish Members of Parliament of all parties are holding meetings in Old Palace Yard, to watch the Government measures; and on Tuesday there was a numerous muster to receive an explanation from Lord George J3entinck respecting the Irish Railway Bill which he proposed to intro- Awe into Parliament. The.following is given as a list of the noblemen and gentlemen present—

The Marquis of Sligo, the Marquis of Westmeath, Lord Lucan Lord Done- raille, Lord Bernard, Lord Lurgan, Lord Clements, Lord Malsarine, Lord Chirlemont, Lord Castlereagh, the Marquis of Downshire, Lord Fingal, (in the chain) -MnD. O'Connell, Mr. Dillon Browne, Mr. Gregory M'Grogan, Mr. G. Hamilton, Mr. Morgan J. O'Connell, Mr. Henry Grattan, Mr. W. Smith O'Brien, 'Mr. Archibald, Sir H. W. Barron, Mr. Thomas Martin, Mr. F. French, Mr. P. Sutler, Mr. B. Callaghan, Mr. John O'Connell, Mr. James Kelly, Mr. Alexander 3PCarthy, Mr. D. Gallagher, Mr. T. O'Brien, Mr. Stafford O'Brien, Mr. B. Os- borne, Mr. James Power, Mr. Cecil Lawless, Mr. Tuite, Colonel Rawdon, Colonel Verner, Captain Taylor, Colonel Beresford, Mr. Acton, Mr. J. Collett, Mr. N. R. Collett, Colonel Conolly, Mr. Sharman Crawford, Mr. Lefroy, Sir A. B. Brooke, Mr. J. J. Bodkin, Mr. AVDonnell, Mr. Bellew, Sir Thomas Esmonde, Hon. T. V. Dawson, Mr. E. Corbally, Sir N. Vernon, Mr. V. H. Hatton, &c.

Lord George Bentinck spoke .at much length on the necessities of Ire- land and the mode of meeting them, with a copious explanation of his bill. The meeting, we are told, "shortly afterwards separated, all apparently satisfied with the statement-of Lord George Bentinck, though declining-to express any decided opinion upon it."

A meeting was held in Exeter Hall, on Thursday, to promote a collec- tion in aid of the destitute Irish and Scotch on a wider basis .than any yet made. Dr. Urwick and Dr. 'IVI`Leod attended as deputations from Dublin and Glasgow; and a large proportion of the meeting consisted of Dissenters. Resolutions in furtherance of the main object were passed: among them was one recommending, that, simultaneously with the reading of the Queen's letter in the churches of the Establishment, Dissenting ministers should exhort their congregations to contribute. So great is the destitution in the parish of St. Luke, Chelsea, that num.' bers in the proportion of one in fourteen of the whole population are re- ceiving parochial-aid. Last week the inmates of the workhouse numbered .323; while out-door relief was given to 2,694; total, 3,217. The total at this 'timelast year was only 1,834.

'In the Court of Exchequer Chamber, on Tuesday, Mr. Baron Parke delivered the decision of the Judges In the case of Howard versus Gossett. It will be re- collected that a summons was issued by the Speaker, directing the plaintiff (Mr. Howard, Mr. Stockdale's solicitor) to appear at the bar of the House of Commons, and give evidence in a question relating to privileges. Mr. Howard did not ap- pear; a warrant was issued by the Speaker for his arrest; and he still resisted, on the ground that the warrant was not valid, as it contained no reason for the arrest. He brought an action in the Court of Queen's Bench against Sir William Gossett for entering his house; and on the trial the Jury returned a verdict in his favour, with 1001. damages. The case was subsequently argued before the Court sitting in Banco, and decided in favour of the plaintiff; but the Judges being divided in opinion, it was removed by Sir William Gossett, on a writ of error, to the Exchequer Chamber. In the Court of Error the arguments lasted. several days; and on Tuesday morn- ing their Lordships delivered judgment. The Court, after careful consider- ation, and after weighing all the authorities bearing on the point, were of opinion that the House of Commons, as one of the High Courts of Parliament, had a pelted authority to act in matters affecting itself; and was not bound to state on the face of a warrant which it issued to its own officer, the Ser- geant-at-Arms, the formal matters which must be set forth in the warrant of an inferior magistrate. The superior Courts at Westminster claimed and exer- cisedthe same authority; and the Judges were dearly of opinion that the House of Commons had equally with them an undoubted right to take and keep in cus- tody any person the House might think guilty of contempt, and the Speaker's Warrant was quite a sufficient authority to the Sergeant for doing so. It had been argued at the bar, that if such a power were inherent in the House of Commons it might be much abused, and there could be no remedy. That was undoubtedly, no; but it was precisely the same case with the exercise of the un- doubted authority of the superior Courts at Westminster. They must presume that the exercise of the power would be properly directed; and that if it should happen to make any undue exercise of its power, the good sense of the House would, like the Courts of Law' grant redress. They must therefore reverse the judgment of the Queen's Bench, and decide in favour of the defendant on all the counts.

In the Court of Queen's Bench, on Wednesday, judgment was given on Mr. Wakley's application for leave to file a criminal information against Mr. Cooke, the _proprietor of the Medical Times, for two libels published in that paper. The subject of the papers was the inquest at Hounslow on the body of White, a pri- vate in the Seventh Hussars who had undergone the punishment of flogging. The journal condemned Mr. Wakley, in somewhat cosine terms, for nominating Mr. Erasmus Wilson, a personal friend, to examine White's body—he should have ordered the duty to be performed by a medical man free from any imputation of bias. In defence, it was represented that the alleged libel was a legitimate com- mentary on Mr. Wakley's public conduct; and that by having commented in public on the censures cast upon him in the Medical Times, he had taken into his own hands the matter of which he now complained. The Court concurred in that view, and the rule was discharged.

At the Central Criminal Court, on Wednesday, Francis Olifieres was tried for stealing two brilliant brooches, value 400/., from Mr. John Linnit. The pri-

sonw obtained the jewellery on the pretence that lie was eonunissioned by the Queen to procure the articles for her: he averred that he was regularly employed by her Majesty and Prince _Albert, and was familiar with them. He pawned _the brooches for 150/. Miss Skerrit and Colonel Anson deposed that the prisoner had. never been employed at the Palace, nor had interviews with the Queen or Priuce Albert: in 1842, he had made an imitation in hair of the head of a favcurite dog that belonged to the Queen; but he bad never been employed in any other way, nor commissioned to purchase jewellery. He was found guilty.

Dr. Charles Henry Lovell and Mrs. Hope Betts were put on their trial, the one as principal, the other as accessory, in the manslaughter of Martha Hobbs, whose death was alleged to have been the result of hydropathic treatment ad• ministered by the accused. The Grand Jury had ignored the bill against them, and they were charged on the Coroner's inquisition. Mr. Justice Cresswell advis the withdrawal of the case, unless there were better evidence than what had been tendered to the Grand Jury. The trial, however, was entered upon; but when the

first witness, Mr. Uxbridge, a surgeon, declared his inability to say that death had been caused by the hydropathic treatment of the ailments of Martha Hobbit the investigation was at once closed, by direction of the Judge, with a verdict of acquittal.

Two Post-office letter-carriers were convicted of stealing letters containing money.

At the Mansionhonse, on Wednesday, Robert Kerr, master of the bark Levee.- side, was charged with stealing diamonds of the value of 3,3001., intrusted I. him at Bahia, as freight. He was remanded.

The inquest on the bodies of the two persons who were killed on the Great Western Railway by the breaking of a tire, last week, was resumed at Southall on

Monday. Several kractical witnesses concurred in declaring that tho fracture

had resulted from imperfect welding. Mr. Benjamin Cubit; one of these wit- nesses, explained the process of welding. The two ends of the tire are cut off at an angle, and by the application of great pressure brought together, thus forming a " V ": a distinct " V " piece is then welded into the tire. This is the ordinary or common way. Mr. Gooch adopts another plan, and fills up the angles with a succession of three smaller "V" pieces. This is a much better mode of insuring the strength of the tire. He thought only one "V" piece had been used in the tire of the Queen. He believed that that method was generally adopted at the Haigh Foundry, where the tire was made. Mr. Gooch, superintendent of the lo- comotive department, promised that for the future rivets should be used in fasten- ing the tires on the Great Western Railway. A letter was read from the Haigh Foundry Company, expressing regret at toe disaster, and declaring that every effort was e to turn out sound tires. Mr. Wakley summed up the evidenee; and after a short consultation, the Jury returned this verdict—" That the de-

ceased Henry Bishop and Henry Halt were accidentally killed by the breaking of a certain tire attached to the driving-wheel of an engine belonging to the Great Western Railway Company"; and they strongly recommended that the system. fastening the tires with screws, as advised by the engineers examined, should bts invariably adopted for the future.